Still, he couldn't help but admire the buildings in the upper district.

They were built for the luxury of the rich in their small town; the difference was as plain as day and night.

So many of the buildings in the upper district served only the influential, and the ones that didn't accepted only paying customers.

The cost was significant, probably around half of what Ryan earned in a day. Most likely more than that, though.

Which begged the question: how could Leo afford to get a room at the Siren's Call, a place heavily dominated by well-off adventurers?

A place with prices that Ryan would scoff at, as there were better options.

Well, the good part was that he wouldn't have to wait too long to find out what happened to Leo. The Siren's Call was within sight, and Ryan couldn't help but check and recheck his outfit to make sure he looked good.

Walking into the serene environment that was the Siren's Call, he sighted Leo's bulky form sipping from a cup in a cultured manner at a table.

Ryan almost chuckled at the sight. The man's form contrasted much with the gentleness with which the big man handled the cup. He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from his mouth as he pulled up a chair to sit.

"Ryan, I was wondering when you'd join me," Leo said as he stretched out a hand for a shake.

"Sorry, I had to tidy up some dealings," Ryan said as he clasped hands with his childhood friend. The grip by Leo was solid.

The grip became crushing with each passing nanosecond.

Ryan felt like he was currently in the vicinity of a predator, and the feeling came from none other than Leo's form.

A boisterous laugh came from the big man as he let go of Ryan's hand.

"Hah, look who has the firmer grip now," Leo said with a carefree laugh, which attracted eyes to their table. Eyes that quickly reverted back to what they were doing as those who wanted to comment decided not to after seeing the source of the noise.

It was probably a wise decision on their part, or maybe Leo's frame was all it took to deter those who felt offended.

"After how many years, you've finally got a better grip," Ryan laughed. "And it seems like you've gotten a better handle on life too."

"Well, what can I say? A man has to figure out things quick when he's of age," Leo said with a somber tone.

Seeing as he'd most likely raised up a sad memory in his friend's mind, Ryan didn't know if he should prod further or change the subject.

"Come on, man, regale me with tales of Leo Buckly. I want to hear about the things that you saw in the outside world. I still can't believe that you just left, though," Ryan said with a mock glare.

"I'm sorry about that, my friend, but I got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was all I could do to leave the message for you. I truly regret not waiting for you," Leo said, eyes looking pleadingly at Ryan.

"Well, you can make up for it by telling me how you got to become... this," Ryan said, hands motioning towards Leo's form.

"Well, I'd love to, but I must warn you that there are some things I can't tell you..." Leo said, clearly waiting for the go-ahead.

Ryan couldn't believe it. He knew that time changed people, but he couldn't remember a version of the old Leo that would hide anything from him.

He could even remember when the boy told him that he'd shared a kiss with Maria; the poor boy's nerves were all over the place.

"Whatever you think you can't tell me, you can. It's been years, but I'm still the same Ryan."

Even as the words left his lips, Ryan couldn't fathom how he hadn't changed over the years; it was almost as if he hadn't had character development.

He'd been stuck in a rut over the years, repeating the same actions over and over again. The last two weeks had been the most exciting he'd had in a while.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I know, but trust me, Ryan. It's for your safety," Leo said.

"Fine, spill the beans you can," Ryan said reluctantly.

He was still a little bit miffed at being told he couldn't hear the full story. Wouldn't it have been better if the big man had omitted the parts he didn't want Ryan to know about? Now the curious cat in him wanted to claw its eyes out.

"Well, I'll keep it short. Earlier, before I left, I overheard a couple of adventurers at the Messy Inn saying that they were leaving town for Wergon. You know how I've always preferred the big city to our little town, so I asked if I could join up, and they agreed--"

"So let me get this straight: you heard a couple of strangers talking about traveling and decided to join them?" Ryan asked with an incredulous look in his eyes as he interrupted Leo.

"I was young and dumb; I didn't think it through," Leo said sheepishly as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Leo, that was two years ago. You'd just turned eighteen. You were old enough to know how life works."

"Yes, I was old enough, but I certainly wasn't smart enough. Besides, it all worked out, so let me tell the story," Leo said.

Ryan sank into his chair and gave a hesitant nod to the big man to continue.

Leo stared at him as if trying to decide something before reaching for his cup filled with mead. The smell of the beverage was nicer than the ales he had at the Messy Inn; it smelled of honey and other things Ryan couldn't place.

He wanted one of those, but he didn't know how much they cost, and he didn't want to embarrass himself.

