Disclaimer: I never will own Trigun.
A/N: Here's the fourth chapter. So get the popcorn (or whatever snack food you like), get a chair, and just sit back and enjoy the show! It may be a little long, this was due to me not having much time to write this. I've been having problems with my computer recently, but, all those stupid problems should be gone now. *Fist pump* At long last~!
...*Coughs* Well, please read on now. And since Calvin (green-haired dude) and Eve (daughter of the hotel's owner)'s backstories will be elaborated on, any comments about how they're turning out as characters would be appreciated. I need to know if they're okay or not, because you'll be seeing them make their way into the story a lot.
[.]
A Different Kind of Love Story
Chapter 4: Oh Great, More Problems!
[.]
Meryl glanced down at her hands folded on her lap as she sat there on a small wooden bench just outside of Calvin's hotel room. She sat with Eve, whom was still shaken by the previous experience and trying not to show it outwardly. No words were exchanged and the silence was nearly unbearable. If they didn't say something or at least look at each other in the eye...well, either of the two young women would lose their minds and crack.
That experience back there was pretty sudden and unexpected. Meryl, Vash, Wolfwood, and Milly hadn't seen the whole thing; but they had all entered in the middle of it to see that cruel man dressed in silver strangling the hell out the green-haired man. With poor Eve huddled in the corner stunned and unable to do anything. None of the four could get what that man was talking about when he said things about getting his payment, whatever that meant. He sure did seem serious. Dead serious.
But thankfully, Vash was able to get rid of him temporarily. And we say temporarily, because Meryl just knew that cruel man would return. She had seen it all in his sharp eyes that would make her blood run cold at looking at them clearly. After having him leave in defeat, they still couldn't get any explanations from Eve because she was still too perplexed and scared to say anything. And nobody wanted to bring anything up right now that might upset her more.
Meryl's eyes traveled up to the ticking clock on the wall in front of them. It's constant and brief noise echoing seemingly. This didn't help her try and search for any words inside her head to try and voice that would cause Eve to open up. She started getting lost in her racing thoughts about all that she had previously witnessed. Not only did she have these problems of what her true feelings about the Humanoid Typhoon might be. But also the citizens of this city's problems. Oh God, this was just great. More unnecessary stress for her!
After the whole incident, everyone's attention had shifted over to the beaten green-haired man. He didn't look all that well, but he wasn't dead. He had managed to speak a request before passing out; not to waste their time by taking him to a local hospital. Since he was in bad shape, the group was hesitant to go along with his request. Wolfwood had finally declared that they should just listen. And so, now he is currently resting inside his hotel room with Milly and the aforementioned priest checking his injuries together. Nobody really knew where Vash had sneaked off to.
One minute the man dressed in red had been surrounding the injured green-haired man, and then he was gone. Meryl didn't try to show it, but she was curious about that. Why she was curious so suddenly, she did not want to find out.
It's bad enough that she's still thinking about all that had happened that one night at the other town and it's local bar. Then getting kinda drunk and resulting in quite the chaotic ending for their stay in that place. But anyway, Meryl wanted Vash to show back up again. So that maybe she could get a chance to corner him up and civilly explain what he meant by that letter he had slipped in her pillowcase that night before running.
"I'm curious." Meryl's eyes snapped open in surprise of hearing Eve finally speak. She composed herself though and glanced back at the other woman beside her. "What was with that man in the red coat anyway? He seemed like he meant well, but I just don't understand why he didn't try and aim for a vital spot with that gun of his. Why didn't he?"
Irritated, Meryl knitted her eyebrows together and glanced away again, shifting a leg over the other. "I probably shouldn't even waste my breath. You wouldn't understand at all if I...told you."
There was a little bit of a glaring exchange between the two. Meryl's was actually much more piercing and would make ones blood run deathly cold at sight, but Eve's was right up there with it; being very serious and meaning no foolery. Just business. But after a few moments, they gritted their teeth and looked away angrily.
Why where they so bitter towards each other? They just met a while ago, but they felt like they've been enemies for years. There was some horrible tension between them. Meryl didn't even know why she had started to feel pity for the other young woman after seeing her so shell-shocked and afraid. There was no reason to. She didn't even bother to explain Vash's reasons for the things he had done back there. It's not someone like her could handle hearing about it.
