[ vash knows he's lying. he's experienced a century and a half of humans telling him half-truths or outright deceptions. they all had their reasons; some had ulterior motives, some didn't trust him, but more often than not they were just... scared.

fortunately for them, vash was/is especially adept at accepting the bait as if he were none the wiser. even if it's speared on a fishhook, he'll bite down on it with a smile.

but when it comes to steve, vash knows he's not obfuscating the truth to hurt him. plus, the fact that he feels uncomfortable divesting it tells him just as much as if he had instead chosen to be honest. vash's answering smile is shiny. ]

I've never had the opportunity to try before, so I guess I'll have to get back to you on that.

[ he notices someone waving at him in his peripheral and turns his head to look-- it's one of the little girls he'd helped braid a ribbon into her brunette hair. the pastel blue of it matches her frilled socks. he returns the wave enthusiastically and watches her skip back into the thick of festivities. ]

So this week must be pretty exciting, huh?