Heh, so I wrote this a while ago and while I'm still fairly proud of it I feel a little silly about writing it in the first place.
A passing reunion
Maxwell stepped onto the station dock behind his superior, glancing around furtively in his helmet. The dock was abuzz with activity as people of all species unloaded and loaded ships also docked at the station. He followed his superior up the dock and deeper into the hive of activity.
“I’ve got some business to attend to elsewhere, meet me back here in four hours.” His superior stated, gesturing to a standing map a few feet ahead.
“Yes ma’am.” Maxwell nodded once before striding off into the crowd to look around, removing his helmet as he did so.
There were quite a few shops lining the streets as he wandered, but none of them really struck his fancy. Mostly businesses selling various goods he wasn’t in the mood to buy. He’d been saving up for some better armor anyway, so it was best not to spend too much.
As he was passing a tacky souvenir shop, he noticed a familiar outline amongst the shoppers. As he walked closer he recognized the voice. Immediately he smiled and entered the shop, quieting his footsteps a little out of habit.
“Castor?” He asked, surprised.
The man turned his head, a large and familiar crooked grin spreading across his face.
“Maxwell!” Castor straightened from viewing some of the colorful wares.
“Castor! Dude, it’s been years! How’ve you been, man?” Maxwell grinned, opening his arms and pulling his old friend into a firm hug. Castor clapped him on the back then they released each other.
“I’ve been good! Not much to complain about really. You?” Castor nodded his head as he spoke.
“It’s been…a lot. But hey! What brings you here?” Maxwell asked.
“Oh you know, gotta resupply somewhere.” Castor shrugged. “Hey, why don’t we go catch up over a drink?” He gave a friendly slap to his friend’s left shoulder.
“Sure.” Maxwell shrugged, nodding his head. “I’ve got a few hours to kill.”
“Great! I know a place with some interesting drinks.” Castor gestured for Maxwell to lead the way out of the shop.
Maxwell obliged, then fell into step on the left of his friend as they forged their way through the crowd. They talked a bit about what they’d been up to since they’d last seen each other, interspersed with Castor pointing out shops of interest or to avoid for one reason or another. That one has terrible customer service, that one’s sorta illegal maybe, that one’s got an owner with a great personality, that one has killer deals but trashy products, etc, etc. Finally they reached their destination; a smoothie stall with a flavor list compartmentalized by species.
“They’ve got somewhere near one hundred and twenty flavors of smoothie. Twelve for each of ten known species. It’s crazy.” Castor mentioned. “The best thing though is to try flavors for other species. I’ve tried one or two flavors. I don’t recommend that one though.” He pointed to a flavor marked under ‘Volus’. “Makes your tongue numb and everything tastes like bacon.”
Maxwell laughed. “Doesn’t sound too bad actually.” He chuckled.
“You think that’s funny? No one could understand me for the rest of the day!” Castor laughed too.
“Maybe you should get it again.” Maxwell teased, playfully punching his friend in the right shoulder.
“Naaahhh, I don’t like bacon that much.” Castor shook his head, smiling.
“Fine. Which should I try, you think?” Maxwell glanced over the overwhelming list of flavors.
“Hmm… you try that one-” Castor pointed to one under ‘Turian’. “And I’ll try this one.” He moved his hand to indicate a flavor under ‘Elcor’. “Then we can swap and try both.”
“Sounds good to me.” Maxwell grinned.
Ten minutes later the two were sitting in a plaza area on the side of a step, sort of out of the way. It was a lot to catch up on, having not seen each other for five years. Three hours flew by, and Maxwell shot up when he noticed the clock on one of the columns.
“What’s wrong?” Castor asked, standing as well.
“I totally forgot! I gotta go. I’ll get in trouble if I’m not at the sign by the docks in ten minutes!”
“Shoot! Uhm… Quick! This way!” Castor indicated a direction with his head before taking off at a light jog.
Maxwell followed, a little confused but relieved that Castor was trying to help. They wove between main roads and back alleys, getting spat out at the docks seven minutes later.
“Thanks man. I owe you one.” Maxwell clapped Castor on the shoulder.
“See you later man. Hopefully soon.” Castor said a bit sadly, catching his forearm. They gripped one another’s forearms for a second, then Maxwell ran off towards the sign, shoving on his helmet as he ran.