cuddletalk | text | un: vaquero

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.

Last time I got in trouble, no one even gave me the benefit of a trial. This place really is different, isn't it, hombre?

[ Not that he thinks it is, not really. Vasquez can't imagine things have become that much better. Better that he not give it a chance to give him a trial at all.]

Have you ever been on trial, then?

It has to be. Or else I'm not so keen on staying. On top of that, why would they want you here just to ostracize you?

[Keeping your expectations low certainly keeps you from being disappointed.]

On trial myself? No. I have defended people accused of murder and other crimes.

Trust me, I don't want to expect it, but keeping my expectations low has been very helpful in the past. Can't be disappointed that way.

[ After all, nowhere to go but up from there, right? ]

How many people? When does someone get arrested for murder and other crimes? How many of them?

[Sometimes Matt really hates being right.]

That's understandable.

[He's going to hold back on trying to give the same talk he gave to Buffy about cautious optimism. For now.]

Someone gets arrested when the police are involved. I don't know how many clients I've had exactly but none of them are serving time or a life sentence at this juncture.

Last time police got involved with me, he dragged me into a town full of wicked men. I thought maybe serving him would give redemption. Maybe it did, because now I'm here.

[ Still injured, of course, and without much idea about why, but at least Vasquez is still alive. Probably. ]

You take this all very seriously, no? This lawyer business?

It's hard to say how that all ends up working, really.

[That...doesn't sound like a lawful arrangement. Matt is trying to figure out exactly what kind of a place Vasquez is from. These things are seldom straightforward.]

Very seriously. Yes. People depend on me.

Even here? Not to insult you...

[ Usually said right before he gets tactless, but that's not the point. ]

But, who cares if a lawyer is around? Why don't people just avoid getting into trouble? Or being caught?

[ He's a little hypocritical giving that advice, but he'll ignore that part, for now. ]

text | un: vaquero

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject