Marco looked at Raluca then chuckled lightly. He was amused by the naive and energetic young woman.
"Not quite, Ral," Marco replied, "it's a little more complicated than that. But you're right, maybe I do need a break to properly collect my thoughts."
He was then distracted by the sharp sound of something shattering and saw the barman clumsily trying to clean up the spilled liquid and broken glass on the ground.
"Anyway," he continued, "I really appreciate your suggestion and I don't know how to thank you enough for listening."
"Perhaps a tour around Corinth?" Marco offered, "I still know the place pretty well even though I'm not in charge of it anymore. It'd also brighten my mood to introduce some of our best technologies to a beautiful girl like you."
Raluca blushed, and Marco admired it.
After spilling all his problems, even to someone who could not understand, Marco felt relieved. The mental barrier within his psyche began to crack due to the overwhelming pressure of positive thought and the glowing optimism from Raluca. Tonight was a crucial stage in finding purpose and determination again both in Marco's life and career.
Marco smiled. It was one that bled through his guise of disappointment.
![[Image: jxie93.gif]](http://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/jxie93.gif)