bad times are just times that are bad >> j&l

The adjustment to life after losing an eye to Eden's blade has challenged Lucky. One minute, he was fighting to prove his strength as a career. In the next, he was on a stretcher being carried away in a sea of red. His world halted in place. The search for a prosthetic eye is paused while Lucky completes the rest of his training degrees. There's still a chance for him to be forced into a combative situation, and his father is insistent on discipline and mastering his way around a blade. A Nachtnebel shouldn't lose a fight, especially one that he picks himself.

There is a card on Lucky's bed, already opened up and laid out for him, easy to read. He falls into his blankets and reads it against the lamplight. It's from Julian, one of the neighbors in New Horizons. He wants to go fishing tomorrow morning. Bold of the astrology boy to think the stars have aligned for Lucky to wake up that early. Nonetheless, he returns to the kitchen for permission to leave the house early before school. His father, with an unsealed and empty envelope in hand, was already waiting expectantly. He smiles, "Have fun with Julian tomorrow!"

Now he has to go, whether he wants to or not.

It's dark outside when Lucky begins his stroll to the pier. His head scans in all directions at the end of each road, careful to make sure he doesn't miss any oncoming cyclists or trucks of Peacekeepers. A patched-up eye hinders his already somewhat oblivious awareness. He makes it to the pier at 5 A.M. on the dot. If there's one thing about their village, it's that the people get where they're going on time. Julian's there too, hair blowing against the seaside breeze.

Lucky sits at the edge of the boardwalk, bare feet and sleeves rolled up past his elbows. "It's peaceful watching the sun rise from behind the water like a painting in motion." He places his tacklebox to the side and opens it up. Of course, there is fishing equipment in there, but unlatching the side compartment reveals a couple of flasks to share if Julian wants any. Lucky places them between him and his friend. "I don't really… fish."