"Thank you dear.."
"Of Course!"
"Is it not a bit too late to stay out at this hour?" The old man's voice rang as he began rummaging through his wrinkled clothes.
"If i wasn't, i wouldn't be here to help you!" Mike smiles as he puts the final bag onto the wagon.
"Tell me... what's a young esteemed man like you doing in these old docks..."
Mike was confused as he adjusted his clothes "I'm just passing by, I don't intend to stay long." "That's a shame.. it's rare to see faces like yours around here." The old man nudges Mikels side. "Be sure to leave a good word for us haha!!" Mike laughs "my friends will love it here! I'll bring them along when I come back!"
The old man was glowing as he patted the young man's back, "For your troubles, but I'm sure you don't have much use for it anyway." The old man dropped three silver coins on Mike's hand with a heartfelt laugh. "This old man doesn't have much, so you better not refuse this! It'll make this old man look bad!!"
The man closes his fist with the silver coins inside as he picks up his wagon to walk off. "Maybe he didn't need help... that was a strong grip on my fist..."
Mike mindlessly walked through the night, occasionally getting a glance or two from passersby.
His steps felt heavy. The robe he wore had long inconvenient sleeves he couldn't even roll back without looking stupid.
To be or not to be... stupid looking.
Mikel tugged at his hanging sleeves, almost covering his hands. The edges turned a bit dirty after he helped this old man with his fish bags, but for a good action, it was worth it ! He shook his arms around, the sleeves flapping back and forth, the motion keeping the man entertained for longer than he would admit.
He eventually came to a halt when an eerie chill felt its way down his spine, causing him to look around.
I know I'm looking around for him but he wouldn't creepily stalk me like this, right… After a silent tough, he froze. Who am I even expecting..?
His guard grew up. His surroundings seemed far less vibrant than before. Quivering, he made sure to stay close to the brightest spots and to pass by the most lively houses, in case he needed to scream or seek help.
It's just that it made him look a little pretentious…
"Sir?" The voice was frail! So frail Mike thought it was a ghost!
"Yes?" He responded before he even turned around, meeting a child's eyes.
"You seem lost."
"I am just looking around, don't worry." His voice was gentle as he rubbed the kids head, its hair surprisingly fluffy.
"You can rest at the bar." "The bar!?" "Yes.. my father works there, I'm sure he'd love a customer like you."
Baffled, he opened his mouth in disbelief! Letting your kid go out at this hour? Even making him promote your bar!
"You know what! Yeah, bring me to the bar." Mike instinctively took the kids hand. The kid flinched on impact, but didn't let go.
He quietly began to guide the man for a few minutes, until they arrived at a vibrant bustling place.
The door seemed to be just two curtains, allowing the light of the bar to slightly shine out and the muffled talks of the customers to be heard by the travelers.
I kept walking past there… I guess I should've entered sooner.
The kid urged him to go inside when he saw Mike come to a halt.
Deep breaths, it's just another group of people.
The kid trailing behind him, Mike walked through. Some eyes watched Mike's figure up and down while the voices softened.
He casually moved forward, searching for an empty seat, but there were few. He decided to sit directly at the bar and maybe relocate later after pretending to look at the menu.
He was about to talk to the kid, his eyes looking back, yet the kid was already gone.
Children in this place really love vanishing on me! Reminds me of Mikel's ghosting… Mikel?
His steps stagned when he approached the bar seat.
Mikel… I feel dizzy…
The bar stool scooted back by itself at a man's move, making room for Mike who glanced at him confusedly.
"The smell of alcohol must be strong, take a seat, sir." The server? Mike met eyes with him as he sat down. He barely noticed the smell. The wave of blur came in, but he can't remember why.
"Thank you." With a polite nod, he took the menu off the server's hand and merely stared at the words without actually taking anything in. All he could see were the coins prices, which were cheap, possibly?
It feels off, everything feels off. He gets hit with all these things, reading, coins, fish, booze!
