Dante's Quest

The pool

The meal passed in an almost respectful silence, Alina was by far the toughest of the whole group, it was not common to see her express her feelings, always cold and calculating, we were all surprised by her words, at the end of that meal we had to solve a couple of more things

Erick: we must go find clothes

Looking at Alina and Karla I asked

Dante: what are you planning to do? I have as a principle not to buy any woman's clothes, if I succeed with her taste, I will surely not do it with the size or vice versa

Alina: Unless I'm wrong Karla mentioned that the hotel is almost empty and there is a swimming pool, that means that we will not offend anyone if we go to the store in a towel and buy there what we need for our stay

I could see how Karla blushed but she didn't say anything, Erick and I smiled at each other, Karla was quite shy but she always found strength in Alina's company to face the craziest situations, I think deep down she considered her older and protective sister, which was very interesting

Karla: The first thing we should do is get some bathing suits and then some clothes to sleep on and get out of here in the morning

Dante: okay, personally I prefer to look for clothes first and then take a calmer bath

Erick: I think the same

Alina: that's simply because we will look sexy in a towel and you will look like a couple of p*****t’s ha, ha, ha

Erick: sometimes, just sometimes, I don't like you, you know?

Alina: not true, you adore me ha, ha, ha

Erick: mmm, damn, it's true

I pushed the food cart out of the room, followed by Alina, Karla and Erick who closed the door of the room behind them, although the path was already known to all I made a gesture with the hand for Karla to go ahead of us just as the moment of our arrival, her sense of direction always impressed me, although it contrasted with his shyness, but somehow it was perfectly balanced, the corridors of that place seemed somewhat gloomy although I could not say exactly why, perhaps it was the unmistakable smell of humidity the little lighting in the corridors, but the whole place had an almost nostalgic air, when we reached the main hall where the reception was located, the girl who received us hours before greeted us with her hand, we returned the gesture and the whole group began to follow me when I started walking down the corridor to the right of the hall, a few meters later was a modest boutique, which, however, was quite barred from all kinds of clothes

I opened the door and held it for all my companions to enter, as soon as we did so we divided into two groups, Alina and Karla on one hand and Erick and I on the other, although we did not last long together, since our tastes were quite different , it didn't take long for him to look for a gray pantsuit and jacket and a white shirt with matching black shoes, a small hat, all very elegant, some underwear and some personal hygiene products, I on the other hand chose some black jeans a little tight, a very intense red shirt and I looked for a garter to hold my long hair, some mountain boots that matched those clothes and, like him, some personal hygiene products, also when walking a little between the racks I chose a black and white Bermuda’s shorts and a black sleeveless flannel, I already had everything I was going to need and as far as Erick believed too, I approached the changing rooms where Alina and Karla were, I had seen them from afar go in there with a mountain of clothes to try on, as I passed by I told both of them through the changing room door

Dante: I only ask you not to spend all the money on clothes, we do not have a car and I will not carry your things, take only what you need, if later we need to buy more things we will do it

For a moment there was an awkward silence until

Alina: okay, your right

Dante: you can take your time; I'll be waiting for you at the pool

Alina: and how will you get out of here without paying?

Dante: I will ask to charge the cost of the clothes to the room and if it is not possible I will let you take care of the bill for me

Alina: okay

As I approached the door, I noticed that behind a small counter was an elderly woman, of small stature, so much so that I had not noticed her when we entered, she was looking at me carefully, as if she was detailing everything about me, I stared at her eyes as I got closer

Carina: buongiorno

Dante: buoniorno signora, can I charge the cost of these clothes to my room?

Carina: Surely yes, in which room are you staying young man?

Dante: on 777 Signora

Carina: ah, please, call me Carina

Dante: bene, Carina, e un piacere

Carina: what are you going to take with you?

Dante: all this

I put the clothes on the counter so she could count the cost, she did it with all the patience that her years credited her and always with a smile

Carina: you have the style of an intelligent and creative man who is also methodical and with a big heart

Dante: why do you say it?

