They walked further, leaving the residential area they had met in. Walking past broken shacks and homes with cracked windows or busted doors, Shura knew that the words Daragast spoke were not mere hyperbole. There was a problem here; and not an easily fixable one with a solution readily available.
Daragast went on to explain to the silent priest the importance of the Rune Knights recruiting capable people from this district to become civil servants. That it would improve the quality of life, income and economy of the area. The moment economics became a topic, Daragast's words went over the priest's head like an eagle in flight. Shura took little in the way of notes from that topic, merely summarizing it on his notepad as, "money makes the world go 'round". He chuckled to himself silently at his writing, but continued to pay attention to Daragast regardless, realizing the man had much insight to impart.
The pair stopped a few blocks further, when Daragast noticed some kids chasing each other around. They seemed to be playing a game of tag, of all things. Shura did crack a smile, noting that a child's innocence could see everyone around them through the darkest of days. Daragast walked another block down, gesturing the priest to follow, and stopped at a noodle shop.
“I'll take ten.”, Daragast spoke plainly, simply handing over the Jewels needed for such an order. The shopkeep was overjoyed, clearly not one receiving much business in the current state of the district, and eagerly nodded.
After paying, the pair went back towards the kids. Daragast approached them, seeming to have wrapped up their game, while Shura stayed back and observed. The children seemed to know Daragast, as they mentioned him by name multiple times through their conversation. As he wrapped it up, the draconic elder pointed down the street.
“I got you all a little bit of food. You guys worked hard out there, so go treat yourselves, okay?”
The kids ran off gleefully towards the noodle shop, clearly not getting treated to such a thing often. Their clothes were in tatters and their faces and hair appeared as if most of them hadn't bathed in weeks. Shura gave a pitiable look towards them as they disappeared off towards the noodle shop, saddened that even kids would grow up in such a state.
“Support the shops, too. If money doesn't go to the businesses around here, it's all for nothing anyway.”
More business talk. This part made more sense to Shura, however, because it was a much more simple concept to grasp: if a business gets money, they can keep being a business. Or at least, to the cleric's sheltered upbringing, that was his interpretation.
The duo rounded off their walk by exiting the district and making their way back towards the more regular, working class area. Daragast turned to face him with a lengthy sigh, replaced by a bright smile afterwards. Shura found it odd to see a dragon smiling, but was glad that such a rare sight would be witnessed anyway. In his happy haze at the reflective walk with Daragast, Shura didn't even notice the bag of money dropped into his hands. Daragast was already walking away by the time the crimson cleric had realized, and the dragon-hybrid gave a dismissive yet friendly wave as he departed.
“You aren't much of a talker, but yeah, you're a good listener. Thanks for taking the time to listen to an old man ramble. Something for your troubles, son. Don't spend it all in one place!”
With that, Shura thanked the man with a small bow, and the two parted ways.
WC: 1000/1000
~EXIT~