I came across a... deranged looking human.
“Hello?” I said to him.
“Hi, how’s it going?” he said back to me. I stepped back cautiously.
“It’s... alright,” I told him.
The man sighed at me, before giving me a look of sadness.
“Hey... are you okay?” I asked in concern.
“I suppose my day could’ve went better,” he said in a monotone. I nodded slowly, waiting from him to continue.
The man stared at me, not realizing the hint I was giving him.
“Do you ever think that even the most cruel people in the world can change? That even the most cruel and dastardly people on the planet can turn a new leaf?” he asked in a somber tone. I tilted my head as I digested the words he had spoken.
“...it depends. Realistically, the answer is always 'it depends.' Some people are inherently evil. But most... most aren’t. So yes, usually,” I said, hoping to possibly drive the man away. The man nodded in understanding.
“Well I thank you for your time, not many people go out of their way to... talk to someone... randomly. I hope I don’t...” the man trailed off. I raised an eyebrow at him, motioning for him to continue.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I guess I’m just a little out of it today,” he said.
“...”
I did not offer a retort, instead opting to scan the area to count how many civilians there were in the area.
“That’s fine, we all have days like that, no matter who you are,” I told him, offering a smile to go with my words.
“What’s your name, friend?” he asked me in a happier tone than before.
“...Daniel... and you?” I asked with a leg firmly planted. Something about the man put me... on edge, so I was prepared for anything to happen.
“Well I’m Aedan, and some day, I know you’ll have the potential to change the world we live in forever,” he told me.
“...”
“You have a bright spirit about you... even though it doesn’t seem that evident,” Aedan told me.
“I mean... you just contradicted yourself, but I understand what you’re telling me. As for potential... I don’t want to sound overly pretentious, but do you know who I am? Respectfully?” I asked him, glancing around for Octavia.
“Well even though I don’t know you from Adam, I feel like I’ve known you for a very long time, and just haven’t seen you... Someday, I feel through some unknown circumstance, we may meet again. So until then friend,” Aedan told me, before turning, and walking away. I relaxed my posture, staring at the man until he vanished behind a corner of a building. I stared after where Aedan left, pondering the strange, quizzical nature of the individual.
“There you are!” I heard Octavia’s voice call out to me. I glanced to my left, seeing her walk up to me, her saddlebags bulging with new swag.
“I found an adorable new saddlebag, and I just had to pick it up for myself. Thank you,” she told me. I glanced to her, not hearing what she had said completely.
“I... yeah, of course,” I said, changing my gaze back to where the man had left.
Something was... off about him... something... new?