Remember last night when Ryan said he was alive... Yeah, he really thought he meant it then, but right now—wooh.

He felt as fit as he'd ever been. Ryan's stomach still felt full when he woke up, his body bursting with excess energy—probably from all the jenkal he ate last night.

Ryan literally jumped off the bed, a massive grin enveloping his face, and he knew exactly why—Freya.

---

He'd gotten to spend time alone with the fairy at the back of the tavern. Both parties were too shy and wasted to have a conversation, but Ryan didn't mind at all. He was glad to have spent some time alone with her last night.

At least it was nice until Uro came out back to laugh at them, throwing some uncouth jokes at them both. Jokes that left the duo blushing even in their inebriated state.

To be honest, Ryan hoped that those were the only things that came out of the man, but nope. They got a front-row seat to watching all the food and tankard that the dwarf had eaten leave through an opening—his mouth.

It was exactly as terrible as it sounded, the sounds coming off the hearty dwarf as he puked were very disturbing. Ryan, however, would remember the image with fondness, as Freya managed to catch his eyes—an easy feat since Ryan was trying to look anywhere but at the puking man—and she smiled at him. A genuine smile, and he smiled back.

To anybody else, it probably lasted just moments, but for Ryan, it felt like an eternity. Ursula's glow seemed to focus on her for that moment, and all her features came alive.

Her wings looked better, her eyes a paler version of the blues of Ursula's glow. The glow bounced off her curly hair. Her four wings fluttered behind her as though she was nervous.

Every part of her was highlighted for a second there—although Ryan didn't really think it was just a cough from the fairy in question that brought him back to life. She laughed at the expression he'd made when he knew he'd been caught staring.

Her laugh sounded like melodies, the kind that promised you a good day, no—a great day. Her smile warmed his very heart.

"Close yer mouth, yer wimp, buzzards soon to be coming," the previously hunched-over puking dwarf said.

Not waiting for a response, Uro went back into the tavern. Hopefully to afford them some privacy, or to get away from his own puke.

Ryan hoped it was the former; at least then he could say that the dwarf actually cared. He just preferred to keep an abrasive side—most times.

"Well, you want to head to the Messy Inn?" Freya asked.

"I couldn't ask that of you, fair lady. That place isn't suited for a princess like you," Ryan flattered.

It seemed to work as the fairy cupped a hand against her mouth as she tried and failed to stifle a laugh.

"I've been there before, silly," she said through her cupped mouth.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The words prompted Ryan into remembering the embarrassing scenario—well, as much of it as he could remember. The details were all foggy; he could only remember her walking him to the Inn and then probably tucking him in bed.

The realization caused Ryan to gasp in horror, the expression only fueling her laugh at him.

Of course, what was worse than her maybe tucking him in was the reaction he got from Carl the next day. The bartender at the Messy Inn teased him at every chance he got. It didn't end there either, nope. Carl proceeded to share inside jokes with other patrons at Ryan's expense—and it wasn't as if Ryan even understood the jokes, they were vague.

"I apologize that you had to see me like that and even do all that," Ryan said sincerely. "I want the next time we go in there to be... something, anything but two drunks."

Ryan couldn't bring himself to hate what he was saying or thinking for the most part.

Something, anything... really Ryan.

Ryan almost kicked himself at the thoughts. He'd already said it and there was no need to dwell much on it. The words had left his lips and now it was just to see the effect that they had.

Freya seemed to stare at him as though she was speechless. "Wow, that's definitely something. I do want you to know that I don't judge you, where you stay or how you live. After all, I'm pretty much friends with Uro," she said, laughing.

Her words touched him; he couldn't help but smile. Her face echoed the expression on his, and for a blissful moment, they both stared at each other like idiots and boy was it beautiful. This right here was more valuable than all the gold in the world.

After all, gold couldn't buy happiness as they said. Ryan didn't know for sure because—well, you know. What he did know was that he'd trade every single coin in his pouch for that moment and he'd do it again and again.

What was money if you didn't have anyone to spend it on? A lesson he'd learned from the life of the Legendary Sarinth. The merchant had multiple mistresses and children rumored to be scattered around the world, but at the end of the day, he didn't have a connection with them.

In the end, he was buried by influential figures, friends and foes alike. No lover wept for him as he was lowered into the ground. The man got everything that he'd ever wanted, except love. Real, true, unconditional love.

Ryan wouldn't be like him. He'd work hard, yes. At the same time, he'd build relationships and find Her. Whoever she was, he personally hoped that Freya was that her.

"See you some other time?" Ryan said, flashing his best smile—at least what he hoped resembled a smile. He already looked like a moron; wouldn't make sense to worsen his chances by throwing her a smile that looked like he was about to die.

On the other hand, she did seem to be attracted to him—an idiot. So maybe he could be just him. If it didn't work out, Ryan could always blame the alcohol running rampant in his system.

"Sure," she said somewhat disappointedly.

Ryan nodded at her, receiving the gesture back as she went back into the tavern.

Well, that was dumb—yeah dumb, but interesting.

Ryan chuckled inwardly at the thought. He watched her lithe form retreat through the back door. Her wings glittered as she left Ursula's glow.

Mesmerizing.

That was the only word that Ryan could use to explain it. So with a smile on his face and the beginning of a headache on the way, Ryan high-tailed it back to the Messy Inn.

As usual, he heard the Inn before he saw it; even at this hour of the night, the patrons were still very much active.

The building lacked the enchantment that the Siren's Call possessed. Not like he would blame them, the clientele of the Messy Inn were very different from those of the Siren's Call.

Where noise was frowned upon and looked down on by the patrons of the Siren's Call, the Messy Inn patrons seemed to relish in the loud and raucous nature of the place. Plus, it was kind of a free advert for Carl. Nothing like that much commotion to attract potential customers—especially late at night when overhead signs were less visible.

He walked into the bar, nodding at Carl who was behind the counter. The big man flashed him a weak grin, no doubt the running of the tavern at this time of the night taking its toll on him.

Weaving through the crowd at the tavern, he made his way up into his room. Plopping on the bed and letting sleep claim him. A smile spread across his face.

---

Ryan smiled as the memory rolled through his mind. With a dreamy sigh, he got ready for the day's activities.

Walking downstairs into the tavern, he was surprised to see a figure down there opposite Carl.

Carl winked at Ryan and the person opposite him turned and stared at Ryan with a smile.