I jumped when I heard static, it seemed to blast from every corner of the street after I started towards the Saloon door. Glanced around I found that nobody was reacting to it, not even Vash. The said man was being dragged ahead of me and into the Saloon. I gulped. I knew what static meant, but I could have sworn it only happened with technology.

I looked at the door where Vash and the drunkard had gone and shrugged. I wouldn't be needed there. I trotted away from the building and began looking for the source of the sound. I followed where the sound seemed to get louder and louder until I reached an empty alleyway. There the noise vanished, leaving it silent as death. I gulped again. It felt like someone was looming over me, standing so close that my neck hairs stood up on end. I whipped around and snarled quickly. "Motherfuckergotaproblem?"

There was nobody there. The feeling of being watched began to slip and I called out.

"Hello?"

No answer.

I then realized the static noise had faded away. Shrugging my shoulders again I retraced my steps for a few more minutes and found the Saloon. Deciding to be casual I opened the door and walked in. My eyes landed on the back of Vash's head. 'Good, but how much did I miss?'

"By the way, I wasn't really intending on buying you drinks but since I am, could you listen to my request?" Ah, so THAT'S where we are. Good. I padded over and pulled out a chair, luckily not disturbing the conversation much. Vash just sent me a look that asked me 'Why did you make me do this?' I raised an eyebrow and smirked. 'I didn't buy him the drinks, I just suggested that we do because something good may come out of it.' He huffed and then rejoined the conversation.

"Wha do ya want?"

"Frank Marlin. Do you know him?"

"Uuhh, never heard of him." In my mind, all I could think was

'Oh really?'

Vash leaned back and turned to the bartender. "Hey Grandma- I mean, Miss, he is famous isn't he?" The woman turned around and continued her duties. "Yeah, he's famous all right. He's the hero of this here town." I glanced to the gun in the casing on the wall.

"A long time ago this town was attacked by vicious bandits. So Marlin, the gunsmith went around town handing out guns he made himself. Teachin folks how to use em against the bandits."

Vash seemed to be in awe at the tale.

"So now you know the story. So what's your business with Frank Marlin?" "Well, I just wanted him to fix my old heap, that's all."

The bartender looked down. "You're wasting your time. He'd just pawn it for booze and then you'd have to buy yourself a new gu-" We both jumped at the crash the glass made and Vash looked shocked.

Marlin chuckled humorlessly and reached for Vash's empty glass while the blonde stared at him with an expression of disapproval.

"Are you sure you want to give your gun to a complete stranger mister? You only have yourself to blame if you get shot in the back." The man poured himself another glass. "You'd have to be a damned idiot." He raised the glass to his lips and chugged it down. After that he placed it back on the table. "That's right, nothing but a hopeless old fool."

Vash picked up the bottle and poured the man another drink with an unreadable (to Marlin, not me) expression. He looked so... sad, yet he still smiled. I thought about how old he really was, and how tough a journey he's had. His belief that people were good.

I smiled and raised my hand. "Ne-ne, pretty lady!" The bartender glanced over her shoulder. "What?" I lowered my hands and switched to cute mode.

"Can I have a glass of orange juice?"


Sorry about the short chapter, but I decided it would be best to continue tomorrow. Goodnight!