Hell, not even Meryl herself could.
Luckily, neither had to say anything. Breaking the tension just a little bit before any violence started being used, Vash wandered up the stairs and walked towards them while taking a large bite from a sandwich. He had warmly greeted them through this chewing, but Meryl and Eve were too pissed too reply. Or let alone bother to inquire him about where he got that sandwich at a time like this.
'Geez, I wonder why they seem pissed off...' Vash sighed eternally and leaned against the nearby door, he continued eating and listened into the room at the exchange between Woldwood and Milly about the green-haired man's condition. 'Ah well, I'm sure I'll find out soon. Maybe I can find out from Meryl after I corner her up and FINALLY discuss...things...with her that I've been freaking out over for a while. And, ah,' He could feel heat creep into his cheeks at a rapid speed, followed by the beat of his heart picking up and taunting him. He couldn't stand this, lately every time he's considered things inwardly in his monologue about Meryl, he'd feel so weird. 'Oh just stop it, Vash! Get a grip! You're not going to be discussing anything too personal or emotional to the girl, just...gah! WHY DOES THE ROOM FEEL LIKE IT'S AT LEAST A HUNDRED DEGREES SO SPONTANEOUSLY?'
"Meryl, why is he rapidly making movements and changing facial expressions?" Eve murmured noticeably seriously as she looked over at Vash. There was so many things she didn't understand about this mysterious drifter that's showed up. He was a total enigma to her.
Meryl, whom had been previously trying to cool her anger and frustration down pretty horribly, had taken a look at Eve and then Vash. She smiled unconsciously. She never noticed. "I honestly don't know either...ah...look, what's your name?"
Eve's tense shoulders relaxed. She blinked in confusion, as Meryl suddenly asking for her name after all that intense glaring and dead serious atmosphere. "Oh, it's Eve."
"I'll remember that."
[.]
"I'm so worried about him...he seems like such a good man and all, I'd hate for him to have to bite the dust so early..." Milly lamented as she lowered herself to the floor and looked over the sleeping green-haired man's injuries. She shook her head and then extended her hand to brush over the ugly bruises he had acquired on his throat. And then he also had a big cut on his hand that was now bandaged. She had found broken glass in it of all things.
A strong hand landed on Milly's shoulder. "Hey, he'll be fine. You've removed the glass from his cut hand, and helped him regain consciousness. You're pretty good at this, Milly." Milly had blushed lightly at this and chuckled a little as she got up off the floor and to her full height.
"I know a fair bit...I guess. I've never actually had to use any medical knowledge before though." Milly insisted with a smile, she was about to walk a little closer to Wolfwood when she heard a soft groan.
"Ugh...augh...where am I...?"
Milly and Wolfwood immediately walked over to Calvin's beside. He propped himself up on his elbows and squinted through the bright streaming sunlight to look around. He didn't look too bad, but the duo had removed his vest which showed the bad marks around his neck. And his hat was discarded, so his tousled green locks fell over his forehead and close t his eyes.
"HE'S LOST HIS MEMORY...!" Milly shrieked in horror at hearing that question. Of course, neither of the guys expected this and cried out as they clasped their hands over their ears. "MR. WOLFWOOD, WE'LL HAVE TO PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY ASAP!"
Calvin managed a gasp and extended a hand. "WAIT! I haven't lost my memory...yet. I recognize the hotel room now that I look around."
Milly sighed in relief at this, it was obvious that she was very fearful of what Calvin's condition might be. He was grateful, but her overreacting was a little rough for him. Seeing that an explanation was in order, Wolfwood lit a cigarette and prepared to tell him what all had happened back there.
The priest had explained that the mysterious fellow in silver was pissed off for some reason. When him, Milly, Meryl, and Vash entered the scene they had discovered that man strangling the life out of him and the young woman whom worked at the check-in counter being terrified and shaking in the corner. That he had slipped into unconsciousness for a short amount of time while Vash and the man had it out.
Calvin was relieved to hear that Vash managed to stop him temporarily. Though he couldn't help but wonder why his name rung a bell. For some weird reason, the unlucky drifter had the vibe he's seen and socialized with Vash somewhere before. But these thoughts were very distant, as thinking was becoming hard since his throat was sore; and the pain distracted him.
