Despite his concentration and commitment towards his work, Zerrin actually hated it. Sitting at a desk all day, reading, writing, and stamping various forms and documents was not exactly what he considered productive or entertaining, but it was something that needed to be done. And it was someone who had both a great deal of authority and vision that was required to do this job.
He had to admit that besides his 'Boss', Kelvin, there was no one else suited to this role in the locale of the Zen Gin Peninsula.
That isn't to say that he couldn't cultivate while working, in fact it was quite easy for him with his experience, it was that he was unable to advance and practice his combat and movement techniques. As a man who prided himself on his high combat power and dedication to training, he found the art of paperwork to be the least interesting thing.
At least while watching grass grow and paint dry it would be possible to derive some secrets of the heavens.
So when Breda finally knocked on the door after her minutes of hesitation, he was more than eager to receive her. Not that that eagerness would show on his face.
"What brings you here at this time of night?" A simple question, neutral toned and showing engagement and interest while not seeming suspicious or aggressive.
Breda, slightly surprised by the sped at which he opened the door, hesitated for a second. "It is about my anniversary coming up in a few weeks. I have a request." She seemed crestfallen after having committed to her decision.
Zerrin raised an eyebrow as potential situation started coursing through his mind. "I would hope it is nothing pertaining to love or marital issues." He sighed. "I am - unfortunately - rather inexperienced in those fields."
Breda was quick to erase such suspicions, "Oh heavens no. It has nothing to do with anything of that sort." Her delicate hands quickly changed from waving to twiddling their thumbs. "It's just that I feel I don't have the money to buy him a proper present this year. So I wanted to..." Her voice trailed off thanks to a combination of her nervousness and embarrassment.
Kelvin, while rather socially inept, had received ample training in the art of social ques from Marlev. "You would like to borrow some money to help pay for it? Is that correct?"
"... Yes." Breda confirmed. "But I promise I will pay you back in full!" She had to add, less for him and more for herself.
"You know I can just give you the money right? It isn't like I need it. Most of the stuff that I would ever need to purchase cannot be bought with something of so little value as gold coins."
This was unintentionally very hurtful to her. Not because he essentially just called her poor, but because he didn't seem to understand where she was coming from in asking to borrow. Of all the people here at the moment, Zerrin should have been the most able to see her predicament.
"I must refuse you simply giving me the money, Zerrin. Otherwise it won't feel like I worked for it." That outburst was a load off of her chest.
"In that case why don't you do work for it?" A voice from behind nearly made her skeleton jump out of her skin.
"Did you find everything you needed, Merri?" Zerrin disregarded Breda's response to a rather unceremonious arrival.
"Yeah, good quality ingredients too. I should be able to whip up a top-tier salve with this stuff, not that something on that level would be needed."
"When will you start making it?" Zerrin asked, not eager for her to leave but not wanting her to stay.
"Once I get to my alchemy room." She shuffled around her pocket, eventually throwing a few bronze beads towards Zerrin. "I just stopped by to return the excess. What's going on here?"
"Breda is currently having some issues paying for an anniversary gift." Zerrin lacked a sense of discretion and laid out the problem with neither padding or sugar.
Even Merri could not help but cringe a bit at the bluntness and lack of hesitation that Zerrin displayed by exposing an obvious sore spot. As much as she loved him, he was a bit lacking in that regard.
"I take it you won't accept a loan or a gift then?"
Breda shook her head. "No. If I did that it would defeat the purpose. I would feel like you guys bought the gift."
"Then is there any quick work you can do that would get you a sufficient amount of money?"
"I already looked for something like that."
Merri could not help but find this to be a difficult situation, but she had an idea. "In that case, why don't you help me concoct a healing salve for Arc's ears tonight? You are a good cook, so you can probably prepare the ingredients without much issue. Your payment will be the excess salve from the batch."
"Arc's hurt!?" Breda shot out of her seat.
"Calm down, caaaaalm down." Merri kept her cool in spite of the further distressed Breda, putting her hands on her shoulders and looking her in the eyes. "We already checked his condition. I was out getting the necessary ingredients to help him. If you sell off the excess salve you should have more than enough to buy a decent gift or two."
"Will Arc be okay?"
"Yes. I just need your help."