I froze, I didn’t have a mask on, I was terrified. My face could always easily be read, so my anxiety must have been clearly shown on my face. I wish sis was here, she’d introduce me to anyone, for me.

“This is Aki, he’s new to Portia. He’ll be joining the builders guild. But of course he’ll need to get his builders license first before he can pick up commissions.

“Higgs is always busy taking commissions, I guess we’ll have Aki take it up. It’s a priority to the mayor so Higgs and his obsession with taking all the commissions for building stuff won’t be helpful.” He smirked, and held out a hand for me to shake, “Names Arlo, nice to meet you Aki.”

I shook his hand hesitantly, I was shy. And just nodded. I didn’t feel like saying anything else. His grip was strong, reminding me of someone who’s in my flying pigs, but I’ve never known someone named Arlo. Arlo must’ve wanted to join the flying pigs! Cause from what I could tell he was in the civil corps.

“Just don’t commit crime or cause trouble and we’ll be chill.” Arlo seemed a bit nervous now?

“Of course not.” I blurted out -I was a flying pigs officer, I know the laws and my sense of justice keeps me from committing arson(I’m a piromaniac)-, wait was he nervous because of my strength? When I shake people’s hands I subconsciously always hold on tightly, my grip is extremely strong, so was I making him nervous? I pulled away from the hand shake as not to hurt his hand.

“Well, see you around Presley, Aki.” Arlo then ran off, probably to patrol.

“Arlo’s the leader of the civil corps here in Portia. So he’s always pretty busy-” I zoned out what Presley was saying, I was too focused on Arlo. He was so hot, and his gruff yet gentle voice made me obsessed. Oh great! Day one and I’ve already fallen for a most likely straight guy… great!

I barely zoned back in, I was too focused on the interaction to do so. So my body went on auto pilot as I followed Presley and he gave me my first task to get my builders license. Which was; to make an axe and pickaxes for myself. An axe for woodcutting to be specific, not battle.

When I zoned back into the real world I was at the cabin that my father gave me. I was alone, it was late, it was even more peaceful at night than what the day had shown me -even if I wasn’t paying attention most of the time. I’m a night owl, so I decided to gather what I need to patch up the holes and cracks in the walls. The draft was making me cold. I got wood using my battle axe, cause I hadn’t crafted myself a wood cutting axe and I was too lazy to do that when I had a perfectly good axe on me.

“You’re up late.” Arlo's voice came up behind me as I was cutting down a tree.

“Uh-” Shit I froze again!

“Most people are asleep by now, are you-” Arlo yawned, and very cutely, “Are you a night owl?” He asked.

I nodded, “Were you on a patrol?” I managed to stutter out.