"But that horrible man might return..." Milly mumbled sadly after a short silence. She crossed her arms and glanced out the window. "He swore he would. And it's making me uneasy. Do you know why he was so cruel?"
"No idea." Calvin admitted reluctantly. He shifted uncomfortably in the bed and then sighed in frustration. "I didn't get much of an explanation. The guy just stormed in and confronted Eve. I couldn't stand to see her so terrified, especially since she was previously so strong and well-composed." He managed a quick half-smile that Milly easily recognized and had to smile back at. Though neither knew why they were smiling at this moment. "And, Milly, call me Calvin."
Milly nodded. "Understood. And this man right here is Nicholas D. Wolfwood. We're friends with Meryl Stryfe and Mr. Vash the Stampede. Do you know them at all? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before with them..."
Calvin didn't respond immediately. He lied back and stared up at the ceiling, trying to recall where he might have heard about these two people. After several seconds of silence, Milly and Wolfwood were about to take this as an automatic no, but then the man snapped a finger after seeing a flashback of sitting in a bar with them.
"Yes! The two lovebirds I had encountered at that bar back a while ago after my EX-girlfriend dumped me. How could I forget them after the scene they had made?"
Milly and Wolfwood stared at each other in bewilderment. Mostly Wolfwood, because he hadn't been told of this story and was severely surprised to the point of losing his composure. "Lovebirds...?"
Calvin chuckled, remembering everything that had happened. From the minute they entered, to the minute they had both gotten wasted and caused chaos with the bartender. "I had thought they were a couple at first glance. The raven-haired cutie had denied this immediately and said they were just there for a meaningless date. But after some rounds of really strong beer, they lost it. Meryl had went lusty on Vash and slurred a love confession that I didn't catch due to getting drunk myself. I remember seeing her pull him into a rough and steamy kiss afterward though."
Calvin had said this story so casually. A little too casually. Almost like he saw nothing at all surprising about this story and was very much okay with what had happened. Though it was obvious to Milly that he supported the two of them. Which was a huge relief, as she needed more people on her side.
Wolfwood tried his best not to show it, but he was pretty surprised by hearing this story. He blinked and gave Milly a quick glance for help, she returned it with a playful smile. "Wait...they really went out on a date? Damn, I need to stay in touch more often. Listen, Calvin, did Vash seem to react with pleasure or terror to that kiss?"
Something clicked in Milly's mind. She giggled for what might have been the first time in hours as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Gee, Mr. Wolfwood, you seem to be really concerned about all of this. I'm guessing you're just as anxious as me to see their relationship move along, correct?"
"Ah, no, I'm just curious..." Milly had caught sight of his cheeks flush a light pink color as he made this 'tch' sound and looked away. She knew fully well that he also wanted to see Vash and Meryl finally get together. As much as he didn't want to show it at the moment, he really did care.
"Vash was STUNNED to say the least." A low chuckle rose from his throat. It was the best he could do at the moment to show his amusement. "I swear, his face was so red I thought steam would be erupting at any time! Ah, but he finally got into it and he kissed her back. I keep getting this feeling though that he wasn't quite as drunk as he was leading us to believe, because he seemed to be sober enough to react that way." Milly, at this point, giggled in amusement. Even Wolfwood couldn't help but be too, but he merely smirked a little.
"What happened afterward though?" Wolfwood prompted him. Hey, admittedly, he wanted to know where this tale was going. He hadn't heard from Vash in a while, he was too curious now.
"The raven-haired cutie revealed to me and the bartender that he was THE Vash the Stampede. It turns out that the bartender wanted to collect the bounty off him and attempted to shoot him in the head. After having been around him for a while, I felt like Vash wasn't all that bad a person. I sneaked away and returned to help by knocking that guy out cold." Calvin nodded and then sat up. " But I'm not all that much a fighter. All I could do was hit him with a keg of beer. Vash and the cutie managed to get away, and the rest is history."
Wolfwood took in this story and whistled. "What a chaotic experience. So that's what's going on. I guess it explains the sudden tension between those two and how exactly they know you."
"I just wish there was something we could do to-" Milly was cut off midway in her sentence by the hotel's door creaking open, revealing a little bit of Vash's face.
