cuddletalk | text | un: vaquero

I hope you've found your answer, friend.

[Audio message from a lightly accented speaker in Español.]

There is a woman who lives in my phone who will translate for me. This is not normal.

[He really shouldn't be rude, the man is taking care to speak Spanish, and yet...]

How often do you speak Spanish?

[He laughs a little because, well, in the grand scheme of things the man is right.]

Yes. It's true. You're doing well enough all the same.

[They're talking right? The rest will come. It's clear this is not a typical technology.]

Not as often as I had in school. I learned some as a boy and studied the language in college. I have a good ear. My slang and informal Spanish is not good at all. Apologies ahead of time.

Only because I spent hours staring at it and others have helped.

[He's not bad, not really, and it's not like any of the Rose Creek men had even bothered to speak decent Spanish to him, with the abysmal exception of the mockery of hearing them butcher it. Sam even bothered to speak Comanche with Red, he's wondering if he should be insulted]

College? I don't know what college is. We could also speak English. Mine's not so bad, have to learn it when you're surrounded by people who refuse to learn any Spanish.

Nothing wrong with a little help now and then. I've learned to accept that.

[Matt seldom asks for help. And everyone assumes. They don't mean harm by it. And it's not like he can say he's perfectly capable.]

Uhh. University. Just... a chance to study more. Whatever you prefer. Spanish is your native language right?

Mexican born and raised.

[Vasquez doesn't care what Texas thinks about their precious border, he's still going to speak proudly about his country, no matter what people think they own]

Had to learn English to get by, but that's the only studying I ever did. Not much use for books where I come from.

[They could be a pretty good weapon if you throw them hard enough, he supposes, so maybe they're not so useless]

[Matt has no visual reference and hasn't had the opportunity to research further into the man he's talking with. And there is always something more personal to figure out a person based on their interaction.]

Has your bilingual skills helped your profession?

[There might be no visual, but Vasquez lets out a soft snicker of derision at the question, wondering if this man is genuine. Then again, isn't this good? Doesn't this mean that no one knows who he is]

Probably hurt me more than helped. Not many people like a Mexican where I come from.

That's--I'm sorry, that's awful.

[So he's from an earlier time or universe where they don't have technology. It's disheartening and frustrating to hear that there is clear discrimination.]

I sincerely hope that this place is more accommodating for you.

Don't worry, I don't like people get away with it easily.

[After all, most people shut up when there's a gun or two in your face, even before the wanted outlaw part]

What is this place? I keep finding answers, but none of them make sense. This phone doesn't make sense, the cars don't, where everyone I knew went, it's all very strange. Don't you find it very strange?

[Now that's the talk of a tough guy if Matt's ever heard it. It makes him chuckle, just a little. ]

I don't think that this is a place that exists in the same place as normal logic or reality. There are a few similarities to the life I used to lead. Not too sure if it is meant to make sense here.

[Was he being funny? Some people laugh at anything, he'll take it]

Tell me more about this place. Does it have law? Are people wanted?

[Maybe he should've eased into that one instead of barrelling right towards it, but given the big target on his back, it's the most important thing to him and he thinks he deserves to ask that question right out of the gate]

Yes, there are standard laws and bylaws. As far as I know there's not a most wanted list.

[There's a sinking feeling in his gut at this line of questioning. Matt has found this man likable so far. And maybe his stems from a clear social stigma.]

There's not, hmm? That's interesting to know.

[Extremely, very, wonderfully promising, of course, but he doesn't like to say that out loud, though he probably doesn't need to after he's brought up the topic with such clear interest]

What's your name then? How do you know so much about laws and bylaws?

Well, for all we know it's been very peaceful before there was a need to bring in outside energy.

[It's easier to think that a worry for laws and an evasion would be because of discrimination.]

I'm Matthew Murdock. I'm a lawyer.

[And he says it plainly and proudly.]

So you lived in a city, then? Not much use for lawyers in towns, where I come from.

[Not much work, though the lawyers he always saw seemed to enjoy the drinking and the brothels, though never really needing to do any work because people took law into their own hands, in Vasquez's worldly opinion]

Outside energy? No one explained that to me, what kind of energy? Electricity?

Oh yes. I'm from New York. You?

[Maybe a name would be nice too.]

No, hah. So. This place runs on intimacy. Physical intimacy. And in exchange for helping with generating that kind of energy... the powers that be are going to give you something you want.

...none of this sounds familiar?

Mexico.

[He hasn't been back there in so long that the town he's from has probably already been taken over by Americans and renamed, which would be a shame, really.]

The last place I was, you could exchange money for physical intimacy at a brothel with one of the town whores. This place wants us to do that? Have intimacy so that you get things you want?

[Vasquez has been fairly touch-starved for many months, now, if they expect him to generate anything, it will only be disappointment, at this rate]

Born, raised and residing then.

[To amend what he had said earlier. Matt snickers.]

Well. Uh. Yes. It doesn't have to be sensual intimacy. But intimacy. ...You didn't make a wish or come here of your own free will, friend?

Born, raised, and run from. I was in Rose Creek before here. I don't think many would hear of it, though.

[Wish? He hadn't really known that he'd made any wishes out loud, but if he thinks about it, there's been a wish in his mind ever since he'd killed that ranger. He wouldn't take it back, not after what he'd done, but he's so tired of running and worrying about his head]

Wish? A wish can bring you here? What did you wish for?

That doesn't ring any bells. But I've never been a traveling man.

[Until places like this. heh.]

How about you tell me your name first. Or at least what you'd like me to call you.

No one should know about it, it's a very small town. What about Junction City? Volcano Springs? Amador City?

[He's starting to list off Sam's travel plans, but at the same time, those are in the past and only an idiot would retrace their steps. Vasquez had intended to keep heading to Texas, so he's sure he's safe]

It's Vasquez. You can call me Vasquez.

Nope.

[What's with everything ending in city?]

Well, Vasquez... I met someone, someone very special that I probably would have never had a chance with any other time and place. My wish was to be able to be with her.

[Which...is part of it. Matt also has grand designs to protect his friends, his city. One of these are easier to talk about to a stranger.

Marginally easier. Avoidance makes it suspicious. Like an avoidance to give a first name.]

Seems like we both don't know much about the other, then. At least I've heard of New York.

[Very special? Vasquez has met lots of special people, but none that he would ever wish to be with them like that, then again, it's not like he's had anything like that in years now. Too dangerous when they could turn you in while you sleep or point the finger after you go]

So? Are you with her?

There's always something to learn. I fully admit that what I know about the world outside of my state is not first hand.

[Matt has had no want or desire to travel. He went to Eudio out of necessity. And here? Well, what the heart wants is a necessity as well. Even though he is trying to not be personal, it's hard to fight the warmth seeping into his voice.]

Yes. We're together here.

audio; UN: forthedefense

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