Page 16 of Metal & Mud

"So," Logan said as he grabbed his plate and brought it up to the counter, where a trio of bar stools gave him options to perch while still talking to this beautiful girl. He sat down, propping his feet on the crossbar and leaning against the counter. "What brought you to metal?"

"Metal kicks ass," the girl, who'd introduced herself as Sabby, explained simply. "I mean, name one other genre that allows you to scream into a microphone and still be considered good?"

"Good point," Logan replied, knowing there was no finer truth in the world of music. Metal kicks ass. All others need not apply. "I dare anyone to name another genre where most bands are as famous for their instrument players as they are for their singers."

"Well, jazz I guess," Sabby said, smirking as Logan acknowledged her truth, "but that's because a good chunk of their stuff doesn't have lyrics. Oh, and name another genre that can have a band whose entire schtick is telling history stories in the form of a song?"

"Sabaton?" Logan asked, and Sabby's face lit up. "Of course I know who they are, they're epic as hell."

Sabby nodded, grinning. "Totally. Okay, so what brought you to metal... soldier?"

"It's the haircut that gives it away, huh?" Logan joked as he rubbed at his head. "I don't want to look like I'm fresh out of basic, but regulations are regulations. Though I might grow it out a little, see what I can get away with."

"And here you are," Sabby replied, looking him up and down with an appreciative gaze that made Logan's heart skip. "So what concerts have you been to?"

"Unfortunately only three," Logan said. "I managed to catch a few shows before joining up. Dragonforce and Lacuna Coil were amazing. Even managed to catch a base concert last Fourth of July, though nothing too special."

"Or worse, cleaning the toilets," Sabby joked, her eyes sparkling. "Though *you* helping me clean up wouldn't be so bad..."

Logan caught her meaning and felt warmth spread through his chest. This girl was something special.

"Don't forget Japan," Sabby added, steering the conversation back to music.

"How could I ignore Babymetal?" Logan asked, and Sabby's grin re-emerged. He liked it, and for the rest of the night he stayed on his stool, getting to know the purple-haired girl.

The more he got to know her, the more he liked what he found. She was more than just spunky and sexy; she was intelligent, insightful, and funny, too. While she didn't say anything directly, he quickly figured out that she had a family member who was in the military. That wasn't surprising—he already knew from his time at Benning that many civilian workers on military bases were either former service members themselves or family of service members.

He didn't want to ask, mainly because he didn't want to find out that she was some Colonel's daughter. He wasn't ready for that level of baggage.

"Okay," he asked after she finished ringing up a charge for a lane, "top three pizza toppings. Go!"

"Too easy. Italian sausage, ham, and barbecue chicken," Sabby said before grinning. "Bet you were expecting I'd either say pepperoni, or I'd go all hippie chick on you and say something like tabouli and spinach on a cauliflower crust with vegan cheese?"

Logan shivered, and Sabby laughed. "Seriously passed a big hurdle on that one," he admitted. "Like, I get it when people need to avoid wheat, or if you've got an allergy to cheese. But if you can digest it, then just eat real pizza."

"What about veggie pizza?" Sabby countered. "Like, real pizza but with no meat?"

"Not my first choice, but I can dig it," Logan replied. "Margherita pizza, or just a cheese pizza can be good too. All depends on how it's made. Good cheese pizza's excellent. Bad cheese pizza is plastic and cardboard."

"And what do you think of artificial hair color?" Sabby asked. "I mean, I get it with you, the Army makes you keep your hair natural and short and all that. What do you think of mine?"

"Hey, it's badass and looks good on you," Logan told her, meaning every word. "You pull it off perfectly. It matches your whole vibe."

Sabby's replying grin encouraged him, and as the clock on the wall approached closing time, he decided to press his luck.

"Last call!" Sabby hollered out before coming over to him. "You want a last beer there, Logan?"

"Nah, I promised to stay more or less sober tonight," Logan confided. "But I did have a request."

"What's that?"

"Let me hang out after you guys close, maybe help you clean up?" he said. "There's gotta be some bags of trash around here that need to be taken out and all that."

"You must be a glutton for work," Sabby joked, but after a moment's consideration, nodded. "Why the hell not? Hey Jerry, you want to clock out a bit early tonight? Logan here said he'll take out the trash!"

"Hell yeah!" Jerry replied, flashing Logan a thumbs up. "Thanks man!"

"Don't sweat it," Logan replied, leaning back with a sense of accomplishment.

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