Eva follows him back out onto the deck. Once he’s finished, she mimics the task and rinses the sand off her own feet with the cool water. It doesn’t take long, and she soon follows him back inside, “Sure,” she smiles at the offer of a drink, “Anything’s fine,” she knows he usually drinks vodka so that’s what she’s expecting.

She ventures further into the house, glancing towards the few framed pictures. A pang of nostalgia hits her when she recognizes Kanto, but she pushes it back just as quickly as it surfaces, “How’d you sang this place? I’m sure beachfront property isn’t easy to come by.”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]matias disappears into the kitchen, leaving her with the freedom to peruse and explore should she want to.

"supposedly, its previous owner was a ranger who died in the war. they had no relatives, so it became league asset after that. then i simply bought it off them."

was it maybe foreboding? yes. was he warned not to purchase it? yes. but he didn't care either way — superstitions be damned.

soon, he returns with two rocks glasses in his hands, each containing golden-brown liquor. no ice. he extends one over to her, smiling.

"it's from kanto. i remember you used to drink it a lot."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva doesn’t venture far. She finds herself wading in unfamiliar territory. He says to make herself at home, but she’s not quite sure how to do that, “Hm, I see,” Eva’s not superstitious by any means, but there’s something about knowing It belonged to someone who met an early death that is unsettling. At least the previous owner didn’t die in the house.

She bides her time glancing between the few photos as the direction in which Matias disappeared. It doesn’t take long for him to return with their drinks. She’s surprised to see amber liquid gently rolling around the glass, “From Kanto? Really?” a bright smile lights up her features as she steps forward to take the glass. A sniff confirms it, “Man, I haven’t had this in . . . years.”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"i brought it with me when i left. thought i might need it someday."

he had intended to see her, after all.

and though the natural urge is to leave it unaddressed, he decides to air it this time:

"actually, i brought it for you."

his glass raises, offering a toast.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva looks at him with mild confusion, perhaps a little shock, “For me?” she echoes softly. That implies he had taken the time to think about it, about her, even after all their time apart. It involved remembering what she drinks and planting the intention of seeing her again. It’s a thoughtfulness she isn’t expecting. It makes her chest swell and grow tight with a feeling that’s starting to become too familiar.

Honestly, she’s not quite sure what to say. The simple gesture means more to her than she would be able to express, “Thank you, Matias,” she steps closer to raise her glass to his for a toast, “To a very successful first date,” she grins before sipping.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]the taste brings back memories; some warm, some not as much, but he chooses to focus on the ones that remind him of moments he wishes he could relive.

it's then that he reminds himself that he has this moment to live, so it's best to return to it.

the glass lowers.

"it's not over yet, eva."

a grin.

"there's still the house tour."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

The warmth of the whiskey that fills her mouth is familiar. It brings with it a wave of memories that seem to crash against her all at once. It’s overwhelming, but pleasant. Much like Matias, it’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia. She could sit and reminisce all night while she sipped the Kanto whiskey. He’s in her memories, but he’s also here now. It anchors her here as she pulls the glass from her lips with a smile, “Mmmm it’s better than I remember,” a hand reaches out to takes his, a physical anchor to the present, “Alright then, give me the tour.”

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]the tour:

he tugs her along, leading them through the living room and past the open kitchen to a small hallway that splits off into two at the end.

"guest bathroom here, basement here."

he says, pointing to two doors as they stroll through the hallway. eventually, they reach the end, and he first points left, then right.

"that leads out into the garage. it's empty, though. and that is where i sleep."

curiously, he doesn't call it a bedroom. he tugs her towards the right, past a set of staircases that lead up, before stopping by the door.

"there's three bedrooms upstairs but i don't use the space."

the door swings open, revealing a well-designed room; modern, comfortable, but again, it lacks personality.

the bed's more than big enough for the both of them but there's only one pillow; the other is on the ground next to it.

his hand slips out of hers as he approaches the side, reaching down to grab the pillow before tossing it over to the bed.

"old habits."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva can’t help but laugh lightly as he tugs her along through the house. It’s quite the large space for just one person. She understands that he’s rarely here but it must feel quite lonely when he is, “Three more bedrooms? Wow, this place is huge,” way bigger than hers. She glances up the stairs before being tugged along towards the end of the hallway. At least he has a lot of room for company. Eva is suspicious he doesn’t get a lot of company though.

His bedroom is the final stop. It was a quick, and simple tour. She didn’t expect it to be too detailed. Her gaze follows him as he picks the pillow up off the floor. Her lips pull into a frown. It’s hard to adjust, she knows that. Still, a part of her heart breaks a little to see that he still finds more comfort on the floor than in a bed. Was he uncomfortable when he stayed at her house? Slept in her bed? She stays where she is, tapping the glass with her fingers, “Hm, yeah, I get it,” In a way. Eva never preferred sleeping on the floor. However, at first, a real bed in the safety of a house that was hers was . . . strange. She’s become accustom to it, comfortable even.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]"i just never got used to it."

the comfort, the luxury — he's struggled most of his life that to do anything different feels strange, maybe even wrong. he shrugs, then raises the glass to sip.

"probably just need to get a new mattress. this one's too soft."

they're all too soft.

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Eva sips as he does, nodding in understanding. She could dwell on it, dig deeper, but it isn’t the time, “Too soft?” Eva moves forward to sit on the bed and give it a little bounce, “Doesn’t feel too soft,” she decides to switch the mood instead, “Perhaps you just need the right company,” she looks back at him with a playful smile.

MATIAS SILPH

[attr="class","matias"]her playful smile invites him forward, pulling him back into the moment. he smiles, mirroring hers as he moves to sit next to her.

it feels soft, too soft, but surprisingly comfortable; it's her presence that influences it, he decides.

"i just need you."

[attr="class","noodles"]Eva Morales

Without even knowing it, she pulls him in. Her gaze follows him as he sits down beside her. She sips the whiskey while keeping the smile, “Hm, I don’t think that’s true,” he’s done just fine without her all these years, “But I’m happy to be here now,” Her hand reaches out to connect with his again and emphasizes with a gentle squeeze.

MATIAS SILPH