@flickxrhope / it’s another night at the saloon bar one small, tiny detail: there’s a new bartender in town. and that one detail has had eddy distracted all night. he swears that there’s something there between them in the air — they’re exchanging glances from across the room every couple minute or so, he’s playing hard to get. now all that’s left is to talk to her. “work up the courage, sasongko, you can do it” he mutters to himself as he slicks his hair back with his forehead sweat, doing a couple of push-ups to amp himself up. almost ungracefully he bends his back against the counter, one arm atop the polished wood, and tries to only pay half-attention to her. “i’ll take the regul—oh?” he says as he turns to fully face the new bartender, hovering over the countertop with a half-grin, acting as if he hadn’t been looking at her all night. “eddy sasongko, don’t think we’ve met,” he says as he offers his hand, quirking an eyebrow. “though, between us, i saw you catching glimpses of me earlier. don’t worry, i’m flattered. been working out a lot. getting the gains, on the farm, in my spare time.”
coming back home is like a fever dream. faces that nadia hadn’t seen in years pass through the saloon. some seem to recognize her, waving and greeting her like she is a welcome surprise. she wants it to feel warm. but for some reason a stone in her stomach stops the returning smile from ever reaching her eyes. she doesn’t know this town anymore. anytime she finds her self glancing at a face she knows, she turns quickly, hoping that they don’t notice her.
so she busies herself with clearing the glasses after the patrons leave, only daring to approach a table when it’s empty. it isn’t long before her manager assigns her to stay at the bar and actually wash the glasses, and nadia is greeted with another familiar face. except... apparently, this familiar face doesn’t seem to remember her. at all. she stares, incredulity clear as day. “eddy, i swear; if you continue that thought i will actually pour this glass of soap on your head.”

















