Back home, back to old habits

[Lea Kaufman]

22th July 834 A.S - System: New Berlin / Planet New Berlin

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It was in June since she last saw Levan. He seemed doing well and since, a month passed. She contacted him like what she listened to his words and not going in the Omicrons. It was 10th July she contacted him and no answer yet. Maybe he was busy, that's what she thought, but it was also a bit concerning. Instead of just overthinking, she did what she is good at, working out outside during snowy days on New Berlin.

Time seemed to flow slowly, a bit too much to her taste. She was bored. Why not going to the bar nearby? She dressed up with a pretty black hoodie written ''Lebe das Leben'', meaning long live life. It was just to cheer up herself and then, she decided to put on black pants. She never was a fan of shiny colors nor was she too girly like most. She was a woman of action, cold, but this coldness of hers, it was more a shell to protect herself from daily life and somehow, Levan managed to know it when they saw each other in June. After taking the public transport to the bar in question, before to enter, Lea observed the sign and she bit her own lips, unsure what she will do there. She then entered.

The music was playing, a typical Rheinlander bar where anyone would go to either for fun or just drown their mood or forgetting problems. It was lively tonight. The blond woman walked to the bartender and took place at the counter. ''Rheinbier''. She ordered after greeting the man. He nodded and did his job. He offered the bottle with a glass and Lea took some sips, thinking what the hell is she doing here. She sighed, thinking about the people she met so far. Maria Uhmen, one of the first people Lea met in Liberty. Elise Pennybrooke, a friend who does some shady work sometimes and then, Jack Daniels. Ex guildmaster of The Core. A man she respected a lot and now gone. Even if Jessica Scarlet, the APM director told there was a slight chance that Jack 'might' be alive, she got no glue of him. Why searching while knowing it would be a waste of time? Then, her thoughts broke when she was suddenly pushed by someone. ''Sorry!''

As Lea looked at her right, a woman with long black hair, Gothically dressed was looking at her. Saying sorry because with some friends they had fun and did not notice Lea. ''It's alright...'' She replied simply. The woman smiled and returned to her friends, chatting and laughing. The blond woman analyzed the woman who pushed her. She was pretty. Her skin was white, her eyes a deep blue almost like the Lapilazuli stone. She seemed also within the thirties. Time passed, the woman's friends left and she decided to sit next to Lea. They chatted about random stuff. Lea then realized that, all she needed was someone to talk to. Eventually, the blond woman ended up knowing the name of the other woman. Her name was Maria Riehl. She was also a freelancer who works mostly as pilot of a Serenity transport.

''M-Maria, can I ask you something?''

''Sure.''

''You see, I have a friend that I don't have news after a month and well, I contacted him twelve days ago to get some and I have nothing. What should I do?'' How she asked this question, it was a woman concerned with no coldness.

''Either being annoying by sending messages over messages or... you play the patient card. It is a double edged sword doing so because you will be worried almost always.''

Lea then started thinking hard and then, Maria put a hand over Lea's hand.

''Huh?''

''Lea, the way I see your face, you are clearly not doing great.''

''I know-''

''Maybe, but if you don't stop thinking, you will end up badly. Trust me.
Look, let's enjoy the night.''

After those words, Lea and Maria drank a lot. Midnight came and they both went to Lea's place, chatting. Because they were drunk, the night was not over yet.

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Lea Kaufman --- Diary of a Rheinlander