Chapter 8 – A New Friend

While Abel was taking care of the pelts at home, Frankie and Melissa were getting to know Samuel Blackwood. It was quite weird how well Frankie and Samuel got along, they were both extroverts that were kind and social most of the time. People said that things of the same nature would repel one another, but apparently this isn't always the case.

As the three got into the taxi Frankie had ordered, Samuel went on to explain how lucky Abel was with the shocking incident while Frankie and Melissa both found it pretty funny and ironic to say the least. Although, that was only the case now they knew the whole story and Abel came out of it one piece. If Abel truly had messed up to the point where the pod would be worth its weight in materials then they would've done everything in their power to help him. It was always easier to look back at something harrowing and be able to laugh about it after coming out unscathed.

"Frankie, you guys obviously aren't related, so how did you three meet?" Samuel couldn't help but ask the question that was on his mind since they met, he had held back from asking till they got better acquainted with each other and seeing as how they were nearly at the port, he figured it was now or never.

"Binary Eclipse…" Frankie calmly replied with two words but the information they contained and the weight they carried was more than a 10,000-word thesis.

 "I'm sorry, I shouldn't hav-" Samuel quickly apologized, probably out of guilt from bringing up such painful memories.

"It's fine, how could you have possibly known and besides, it was so long ago. Melly and I are rather fortunate compared to Abe, but that's his story to tell." Frankie wasn't upset, it was hard to find someone that was unaffected by that tragic incident 20 years ago, he was oblivious to the fact that even Samuel lost his mother back then while his father was cooped up in his personal lab and was actually unaware of the ordeal until it had passed.

'Of course, how could I be so stupid, why else would three unrelated youngsters be living together yet have such a close bond, going so far as to consider each other as family' Samuel thought to himself but didn't want to carry on with such an unhappy topic.

"I have to say, the Emerald Isles really are beautiful, probably more so than the Veridian Archipelago." Samuel was a champion in transitioning from one topic to another and he skillfully did so once again without missing a beat.

"You've really been every where huh" Frankie was astounded at the number of places Samuel had been to.

"Although Frankie and I both have some memories about our homes in Orienta, it was long ago and we were just children. We've basically never gone farther than the Emerald Isles, except Abe, he went to Forgeburg city last week but that's the furthest any of us has ever been" Melly chimed in, also impressed with their new friend's extensive geographical experiences.

"Although it was great at first, it gets tiring after a while you know." Samuel let out a sigh, not knowing whether he was lamenting about his nomadic life-style or something much deeper. "But I definitely plan to stick around for a month at a minimum, this place deserves that much at least."

"Hah, you've got good eyes young man! You can barely cover three or four islands in that timespan, but you should make the most out of your youth!" The middle-aged but old-looking taxi driver jumped in to the conversation, completely unaware that the age difference between Samuel and Frankie and greater than the one between Samuel and himself.

Samuel wasn't one to embarrass another person without reason so he didn't mention his actual age which was 33, instead he asked "They're just 5 islands, even if I spend 5 or 6 days on each one, a month should be more than enough no?"

"Hahahaha" "HAHAHAHA"

"Hehehehehehe"

The three locals simultaneously laughed at the typical "tourists" question but they didn't go overboard and kindly explained in turn

"You can't think like that young man, each island has a specialty so it depends on what you really want to be honest" The old-looking taxi driver was the first to start explaining before Frankie carried on,

"Exactly, take Serentia for example, the island that me and Melly are headed to now. It's renowned for its magical and enchanting gardens that are filled with exotic and otherworldly plants that are unique to the island. They're also well-known for their hot springs that have both healing and relaxing properties. Those that suffer from various skin conditions are always clamoring to visit the healing springs while people that have high-stress jobs have fallen in love with the relaxing hot springs that seem to soak-up all mental burdens. If you have a need for either of them then you'd usually stay just on Serentia alone for a month, much less visit the other islands." Frankie summed up Serentia pretty quickly and efficiently, although there were other attractions, those were the main points.

Melly chimed in after her boyfriend, proudly describing their own island Luminara, "I'm sure you've already noticed the beautiful beaches of Luminara, right?" Samuel subconsciously nodded in response

"Well, the sand here is different. There's something special about it, people say it has to do with the old silent volcano in the center but anyway, they're the most beautiful beaches whether it's during the day or at night. Besides, the flora here is special too, it's very captivating, it's a different type of beauty to the well-crafted gardens of Serentia. The bioluminescence at night doesn't get boring, even for us locals that have seen its beauty day after day and year after year."

"The little lass is right, my parents used to live in Zephyria back in my grandfathers' generation but they moved to Luminara and decided to stay for good after coming for a visit once." The old-looking taxi driver couldn't help but chime in after hearing what Melissa had to say,

"Or take where you're going now for example; Sylvanholme is known for its exceptional vineyards and winemaking. The island's fertile soil and carefully tended vineyards produce some of the most exquisite wines in the Emerald Isles and all across the world for that matter. Sylvanholme's winemakers are highly regarded for their expertise in creating wines with distinct and enchanting flavors. The island's become a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs, they're all drawn to the magical ambiance and the exceptional vintages crafted in Sylvanholme's wineries." The driver paused for a moment as though not quite understanding what this 'young' man was doing going to Sylvanholme if he wasn't a wine-lover and then curiously asked the question that was in his heart,

"Lad, if you don't know what's so good about Sylvanholme then why on earth did you decide to go there in the first place?!"

"Well, I've got a date there! We 'clicked' on CelestiaMatch as soon as I stepped into the region" Samuel bashfully chuckled before carrying on, "We chatted for a bit on the app before we decided to meet up in real life. So here I am…"

'Ah, my mother used to always tell me not to be so nosy with customers.'

The 'old' driver that was still single regretted being so curious and asking in the first place but thankfully, they had already arrived at their destination. The three got off after thanking the driver and made their way to the entrance of the port. Frankie figured since Sam was staying in the area for a while then he should come buy for dinner when he had time, perhaps he could even bring his new girl with him if they really hit it off in person and they could both try a dish from an authentic wild meat for a change.

"Honestly Sam, if Abe hadn't turned my old courtyard into a.. storage of sorts, I would've had you stay at our place instead." Frankie was quite upfront about it, he felt like Sam was a kindred spirit and didn't mind letting him know.

"Heh, its fine Frankie, I shouldn't impose when I can afford a decent hotel but give me your number, we should definitely stay in touch!" and so, the two men who had just become friends exchanged contact details before taking separate gates to their next destination, as to whether this friendship would blossom into something great or wither with the test of man, only time would truly tell.