Week 6: sunday ~top dollar's room~

[nevergraduating]

[Another week, another execution. That was how it worked around here, when it wasn't a mess of killings during the other times. This week, it was Kevin's murder...  although from the looks of everything, there was a lead on this one. Those shell casings were an anomaly, considering what Crow had seen with his own eyes, and there wasn't anyone else aside from him who had guns listed in his profile. With that in mind and mismatched orbal pistols in tow, Crow knocks on Top Dollar's door.]

Yo, you in there? Wondered if you might wanna talk shop a little!

[He knows this likely looks suspicious as all hell, especially with his involvement in the room searches. Still, the worst thing that could happen is that he gets shot, right?]

Comments

[nevergraduating]

[If Crow called out Top Dollar's guns for being gaudy he'd probably have someone run up to him and punch him in the face for being a hypocrite, so as it stands? Crow Approves™ of those guns.]

Heh, I've been thinking of seeing if it'd count if I used the tree for target practice, but yeah, I'd rather not get put to sleep for doin' something like that.

[A beat.]

I'd say I wouldn't mind trying out yours myself, if you hadn't already tried 'em out on Kevin.

[devilsnight]

[And you know what, he doesn't even pause at that; there's no hesitation, no moment where he has to close his eyes and take a deep breath, no period of time where he needs to steel himself to answer.

Notably, there's no surprise, either.

He just shrugs, and he glances over to make proper eye contact, and that's it.]

I was wondering when you were gonna cut the bullshit and actually start talking.

[nevergraduating]

What, don't enjoy icebreakers? And here I tried pretty damn hard, too.

[He just heaves a dramatic sigh before settling down again. He'll meet Top Dollar's eyes before winking.]

But hey, if you want me to get straight to the point, then how about telling me why you did it? That'd clear a lot of things up.

[devilsnight]

He needed to move.

[He's reasonably easy when he says it; he isn't going to reach for his weapons, leaving the one on the table, though the other is remaining where it is, close to him. Last thing he really wants to do is cause something...unfortunate where there doesn't need to be any - when it came to Kevin, there very much did need to be something unfortunate, but this? This hasn't escalated yet. He knows it damn well might, but for now it's fine.]

He was an active threat to my guys. If it'd just been me, I wouldn't have given a fuck, I can take care of myself. But I've got others that are depending on me here, and you can say what you want about me but I take care of my own. Figured it'd be better me than one of them, if shit had to go down at all.

Don't get me wrong - I liked Kevin a lot, still do. And from what I could tell, he liked me well enough. He understood what I was doing that night, anyway - we talked about it a bit, just briefly, before he died. Shame it had to happen.

But if it comes down to me liking someone and me doing my goddamn job, I can't pick one over the rest.

[nevergraduating]

Taking care of your guys, huh. Have to admit you don't sound like a bad boss to work under. But what, was he making a move on one of 'em 'cause he thought they were the gunner?

[Crow sounds curious more than anything else, and honestly, he's not really surprised that Kevin got offed sooner or later, considering the rampage he went on. He was bound to step on some toes. That bit about Kevin understanding what was going on gives him pause, though, even if the smile doesn't leave his face.]

Guess that's better than what some others get. Looks like I won't have to do anything with this, at least. [He'll tap the gun he has by his side. It looks like they'll both escape from this with all their limbs fully intact...!?]

[devilsnight]

I had my reasons to think he'd be a problem.

[And that's all he's going to say on the matter of the gunner.]

Guess the next question is "what now", isn't it? I'm not too interested in shooting you to shut you up or anything, before anybody goes there.

[nevergraduating]

Alright, alright. I won't push on that point. [He can tell when there's no more point in questioning.]

But that's good to know, 'cause I wasn't planning on dying today either.

[...Time to push his luck? Why not.]

Though, if I ever called you up for any favors, would you complain?

[devilsnight]

If you're keeping quiet about this? I'm all for an exchange of favors, if for no better reason than I've got some people I can't afford to die on.

[Honestly, he doesn't really give a fuck if he dies on a personal level; he wouldn't have killed Kevin if he wasn't willing to take the chance that he'd be found out and killed. But this...has his attention, let's put it that way.]

Depends on what you want, in the end.

[nevergraduating]

Wouldn't have asked if I didn't intend to. 'Sides, I'm not really a fan of random lynchings or anything anyways.

[...]

What if I asked to put a hit out on someone?

[devilsnight]

Like I said, depends. Who are you after? Because I'm not gonna get involved in a conflict of interest.

[Basically, you want one of his guys gone, there's gonna be a problem.]

[nevergraduating]

Hey, don't worry. I wouldn't ask to have you take out one of your own guys after that talk of ours. I was just asking... though I might need a list if I wanna make sure I don't ask you about the wrong guy.

[Especially since he killed someone he liked just to protect his own... it'd be a pretty big about-face to go back on those words.]

But if you're okay with it as long as the target's right, that's all I need to know. Don't think something like that is gonna come up for me any time soon anyways.

Can't guarantee that's the only thing I'd ask you for, but I'll figure out something for later when it comes down to it.

[devilsnight]

I don't know if you've noticed, friend, but my moral boundaries tend to be at right angles with everyone else's. As long as the target's right, or I'm in a position to give you whatever the fuck it is you're after, I don't see why not.

[...]

You really are gonna have to tell me a bit more about your weapons sometime, though, that shit's fascinating. Maybe I'll show you some of my DVDs sometime in exchange for a talk on that.

[...come join the number of people he has introduced to die hard, crow.]

[nevergraduating]

Just didn't know how far you'd go for someone like me, that's all. I have to say, though - I'm really feeling the love here right now.

[But if that's the way it'll be, he won't complain. It wouldn't hurt to have someone like Top Dollar around, in any case.]

Hey, I won't say no to another chat so soon. Maybe we could even make it an actual date this time and get to know each other better and all.

[Show him the joy that is Bruce Willis, Top Dollar-senpai...!]