New Kid On The Block - Chapter 10

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Dante walked out of the estate as he began to settle from the emotional high. He looked at his hand, which seemingly wouldn't calm down. It continually shook until he grabbed his wrist and held himself still—something that Rita taught him to do whenever he felt overwhelmed with emotion. His breaths began to settle as he began to walk down the same path. He thought of his words to Terra's father before knocking himself on the head in frustration.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid! You ruined your shot at getting into the Academy by spouting your mouth off at her dad! How stupid could you be!? Argh!!!"

He scratched at his head manically as people walked by; seemingly confused by his reaction, he pondered to himself frantically, trying to figure out what to do.

He felt he needed to right his wrongs back in the estate.

"Maybe I can go back and grovel like Xavien did…? I don't think that'd work too well; maybe I'll get a gift in apology. No… I don't even know what he likes…"

He paced back and forth before a hand was placed on his shoulder. The sudden touch caused him to have a jolting reaction before turning to see it was the same leather glove he had shaken beforehand. It turned out to be Grant, who followed after him. His shadowy figure in the sunlight only towered over him as he turned completely. A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead before he spoke once more.

"Oh…hey there… Mr…?"

"Don't worry about honorifics; just call me Grant."

"Right, right. Mr. Grant."

"You don't have to say 'Mr." or 'sir" after everything, you know?"

"Oh, right, sir... my bad."

The air was filled with sudden awkwardness as Grant began to chuckle to himself. This confused Dante, as he seemed to picture Grant as a serious person. However, after their previous talk, he seemed not to really mind the fact that he was nameless or that he had previously spouted off to his best friend. Grant pulled out a small locket that seemed to hold a clock. He peered closely before slamming it shut and staring back at Dante.

"Well, since the meeting between Mr. Farren and me has been postponed, I have some free time. Why don't you say you and I have a nice chat for a bit? We should get to know each other a little more if you're staying around these parts and those two.

Dante's eyes darted in his direction at the words he spoke. It filled him with uncertainty about why he'd be casually conversing with someone like him. Grant felt this energy and pointed to a stall where baked goods were being sold. Dante had previously looked over to the stall a few times on the way to the estate, though he didn't dare stop since it seemed Terra wished for him not to. Though with someone like Grant willing him towards it, it'd feel rude to say no.

The two walked over to see many baked treats spread across the stall, from light and airy loaves of bread to freshly made doughnuts. The air around the stall had a homely and sweet smell as many people passed by, buying at least one or two treats. The woman behind the stall smiled as she showed the two her product before Grant asked for two doughnuts. After she wrapped the doughnuts in a small cloth, Grant handed her two silver fills before they walked away. Dante held the doughnut in hand as if it were a delicate treasure. 

Grant looked down at him as he carefully blew on the freshly made doughnut, making sure not to burn himself as he chomped. Sparks filled his eyes as the sweet and airy taste of the doughnut brought him pure bliss. Grant smiled as he took a bite of his own and began to speak to him once more as the two sat at a bench, watching the people pass by and go about their days as usual.

"You know, I'm not from the kingdom either."

Dante turned to him as he continued to munch down on the doughnut he seemingly fell in love with.

"You're not?"

"Nope. I come from a small village out west. I moved here to make a living through merchant work. It took some time until I finally got my big break and met some influential people.

"Whoa, you must be wealthy then."

"Eh…you could say that, but it's more about the connections I made that helped me grow what I have now."

He then pulled out the locket once more and opened it for Dante. He saw the same clock as before, but on the other side of the clasp was a small photo. It contained a woman and two children. 

"These three reasons I do what I do, from the hard work of negotiations to paperwork. I'll break my own poor back for them! It's only natural for a man to do so, is it not?"

Dante finished his doughnut, licking his fingers to finish off the sweet remains. He stared intently at the photo, thinking of his family back home. Each of them smiled, as the people in Grant's photo did. 

"Yeah… I get what you mean."

"You must have some family back home in Riverant. No wonder you fought so hard to protect them back there. I'd do the same if I were in your shoes."

"It's funny; I'd never fought before that day."

Grant's eyes widened at the statement as he stared at Dante.

"You mean, no battle experience whatsoever?"

"Nah, just me and my trusty wand-sword thingy."

"Your…what?"