"Depends on the time. I'd prefer late afternoon or evening. I will come with tinkertech, sorry. Not negotiable, that. I'll do 'no weapons' though."

"That can be arranged. How's eight PM for you?"

"Eight PM tomorrow. Got it. Where should I go?"

"The headquarters, unless this is inconvenient for you?"

"That will be fine. Thanks for arranging it."

She's there at the appointed time, coming out of an alley and approaching on foot. Or rather, on tinkertech foot. She has those long-legs contraptions looking somewhat improved but still weird, a reasonably fancy mask, and that's about it.

...She almost feels naked. But no weapons means no weapons, and that big machine from yesterday isn't easily separated from its offensive devices.

Except on the way there she hears a familiar voice. "You didn't even hear me out."

Ugh. "You want to buy tinkertech? Convince me, you have until I get where I'm going."

"I want to give you an opportunity."

"I'm listening. Actually listening this time."

"—what, really? Huh. Cool, then. Right, so, y'ever heard of the Toybox?"

"Yeah, and I consider it rather high on the 'sketchy' scale."

"Good! So do I. I have a different proposal."

"Stop beating around the bush, what is it you're proposing, exactly?"

"Not a contract, nothing that forces you. I just give you parts, in exchange for something you make with some of those parts, and you can keep the rest. And you can just say no to any deal."

"That's... Potentially doable. I'll want to use dead drops, no telling you where my place is. And I'll be much more willing to make defensive and mobility stuff than weapons. But I'm still working some stuff out. I'll give you a radio and call it when I decide?"

"Sounds good!"

She tosses over a walkie talkie that's had a tinker go at it. "Leave it on channel three, phase A from eight to ten or so every night. You'll need to recharge it."

"Great! Pleasure doin' business with you!"

"Not business yet, mind you. This is just the op'ning negotiations or something."

"Pleasure opening negotiations with you!" he says with a smile.

"Likewise I'm sure. But bye for now, I have a previous engagement."

"See you!"

Off he goes, whistling a merry tune.

She sighs heavily once he's around a corner.

That didn't turn into a fight, at least. And she really might take the offer. She'd have to be kind of desperate though.

Onward to her Protectorate appointment.

Oh? But what about this shirtless hairy dude with a metal wolf mask standing in her way?

Why does she run into nobody for days, and then multiple capes in one day?

"I'm not interested in trouble, whoever you are. No weapons, if you can tell."