"There, there", the young woman said reassuringly while patting Sterims back. "In situations like this, it helps to take a deep breath. Think of a happy place."
"This was my happy place." Sterim said apathetically.
The augmented man laughed. "His next drink is on me." He put some coins on the table in front of the barkeeper. "I didn't mean to ruin your evening. You were just talking about something very specific that seems to be important these days. So don't worry about it, okay?" He gently slapped Sterim's shoulder, left his hand there and leaned back to look at the woman. "You know of the black stones?"
Sterim chucked his drink down.
The young woman also leaned back on her barstool while keeping her hand on Sterims other shoulder. "Oh, I know of them but I don't want to share." She added a wide smile.
The augmented man pushed his drink over to Sterim and stared into the womans eyes. The woman kept patting Sterims back and returned the stare.
After a few moments the augmented man sighed and raised both his hands. "I have way too many things to worry about as is. Can you at least give me your names?"
"Curie"
"Really?"
"Yes, mister 'deep sea'."
"That is more of a religious title. You can call me Markus."
"Nice to meet you Markus!" said Curie overly enthusiastic.
Markus inspected Sterim and his suspiciously clean mining uniform. "You are from the mine, aren't you? Could you be the famous foreman Sterim?"
A catastrophic groaning came from Sterim.
"Way to go. I still wanted to talk to him." said Curie shaking her head. Now Markus had a wide smile on his face.
"Well then go ahead. I am off the clock and this counter has too much work for me." Markus put some coins on the counter and gave Sterim a last gentle slap. "Don't worry about us. You are a contact and not a target. Just don't go with some silly woman and you will be fine. Good evening to the both of you."
Markus stood up and walked off towards the center of the market.
Curies gaze followed Markus until he vanished in the crowd of drunk people.
