Eirian hadn't lied when she said those burgers were good, Ismene had to restrain herself from clapping when hers arrived. The bread was homemade, as was the patty itself which was about an inch and a half thick, the cheese was melted to the exact point, the tomato was the reddest she had seen, the bacon was crisp, and sauce oozed lustfully from between layers. Ismene stared at it unbelieving before taking the first bite. It tasted even better than it looked. She swallowed the first bite and drank some of the Belgian beer she had ordered.
-Why hadn't you told me about this place before?- she asked to her friend.
-A girl doesn't give away her secrets so easily.- Eirian teased her.
Ismene had a look at the place, it was packed with people, most of them basically drinking beer, and watching sports. It had the feeling of an old pub, with darkened wood everywhere. Eirian explained Ismene that the owner was Irish, and that she decided to make it to the image of the pubs in her homeland. There was even live music, although that wasn't too rare being next to the river as they were. Apparently the owner was also a very keen horticulturist and grew her own vegetables. That would explain the perfectly ripe tomatoes. Ismene didn't speak again until she had finished eating her burger.
-This was SO good.
-See? And you were complaining about going to eat burgers in fancy dresses.
-I will never doubt about your decisions ever again.- Ismene swore.
-Cheers to that.- Eirian said raising her beer.
They stayed there for some more time, drinking a second beer after they were done with dinner. It reminded Ismene of the time she went with her friends on a trip around Europe when she was barely eighteen, she had drank some of that beer in Belgium. It had been so easy to travel when she was in Europe that she almost didn't value it, not truly, not until she was far away from there. She explained Eirian her adventures traveling around the Old Continent, motivated by the melancholia the imported beer had given her. However, melancholia fade away quickly and was replaced by laughter.
-Let's get moving.- Eirian told her friend after they had paid their bill.
-Where now?
-We are going dancing!
Eirian took her to a club that seemed to be directly under the old city walls. The place looked edgy, and as with the pub it was crowded. The music was loud, and Eirian told Ismene, shouting, that it was the best place in town to go out. At least the music selection was good, blasting rock mainly. They left their handbags in the coat check and hit the dance floor. From time to time they commented on one or another guy, with Ismene encouraging Eirian to go talk to some of them. However, her friend wasn't interested on any of the potential suitors, she said they weren't edgy enough to make her mother horrified. That didn't prevent her of dancing with some of them, however, they had gone out to have fun, in the end. At one point, someone started dancing behind Ismene, getting too close for her own comfort. When she turned around to confront him, she met Leo face to face.
-This is a pleasant surprise.- he said before kissing her.
-Indeed it is.- Ismene replied.- How come you're here?
-I came with the boys.- he said pointing to a group of young men next to the bar.- We always say we are going to go out after our turn, but we never do. Good thing we did tonight, though. What about you?
-I came here with Eirian.- she looked around to find her dancing on her own.- Come, you should meet her.
The blonde girl saw them before they had even started walking towards her, and went to meet them swiftly.
-Leo, this is Eirian, she is the labmate I've told you about. Eirian, well you already know.
-Nice to meet you Leo. I've heard a lot about you, not as much as I would've liked to, though.
-I can imagine that.- he laughed.
-So, have you come check out on Ismene? Make sure she doesn't run away?- Eirian eyed him suspiciously.
-No! I've come with my workmates.
-Workmates as in firefighters?- Ismene couldn't help but laugh at that.
-Yes,...
-Oh, will you be nice and introduce them to me?
Leo looked at Ismene dubitatibely, who shrugged her shoulders amused, and urged him to go on. She knew Eirian and once she had an idea it was very difficult to make her desist of it. Leo lead the way, with both girls trailing him.
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