Trigun: Just Another Manic Monday 10
Iris awoke the next day and left the bedroom in a brisk manner. She walked down the hall in her bare feet dressed in a long sleeved nightshirt and knocked on Vash's bedroom door. "Who is it?" he asked. "It's Iris. Can I come in?" she asked. "Sure." he replied. She entered the bedroom and shut the door quietly behind herself. Vash sat up from his bed dressed in his gray shirt and dark pants for pajamas. "I came to check on your arm." she explained while approaching the bed. "My arm's fine. Thanks for the concern." he said and grinned to her. "Can you move it without having any pain? It seemed terrible yesterday." she asked and hovered over his arm while squinting her eyes. "It's just a little sore but I'll be fine. It wouldn't be the first time I got injured in a battle." he replied. "I know but sometimes I can be a worry wart also. I just hate to see anyone get hurt." she said. "You're a very caring person. That's what I like about you." he said. "Aw...you're making me pink..."she muttered with blushing cheeks, "But the stitches have done their work. Now's the time to remove them." Without hesitating she went to the dresser to search for scissors. She found a pair of small metallic scissors and said, "Don't move or this will cut you." "Do you have to say it that way?!" he exclaimed in horror. "How else can I say it? You can't sugar coat it." she replied and readied the scissors over the stitches. "Are you sure they need to come out now? They might need a few more days." he said nervously. Iris, with a trick up her sleeve, pointed to the window and said, "Hey look at that!" With Vash distracted, she quickly cut the stitches before he could turn his head back. "I'm done." she said cheerfully. Vash looked to the suture to see that they had already been cut. "You little sneak..." he said affectionately with furrowed brows. "Takes one to know one." she said and chuckled. Vash's stomach began to growl loudly and said, "Looks like it's time for breakfast." "Yeah, both of us need some grub. I'll meet you downstairs in a little bit." she said and left his bedroom. No matter how much I isolate myself, she will never leave me. What makes her want to hang around me so much? he thought while getting into the shower moments later.
Vash left his bedroom and descended the staircase moments later to go their usual table to eat breakfast. He found Iris, Milly, and Meryl eating pancakes at the table with Wolfwood staring at his hashbrowns on the plate. "Good morning, Mr. Vash. You're looking well." Milly said and shoved a seat out from the table. "Thanks Milly. Those pancakes sure smell good." he said and accepted the seat. He looked to Wolfwood curiously and asked, "What's wrong, Wolfy? Why aren't you touching your hashbrowns?" "I don't know. It looks and smells kinda weird. What is it anyways?" Wolfwood said. "It's potatoes." he replied. "Well what the hell happened to it?" Wolfwood asked while poking it. "You never had this?" Vash asked. "No I always ate food." Wolfwood remarked. "You don't like it?" Milly asked with tear-filled eyes.
Wolfwood looked to Milly's teary eyes, sensed that she was about to cry, and said, "No I love it. I love it." His fork penetrated the hash browns and began cramming it into his mouth with a forged smile. "See? I love it." he said while tolerating the foreign taste.
"Oh good! I'm glad you like it!" Milly said cheerfully. Iris' eyes penetrated Wolfwood's in a cold stare and shook her head yet grinned. Meryl cleared her throat and said,
"It's good to see you guys not acting like children for once." "What's that supposed to mean?" Vash asked. "Don't give me that crap! It's always something with you. Everyday it's either a gun battle or sword duel or things explode! Gangs chasing after you...You and your lackey!" Meryl exclaimed. "What do you mean by lackey?" Wolfwood asked. She said, "Oh nothing except the fact that you join him and even encourage him in this daily mayhem. And further on..." Meryl continued to lecture them and Vash scooped a little piece of bacon into his fork. His aqua eyes shifted to Wolfwood, and positioned the fork into a mock catapult. Wolfwood nodded slightly and scooped a portion of hash browns into his fork. They nodded in unison and launched their food into Meryl's face on the count of three. Meryl, angry with rage, but blinded by bacon and potatoes, tossed her cup of syrup. She hoped to hit Vash or Wolfwood but instead hit Milly! Milly, scraping the syrup from her face, became angry with the fact that the breakfast that she worked so hard on had been turned to waste. She stood up with a plateful of food and threw the contents at Wolfwood, Vash and Meryl. An all out food war ensued with the ammunition flying and decorating the interior of the room. Iris, sat in dismay, watching the events taking place muttered "Aw what the hell." With a bottle of root beer by her side, she shook it vigorously and sprayed all that came near her. What was once anger had been transformed into joyous laughter. "Then I guess we're all like children!" Vash shouted. "Welcome to the club, Meryl." Wolfwood said and continued to laugh. "Yeah, meet the president!" Iris added and slapped Vash on the back. Vash gave her a dirty look and shifted his eyes to Wolfwood's and pointed at Iris. Wolfwood nodded in return and they each took whipped cream pies from a nearby table. Iris said with a sheepish grin, "Uh-oooh..." "Get her!!!" the men shouted in unison. "Oh shit!" she yelled and bolted across the room with them in pursuit. She outran them by ten feet and ascended the staircase. Vash and Wolfwood ascended each staircase from opposite ends hoping to capture Iris. "Damn she's fast..." Wolfwood muttered. Each assumed that she would be there in the middle of the hall but they were proven incorrect by splattering each other with the pies. "I thought you were Iris." Vash said. "I thought you were too." Wolfwood said in return. Iris' voice shouted, "Peekabo! I see you!" "Huh?!" they uttered in surprise. They saw Iris' form hanging upside down from the beam in the ceiling and sprayed them with a can of whipped cream in each hand.
