Footsteps echo through the halls as they draw closer.
"Hey Luci, what are you doing? Come on— we're going to be late if you don't move. "
"Do I really need to go?"
"Yes. Now move it, Luci. Hurry up."
He walks up to him, grabbing him by the wrist and pulling him along gently.
"Fine." Luci sighs. "Let's get it over with."
They head toward a small shop, and as they step inside, the shopkeeper greets them with a familiar tone.
"'Ow yer doin', lads? What brings yer boys to mi old shack? Want the usual?"
"Been a while, old man. Seems the years haven't been kind to you," Luci says, his tone playful as he teases the shopkeeper.
"Watch that tongue o' yers, lad. Don't wanna lose it by accident," Bramm grumbles.
"Luci, stop teasing Old Man Bramm so much. He might actually stick to his word and make you lose your tongue."
"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Nate. I'm just having fun with the old geezer. Right, old man?"
"Who ye callin' a geezer, yer brat? I'm not that old."
All three of them laugh softly for a moment before Luci cuts in, saying,
"Yeah, we'll get the usual — but make it the premium package."
"Luci… did you forget we can't afford premium right now?" Nate reminds him.
"Come on, Nate. We always pay it off right after… don't we, Old Man?"
The shopkeeper goes still for a moment, his expression neutral. He opens his mouth to answer —
— but Nate suddenly panics.
"Shit, we're late!" he blurts. "We have to go, Luci — Old Man Bramm, sorry! We'll come back later!"
He grabs Luci by the wrist again, dragging him toward the exit.
"No more stops. We're already late."