Private - The things we do

Aalam was nervous is heart was pounding in his chest he was pacing back and forth underneath the arch in Stokbon. It was a nice place but that was something that was lost on him the place was beautiful, the arch was craved complete out of white marble. It was one of the few places that he thought that he would be able to impress her. He was able to gather a bouquet of flower it was a set of dragon rose. They weren’t as good as normal red roses but they were the best that he could find at the times. They were still free and the flowerets had wrapped him in a lovely paper for him. He just had to calm down it was just then that he realized that he was pacing back and forth between the arches. Why he so nervous, he had done dangerous things before was much more dangerous but this was the thing that had his heart beating in his chest. He needs to calm down to take a breather leaning up against the arch he just needed to catch a break.

He was the best dress that he had been in a long time choosing to wear a suit instead of amour. Finding someone who could make a three-piece suit was hard enough but he was able to get it done. It was a simple white and black number but his shoes were shining to perfection and he had a handkerchief in his breast pocket.



It couldn’t have been that long since he had been on a proper date couldn’t it? He had been busy with the shop and everything else but it still wasn’t that long ago. He could still remember the last time he had been on a date it was with that red-haired girl back in….. damn it had been that long. Sliding along the arch feeling the cold stone against his back it had been a while. Taking out the note cards that he had made for this date and looking them over just to make sure that he remembered everything. They were supposed to meet under the arch, and then he was showing her around the city some of the sites and then have a nice dinner at a small little café that he had found. He had to keep positive Lady Sola had said that he was a decent person, he should be able to take her out on a nice date. Running over his cards one more time before she arrived hoping to get everything down.

@Savannah Reed

 

With a hearty sigh, Savannah opened her eyes, stretched her arms over her head, popped her shoulder blades and slowly sat up in bed. The familiar musty scent of the tavern and inn was a welcomed reminder of TerraSphere. She’d been off the game for about two weeks as moving to New York, establishing somewhere to live and getting some shitty job had taken most of her time. The job thing was still up in the air, but at least she wasn’t homeless any longer. Granted, she would never be homeless if she decided to join this game full time for the rest of her life...

Shaking her head, she turned her thoughts to the day. She could faintly remember speaking to Aalam about touring Stokborn today. It was one of the cities that she found herself spending copious amounts of time in, but never fully seeing or experiencing the atmosphere of the place. So, essentially, today would be an off day. While she was very interested in learning to wield her new great axe, one day’s rest would do wonders for her fingers, arms, and shoulders. The massive weapon, while not completely different from her halberd, was enough of a difference that her muscles complained after every swing and parry.

Standing, she dressed in town clothes instead of her armor. They wouldn’t be fighting anything in the city…she hoped. Still, before she left her room, she tucked a hand axe into her belt, thinking she would rather be slightly prepared than fully unprepared. Her garb consisted of a cream tunic, leather breeches, and soft leather shoes. Long, inky black tendrils of hair were pulled up in a quick tight ponytail that hung to about mid back. She glanced toward the mirror over her desk and shrugged her shoulders. It would do.

Her pace was brisk as she made her way toward their meeting place and upon arriving, immediately noticed Aalam pacing...in a suit. Savannah blinked, glanced down at herself, and grimaced. She felt completely underdressed. Shit, maybe she should have asked about a dress code or something? But, why was he pacing exactly? Did something happen? She wasn’t too late, she thought; maybe ten minutes or so, but the technology of the world didn’t have watches and she couldn’t read the sun so she was left wondering (slash hoping) she hadn’t kept him too long.

Waiting until he was leaning against the arch, she cleared her throat, lifted her chin, and strode purposefully forward.

Hey Aalam, she greeted with a friendly smile. She paused and then shook her head. Oh, right. I keep forgetting. I’m, uh, Savannah. From the wall? I, ah, kinda got killed a little after the war...uhm...so...I just decided to remake my avatar so…yeah. You look…ah, really nice! I didn’t know we were supposed to dress up… ​

 

Aalam was looking down at his note cards trying to make sure that when the time came he would be able to remember everything that he had written down. But it was harder to make the information stick now for some reason. He has to try and get all this information down before she arrived, how it would look if he had his nose buried in note cards and not waiting for her. Like a proper gentleman, his day would have known what to do but he could really ask him for advice any more. There was the possibility if he had to get a drink of some liquid courage… but no that wouldn’t help he had to do this by himself. He just had to remember the route that he had planned out for the day. It was met up by the arch, then to was a walking tour of the city, the guide had suggested to take her around the older areas. They had some the best architecture and one of the oldest feels in the town. There was to the little café that he had found it wasn’t really his type of place, it wasn’t like the inn that he spent most of his time at but it was nice, very classy. He would have preferred to go to one of the older bars the just felt so much nicer, well honest to him a place where you could just be well you. However this day wasn’t about him, he did keep the location of that inn in the back of his mind.