She heard a crackling from beneath her legs and eyed a crack forming into the aged wood.
"This is not good..." she said nervously.. "Can you jump down?" Wolfwood asked.
"I think so..." she replied. She performed a somersault from the beam with a grunt and plopped upon the hallway floor just as the beam collapsed to the ground floor thirty feet below. "That was close!" Vash exclaimed. "Yeah it was. I'm not pulling another stunt like that one again." she said. "I hope you learned your lesson. Vash is a perfect example when it comes to performing stupid stunts." Wolfwood said and lifted her from the floor. "Now it's a safety lecture..." he complained. "Well, it's true..." Wolfwood said.
"The truth hurts." he said. "Don't worry Vash. You'll still be my favorite daredevil." she said assuringly with a chuckle. "Well at least somebody appreciates my stunts." he said with a grin.
"Hello?" a boy's voice could be heard from the entrance. Iris turned her attention to the source of the sound to see a boy who seemed ten years old enter the Saloon. He had a short crop of sandy blond hair and blue eyes dressed in a white t shirt and brown overalls. The boy seem puzzled to see the interior decorated with thrown food and workers cleaning the mess from the food war. "We have a visitor." Iris said and descended the staircase. She approached the boy and said, "You're a cute little boy. Where's your parents?" "I have no parents and I'm not a little kid. I've held my own all my life." he said in a cocky manner. "I'm sure you can but it's a shame that you do not have any parents." she said sympathetically. "I didn't come here to talk about my parents.
I'm here for a job." he said. "What experience do you have?" she asked. More than you'll ever now...he thought. "I can do anything you need me to. If it's either cooking, cleaning, hauling...I can do it." he replied confidently. "I'm sure you can do well in cooking and cleaning, but for hauling you need an adult to help you. I don't want your spine to crack in half because of it." she said. "Don't give me that crap. I'm alot stronger than you think I am. I don't help from an adult." he said spitefully. Iris did not take any offense to his tone but said, "Okay, but if you do need help don't hesitate to ask."
"Whatever. Do I got the job?" he asked. "Well the co-worker is nothing without knowing a name." she said. "It's Justin." he replied. "Well it's nice to meet you, Mr. Justin. I'm Iris Bloodworth. But you can just call me Iris." she said. "Yeah yeah...When do I start?" he asked. "You can start immediately the girls need some help cleaning the huge mess on the walls." she said. Justin grabbed a nearby bucket and mop from behind the counter and performed the task assigned to him. "If you finish it in less than a half an a hour there's a treat for ya!" she called out to him. Justin ignored her and proceeded to clean the mess.
Iris could not help but feel strange emotions from this child that just arrived. She kept a calm persona since his arrival and helped clean the mess from the windows and gather the dirty dishes from the tables. His strong attitude did not phase her happy disposition and hummed softly beneath her breath while scrubbing the filthy plates. Meryl arrived with a another pile of dirty dishes and said, "That kid is so rude! He thinks he's all high and mighty!" "Well, think about it, Meryl. He looks like he's been through hell and I don't really blame him. I think he will master manners soon." Iris said and received the pile graciously. "Do you have any idea what he just did?!" she shouted. "What was it?" Iris asked. "I went to greet him and asked him how he was doing. You know just to get to know the little guy then he said 'Could you please leave me alone? I'm here to work Not to socialize with your little fanny club.' I said to him 'Sorry to bother you kid. I was just being friendly.' 'It's okay you can't help but be a woman. It's only natural for you to bother a man with your petty feelings.'" Meryl replied in a flustered manner.
