Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew’s POV*

Inevitably, Day began to turn to Dusk, and I decided to go Commons, hoping to catch Christian before he went to bed. I quickly dressed and fully armed myself, in case I wouldn’t have time to return before Watch, and made my way up the hill.

On the path, I passed Jinxx on his way to the Wall. We exchanged nods. I knew little about him, but he seemed like an alright fellow.

Jinxx was a member of the Dusk Watch, and had arrived in town about a year ago from a small tribe, saying he was looking to do something meaningful with his life. A weird story, but he was a weird guy. I had been as full of doubt as anyone, but he’d saved several lives already in his brief tenure. Christian swore up and down that he could really kill it on the fiddle, but I just couldn’t envision it. Jinxx was so quiet, I’d have to see it for myself. Sometime…

As soon as I entered Commons, I saw a gaggle of girls and turned in the opposite direction, almost running for the food line. I tried to hide behind a tent pole while staying in line for some stew.

I heard Christian start talking from behind me, “Andy, what the fuck-“

“Quiet!” I whispered, “If they hear you, they’ll try and come flirt with me, dammit! Shit, if they even see you talking to someone, they’ll suspect I’m here! Can’t they show any respect?” I spat on the ground, aggravated.

“Andy…to them, you’re, like, the cutest, most available bachelor that they just have to save from his depressed misery. It doesn’t hurt that you’re the Second Officer of the Night Watch, bud.”

I snorted.“Yeah, I know it doesn’t hurt, that’s all they see. They don’t know me.” I frowned. Disgusting.

“Andy, nobody knows you anymore. You never leave your house except for Watch, which you take every fucking night! You know you don’t have to. I’m the only person you really talk to. And, I’m sorry man, but I like chicks.” I punched him amicably in the arm before dishing myself some stew. “Seriously, you need to get out more.”

I grunted noncommittally. I’d heard this before. “No, really, dude. Think about it?”

I glanced at him. “Yeah, maybe. There’s a Council Meeting tomorrow, so we’ll see what that’s all about. They don’t usually ask for all of the Officers to be present, so it must be big news. Maybe sometime after that.” Christian grinned.

“Sweet! Let me know!” He jogged off, and I gulped my stew quickly before returning my bowl. I knew the odds were slim that I’d do any sort of group social activity, but, I supposed, never say never.

I heard a female voice asking, “Have you seen Andrew? Tall, handsome?” I took off at a run for my shelter, leaping a table in my path. Thank the gods for my gazelle legs! Flying would have attracted way too much attention. For once, I made it out of there with not a single bosom pressed against me, not a single unwelcome hand rubbing my chest, not a single uninvited kiss.

Notes

dude really does need to get out more.