| Episode: | Season 1, Episode 1 – Chaos! At The Gala |
| Location: | Dorian’s Bar & Gaming |
| Written By: | Dorian Reade Melissa Reade Blake Preston |
| Date: | 08/24/2026 |
| Word Count: | 1,105 |
Without his daughter there Blake saw no purpose nor any reason to stay in the apartment to watch the gala. He decided that since his ex-wife and daughter were at the gala he’d just have to make a different tradition beyond the typical. Blake had left home right as the festivals were coming to an end in the district where he lived and went to Dorian’s.
Blake had never actually been there before, and he certainly knew what the place was. When he got there most of the gaming tables were empty. It seemed like most of the patrons were glued to the tele-net projectors and watching the gala. The interviews had ended, Blake had missed them though he didn’t complain.
“Oh, hello there stranger,” Melissa said when she saw him entering. She’d never seen him before and most of the patrons inside were regulars who’d always come to Dorian’s especially during the gala every four years.
Blake looked up at the woman behind the bar without recognizing her. He could tell she was being sort of sarcastic with the remark, but he smiled anyway as he watched the start of the gala from front edge of the bar where he’d been sitting. “Hello, I’m Blake Preston…” He told her.
“Melissa,” She said and pointed at the man on the other side of the bar, “And my husband Dorian is over there.”
Blake smiled somewhat when she identified herself and the man named Dorian. He’d only assumed at that point that these two must be the owners of the establishment. “Oh,” He said with a nod, “Nice to meet you Melissa.”
Melissa crossed her arms as she debated on asking him if he wanted a refill. It was their busiest night, but with their bartender taking the day off it meant that both her husband and her were quite busy. “Is everything all right?”
Blake nodded, “Of course,” He lied as he idly stared up at the tele-net footage that was playing out. “Usually my daughter and I watch this in my apartment. But, this year her mother insisted that she go to the event instead.”
It was then that Dorian had made his way over in time to hear the man say that, he looked at his wife then looked at the man. “You’re daughter and her mother are at the event?” He asked suddenly.
Melissa looked at Dorian, “Blake Preston,” She said and pointed toward Blake so that her husband knew who she was talking about.
Blake hesitated and nodded, “Freya Clarke is one of the councilors,” He admitted softly. “She’s right there actually,” Blake said as the tele-net footage shifted a little bit toward the table where his ex-wife was sitting. “I don’t know where Charlotte is though.”
“Probably where ever the younger kids go?” Dorian suggested, “How old is she?”
“Twelve,” Blake replied. He idly swirled the brown colored liquid in his clear glass for a moment before taking a quick drink. “Ah well,” He sighed heavily, “I guess not every tradition is meant to last.” He said then explained a little bit more so that Dorian understood, “Charlotte and I would watch it together it was kind of our time together.”
“Ah,” Dorian replied and nodded. He could tell the man was a bit bothered by this change, “So what changed?” He asked.
Blake shrugged, “Well Freya said this year Charlotte wanted to go with her friends. They each have a family member in the government,” The dockworker pointed out. He didn’t know how he felt about the event itself, but even watching it alone made him realize he should have put up a little more of a fight.
Melissa understood, she tried to understand Blake’s perspective as well. Then there was the part of her that was glad he was in the bar spending his credits. Melissa didn’t say anything as she leaned down across the bar on her fists.
“She’s at that age where she’s trying new things or being more independent.” Melissa told the man calmly. Melissa really didn’t know if that helped him or if it hurt him more than she had intended and she tried to smile warmly.
Dorian watched the two of them, “Usually our son would be here helping us but he also decided to go to the evening festival event across the way.” He said with a shrug, trying to soften the blow a little bit without much context.
Blake knew the two of them were trying to cheer him up, “How old is your son?”
“Thirteen,” Blake answered. “The oldest is thirteen and the youngest is ten, and he decided that time with his big brother as a tag along was better. Luckily, our oldest understands and took the youngest with him.”
Blake continued to listen and even nodded as they spoke. They were trying very hard to help him feel better and the truth was there wasn’t much that would help him in that regard. But, he nodded, “Thanks.” He said. His daughter was growing up, that part was very true and this event only happened once every four years.
Maybe, just maybe things would be better. His relationship with his daughter would have to start to change eventually. Maybe he’d been wrong to think he should have fought a little harder to keep his ex-wife from being right.
Melissa leaned back and started wiping the top of the bar as a small group at the gaming table nearby won a small jackpot and were cheering. The noise level increasing just a little bit and she turned her attention to that for a brief moment. “Lemme go see what’s going on.” She said.
Dorian watched his wife walking away before turning toward Blake, “Maybe you need some new traditions with your daughter?” He suggested.
Blake considered that for a moment, and he knew that he’d have Charlotte for the rest of the weekend after the gala. At least Freya hadn’t taken that away from him? Not that it really made it any better, “Yeah you’re probably right.” He replied.
Dorian leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, “You’re always welcome here.” He said softly with a grin on his face. “I’ll leave you to it, lemme know if you need a refill.”
Blake nodded, “Thanks I will,” He answered. Then he looked back up at the tele-net as the event continued as it normally had. The speeches would be starting soon enough and this was always the part that his daughter’s eyes would start to gloss over. He wondered how she was doing there at the event itself.