Crossfang's Shop: The Re-Opening

She stops, waits for a minute to make sure he's actually unconscious and not just really clumsy, before approaching.

I really don't want to have to do this... but you're a danger to the team. Whether that was you or not.

She raises her knife.

 

((I'm still here, I'm just really busy)

 

A voice calls out to you from across the room.

I really wouldn't do that. Novakid tend to go out with a bang, if you catch my drift. It'd be safer to eject him through the airlock, or something.

 

W-what? Who are you?!

 

Vinyl, his assistant -but that's not important. What is important, and what no one else seems to care about, is the fact that he will explode if you kill him.
One of the reasons you shouldn't, unless you're a novakid, kill one at close range.

 

So you... would you mind helping me carry him to the airlock, then? Or are you still....

 

Mind? No, I wouldn't mind. But I would like to finish my coffee before committing patricide.
*sip*

 

Patri- but- what?

She glances back and forth between Acrow and Vinyl. Father and son? Them?

 

It's complicated. Either way, he made me promise to kill him if he ever tried to hurt anyone. And I'm nothing if not true to my word.
He puts the cup down and rolls up his sleeves.
Tell me, Alkane, are you a believer in any way?

 

She sheathes her knife.
How do you know my name?

 

He's talked about you in the past while traveling in between tasks.
Acrow lets out a small groan as the two pick him up.
You're shorter than he described you though.
The novalad towers over at 6'4

 

He hardly knew me.
Laurin doesn't feel the need for small talk, trying to get this over with as quickly as possible.

 

He clearly didn't. I don't think he would have described you as the type of person to kill a teammate.

 

She looks down, somewhat ashamed.
I had to. ...You saw him.

 

If you think so. I believe every person should get the benefit of the doubt. Especially for things that aren't under their control.

 

Maybe that wasn't. But he was a danger to the safety of the team, Vinyl. He wouldn't listen to instructions. And... Even if that wasn't under his control, how do you know you can get it out without killing him anyway?

 

I don't, but he might. Either way, we won't know if you decide to flush him.
The novakid is eerily motionless the entire time while talking. He refuses to look at Acrow's body lying on the floor.

 

She swallows.
You said you had to kill him if he ever tried to hurt somebody.
She pushes the button, and then turns away. She might have hated him, but she does not take pleasure in killing.

 

Vinyl looks out into the endlessness of space, he doesn't move, but you can hear his breathing has stopped.
He rests his forehead on the glass, his glow turns mute.
This has been a rough day for everyone involved.

 

...I'm sorry.

You won't tell anybody, will you? No one needs to know.