A Volatiles Claim

Dinner Time!

             Meanwhile, Aiden is looking around the Bazaar, looking at all the shops and talking with people; not that they were kind in their conversations. But it doesn't matter, he knew what to expect once people find out he is a pilgrim. It's always "get out of here", "you don't belong", and backhanded comments about what people think about him solely because of his 'title'. They never once bother to get to know him but will beg for favors of doing things for them like sending messages or fetch quests.

"Not only would I not sell to you, but you have no money! Get lost you piece of shit!" bellowed a smug shopkeeper. They wouldn't sell food to him because he didn't have any currency they used here, not even willing to trade for items he collected while traveling. And although he is tempted to punch that smug look off that shopkeeper's face, he didn't really feel like being hung again. Though the rope burns were healed, the places where it choked him are still tender.

Aiden huffed and stalked away to the front entrance of the Bazaar. Hakkon told him to get to know the people occupying the church, but right now he was starving. He already had very little food when he entered the city, rationing his food to the point where he almost drank chamomile tea for days till his stomach fought him for real food.

Even after he donated a sack of chamomile and honey to the infirmary, he still had a good amount of each leftover and some nuts he gathered on the outskirts of the walled civilization. But he can already tell that it won't be enough to at least scratch the hunger he felt, and it made him angry that some people wouldn't even spare him an apple!

Aiden snarled under his breath, "Fuckin' pricks."

He was planning to go outside to radio Hakkon to see if he had anything to give when he realized he forgot his weapon on the donation table in the clinic. He remembered setting it on the table while he dug around his pack for things to give. In any other case, he wouldn't have given this place shit; after all, they did try to hang him to watch the life escape him like sick entertainment. But the guy who patched him up was kind and gentle while helping him, hell he was surprised people like him still exist, helping others with a mindset like that can be dangerous.

Aiden turns on his heel and walks towards the back to the clinic, eager to hurry up and radio his new acquaintance to see if he could set him up with some food. Walking through the entrance of the infirmary, he looks to his right to the donation table and sees it bare, the supplies must have been put away, and his weapon is not in sight.

He sighs and turns to walk out when a feminine voice calls out to him. "Looking for this?"

The pilgrim turns to the voice and spots the other medic, "Veronika", sitting behind the desk Marcus was at earlier, his weapon on the desk. He silently nods and goes to retrieve it, mumbling a 'thanks' once it's secured to his waist.

"Aiden, right?" she asks.

He nods.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Veronika. Glad to hear you survived last night and are back with a biomarker." She eyes the glowing bracelet on his wrist with approval.

Aiden goes to retort and remind her no one except Hakkon helped him escape and get a biomarker when he is stopped by a loud growl from his stomach.

...

...

Both parties are too stunned to speak, Veronika sporting a surprised look while Aiden felt heat creep up his neck and settle on his cheeks. He looks at his feet like an embarrassed child, ashamed at how weak he must look. He hears the female medic laugh, making his head snap up in anger.