He was still looking down at his cards when savannah did arrive however, he was so focused that he didn’t even notice when she arrived. Well, that was going to be an interesting start to this entire affair jumping to his feet as she greeted him. His note cards and the flower both going into the air at the same time, but he was only fast enough to catch one thing so he choosed the flowers. Letting the note cards rain down around him but making sure he was able to save the flowers. It seemed that he was overdressed for the day; the suit was a bit much in comparison to her amour. Damnit he knew he should have just worn clean amour but noooo he had to wear a suit.

Ignoring all the cards that were raining down on him handing her the bouquet, hoping that she liked dragon roses it wasn't much he did know that he was supposed to bring a woman flowers. “Right … yes right. Savannah of course… it’s good to see you. I’m sorry to hear that you had been killed. Are you ok is there anything.. you might need? You look really nice, you didn’t have to dress up really, I guess I might have over done it on the clothes.” It was good to see that he would still ramble on. “ Um I do have a little plan for the day but if you would like to just walk around …….”

 

Ah, she had startled him. Shit.

She openly winced as his notecards went flying everywhere and took a step forward, intending to get down on the ground and start picking them up. However, his outstretched arm complete with a bouquet of roses stopped her in her tracks, her silver eyes going wide. She had never received flowers before, here nor the real world. A careful hand grabbed them as a small smile pulled at the corners of her lips. They were amazing. Tentatively, she lifted them to her nose and inhaled.

Wow, she said with a happy sigh, glancing up at Aalam. These are beautiful. Thank you Aalam. I’ve never received flowers before. She felt a little silly, truth be told, having admitted that, but it was no story. Not for her birthday or Valentine's day nor Christmas; then again, she didn't have anyone in the real world or here that would have bought her flowers to begin with. Except now, maybe she did?

She gently shook her head, expelling those thoughts and instead made a mental note to google how to take care of these things. They looked exotic, so they probably needed more than just water and sunlight, right?

Swiping her hand through the air, she pulled up her inventory and deposited the flowers inside. Before closing it, she noticed a little timer begin to count down in the corner of the item.

You, ah, didn’t have to get me anything. I…I didn’t get you anything. I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Inventory closed, Savannah’s attention turned back to Aalam and his words before she was shaking her head again, another patient smile already tugging at her mouth.

No, thank you though. I’m fine. It was an accident, really; some newbie level player not being careful nor understanding the game. She didn’t want to get into it as, even now, the sting was there. Not killed in the war, but killed by a newb being reckless? How lame.

[bUhm, sure. We can walk around a bit if you’d like. Your suit looks really nice by the way—oh, wait, I said that already. But, I mean, it does![/b]

Awkward pause.

Ah, how have you been since then? I mean, since the wall. You made it out okay? You look like you did, but, well, war impacts everyone differently so…but you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, of course…​

 

Well, it seemed that she liked the flowers and that was a good thing even if his note card were all over the ground around him. Well, hopefully, he would be able to remember everything that he was supposed to say and do. Looking down at the card he was able to spy one that wasn’t completely ruined with the location of what he hoped was the café written on it. Placing that note in his back pocket of later, her words did surprise him however when she had that not never received flower before. He had to raise an eyebrow at that, why would she have never received flowers before. She was a perfectly beautiful woman and seemed to have a good personality. Or maybe things had changed from when his day had given him that advice. He really hoped that he hadn’t missed a step or something of the like here. “I can’t image why not, flowers suit you.”

Well, she did seem to keep them and that was a good sign if nothing else. She apologized for not bring anything for him however and that was something that he found weird. Dating had really chance a lot since he had tried it last. Clearing his throat as he tried to get both his thought and his words in order, come he should be able to do this. “Ohh no you really didn’t have to get me anything. I just thought that this is what people did when they asked a woman out…… Oh no, was it too much? Um, should I have not? I thought they were nice……..”

