Old electric lamps were hanging from the ceiling of the large canvas tent, softly lighting the faces of the people enjoying the small haven they created against the late dusk. Desert nights were notorious for being as cold as the days were hot, but for most in town, that wouldn't be a problem tonight. Tossing a couple coins on the makeshift bar in the center of the tent, Vash picked up his giant beer mug with a thank you and turned to watch the crowd. For the hundreds of people lounging in and around the beer tent in tight, gossiping circles, large rowdy groups, intimate pairs sequestered in off-to-the-side tables, and occasional social butterflies flitting from one area to the next, the chill was barely acknowledged. With beer and liquor for anyone with coin, the people celebrating the festival's end were anything but cold.
Slowly, Vash's attention drifted to the large table near the tent's edge. His insurance girls were sitting with Jen and some of her family. At the moment, John was telling a story about a mishap during his latest circuit with the market caravan using sweeping, animated gestures. As their story teller fell back into his seat with a last dramatic wave of his hand, Millie fell in on herself, letting out loud peals of laughter that cut across the noise of the crowd. Beside her, Meryl hid a smile behind her hand, trying hard not to laugh.
"You know you can never have that." Knives' voice was cold as it slipped easily into Vash's mind.
Frowning, Vash took a drink of his beer, tearing his eyes away from the happy people laughing at the table. "What can't I have?"
The perverse enjoyment Knives was finding in harassing Vash became tinged with annoyance. "You know perfectly well what I mean. You spend all of your time stumbling around with your air of good natured idiocy just so these humans will accept you. But now look at you; you're standing alone at the bar, watching your greatest desire from a distance."
Vash sighed. "I really only got up for another drink."
"Then why do you hesitate to go back?"
Vash paused, unsure how to respond. Knives was right, he had hesitated at the bar, reluctant to go back. In all of his time traveling, Vash had been to dozens of festivals similar to this one. Aside from a few special occasions, as there are always exceptions to the rule, Vash thoroughly enjoyed his time spent celebrating with people. This was especially true once he was a few drinks in. So what was it that made this one different?
Everyone was enjoying themselves, as far as he could tell. Meryl was actually drinking for a change. He'd also finally been given the chance to meet the parents and families of all the kids that regularly came to visit him. Vash and Millie even had the chance to play with little Kadence before Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer came and swept all of their grandchildren off to bed. The bubbly little girl had been wearing a bright pink bow to match her older cousins, and did so with pride.
But something had also been bothering him the same way a crooked picture frame on a wall might bother the eye. So far that night, John had paid extra attention to Meryl, making her smile with outrageous stories and making certain her cup was never empty. What really bothered Vash was that any of this bothered him at all. It was just like earlier that afternoon when he had slammed his mug on the table during lunch, causing a ridiculous and unintended scene.
What was wrong with him? What did it matter if John was interested in Meryl? He seemed to be a good man. In fact, it would be good for Meryl to hit it off with someone. He knew Meryl considered him something like a friend; how else could he explain all of the help she had recently given him? And Vash cared enough that he looked out for her and wished her nothing but the best. So why was it he couldn't be happy for her now?
Vash felt Knives' happy sigh and mocking amusement coming at him in waves. "Oh poor, poor Vash. You don't understand, do you? You can't have her anymore than you can have the human life you so erroneously wish for, and that is what's troubling you. You're a plant, a superior being. The sooner you accept this, the easier life will be for you."
Vash ignored Knives' comment on superiority; it was an old and tired argument they could run in circles with for hours when they chose to. The trick was to remain focused. "What are you talking about? Who is 'Her'? Do you mean Rem?"
Again Knives radiated annoyance. "Now you're being deliberately stupid. It's no wonder the dark-haired one is always frustrated with you. And yet I've seen the lengths to which that human woman goes to for you, and it is alarmingly pathetic." Knives paused, and Vash could feel the smug enjoyment returning to his brother. "I've also seen how far you'll go for her."
Legato.
Vash tipped his head back and drained what remained of his drink. That was not what he wanted to think about right now. Tonight was for celebrations, not guilt and self abuse.
"I see I've hit a nerve" Knives cooed. "How transparent you really are, brother. Your motives have always been so simple. And yet, I know you're better than this; we are superior to these wretched humans in every way. If we erase these pests from our planet, we erase the pain.
"If you help me, I may even consider rethinking our relationship. I may forgive all of the pain you have caused me over the years. We could bury the hatchet, as it were."
Vash held back a growl as he glared daggers into his mug. "You know where I stand on this, Knives. You also know that it's wrong to even think it."
Knives laughed. It was deep, and rich, and filled every corner of Vash's mind with ice. "Oh you poor delusional man. Think whatever will let you sleep tonight. But remember, these humans will never accept what you really are."
Vash sat brooding; staring at the amber liquid pooled at the bottom of his mug for some time after Knives left him. All around, people continued their conversations and drinks, blissfully unaware of the danger living in their town. At the north end of the tent, the band was setting up on the crude platform constructed for the night, tuning their instruments and balancing the sound. Behind him Keith and Kote were finishing hauling a new keg from the saloon's cellar and tossing the now empty one to the side and out of the way.
After some time, Vash felt a small hand rest on his mechanical arm. Startled, he looked up to see Meryl beside him. She stood with her head tilted slightly to one side, looking at him with concern. Adopting his goofy persona on reflex, he smiled down at her. "Hey, insurance girl!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing over here? I thought you had a full drink?"