"Well with our influence we can change that in time." Iris said. "Oh I'll influence him!" she agreed while shaking a fist. Iris laughed and said, "You shouldn't let what he says get to you. The only way to beat him is not give him what he wants." "I'm going to go to the market and get some potatoes for the Saloon. Maybe that'll help me settle down." Meryl said. She watched Meryl leave the kitchen area and muttered, :"He's making friends already..."
Justin peeked over the threshold to see her washing the dishes. A voice spoke within his subconscious that said Are you in yet? Justin's subconscious voice replied with Yes, I was able to get a job working with them today The voice said Good the mission stands. Find out everything you can. I'll talk to you again tomorrow night. Don't screw this up
"Have you came for more supplies?" she asked, suddenly. Surprised by the fact that she knew he was there, he quickly fabricated a response. "I-I-I need some more soap water for the bucket." he said in a stutter. "Okay hold the bucket steady and I'll fill it for you." she said and readied the hose from the sink. He approached her and presented the bucket to have it filled with soapy hot water. "How's the mopping coming along?" she asked casually. "I'll be done in a few minutes." he said blankly. "Do you have a place to stay? We have plenty of spare bedrooms upstairs." she offered. "Alright, I can use something other than an alley to sleep in." he replied. "Good. If you need any towels or any provisions, again don't hesitate to ask." she said. He nodded his head and continued to stare at the bucket being filled. She looked to him in concern to see a slash scar upon his neck and leaned curiously with a squinted eyes to get a closer look. "Why are you looking at me like that?!" he asked spitefully. "Sorry, I didn't mean to look at your scar on your neck.." she said sheepishly. He gave her a snooty look and walked away with the mop and bucket to finish his assignment. She released a sigh of relief and finished scrubbing the dishes.
Vash and Wolfwood entered the Saloon, arguing over the affections of a girl. Their loud voices disrupted the peaceful atmosphere. "I told you she looked at me first!" Vash shouted. "She was ignoring you the whole time!" Wolfwood shouted in response.
"Please, who can resist this face?" he said with a hand to his chin. "No, girl wants a skinny, pudgy guy like you." Wolfwood remarked. As Vash was about to respond, he was approached by Justin who said, "Can I help you, guys? Or just kick you kick out?"
Vash's attention was directed to the child said, "What's with the little kid? He thinks he works here or something." "Three things. One, I'm not a little kid. Second thing, I do work here. I was hired by Ms. Bloodworth. And three, if you don't buy something. I'll throw you out with my bare hands." Justin said and gave him a cold stare. "Relax, kid. We work here too." Vash said. "You know if you're working here you shouldn't treat adults who walk in here like that." Wolfwood said. "I don't have time for this." Justin said and turned away. He went to pick up a rag and clean the tables. I can't believe I have to work with these idiots. he thought.
Vash and Wolfwood entered the back room to see Milly cleaning the glass mugs with a rag. "Does that kid really work here?" Wolfwood asked. "Yes, he started working here an hour ago." Milly answered. "He has quite a loud mouth on him." Vash remarked.
"Iris and him get along just fine." Milly said. "Why would his parents let him work here at such a young age?" Wolfwood inquired. "He said he didn't have any parents besides go easy on him. He's probably had a rough life." Milly said. "Poor kid." Vash said.
Justin had been proven quite useful to the women as they prepared for the lunch time rush. Meryl returned with bags of potatoes and other produce needed to feed the hungry people. The women began to prepare the meals while Justin served the people as they entered and placed their orders. Vash and Wolfwood went off to perform errands of their own. Wolfwood departed from his friend to go shopping for children's toys in hope to lift Justin's spirits. Vash took the jeep to pick up brand new chairs at the request of Ferguson Rockerfeller the proprietor of the Saloon.