"Is he awake now...?" Vash asked curiously, Milly and Wolfwood had tensed up when they realized that he might have overheard what they were discussing. Like always. But they managed to compose themselves and nod. Vash had sighed with relief and opened the door wider and stepped inside with Eve and Meryl. "That's great! I was real worried!"
"Oh, it's you." Calvin threw back the covers and shifted around to sit on the edge of the bed. He was warned by Meryl not to many any movements after what happened, but he ignored them and brushed his fingers through his green locks that he hated so much. "Long time no see, Vash. I knew we'd encounter again. That's the way fate works out."
"I'm glad to see you again as well. But, for now, you shouldn't get up yet. That man back there could've shot you in a vital spot, and he would have with that short temper of his..." Vash shook his head to try and clear these thoughts of what might have happened if him and his friends haven't discovered the man terrorizing Calvin and Eve. He took a step forward and forced a smile. "Knowing you though, you're probably going to survive."
Eve looked at Vash in shock, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, Calvin nearly got strangled to death. He may be looking okay now, but he could have gotten killed! Why the hell are you so calm and nonchalant about this, idiot?" Everyone in the room was taken aback by her snapping. Easily, Meryl had reacted the most to those words. Anger rushed to her and she could feel her blood boil.
"Eve, you better just shut the hell up! I can't take listening to you!" Meryl suddenly hissed angrily, rushing forward and getting a good grasp on the other slightly-taller woman's arm.
'Meryl...' Vash didn't know whether to intervene or not. He just stood there and watched anger flare in Meryl's eyes as she stared holes into Eve. He was confused, was she really...? 'There's a possibility she's defending me. But, why? Why would she be doing this now?'
Realizing that she had reacted so dramatically, Meryl's anger faded and her eyes widened as she slowly and carefully released Eve's arm. She didn't know why she was suddenly so quick to anger when this unusual woman put down Vash. As much as it would seem it was because of her developing feelings for him, she refused to accept that.
So she tried to convince herself that it was because Eve was so strange and seemed to be nearly bipolar. Of course, this wasn't just the case. There was more to the insurance girl just being in a state of confusion over it.
"Meryl, you seem really on edge now." Commented Milly as she walked over to Meryl and put an affectionate hand on her shoulder. She didn't even dare smile this time. And that was just shocking as hell. "Maybe you should go and lie down in our hotel room-"
Meryl waved her hands back and forth. "No, no I'm fine! I just need some time to calm down after all of this chaos!" Of course, she had a feeling that nobody believed her. And Meryl was about to walk towards the door to leave but didn't dare press her luck when she caught sight of Wolfwood slyly shift over to it. It was like he wanted her to stay.
But why would he? Unless, of course, he wanted her to stay so that they could all discuss civilly what was going on between Eve and that short-tempered man dressed in silver. Along with Calvin's story and why he was here. Ugh, here we go with more problems. But at least this made for an interesting trip, she assumed.
[.]
It seemed like time had passed by slowly for the next several minutes. Surprisingly, lot's of things were stated and explained during that time. Since the group understood and acknowledged the fact that they didn't have anything important in particular to do; they stood around in Calvin's hotel room and talked. But it was not fair weather and generic type conversations. They were serious, grim at least.
To start off, Meryl and Milly decided to explain into more detail to Calvin and Eve about their work and why they were here. That they worked for the insurance society and were instructed to keep an eye on Vash the Stampede and try and prevent him from causing too much damage to the cities and towns of Gunsmoke. They went into a little bit of detail about themselves and about personal likes and dislikes and all as well. But Meryl was determined to not mention why they were in Ember Walls.
Because it wasn't just for their job. Maybe it was for Milly, but Meryl had only came here for Vash alone. Not as a worker out on an assignment that she did not have a say in, but 'cause she wanted to. She probably didn't have to follow him here. But she did. The way she interpreted it: is that she just wanted to settle any tension that there may or may not be between them. Which, if you think about it, is basically the whole reason for this odd love story.
After they were finished, Wolfwood put in a little about himself and his work. Though he didn't go into a lot of detail because he saw no reason at the moment to do so.
Vash didn't really say much at all. Mostly keeping it vague by saying he was a drifter and wandered into the city to check things out and unwind a little. This story wasn't really true, he knew that, but it was the only thing that came to mind and Eve seemed to believe it. He didn't really say anything about being the infamous wanted man at all, he didn't want to stir up much trouble. Plus, doing so would blow his chances at getting to stay here at this hotel.