Meryl frowned. "I did, but that was over twenty minutes ago. What are you doing over here? Are you ok?"
Vash laughed."Of course I am! What could possibly be wrong on such a beautiful night?"
Her small hand tightened its grip on his arm. "Please, I'm serious." Her concern was so honest it made him pause. "You disappeared for nearly half an hour, and then I find you shooting death glares to the bottom of your empty mug. What's wrong?"
Vash shook his head and gave her a sad smile. "It's nothing important. Don't worry about it."
Still frowning, she let her hand fall back to her side. "You shouldn't let Knives get to you. I've yet to hear him say anything worth listening to."
Vash stared at her in shock. "How did you know?"
Meryl shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. You had the same look you have when you come down stairs after sitting with him. It was really just a guess."
Perplexed, Vash just looked at her. How well did his little dark-haired insurance girl know him?
Knocking back the last swig of his beer, Vash smiled down at her. "Can I get you a drink?"
One of Meryl's eyebrows disappeared into her bangs. "I was pleasantly surprised this morning when you bought the groceries. This afternoon my jaw nearly hit the floor when you paid for lunch. Now you're buying me a drink." She frowned and put her hands on her hips. "What are you hiding, Mr. Vash the Stampede? And where exactly are you getting all of this money?"
Flashing her a cheeky grin, Vash pulled her up to the bar beside him. "A man's gotta have a few secrets to himself! And you drink whiskey right? How about a Highball or a New York Cocktail?" Leaning across the bar, Vash waved to get Kote's attention.
As they waited for Kote to finish handing off a round of drinks to a waitress, Meryl bumped her elbow into Vash's side. "Although I'd have a hard time believing it, I better not find out you're doing something illegal."
Vash brought a hand to his heart with a dramatic sigh. "You're lack of trust wounds me."
Meryl snorted and patted his arm. "Yeah, sure it does."
Wiping his hands off on a rag, Kote walked down to their part of the bar. "Hey, guys. What can I get you?"
"I'll have another large beer, if you don't mind, and the little lady here," Vash said with a tip of his head in Meryl's direction "would like a highball."
"No problem," Kote said with a smile. "I'll have that for you in just a second."
As Vash pulled out money to pay for their drinks, his fingers brushed against the small box in his pocket. He'd been so busy all day with the kids and the festival that he'd nearly forgotten about it. Before Meryl could turn to leave, he reached out and touched her shoulder. "Just a second, I've got something for you."
Meryl set her drink back down with a suspicious look. "What is it?" she asked him with narrowed eyes. "It better not be anything bad. I was rather hoping to avoid a headache tonight."
"I think you'll like it. At least I hope you do. It was a bit of an impulse buy." Vash said with a laugh. Fishing it out of his pocket, he handed her a small white box. "It isn't much, but I wanted to say thank you. You and Millie have done a lot for me, and I don't feel I've done enough to show my gratitude. I've been trying to make up for that today."
With a look between shock and nervous skepticism, Meryl gingerly reached out and took the box from his hand. "What is it?" she murmured.
"Just open it."
The box jingled as she gently shook it to slide the top off. Vash watched as she set the lid aside on the bar and pushed back the colorful tissue paper. He felt himself grin when she gasped. "Vash! This is beautiful! Where did you get it?"
Inside the box was a delicate gold watch. The quartz face protecting the tiny black hands gleamed in the tent's dim light. The band was made from hundreds of tiny links hooked closely together, leaving it smooth to the touch.
"I saw you looking at it this morning in the market. I thought it would match well." Still smiling, Vash reached out and gently tapped one of her gold earrings. "Did I do good?"
Meryl seemed incapable of taking her eyes away from the box. She frowned at it as if she wasn't quite sure what to do with it. "Vash, this watch was so expensive. Buying it has to be one of the most irresponsible things you have ever done! What were you thinking? There is no way you could possibly afford this!"
As Meryl continued to frown at the small white box and its glittering treasure, Vash's smile slowly began to fade. "It's ok. I understand if you don't want it. I remember who sold it to me, and there's a chance that he'll let me – "
The words were knocked from his lips as Meryl launched herself at him and wrapped her arms around tight. For a moment he stood stunned, looking down at the top of her dark head. Her cheek was pressed against his chest, barely missing the metal grate.
"Idiot," she mumbled. "I love it." Turning her head, she buried her face in his cotton shirt, making it nearly impossible to understand her. "I don't usually do this hugging stuff, but I've had a few drinks, so you'll just have to deal."
Smiling again, Vash wrapped his arms around her tiny shoulders. He sometimes forgot how small she really was. She carried herself with such confidence and certainty, it was sometimes difficult to look past and see her. "I think I can handle a hug. I won't catch fire, or anything."
"Good," she nodded. "I hope not."
After a moment, Meryl pulled back and took the watch from its box. Between the two of them, they managed the tiny clasp, securing it around Meryl's wrist. With another murmured thank you, Meryl grabbed her drink and walked back to the table, smiling. Following close behind her, Vash saw the funny look pass between Meryl and Millie. Across from them, John was looking morosely into his drink.
"Hey, don't worry about it," Jen put a hand on John's arm with a smile. "You win some, you lose some."
Before Vash could ask what they were talking about, the band started its first set, affectively drowning out all conversations. Milo, one of Jen's brother in laws, was the band's drummer, and the whole table erupted into earsplitting whistles and applause. Looking at the people around him, Vash smiled.
Knives was wrong; he could make a life here.
