(]o[) Raluca's Arcadia - The Freeport XV Bar. (AO)

[Apocalypse2001]

*In a dark corner, opposite to the entrance of the bar, sat one of their comrades; his face could not be seen but the burning of his cigar, and the scars on his right hand, were visible*

1st Omicroner: *squints* "Is that Anthony . . . ?"
2nd Omicroner: "It should be . . ." *he said, without lifting up his head*
Rookie Omicroner: "Why is he all the way over there??"

*first Omicroner looks down at his endeaves*
*the rookie looks around at his comrades who are sitting with him*

Rookie Omicroner: "Did I say something wrong?"
1st Omicroner: *licks his lower lip and begins to talk but looks at his friend when he cuts him off* "Today was ----- "
2nd Omicroner (to rookie): "---- you know what day it is, son?"
*rookie looks at both of them; shakes his head*
2nd Omicroner: "Today was when his betrothed was impaled by a Coalition pilot."

*the rookie had a look of regret on his face; he looks down for a moment and is about to rise from his seat when his friend grabs his forearm*
2nd Omicroner: *looking up* "Don't worry about it, son. Leave him be."
Rookie Omicroner: "But --- "
2nd Omicroner: " --- I said, leave him be." *looks at the young pilot with intensity*

*the young pilot sits back down, but looks toward Anthony's direction* *his distraction is interrupted by his friend*

1st Omicroner: "Yeah, last time somebody wanted to express his condolences, the guy talking to Anthony wound up with a medical report longer than his ----" *he stops his morbidly humorous remark as his [color=#FFCC00]friend slowly turns toward him*

*the rookie goes to get up again, and his comrade grabs him with a stronger grip this time* 2nd Omicroner: *in a low angry voice* "I told you to sit down!"
*the rookie gentle removes his friends grip*
Rookie Omicroner: *he says, in a calm voice* "Relax, I'm just going to get more cheese" *the rookie only looks toward Anthony for a second, with sympathy, as he walks up to the bar*

---

The Star Core