[SRP] A Night to Remember

[WyvernSlayer]

Just as Satsume was considering leaving the venue, he heard someone over his left shoulder address him.

“Geez, you look pretty sad.”

Satsume turned toward the sound of the voice and was met with the curious stare of a silvery-blonde young woman. He raised his eyebrow. “I do?” he asked.

“Or embarrassed. I can’t tell with ya, pal.”

Satsume said nothing. Any attempt to dispel this woman’s concern would probably just lead to more embarrassment, so he simply shrugged his shoulders and went for another sip of beer.

“This ain’t the time for that,” the woman continued. “Gotta try and get your mind off things, you know?”

Satsume searched for his voice to try and answer her. “Well, yeah…” Suddenly, he had an idea. He pushed his mug away from him as the barkeeper made his way past. As he scooped up Satsume’s mug, Satsume held up two fingers. The barkeeper nodded and left.

“I’m trying to unwind a bit,” Satsume said to the woman, “but it’s hard when you’re all by yourself in a town you’re not familiar with.” He peered up at her and tried his best to stop his cheeks from turning an even deeper shade of red. (Very hard to do when you’re already several drinks in, by the way.) “I could use some, uh…”

No, no, no! Not now, you’re so close! Just say it!

“Here you are, sir!” The barkeeper had returned with two mugs of foamy ale. Satsume glanced quickly at them, and then-

“Beer,” he finally said. Goddammit. “I mean, company! I could use some company!” He offered her one of the mugs. He could see this ending one of two ways – either she’d laugh away his awkwardness, or he’d probably be downing both of those beers to wash away the shame.