On his way to his destination, he came across a street full of people. His foot nudged the brake pedal, to his shock it failed to function. He noticed that he did not slow down either, despite his foot being of the gas pedal. Vash yelled warnings to the people to move out of the path of the speeding vechile. He began maneuvering the jeep recklessly to avoid all the pedestrians. As he was at the end of this torment, a wagon full of women and children came right out in front of him. He threw the jeep into a tight turn with two of the wheels on the right side lifting up and barely avoided the wagon. His new trajectory slammed through a wooden fence and hit a steep sand hill from behind it, causing the jeep to fly in mid air. The jeep collided through a roof in a nearby barn and came flying out of its front doors. His vechile barreled into the desert. Vash attempted to steer it towards the town but the steering seemed to have been destroyed after the tremendous crash. This is not good! This is not good at all! At least there is no people to worry about injuring he thought with gritted teeth. He reached for the ignition key in order for the engine to be switched off. The key had been switched off and removed, and to Vash's dismay, the vechile kept racing forward independently. "Is this thing possessed?! Why won't you stop?!" he shouted and pounded a fist on the dashboard.
He withdrew his gun and readied it to shoot at the engine when the engine mysteriously shut off and the vechile rolled to a complete stop. Vash, with a confused expression on his face, stepped out of the vechile and out of anger he kicked the hood. The front wheels popped off and the front of the vechile slammed down on his right foot. "OWWWW!!!" he screamed in pain while jerking his right foot out from beneath the bumper.
"This possibly couldn't get any worse..." he complained. The rear wheels of the jeep popped off, as the rear of the jeep slammed upon the ground, the terrain began to rumble from beneath Vash's feet. "I was wrong...It's getting worse..." he said sheepishly.
The ground gave way from beneath him and the vechile, causing him to plummet into the earth. Vash slowly gained his composure and stood erect to regain his bearings.
He looked upward to see that he had fallen fifty feet with no way to climb towards the opening. His eyes shifted to his right to observe a tunnel that lead into the distance. A sigh had been exhaled, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Looks like this adventure is just beginning." He began to enter the tunnel in hope to find an exit.
Meanwhile, Wolfwood arrived to the largest toy store in town owned by the famous Mr. Pumpernickel who had been known for his great toys and eccentric child like manner.
Wolfwood began to checking out the displays of toys ranging from wooden trains to stuffed teddy bears and action figures when an old skinny pompous old man jumped in front of him asking eccentrically, "Can I help you looking for anything? Anything for a young lad perhaps?" "Yes, actually.." Wolfwood began to reply when the old man grabbed his arm and began to jerk him around the toy store pointing out many toys, showing them off as a child would. "Here's my finest model of a sand steamer. Has excellent craftsmanship, adjustable and movable parts and realistic paint detail. Kids get a kick out of this one and it is part of my personal favorites." Mr. Pumpernickel said.
He jerked him over to another display and said, "Here are the many models of Frisbees. We have plastic, wood, and metal Frisbees. They come in all sizes and colors and this one right here even glows in the dark. Another personal favorite." he said.
The toy store owner again jerks him to another counter with a mini electric Ferris wheel.
"This one here is my most favorite. The kids get to build it then play with it. It has authentic paint schemes. Tiny people you can move around. Realistic structures on them. It even has small flickering lights for that extra realism with a music box. All for the price of two hundred double dollars. You try finding a better price anywhere else."
he said. "Look...I'm looking for a few simple toys...I have a low budget..." Wolfwood said slowly. The old man thought for a moment, snapped his fingers and said, "I got it! I know just what you're looking for." He grabbed Wolfwood by the arm again and jerked him towards another display case with him in tow. "In this case here we have spin tops, yo-yos of many varieties, and some paddleballs. They are only five double dollars each." he said. Wolfwood grinned and said, "This is just what I had in mind. I'll take one of each." "Excellent choice, sir!" he exclaimed while gathering the merchandise. The old man skipped back to the register as jolly and child-like as could be. He wrapped the toys and opened the register awaiting the needed currency. Wolfwood paid the man and hurried off with his gifts, leaving the store as fast as he could. As he made outside of the store, he stopped, took a deep breath and said to himself, "That's probably the weirdest man I've ever met." He shook his head and began to return to the Saloon with his gifts for Justin.
It had been an hour since Vash's journey through the tunnel. The light was very dim and he had to use his hands to guide himself along the wall. "When will this tunnel end? Wonder how it got here?" he said to himself. As he finished his sentence a pillar of rock collided into his face and with intense pain he yelled enough curses to melt a church.
While rubbing his sore face, he continued to walk further to the other side of the tunnel.
As he moved through the darkness, he began to hear the sound of running water. He started moving quickly to find the source of the sound in hopes to quench his thirst.
He approached the spot that he believed the water was located, seemed to be behind the side of the tunnel wall. His fist knocked the wall to test it's strength and thickness. It seemed to thick to puncture so he decided to continue his journey. As he stepped away from the wall, he began to hear a cracking sound from behind him. He turned around to see the whole wall crumble and tidal wave of water came rushing out of the hole.