And since these travelers were done with their explanations, Calvin decided to say some words about himself. He gave everyone his name and stated that he could remember the events of what had happened at that bar a while back, even though some parts were fuzzy due to him having been drunk at the time. He shared with them that he was just an aimless drifter. His family had fell dead when he was young due to a bad disease that ran in their blood. So he had to support himself and decided to go wherever the wind took him, or where he felt that he should. All his friends that he had made during his travels had gotten killed previously and his long-time girlfriend that he would keep up with long-distance had dumped him for an older dude. The reason he was at that bar was because of that, he hoped to try and drink away his problems. He failed at it, but he claimed that he didn't regret making the decision to do so. Because he encountered Vash and Meryl. He felt like this meeting was not a mere coincidence; he didn't believe in coincidences. Everything must have a reason, right?
Calvin didn't say this out loud, he actually was very glad to have encountered the two again. He considered himself to be something of a matchmaker at times because once he started getting the unexplainable vibes that two people were meant to be together, he was eager to make that a reality. Since socializing with them, and now being around them once again, he keeps getting these same vibes like crazy. Whether they know it or not, he wants to get them together.
"So, Eve, now that we're done talking...I think maybe you should explain what we all want to know." Milly started as soon as Calvin finished. She turned to Eve with a surprisingly serious look in her eyes. "What's your connection with that man dressed in silver? I noticed that you were terrified when he made eye contact with you, of course I was too, so why is that?"
"You can tell us what's going on." Vash prompted, seemingly materializing beside Eve and giving her this warm smile that could possibly make even a stoic person crack underneath it and return it.
This whole thing was very sucky for Eve. She didn't want to give away this information to some strangers, that she barely knew. She was silent for a while and paced the floor with her eyes locked on it as if burning holes into it. She was never good with trusting others' and getting built-up stress off her shoulders. There wasn't many that she told all of this to, not even her own father.
But, seeing that these travelers were genuinely concerned and wanted to help her, Eve decided to talk. A little bit reluctant, but it still was a huge step for her.
"Alright...but don't let anyone else know what I'm about to tell you, especially not the lone sheriff we have in this city." Eve hissed in a low tone as if she were really nervous and trying not to be heard. When they nodded, she sucked in a deep breath and started talking. "That horrible man who stormed into the hotel was an infamous criminal that's always passing through here to stir up trouble. I wish he'd leave, but he's been staying out here from any officials and bounty hunters for about two weeks! Nothing is really known much about him, except that his name's Spiked Silver, he carries with him a very unusual gun that is highly loaded and can fire several barrages of bullets a minute, has a short temper, and can be sadistic. The reason he was barking at me about receiving his 'payment' is because my father, who owns this place, owes him around $$99,000." Eve narrowed her eyes angrily and rested her twitching fist on the wall. "He's such a bastard! He comes around here like a maniac and threatens and yells at me to give it to him 'or else', but we don't make much profit in this business because of the poor economy here in this city! And even though this around the time when the sandsteamers start coming in with resources and travelers/sightseers, this hotel doesn't offer much for them and they're flocking to the best hotel here! Barely ever this one..."
Milly's frown grew and she crossed her arms, shifting her weight on each foot. She wanted to just go over there to Eve and embrace her from the side and tell her that she didn't have to be so depressed over it. But she resisted this and asked, "But why does your father owe him so much? Did anything happen between them in the past, Eve?"
Eve seemed restless as she paced the floor once again. And even when Milly tried to reason with her, she still wouldn't calm down. It appeared that she really didn't want to talk about this. Though, she finally replied, "My father raised me alone because my mother had died during childbirth. He used to have a little bit of money before I ever came to be. But he had to pay every bit of it just to get her into a good hospital for the delivery. And we've been living on hard times since then together. It's nearly impossible to get a decent amount of double dollars to buy even a fork with. This city has always struggled. Spiked Silver used to stroll through here when I was a young child and cause trouble. Once my father had decided to build this hotel up from ruble after the battle and take responsibility as it's owner, the cruel bastard had stopped in for a few days." Eve released a breath, very tensely. "Father had accidentally destroyed his 'trademark' gun after a little incident with some pesky robbers. I don't feel like going into detail about that, it's a long story, but Spiked Silver had found the damned gun beaten and completely unusable. He had barked at him that it was made from a very rare kind of material and was a one-of-a-kind design. He was so mad that he declared he would have to pay him $$99,000 as that was the amount he had to pay in order to get his hands on that thing in the first place."
