Sol took one last glance at the sprawling colosseum and the chaotic gambling den, weighing his choices carefully. Both places promised excitement, danger, and the thrill of risk, but he knew better than to rush headfirst into the unknown. He exhaled, deciding to take things slow first. His eyes settled on the most unassuming place in the entire cosmic expanse—the small wooden shack labeled Lover's Bar.
"Figures," he muttered to himself. "Might as well start where the real conversations happen."
Sol told the AI bot that he wanted to go to Lover's Bar. The bot acknowledged his choice and handed him a small white remote with three buttons. "Simply press the button corresponding to your desired destination, and you will be instantly transported there," the bot explained.
Sol studied the remote for a moment before pressing the button for Lover's Bar. It looked deceptively normal—just a plain white plastic device with three buttons. However, the crude, almost childlike drawings labeling each location made him pause. The colosseum was represented by what looked like a stick figure with swords, the gambling den was a misshapen blob of dice and cards, and Lover's Bar? Just a poorly scribbled heart with what might have been a beer mug… or possibly a frog.
He exhaled and pressed the button. The moment his foot touched the ground outside the shack, a strange sensation washed over him. Unlike the other parts of the Sparkling Den, where the feeling of floating in space was ever-present, this place felt solid. Gravity behaved normally, the air smelled faintly of aged wood and spices, and most surprisingly—it was quiet.
The contrast was stark. Behind him, the colosseum roared with battle cries and the gambling den flashed with erratic neon lights, but here? The only sound was the faint murmur of conversation and the occasional clinking of glasses.
Peach, still perched on his shoulder, wiggled its tiny arms. "Oooh! Cozy!"
Sol smirked. "Yeah. Let's see if it's as interesting as it looks."
He pushed open the door.
The inside was nothing like he expected. Despite the shack's simple exterior, the interior stretched wider than it should have, lined with dark wood paneling, warm amber lights, and a long bar counter manned by a single figure. Small round tables were scattered around, some occupied by patrons engaged in hushed discussions, others completely empty. A large, aged jukebox sat in the corner, playing something slow and rhythmic, a tune that felt like it belonged to a forgotten era.
And behind the bar stood the bartender—an old man with long white hair and a beard, his presence both regal and unassuming. A pair of majestic white horns curved from his head, their surface almost glowing with an ethereal sheen. His kind, warm smile contrasted with the sheer intensity of his eyes, which held a depth that made Sol instinctively take a step back.
The old man noticed this and, though a flicker of surprise crossed his features, he didn't show it. Instead, he simply maintained his calm, welcoming demeanor.
"New face," the bartender said, his voice smooth and rich with experience. "Welcome to Lover's Bar. What brings you here, traveler?"
Before Sol even had a chance to answer, Peach suddenly zipped off his shoulder like a curious child set loose in a candy store. The small AI bear spun through the air with an excited giggle, darting over tables, inspecting drinks, and poking at various decorations with its tiny mechanical paws.
Sol sighed, already bracing himself for whatever chaos was about to unfold.
The bartender raised an eyebrow, his warm smile unwavering but his eyes tracking Peach's erratic movements. "An energetic companion," he noted.
Peach, having already taken interest in a patron's tall glass of shimmering blue liquid, leaned in a little too close. The drink promptly changed colors, fizzing violently before letting out a loud pop!. The startled patron—a three-eyed reptilian alien—blinked in disbelief before scowling at the floating bear.
"What the—? Keep that thing under control!"
Sol pinched the bridge of his nose. "Peach, behave."
Peach twirled in the air innocently. "I am simply investigating! Important research!"
The bartender chuckled. "It seems your little friend has a natural curiosity for the world. Or at least, for trouble."
Sol finally turned back to the bartender with a resigned expression. "Yeah… welcome to my life." Then, with a small smile, he added, "He's a cute one, isn't he?"
The old man chuckled in response, his deep, warm laughter fitting the cozy atmosphere of the bar. Sol took the opportunity to find a seat at the counter, settling in as he exhaled, finally able to take in the strange but inviting ambiance.
He pulled up the holographic menu, scrolling through the selection of drinks, some of which had names that made no sense, while others sounded outright dangerous. After a moment of consideration, he glanced up at the bartender and asked, "Got any recommendations?"
The old man chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You look a little young to be drinking some of the stuff here," he mused before stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But I think I've got something for you. How about a fruity drink that looks like a winter wonderland? Smooth, refreshing, and just the right amount of kick. And if you're really looking to experience something special, you haven't truly lived until you've had it with the right dish."
Sol considered it for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll take your suggestion."
With a pleased nod, the bartender began preparing the drink, his movements precise yet fluid. As he worked, he called across the bar to one of the servers—a small humanoid raccoon woman who was lazily leaning against the counter. At his command, she gave an exaggerated sigh but quickly made her way to the back to prepare the recommended dish.
Meanwhile, Sol watched with intrigue as the old man started performing small tricks while making the drink, effortlessly flipping bottles, pouring liquids in mesmerizing arcs, and even making the swirling ingredients sparkle mid-air as if performing some kind of casual magic show. Then, his horns lit up, casting a soft glow before a beam of cold, frosty light shot from them, striking the drink midair.
The instant the light hit, the liquid exploded in a burst of sweet aromas and stunning colors, freezing into a delicate, crystalline form before settling back into the glass with a soft, icy shimmer.
Sol's eyes widened, his heart racing in amazement. He unconsciously began breaking down what he had just witnessed, his mind scrambling to explain the phenomenon. His lips moved on their own as he muttered scientific theories under his breath, trying to decipher how the beam of cold light had formed, how it had manipulated the molecules in the drink so precisely. Was it some form of controlled energy? Cryokinetic particle manipulation? Something else entirely?
The old man calmly listened to Sol's ramblings, finding them quite interesting. He had met countless travelers, scholars, and scientists over the years, but this kid was different. There was a sharpness to his curiosity, a hunger for understanding that was rare. As he listened, he found himself surprised at some of the things Sol was spouting—complex theories and intricate breakdowns that showed a mind far beyond his years. The bartender's warm smile deepened as he continued preparing the drink, quietly amused by the young traveler's relentless need to figure things out.
As the drink was finally completed, the small humanoid raccoon server returned, carrying a covered dish with an air of exaggerated importance. She placed it in front of Sol with a smirk before scampering off. The old man wiped his hands on a cloth and leaned slightly over the counter, his glowing horns dimming as he spoke. "Prepare yourself, kid. You're about to experience one of the district's mysteries."