[CLOSED/OPEN] I'm not so bad once you get to know me--then, I'm FAR worse.

[perma_banned]

CHARACTERS: Ban & Guests
DATE: Allll of October
WARNINGS: violent bounty prompts
SUMMARY: First week or so at Perdition's Rest

Individual prompts below!

Closed prompts for individuals are below! If you'd like a prompt with Ban in October, PM me!

Comments

WIDOWMAKER

[perma_banned]

(OOC: Clear the Way)

One of the few things Ban had left in his arsenal to stave off boredom had been work. He wasn't nearly as lazy as the resident sin of sloth or as haphazard as the sin of wrath. Despite his slovenly nature he actually managed to look presentable and decent when first presenting himself to help out clearing the path. It may have seemed like a waste in hindsight, given the job he was going to be doing. The fellow who gave him the work said a few people would be working with him, so he figured he wouldn't really have to put his back into things.

That was why he brought a few canteens of the cheap swill liquor the saloon had on hand. Cheap did the job just as well as the finely crafted stuff. He didn't care at all for good taste when it came to making the day pass by faster.

Stepping out onto the path, Ban popped his knuckles. The outfit he wore looked more appropriate for a kitchen. His buttoned up shirt was open just a touch and his slacks looked relatively well-pressed. To boot, he wore an apron. The other folks with their shovels and pick-axes looked at him grimly, wondering if he was serious about helping.

Their doubtful expressions slackened when he reached over to pick up one boulder, the size of a full grown adult, and shove it aside the same as nudging shutters from a window.

"Ahhh~. This might actually take awhile, huh?"

[araigneedusoir]

She'd gone through all her usual motions; found a place to stay, hunted for information that was sadly lacking and had even decided to find an outfit to blend in with the populace even further. Both her gun and helmet are now stored in the pack she carries with her now, hat drawn low over her eyes to keep the sun out.

It's not the entire cowboy get up, her usual boots are in place of leather or spurs. But the rest of it is there, long coat, shirt and pants. She doesn't look entirely thrilled as she steps up behind Ban and the rest of the workers, crossing behind them to lean her shoulder against the wall. The guy who gave this job to them mentioned scouting and potentially getting rid of bandits or indigenous fauna...she's here for that.

Not for moving debris and while she could grapple over it all she's not inclined to cause an unnecessary rock slide right now so. Here she is, eyeing Ban's choice of outfits while he so casually removes a boulder, attention flicking to the group of people with them.

She tries not to smirk, fails, then looks away.

"Perhaps, or clear just enough for people to get through."

[perma_banned]

Placing his foot on another larger boulder, Ban began lowering his heel as it began to crack and give way--collapsing into a smaller collection of moveable rocks. He figured it would be a nice thing to do, making it easier for others to move the rocks with him. He was trying to be considerate. Instead, everyone just moved away from him and went to their own little piles to clear the debris, barring Widowmaker. Blinking slowly in muted confusion, Ban raised his head when Widowmaker announced herself.

"Ah~? But, there could be more rockslides. That's what happened here, right?"

He had been wondering where the bandits were--but then he supposed they probably wouldn't try to take them on in a group. They must have been waiting for the herd to thin out before they took a swing at controlling the pass.

"May as well obliterate the paaaath!"

[araigneedusoir]

It's an impressive display of strength, she thinks as she watches the bits of boulder crumble and scatter at his feet. It's clear the other workers have a decidedly different opinion and she pays little mind to their retreat. A small smirk shows on her lips when Ban looks to her, a slender finger raising to push the brim of her hat up slightly.

Not in greeting, it's just in her way.

"True." She adjusts her lean, her eyes flicking to the mess of debris still in the way, then a little higher to see if there was a spot she could get up to to keep watch. She spots an outcropping she could easily grapple up to before her attention is lowered back to her companion.

"You do that then, I'll keep watch." She takes a few steps back, raising one arm to fire the grappling hook up at the rock face above them; tugs once to make sure it's stable, then pulls herself up, disappearing over the edge a moment later.

