catap

Don't move. Hide fast. They're here.

Head inside. In. Right, don't make a peep!

Alright, alright, sir, don't break your bones knocking.

Thanks for keeping us safe. Is everything okay?

Orders from Lord Barth! Searching for a suspect!

(Bro, Filon, what's the deal? What's the 'sir' for...)

(Gotta put up the act in front of other people, right, Sir Raz?)

Searching for a suspect?! Absolutely, search by all means!

But I can tell you there's no suspects in here, sir! We're all good people, I want you to see that!

(Pffheehee.)

(The cupboard makes a rocking sound.)

What was that noise?

Is there anyone else in your house?

N—No. Do you see anyone else? I don't...

Maybe you heard wrong, sir?

Did I? But...

Fine. Look at the size of this place. We'd know if someone was here.

And I didn't hear anything. You're on edge.

Alright... if you say so.

Sirs, are you here for...

This has nothing to do with you. We're done here.

Remember to immediately report any tips to the search team!

Yeah, I will, I will.

Yeesh, are they finally gone?

Hey, stay in there!

Keep it down, they're still close...

It's cool, it's cool, Filon, bro. C'mon, unclench those cheeks.

Raz must've heard me a moment ago, didn't he? I mean, he held it in, and he's not gonna turn back to bust me now.

Relax, relax.

I mean, he probably wants to let you go, but the guys behind him might be a different story.

You're the only woman I've ever met who'd straight-up bomb some old noble's vault, not to mention the part where you drove out throwing the guy's treasure all over the place...

Seriously, Catapult, can you guess how much you're worth right now?

Haha, I bet it can't be as much as all that treasure I left you~

Heh, you got me there.

Honestly, though, where do you get the guts to do this stuff?

That was all his best stuff in that safe, y'know! Hah, he's lost his mind. If he catches you for real, he'll be mad enough to peel you like a yucca!

Fly in, go boom, fly out. I've gotta do this nickname you all give me a little justice, right?

You can only take so much before your back breaks, you know? I'm at my limit with that old-ass... It's not about guts. I was practically forced to do that.

I'm good now, see. I'm refreshed, and everyone gets a little something nice out of it. Peace and love for all, right?

Forced, my ass. Some people wouldn't hit back if their lives depended on it.

*sigh*. I'm gonna be honest, Arleta.

Whoa, why so formal? Just gonna wave my real name like that, huh.

I'm being real with you. I still think... there's nothing in this for you.

Like, what does it get you? 'cause your gold, jewelry, bills... you haven't held onto a single thing, you threw it all over town.

What's your plan?

What's in for me? Heh, c'mon... does everything I do need some kinda paycheck?

...*sigh*. That's not what I mean.

I just—look. You're the old geezer's private army, and he has your share of the pot to give. The tax levy doesn't even come round to you, and if you wanted, you could top up by skimming off all the dues.

When have I ever pocketed your money?

You haven't! If you did, you wouldn't be the first, and I would've shoved you out there.

That's what I'm getting at, at any rate. You live an alright life. You're a far cry from all of us, when we've got days we pay the tax and can't eat afterwards...

What are you actually thinking, Arleta?

If I just said I was done with that old fart, no other ideas going on, would you believe me?

No.

Didn't think so.

Okay then, I need a minute. Lemme come up with some reason for you, ha.

Hey... I'm trying to be as straight as possible here. I don't know, can't you be a little serious?

Bleeugh—you know me, Filon. It's the way I am.

Fine. No more jokes.

I should be outta here soon, anyway. No good sticking around yours forever. Can't let this spiral out, or they'll make hell for you too.

If I jump now, maybe I can rustle my way into a merchant caravan heading out of town.

Did you plan this out beforehand?

Yeah, I don't actually wanna get flayed by the old guy either.

See you later, then...

Pass it on to all the people, if anyone else decides to squeeze their lives out, another explosion as coincidental as that vault might just be on the table.

Never, ever, ever sit there and wait for death like that again.

(This van's a cramped fit... I can't stretch my legs straight.)

(What's this thing even carrying? It's got a smell, alright... good thing I don't get carsick.)

(Ups to my luck, though. Two checkpoints down easy.)

(Good thing I already scoped how the caravan likes to go. It's the perfect ride to hitch.)

(As long as this holds, we just need to cross that bridge, and I should be on my way outta this dump.)

(Once I'm clear, then next, I'll head to... to...)

(Where? Shoot, I have no idea.)

(*yawn* I'm a little sleepy...)

...over there... ...nothing...

...still haven't found them?

(Huh? Why is the search team out here?!)

(He really doesn't wanna give up the chase, huh? C'mon, guy, you're being way too clingy!)

(Let's take a look...)

Sirs, what—what are you looking for?

We're searching for a suspect. Cooperate with us, please.

Raz, we've checked over there! We found nothing suspicious!

Alright, you can pass now.

Ugh, finally, on our way.

Phew, I'm wiped. Do we have to keep on searching each one like this?

That's the old man's orders.

But how much longer do we have to search? We've been going door to door without a break since morning, and now we have to head out all this way.

If it wasn't for the bounty, I would've given up a while ago.

Weren't you clapping and cheering when you heard someone blew the man's vault out?

Of course I was!

It was his private hoard, and now it's in the hands of all the poor common folk! I mean, mwah, who wouldn't give a story like that a thumbs up? Too perfect even for a Columbian movie!

So you...

That's that, this is this. None of the money made it into my hands.

Besides, who'd be on hard times with that reward? The miser's being generous for once!

(Haha! Looks like I really do have a good price tag.)

(No chance of getting over now, seeing how this all panned out. Even if I hide in a box, they could find me sooner or later...)

(Gotta do it. Times like these, your only choice is—)

(Hup!)

Ergh! My ass!

Oof, I'm not hurt... no, wait, where's my wallet? Did someone just steal my wallet?!