Everyone remained silent as Eve paced the floor and eventually sat in a lone chair and buried her head in her hands, trying her hardest not to just break down and cry. She hated doing that, so much.
After a lot of prompting from Vash, Calvin, and Meryl, Eve managed to be able to continue with her story that they really needed to know. She added that it's been years since then and her father still couldn't pay him back no matter how much little cash he could scrounge up. For a brief time, he hadn't been wandering through the city to threaten for his payment. It had given the two a spark of hope that he had forgotten about it.
That is. Until he once again stormed in after about a year of not showing his face. He still held so much rage about the incident. Eve explained that she was twelve at the time and puberty was really hitting her at the time. Keeping this in mind, Spiked Silver had tried to strike a deal with her father; if he gave Eve over to him for 'reasons', he would try and get over this and leave him alone. The bastard saw her as a sex object and nothing more now that she was technically mature enough for sexual activity. And he wouldn't have to worry about being known as a pedophile on top of being a wanted criminal.
"That's horrible..." Wolfwood commented quietly, he sighed. Fearing of where this story may lead to. "Did your father accept that deal?"
All eyes in the room fell on Eve. She grimaced and leaned back in the chair a little as a distant look clouded her own eyes. "...No. He didn't accept the deal. I was so relieved beyond anyone's understanding. And it made me happy to know that he cared about me like that. But it burns me up now, because I had found out after a couple of years that he thought I was just weak and couldn't live independently or stand up for myself. But, anyway, Spiked Silver appeared enraged at that. He didn't say anything and stopped out of our house. I hoped that he would never come back, but, he broke into my room later that night at around midnight when I was trying to sleep and he..."
Vash, Meryl, Milly, and Calvin all stared with widened eyes, now really fearing where this was going. "What did he do? WHAT?" they all asked together.
Eve knitted her brows together and a low growl escaped her throat that she had been trying to hold back. "He had attempted to rape me. I don't know the reason why that was, he just cornered me up and almost removed all my clothes except my underwear; I had screamed for help and my father had heard it and burst in the room to help me. Even though I narrowly escaped being forced into it, I was still very scared from that experience and vowed that I would be very careful about who I trusted and stay distant from other people. So far, it's been good. But back to the point," Now, everyone was really feeling a lot of sympathy for her. Surprisingly, even Meryl. Whom could understand why she was like this, but felt that she still couldn't completely understand everything. "Just before he left the way he came, he declared that he hoped this experience would make him realize he needs to pay him back or else I would be in his possession."
Meryl snapped a finger in realization. "So that's why he was barking at you about a payment. And even to this day, he still wants it. If either you or your father never give him this amount of double dollars then...he's going to take you away with him."
"I can't believe you're in this kind of situation!" Calvin chimed in, getting out of the bed. Milly had rushed to his side and warned him that he shouldn't try and get up, but he refused and insisted he'd be okay. He walked over to Eve and pulled her chin upwards to look at him in his hazel eyes. "Listen, Eve, you don't have to worry about anything. I'll do everything I can to stop that guy."
He had thought that Eve would be calmed by his words. But instead, Eve looked very doubtful and on edge, like she didn't believe any of it.
"You're only saying that crap because you feel pity for me." Eve bitterly replied, now burning holes into his eyes. He appeared to be caught off guard, and couldn't find the right words to say.
Seeing Calvin's terror and panic, and Eve's rage and doubt, Vash jumped in and separated them. "Eve, Calvin's not feeling only pity for you. I can sense that he wants to help you but he knows that he can't stop Spiked Silver with his own hands." Calvin had looked at Vash with a surprised look in his eyes, but that wore off quickly and he flashed him his typical, lazy, half-smile. He was glad to know that he was on his side here. "And after hearing about what Hell you're going through...I can't ignore this situation! I want to help! Spiked Silver WILL be defeated and run back to wherever he came from! And I'm sure that my friends here also are on our side..." Vash wiped away the anime tears running down his eyes and threw a glance at Mery, Wolfwood, and Milly whom were standing beside one another. The three all thought for a moment, considering their answers to this. But they eventually all nodded mutely.
