Why'd You Kill the Merchant?!

[sansseraph]

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!"

Comments

[metachrosis]

[Monty, that's making it worse. On the one hand, Espio recognises that this doesn't sound like Monty's idea of flirting in the slightest, having been on the receiving end numerous times already. On the other, how else is one supposed to take that kind of offer?]

Not the point I was trying to make! I don't think she'd appreciate you offering to help people with 'romantic subplots' when you should be focusing on that one.

[poisoninmypocket]

Espio... [There's an exasperated sigh in Monty's voice.] I hardly think she's going to care. We do have interests outside one another, and she's never objected to that sort of thing before.

[He'd tried helping Demyx and Zexion find love together and she hadn't said a word about it.]

[metachrosis]

These are completely different circumstances.

[He's growing steadily more confused. The words and the tone are so mismatched, and Monty's apparent exasperation is irritating him. He's sure he's misunderstood something... but in his irritation, he's not sure he wants to admit it.]

[poisoninmypocket]

[It's Monty's turn for confusion. What is he on about? The gentleman pauses and then pulls Espio over to what seems to be a relatively secluded alcove behind some of the stalls.]

What is this about? I want to help you. Renart likes you... enough. Why would she care about me setting you up with someone?

[metachrosis]

[Given that his mood was worsening, Espio bristled a little at being pulled anywhere, and once they were relatively secluded he pulled his arm out of Monty's grip. At Monty's words, though, he paused, and then let out a frustrated sigh, bringing a hand to his forehead.]

So that's what you meant!

Honestly... replay that conversation in your head.

[poisoninmypocket]

What else would I... [Monty trails off as he does replay the conversation. His cheeks light up with a blush.]

Why would I ever-? You're my friend not my-my- [Monty waves a hand distractedly.] That's most certainly not what I meant!

[metachrosis]

It's what it sounded like! It just didn't make any sense!

[At Monty's blushing, Espio's own skin pinkens considerably. He feels a little embarrassed himself, but it hadn't sounded like Monty meant setting him up with someone at all.

...he's also maybe a tiny bit offended at how out of the question Monty made it sound. Only a tiny bit, though.]

It's not as if we haven't screwed around before, but that was -

[Essential.]

Anyway, I don't want you trying to go setting me up with someone either! I'm fine as I am!

[poisoninmypocket]

[Monty's eyes widen.]

Don't say things like that! People might be watching.

[And Monty's very happy to slip back into the bisexual closet where no one need ever know about his other interests.]

About us, not... why don't you want to do better in the ratings? And just have someone nice to spend time with?

[metachrosis]

Oh come on. Nobody gives a shit if you're bi. Even if they did, it's not like you ever have to meet the audience.

[Monty's not allowed back in the bisexual closet. Because that made Espio childishly roll his eyes.]

I'm not doing anything on principle! I was forced into this, and I'm not going to play along. If people like me, fine. If they don't, fine. I'm not going to make myself do shit specifically to please anyone!

[Juuust gonna avoid the comment about nice people to spend time with...]

[poisoninmypocket]

[But they'll know.]

It's not relevant to my life here. [Except that... he does enjoy spending more intimate time with Espio. Monty's certainly not going to try to woo him, but if the opportunity for something like what they had before arose, there's a part of the gentleman that certainly wouldn't say no.] I don't care if I meet them or not. They're still watching.

And there is no shame in playing the game to please someone if you please yourself, as well, you know?

[metachrosis]

So I'll stick with doing what pleases me, then.

[He shrugs, hoping Monty'll drop the idea. What he wants and what he needs are two different beasts, and he's just going to be stubborn about the whole friends and romance thing.]

So should you, if you're gonna let the imagined judgements of strangers control what you do. For all you know, there's a big part of the audience who likes that kind of thing, anyway.