6. The start of something new.
December 8, 2023 at 2:16 PM
There are very pleasant days in life. Usually, no one attaches importance to them until they become that warm memory that people yearn for before going to bed. It was one of those days.
Nemi left the papers on Argus' desk without finding him in place. There I also saw a note written in angular but neat handwriting: “Study everything properly about mountain sickness by the next working day. — A.” It lay on a thick hardcover book with a large inscription “Occupational diseases”.
Leaving, Nemi came across the acting commander of Iparsis— Heinrike Elertrichnet in the corridor. She invited her to her office, and they talked for a few minutes about Nemi’s practice, about working at Iparsis, about expectations and plans. “Are you going to work here at the end of the internship? We would need good specialists, not everyone agrees to go to the mountains so often,” the commander asked. “I’m not sure yet,” Nemi answered honestly, not having the slightest idea whether she should move to Iparraldeco with the ends. Heinrike told her to contact her with any questions and problems, wished her success and, shaking Nemi’s hand, let her go.
Despite an unplanned visit to the commander, Nemi left Iparsis much earlier than planned. The meeting with Einar was scheduled for three, and it was only two o’clock on the clock. Nemi wrote to him that she would wait at the tavern, and slowly wandered around the city, clinging to everything with her eyes that was different from the usual Azumasie and Osdakshin.
The city was filled with an unusual atmosphere for Nemi, which was very different from the cities in Osdakshin and even more so in Azumasie. The people around were open and friendly, as in Osdakshin, but at the same time they felt a certain unconditional freedom as if they could afford anything, and no one would condemn them, but on the contrary, even supported them. Such people could spontaneously quit their jobs, sever all ties and go on a long journey for several months alone and without money, just hitchhiking, spending nights in a sleeping bag on some beach under the stars. People around would not have twirled their fingers at the temple but wondered if they should do the same next Sunday. But at the same time, they seemed to be reliable, self-confident people with strict principles and goals to which they would surely come sooner or later. In this, there was a similarity with the people from Azumasie.
Nemi wanted to swim endlessly through the sun-drenched streets, manoeuvring between small two-story half-timbered houses. Soak in the smell of flowers hanging from windows and balconies. To feel the pleasant freshness of the drops that fell on the skin when she lingered near the fountain. Watch the little nimble siskins jumping from branch to branch, standing in the gentle shade of a spruce or pine. Stroking the silky fur of fawning cats, of which there were an incredible number in the city. In this pleasantly slow-dragging hour, for the first time in a couple of years, Nemi felt like a truly living person. If every day was like this beautiful autumn day, life would be so relaxed and bright that people would forget about all their sorrows and just live.
Nemi stretched the journey to the tavern, which should have taken eight minutes, by as much as thirty-seven. Several times she stopped herself from buying some trinkets in a cozy shop with all kinds of goods for every taste, telling herself that if she did it now, what would she do for the rest of the year in this city? She didn’t buy anything to eat either, although hunger was already beginning to make itself felt. Nemi decided that it would be better to be patient for twenty minutes, wait for Einar and then have a snack together before, perhaps, a long tour of the city. In the tavern, she took only a glass of water, hoping to dull her hunger, and sat down at one of the tables near the entrance. Not knowing what else to do, Nemi took a book out of her bag and began to do Argus’s task. So fifteen minutes flew by for deepening into a new industry.
“Excuse me, can I treat you to something?”
Completely immersed in the book, Nemi started in surprise. She looked up. In front of her stood a young man of about twenty-three with brown hair, in clothes that, at first glance, seemed to be a work uniform.
“No, thank you,” Nemi smiled politely and turned her attention back to the book.
“My name is Quinn.”
The guy sat down at a table and held out his hand. Nemi was in too good a mood to take Quinn’s actions for rudeness, so she just looked at him appraisingly, noting to herself that he was quite her type, and shook hands.
“I’m Nemi.”
“I sell fruit nearby in my shop,” Quinn pointed with his hand somewhere to the side. “I noticed you from afar. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I hadn’t approached such a charming girl.”
