[center][img]https://wikinetworth.com/uploads/Natalie%20Martinez(1).jpg[/img][/center] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/201205/cc6da1aa337befe2976e2efe6a2ed0e0.png[/img][/center] Sophie sat cross-legged on one of the barstools on the far end of the bar. She was quietly sipping on her Long Island, not necessarily paying any mind to the other patrons around her. Her attention was instead directed at the TV right above one of the bartenders. On it, they had a hockey game which coincidentally enough was showing a match between the Lightning and the Rangers, the latter being her home team. Sophie was currently a season ticket owner, going to most of the games with her friends and enjoying herself having a good time. There was much to do at the games: drink, eat, witness a fight or two, win a free t-shirt, yell at the referees, etc. It was an experience that extended past watching the actual match. “You seem to be into the game.” She smiled at the bartender in return, gazing over at him. [color=C56AE6]“I enjoy the sport.”[/color] “Not so common around here.” [color=C56AE6]“Well, I’m not from around here.”[/color] “I figured, given the accent and all.” [color=C56AE6]“Well, I live in New York actually.”[/color] His face dropped, the gesture an exaggerated one. “Oh no, you’re a Rangers fan.” [color=C56AE6]“Yep!”[/color] she replied smugly, sipping on her drink. [color=C56AE6]“Tampa doesn’t stand a chance tonight, how sad…”[/color] “It’s still early in the game, don’t count them out just yet,” he added matter-of-factly as he simultaneously began to wipe the counter adjacent to her. “They can make a comeback unlike the guys down south.” [color=C56AE6]“Oh, I know they're good, they’re just unlikely to take the lead against us.”[/color] Their back and forth banter went on for roughly another minute or so before he had to get back to work. The bar was busy that evening, but that was the case with the rest of the resort. She was currently in CityWalk, in a bar just outside Universal Studios. They had a lot to do there…bars, restaurants, a movie theatre, and even a karaoke place with a big stage and a live band playing behind whichever unfortunate soul had signed up to get on and sing. Sophie had stopped by the karaoke place for a minute before heading to the bar, but she wasn’t feeling it, not without her friends there to push her into making a fool out of herself. She ended up in the resort because she figured she might as well enjoy her evening before boarding the cruise instead of spending it in her hotel room watching a movie. Besides, she’d never visited Orlando, and after a 5-minute Google search she found out they had a pretty good nightlife in the resort. She took another sip of her drink in time to watch the opposing team score, and she shook her head. They were still down by one, so she wasn’t sweating it. Sophie continued to enjoy the game, making casual conversation with someone who just happened to sit right next to her. A man named Erick was nice enough to buy her a drink, and she ordered something a little less strong as she was very well on her way to being drunk. They socialized, for a bit, but not too long. Eventually, the game ended and it was only a little while before Erick left as well. Sophie was surprised, though in a good way. She could say from experience that it was almost always the case for a free drink to come with certain expectations. However, sometimes, like it was the case here, a stranger did something kind for another stranger just for the sake of it. The time in the clock on the wall read 11:09 pm. Sophie reached into her purse for some cash to leave as a tip. It wasn't too late, but she was ready to go lie down and after closing her tap, she made her way outside. The cool evening breeze felt nice, though had she been back home in New York, she wouldn’t be able to wear the dress she currently had on. Sophie followed a small group who appeared to be heading in the general direction of the exit. She was scrolling through her phone, unaware of her surroundings when she felt someone walking extremely close to her. “Hey.” It was the bartender from earlier. According to him, he had covered for his friend a couple of hours before his own shift started and therefore he had gotten off early. The two started talking as they walked, first about sports, then switching back and forth between random topics. It didn’t take long for them to reach a nearly empty garage. The space was massive, and she could only imagine the insane amount of cars populating it during the day. [color=C56AE6]“Well, it was nice meeting you.”[/color] Sophie smiled, saying her goodbyes. By then, she was more than ready to get to bed, so she didn't carry on with a conversation nor did she give him the chance to ask any questions. The following morning, Sophie was feeling less than stellar. Not so much from a hangover but a headache that appeared out of the blue. She took her time getting ready and packing up the few belongings she had out of her bag. [i]Hope you enjoy your week![/i] That was the message her grandfather had just sent her. He was the one who had surprised her with the cruise, and she made a mental note to get him a thank you gift some time after she returned home. After reading over a couple of other messages, Sophie scanned her room one last time before gathering her bags and walking out. It'd be roughly an hour before she arrived down at the port, but she could just sit back and listen to music on the way. Downstairs, Sophie caught one of cabs waiting just outside the lobby. The driver went ahead and placed her bags in the trunk while she made herself comfortable, slipping on her sunglasses. [color=C56AE6]"To Port Canaveral, please"[/color] The ride there was uneventful. She had been looking out the window then, her head leaning against it when she noticed they passed some guy walking by on the side of the road, and he appeared to be heading in the same general direction as her. Sophie sat up straight, wondering who in their right mind would walk such distance. [color=C56AE6]"Stop the car!"[/color] The driver looked at her through the rearview mirror as if she were crazy, but he nonetheless did as she asked. Once the vehicle had come to a complete stop, Sophie opened the door and stepped halfway out. [color=C56AE6]"Hey, do you need a ride to the port?"[/color]