"Would you like some help?" A rough, gruffy voice asked. It seems the voice came from above, and sure enough Nemesis was in the next isle over, peeking their head above the shelves to talk to Ruin. What was a goddess doing in a grocery store you ask? Well obviously buying groceries, albeit awkwardly since they barely fit between the isles and have to be very, very careful when turning around. It's also obvious that she has no way of reaching the bottom shelves without making a mess of some kind so really, how much help could she be?

(i think Martmart would be funny)

"NO YOU--" a womans voice was cut off by the sound of someone falling in the next isle.  "COR!  YOU IDIOT!  I TOLD YOU NOT TO CLIMB THE SHELF!" the woman said, loudly groaning.  "Fang, I'm quite sure he's suffering from something called, being stubborn." another voice said, this time more formal.  Clearly a mans voice. 

Crimson's voice piped in this time.  "But--THEY HAVE DRAGONFRUIT CANDY!" Crimson retaliated.  The woman audibly smacked Crimson and scolded him.  "Gods above you idiot...Flare, go and grab some nuts and cake mix.  And whatever else we might need..." the woman said, as a well dressed man walked into the isle and saw a small group trying to look for something.  

"Oh my...how rather embarrassing is this." Flare thought to himself as he scanned the isles for cake mix and nuts.  

Nemesis freezes for a moment, unsure of what to do about the sudden arrival of Crimson and Co. Eventually she settled on ignorance, if she acts like nothing is happening then maybe nothing is happening. "The brownie mix is on the shelf behind you I believe, all the way on the other end of the isle. It's hard to tell the prices from here, give me a moment and I'll make my way over." She said, before very gingerly extracting herself from the isle she's in. 

Flare grabbed the cake mix and nuts and looked at Ruin, who was clearly waiting for someone.  "Pardon me sir, might you need some assistances?  I'm just on my way out myself" he asked him.  

Flare put his items on the shelf and helped Ruin with his.  "Just like Crimson I see...er, no pun intended.  I am Flare, and you may have heard a woman scream.  That's Fang and the one getting scolded was Crimson.  We're a trio of sorts here to look for a few things...not shopping wise, but other goals too." he explained and picked up the sugar bag.  

Ruin was trying to figure out what Flare meant by "but other goals too", however Nemesis' commentary brought his mind to a stop.

Ruin froze for a second when hearing the word "Goddess", adding on that with how Nemesis is much closer to him now, he can sense just how big she is. His reaction was to instinctively reach to his waist to present his usual intimidation, but this time his hand was being greeted with the absence of his sword.

Right.

He left that at home. Apollo had told him to "Try to be less aggressive..."

...Great.

The motion he did looked like he failed to reach into his pocket, however, rather than that he was reaching for a defense.
The movement he made only caused him to drop more stuff, now a bag of flour dropping with a thudand one of the huge hoodies he held slipped out of his arms.

Ruin opened his mouth and then closed it, seemingly not knowing what to say. Talking wasn't his strong suit. Usually Apollo would deal with the people and Ruin would follow behind. It was much easier, really. It was so much easier to be a guard than actually being on his own.

Ruin took a breath, feeling his face and ears heat up.

"...Apologies. If someone may, can you get me a shopping basket? I couldn't find them earlier... I cannot push a cart." He slightly motions to his eyes with the last comment, trying to be careful to not drop anything else.
Really, Ruin couldn't push a cart because last time he tried to, he accidentally pushed it too hard and nearly rammed it into Apollo... so now he was a bit too... anxious to actually try to push one again. He felt too guilty to even want to touch a cart again.

Ruin's tone was rather flat, and his expression became neutral. Ruin was trying to not seem bothered by his own lack of ability to hold stuff.
His choice of words seem forced, as if he's trying his best to sound formal but really wants to say something else.

Be a mature adult. Be a mature adult. You are better than this. Just get this over with. Ruin, you are better than this. By the Eye, stop acting like a little kid. Only a child would feel this way. Just stop. Just stop. Be a mature adult and just stop.

"...Thanks..."

Ruin proceeds to stand there awkwardly.

Ruin's facial expression didn't change. Seems like he was used to such a question.

"Since I was a toddler."

There came that short and nonchalant, "Hm."

After a beat, Ruin questioned, "Are you asking me if I would want to meet him?" His eyebrow raised slightly.

Would I even want to meet him? Lord Apollo said I needed to make friends... or at least acquaintances... But how is that going to help me with...

"Heavens no.  The chaotic energy of that child is boundless.  I'm just thinking out loud here.  Granted I cannot force you to, however if you wanted to, I'm sure it's easy to do..." Flare smiled softly and chuckled.  

Nemesis returns with two shopping baskets, one in each hand. The empty one she hands over to Ruin while the other is filled with grocery bags. "The um," She hesitates, clears her throat, then continues, "The flour is still on the ground. I'd love to get that for you but I'd rather not knock a shelf over on accident..."

"Oh, um, thank you."

Ruin takes the shopping basket and carefully puts his items into it, stacking each thing in such a way as to be able to fit more. He felt around it a bit, as if double checking, and then grabbed the hoodie he had dropped earlier and folded it, adding it to the basket.

To Flare's words, Ruin says, "I do not believe he has caused me trouble."

Ruin thought, adding on to his own commentary, ...Except making me feel embarrassed for him... How can someone be so loud in public? Lord Apollo may get a little high in volume, but at least he never screams at the top of his lungs... By the Eye, I need to find everything on this list quicker.

Ruin's unfolded ear twitches.

Ruin considers this for a moment.

"I... I suppose that would be helpful. As long as it isn't too much trouble."


Remember your manners, remember your manners, Ruin...

Ruin takes a moment to think, weighing the advantages and disadvantages. Once he takes a second, he gives a slight nod before pulling the shopping list from his pocket, presenting it towards Flare. His face flushes from his embarrassment of asking for more help.

Manners, mind your manners. Be formal.

"I deeply appreciate your offer, and I will be accepting it... I suppose showing you the list will be... helpful."

The list has... a lot on it. The items range from normal groceries like carrot sticks and ground beef to more nonsensical items like a hulahoop and glitter glue. There's some clothing items too. The list isn't very orderly either, as if some of the items were added in on a whim. Dear gods. Just what sort of person wrote all of this?!
You... might need another basket.

Ruin could feel his face heat up further. He hadn't read through the list completely, so now he's really wondering what Apollo had put down.

"Yes, I am shopping for my Lord. He's..."

Ruin paused, trying to come up with words.

"...He's... extravagant at times. I'm sure whatever he has written has a purpose, however."