Carina started folding the clothes and placing them in a bag while saying

Carina: black jean pants, comfortable, not elegant, not scruffy, semi-formal, implying that you like to be ready for any circumstance, red dress shirt, color of passion and danger, suggesting that you have an internal fire that does not go off easily, you must be an adventurous and dreamy person, mountain boots, elegant but safe, again a garment that is semi-formal, it is used for any occasion that is not extremely elegant but for a great adventure, black and white bermuda, the colors of yin yang, the perfect balance, black flannel, elegant yet simple, everything you chose tells the story of who you are, you took a hair tie and you wear it tied with a high bun, as if you were a samurai warrior, you walk upright, proud and yet you observe everything around you, you know where to locate your companions and what to say to make them see reason, even at my age my ears work very well, I could clearly hear what you told the girls in the dressing room and there were no objections even though they weren't happy, that shows that they respect you, your friend there looking in the mirror how he has the hat he chose just a little while ago so that you go first, he has already decided, however he is not capable of getting ahead of you, it is also a clear sign of respect, I do not know what unites all of you, but clearly these companions follow you and you have the bearing of being someone honorable, who inspires others and that does not see it very often, someone whose eyes have seen a lot tells you

I stayed for a long time contemplating that tiny figure, with her words has filled me with flattery and tenderness, I felt that I was blushing but I tried to hide it, she smiled as she finished putting everything in the bag

Carina: I have already charged the cost to your room, I hope you enjoy your stay a lot, but before you leave

Carina opened a glass door on the counter in front of her and took out a small mountain bracelet and taking my right hand she put it on me

Carina: This paracord bracelet is right for you, it has everything you need to solve any situation in your adventures, oh well, almost all

Dante: it is very beautiful, charge it to the room bill too, I am very grateful

Carina: no young man, you are not understanding, this is the gift of an old woman for you, without charges

Dante: spiacente? Hanger?

Carina: do I need a reason?

Dante: I guess not

She shook my hand and then released it as he continued to smile

Dante: hey, are you going to finish modeling any day soon?

Erick: I just want to know if this is the right hat and definitely it is

Carina smiled mischievously and watched me as Erick approached her

Carina: ah, bene, bene, a man with a lot of style, strong, resourceful and very loyal

Erick looked at Carina for a moment and then at me but he did not say anything, she began to review the selection made by him and to add in a small calculator, until she reached the last article

Carina: everything is loaded into the room, have a wonderful stay

We both bowed and left the store, Carina looked at us all the time with a smile on her lips, I was still thinking about everything she had told me, I walked with Erick to the room, upon entering he sat at the table and turned on the TV, without saying anything I went into the bathroom to take a shower, I don't know how long it lasts, but I did feel my strength being renewed, the hot water and soap made me feel more relaxed, when I finished bathing I put on my shorts and flannel and I finally got out of the bathroom, when I did, Erick got up and followed my steps entering the bathroom, I noticed that he had put on a sports channel, he was watching the soccer game of a couple of local teams, maybe it was the only thing that he could understand without translation, no matter where you were in the world it was the same game, the same rules and the same time, it didn't take too long and leaving I stared at myself

Erick: I don't think we should wait for the girls, even if they choose few things, they will surely try everything in the store before choosing something, we should go to the pool area and we can have a drink, I really need it

Dante: I think it's a good idea

We left the room in the reception direction, when we got there I talk to the receptionist

Dante: pardon mademoiselle, this is the key to room 777, our friends are in the boutique, please, when they pass by please give them the key so they can enter and inform them that we will be in the pool area

Receptionist: bien sur que oui

Dante: merci beaucoup, please tell me where is the pool?

Receptionist: go down the corridor on the left until the end, there you will find a glass door on the left from which you can see the pool, if you arrive at the restaurant, you will have already passed, there is no loss monsieur

Dante: merci

Erick and I started the march, as the girl stared at my friend smiling as he walked away, I know very well that he noticed it too but did not make any gesture, we walked a couple of meters before reaching the glass door that the receptionist had described, as we passed through it we noticed that there was no one in that place, just a couple of people sitting comfortably at the pool bar, having a few drinks while they chatted, we sat on two loungers next to the pool, shortly after a young man approached us with the liquor menu, but without taking it I told him

Dante: Greetings young friend, the chart is not needed, I am going to want a mojito and my friend a screwdriver, that will be enough for the moment

Waiter: with pleasure gentlemen

The young man returned to the bar to give an account of our request to the bartender who began to look for everything necessary to fulfill the order, we sat comfortably in silence for a while, until the young bartender returned with our drinks, Erick took his drink made with vodka and mine made with rum

Erick: skal min kjaere venn

Dante: cheers my dear friend, may our travels continue to be an adventure and all problems have a solution

We clinked glasses and took a couple of sips in silence, we both looked at the sky, it was past noon, it was completely clear and the sound of the water in the pool was relaxing

Erick: what do you think?