"I don't really have any business in this city, but I could help out at least." Wolfwood responded, a brief little smile flashing over his face before disappearing in an instant.
"Of course, I'll help you too!" Milly responded as she sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She pulled out her large gun and held it high, looking very threatening. "I probably won't be able to do much, but I'll shoot some bullets through that horrible man's head if I have to!"
Meryl, on the other hand, didn't really respond as fast. She was inwardly debating what she should do. Since she had came here to this city not just for trailing Vash, but also to settle things between them and find out how she truly felt, and helping Eve on the side would really take up a lot of her limited time here. Besides, she still felt a little bit of a natural dislike to that young woman despite finding out her story.
But when Meryl had looked up to give her response, and caught sight of the very sympathetic look fogging in Vash's light green orbs. Well, she had broken down. "...Okay. Um, you're in a very tight spot. I can't say that I'm doing this of my will; but I'm going to help out too. If I have to, I'll resort to a little shooting!" A serious glint flashed in her dark eyes. It nearly surprised Vash when he had been the only one to catch it. This caused him to inwardly smile.
Eve, meanwhile, could only stare with widened eyes as she surveyed everyone in the room. She was stunned as hell that they were actually going to help her out. Even after how rude and stuck-up she had acted to them previously. She had to struggle to hold back the tears from spilling over in her eyes.
Thus began a chain of interesting events to occur for the group, Vash and Meryl specifically. The kind of events that would put them to the test of things like teamwork, trust, friendship, but mostly their true feelings for each other. It was strange how through other people's own problems, this managed to happen...
[.]
A little bit of time passed by. It must have been late in the afternoon by the time the group all set out of the hotel to look around the city for any trace of that outlaw, Spiked Silver. Eve stayed behind, and Calvin had offered to stay and comfort her; but she coldly refused his offer as if he had just done something unforgivable to her.
Arrangements had also been met for everyone. Meryl and Milly were able to get their own room that was on the floor above the one they had encountered Vash in. And since the Hummanoid Typhoon didn't have quite enough cash to get his own room, Meryl was surprisingly quick to suggest that he could always be roommates with Wolfwood; as there were two beds and enough room in there. He was grateful for her help, and mentioned it out loud which caused her to blush and mumble an incoherent reply. Even though the traveling priest wasn't so thrilled about the thought of having a roommate, especially one like Vash, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
At least, they now had the proper shelter and could move on to the several problems haunting them all. Not only was there Eve's terrible situation with a criminal, but there was also the open and unresolved fate of Vash and Meryl's feelings for each other; with Calvin and Milly wanting to be sly little matchmakers pulling some strings and moving things along.
"Ooooh, I can't believe this is all happening! I'm worried about Eve. But I also am worried about Meryl and Mr. Vash, they both need to realize they're crazy for each other already," Milly brushed back her long brunette locks and squinted as she gazed up absently at the two suns high in the sky. She released a small sigh in exasperation. "If only there was something I could do for both predicaments at once? I may as well since I've seemed to have gotten lost from Mr. Wolfwood's side..."
Just as Milly suspected, a little slowly, Wolfwood was no longer at her side with her. And she seemed to be in a different part of this city, having accidentally and unwittingly wondered away from her man. Great. Now how would she be able to get back to him now? He was probably looking high and low for her at the current moment.
But it wasn't entirely her fault she had gotten separated from him. It was her mind: all the worries and thoughts about all this drama racing throughout it at dangerous speeds. Milly usually didn't like to meddle, but she felt like she was doing the right thing by getting involved in these problems because both needed much attention, support, and a crafty mind to put solutions into place. It was up to her now. That's all there is to it in a nutshell.
However. No good strategies came to Milly's mind. It really brought her down and she sulked as she wandered the hot, dirt streets of Ember Walls. After she had walked a little farther and rounded a corner, she found herself back at a familiar spot she recognized.
That exact bulletin board that she and Meryl had strolled by earlier! Yes! This meant that she was close to the hotel. She walked up to it curiously and peered over at the papers, fresh from the typewriter she guessed, pinned to the wooden stand. A small little cat with black fur sat atop it and looked at the woman with it's tired green eyes. It really wanted to be somewhere else at the moment, but it was liking basking in this sunny spot and warming it's jet-black fur.
