Jonesy's eyes

I met Jonesy in an old outpost bar somewhere in Beyond. It was a shabby, old wood and brick building with low ceilings and old, worn tables and chairs showing the marks of many, many years. He was just sitting there, at a table on the right side of the entrance, staring at the tips of his boots. A rather fragile looking young man, maybe in his mid twenties, dressed in the traditional space travelers clothes with spiky blond hair and an almost angelic face.

"Can I join you?", I asked him. "It's quite busy here and your table appears to be the only one with spare chairs...". After a couple of seconds he nodded silently, not taking his eyes from his boots and his face in the shadow of a local crafted wall ornament.
"What can I get you gentlemen?", a sensual looking waitress asked. She carried a big tray full of empty glasses.
"A pint of beer, and ehmm....", I turned to the guy opposite of me, "...whatever it was he was drinking". The waitress nodded and left to get my order.
"My name is Finn", I said. The young man looked at me.
"I am known as Jonesy", he replied with a soft voice and looked up at me. This was the first time he looked me in the eyes. And his eyes were, well... remarkable to say the least. The sclera and irisses of his eyes had a darkish yellow almost golden color, getting darker towards the pupil of the eye. They appeared to emit a warm almost tangible glow. The pupils - although black like normal eyes - also carried a faint golden glow. The astonishing effect was intensified by his blueish skin dye. I stared for a couple of seconds into his eyes, wondering whether they were real or just a cheap effort of a vain person. But this young man with shabby travelers clothes didn't seem like the vain type.
"Here's your drinks, lads!", the waitress put two huge pints of the local ale in front of us. I dropped a 1 SVE coin on her tray.
"Keep the change...", I said as she turned away to serve other guests. A minute or so of mutual silence passed. Then Jonesy took his glass.
"Cheers...", he said and took a big swig. "To good health...", I replied. The beer was cold, refreshing and quite strong. I glanced into his remarkable eyes.
"They're real, not just cosmetic manipulation... the eyes, that is...", Jonesy said with his soft voice, obviously noticing my interest. I nodded, not quite sure how to move on with the conversation.
"You don't seem like the kind of guy who would modify his eyes just for vanity.", I replied. He sighed, shrugged his shoulders and leaned back into his chair.
"What brings you here?", he asked, maybe just out of politeness.
"I'm an effectuator.... and.... I just finished a short job and found this place to be the only one where they serve a decent drink.".
"... and yourself?", I asked.
"Nothing. Just passing through. It's just as good as any other forgotten outpost in Beyond..." he sighed.
"What's the story with the eyes?". I decided to pop the question. "I've never seen eyes like yours. I mean, I've seen surgically modified eyes, but I've never seen eyes like yours on a human being".
"It's a long story..." he said. "... and when I've told you about the eyes, I will walk out of here and you'll never see me again...".
I nodded, not sure what to expect next. Then Jonesy began his story...

- Finn Komatsen. Extract from my personal diary.