Defensive offense [D3, MM]

[Roxi]

"What do you mean, you don't have a Radtech Ripper Mark Four-point-five Vibro-axe in stock?! How?! Why?!"

A young woman... girl? shouted in astonishment; which could be heard from outside on the street as the shop wasn't that big.

"Because THIS IS A FLOWER SHOP, YOUNG LADY!" came the shopkeeper's agitated response.

"What? No, no I... wait, you're not affiliated with that restaurant a few blocks back, are you?"

"What?"

"You know, the one that was *supposed* to have a secret backstore where I could sell illegal salvage like, war droids, but really only had a kitchen back there?"

"Get out!"

"Sheesh, okay!"

Out walked a young blonde human with the kind of look to her that suggested that yes... you *could* say that thing they say about blondes and intelligence, but it *could* be the last thing you'll *ever* say because she certainly looks like all her brain went into her brawn instead. Then again, didn't that mean she didn't have enough brain left to grasp the fact she should be angry if you said it to her? Could be. She looked pretty damn dumb, after all, is what I'm saying.

[Manny Donos]

"Excuse me, miss." Roxi would hear as she walked out of the store. "But did I overhear you saying... illegal salvage?"

Manny was leaning casually against the wall, grinning. He was looking a bit disreputable... that is, more disreputable than usual. His hair was a bit of a mess, and he seemed to be carrying an overstuffed backpack. Also, the vest he wore seemed to have a number of pockets, all of which also seemed a bit overstuffed.

He straightened. "Because if you're looking to unload illegal things..." Manny cleared his throat. "I am also looking for someplace to do that. I don't suppose you know where to offload a bunch of watches?"

[Roxi]

"Oh, yes. Very illegal," she said, turning around to look at him. Wait, maybe she shouldn't have said that. "I mean... errr... *maybe* illegal."

She looked a little closer, then realized she didn't have to worry that he was with the empire or anything.

"I've actually already sold the salvage. But... I'm sure I could've gotten a better price for it. I had to sell it to the Jawa, after all. They probably buy watches, too."

[Manny Donos]

"Yeah?" Manny brightened. "I've got a pretty good selection. Check it out."

He opened his vest, holding it so she could see the inner lining. There were, in fact, a number of watches attached to it, dangling down. She could also see a few pairs of socks tucked into different pockets.

"You think this Jawa might be interested? Or..." He tilted his head, looking at Roxi. "Do you want a watch? Buy two, get one free!"

[Roxi]

"Wow, that's a lot of watches. And... socks?"

She looked at him questioningly.

[Manny Donos]

"Oh. Yeah." Manny flushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Those are mine. Not for sale. I... kinda had to move out of my place in a hurry, so I'm carrying everything I own, pretty much. I'm just glad I have all these pockets."

He held his hand out. "I'm Manny, by the way."

[Roxi]

Well... he *seemed* nice. Actually extending his hand like that. She did that for people once, long ago... also known as yesterday. Only to be betrayed by not having the gesture be returned. Or having someone attempt to use the opportunity to fit her with a shock bracelet.

A mistake Roxi was not inclined to repeat, so she reached for the hand with no nefarious intent whatsoever; and as the narrator voiced that line of text they realized it made it sound all the more nefarious despite there genuinely being none of such maliciousness intended. Honest.

"Hi, I'm Roxi! You don't really own... a lot. Do you? We have that in common!"

She seemed awfully chipper about the fact.

[Manny Donos]

Manny's handshake wasn't all that firm, but it was honest, at least. Reasonably honest, anyway.

He smiled ruefully. "Yeah. Pretty much just what I can carry. I mean, I had some more stuff, but now I don't..." He shrugged. "It was stupid stuff, anyway. Cabinets and stuff. I gotta go back for my cutting people in half boxes though..."

He gave her a curious look. "So... you also don't have stuff?"

[Roxi]

"Just a big knife, jawa food, and a stimpack. But I'm in the market for an axe."

Something he'd said, having *almost* gone in one ear and out the other, made her blink. "Cutting people in half-boxes?"

[Manny Donos]

"An axe, huh?" Manny chuckled. "I've got some friends I think you should meet."

He grinned, raising one finger. "Ah, not to worry. It doesn't harm them. I'm a magician, see. Behold!" With a flourish and a bow, he offered her, appearing as if from nowhere... a balled-up sock.

Manny frowned at it. "Shoot, I've got my pockets all mixed up."

[Roxi]

"Uh," she looked at the 'magic' trick, more confused than anything else at the offered sock. "I'm good, thanks."

[Manny Donos]

Clearing his throat, Manny tucked it back into his vest.

"So... why don't you have any stuff?" He asked. "Security locked down my apartment. I'm just glad I managed to get my vid collection out. I've never had to break into my own place before." He frowned. "Except for when I accidentally lock myself out, but that only happens like once a month."

[Roxi]

"Oh, well... because I'm poor?"

Technically she wasn't poor anymore. At least, for however long it took her to get herself that axe.

"And because my old crew didn't give me my share of the loot. So why did security lock down your apartment? Do you have like, a bounty on your head?"

[Manny Donos]

"Oh." Manny nodded sympathetically. "I've been there. You know, it seems like it's getting harder and harder to make honest credits these days. I don't remember the last time I sold one of these watches."

"I hope not." Manny frowned. "Maybe... I should look into that. But probably not." He looked at Roxi. "Sounds like you know a thing or two about that? You and your old crew have bounties?"

[Roxi]

"I... well, *I* don't. My crew... almost certainly," she nodded. There had been quite a few of the Revenants who had the death penalty in twelve or more systems, she recalled. Roxi however, hadn't acquired any such bounty that she was aware of.

[Manny Donos]

"What kind of a crew was it? I keep trying to get a crew together. Crime or magic. Either one, I'd be happy."

Manny tilted his head, regarding her. "And how'd they end up your former crew, anyway?"

[Roxi]

"Oh uh," she said, thinking about how to answer the question for a moment, "... pirates. The Revenants! Not really from around here, but a big outfit."

She totally neglected to mention anything about how they ended up her *former* crew.

[Manny Donos]

"Pirates? No kidding! That's so cool!" Manny said, his expression brightening noticeably. "Was it as awesome as the vids make it look? With, like, boarding and booty and wenches and buried treasure and all of that?"

[Roxi]

Finally, someone who *understood*!

"Yes!" Well, she didn't know what wenches were, but she enthustiastically nodded. "A lot of fighting. And shooting. And punching. And stabbing. And treasure. And blowing up ships. And being on ships as they're getting blown up. And also sometimes buried treasure. It was, *awesome*."

[Manny Donos]

"Wowwwwww..." Manny said, his gaze going distant as he imagined all of it. His imagination also included wenches, though.

Shaking his head, he refocused on Roxi. "So... why'd you stop. Or... did you?" One eyebrow went up. "Are you... looking for crew?"