The barracks had been cheap, with rent, utilities, and meals taken right out of his pay, and very quickly he chose them over the student housing. They certainly did their job, ensuring his stomach was always full and his showers always hot, though with the glaring exception of any real sense of privacy. With a minimum of a dozen bunk-beds per room, and people coming on and off shift at all hours, the area was unceasingly bright, noisy, and active.

Most of the employees were dropouts of something or other, usually high-school, so it wasn't as much of an issue. Maxie solved it by spending as little time in bed as possible, especially if he planned to read anything. If he ever managed to forget that personal rule, his new self-appointed best friend would be there to remind him why it was there.

"So what's up for tonight?"Archie sat down roughly on the opposite end of the cot.

"Physics," he explained as he turned the cover so it could be read as had become rather routine.

"Thought you did that yesterday."

"Odd as it sounds, the class is longer than a day."

"Mm." He kicked back, having lost interest before the explanation was over. "Ever study oceanography?"

"That's not in my field."

"You read all sorts'a stuff that's not work or school."

He shrugged and concentrated on a quick swipe with his highlighter. "Fair enough. I haven't read up on it, no."

"Maybe you should sometime, sure it'd be interesting to-"

"I doubt it," he said. The tone was harsher than he'd meant, and he quickly added, "I've never been a huge fan of the water, so..."

"Maybe you just haven't spent enough time on it."

"I grew up on it, I spent plenty of time." He flipped a page. "And yes, literally on it. I'm from Pacifidlog."

Archie perked up. "Really?"

"Don't sound so excited, it's not worth that."

"I've always wanted to head there! Is it nice?"
"Much as it can be for a place that might be destroyed at any minute."

"Well, I'm from Fallarbor."

He glanced over the top of his book. "Didn't you say they recruited you from a shipyard?"

"They did."

"That's an odd career path for..."

"For a guy without much schoolin', references, or work experience, there aren't too many jobs out there. I get to the yard and they snapped me right up." He grinned. "Turned out it's my life's calling."

"Ah," he said. "Nice you could find it. Most don't."

"Yeah, I know. But we never docked in Pacifidlog. Hey, if you're ever going back..."

"I don't intend to."

"Got that. But I mean, if you do, let me know so I can tag along. Tour guide would be awesome."

That Archie had automatically assumed they'd be traveling together struck Maxie as brazen, but not unpleasant enough to fight at the moment. At least, not when he had a test coming up.

"Alright,fine. If I ever go back."

Archie poked him with his foot. "Holding you to that, got it?"

"Yes, I figured."