He placed down the menu, his script already in his head as he moved his eyes slightly to look at a sofa nearby. It was not empty, but there was enough space for him to comfortably sit on.
When should I move…
He was eyeing the sofa for a bit before a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Anything you settled on?"
"No, thank you.."
"Well, I did! Hand over the fish steak!"
The server suddenly got distracted as another man called and he left Mike with his thoughts. Once more the frustration is growing.
I cannot think… I can't…. I hate this place, where are they!?
He looked around the crowd, full of empty faces, before the clank of a glass snapped him back towards the counter.
"Water, first one is on the house. If anything, I can move a gentleman off the sofa for you." The server was back.
"Ah, please don't!" please do!!
Mike could feel eyes all over him and he couldn't even tell why. Was it the flower crown? Why didn't he take it off before going in! Maybe it's the clothes, well I can't really take those off…
He reluctantly reached up for his head and took off the crown, placing it down in front of him with a sigh.
"Thank you for the water, I won't be a bother." He nodded at the waiter, who had been watching his expression shift back and forth.
I wanna go home…
A sip of the water and he felt a chill, this is really cold!
The man next to him received a plate, the clanking making him flinch.
Since when have I been so overly aware of everything…
Every word, every mumble, every clank reached his ears and rang all the way to his head. He couldn't even ignore the blatant stares!
A man sat down next to him, which he chose to ignore. He looked more on the rougher side at first glance.
It's a shame I can't move now, or it'll look like I moved away because he sat next to me... I don't want to look rude!
He placed his elbow on the bar and leaned his head onto his hand, taking a much more relaxed position.
With an occasional sip here and there, his glass was still half full before another platter clank right in front of him, coercing him to open his eyes.
"Oh no I didn't-" "someone paid for it." A swift interruption and a swift exit. "Oh…"
"Have a bite, just looking at you makes me feel weak." A rough voice came from his side. He turned up to examine the wild-looking gentleman sitting next to him.
Scanning his body, he definitely was someone to drool over! Sitting on a mere bar stool and still looking strong.
Long hair barely tied in a pony tail falling off his shoulders, with a large chest and muscles to match!
stop gawking, stop gawking!!
Mike coughs as he turns his blushing face away.
"There was no need." "There definitely was! Those flowers on your crown look much more sturdy than you!"
….
...…..
Mike stared at the meat in front of him. He couldn't bring himself to sneak a peek at this man anymore. Not after this brutal assault…
He picked slightly at the meat - it didn't smell like fish - so he just assumed that it was meat… he finally took a reluctant bite.
THIS TASTES GOOD!
Light was practically radiating off of him as he started taking much more eager bites.
He hummed - that could only be better described as a satisfied chuckle - barely noticing the man staring at his amusing behaviour.
After that savory meal, he turns to face the man.
"Thank you!" Mike beams a smile.
The man was startled for a second before turning his head away. "You're welcome."
Honestly that meal really helped me.. i can't even remember what i was stressed about!
The bar chair squeaked along with Mike getting up, stretching. "I'll move to a different seat, you know! Don't wanna block other customers!" With a wink, Mike was gone, the flower crown nowhere to be seen. The man was left behind with the empty plate and empty glass.
When moving closer to the couch, he finally got a better look of its soft furry cushions. The men here were also looking rather wide...
Seriously, what's with this body type.. am i the only slim looking one? Maybe I have a strong body too and I simply didn't see it…
He cautiously approaches, then takes a seat at the edge of the sofa, leaning back comfortably without disturbing anyone.
It was near a small fireplace, so it got quite warm, but this warmth felt so new for him, who was in the outside cold since he woke up in this wrecked abandoned house. It is soothing…
Carefully placing the crown on the table's corner, he closed his eyes, deciding to ignore the glances of those around him.
It's best to not cause a fuss in an area like this; he does count as an outsider after all.
It's best not to start anything.