Well, at least it seemed that she was ok, even if she had been killed she looked good, however, if she didn’t want to talk about it when he wasn’t going to force here. That and the fact she was looking after one of the newbies was something to admire in her actions. If it was just an accident then there was no reason to go into it any further. She liked his suit!! That comment just made all that effort worth it. Making an effort to fix his collar, well if the lady liked it.

“The wall was interesting in a way, I was proud I guess to see how well we did to defend our home. I tried to keep everyone alive I failed there and then even the wall fell. I am sorry that I wasn’t able to live up to what I promised there.” Looking away from her for a second as he brought himself back together, pointing down a road that leads further into the city. “ There are some nice benches in a park over the way if you would like to sit and talk more…..”

 

She laughed.

It was a high pitched, nervous sound that came through her nose, so she was half-snorting, half laughing and as soon as she did it, she clapped her hands over her mouth and shook her head. She hadn’t meant to laugh as she thought his comment was sweet. It really was! No one ever said that kind of shit to her and maybe it’s because she hadn’t been complimented, like, ever, that her first inclination was to think it was a joke and laugh.

Oh, I’m not laughing at you I swear, she immediately said, dropping her hands to her sides as her words tripped over each other to reach his ears. I don’t know how to take compliments. I don’t have any practice in accepting compliments, so I just laughed. I’m sorry. Holy shit that was rude of me. She exhaled slowly through her mouth, rolled her shoulders and gave him a genuine smile. Thank you for the compliment.

Savannah’s eyes got bigger and bigger the more Aalam spoke until she gazed at him with a surprised expression covering her face, her mouth slightly open and forming an O. This was a….you asked me on…we’re on a date right now? Her voice dropped to a whisper and she blinked as if confused before, again, glancing down at her meager appearance. I didn’t…I mean I thought we were just hanging—though, I guess that makes sense with the flowers… Her sentence trailed off as her mouth snapped closed, her teeth clicking as they hit together. She locked her hands behind her at the small of her back, her fingers twisting nervously out of sight.

He saved her by bringing up something that they could both talk about with little trouble: the defense of Astorea. Casualties happen, she murmured, even though her mind was still spinning at the thought of this being an actual date. She had never been on a date before. Hell, she barely went to her senior prom! And Aalam was…older…right? She squinted at him as if studying his crows feet and laugh lines would somehow enlighten her to his actual age.

Realizing that she was being a creep, she shook her head and gave another small smile.

You can’t save everyone, she said with a nod. Not that you shouldn’t try, I guess, but, I mean, you can tell your soldiers to retreat, but if they believe that their life is best served on the front lines defending hearth and home, you can’t really stop them. Free will and all. And the capital still stands, Astor is still King, and we stopped an invading army when we were grossly outnumbered. I’d say you did a very good job.

Looking off toward the direction he pointed in, she was quick to nod again and took a step forward onto the path to lead them there.

...So, I didn’t know this was a date and I’m so sorry I didn’t realize that this was a date. I can be a dunce sometimes. Enter self-depreciating chuckle. I…uh…well, I mean…should I…are there any expectations I need to know about? Or anything? This is completely new territory for me.

Shame burned her ears and throat as the words dribbled from her lips.​

 

Well she was laughing, and it seemed that she was laughing at him, that was something at least he was able to make her laugh. It seemed that his dad was right after all flowers did work now it had only followed his advice on those chocolates. He had tried to get a box put it had been a bit difficult as the batch blew up is his face about three times. He took that as a sign from the Terra gods to leave the chocolates along, but he was delighted just to hear her laugh. It might not have been the most eloquent sound laugh, but it was genuine, and that counted for something. It took a bit of the weight off his chest to know that she didn't have an utterly terrible time so far.

It was a bit odd that she was so unused to compliments that when he gave her one, she busted out laughing. He didn’t know how to take that, but he would have to make a note to send her a letter every now and again to make sure that didn’t happen in future. Even if he managed to bomb the date, he should still make an effort to be kind to her. And seeing that he might have forgotten to tell her, he was asking her out on a date. The palm of his hand seemed to meet his face right then as he lets out a small groan. He might have already messed his date up more in the last thirty seconds than with the card fiasco. She thought they were just hanging out and he had to go and say a date. Stupid, stupid, stupid he just made this more awkward if that was possible, and by that expression on her face it was possible.