As if on a side note she leans back over a second later, smiling down at Ban and giving a wave.

[perma_banned]

"Ah?" Wonders of technology still managed to amaze Ban on a regular basis. It looked as if Widowmaker had simply been wearing a bangle around her arm--but when it burst and a rope jabbed up into the rock face, his eyes went a touch wide. Was it something on her or was it just some sort of trait of her body? Could she always just do that?

"That's cool~!" Grinning, Ban didn't bother to hide his amusement with Widowmaker's crafty and agile ascent up the wall. Snickering, he left Widowmaker to her business. She went up the rock wall for a reason. She was likely playing the part of the scout for the group.

For the next hour or so, there wasn't much action to speak of. Ban cleared things lazily enough, letting people clean up while he made sure nothing big crushed anybody. After the hour ended though, the sun began to set and the shapes of riders could be seen against the setting sun. After a few more minutes, there was gunfire and bandits had entered the valley looking to take it.

KEATS

[perma_banned]

(OOC: Rhinestone Cowboy)

The advertisement for the job had Ban in stitches the moment he heard it. The very first person he passed would be the most unfortunate person in the world. He decided that it would be impossible for him to collect the bounty for himself. Ban knew full well that he wasn't qualified to play anybody's fantasy--so he'd have to find somebody better suited for that role and cheat them out of the earnings. The first sucker that passed him would definitely have to be his mark.

At that rate, he was pretty sure half of ALASTAIR could have qualified for it. The only problem was finding somebody who he was confident he could taunt into performing--someone who was capable of being pigeon-holed into a ridiculous role. It could preferably be someone who would fully understand the ramifications of it all but still be forced into it out of spite and be too distracted by irritation and various other hostile emotions to even ask about the money afterwards.

He saw Keats. In a haphazard greeting, Ban waved over to him while passing him out on the road, "Mooornin~."

He figured Keats would probably keep walking, so he circled around as if to cut him off immediately.

[headlining]

It's a rather lazy day. Mostly, Keats has been satisfying his own curiosity by going around, exploring the town and talking to its inhabitants - he has decided that he rather likes this place. There's no gods to fight, or swamp monsters to destroy...the town has it's problems, but it's hardly anything anyone can't fix.

He's walking down the street when he sees the skinny figure that is Ban approach - Keats quickens his step.

"Oh, Ban," he says, ready to just pass him by without another word, but suddenly the man is in front of him, and he stops, frowning. Ban is...well, he doesn't necessarily dislike the man, but trouble seems to dog at his heels.

"A good morning to you too. What's going on?"

[perma_banned]

Moreover, Keats was in more danger than the norm. For once, Ban didn't pass him with a similar sort of disinterest. For that moment, Ban had his eyes on Keats and actually wanted to engage in a chat with him. he was grinning--ever a bad sign. A grin from Ban was akin to an ill omen. It was a sign of harsh weather and hardship down the line.

"Yo, Keats~. I could use a favor. It'll pay well."

[headlining]

"Is that so?"

Automatically, his tone is filled with suspicion. Ban wasn't exactly a harbinger of good things, and Keats was (rightly) wary - he folds his arms, staring the other down. What does he want? Nothing nice, judging by that Cheshire Cat-like grin.

"And what is this favor, exactly?"

[perma_banned]

"Nothin' unsavory~" Ban said it as if it would help the situation--not realizing that simply by trying to sound trustworthy he would immediately sound untrustworthy. He threw one arm around Keats' shoulders as if to start leading him the right way.

"It's standing around and collecting pay!"

KING

[perma_banned]

Ban had no idea how long it was going to take them to finish their next mission but even he knew that staying in inns as nice as the one he was in took quite a bit of money after a certain amount of time. He wouldn't be able to coast solely on the sales from the guns he stole from the local bandits--especially not with his drinking habit.