Vash began to run as fast his legs will carry him to outrun the water flow. "Why can't this day go right?! Why does this keep happening to me?! All I wanted to do was pick up some furniture but instead it's chaos in some form or another!" he yelled as he fled from the raging flood. As hard as Vash tried, the water eventually apprehended him by violently slamming into his legs and carried him within its strong current. The water jerked him through a series of tunnels, being tossed about like a rag doll, and he was finally deposited into a vast underground lake. He swam to the shoreline of the lake to recuperate and exhaled a sigh of relief. "Phew! I thought that was the end!" he exclaimed happily while panting. He laid upon his back to take a small nap and regain his energy.
"Hey barkeep! Where's my liquor!" a heavy set man with dark skin shouted from the bar counter. "Coming sir!" Meryl yelled with bottles of liquor in her hands. She quickly served the drinks to all the gentlemen and left into the dining room to help Iris serve customers. The Saloon had been in the middle of its mid day rush with Iris greeting and serving, Milly cooking the food, Meryl tending the bar and assisting Iris with Justin cleaning tables and helping Milly prepare food. "Hey Milly! Is the food ready for table 13 or 15?" Iris asked impatiently. "I'm putting it on the plates now." Milly replied with a smile. "I've never seen it so busy before." she added while handing Iris the food.
"It's good for business and Mr. Rockerfeller will be happy with us, even give us a raise." Iris said. "That would be wonderful!" she exclaimed happily. Iris took the food promptly to the tables and ran to the door to greet more customers. As Milly was preparing some shrimp, Justin came to the kitchen with a bucket full of dishes, and dumped them into the sink and began washing them as quick as he could before the clean dishes would run out.
"How do you like the job so far?" Milly inquired. "Work's work." he muttered and continued to scrub a plate. "It's nice to have you working here, we needed the extra help." she commented. Justin continued to perform his task with out a response.
Milly was saddened by his silence and unhappiness, she believed every child should be happy and this became a concern to her. As much as she wanted to help Justin, she realized now was not an appropriate time. She sighed and keep up with the work on demand.
Meryl darted from spot to spot, trying to keep up with orders and tend to the bar.
Where are those two?! Wolfwood leaves during the mid day rush and Vash should have been back by now! I swear those two are encouragable ! Who knows what kind of trouble Vash is getting into right now! Meryl thought in frustration. Iris spotted a figure approach the door, she ran to greet the customer only to see it was Wolfwood entering.
"Hiya, Wolfy! Where have you been?!" she said cheerfully. Wolfwood presented the bag full of gifts. "These are for Justin. I thought that they may help cheer him up." he replied. "That's sweet of you. Put them aside for now until it slows down. You can help Meryl with bar." she said while grinning. Wolfwood nodded his head and had placed the bag within the broom closet. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he gets the toys. It will be nice to see him smile for once Iris thought optimistically. Wolfwood headed over to the bar to relieve Meryl so she could assist Iris. "Finally you've graced us with your presence." Meryl said sarcastically. "Sorry for being tardy, I had to get something for Justin." Wolfwood explained. "Next time choose a slower part of the day instead just leaving during a rush." Meryl said. "Calm down. It won't happen again. Instead of chewing my head off why don't you help Iris." he said. Meryl began to step away to assist Iris and she turned around and quickly asked, :"Hey Wolfwood, have you seen Vash by chance?" "No, he's not back yet?" Wolfwood inquired. "Who knows with that guy. He's probably causing trouble as we speak." Meryl said and exhaled a sigh.
"I'm sure he's alright. He probably won't be gone too much longer." he assured her.
She turned away and went to start taking orders.
After two hours, of long hard work, the Saloon began to quiet down. Wolfwood and Justin began cleaning the floors and counters while serving the few remaining customers.
The women after cleaning the kitchen decided to go to the small pond behind the restaurant to bathe and relax their sore muscles. They discarded their clothes while discussing the daily events. Iris felt a tad bit awkward shedding her clothing and quickly stepping into the pond, submerging most of her body. Meryl and Milly followed and the women began to lay back and relax. "You seem perfect at your duties Iris." Meryl said.
"What makes you say that? I just do my best." Iris said modestly. "Because you don't take any offense to what the guys say and they cooperate with you very well." Meryl said.
"It's all in how you approach them. I was raised by mostly male figures." Iris said.
