Chapter Text
Grian lay in bed, not wanting to face the day quite yet. He lived in a rather corrupt place. The founder of this city ignored the cries of his citizens. Police? Didn’t exist. Everything in this hellish town started out happy but it turned sideways quickly. And what did Grian find out? Once you move in, it’s impossible to leave. Mumbo and Iskall, Grian’s friends, had lived here a while and told Grian hundreds of times.
“Don’t move in.” “Don’t come to town. You’ll never be able to leave.”
Oh how Grian wished he had taken their advice. Grian was now stuck in a corrupt place where crime ran the streets. The biggest issue crime wise, if you ask Grian, was probably some people under the names ‘Doc’, ‘Gem’, ‘Scar’, ‘Keralis’, and ‘Jevin’.
Has Grian ever met them? No. Did he want to?... Uhm… Grian didn’t know. The avian looked at the clock.
2:17PM
Grian silently cursed at himself as he rolled out of bed, losing a couple of feathers in the process. He had to grab stuff from the store for dinner tonight. “Where are you going G?” Mumbo asked. Iskall turned around on the couch to look at the two. “Wait, you're going somewhere? Since you moved in you have barely left the house!” The cyborg chuckled. They had a contagious smile. But had Grian forgotten about his roommates for just a moment? Yes he had. Had he gotten used to living on his own before this? Yes.
“Yeah. I just thought I’d pick up something for dinner so we don’t have to have ramen for the sixth week in a row.” Grian chuckled, pulling his long black trench coat over his red jumper, awkwardly putting his large wings through the gaps in the back. “Be careful!” Iskall advised. “Will do.” The avian hummed, grabbing his keys.
“Don’t leave without this!” Mumbo called, tossing Grian a pocket knife. “Thanks. I’ll see you guys when I get back!” Grian gave a quick smile before stepping out. The wind sent a cold chill through him, ruffling his feathers. “Fuck it’s cold!” Grian hissed, noticing the faint snow that drifted through the air. He stepped down the porch steps and down the street.
“Hey G! Long time no see!” Grian heard from an alleyway and the sound of a fur covered tail dragging across the ground. “Oh hey Ren! It has been a while hasn’t it?” Grian let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah. So what brings you out of the house?”
“Me, Mumbo, and Iskall have been eating ramen for the past five weeks and I’m looking to get something halfway decent for dinner tonight.”
“Shit man.. I can’t imagine eating the same thing every night! Even so much as eating the same thing three or four nights in a row. I can request a place you can snag a pretty good meal for the lowest price! I am always up for going there, so if you want I can tag along!” Ren’s tail was wagging.
“Uh.. Sure! Where is it?”
“Down on the other side of town. Y’know… Amethyst Street? It’s run by Gem… considering that’s her side of town.”
Grian felt his heart sink for a moment. “G-Gem? Isn’t she like… a huge crime boss around here?”
“I’ve met her and she’s really nice!” Ren chuckled, “You have nothing to worry about with her!”.
“Alright then.. Uhm.. You know what Ren? Sure!” Grian seemed unsure but agreed nonetheless.
“Cool! Let’s go!” Ren gave a sharp toothed grin.
~~~
Grian and Ren stepped into the large building. “Oh Gem! We have someone in need of something!” Ren called out. “What is it Ren?” Gem stood in the dark hallway. She had long, curly ginger hair. Large deer antlers grew from the sides of her head. She didn’t look like the big name crime boss Grian had expected.
The avian looked at Gem. “Hi! I’m looking for something for dinner for me and my two roommates!” Grian chirped. He tried pushing the fear down as far as it would go but he could tell Gem sensed the fear, not that she said anything.
“There’s some steaks in the back. Take what you and your roommates like.” Gem smiled and led the two to the back she was talking about. Grian was surprised that Gem was chill as she was.
“And if any of your roommates can’t eat meat, just let me know! I can work something out for them.”
Grian smiled warmly at Gem, “Thank you!”