Of course, the young hunter used the term [i]civilisation[/i] loosely.
These slums were becoming more common as humanity took back land from the Shadows; the poor, the unfortunate and the plain dumb often ended up out here on the frontier. They served as a buffer between the rich and powerful who lived in the inner city, and the lawless wastes outside. Shadows too, but organised crime was a bigger threat by far, especially when instigated by the so-called Invokers. Everyone who made their home in the outer slums had some contact with the gang, be it collaborative or down the barrel of a gun; he himself had done both, as and when appropriate.

He had a fair amount of money saved up, so dinner shouldn't have been an issue; unfortunately your average backpack caravan trader didn't take card and a general dearth of corner shops wasn't helping matters. Still, he had gone a few days without food; temperance wouldn't do unless he fancied death by starvation. He would have to try bartering, as much as he hated it. And that meant finding a trader... Fortunately for him, Makami had already located a likely looking lass. He turned the corner to where his Persona had wandered, yet another broken streetscape, and gave the girl, or perhaps young woman, an appraising look. Fairly tough looking sort, as you would expect from these parts, and foreign, which you wouldn't... Well, it wasn't as though he could say anything. [b]'... Evening.',[/b] he said in polite, neutral tone. [b]'Are you a trader?'[/b] His aloof demeanor tended to put the locals off, but it was useful for securing a good negotiating position. Act like you are entitled and the weak-willed often bend; one of the few teachings of the Paladins that he actually agreed with.

But still... [i]Dat hair. There's just something about redheads...[/i] It took willpower, but he hid his less serious side for the moment.