Worse over, King was back and once more a pain in his side. Despite that pain, Ban was the sort who understood he couldn't exactly escape the Fairy King after a number of promises were made and needed fulfilling. That was why, seemingly out of nowhere, Ban reached up to hold up an ordinary looking leather bag to show King as they were talking over drinks. The conversation had gone fairly well as indicated by a distinct lack of blood coating nearly every surface around the two Sins. Their tone was somewhat civil, barring King's usual derisive jabs at the Sin of Greed. As far as conversations went--it was decidedly one of their best.

"Alright, it's time to pay~. Get in the bag."

[agrizzlysin]

He should have known. He should have realized it the moment he managed to start a reasonable conversation with Ban. He should have understood as soon as he was treated to a drink without having to put up a fight.

Nothing about this could end well.

Now King was staring into an open leather bag, his pleasant buzz rapidly receding. What had Ban just said? He must have misheard because there was no possible way that he just told the damn Fairy King to hop into a leather sack. Right? Ban wasn't drunk enough to start stealing people yet. Right? Right? King's blank stare rose from the bag to Ban and back again before settling on the table between them.

...Right.

"Even you can't be that drunk yet," came the flat response.

Nonetheless, King was quick to take another gulp of his drink. There was no way he was going to deal with this nonsense 100% sober.

[perma_banned]

Ban had never actually told anyone to get in a bag, before. Despite popular opinion he hadn't actually kidnapped children and eaten them in his cave--even if it looked like he was currently trying to do exactly that. He grinned despite King's speculation, pointing at the inside of the bag. Maybe King was just drunk enough to be curious. So, Ban held up a fork and showed it to the Fairy King before tossing it in the bag.

"Look, look-- Hear? It didn't hit the bottom of the baaaag! It doesn't have a bottom!"

[agrizzlysin]

King was at least drunk enough to lean in close (albeit warily) and try to hear when Ban directed him to. The fork really didn't hit the floor. It must have been a magic bag. This was an interesting fact, but it did not explain why Ban wanted him inside of this magic, bottomless bag. King's eyes narrowed as he met Ban dead eye to crazy eye.

"And?"

[perma_banned]

The heated stare between the two of them hadn't gone unnoticed by the other patrons. Between the two sins, there was clearly a bit of heat and irritation mingled in with obvious insanity. It was a flavorful combination that usually managed to lead into a gunfight or knife fight. What they didn't know was that this was the same tension that came from any regular old conversation between both the fairy king and the immortal.

It usually went the same way. Ban's hand shot out as he tried to grab King by the face. Talking was for chumps. He wanted to try out his magical bag.

MASAMUNE

[perma_banned]

(OOC: We Don't Need No Stinking Badges)

Missions with direct, simple endings tended to work well in Ban's book. Anything with a clear-cut ending to it such as, 'Kill this person' worked itself out so well that he didn't think twice about going through with them. He wasn't particularly guarded when it came to issues of morality and, by far, the Sheriff would likely be pleased with the end result at that rate. All he had to do was follow directions and take out any bandits present in the outskirts of the city and out in the wilderness. It was a job that resembled his old one in Liones--making certain that the city was safe from outside barbarians. He took to it with ease.

If anything, it was uncanny in its familiarity. The walk to find their 'last spotted location' wasn't a very long one. He and his partner would be left to their own devices to investigate and eliminate them and even then, Ban was certain either one of them could handle things on their own without needing the other. Even so--he was bored and had no shortage of vices he had to fuel so he went along without a complaint. By definition, it seemed Ban worked better as a mercenary than a bandit in a number of ways.

"See their camp, yet?" He asked, not drawing his eyes from a ridge far in the distance. he hadn't said much to Masamune other than a mumbled greeting. The setting sun's reflection on the softer sands stole some sight from him. Ban couldn't narrow down the distance--not in their current hiding spot. "Just beyond the next ridge. Dips into a ravine. We're gonna have to start moving over there~."

