[SIDESTORY] Morbit Vignettes

[skinstealer]

Duelist- 2020
Ringor Mortis
CW: Creepy interactions???
Duelist needs some snacks. 

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It’s late, and Duelist is hungry. He’s blasted through all the snacks in his apartment and can’t be assed to make himself a proper meal. No amount of flicking through channels can help keep his mind off the growing feeling of hunger, and with a frustrated grumble, he grabs his coat and heads out into the cool desert night.

Thankfully the corner store is empty aside from him and the cat at the register, this part of town usually quiet around this time of night. The cashier doesn’t even look up at him as he walks in, but he smiles anyway. They’re used to him coming in right about now, and Duelist likes to think that they have a deep understanding of each other by now. 

Duelist isn’t what most people would describe as a prize catch, and he knows it. Too scraggly, a little rough around the edges, and visibly out of place amidst Mockery’s sands. His attitude sucks and his gaze lingers too much where it shouldn’t, the dopple feeling entitled to at least a look now and again. Most people don’t even bother to know his real name, slapping his occupation on him and calling it good.  

The cashier, on the other hand, everyone seemed to like. He’s seen people come in and strike up a chat with them, acting all friendly...there’s something about the way they talk that keeps his interest piqued, and he knows that can’t just be him. People like them, they always got what they wanted, just because of how they are. He’d never understand something like that, being a lowlife and all…

He picks up a few bags of chips and starts to fill up a drink cup, keeping an eye on the register. Sure enough, they’re just standing there reading a magazine, looking completely uninterested in him. That’s where the deep understanding comes in- they know their place in the world, and he knows his. His place is to be ignored and slotted precisely into the lower rungs of the societal ladder, and theirs is to be admired. 

Maybe he could change that, though.

He smiles wide as he approaches, snacks in hand. The dopple leans on the counter as the cashier starts ringing him up without much more than a nod of acknowledgment.

“So...how’s life?”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, I dunno, just making small talk.”

“It’s...fine, I guess.” The karacel’s smile is forced, but Duelist doesn’t hesitate to keep going. 

“Just fine? I mean, you look like someone who has it more than just fine, am I right?”

The cashier’s ears flatten against their hair just enough to be noticed, and Duelist feels a little rush. The tables have turned, now he’s the one on top of the social ladder. 

“All I’m saying is, you’ve got it pretty much made for yourself, huh? You’ve got a charmed life working here and getting to see all your little friends-”

“Sir, I…” They swallow and gesture to the total on the register display. “Five in cash.”

“Of course, of course.” He fishes into his pocket and pulls out the bills, dropping a few extra coins as well. “Keep the change, my treat.” 

They’re silent as they bag up his snacks, the dopple taking the bag with an overexaggerated swipe.  “You have a nice night, yeah?”

“...yeah.”

With that, Duelist leaves the cashier behind, whistling to himself- they wouldn’t be ignoring him any more, and that suits him just fine.