[centre][h1] Ren White [/h1][/centre]
[centre][h2] The Old Starboard, sunday afternoon [/h2][/centre]

Ren was fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. [i]Marlin, huh.[/i] He knew little to nothing about flights, and therefore he was reluctant to say something on the subject. He hated talking about things that made him look ignorant. Luckily, he didn’t have to. Marlin pointed at his bag of books. 

[color=lightskyblue][i] "So. Those books make you a lawyer, doctor or accountant." [/i][/color]

Sighing heavily, already forgotten about his studies, Ren straightened his back, cracking his neck to both sides.[color=lightsteelblue][i] “If it were up to my father I’d probably be all three.”[/i][/color] He balled up his fists, knuckles turning slightly white. As if just realizing his own movements, Ren quickly loosened his grip and flexed his fingers, moving his hands under the table. [i]Sheesh, way to go bringing up your daddy issues to a complete stranger. [/i]

[color=lightsteelblue][i]“But yes, future doctor - at your service.”[/i][/color] Ren did a two-fingered salute off his forehead, a half-hearted attempt of a smile hanging on his lips, not quite reaching his eyes. [color=lightsteelblue][i]“And these little bad boys are my company until my next exam.” He patted his bag while speaking.[/i][/color]

Ren was debating whether or not he should leave before the woman got tired of talking to him. On one hand, her company was not the worst. It was a nice distraction from his own thoughts. And the option of returning to his cold and quiet apartment wasn’t too tempting. Unconsciously Ren started fidgeting with his nails. It’s not like you know a bunch of people in this city. What’s the worst that can happen... 

Ren had moved away from his childhood home in California to Sol City. Get some space to focus on his studies – or so he’d told his parents. They were displeased that he didn’t want to attend Stanford University like they had, but had reluctantly agreed to it. His father even bought him an apartment on the Riverside so Ren wouldn’t have to live in [i]those filthy dorms[/i], as he’d put it. To be honest Ren just wanted to get away from his father’s tight leash and being met with false niceties by everyone after introducing himself as a White. There was big money in that name, and his father had sunken his claws both here and there to get his way, businesswise and privately alike. 

Ren and Marlin sat in silence for a while, both lost in thought. He was brought back to reality by the door closing loudly behind a new customer, who sauntered in and sat down on a table a few metres away from them. [color=lightsteelblue][i]“That’s him – from the park...”[/i][/color] What was only meant as a private thought slipped out under his breath without Ren noticing. 

He watched as the waitress and the customer worked out a misunderstanding, before she hurried off to another table – even though there were few other people there. The man sat down by the bar instead and Ren felt his stomach twist again. That carefree look was back on the man’s face and it shouldn’t bother Ren as much as it did. He looked away quickly, as if the sight burned his eyes. 

[color=lightsteelblue][i]“So, you’re a pilot?”[/i][/color] Focusing his eyes on Marlin again, continuing. [color=lightsteelblue][i]“How did you fall into that line of business?”[/i][/color] Even though Ren was uncomfortable with subjects in uncharted waters he would do anything right now to distract himself from the growing uneasiness in his stomach. 

[hr][@PrinceAlexus] [@Robo27][hr]