Ban had waited awhile to get into his hiding spot with Masamune--a plan derived from the hope that they could figure out a way to cleanly draw them in for a trap. It wasn't a plan made out of desperation rather than laziness. Ban wanted to clean things up in one fell-swoop and just run back with their whole reward.

sorry so late ugh

[wardance]

Masamune can appreciate this kind of laziness, though. That may be why he also is easy going with cooperating with this particular someone else. Honestly, while he has always felt cautious of the ALASTAIR group as a whole, he is even moreso now with so many coming and going. For a while, things had seemed so stable but then that crumbled and took a majority of long-standing members. There's only a few of them left now, but at least Masamune finds he's still got people he can feel more comfortable around (oddly enough, if one were to actually consider the company).

"Eh..." Masamune squints at the question, even going so far as to lean from one side to the other and then try shifting slightly forward and back in order to try and get a glimpse without the glare of the sun on the sand interfering. He has only half his given sight, but he's quite sharp with the vision he does possess.

That still doesn't seem to be good enough for establishing the visual at this point. A light huff escapes the warlord before giving a sigh.

"This sand is kind of bullshit," he says in reference to the reflection issue that is also plaguing Ban. He nods, though, at the directions.

"I'll let you know if I see anything as we get closer, but I can at least say I don't see anything or anyone that's going to cause us a problem on the way."

...And by problem he really means minor annoyance where they have to do more work than either of them want to. Everything's relative.

it's k /never forgives

[perma_banned]

There was a snort that snuck out from Ban at that. The camp was visible but the people weren't--not yet. It could have simply been the texture of the land giving Masamune and Ban a hard time or they could have all ducked for cover having spotted the two first. Either way, it didn't matter. If they would the camp, the two would probably be able to track wherever they ran off to. Between Ban and Masamune, it wouldn't be too difficult.

"Figures," he chimed in as a response. The bandits being unseen hadn't drawn any concern from him. Not only had they seemed to be a non-issue but Ban doubly seemed uninterested in the idea of anyone trying to catch the two of them off guard. Ban had been certain of himself and Masamune to the point of pure negligence. In turn, Masamune seemed more annoyed than worried, himself. Ban knew the stock of the situation and didn't bemoan it any further. "They've gotta be hiding along cover on the trail. The camp might just be bait for us~."

In his voice, one could hear the whistling chime of a complete and utter lack of concern.

[wardance]

It's a good thing anyone with a normal level of "shits given" isn't a third party member or things would sure be a headache—for the third wheeler, anyway.

Masamune's expression lights up at the mention of a possible trap. Well, he's never been one to avoid a trap back home, especially knowing about it. They went through the trouble of putting it out. So, either the bandits will be surprised by the fact they already knew of the trap and walked in anyway or surprised they just simply were ready for one despite plans on their end. Not to mention... something something something, which is what this additional logic amounts to, anyway, means their best bet for fun is going into the trap if it is one.

The only disappointment would be if there was no such sophistication. Especially with the amount of guns these people on the planet are into, it'd be a waste if they didn't even take advantage of it with their open terrain.

"Ah, good. I was getting hungry," Masamune sighs. They have a good enough reason even by normal people standards to take this 'bait' now, yeah?

... Well, as was said, this would be a headache for anyone else moron the same page as they are concerning how much caution or care this event requires from them. What can you do but let them have their fun?

[perma_banned]

Bandit ambushes were something Ban was absolutely familiar with. He learned from Zhivago how to raid a camp and carriage, alike. A traveling target was, surprisingly, more difficult to attack than a camp from time to time. A moving target didn't stick to just one piece of terrain. Roads lead through mountains, plains and forests. A camp was always in the same spot and could easily be mapped out internally to account for all kinds of plans. Ban learned early on that it was just plain smart to work on becoming as adaptive as possible. He would be ready for the worst scenario no matter what because his own survival was the most important factor.

"Well, they're bound to have food somewhere," Even if they were just rations. If the camp was a trap then it was completely reasonable to assume they would have to eat at some point so there would probably be some food on the bandits laying in wait, themselves. "But, I've got an idea~."

Ban bent over to pick up a rock the size of his fist, tossing it up and down between his hands while falling into his thoughts.

"How about we surprise them first, Masamune~?"