Dante: honestly? I try not to

Erick: That is even more worrying, if I know you well, and I do, it means that the idea you have in mind is difficult to express, taking into consideration that there are no trust problems between us, that can only mean that ii will affect everyone in a decisive way

Dante: sometimes I wish you couldn't read me that way

Erick: if you were not so transparent, you would not have the value that you have for us dear friend, do not worry, when the time comes we will have to decide what is best for everyone, even if it is not the most pleasant, for now let's enjoy the moment and the company, there is no need to advance conclusions

His words managed to calm me down, we continued drinking with small sips maintaining absolute silence, we only looked at the sky, after a while our friends arrived

Alina: wow, it seems they started the celebration without us

When I turned to look I could not hide my impression, both of them were wearing very small and tight two-piece swimsuits, both of them were white but Alina was taller, 1.75 meters with a very defined body, all her muscles were marked, However, she was still feminine, slim, with blue eyes and long golden hair, for her part Karla was 5 feet tall, she was less thin but with more figure, with green eyes and black hair, she wore glasses that made her look very interesting and intelligent, that I remembered it was the first time I saw them dressed in something like that, despite our many adventures, I guess it was the most interesting they found in the store, although it was a bit differed from their usual tastes, Karla seemed a little uncomfortable and she did not stop covering herself with Alina, however she seemed to be completely comfortable with that situation

Alina: what are they drinking?

Erick: he a mojito and I a screwdriver

Alina: how predictable

At that moment the waiter began to approach while the girls sat near us

Waiter: what can I serve the ladies?

Alina: I want a cosmopolitan, if you please

Karla: I want a mint schnapps on the rocks, please

Waiter: And the gentlemen?

Erick: we want two more of the same, please

Waiter: with pleasure

The waiter left once more, Karla took a towel that was on the chair where she sat and covered herself with it, Alina watched her with a disapproving face but did not say anything about it, shortly after the waiter returned with our order, delivering glasses and cups correctly

Alina: zdorov’ya moi dorogiye druz’ya

Karina: zum wohl meine lieben freunde

Erick: skal mine kjaere venner

Dante: cheers my dear friends

At unison we hit the glasses and took a couple of sips, Alina was the first to finish the drink and stand up to jump into the water

Alina: the water is delicious

When she said that, Karla got up and followed her, then Erick, I sat on the edge of the pool putting my feet in the water

Karla: what are you thinking about?

Dante: how much I enjoy your company

Karla smiled shyly when she heard me but her expression changed, after that she began to float in the water, notoriously suppressing her sadness, there was a lot of silence while time passed, when we had already ordered 5 drinks each Alina got out of the water

Alina: for me it has been enough, I will go to take a shower, tonight we will have dinner in the restaurant, so please, get dressed appropriately

Erick: we don't buy gala clothes if that's what you mean

Alina: do not go out with your nonsense at this time, the restaurant is not gala, you just have to be well dressed, nothing formal, but you cannot go with the clothes they are wearing

Erick: mmm, okay, I understand you

Karla: wait for me, I'll go with you

Karla also came out of the water following Alina's steps, we could see how they walked away from the pool area and went through the door

Erick: It seems that we have time for one more drink, while the girls get ready

Dante: okay, you are absolutely right

Erick raised his hand for the waiter to see him, making the necessary signs made him understand that we wanted a couple more drinks, the young man took longer this time than the previous times, but eventually he arrived with the requested

Waiter: gentlemen, this will be the last round that I can serve you in the pool area, it is about to close, you must go to the bar located in the restaurant if you want to continue drinking

Erick: okay, thank you very much, at the end of this drink we will leave here

The young man shook his head and left, Erick took his drink and handed me mine.

Erick: so ...

Dante: what then?

Erick: what are you planning to do exactly?

Dante: I think we went into the sea without knowing that we would meet the sharks, now we must deal with that, but it is not the same to risk your life in an adventure to get in the way of a mobster

Erick: so what is the plan?

Dante: the plan is, keep you all alive

Erick: I told you before and I repeat it to you, those of us who are with you, we will follow you no matter what the end to which the adventures you guide us lead us

Dante: if that's so, then the decision must be mine, let's get out of here, I don't want to keep the girls waiting

The  both of us got out of the water and started walking towards the room, we had already given enough advantage for our friends to be ready