WarpDancer (Cyberpunk: Edgerunners)

What Friends Are For

I yawn, stepping out of the car and shutting the door behind me. I didn't get much sleep last night, the call got Lucy all wound up and she wouldn't believe me when I said Maine just wanted to talk, I've never lied to her before but it'd make sense that she'd think I was now. Though if I'm being honest I couldn't have really said much else to her, even now I don't fully know what exactly he has to say, obviously it'll be about my talk with Sasha but where's it gonna go?

Rounding the corner I realize I won't have to think about it, Maine's already here sitting in a lawn chair next to a small table beneath an umbrella. It's an odd sight to be sure, like a ramshackle beach picnic like you'd see in the BD's, not what I expected from him but it could be a lot worse. He doesn't bother to speak when he notices me so I do the same, choosing instead to plop down in the second chair on the opposite side of the table. With his waiting done he seems to settle in, pulling a cigarette from a carton on the table and lighting it up, staring off towards the street.

The two of us sit quietly for some time, watching nothing in particular and listening to the dull sounds of the city. Construction, the odd car driving somewhere near by, the occasional sound of distant gunshots; All sounds of home. There's a subtle tension, but other than that this is probably the most peaceful morning I've had in a long time, certainly the first one I've had some form of company for, it was kinda nice. 

"Thanks." He ashes the last remnants of his cigarette before tossing it to the sand. I take a curious glance in his direction but he hasn't turned to face me, his expression hasn't changed either, I'd almost think it was my imagination.

"For what?" I turn to follow his stare, crossing my arms and leaning back.

"For not goin at Sasha. She was just doing what we told her to."

"I've had worse done to me before, didn't feel like she deserved that."

The quiet settles again, it's not really awkward in any way like it normally would be. He hasn't said much but I feel like I can understand him without it, it's the first time I feel like I could understand anything specific about him since we first met.

"Not gonna apologize either." He huffs, taking a swig from his drink before slamming it back down on the table. I chuckle under my breath.

"Didn't expect you to. I would've done the same thing, just wouldn't feel bad about it afterwards."

"Not like I feel bad, I just..." He sighs, finally turning to stare me down. "Lucy's a good kid, the group likes her a lot, and you don't seem all that bad either despite being a moody little prick."

"Fair."

"We like havin you two around, and you do good work, It was just too good an opportunity to pass up. Like I said, I'm not gonna apologize, I'd do it again, just hope you know it ain't personal."

Man, it feels like he's really being genuine. Maybe I'm finally starting to lose it but... I kind of trust him on that one. Not sure if it's Lucy's enthusiasm about the whole thing rubbing off on me, or the fact that they had a gun to my head and chose not to pull the trigger. I mean they could've put anything on that demon if they wanted, but despite having it triple checked by the deckheads they assured me all it did was function as a tracker.

"Yea, I get it. Way I see it you coulda just as easily tried to run the scav discount on me, but you just tried to find my secret stash. People would do far worse for far less, there's a reason that punks often get called chrome 'junkies' after all."

"Damn straight. Bein better than you ever coulda been is one hell of a high, sure you know all about it." 

"To be honest, not really."