@shiro

[cranekin]

Did you know there's a museum not far from this base? You can see quite a few treasures on display. I went back for the first time in a long time. Imagine my surprise when I realized one of those treasures was missing...

It doesn't matter if it's a grave, a shrine, or the emperor's treasure chest... thieves will really steal from any place, huh? I wonder what else is lost in this world...

Ah, well, where ever I am, I'm sure I'll be surprised.

( Suddenly he's talking about himself? For those who know him, it makes perfect sense. )

Anyway, what treasures are in your world? If you can tell me a good story, I might give you a surprise.

Comments

[cranekin]

I didn't even know worms had bones.

( And he's fought a giant worm. )

What are the worms like in your world, Vash-kun?

[photosympathies]

Those ones did. They're not like regular worms. They've got spindly bits.

un: forgery

[misclassed]

A worm with bones is just a snake, ain't it?

[photosympathies]

I've never seen a snake, so I don't know.

But these worms can sometimes become person-shaped, so I feel like anything is possible.

[cranekin]

It sounds more like a snake... but maybe the worms in your world are more crunchy than gummy.

Would you consider this worm a treasure in your world?

[photosympathies]

Uhhh.

Maybe? The worm must have given a part of itself to the planet so yes?

[cranekin]

Really?
It sounds like this worm has a pretty impressive story.

( Tell him a story, Vash. )

[photosympathies]

( Uh oh. )

I don't know it. Zazzie would, but they're not exactly friendly. To me, anyway. Is it just stories about treasure you want?

[cranekin]

If you have another good story, I'd be happy to listen to that, too!

[photosympathies]

I have a lot of stories, but I don't know if they're about like, conventional treasures, you know?

Things that feel special to me might not feel special to you.

[cranekin]

If it's special to you, then it's special.
I would be happy with any story you tell me, Vash-kun.

[photosympathies]

My brother and I used to play cowboys.

( A treasure, but not in the definitive sense. )

We'd take turns saving each other from danger. Or we'd pretend to be kidnapped and the other one had to come and save us. You know how kids are. Not exactly intricate with their stories. So one time I was the one who'd been "stolen", only Nai was always really good at tracking me down. Weird sixth sense. Well this time I thought I'd hide in one of the vents. Lots of vents on a space ship, you know. A lot of them interconnecting. And I'm more wiggly than my brother, so I remember thinking 'this'll really give him a challenge, get him to work on some actual cowboy skills'.

I guess maybe I got turned around in them? Came out someplace I didn't know. The room had a keypad and I didn't have the code. It was a holding cell. At first I didn't think anything about it. It was a great hiding spot. Anyway, eventually I got bored? And then I started to panic? Because new room, new place, Nai hadn't come to find me yet. I don't know why I didn't just ... crawl through the vent again.

( Wow, okay, belated embarrassment. )

Nai had to eventually enlist Rem, and they found me three hours later, bawling my eyes out in there. Anyway, so she took the rest of the day off and we all had tea and huddled together under the one blanket and took turns deciding what we were going to be when we got to the new planet. Rem obviously was going to stay a scientist. Nai said cowboy - him not finding me quickly didn't count, because I cheated - I was going to be a cowboy-scientist, just because I didn't want to abandon either of them. It was nice. Rem gave us some sweets, and Nai didn't even complain about eating them.

... This wasn't a very exciting story. Sorry. It's just I don't really care about real treasure. That's just stuff. Stuff's only important if it means something to you, right? But nice memories are different.

[cranekin]

I think it was a wonderful story.
In fact, it's one of my favorites so far, Vash-kun.
Thank you for sharing it with me.

Are your brother and Rem precious to you?

[photosympathies]

They are.

( They're dead, but that doesn't make it any less true. So he lets it sit, bittersweet. )

I love them. I'm glad you liked the story, Tsurumaru.

[cranekin]

Then I think you shared one of the greatest treasures of all.
People will always be more precious than things.
The things precious to you can be replaced but its impossible to replace the people you love.

[photosympathies]

I know.

But that's why I make sure to give love wherever I can too, because I was lucky to have it once.

[cranekin]

I see.
I think you're doing a fine job, Vash-kun.
It's one of the things I like most about you.

[photosympathies]

Really?
That's really nice to know, Tsurumaru, thank you.