YAOYOROZU

[perma_banned]

(OOC: We Don't Need No Stinking Badges)

The pay for his first few jobs had been sufficient enough that he didn't think twice about taking a few days off to waste his earning and sleep off many, many hours of drinking. He had really begun to look forward to it. The problem was--he was cut off after getting his pay for his last job. The sheriff had been talking to a young woman about another group of bandits recently spotted on the outskirts.

Ban stopped outside the door, listening in on the conversation. He had been juggling his pouch of cash on one open palm. Waiting outside until the explanation of the job was done, Ban looked to Yaoyorozu as she left--seemingly intent on something. Whether or not she had the request on mind didn't matter. Curious, he posed his question a few moments before she may have noticed him skulking outside the sheriff's office.

"Found somethin' to do?"

[yaomomo]

Unlike most of her peers, Yaoyorozu's experience was little to none when it came to working bounties. She was, after all, in training back at home, and this was her first official mission after weeks of being caught up in other things. For her, it was a time to prove that she wasn't simply just a newbie, but also a part of the team, and rounding up bandits seemed like a good place to start.

She had been considering a few people in mind to ask about accompanying her, some she's already discarded due to her own personal reasons, when Ban had approached her out of nowhere and startled her. Her shoulders tense in response, but luckily she doesn't jump up as she turns to him.

"Oh, Ban." The way it doesn't translate -san the way she is used to is weird to her ears, but she accepts it for what it is.

"I did talk to the sheriff about something, a request of sorts."

[perma_banned]

"Ah," Ban reached into the front of his dirty-looking apron, pulling free a flask. He began unscrewing it as Yaoyorozu answered. Not realizing he flat-out caught her off guard, Ban moved on without any hesitation.

At least there was none after he polished off his flask with the air of efficiency only a bachelor of two-thousand years could pull off. He let out a pleased little sigh and gestured over his shoulder towards the main entrance of town where the sign that said 'Perdition's Rest' had been set on two pillars.

"I heard. Same one we've been dealin' with, already. C'mon, I'm headed up there, anyway."

He didn't know if she was looking for help or not but it seemed like a good idea to at least tag along, so he made an excuse. Ban knew plenty of knights who stepped into dangerous situations they should have otherwise been able to handle only to come out with bad losses. Yaoyorozu seemed to have a good head on her shoulders but--well, he didn't know her enough to assume she didn't also have a deathwish.

[yaomomo]

There's some surprise at his response, an initial widening of her eyes before she eventually follows him. He hadn't been far behind in her list of choices, because she was aware of his fighting prowess enough to know he's reliable, but she still remembered the time when he criticized her ability and, despite herself, it does make her self-conscious. She knows it's a good ability, knows it's useful, so it was something silly she was having a hard time getting over.

Still, some company is still better than none.

"Seems so, but at least being able to apprehend them this time might lead to clues as to why they keep attacking."

Looting, of course, is a reason, but to target this specific town makes her curious. She looks disapprovingly at the flask, hoping it's empty, and not for the first time wonders why he drinks before he fights, if it's simply something he fancies or something that helps him.

[perma_banned]

The flask fell back into an opening in his clothing and Ban wiped away at a tough of excess on one lip. He let his listless gaze settle on the street. A flask was going to give him a good daze for awhile, so he was fine with starting it off early. He could really get to partying once the contract was taken care of. At the very most, he and Yaoyorozu were in for a short walk before they reached the encampment that had been mentioned by the sheriff.

Ban's hearing was excellent and Yaoyorozu's tolerance of him had far outstripped the average person. He wondered, internally, how someone could handle that level of patience with others--none the less himself. Even so, it gave him the inclination that it would be fair if he kept her from getting into too much trouble. Ban was one for admitting acceptable levels of terror and danger.

"Ahhh~. So, you're feelin' ambitious," He offered a bit of praise, coated thickly in a droll tone. He was interested but it didn't do anyone any favor for him to sound curious or excited about anything. He knew he sounded like a sleazebag the second the smiled. "Well, let's see you capture one of 'em."