Leo raised the cup to his mouth, having a quick sip of the drink before dropping the cup gently and closing his eyes as he savored the taste.

Ryan almost gulped at the scene, but he held himself together, barely.

"I'm sorry, I didn't offer you a drink. My bad, I don't usually have sit-downs with friends," Leo said apologetically as he opened his eyes.

Within moments, Leo motioned for an attendant to come forward.

"Good day, sirs. What can I help you with?" the attendant said, her voice startling Ryan back to the present.

"Can I get a refill and whatever my friend would like?" Leo said, allowing Ryan to get whatever he wanted.

"I'll have the same drink he's having," Ryan said politely.

"Right away, sirs," the attendant said while picking up Leo's almost empty mug and leaving.

Neither party seemed interested in continuing their conversation as Ryan digested what he'd just heard and Leo tried to order the rest of his story.

Within moments, Ryan and Leo both had cups filled with mead at their table.

"So you decided to join the adventurers. Then what happened next?" Ryan asked.

"The adventurers were rounding up their drinking, so I had at most minutes to rush upstairs, pen down a letter to tell you I was leaving, and pack clothes to leave. And that's what I did," Leo said.

"Ah, that explains the chicken scrawls. My eyeballs almost popped looking at that 'letter' of yours," Ryan said, laughing, the big man even joining in, letting out a booming laugh.

"I'll have you know that my chicken scrawl was more readable than anything that you'd written at that point," Leo quipped.

"Hey, I taught you how to write, so it must've been reasonable," Ryan said, feigning mock hurt.

"Well, the teacher himself can't complain about the product of his student if the works are similar," Leo pointed out.

"Well played," Ryan said, laughing while clutching his ribs.

The pair looked like madmen in the serene tavern, attracting several eyes, but no one wanted to offend the behemoth that was Leo, so they were left to their own devices.

Ryan had missed this, this effortless connection with somebody. Here was his brother, returned after so long.

Ryan felt joy; he'd been in a monotonous rut, and the company was like a breath of fresh air.

"Anyway, after that, I went downstairs and was lucky enough to catch the adventurers across the street already on their way," Leo said.

"They'd left you behind already?" Ryan asked, surprised.

"Well, they were in a rush. We managed to get to the city without too many problems, and we got to Wergon without too many issues."

"Seems fairly straightforward."

"Trust me, brother, it was anything but. We got attacked more times than I'd care to mention, by other adventurers and other beasts," Leo said, taking a sip of his mead.

"Ouch, seems rough," Ryan admitted.

"It was. Luckily enough, I was with capable adventurers, so I was good," Leo said.

"Lucky you, so what happened next?" Ryan asked.

"Well, we got into Wergon, I managed to establish myself as a small-time alchemist, and now here I am," Leo said.

"That can't be it. What about the in-between? Tell me about that," Ryan asked, the cat in his head meowing for more.

"Unfortunately, my friend, that is something I can't discuss with you. No hard feelings."

No hard feelings? Leo basically hadn't told him anything of note. He'd just given him bare bones and hidden the real meat of the story. Ryan wanted to prod for more but had to accept that it was what the big man was willing to share with him.

"It's fine, so what are you doing here?" Ryan asked curiously.

"To see my best friend, of course." Seeing Ryan's unconvinced face, he added, "Why, can't I come to see my friend?"

"Cut the crap, Leo. We both know that you didn't travel days' worth of journey just to see me, two weeks after you hit the town, nonetheless," Ryan said.

"Hey, you're hurting my feelings," Leo said with a hand over his heart. "But you're right, I'm here on a business deal," Leo said.

"Really? What's it about?" Ryan asked.

"Can't tell; clients asked for privacy and all that. How about you, Ryan? What have you been up to, man?" Leo asked, trying to change the topic.

"So secretive. If you must know, I've been living a boring life. Not much has really changed since you left. Well, the Messy Inn's ale is more expensive," Ryan said.

"Come on, Ryan, that can't be all of it. Tell me what's really going on," Leo prodded.

"Well, now that you asked, I've had quite the eventful week." Ryan said as he proceeded to tell Leo about his dealings within the last two weeks.

"Hmm, well, it was definitely a good idea to break off that part of the deal with that Gerhalt fellow. He seems sketchy," Leo said.

"Yeah, he seems shady, but business has to be done, and I'll just have to be careful," Ryan said.

"Good thinking," Leo said.

The night wore on as the pair conversed, reliving past memories and having fun.