So this chapter is really late... Hopefully, updates won't become an annual event. Heh.
All the usual disclaimers apply.
*****
Vash asked. He felt his heart drop.
Yes. It's... Knives. He makes it too dangerous for us to stay here, Meryl explained.
No, I-I understand, Vash said with a weak smile. It's just, his eyes began to tear up, I'm going to miss-
We can come back and visit! Millie blurted out.
Millie! Don't make promises we might not be able to keep! Meryl scolded. She then turned a compassionate face to Vash I know this is difficult for you, she said, and I'm s... sor... and it's unfortunate that I've had to take such steps without consulting you first, but it's the only way to get things done efficiently, she finished in a rush.
Uh... it's okay, Vash said, trying not to feel hurt by her detached and careless attitude. This is just her way of coping, he told himself.
Now before we can start, Meryl said as she pulled out a notepad and pencil, I'm going to have to ask you a few questions.
Vash just looked at her, bewildered. He knew she usually asked him questions before they parted ways, but this was silly.
First off, can Knives be detached from his bed?
Vash blinked. Wha...? What does Knives' bed have to do with anything?
Obviously, if Knives is stuck to his bed, we're going to have to rent a truck to tow him to the new house. Otherwise, we can have him ride on one of our thomases with you, and fix up the bed when we get there, Meryl explained with forced patience.
Wait, we're coming with you? Vash asked.
Meryl lost it. She had been traveling most of the day. She was tired, dusty, hungry, thirsty, and not in the mood for a case of Vash's come-and-go stupidity. That's the POINT!! she yelled. Weren't you listening?! Knives is too dangerous. He has to be moved out of town!
Oh... okay, okay! Vash said relieved as he motioned for Meryl to calm down. Sorry, I just got a little confused there... uh... Knives is... well... there's no lock on the chain, so we'd have to break him out, Vash paused as Meryl wrote it down, How far is it to the new place, anyway?
It's right outside of March, Millie said.
Vash looked from her to Meryl. But... that's one of the Seven Cities.
There's a plateau that runs between the house and the city, Meryl explained. You can't even see the city from there. It was originally built by a wealthy family. They were able to live there because of a nearby water source, but when that dried up, they moved away. The house has been empty ever since. It's not in the best condition, she said apologetically, but it's close enough to the city that Millie and I can get water and pick up our paychecks from the March City branch of Bernardelli's. And it's still far enough away that Knives won't even know how close to a city he is, if we're careful, Meryl said, lowering her voice.
And it was the only place we could afford! Millie added.
That too, Meryl said wearily, slouching down upon one of the beds. We're going to leave early tomorrow morning, she said to Vash, so be sure you and Knives are packed. I'll take care of the truck, and--
A loud rumbling noise interrupted her.
Sorry, ma'am, said Millie, but I'm really hungry.
Me too, Millie. Have you guys had supper yet? Meryl asked Vash.
Uh, no, not yet... Hey! That's a great idea! he said, jumping up from where he'd been leaning against the door frame.
Meryl started.
Since you ladies have been so busy all day, just sit yourselves down, and I'll do the cooking! he explained, striking a ridiculous pose.
You can cook? Millie asked innocently.
Despite my reputation and rugged exterior, I am actually a culinary artist, when it comes to... select dishes, Vash proclaimed.
You really don't have to do that... Meryl began with an uneasy look on her face.
Aw, c'mon. With everything you two have done for Knives and me, it's the least I can do in return, he said. The façade was gone, and now he was just looking imploringly at Meryl with those stupid, sad, droopy eyes of his.
Can you make pudding à la mode? Millie asked.
Vash looked over at Millie and paused to think. We don't have any ice cream... so how about pudding... on toast?
That sounds great, Mr. Vash! Millie said, clapping her hands.
It was becoming quite apparent to Meryl that she was losing control of the situation. Having just lost her last ally to pudding-on-toast, she began to resign herself to the idea of Vash cooking dinner. So, what else are we having? she asked.
Vash's pause wasn't long, as there was a limited list of things he'd bothered to learn how to cook. You two like eggs?
I'll have mine scrambled, please, with ketchup on top! Millie said excitedly.
Sunny side up, I guess, Meryl said.
Coming right up! Vash said as he ran out the door.
*****
When Vash burst through the door, Knives stopped writing and looked up. He showed mild surprise at the news of moving, and asked all the questions one would usually ask in such a situation. After politely refusing to eat any more egg based meals that day, he was granted a pleasantly solitary evening as Vash headed over to the girls' room with an armful of eggs.
The news of the move was not entirely unexpected, but still an annoyance.
Oh, well, Knives thought. It wasn't going to be too difficult to rearrange his plans. Though it certainly would be easier if we had a telephone, he grumbled. The absence of such luxuries only caused more delays. But the tables will turn soon enough, he mused. Knives picked up his pen and continued to write in complete silence, save the occasional cry of a thomas and muffled laughter from next door.
*****
Meryl wasn't kidding when she said early. Vash was pretty sure the sun still hadn't decided whether or not to rise that morning when the wake up call came. He rolled out of bed, scruffy and unshaven, and stretched until he was awake enough to face the day. Thirty minutes later, he and Knives were more or less ready for the long trip, with bags and bed in tow.
Meryl already had the truck backed up to the door, and it wasn't long until Millie returned from the windmill site, her now ex-place of work, where she received many confused stares from and gave several unexpected hugs to her coworkers.
Aren't you going to tell your boss at the diner that you quit? Vash asked Meryl when she stepped out of the truck.
I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually, she said with an uncharacteristically wide smile.
Loading Knives into the truck bed was only difficult due to the awkwardness of the arraignment, and before long, he was once again lying on the mattress, though he had a new ceiling to stare at. The truck bed had a canvas cover which provided some much appreciated shade and gave it an appearance akin to that of a covered wagon.
While Millie saddled the thomases, and Vash kept an eye on Knives, Meryl took one last walk around the rooms to make sure nothing was left behind.
Nothing was left behind. With the exception of a few new nail holes by the window (and several small holes in the ceiling over Knives' bed), there was no evidence that two women had stood vigil over a friend here, that the life's story of a most extraordinary being had been told here, and that the single largest threat to humankind had resided here. Meryl couldn't imagine the verbal battles that had happened within these walls, debating every aspect of human worth, or lack thereof. The room was quite now, though, except for a brief sigh from its lone occupant.
You can...
You can stay here as long as you like.
That sounds good. Might not be such a bad idea.
It was a wonderful idea, Meryl murmured to herself. A noise from outside caused Meryl to stir from her thoughts, and Millie walked in to find the small insurance girl taking a deep breath and stretching like someone shrugging off the end of a dream.
Everything okay, ma'am? Millie asked.
Meryl relaxed her petite frame with a sigh. It's all in order. Let's get going, Millie.
They left the room, leaving only the echoes of their footsteps behind.
