Hephaestus

Part XI - Striking A Deal

As Layton's words settle in, he could see the man's anger building inside of him. But Layton couldn't resist driving his point home.

"And if you care to check that tally sheet you're so fond of one more time, due to our last bargain," he added with a self satisfied smile, "I don't owe you anything."

"Have played trick on Hephaestus!" The man all but roared at Layton as he pulled himself out of the hammock. "This will not go well for you." He quickly turned to Melanie, pointing a finger at her. "Think you have tricked Hephaestus? Think you have won this game? Think can shirk obligation just so?"

"No one is trying to trick you, Hes." Layton stated before the man could think of any more accusations to hurl at the train's former leader. Keeping Melanie behind him, he stared at the man all but fuming in front of him. "In fact, we're going to do you a favor."

The man huffed loudly at Layton. "Have played this game many times. One does not do favors. Especially not to Hephaestus."

"But Melanie accepts that she owes you a debt." Layton went on. "And she doesn't in any way want to cheat you." He turned slightly to his roommate standing just behind him. "Do you?"

Melanie managed a smile for the man, keeping as careful a watch on his movements as Layton was. In the room where they were standing there was a wide assortment of tools, all within easy reach.

"I don't want to cheat you, Hes." Was all she answered. This was Layton's game. Her only part in it seemed to be to play along.

None of the anger left the man's features as he turned his eyes from her to the man in front of her once more.

"How to cover debt then? Give something of lesser value?"

Layton shook his head. "The rules state that you are allowed to ask for anything you want."

Hes huffed at him again as he crossed his arms firmly over his chest. "Can asked. But is useless."

"Only because you're asking the wrong person, Hes." Layton replied, fighting to keep the smile from his lips now.

Hes seemed to calm down a little as he thought over Layton's words. Suddenly he gave a small laugh to the statement. "Can ask you, if feel like wasting breath. As already have pointed out, you owe me nothing. Pretty little engineer took your debt on along with all others."

"Exactly." Layton replied, trying his best to look serious. "So the solution to this problem is fairly simple to solve."

"What do you mean?"

Layton smiled pleasantly back at the man now. "Cancel Melanie's debt."

Hes have a genuine laugh at the suggestion this time. "You think Hes has suddenly gone senile?"

But Layton shook his head at the man. "Cancel her debt...," He repeated, "...and I'll take it over."

Melanie quickly turned to him. "Layton..."

But Hes was already giving his own assessment of Layton's offer. "You still play games." He stated. "Have already shown your honor is not worth much."

"No games, Hes." Layton promised. "Cancel her debt to you and I'll pick it up. But," he added quickly, "this is a limited time offer. So make up your mind soon."

Layton carefully watched the emotions play over the man's scarred face. He knew Hes smelled a trap. What he was betting on was his prize being so close, it was blinding him to the danger. So Layton stoked the fire a bit more.

"You say you want control of the train, Hes." Layton reiterated to him, waving his prize in front of him like a carrot. "Cancel Melanie's debt to you, in full, and I'll take it up. Then the debt will be just between you and me."

Hes frowned at him. "Again, have shown what word be worth. Is not much."

"Then I guess that's a gamble you'll have to take, depending on how much you want control of this train."

Hes continued to simply study the two as they equally regarded him.

But finally Layton figured it was time to play his last card.

Layton gave the man a quick nod as he took Melanie's arm. "Fine then." He stated as he began to direct her out of the room.

They almost made it to the door when the voice behind them called out.

"Wait!"

Layton stopped with a smile on his lips. One he quickly replaced with a neutral expression as they turned back to face Hephaestus.

"Well?"

The man was all but openly fidgeting as he still considered his options. He still smell a trap, but Layton wasn't giving him time to think it through.

"Will take over debt." Hes stated, though it was more of a question than a statement.

Layton nodded. "And Melanie is the witness to the understanding between us. You cancel her debt. I'll pick it up. Then I am the one who owes you that debt. And I am the one who has what you want."

Hes thought for a moment again. "Will not give it." He stated in a solid tone. "Will cheat Hephaestus again."

Layton shrugged at the man's suspicions. "You'll just have to gamble on that one, too, Hes. Because if you choose not to, Ms. Cavill is still the only one on this whole train who owes you anything, and you'll just have to think up something else to asked for that she can actually give you...of equal value."

Layton swore he could practically see the flames of the fire creating the smoke as the man pondered his options. Like Melanie, Hes tended to run every known scenario when trying to decide a matter of great importance to himself. The trick, like with anyone else, was to keep him off balance so he never got to all of them. Taking Melanie's arm again, Layton once more turned to the door.

Again the voice cried out behind them, a little less certain of itself than before. "Stop!"

Layton turned back to him, giving him nothing more than a questioning stare.

Hes looked like a man truly backed into a corner. "Done!" He eventually stated with finality. "Debt is cancelled."

Layton couldn't stop the small smile from coming to his lips. But he didn't keep Hes waiting. "And I pick up her debt." He answered. "I now assume the debt for every person on this train to you."

Hes stared at him for a moment. "To settle debt, Hes wants control of train."

Layton didn't even try to hide his smile now. "Done. You now control Snowpiercer, Hes." He added, echoing back the words someone else had spoken to him so long ago. "Enjoy your victory while you can."