Well, at least she seemed to relax a bit more when they were talking about the wall even if she was looking at him a lot now. He looked off to the side for a bit trying to hide a blush that seemed to appear on his face. Using his collar as an excuse to break eye contact, he did turn back when she started to speak, however. She had somehow managed to make herself even cuter, so much that he didn’t realize that he was holding her hand. “No …no you didn’t do anything wrong. If anything I should have told you from the get-go this was a date… You're fine…. And well I just want us to have a good time together if anything……….” Realizing right then that he was holding her hand, he lets go quickly. ‘.... I know a nice Inn and bar, they have good food and drink. We could try there if you want.”

 

At seeing Aalam blush because of her compliment, Savannah’s natural reaction was to also blush. Perhaps she wasn’t the only one who wasn’t used to be complimented? She felt there was truth to her words nonetheless; Aalam had did his best given the circumstances and she was willing to bet that the causalities – player character causalities mostly – had been significantly less because of his leadership on the battlefield. But perhaps putting all that into words would make the entire…date even more awkward than it already was.

Instead of speaking, Savannah remained quiet with a small smile in place, her blush subsiding after a few moments. She partly registered that they were holding hands, but it wasn’t anything she needed to comment on. She didn’t abhor handholding, she had just never done it before…outside of crossing the street as a young child with her grandparents.

His palm was warm and calloused, and when she glanced down at their intertwined fingers, she noticed hers were much slimmer in comparison to his.

I think we’ll have a great time, Savannah chirped reassuringly while nodding her head. Her pace was slow and measured beside him, as if she was in no rush to get to where they were headed. Frankly, she didn’t really know the correct direction, so she was apt to walk slower and use her peripheral vision to look out for markers.

Food and drink sounds good. I haven’t eaten yet today…heh. Skipped breakfast and everything. Do you have a favorite food that you like in TerraSphere? Or a favorite cook perhaps?
​

 

Seeing that she didn’t pull away from when he was holding her handholding on a little tighter, her palm was different from his while his finger was rough and thick, hers were slender, but there was still strength in them. It would have been wrong to use the word delicately, for he had seen her on the walk and was a fighter of exceptional ability and strength. He was still only looking at her out of the corner of his eyes trying to get his emotion, and most of all get that damn blush off his face. Holding her hand like that did just feel nice. So he focused on that feeling the warmth that seemed to come from her and took a deep breath to calm him down.

However, when he turned back, there was a smile on her face it was an ear to ear grin but a small sweet smile. It was a beautiful thing and even though it should have made him nervous however it helps him to for words a bit better. If he messed up this date there at least, he would have the memory of that smile. Thinking for a few seconds before he spoke again, she wanted to know what his favorite food was here in Terra. He hadn’t really given it a lot of thought at this moment. He had always just gone by on whatever he was able to dig up and keep down. As he leads the way to the inn racking his mind for what would be his favorite dish. He led her down off the main road and down a few of the side corners until they were in front of a medium size building that seemed a bit out of place. It was as clean as the building on the sides of it; it looked worn as though it had been there for years and the town had grown up around it.

“Um this is one of the older places been here for some time, but it has a feeling of comfort, that I have come to enjoy. Well as for my favorite dish it just a simple beef stew with some fresh bread.” Rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. “I know it might not be that interesting, but it is a comfort.” Leading her up the stair and place a hand on the door pushing it open, but standing to one side so she would be able to enter first he was still on a date after all. “What about you what’s your favorite, we might be able to get them to make it for us.”

 

The female knight couldn’t remember venturing to this part of Stockborn before. To be honest, she was usually in and out of the city in a matter of hours. It wasn’t that she disliked the city, but she always found more to do out in the wilds of TerraSphere. After all, there was only so many cellars she could clean out, lost children she could locate, or barrels of fish she could move from the docks to the market square.

Because of her lack of familiarity with the location, she was apt to look around and notice where they were going more than normal. With her attention being split, she also didn’t notice that they were still holding hands though if she had, she wouldn’t have pulled away. It was nice to interact with another person outside of battling or trading witty remarks or just being annoyed at their presence.

Mmm, Savannah murmured as Aalam held the door open for her. She inclined her head with a smile and stepped into the building with another small smile. This wasn’t that awkward, all things considered. Beef stew with fresh bread sounds amazing. I haven’t had stew in forever. I’m not much of a cook myself, but I’m trying to learn. You kinda have to when you’re always out in the wilds. She gave a shrug of her shoulders before lifting a hand to her face and sweeping a few stray locks of hair back behind her ear.

