Flying Blind

Chapter 2: Well, At Least It Was Fun

The bar was pleasantly warm as Alistair stepped inside, taking off his coat and sitting down at a nearby empty table. He checked his watch: 10 minutes past 8 in the afternoon. So he was a few minutes late, but where was... Alfonse?

He headed for the bar and ordered a coffee. "Not my best decision considering the time, but its too early to start drinking alone." he thought, amused.

-Alistair! called out a voice from behind him. Oh, I'm so late, I'm very sorry. This is so embarrassing, he laughed, I'm usually more punctual.

Alistair turned around and was, for a second, confused by the man in front of him. And then it clicked. God, he really had to get better at recognizing him with and without his weird little disguises and accessories.

He had, seemingly, abandoned the veiled hat and goggles. Grey eyes glanced back at Alistair, for the first time without the protection of his goggles. He smiled nervously, his face slightly flushed as he fiddled with a strand of hair, tucking it behind his ear. Which was- pointy? the other realized. Not weirdly so, and not an uncommon trait. More of a... "pleasant" one in his opinion. Although that, with the pallor of his face, gave him a subtly inhuman appearance. Alistair shook his head to clear his thoughts.

-It's alright, don't worry, he shrugged it off

-I... tried to brush my hair a bit. And, you know, did a kind of... half-up thing, Alfonse laughed.

-Yeah, I noticed. Looks fancy, the other smiled. But- but not in a bad way, he added quickly. It's nice.

Alfonse took a seat at the bar counter.

-Well, good to hear that, because it is the only style I can do that also looks good, he joked.

-You cannot braid? Incredible. And with hair like yours, honestly quite sad, lamented Alistair. To be honest, I think I have learned just about every braid on the face of this earth.

Alfonse raised his eyebrows, questioning.

-Don't look at me like that! he burst out laughing. My sister's had waist length hair until last year, it was bound to happen. Surely you know what I mean, you must have some family as well.

The other's face fell. "Oh. Oh no. That- was a mistake." realized Alistair.

-Sorry, I didn't want to-

-I have no parents, sighed Alfonse, prepping his head up in his hands. I had a brother, although. Had. But, well, that's a story for another time. Or... maybe not, just forget about it.

He shook his head.

-Never mind. How old is your sister, though? he asked, changing the subject.

-16. Our mother hopes she'll become a pilot too, but she's strongly set on working at the morgue, or something... equally morbid, he laughed.

-It sounds good to me, Alfonse nodded. Maybe she doesn't like travelling. Or heights.

-Might be, I travel a lot. I'll be going to Forenza in a few days, then Essant, and-

-Wait, wait just a second. Essant?

Alfonse lowered his voice and leaned towards him, his eyes darting around the room.

-Do you think you could... take me with you? I have a bit of business there. My- my usual potions and things like that, he added quickly.

-...sure, Alistair nodded, a bit confused. I'll let you know the day before, and you just meet me in the port. I hope you like heights though, he joked.

-Eeh... well, enough about work. Come on now, let's drink something instead of occupying these seats for nothing.

And... drink they did. Until Alfonse's face was flushed red and his laugh was loud and boisterous, and until Alistair felt warm and drowsy. He watched as Alfonse talked and joked with those around him, none in a better state than him. They seemed to know eachother, or maybe they just clicked, but Alfonse surrounded by people was a sight to behold.

What really captured Alistair's attention, though, was the melody that, at one point, started slowly coming from the small group. A joyful, well liked tune, which Alfonse, surprisingly... knew? He seemed to enjoy himself, twirling and humming among people.

He walked up to them just in time to witness Alfonse stumble over his own feet, then turn to Alistair and grin so brightly you couldn't even tell he almost, almost fell on the shards of a glass. Alistair blinked quickly as he registered the sharpness of the other's canines.

-Hah, I think I've had quite enough for tonight, Alfonse huffed. Just let me catch my breath and we can go.

He held on to Alistair as they carefully made their way back to his house, trying to keep his balance.

-I was... kind of, well, kind of embarrassing back there, was I? he mused, then immediately went back to quietly humming his song.

-No, I wouldn't say that, responded Alistair. You had fun. Your hairdo came undone, though.

-I spilled coffee on this blouse, too. A shame, really, it wasss... my favorite one, he lamented.

-I'm sure it'll be ok. Keys, please? he requested, now in front of Alfonse's shop.

The other dug clumsily into his coat pockets, almost toppling over after he stopped holding on to anything.

-Keysss! I found them, he slurred as Alistair held him up.

The other sighed, unlocking the shop and guiding him inside.

-I suppose you do have a bedroom upstairs, he noted.

-Uuh...

-Oh god, don't sound like you're unsure of it. C'mon, up the stairs. Careful.

-'m not that far gone, I'll live.

Alistair sighed, helping him up. The man didn't look like he went out often, it was... kind of expected to go a bit overboard.

What wasn't expected was the state of his room. God, he thought the kitchen was crammed, but the bedroom was...

The bed itself was short, not very high above the ground. The walls around the room were covered in bookshelves, and a large wooden desk. The books, however, were also found in various other locations. The floor, the bed, the desk. One large window was the room's main source of light, right above the bed.

He quickly grabbed the 2 books thrown on the mattress, shaking his head.

-Sleep on your side, he advised Alfonse. 'Night. Don't forget about Essant.

-I won't. Jus' know that... if I, you know, drag you inn... something? I'm sorry. I- I really am.

And then he was quiet.