Arriving near the place of interests, Cay and Judas began walking upwards (“Oh! The after-soreness I have to put through with.”, Cay thought.) where some merchandise shops were seen and later ignored. Their first destination for the day was the Museum if Gallo-Roman Civilisation, highly recommended by Cay and accepted by Judas.
It was another warm morning, hot enough to be felt by anyone directly under the sunlight. They were sweating thoroughly after reaching the entrance of the museum, it was not helped when they had to circle around the premise due to the miscalculation of Cay’s phone (“Phony reliability”, mentioned Judas.). They went in as soon as they felt the cold artificial air blowing out from the glass door.
They were greeted by a man, medium by height and with a verdict of a failed greeter. Asking to present their bags for inspection, the two obliged as it was procedural and mandatory if they were to enter. With the tempting air-conditioned breeze calling them inside and the brief inspection for suspicious items, they were soon overwhelmed with relief when the staff gave way with a simple nod and further greetings.
“Please hand over your bags once you’re at the reception.”, he added in a polite tone.
They descended the spiral staircase after offering their aggregated belongings in each baggage in exchange for a digital translator, half-expecting interesting exhibitions to come when they finished their descendant. The other half was similar to boredom, for the two had their fair share of Roman history while in England and Italy. It was mere pertinent learning because the museum contained mixed Roman history, not completely about the Roman Empire.
The exhibition was interesting, tuning out to be the better half of expectation the two previously had conjured: The practical use of waterworks on the hills and streams of Lyon, the slow expansion over the centuries (from West to East, riverside after riverside), the failing compromise of the old Roman Empire to the Gaul that was threatened by bordering enemies, and gods not familiar they saw in the main territory thousands of miles away.
The arrangements of exhibitions containing antiques were aesthetically-pleasing and the lightings would make regular studios envious. The cooled air drying their backs was inviting, though Cay did not have the habit of chilled, dry air sucking away the moisture from sweaty patches (He preferred to be dried in the natural way.). Pleasantry would only prove so limited as they tried to stay as long as possible, but the growing anxiety of losing time prompted them to exit the premise and to walk around the amphitheaters near the building.
Why Romans and Gallo-Romans loved live performances was not difficult to understand. The two were well-educated enough to give an intuitive guess, because technology had not been advanced enough for the citizens to enjoy sitting back and stared at flat, interactive tablets alike. Human nature had always strove for convenience and luxury, the latter favored mostly by the rich but no lesser than the poor.
It was a pleasant visit, the incentives of chilly air and relaxing ambience recharged the two instead of causing them to feel sluggish. They left the area of visit and began walking down the hilly stairs, back to where they had first stepped down from the public bus. But they were taking a detour, which was suggested by Cay and agreed by Judas.
*
After filling himself with takeaway Korean food, Judas was stuffed to the brink of breaking his stomach’s capacity. After several stares made by passing-by students out for a slow evening stroll, he excused himself from the bench and continued walking. Whatever was left after his feast, plastic containers and food scraps, had been left as it was.
It never occurred to him the vicinity of the campus to be a long stretch, it felt like a small village instead of a ground for mainly educational purpose. His movements on his lower half was concealed from any incoming vehicles by the line of medium-height bushes, blending him into the background even more was the falling sun. The air was colder than a few hours ago when he first stepped foot out of the house and away from his mothers’ calls.
Anywhere would be fine, if he was within earshot distance of bustling transports and accompanied by vague human shadows--- His presence was where he wanted to be. The strong feeling earlier on had been lessened but not completely extinguished, he was not sated by the spicy dishes nor did he take pleasure from the heaviness inside of his stomach.
“I’ll have a drink or two.”, he thought to himself and changed course to Vernon Walk.
Judas could not consider himself to be a regular among the night club street, although it was familiar to every adult (including him) and teenagers who brought their fake identifications. He particularly like the Orange Room because of the appropriate music it sounded within, compared to the others with misplaced themes and lousily loud remixes. He was lucky to have brought along his drivers’ license, habit bestowed a convenience for him to enter the club.
There was not much cramped space to be spotted due to a Sunday evening, Judas easily found a place at the bar to lean on and ordered Barcadi with tonic water.
“Put lime and mint in, please.”, the barman had a slight puzzled look before turning away to fulfill the order.
His drink consisting of alcohol, tonic water, and some fruit and had arrived quicker than the usual waiting time with a bar full of people standing. He took a sip and immediately felt the soothing rum running deeper down his throat, the half-digested food still swirling inside him. He checked his phone, expecting to receive phone calls from his parents, but was neither disappointed nor relieved to see only a couple of miscalls were made. His phone was only a convenience to him, just like his drivers’ license but less utilized for the moment.
He felt a small urge to return the call but was stopped by the on-going tension within him, it still felt strange, but he obeyed it by sliding his phone back into his jean pocket.
He felt out of place with his attire even though people around him could not care less about it, the consumption of alcoholic drink in his glass helped ease the uneasiness. He finished it in one gulped, blocking the uneven ice cubes with his bare teeth, before ordering another same drink.
With the barman busying himself with his order along with the others, he turned and looked around the interior. The DJ was playing a remix from some unknown artists’ song, there was giggling coming out from the cushioned round seating across the walkway. People were enjoying themselves.
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