It was a favor to one of his fellow guards. It was rather simple, really: go out with his cousin Belinde for the evening. Aléssandro knew this was more of a blind date, but he would humor both him and her. After all, everyone could use a little company. He sat across the dark haired woman, who seemed to blush and smile at him on occasion. The two sat in a restaurant by the canal and their meal had been ordered. She looked around and finally spoke.
“Stormwind has changed a lot since I last saw it.”
“Yes, we’ve been through so many changes, but we’re survivors. I think our remodeling can demonstrate that.”
Belinde smiled and nodded. “Yes, it definitely does.”
“Where did you say you lived now?”
“Feralas. I moved out there when I was a teenager when my parents went to work with several kal’dorei, and I kinda stayed there. We’ve been visiting this part of town lately, but since my mother passed, well, my father isn’t sure if he wants to stay over there. We may come back. Honestly, I don’t want to.”
Aléssandro nodded. “Wow, Feralas. I went there once in passing, but I can’t imagine what it would be like. Why don’t you want to come back?”
“I like Feralas.” She smiled and looked down at her water glass. “It’s not as hot as it is here and I enjoy the giant infested waters.” Her brown eyes glanced at Aléssandro and she laughed. “I’m kidding. I mean, there are a few giants, but they’re not where we go swimming.”
The knight chuckled and nodded. Their meal arrived and they laughed about the guards and her studies on the local flora. They ate their desert and when they were done, they took a stroll in the park.
“Look, I know you just did this to humor my cousin,” she said as she held on to his arm.
“Stop. Just...stop.” Belinde paused and turned to look at him. “Stop it with all this honor bullshit. You’re just babysitting and you would rather be elsewhere. You probably had to cancel plans with some beautiful woman, didn’t you?” The knight shook his head. “No, stop. I hate it when he does this. He tries to set me up with men from Stormwind to convince me to come back, but no, I don’t want to. Things are so much better back home. I”m sorry, Sir Mares, but I think I want to go home.”
Aléssandro watched her and took her hand. He kissed it gently and released her hand. “As you wish.”
“That’s it? You’re not going to say anything?”
“Ma’am, I could have said no, but I agreed because I imagined your stay here in the city would not be as exciting considering how long you’ve been away. Nonetheless, the choice is yours, just like it was when you agreed to join me. You wish to go home, I will escort you home.”
Belinde was rather surprised at his comment and she led the way to her home. He bid her a good night and walked away. On his way home, the knight saw several homeless people he gave a few coins to, one he had a short conversation with, and then walked to his him, where he was met by his dog.
“Hey, Rusty. How was your evening?” The dog barked and Aléssandro fed him. “Mine? It was nice.” He changed into his sleepwear and sat on the bed with his prayer book. Rusty finished his food and jumped on the bed with him.
“I sometimes wish for a different ending, you know?” Rusty barked and Aléssandro smiled. “Yes, I’m happy to be here with you too.” The humble knight lay back on his bed, opened his prayer book, and read until his eyes closed for the evening.