driftfleet | Why'd You Kill the Merchant?!

Why'd You Kill the Merchant?!

Who: ALL O' Y'ALL
Broadcast: If you want
Action: FRICK YEAH PARTY AT THE JUNKYARD...I mean, Waystation. Junkstation.
When: 10/07 - Event End

It looks more like a junk heap than a waystation, but luckily there aren't any math fetishists to add you to the pile (hopefully). Talk to the scavengers and heed their warnings...if you want. Or perhaps you'll approach a shady individual for purchasing or selling stuff.

"Welcome, stranger!"

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[Vash does look like he could be in a bit of trouble. Despite his calm smile he's still backed up against the wall and hands out in front of himself as if in surrender. Still, he's chuckling as the three locals demand all his valuables and the pistol he clearly doesn't know how to use on his hip.

This transaction is interrupted, however, by a rather rude man who apparently can control lightening. Either these locals aren't very quick to understand what Yuan has said or they're deciding if only having one extra person on their side is worth it.

It's in fact Vash who is the quickest to move. Slapping the two nearest to him on their shoulders in a friendly manner. He wasn't actually scared of these men at all; he was worried at how much damage that magic might do to them.

He laughs and chuckles with a natural smile.] Oh, this? I just ordered something from these gentlemen earlier and they're letting me know it's ready for pick up! Yeah! That's it!

[Vash reaches into his pocket and puts a handful of credits into one of the man's hand.] Here you are. This is all I have on me at the moment. I'll give the rest when I come by to pick it up. Okay?

[Vash is then going to try to push the ruffians off as they seem happier having gotten something out of this whole thing. Of course is Yuan feeling like letting this obviously truthful and not at all shady transaction go though without question?]

[Yuan lets the men walk away, confused enough by the switch that for a moment he's actually inclined to wonder if he really did just completely misread the situation and interrupt an actual business transaction out of paranoia. He knows perfectly well he's on-edge - does he owe someone an apology?

But the men leaving look just as nonplussed and bewildered as he feels, so Yuan just lets the spell dissipate and watches them go, before turning back to their target in perplexity.]

...It wasn't you I was asking for an explanation. ...And if you want to donate to charity, there are probably more deserving souls.

Oh? I thought you were asking anyone. [Vash looks completely relaxed for someone who has just been, in a way, robbed. Hands stuffed in his pockets and a lazy smile on his face.] And it wasn't charity! I bought something from them!

[In a way.]

[Yuan just continues to stare at him incredulously. He's starting to get annoyed. Whatever happened to people being grateful for a rescue?]

Are you naive to the point of idiocy, or do you think I am? Because at this point, I really can't tell which.

[Vash blinks dumbly for a moment then smiles in embarrassment.] Ah, sorry! Of course I don't think you're an idiot!

[He honestly believes he bought something from those men. Life Insurance. Insurance for their lives.]

But still, I'm glad there are still people around who are willing to help a perfect stranger. Maybe if there were more people like that this place wouldn't seem so dangerous to weary travelers and drifters.

[That response soothes Yuan's ruffled feathers somewhat; he hmphs a little and subsides.]

I'd hate to be the sort of person who could stumble across a scene like that and just turn around and walk away. [Tsun harder, dear.] ...Anyway, I'm here because it's dangerous. I don't suppose you've seen anyplace where I could get a sword, Mister Purchasing-Expert? I don't know how to use those 'fire-arms' everyone seems to have.

[Yes, he is planning to bring a sword to gunfights, but to be fair he is also a spellcaster.]

You'd be surprised. Not many people would be brave enough to stick their necks out for someone they don't know. So what name does someone so brave go by?

As for a sword? [Vash hums and taps on his chin in thought.] I have seen some overpriced from some of the people around here. Of course they'd be more likely to take your money then stab you in the back with the sword if they think you're unarmed.

[He uses the word 'think' as he knows now that Yuan is clearly armed in a way.]

Yuan Ka-Fai. [He doesn't ask for Vash's, although he's reasonably sure he'll get it anyway.

But that news makes him sigh in aggravation.] ...And since I'm new here, I probably don't have the funds to even make the attempt. I'm not so low as to mug a shopkeeper for their goods before they've tried to pull anything.

Nice to meet you Yuan. I'm Vash. [And receive he does!]

Well, if you don't mind a bit of company the least I could do is lend you some credits to buy a weapon to defend yourself with. [Might be safer than whatever that magic was.] Consider it a loan. [As he cannot bring himself to gift someone a weapon, but he does owe Yuan.]

[Yuan shakes his head, and gives Vash a flat look. Now that he's not focused primarily on the aggressors, he's noticed Vash's weird-upon-weird mana signature.]

I might accept if I believed I'd actually accomplished anything, but it seems abundantly clear that you didn't really need my help. [He's actually curious about what Vash is, but he's yet to figure out any appropriate way to ask that question of the various people he's been meeting.]

I didn't need your help. [HA! HE'S ADMITTING IT!] I did need your help. [Oh wait, no. Nevermind. He's not admitting anything.] The thing that really matters is you were willing to step in and help. Not many people would have.

[A new discomfort sparks in Yuan's eyes, and he turns aside quickly, crossing his arms.] ...I'm not some kind of hero. [Wow, that is some bitterness, and his stance has shifted like he's ready to leave.] ...Think you can make your way back to wherever without getting in over your head?

[Vash is actually a bit surprised by the reaction.] Oh, alright then. No hero. Got it.

[Vash nods his head confidently.] Sure, sure. I was just on my way back to my shuttle to head back to my ship. I should be good from here.

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Why'd You Kill the Merchant?!

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