World Men à la Mode

Chapter Forty-nine - Skating

        "We're going to be living it up like locals today, my dudes!" Alfred proclaimed as the group boarded the bus.

        "What do you mean?" Lily asked curiously.

        "I mean exactly what I said!"

        "Elaborate, you handsome dork," Valerie sighed. "I'm not in the mood to play games this morning."

        "Alright. Alright. Geez. Someone is grumpy this morning," he huffed. "What I mean is that we'll be partaking in activities the locals in Helsinki enjoy. Tino here, my bud, is going to be leading us, so I'm probably gonna be super quiet for once."

        "No worries, my friend! I'll take good care of you all!" Tino assured everyone, making eye contact with each of your friends and then with you a little longer than necessary.

        The moment was very intimate, but you didn't mind. No one else seemed to pick up on what had happened, letting you breathe a sigh of relief. You couldn't help but wonder what the day had in store for you. It seemed you wouldn't have to wait long as Tino laid out the plans for the day.

        "We'll start off with breakfast in a quaint café by the sea rather than at the hotel. Afterward you can all window shop before the stores open as we walk to an indoor ice rink to go ice skating. We can all warm up during free time for lunch before being bused to a different ice rink to watch a hockey game. We'll finish out the day with dinner. You'll then collect your things from the hotel and head to the train station for your overnight ride to Moscow."

        Well, this was going to be a very relaxed day. That was alright though! You sort of needed a day of living like a normal person as a vacation from this vacation. Everything was good and all, but some days were just a little too hectic for your liking. You hummed and watched out the window of the bus you had been using the past few days as the cityscape gave way to a seaside haven.

        Inside the café was quiet, just as it was outside. It was still early morning, the sun not too far above the horizon, creating a beautiful glow to the world. The café was busy but very rarely had people talking loudly. Most were too immersed in their food or weren't awake enough to bother conversing with anyone nearby. Planters sat outside by the railings of the bayside seating. Umbrellas were just being put up by servers as well.

        You and your friends, as well as the two boys, sat at a few of the tables closest to the railings. A server came over not too long after you were seated to take orders. It was another fifteen to twenty minutes after they brought the drinks back until you got you food. Happily chowing down on the delectable meal, you watched the bay, listening to the crash of the waves against the stone walls under the railings and the horns from boats and ships further off in the distance.

        Tino took care of the bill before walking the group through a shopping strip, allowing you to check out the stores before they officially opened for the day. The walk was quite long, but none of you seemed to mind. Once at the ice rink, Tino led the group to the skate rental kiosk to find the correct pair of ice skates. He helped everyone pace up their skates before lacing his own and helping the group to the ice one by one. You were one of the last ones on and gripped the wall tightly, much like you're friends were doing. Tino skated on the ice with ease and balanced himself perfectly.

        The Finnish man went over some safety tips and had you and your friends try out some exercises before moving on to techniques to help you all stay on your feet. Most of you clung to the wall for a few laps before becoming comfortable and able to stand on your own. Soon enough you were skating around the rink with no help. You only fell once or twice and were sure you'd have some bruises by tomorrow. Tino skated up beside you, skating backwards with a bright smile, then continued on his way around the rink. You couldn't help but smile to yourself as you tried to catch up with him, which you failed at, but at least you tried.

        By lunch time, you all made it off the ice in one piece. Tino and Alfred helped get the skates off before returning them to the rental booth. The group then continued outside for free time and lunch. After regrouping in the afternoon, everyone boarded a bus to go to a hockey arena to watch a game between two of the local teams. You sat beside Tino and cheered along with him when the team you both were routing for scored goals.

        The game ended in a tie, disappointing many of the game's attendees. You didn't mind the tie, not completely sure if one team was truly better than the other. Tino then escorted everyone to dinner to have your last meal together before boarding the train to Moscow.

        Tino accompanied you and your friends to the station and said his goodbyes. You and him exchanged kisses on the cheek before heading to go through security.

        "I'm hoping you all had fun while you were here! Maybe I'll see you again if you take another trip with the agency!" he called after your group.

        You smiled and trudged your way through security before boarding the train. You're seat was beside Charlotte's and behind Lily and Valerie's row. Charlotte pulled out her sketchbook after the train shuddered to life as it rolled out of the train station. She offered to show you her drawings so far, to which you agreed to see eagerly. The lights on the train were soon dimmed, making it hard to see any longer. She sighed and put the book away, saying that you could see them some other time. You nodded in agreement before relaxing into your seat, pulling the complimentary blanket over yourself before drifting into a dreamless slumber.

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! I'm so sorry that this is a day late! They had me stay longer at work yesterday, so I wasn't able to get my writing done in time. But here's the update for today like I promised! Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated! Until next time!