I’m not dreaming or anything, right?

“Y-yeah, nice to meet you.” I clasped the hand that she extended at me. It felt quite weird, it’s relaxing but I can feel her uneasiness. She must feel really nervous being with me.

“It’s hot here…alright, let’s get some food~” she nonchalantly said while dragging me with her. Oh for Pete’s sake, go easy on me, girl! I struggled to get out of her grasp, only to no avail.

“B-but I only have little money with me.”

She laughed. “Ha-ha-ha! Don’t be like that.”

“Eh?”

“Listen. Be a sport and let me be ‘it’ today. Can you do that?”

You’re kidding me. With that pretty face you’re making, I can never decline!

“Alright, alr—whoa!” before I could finish talking, she dragged me harder than before.

Judith dragged me all the way to the local pub, frequented by soldiers from the detachment north of the town and a couple of traders and some nomads. You won’t see anyone here with a long face, because it’s all “drink up, be merry” and stuff like that here. I’ll have to warn you though, don’t get in a fight inside the pub or you’ll never get back in!

Upon entering, Judith shouted.

“Yo pops! Drinks and the special on the double!” she waved her hand to the man at the counter.

"Comin' right up" he shouted back with a thumbs-up and that distinct "customer satisfaction guaranteed" smile.

I need some space. “I’ll get some seats.”

“Sure, do that.” She agreed.

I scurried for these free window-side seats nearest to the counter. While I wait, I stared at the window, thinking about that same dream again.

What was that all about? Will that really happen? I mean, that girl's real, Henri's in it too. Then... this... no, this--

Gah.

Argh.

I don't know anymore.

Judith followed moments after, bringing with her a pitcher of beer and a platter of kabobs.

"Ah great, I have to kiss my 5 minutes of silence goodbye." I thought.

I stared on the plate. It looks tasty; I haven’t had breakfast or lunch yet. I was about to dig in when…

“Whoa, hey, whoa. This is my share.”

“Your share? Where’s mine?”

“Here’s the special for this week: Gullinbursti Grande!” the chef came near our table with a giant chunk of delicious, freshly-grilled meat. The chef slowly put the giant meat in our table. I can’t believe I’m getting a lot of food from her!

“Holy crap!”

Oh thank heavens, great Odin!

“Well, this is the special, Juno. Help yourself.”

“Really? No kidding?”

“Duh, help me out; I can’t finish this myself!”

I haven’t seen food this big before. I don’t think Judith and I can finish all of this. Plus beer, I know I don’t have high tolerance to alcohol. Heck, I’ve never been drunk in my whole life; I can’t even afford a single case of beer. This is quite the luxury.

Drink up, be merry.

Drink up, be merry.

Drink up; be merry; ‘til you rise up no more.

I easily forgot my worries, that nightmare; everything. I love this carefree feeling.

I can’t even feel my head anymore. I feel woozy. Everything is spinning around me. I speak and smell funny. Haha. Haha. I’m laughing over stupid things. Maybe if I could sleep just a little more…

Man, I hope it’s the same thing every single time!