Dron huffed as he hopped out of his transport.

It had been quite a while since he’d come to the town center. Usually he’d pick up anything he needed from a deposit center. He’d order it through his communication device and it would be left at the center. Unfortunately, Dron wasn’t completely sure if he’d be able to find what he needed on his communication device.

He didn’t know if he’d find it in person either.

Hell, Dron didn’t know what he was looking for. All he knew was he hated the sad look Tempest had on her face when he walked out earlier.

Dron adjusted his clothing before he took off in the direction of the markets. It was still early in the day but the square was full of people.

Heads whipped in Dron’s direction. Heads, he tried his hardest not to pay attention too. Anytime he went in public, he was the center of attention. It irked him to no end.

He already felt like a fool for coming to the square. If he hadn’t seen Tempest looking sad, he would’ve just stayed out in the woods.

Hiding from his own home.

Hiding from the woman there.

But with every step that he took in the woods, her sadness twisted in his gut like a knife. He just couldn’t stand it. Dron never knew himself to be so...soft.

The stands took up the perimeter of the square and behind them were large trees that did offer some shade from the sun. In the very center of the square were eight extra large stalls. They’d been there for generations while the ones on the outskirts tended to come and go as the community demands changed.

Dron beelined straight for the stall right in the center of the square. He gritted his teeth as he heard the people around him whispering and sneering in his direction. There was nothing that they could say that he hadn’t heard before.

He always did his best not to make contact with anyone but it wasn’t like he had to try very hard. As he walked the people around him separated and scurried off to the side as if he were afflicted with a disease they could get from just being in his vicinity.

Dron pushed open the door to the large stall and everyone inside went quiet. There was one groan from the back. Dron knew exactly who that was from.

Maznik, the old man, was the owner of the general goods stall. He’d been working in this one space for as long as Dron could remember.

"Nothing like the cursed one to get everyone to leave me the hell alone." Maznik grumbled as several other patrons rushed to get out of the store.

Dron huffed but continued to make his way to the long counter where he’d see the old man.

"I think it’s more of your crabby attitude that makes everyone want to leave you alone." Dron retorted as he leaned on the counter. Something he’d never do in any of the other stores.

"Ehh, I can’t tell which one of us is right." The old man didn’t shy away from Dron. He was one of the only people in Thraqe who didn’t put too much stock in the curse everyone else seemed to think that Dron had.

"I have a special request."

Maznik’s eyebrow went up but he didn’t look in Dron’s direction. Instead he scanned the area around Dron as if he were looking past him.

It was said that Maznik was touched by the goddess. He could see things about the future that no one else could.

At least some times. His premonitions seemed to work better when he was intoxicated. When Maznik was intoxicated, he was also even crabbier than he was normal. Psychic or not, most people stayed away from Maznik after he’d had two or more drinks.

"You’ve changed, boy."

"How many times have I told you that I’m not a boy anymore, old man." Dron snarled at the stall keeper but the intimidation did nothing to him. Maznik tilted his head, still looking past Dron before he blinked a few times.

"You’re still a boy to me. You will always be a boy to me. I saw you when you were in your little nappies."

Dron rolled his eyes. No matter what he said the old man seemed to always know just what to say to disarm him.

"Can you help me or not?" Dron questioned.

"So you can make peace with your mate? Sure." Maznik finally looked at Dron.

Dron gaped for a second. How did the old man know what he had planned? Sometimes that premonition made him feel uneasy.

"I don’t need to make peace with her. I just need to make sure that she has everything she needs. It’s all very annoying."

Maznik shrugged his shoulders and looked away from Dron as if he didn’t believe him. "If you say so. Now what do you want? You’re keeping me from making sales."

Dron looked around the place and sure enough there was not one other patron in the store. He was sure that it would stay like that until he walked out and Maznik sprayed a cleansing tonic around.

"Do you know anywhere I’d be able to get a domestic animal?"

Maznik’s general store usually stocked everything from food to weapons but if the shopper were on good terms with the peculiar man he may be able to get specialty items.

"Domestic animals? What does she want one of those for?" Maznik questioned.

"I’m not sure she does. I mean I think she does. She was complaining earlier about being lonely. I can’t stay in the house with her all the time." Dron quickly added.

"Why is that? Are you scared of the small woman? Does she frighten you." Maznik stared daggers at Dron.

"How could someone like her frighten me? I could break her with a flick of my wrist." Dron scoffed and leaned up off the counter.

"Oh...boy. You have so much to learn. I’m glad she’s going to be the one to teach you." Maznik cleared his throat and stood up straight himself. "Now tell me what type of animal are you looking for."

Dron told Maznik about Tempest’s and his adventures in the woods and how she was nearly attacked by a Kraznok.

Maznik seemed interested but only in the parts where Dron complained about having to save her and how he was upset that she could’ve been killed.

"You really don’t see it?" Maznik cut Dron off.

"See what, old man. Have your faculties truly left you. You’re talking crazy."

"I’m not, Dron. I guess I should let you come to the conclusion on your own but I don’t have a lot of time left in this life."

"Ridiculous, just get your life nectar, you’ll live forever."

"Ah, I’ve already lived all I could’ve ever wanted. I’ve seen everything I could hope to see. There’s nothing on this planet that would want me to stay. I’m ready to go to whatever is next." Maznik shrugged his shoulders once and let out a deep breath.

Dron didn’t know how to respond to what the old man was saying.

He’d heard of people giving up on life, but in all his time he’d never actively seen one himself.

"Maznik..."Dron stuttered, not sure what to say.

"Oh, don’t pity me, boy. I’m at ease with it. What I’m not at ease with is going to my final resting place knowing you were about to miss your chance at happiness."

Dron narrowed his eyes at Maznik, "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. There is no happiness in my future."

Maznik sighed and reached up as if he were about to put a hand on Dron’s shoulder, "oh right, no touching." Maznik dropped his hand again. "Open yourself up. It’ll be hard but you’re right there."

"You’re talking nonsense." Dron didn’t dare let himself believe. Didn’t dare let himself hope that Maznik was right.

Maznik shook his head, but there was no disappointment or anger. "If you say so, don’t say I didn’t warn you." Maznik walked from around the counter and made his way to the back.

Dron followed behind him. "Warn me about what?" As he walked behind the older man he realized just how frail Maznik was. How did he change so much in such a short time? Had Dron really been away for so long. It bothered him that there would be a time in the near future where Maznik wouldn’t be around. Out of everyone in the community, Maznik was one of the only not so cruel people. He still kept a distance from Dron but at least he talked to him as if he were a man.

"This is your warning, Dron. That woman is about to change your life. In ways you could never imagine, but no one deserves it more than you. All you have to do is accept it."

Maznik pushed the door that opened the back end of the store. "Now, let’s go find your mate a pet."

Dron let Maznik’s words swirl in his mind. It was all nonsense. Dron had spent his entire life hoping and wishing for things to change. No matter how many times he’d done all the right things nothing had ever changed. It didn’t matter what the crazy old man told Dron, he wouldn’t get his hopes up again.