???
It's not even noon and it looks like you sold out again, Meadric!
Whatever you're putting in those bowls, keep doing it!

Meadric
Good to see you too, Harken.
Folks'll buy anything if it smells sweet enough.

Harken
Hah! Well... Though I don't think it'd save my turnips.

Meadric chuckles as he begins packing away his stall

Meadric
(half a smile, half somewhere else)
Edwin always said turnips build character. Character didn't pay the rent, though.

Harken pauses a beat, like he wants to say something about that, then thinks better of it.

Harken
Say... a few of us are heading to The Tankard this evening. You should come.

Meadric
Appreciate the invitation, but I can't tonight.

Harken
That's what you said last week. And the week before...

Meadric
I've... I've got work tonight, and gotta make sure that... Lils is...

Harken
Meadric, that girl's fourteen now, right? You always take care of that girl...
Surely she can handle one evening without you...

Meadric
(surprised that Harken remembered her age...)
I... She could... but today's her first day at the Academy.
I want to hear how it went...

Harken
Tomorrow morning works too, you know.

Meadric
I... Ehm...

Harken
(sighing)
You're a hard dragon to befriend, Meadric.

Meadric
...

Harken
Well, if ya change ya mind...

Meadric
I'll think on it.

Harken
You always think on it.

Meadric
...

Harken
(shrugging, already turning to go)
Suit yourself. See ya, Meadric.

Meadric
See ya...

Harken heads off, whistling off-key.

Meadric (to himself)
...When's the last time I sat in that tavern...
...Can't even remember...
...That's not a good sign, is it...?
...Used to go every other week.
...Back when... Edwin dragged me along.

"You always take care of that girl..." Harken says.

...Well, who else is gonna do it...?
...Edwin left. It's just the two of us now...
...I take care of her...
...
...
...
...But who takes care of me?
...Heh. Been so long, I've half forgotten what it feels like to be properly taken care of.
...Tail included.
...By the idols, don't say that out loud, you sleazy lizard.
...What if she heard you...
...Enough of that.
...She's the one waiting on me tonight.
...That's plenty.
...More than plenty...
...She's all I've got, though. If I'm honest.
...And she won't need me forever. Not like this.
...
...One day she'll have her own life.
...
...And then what...?
...
...Heh. Get a grip, you oaf.
...That's a problem for later.
...Right now, she's waiting.
...Right...?