(Log note: This was written a few days after the indecent, for proper recovery time. Note that some details may be different than the actual event.)

I got completely and utterly lost.

With a tree so large, I wouldn't have expected to get lost within my first day. The Uni-Tree towered over all of Concordia, so why was I having the hardest time finding it on my own? I should have copied the map from my textbooks before I left. I thought I memorized it to the exact detail, but I suppose I was wrong.

The only choice I had was going into the nearest building or town and asking for directions. I knew I'd get strange looks, since I looked so much like a Concordian, asking for directions to the land's biggest landmark.

Sigh.

I entered this bright building, which looked like a club of sorts. Concordians were all over the place, some dancing and others lounging in the pool a few feet below the entrance. I continued forwards. Some tried to pressure me into dancing with them, but I had a mission and it was one I could not abandon!

I found myself by a drink stand and, since I was thirsty anyway, decided to wait in line to talk to the man running it. The man in front of me noticed me, and came over. Of course, I was already feeling overwhelmed by the lights and people around me, so I didn't notice him until he acknowledged me directly.

"Hey, red-eyes! Let's chat, yeah?"

I knew he was talking to me, since I was the only one who naturally had red eyes. The black of the sclera always made it look as if my eyes were glowing. At least, that's what mother said.

"What's with the long face?" He joked, obviously picking up the stressed-out signals I was sending out. "I'm only teasing. Here, let me order something for you. You look lost, so we can chat directions when we get our drinks."

I felt relieved I didn't have to say anything and let him go to the stand. I followed him, obviously, just to see the menu for next time. He leaned against the counter as if he owned the place, flicking his sunglasses down to peek at the Concordian behind the desk over them.

"Can you get me two Zapping Hourglasses, please?"

"Sure thing," the man behind the counter said.

He slid the finished drinks to the man, who handed me one and sat at a nearby table. I just followed him around. I'd rather get on the good side of a regular than someone just as lost as me.

He took a long sip from his drink, slammed it down, then pointed a hand at me. "So, where are you from? Because I know you're not a Concordian with those eyes."

Well, that was a first. "I'm...from..." DRAT! Zokket, you're not supposed to forget the name of the place you were born and raised! "Other Realm."

I lied to him, but what was I supposed to say? 'I forgot the name, but it's somewhere!' I was always good at remembering things, so why has my information been slipping my mind today? I felt sick to the stomach after I lied to him.

"Oh...kay. Moving on. What's your name, red-eyes?"

"Zokket."

"Huh. That's a pretty Concordian name. One of your parents must be from here."

I nodded once. "My father, actually."

"Oh neat! My name's Brick, but everyone calls me Disc."

"Nice to meet you...Disc?"

"Was that a question?"

"No. Moving on...Why did you confront me in line? Did I really seem that worried?"

"I could feel your negative vibes from a mile away, kiddo. In Jellyfish, we don't do that. I had a feeling you were lost, so of course I wanted to help."

"That's very kind of you."

"I ordered that for you. Least you can do is try it."

Being part Concordian and part Demohumm was a gamble. I could eat certain foods over others, sometimes with certain precautions put in place. For the most part, most foods I tried were perfectly fine, and I had no food allergies; but I've never had anything from Concordia before and I didn't want to risk getting sick in front of this helpful hand.

Especially since I already felt ill from lying to him.

I decided to try it anyhow, so to make him feel better. Plus, I could track weather or not I could stay here for a long time depending if I could eat anything here. And I was still thirsty so it's not like I had much of a choice.

I felt a bit of pressure since I could feel him staring at me as I drank some of it. I almost choked on it, actually. It was the most disgusting, horrid thing I've ever tasted, and yet I couldn't stop drinking it.

"Pretty good, right? But you didn't need to try it if you didn't want to. I was just making sure if you actually wanted it."

"Guh...What's in this?"

"Oh, it's a family blend. The tingle of the 'sting' is a trade secret though."

That wasn't what I asked for...

"It's made from Ampberries, a few other Concordian fruits, and alcohol. It's pretty strong so I'm a bit surprised you downed it all in one go like that."

Is that where the disgusting taste came from? "I...never drank before..."

"Oh. Wait, I thought you were an adult. You're about as tall as a full-grown Concordian. I'm so sorry I-"

"No, I'm an adult...I've just never drank before. Oh gosh, the alcohol tasted awful. How do you put up with this stuff?"

"Oh, you must've gotten a faulty. The drink's pretty fruity, it just takes a bit of skill to cover the taste of the base. Here, let me make you a better one, if you want."

I glanced at the empty cup, then to him. "I guess?" I was never good at conversation, so I just did what people asked.

He up and left, so I decided to check the map at the table. I was pretty far from the Uni-Tree, but I could make it within a week if I followed the map correctly. I pocketed it as he came back with a new drink for me.

"Here you are! I've gotten pretty good making these things, so enjoy the way it's supposed to taste. The workers will get better in time. It just released as a public drink, so they're still getting the hang of it."

"Thankgs," I said as I took it from him.

"Careful not to drink it too fast." He sat down and grabbed his drink again. "The trick is that you have to blend the fruits juuuust right in order for the taste to be any good. It's a bit hard but I'm sure they'll get it down in no time. So, back to business, where are you headed?"

"Tge Uni-Tee," I tried in a drunken blur.

"The Uni-Tree, huh? Interesting how you came here first. Besides the Uni-Tree, this is the biggest tourist spot in Concordia!"

"Do you think it's called a t-shirt because the arms are short like a T-Reggs?"

He gave me a slightly concerned look. "Okay, I think you've had enough of that."

I held it tighter when he reached for the drink, so he backed off.

"I'm not getting you any more after this one, okay?"

"Whatebger," I mumbled.

The rest of the night was a blur, but I did get the directions I needed. And I heard from a Concordian that the map I'd "borrowed" had actually belonged to Disc. In the drunk blur, I managed to steal a guy's belongings.

Remind me to never drink anything alcoholic ever again.