All the usual disclaimers apply. A special thanks to Jillian S. (artchick12) for proofreading this chapter.
Vash woke up feeling tired. He hated it when Meryl went on tirades like that, and while she usually had a few good points, she never seemed to listen to his. She was loud, too. If Knives didn't end up getting them kicked out, Vash was pretty sure Meryl's mouth would.
Not that I wasn't yelling back... he admitted to himself.
Vash finished getting dressed and ready, but he couldn't find his new coat. After searching the room high and low (as much as he could without waking Knives), he gave up and headed out the door.
There it was, folded neatly at his feat. He looked his coat over briefly and put it on, only to find that it was now the perfect length.
And then, she does the nicest things... he thought, feeling more cheerful as he walked to where the thomas was tied.
*****
Meryl's day didn't start nearly as well as Vash's. Even though she hurried getting ready and ran all the way to work, she couldn't make up the time she lost over-sleeping, and despite the fact that Meryl's boss spent a little over ten minutes yelling at her, his face still seemed to be in a permanent scowl whenever he looked her way. The rest of the day wasn't much better. She couldn't shake the fear that Knives would do something awful, and Vash would be too far away to stop him. Every break, Meryl ran to the guys' room and pressed her ear to the door. Usually nothing seemed amiss. It was quiet, but there were occasional noises that indicated movement. On her last break, however, it seemed too quiet. Meryl held her breath and strained to hear...
Hi, Meryl!
Meryl yelled. She spun around, heart pounding, to see Millie smiling at her.
Millie started, but Meryl cut her off with a frantic hand gesture. Millie said in a hushed voice, You're checking up on Mr. Knives.
Meryl motioned for Millie to be quiet, and listened once again. This time she heard movement and a sound like pencils hitting the floor. Then there was silence. Meryl relaxed.
You don't need to worry anymore, Ma'am, Millie continued. I was able to get the rest of the day off, so I'll keep an eye on Mr. Knives.
Meryl let out a sigh of relief. Good. Thank you, Millie. I-- I'm going to be late! Meryl sprinted back to work. I can't wait until this day is over, she thought. Vash better be here on time!
*****
Where is he?! Meryl shouted (as quietly as she could) as she paced around the girls' room.
Millie pondered the possibilities. Maybe Mr. Vash was in a gun fight, maybe he stopped to talk to people and lost track of time, maybe the line to pay for the books was unusually long, or maybe he just fell of the thomas. Millie was going to share her thoughts, but she didn't want to interrupt Meryl, who was still fretting. Millie watched her pace back and forth, face flushed and fists clenched. In all honesty, Millie didn't completely understand Meryl's current state of panic. After all, if Mr. Knives was planning on doing anything, he would have done it in the middle of the day, when it was hardest for Mr. Vash to come back. And it's silly for us to be afraid of a situation we haven't even seen, Millie thought. Neither of the girls had been allowed into the room since Knives had entered it, not even to help Vash move the extra bed in. The only time they had dared was last night, when Meryl had snuck in to grab Vash's coat, but she was very fast, and it was pitch dark. Not that I really want to meet him, Millie concluded. From what Mr. Vash told us, he sounds like he's not very nice.
So I guess there's only one answer to this problem! Meryl stated firmly.
Millie woke up out of her thoughts with the vague feeling she'd missed most of a conversation.
Well, with Vash so late, Meryl explained, it's the least we can do to make sure he keeps his temper.
asked Millie.
Knives, duh, Meryl retorted. Weren't you listening? We are going to bring him supper.
*****
Knives had been a busy guy. Well, as busy as you can be when you're chained to a bed. He'd watered and trimmed his little garden in a flower box, cleaned everything within chain's length and made the beds, colored five Spot -n- Friends pages in his coloring book, and with the paper and pencils Vash had given him, he drew and wrote a bit. That was all before noon.
After an unsatisfactory lunch consisting of room temperature pizza toast and a couple of sandwiches, Knives resorted to sharpening pencils and flicking them at the ceiling for entertainment. He'd almost gotten ten in a row when a yell from outside startled him. But it was just the girls next door, and very little else happened the rest of the day in his isolated room at the far edge of the little town in the middle of nowhere.
Knives was perfectly aware of how degrading his situation seemed. He missed being feared and revered by his followers, and with out them, his ship, his gun, or any plants nearby, there was little he could do. But Knives had learned a lot about patience. In the last several years he'd had to live in a sort of special care unit to heal from Vash's attack in July. This situation was similar. He couldn't move, but his brain was still active. Changes were still taking place, but without Legato's help, Knives' Armageddon would be slower in coming.
Pity he died, Knives thought, He would have come in handy right about now. Hm. At least he managed to make his death useful. Knives' train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door.