"Meow~!"
Milly blinked and turned her head towards the cat's direction. A smile graced her lips as she extended a hand and brushed over it's head between it's ears. "Hello there." She was about to grab the feline and continue to brush through it's shiny fur a little longer as it seemed to be enjoying this, but then a familiar paper on the board caught her limited attention; she ignored the cat and instead grabbed the message.
ATTENTION EVERYONE.
IN THREE WEEKS, WILL BE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY'S FOUNDATION. I'VE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR FOR CELEBRATION; WE'RE GOING TO PLAN OUT A LARGE BASH. THERE WILL BE DECORATION, ENTERTAINMENT, AND A LOT OF INTERESTING SURPRISES. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HELP PLAN THINGS OUT, JUST DROP BY MY HOME AND WE'LL GET STARTED. I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EVENTS, PERSONALLY.
...OH, AND THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL DANCE HELD FOR ALL YOU LOVERS OUT THERE. HEH, JUST A LITTLE SOMETHING TO PROVIDE SOME FUN AROUND THIS DULL CITY.
DROP IN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, ESPECIALLY ALL YOU TRAVELERS AND VISITORS.
-EMBER WALLS' FOUNDER (SORRY, I DON'T LIKE EXCHANGING NAMES)
"It's that same message about that bash the name-less founder of this city is planning...the one I had seen earlier." Noted Milly, her tone sounding rather distant as she spoke. She placed the paper back onto the board and stood there in silence as the gears in her mind started moving. Finally, she gasped a little and a mischievous smile like that of a cat creep itself onto her lips.
It even shocked the cat. And it meowed irritatedly and then leapt off the bulletin board to wander off elsewhere. Milly didn't even see this, as she was too busy being caught up in the middle of a nice and sneaky idea forming in her head.
"That's it!" Milly announced out loud with much emphasis pressured on it. Her mischievous, kitty smile only grew as she clasped her hands together excitedly and giggled. "I have an idea about how I can move along Meryl and Mr. Vash's relationship! But I will need some help to pull this off, maybe I can go find out Mr. Wolfwood and Calvin to lend a hand..."
And so, off Milly went to search for Wolfwood and Calvin. She entirely forgot about Eve's situation and the fact that she was originally supposed to be on Spiked Silver's trail. But she didn't care at the moment because she was oh so eager to put her idea into action. The idea had something to do with that bash celebrating Ember Walls' foundation of course.
There was a good chance that her plan would succeed. Yet, as she neared the nice hotel of the city after narrowly getting through crowds of travelers from the sandsteamers, she realized that there also was a chance that her spontaneous plan would fail. But hey, she liked these odds now that she gave it some thought. If it was to finally make Vash and Meryl come to understand their deep feelings for each other that they've been nicely hiding...then it was worth the risk!
Continued
[.]
Apologies for the late update and the rushed feel, 2011 has been such a busy and stressful year for poor me so far. -_- But anyway, I hope the chapter was fine anyway. I hope that Calvin and Eve's stories were explained well enough. I'm over here hoping. *Crosses fingers to make my point*
There's more to come with the story. I think I'll be a good sport and give you a little bit of a preview of what the events of the next two chapters will include:
Next chapter: Milly crashes into Wolfwood literally...and reveals to him her idea of how she could move things along and get their friends together at long last. Back at the hotel, Calvin returns for an early dinner and manages to encounter Eve and talk with her. He reveals to her a little bit more about his own past, and she can't help but be interested further.
Following chapter: Spiked Silver causes a little chaos at a bar and learns a rumor that Vash The Stampede is in the city, he becomes set on finding the outlaw then (not realizing that he was his previous crazy opponent). Vash and Meryl encounter after returning back to the hotel and decide to talk...but why are they feeling so strange around each other? Is it some kind of illness, or something? And a certain somebody presses a little too hard for information and hits a nerve, causing a little bit of an upset.
I still need to finish writing some other chapters and do more updates. It's possible that there might be a little bit of wait for the next chapter; but I promise not to leave anyone hanging for too long!
Read and review, my motivation needs to be sparked once again! =^_^=