The City of Ionia

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The entire bar tapped mugs with one another before chugging booze down their throat while making a mess. Everyone clicked with each other like best friends. No one brought the mood down.

Owen smiled at the scenery. He sat on the higher chairs close to the bartender. He was lucky to find an open seat, as there weren’t enough chairs or seats for everyone.

Next to him was a woman with short, white bangs barely touching her shoulder. Her hands looked rough, almost like Jill’s, and her posture was near perfect.

He tapped mugs with her and went to work on the chugging.

“Phew! This is some good stuff,” he said in an attempt to spark conversation.

She didn’t respond.

Owen didn’t find that pleasing. Did he say anything wrong? He couldn’t remember. Was it the way he looked? He made sure to wear his best outfit, which consisted of multiple layers and clean pants.

Could it be his breath? Shit, what if it was. He turned to the opposite side and huffed into his palm before taking a whiff of his breath.

It smelled like booze.

He turned again towards the women, this time for the basic conversation starter.

“So, what brings you to Walisburg?”

She gave her attention with an obvious response. “The event.”

Shit!

Of course, she came here for the event! What other reason?!

He wanted to chop his brain into pieces. Out of everything, he asked the most obvious question.

Well, it's time to scramble a recovery.

“Oh, really. Well, we have something in common, heh–heh.”

“It appears so,” she replied, uninterested.

“So, um, did you come alone?”

She gave him a weird side-eye.

“I—I didn’t mean it like that. Like, you came with family or friends, right?”

Owen realized how creepy that question was. How could he ask a lone woman if she came alone? It’s a recipe for getting slapped in the face.

“I know what you meant. And yes, I came with…family.”

She adjusted her short, white hair, revealing her ear. The upper cartilage was red, which was understandable since the temperature dropped with every.

Owen continued the conversation. “Family? Same. They aren’t biologically family, but we are all too close to be considered friends. So ya, I think family is the right word.”

“Same situation.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “We are family, not my blood, but by bond.”

“I know exactly what you mean.”

It hit a dead-end. Owen didn’t know how to swerve the conversation in a different direction.

He came up with multiple ideas. Ask about her personal life, though that could lead in a weird direction. Ask about the event, though that was boring and unoriginal.

He was at a roadblock. Could another drink help?

He asked the bartender, who was off to the side, for another drink. Exchanging nods, he was delivered a drink in an instant.

Owen stared at the fuzzy bubbles, debating whether to chug or not. Making a mess of his outfit would spoil the mood for the rest of the night. What if he embarrassed himself next to the gorgeous lady? Would she mock him? On the other hand, what if he successfully chugged without error? Would she applaud and maybe advance out of the development stage? Granted, he did chug earlier and somehow didn’t spill, but that had to be a fluke.

Ultimately, he took a slip, not wanting to take the risk.

“Did your family leave you alone?”

In a surprising turn of events, she ignited the conversation.

Owen rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants, not expecting such a wild twist.

“Not really. We stayed as a whole for a while, then ventured off on our own. They are all doing their own thing.”

“Likewise. I got dragged into coming and wanted to explore alone. They should be here soon, though?”

“They’re coming to drink?”

“No. They’re meeting me here and then going home. We aren’t staying the night like most people.”

Owen was bummed out. He wanted to get to know this person more.

“What town or village do you live in?”

She shifted her seating position, facing Owen. Was it because he was getting past the development stage or because it was easier to talk that way? He kept his optimism high and assumed it was the first reason.

“None. I live in a camp. Though we move to a village during winter, I wouldn’t say we live there.”

“Really? Same here. Well, not a camp, but a house.”

“We live in tents. Though I get my own cabin for reasons.”

Her own cabin? Was she rich? No, that couldn’t be. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be living next to people with tents.

“Do you mind if I ask where you live?”

“Where I live isn’t important.”

That was a dismissive response. Owen couldn’t let awkwardness soak through, so he had to do something before it was too late.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to word my question that way. What I wanted to ask was which town you live close to. Maybe sometime in the future, we can grab another drink. If you’re interested, obviously.”

She gave him a stern look. Owen didn’t know why. What made him even say that? Was he stupid? Did he say anything?

The quick answer was no. He knew what the answer was going to be.

She’s going to leave.

That’s what he thought. He was convinced that this was the only outcome. His stupidity dragged him to another failure.

But, his expectations were much different from reality.

“As much as I admire the offer, I must turn it down. Not because I’m unwilling to, but rather… I’ll be frightened.”

“Frightened?” Owen questioned, not understanding her words.

“It’s complicated and not something I want to discuss—”

“Hey there!”

“Eh—!”

She jumped at the touch of a man behind her. He smiled and messed with her hair as though he knew her. Seconds later, two others walked up to them. One was as big—no—he was bigger than Roger. His traps were like hills that defined his strength. And his broad shoulders popped out of his shirt, almost like that’s what they were made for. The other person, a child, had long hair plopped on his face like a wet mop. He wasn’t in his teens, for sure.

“Who are you talking to?” asked the smaller man.

The white-haired woman gave a blank look.

“Oh, I’m not too sure. I never caught your name. Do you mind telling us what it is?”

“Uh, my name is Owen.”

“Nice to meet you, Owen. My name is Nadia. And this right here is Jeremy. The bigger man is Randy, and the child is Quinn.”

They exchanged friendly smiles and waves with one another, except for the child. He seemed a little on the shy side.

“Alright, Nadia, we’re gonna head out.”

“I’ll be coming with you. We must discuss some work, but which be saved for the meeting.”

“Oh ya, I have to attend those. Man, being a squad leader is rough,” Jeremy said.

“It’s your duty that must be done. As the commander, I must ensure you do your duty.”

Owen didn’t question anything. He sat in silence, trying not to interrupt their conversation.

“Well, I’ll take my leave now. It was refreshing speaking to you, Owen.”

“Ya—Ya. You too.”

They waved goodbye, leaving Oven alone.

He mumbled under his breath, “I guess I’ll go find Roger.”