cuddletalk | text | un: vaquero

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.

[Vasquez wouldn't even know where to begin, thinking that he would do something or be something or even wish for something because of someone else. He's been on his own as long as he can remember and that' the coward's way of it, true, but it's how he operates]

You said you wished. The way children talk about wishing on shooting stars? Like that wish?

I still have full awareness that it's unlikely, that there are consequences, that nothing is free.

[Which is an evasive kind of yes for you, Vasquez.]

But here we are. I don't know how it works or how it will iron out in the end.

[Here he was preaching about cautious optimism. Matt clears his throat.]

There's a reason why we're here. And maybe you don't remember or maybe it isn't clear to you. Outside of this whole operation I believe that things happen for a reason, that they're part of some plan. I don't know what it is but I personally keep faith that it is for better. If that also puts me in a slot with children then so be it.

The last time I was stupid enough to believe that God had a plan for me, the blood of too many people was in the ground.

[He's still not sure why he'd survived when the others had died. Surely a man with a death knell on his head should've been the one to falter, but instead, he's just been shot. Lucky for him, voices alone can't see wounds, because then he doesn't have to explain his bad luck]

I don't have any women I would wish for. No gold.

[Freedom. That's it, that's what his heart yearns for. He wants to go back to being a man who doesn't look over his shoulder and worry about being shot or captured, but even here, he can't take the risk that he's safe]

You said you were the law. Is there a list of people wanted?

...I'm sorry.

[That he feels that way. That so many people has died around him, with him from the sound of it. Matt isn't insensitive or self-righteous enough to be without sympathy.]

A new start then? When you have nothing and no want for anything... that's a good place to start.

[You're literally killing him, Vasquez.]

I don't think so. No. I can find out if you like. You have to make me a promise.

You weren't the one who took a town by force and blood. No apology necessary.

[The words are firm, mainly because Vasquez won't take that apology, doesn't even deserve it. He's not from Rose Creek, he's not the sort of person who would even have considered settling there, not without a good reason, at least]

What promise am I making you to have this new start?

[The last promise he made almost got him killed and that had been a stand-up man with a good reputation. Vasquez isn't entirely sure that he's ready to trust a voice over a little demon box]

[Dismissive, distant. Fine, have it your way, Vasquez. Matt sighs and for now chooses to not push the matter. There's far more here. And he can't expect to be privy to this after one discussion.]

That your name stays off the list if it exists.

Only reason it was on a piece of paper to begin with is because some men don't deserve to breathe after what they do to others.

[That ranger had deserved exactly what he'd gotten, Vasquez will stand by that, even if he doesn't like to discuss the details with people. Still, it had sent him into a life he doesn't miss and he knows that if he is safe and he's not on the list, he's not going to go back on it willingly]

Trust me, I don't want to live like that, not if I don't have to.

That's a slippery slope of logic. It shouldn't have to be your call.

[Spoken with solid conviction and exasperation. No one person should be a judge, jury and executioner. That's not fair to the guilty as much as the one with the burden.]

You shouldn't have to, not here. And hopefully not anywhere. I can help you if it ever comes to that, if you let me.

[Idealistic lawyer? In your city? It's more likely than you think.]

It was him or me. If it was you or someone else, would you have decided to die, instead?

[He doesn't regret fighting for his life and killing the bastard. He regrets the part where he's wound up with a bounty on his head because of it, but maybe Sam will help him to work it away. Or maybe it doesn't matter now, if there is no list]

How could you help? What can a lawyer do?

I can't say.

[In full, brutal honesty. Vasquez has no doubt been in a dire situation. The circumstances are unclear. Put in such a light it's self defense.

Daredevil has had to fight for his life. And somehow narrowly saved the life of his attacker too, or made it out barely alive. Matt Murdock can't let that on.]

Challenge accusations in this city. Put together a series of character witnesses that wouldn't deem you dangerous or a risk to society.

[Except they've hardly known one another a day. He hasn't even heard this man's heart beat as he told his story. What if it's a lie?]

I chose to fight and stay alive. When it comes to it, I'll always protect myself first.

[ Himself and that's it, which has been a problem for him up until Rose Creek. Of course, look what happens then. He lets himself befriend people and half of them end up dying, because that's just the kind of luck he has. At least they'd done some good, given some hope for the future. ]

Character witnesses? Except, what if I am dangerous, even if I'm not going to do anything wrong?

[ He is, he knows he is, and the number of his bullets in Blackstone flesh is proof of that, even if they had been trying to kill him in the fray. ]

[Matt's lips press together on the other side of the line. Yes. Of course he would. Just what you do, isn't it?]

And you accept and live with the consequences.

[Neither condemning or condoning the choice. It's a very clear observation to anyone with or without sight.]

The point is to prove you're not a danger to people in general, that you wouldn't kill unprovoked.

I've been living with the consequences since before here. I know what my actions mean. I still don't regret them.

[ He wonders, though, if he is a danger. He doesn't think so, he doesn't even want to hurt anyone, but if they're evil, if they're doing wrong, he doesn't like to sit back. ]

Last time I killed, it was because I was hired by a man of the law. Duly sworn warrant officer.

...I see.

[For lack of a better way to phrase it.]

Which doesn't make it sound like you're out to harm people. That is something that can be played out in court if needed be.

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