[img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7550/15161249443_819365ae18_b.jpg[/img]
[hr][h3][color=gray]Armagh, Ireland[/color][/h3]
[sub][h3][color=gray]May 3rd, 2018 - 17:00 WET[/color][/h3][/sub]
[hr]

The weather in all of its shoddy magnificence made grey of the land, with the anticipation of a dark downpour desiring to unleash in torrents; the last few days of the week having build up what would be this cruel force majeure with no way to argue against it, only endure and hope it moved in without much damage. And amidst the heavy rainfall, was a young Francis taking himself to jogging for salvation from the storm; his only protection was the hood upon his head, though it offered little else at this point. As last, he found himself outside a local pub to rush in for shelter and saving what he could of his mood.

He exhaled a pent breath of relief upon closing the mahogany doors, unzipping his hoodie to hang upon the many other jackets of the coat racks that littered the entryway. [i]"By the love of Mary, will this hell ever let up?"[/i] He'd ask to himself in muttered pants, shaking his head in disbelief with the patting of raindrops painting themselves upon the window panes before he'd decide it better to ease his mind with a pint of guinness. The bar stool was comfortable enough if a bit taller than desired, though the selection and bartender (of an enchanting ensemble) gave leeway for him to forget the peeve. With a upward nod of his head to the lovely lass, he'd perk to say; [i]"A kilkenny, if you would."[/i]

The minutes rolled by to hours, with Francis downing his pints over the leisure of the clock; with the storm roaring outside into the night, he was in no rush to leave - nor wanting to; the small talk he made with his server, a Miss Haggerty, blessed a titter of laughter of bitter sorrowfulness every now and again. He'd tuck a hand into his right pocket for his phone, flipping through his texts and contacts for what little interaction he did have when he seemed so abstract to the world of social media. A single text from his distant and desired partner Rebecca had skipped his heart, as it had every time before for his virgin heart; she would be his first and- as far as he knew -his only.

[quote][i]"Hey lil' Willy! Hope the storm hasn't drowned you out yet, you still got to get that butt of yours over here in a few months. Xoxo[/i] -Rebecca, 17:56[/quote]
The young man's face warmed, though it was unsure whether from the kilkenny count or blushing; Miss Haggerty questioned in none either way, letting him enjoy the moment while he could, knowing by the lord's good graces that he needed any pick-me-up he could have come his way. In the later hours of the night and watching the nearby flatscreen of the weather forecast estimated for the night, it had become clear that the fury of nature wasn't letting up - at least not for another few days. With that said, Francis groaned childishly to himself as he'd slide from the bar stool, reaching into his wallet for his debit card to pay Miss Haggerty for her time well spent. His hoodie, still heavy with dampness, slid back over his torso and zipped up; he may as well protect what he could of his hair before jogging through the blackened night of downpour and thunder, making headway for Heidi and home.