Nemi listened to Quinn with her chin on her thumb and her nose on her index finger. She continued to study him and in response to his words only smiled languidly, which was partially hidden by her fingers.
Quinn started to feel a little uncomfortable, but he didn’t stop trying.:
“After work, I often come here for a drink. I would like to invite you to join, Nemi.”
Nemi considered his offer for several seconds, which seemed to him almost an eternity. She glanced at her watch: five minutes to three.
“To be honest, I’m waiting for someone here, Quinn,” she also emphasized the name. “But the day after tomorrow evening I am completely free.”
A winning smile lit up Quinn’s face by itself, but he quickly pulled himself together to give the impression of a reserved person.
“Great! I’ll be at the tavern around seven in the evening. I’ll be very… glad to see you.” Nemi, smiling, nodded and opened the book. Quinn got up from the table and pressed his lips together, lingering on the girl’s gaze, wondering if there was anything else to say. But I decided not to bother anymore and went to my shop. Two minutes later Einar came up. When he found out that Nemi hadn’t had lunch yet, he went to the tavern and returned ten minutes later with food.
“Usually they don’t serve food here, I had to come up with something.” Einar put two plates on the table. “These are Iparraldeco pancakes. Let’s start the tour with a local dish,” he smiled cordially, sitting down on a chair opposite.
“It looks very appetizing, thank you.” Nemi pushed the plate a little closer, inhaling the aroma. “I’d like another drink. Will you?”
“I don’t drink. But I can bring you a glass of dandelion wine.”
“Thank you.” It became a little uncomfortable for her to drive Einar back and forth. “I can go to the bar myself…”
“It’s not worth it, I’m fast.”
Nemi smiled shyly after him. As promised, he returned in about two minutes with two glasses in his hands: grape juice in one, dandelion wine in the other. Nemi thanked him again.
“How much do I owe?”
“Consider it on the house.”
Nemi stared blankly at Einar until he clarified.
“The tavern was opened by my father a year before the construction of the distillery itself was completed.”
“Of course, this place is also in his possession,” flashed through her mind. Nemi mentally rolled her eyes at the comicality of the situation. Not knowing what to say to that, she turned the topic to food.
The rest of the day was as warm as its beginning. A small snack, which Nemi was counting on, turned into a long meal. For the most part, Einar spoke, as befits a good guide. He told her about the Iparraldeco pancakes, which Nemi highly appreciated. He also asked what other local dishes there are and which of them should definitely try. Nemi liked dandelion wine even more than pancakes, she had never tasted wine with such an interesting taste. Einar promised to show her how to cook it.
At the fifth hour, well-fed, Nemi and Einar finally went for a walk around the city. Einar started the tour with an old blacksmith shop, which in the modern world played the role of a museum for the most part. Occasionally, something was made to order in it for exhibitions, reconstructions or rich collectors. After that, they walked around several mills, one of which they climbed so that Nemi could look at the city from a height. She thought several times about how convenient it is to deal with a person to whom literally all doors are open. Einar showed the places where you can eat delicious food, and not just drink, like in a tavern. He told about local shops, a small park, which, however, they never reached, and the significance of each fountain in the city. After an hour and a half of walking, Nemi’s brain was overloaded with new information and for the rest of the evening they just talked, sitting on a bench opposite the fountain, which, according to locals, has magical properties. According to Einar, people often made their wishes by throwing a coin there, but unlike ordinary fountains, this one fulfilled all requests. Nemi also tried her luck, never admitting that she had made a wish.
It was about eleven o’clock when they returned to the distillery. Einar met the meaningful gaze of a broadly smiling Atala. He skillfully pretended not to notice anything, although his cheeks still turned a little red. She just told Nemi that everything was ready for bed in the bathroom, and went into the living room.
After washing up quickly and practically jumping into the arms of a soft bed, Nemi fell asleep barely touching the pillow. She didn’t even have time to think about this emotional slow-dragging day and some strange feeling that had been in her since the morning. A feeling so weightless and soft that she probably didn’t even notice it. But it was it that helped her fall asleep so sweetly, not worrying about anything but pleasant fatigue after a good day.