I love pasta, she told him with wide eyes. Any and every kind and it’s not…common, I’ve found. So, I’ve settled on fish since I recently took up fishing as a hobby. I’m getting pretty good at it – ah, catching the fish, not cooking the fish. She blushed here, chuckling at her horrible joke. But whatever they have, if its food, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I’m starving. She patted her stomach as it rumbled beneath her fingers. ​

 

So she liked pasta did she and well fishing he would file that information away for later. He didn’t know the first thing about pasta, but he would be able to learn it couldn’t be any harder to make than a dining room table. Or maybe if he for the next one he could take her fishing, wait why was he thing about the next date he wasn’t too sure that this one was going to go well. “I understand I spent a fair amount of time around the borders of the Astorea in wild areas out of the town at times. Maybe next time I can come along for the fishing I knew some herbs that could go well with the whatever you catch.”

He led her into to the little inn, it wasn’t as fancy as the restaurant that we were thinking of going to in the beginning, but it had a charm about it. It was made in the style of the first buildings in Stockborn, so they had used more hardwood in its construction than stone. The floors were a bit worn for the number of people that have come to the place for a good drink. A long bar ran across the left side of the wall, and there was a few bartenders service drink to those seated there with laughing as they did so. At times they even would just toss tankards full of ale to people sitting at the counter. Tables were scattered throughout the main floor. There were a few groups laughing and cheering while a small band played in the corner. A smile made it’s a way across his face as he looked at the back it reminded him of his bar back home, it had a good feeling to it.

He had barely been able to get three steps into the room when he was greeted by a burly man wearing a large coat. He was helping a service carry a barrel of ale to the bar when he spied the both them and a smile made its way across his face. Giving the boy a thump on the back he made his way over to Aalam and Savannah. “Well, well, well welcome to the world's end. One of the oldest bars and inn in all of stockborn, I see you’re looking for a table. Come, I have just the table for the lovely couple.” Walking away and lead them to one of the smaller table near the back of the inn, away from most of the crowd

Blushing heavily at the comment, and turning away from Savannah as he tried to lead her towards the seat hiding the red that had sprung its way back across his face. “Um…. Let’s sit down and order something to eat, I’m sure they have something fishing related. I mean fish related, yea fish not fish... you know cause fishing is the action, and a fish is what you eat....... I'm rambling again aren't I?'”

 

She had yet to fish alongside someone else. She usually went by herself in the late afternoon and stayed until the moon was high in the sky and the world around her had fallen asleep. It was peaceful and allowed her to…well, reboot.

There was nothing in the real world that gave her that option and while it was silly to think of this game as a stress relief, that’s how Savannah felt. And there were a few spots around TerraSphere that allowed her this breath of fresh air. Was she willing to share these spots with him?

I’m not very good, she said with a chuckle. But, ah, sure. I’ll let you know the next time I go out fishing.

Maybe she wouldn’t take him to one of her special locations, but one of the more general ones. The beginner area normally had fish that anyone could catch, so that might be best. After all, she didn’t to sit there for hours on hours not catching anything.

Savannah was going to correct the gentleman who showed them to the table, but stopped herself at the last moment. It wouldn’t matter, not really, so she remained quiet. She did spy Aalam blushing out the corner of her eye and found it cute, but, again, she said nothing, instead preferring to look around the interior of the tavern. It was nice in a very rustic and worn way, but the energy of the place felt comfortable. She liked it!

Just a bit, she said playfully with a grin and a wink as they took their seats. She folded her hands atop the table before unlacing her fingers and picking up the menu before her. Tongue in her cheek, she quickly scanned what was offered and hummed to herself in consideration. Oh, they have lemon herb salmon with rice; that sounds good. But they also have beef stew. Mmmm, that’d probably be better considering the chill outside, don’t you think? I wonder if they have hot chocolate.