E-Excuse us. The owner of the voice cleared her throat and started over, Excuse us, Mr. Knives.
Who are you? Knives asked, relatively sure he knew the answer.
I-I'm Meryl Stryfe and, uh, I'm with Millie Thompson. We're your neighbors...
What do you want? Knives said, pulling pencils out of the ceiling.
Uh, well, we realized that Mr. Vash was late in bringing you supper, so... we took the liberty of preparing you a meal. If you're hungry, that is.
One moment, Knives said. He took the rest of the pencils, put them on the desk, and considered the newest set of circumstances. He really didn't want to deal with any stupid or annoying women, but he was hungry, the scents making their way under the door were delicious, and he was interested in meeting the girls that Vash obviously associated with, yet refused to tell Knives about. Come in.
The door opened, at first just a crack, then enough to let the two girls through. The first one, who carried the tray of food, was short with dark hair and eyes tinged with fear. The second one was tall with long brown hair and very wide eyes. Both girls were wearing coats. They entered, the first directly in front of the second, who's body was slightly bent as if she were resisting the urge to cower behind her friend (as if she could). It might have been amusing if Knives didn't find it so pathetic.
Meryl paused. It was chilling to see him just sitting there, dressed like a common person in one of Vash's button-down shirts and some tan slacks. In fact, in that outfit she could see some small similarities between the two, but if Vash hadn't told her, she never would've thought they were twins. It was in the eyes really, not the color so much as the coldness, the mercilessness... the annoyance. Crap, I've just been staring at him. Got to-- Meryl took a few steps forward, but hesitated when something caught her eye. A curved line had been painted on the floor from the left wall to the right wall. Meryl had stopped just short of crossing it.
Ah, yes, Knives said, following her gaze, Vash's little Knives-can't-cross-here line. Your instincts serve you well.
Meryl didn't know what to make of his remark. Was he going to attack her? She'd just have to risk it. And Millie does have her stun gun, Meryl reminded herself. She set her jaw and walked forward to set the tray on the desk.
You are...? Knives asked.
Oh, Meryl, she said, realizing that reintroductions were required now that they were past the door.
And that would make you Millie, he said with a calm, almost disinterested voice. Knives saw the tall girl nod nervously. She had one hand tucked under her coat, no doubt holding onto her weapon tightly.
Well, here's your supper. If you need anything else, just call. Meryl said as she made her way quickly to the door.
You like Vash, don't you?
Meryl spun around and locked eyes with him. She tried, but couldn't read his intentions. All that was on the surface of his face was a detached civility.
Mr. Vash is a very nice person, Millie said, without the slightest note of fear. He looks out for everyone and tries to help those in need.
In other words, he helps the weak and stupid to survive, a poor philosophy. Such actions weaken a race. It's one of the ideas taught to him by you humans. It goes against nature, Knives said with a smirk.
So does killing off an entire race just because you don't like them, Millie replied.
Before Knives could say anything, Meryl shouted, Enjoy your supper! grabbed Millie's wrist, and ran out the door, slamming it behind them.
Sorry, Ma'am, Millie whispered, I just had to say something--
It's all right, Meryl cut her off. I just wanted to get out of there. C... Could you feel something? Like an ominous power?
Millie nodded.
We can't stay here... the people... Meryl murmured as she shut their door.
*****
Vash came running into town, the thomas' reigns in one hand. He'd decided he'd make better time on his own two feet compared to continually falling off and getting back on the thomas. So far, the last two iles, he'd just booked it.
Knives is gonna be pissed cause he's hungry. Meryl's gonna be pissed cause I'm late... Damn, their light's still on, too! he thought as he loosely tied the reigns to a post out front.
Vash tip-toed past the girls' room and quietly opened his door. It was dark inside, and Vash didn't want to turn on a light and wake up Knives, which meant he tripped over the desk chair and woke Knives up anyway.
Enjoy your trip? Knives asked.
No, it was kinda painful, Vash said.
I meant to the caravan, Knives said with a sigh.
Uh, are you hungry? Vash asked.
No. The girls next door brought supper.
They brought supper?
Uh huh.
They brought you supper?
Yes. Now shut up.
Vash decided not to push the issue with Knives that night. He quietly ducked out and headed to the girls' room to see if they were all right.
Oh, we're just fine, Millie said after she opened the door.
Meryl's not too upset, is she?
No, no, Millie re-assured him. She was pretty shaky, but after the first couple of drinks she loosened up quite a bit!
Vash said. He glanced over Millie's shoulder to the small, limp body in bed and the empty bottle on the desk. I'll leave you to your letter writing then.
Okay. Bye, Mr. Vash!
Goodnight, Millie. Vash walked down the hall, appreciating the peace brought by night and sleep, and acutely aware of the tension that would return with the rising suns.
