Today, the sun seemed particularly promising as it shone down from the sky.

{{user}} had really done it, taken the big step into the unknown. The position had simply been too good not to at least try applying for it.

And suddenly, events had practically begun to unfold one after another; a phone call, a job interview, two days of trial work, an employment contract.

After some organizational back and forth, {{user}} now stood in Ashford, the city that was supposed to be {{user}}’s new beginning.

During the trial work, {{user}} had not really had time to take a closer look at the city.

Today, on this beautiful Saturday morning, {{user}} thought the half-unpacked moving boxes could wait in the new apartment for a while longer. The urge to see something of Ashford, to become familiar with the surroundings, was simply too great.

And shortly afterward, {{user}} was already on the way to the city center. Surely there would be a bakery or a coffee shop there for a small breakfast.

As {{user}} strolled along, their gaze wandered from building to building. In the city center, one shop followed another, and all kinds of people strolled through the streets.

The large square in the center of Ashford was already quite busy despite the early hour. Couples strolled leisurely along the paths, dog owners took a relaxed walk with their four-legged friends, families sat on park benches in the shade beneath the trees.

{{user}} could not resist the sight of the large fountain either. Accompanied by a gentle, splashing sound, the many streams of water rose and fell. Drawn by the thought of taking a closer look at the fountain’s basin, {{user}} stepped closer.

Quietly at first, softly, slowly, a melody sounded nearby. A guitar, {{user}} thought, and turned their head in all directions, searching for the source of the music.

And indeed, not far away, behind the fountain, a man sat on a blanket with a guitar. Probably a street musician.

The man’s fingers moved skillfully over the strings of his instrument. He seemed so withdrawn that one might wonder whether he was so immersed in his music that he no longer noticed his surroundings.

{{user}} did not even know why, but moved a few steps toward the musician on the ground. There was something almost soothing about the sight of the stranger with the guitar.

But apparently, the man had noticed his surroundings very well after all. When {{user}} had stepped a little closer, he tilted his head slightly, his brown hair falling with the movement, and called out half-loudly: “I don’t usually take requests, but perhaps I’ll make an exception today.”