Glancing up, she brought her free hand up and rubbed her cheek with a small sigh. Sorry, I’m a foodie. I love, love, love food. The flavors, the colors, the preparation; it’s all amazing to me. And good food, obviously, is the best. But, yeah, I can ramble too. At that point, her stomach gave another loud grumble. And my rambling make my stomach rumble…
​

 

Well at least there was the possibility of a next date, he would have to practice his fishing skills. However, it had been a decent while since he had fished for anything and it would be a shame if he weren’t able to catch a single thing. Maybe be there would be a break in his work he might be able to find a pond and get some practice in. Well, she should at least learn how fishing worked in Terra. It was nice to see that she was able to find something to relax she had changed from when had lost saw her, but it seemed that she was the mostly the same at her core. That was good it was what she did and how she did that made him want to ask her out. He was aware he was still holding her hand, however, and the fact that she hadn’t pulled away yet was a little boost to his confidence. It did take him some time to get his face under control; he should have been able to keep together at least a little bit.

Followed the waiter taking his seat at the table only to jump right back up to pull Savannah’s chair out before she sat down. He was running through the entire rules of being a gentlemen book that his father had bought him when he was younger. During happier times before he had lost him, no he wouldn’t think about that now, he was on a date, and it seemed to be going well. He had to focus on the mission…. the date. It was just that this was going so well thing never went this well for him it was odd. However, it was a right type of strange. However, he was going to work with this difference.

Giving her a grin back as they took their seat, as she read off some options on the menu, they did have beef stew. That was a pleasant surprise but then had fish and she did like fish, however for them to have hot chocolate that would be a real treat. “Well, your stomach has the right idea, it smells wonderful in here. beef stew is always good and if they have the bread even better. But they have salmon with rice and you like fish right? What about I try the fish you try the stew and if you don’t like it we can switch if you want.” Looking towards the door which he believed the kitchen lay behind. “Food is wonderful, I’ve been myself for a while and my cooking skills have gotten rusty. But good food fills a spot for you not much else can reach. Hopefully, we can order soon that waiter seems to like us.”

 

At the prospect of trying a different dish than Aalam (yet the safety of still having something to eat should her dish not be to her liking), her face lit up. Her eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open in a vibrant smile. She obviously wasn’t kidding when she meant she was a foodie. The problem with being a foodie was that she wanted to try everything and, usually, her budget didn’t allow for such…luxuries. So she would stick with what she knew so she wouldn’t get sick or end up disliking what might have been her meal for the day.

But that was real life. TerraSphere was different. Here, she had money, she had friends, she had someone who was willing to try her food and then switch if she didn’t like it. Her chest warmed at the thought and, calming herself slightly, she gave an enthusiastic nod of her head.

That sounds like a marvelous idea! she chorused, placing the menu back down on the table. He was right about the smell, however. Her mouth watered with the tantalizing scents of meat, soup, and whatever that sugary-cinnamon smell was. Oh, if they had some sort of pie or cake, that would be heaven.

Well, uh, while we wait, why not tell me a bit about yourself? She leaned forward in her chair, looking at him intently while her fingers drummed on the table. Catching the nervous habit, she stilled them and intertwined them again. You’re a good commander, obviously. How did you, ah, learn that? Or, I mean, if you’d rather just stick to TerraSphere stuff, we totally can. I don’t mean to pry or anything…​

 

It seemed that the idea to share the food was a good one if he was able to read expression at all. Well, he thought she might have liked the idea at least if she didn’t want the stew there would be a plate of fish that she could trade. At least she was willing to try the stew, and from the smell that was wafting from the kitchen, it would be excellent. This wasn’t the place he had initially been meant to take her, but it seemed that it was a better choice than the café. The area seemed to fit her; it wasn’t too over the top or to low brow it just seemed to fix the date.

Well, they would have some time until the food arrived and he was supposed to make small talk that was something that he was terrible at. He would have been quiet to just look around the place and wait for the food. As he did he begin to relax in her company, it wasn’t much, but a small smile was able to make its way onto his face. He was still a bit nervous, but he was also a nit happy things had started out a bit rough before, but it was looking up. Savannah seemed to have and that smile seemed to light up the table. It was easier here, maybe it was the game, or perhaps it was the company, but he didn't feel like he had to carry the weight of life. There it was one of the reasons that he had asked her out she was able to make him feel happy.

He was caught a bit off guard when she asked about him, that wasn’t on any of the cards that he had prepared. Had he to think a bit it had been a while that anyone had asked him about himself, it was his fault, but it still had been a while. “I doubt I’m that interesting, but I guess I can tell you a little bit about myself. As for being a good commander well if you would believe I played a lot of chess once upon a time. Even made a chess set once out of oak, it was a nice set took me some time to get all the pieces right.” He seemed to focus on something else for the first time since the date started.