"What now, Grim? You are a couple of months late on your rent already, you know?" Marko said as he sighed while he shook his head.
"I-I know! Just give me some leeway here, Marko, you were friends with my grandfather, right?" Grim was attempting to guilt trip Marko into making him skip out on asking for this month's rent once again.
Marko's heavy footsteps approached Grim and Dart which caused them the nervously sweat. "Your grandfather would not have condoned you becoming a freeloader in my place…" The bartender said to Grim Fenris' face.
Grim nodded his head. "Well, you are right about that." He said. "But you cannot blame me, though. Those Luna Wolf asshats keep on killing the chimeras before one of them could even approach the vicinity of Midgard!" the elven boy exclaimed.
"You chose that line of work yourself. I still do not know why you did not just accept the Sunstider's invitation to join them." Marko sighed once again.
Dart stared at Grim in a face which screamed support for what Marko just said. "He's right, we could be living rent-free here or somewhere if it were not for your pride, Grim."
"Hey, you saw how he talked to us, that does not sound like the kind of person worth following – or even joining his little group for." Grim responded back.
"Look, Grim, I know that things are hard for you right now, but I kind of need to maintain the upkeep of the tavern. And that counts the rent on that room as well." Marko sat down next to him and pat him on the back. "You've got this, kid. Make your grandad proud up there." Glints of hope shone on Marko's eyes.
A few hours after their conversation, Grim was laying flat on the bed, exhausted and worn down from trying to track chimera commissions and bounties which have not been taken yet.
"Looks like it is harder than it seems, Dart." He said while caressing the baby dragon's head. "That is fine, Grim. But, I, err, I have a question for you." Dart told him in a straightforward tone.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Shouldn't it be time for second dinner already?" Dart said while chuckling and playing with his belly.
Grim's expression was devoid of emotions. He just felt dead inside. "Didn't you just eat literally an hour ago?!"