"Funny I was raised by mostly my sisters." Milly said. "I think we're doing fine on our own." Meryl said. "Yeah, I've noticed that you girls and I get along because we share the want to be independent." Iris said. The women laid theirs heads back and gazed upon the setting suns.
Vash awoke feeling well rested and energized, began to search for an exit. He checked every crevice of the underground structure but failed to find a way out. He looked at the lake and began to ponder This lake must go somewhere else. Water's flowing in but the water level is not rising. Maybe I should jump into the lake and look for some crevice where the water's escaping he thought. He leaped to the body of water and submerged himself to search for the desired crevice. He noticed a small underwater cave and decided to take a few deep breaths before entering. He pulled in as much as he could and submerged himself, swimming at a fast pace. As he entered the cave, he noticed a small light at the end of it. He swam to the end of it and looked upward to see a small hole leading to the surface. It was too small for him to swim through, so he began to pound frantically as his air supply began to wear out. After many attempts, he finally broke through the hole and frantically swam as quickly to the surface. He leaped out of the water, gasping for air, he looked about himself to see Iris, Meryl, Milly nude with their breasts exposed. The women, in complete shock, covered their breasts with their arms and at once, pounded Vash to a pulp. Vash darted away from them with a smile that went from ear to ear, barged into the Saloon and ran upstairs to his bedroom to hide from the women. Wolfwood and Justin looked at each other strangely and continued back to their tasks when the women stormed in barely dressed and red with anger. "Alright! Where did he go?!" Meryl demanded. Wolfwood pointed to the ceiling and the women began to march up the staircase. "Hey Milly! What's wrong?" he asked. "Vash saw all three of us naked." she answered while following Meryl and Iris up the stairs. Justin, with his eyes wide open, muttered, "Lucky bastard." Wolfwood looked to Justin and remarked, "That's the first thing you've said that I can agree with." The two nodded to each other with a smile and returned to work thinking naughty thoughts of the women.
The women barged into Vash's bedroom to find it empty. Iris approached the bed and said, "You might as well show yourself. I know you're there." "No, I'm not coming out!" he protested. Meryl knelt down, reached under the bed and a few squeals had been released as she pulled him out of the hiding place by the ear lobe. "What in the hell were you thinking, Broom head?!" Meryl demanded. "It's all been an accident! Honest!" Vash said in a whining tone. "Suuuuure it was..." Iris said sarcastically. "Did you hide in the lake all this time?!" Milly said with aggravation. "No! It's all been a huge misunderstanding! I got in the jeep to pick up the furniture but the gas and brake pedals failed so I turned the jeep to avoid a crowd, causing me to hit a dirt hill which knocked the jeep into the air and broke the steering when it hit the ground, setting the jeep on a non stop trajectory to the desert. The vechile mysteriously came to a halt and when I stepped out, the ground collapsed beneath me causing me to fall into the tunnel. I followed the tunnel, trying find a way out, when it flooded with water and the current brought me to an underground lake. After exploring, I found an underwater cave that lead to an opening, allowing me to finally get to the surface which happened to be where you were bathing." Vash explained. "That's the most stupidest story I've ever heard! You're just a peeping tom." Meryl said. "No, I swear it's the truth! You can even look for the wrecked jeep!" Vash insisted. "Are you sure you weren't peeping at us, Mr Vash?" Milly asked, innocently. "No." he replied confidently. "I knew you weren't like that, Mr. Vash!" Milly exclaimed joyfully. "I can't believe you're buying that pathetic story, Milly! You shouldn't be so naive." Meryl said with exaspiration.. "Mr. Vash has never lied to us before." Milly insisted. As Meryl was about to respond to Milly, Iris raised her hand to signal silence. Her eyes looked directly into Vash's eyes, seeming to read his thoughts and said confidently, "I believe him." "What? You believe him?! Not you too! I thought you had more sense!" Meryl said. "He's telling the truth. So drop it, Meryl. He's been through enough already." Iris said firmly. Meryl shook her head in disbelief and stormed out of the bedroom. Iris and Milly were overjoyed with Vash's innocence, they both leaned over to embrace him and gave him kisses upon his cheeks. "I'm sorry I lost my temper." Iris said apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Mr Vash!" Milly said with teary eyes. Vash, overwhelmed by the attention and kisses from two beautiful women, blushed a bright pink with a wide smile. "I forgive you, lovely girls..." he said while embracing them tightly with each arm. The girls after making their peace, left the bedroom to make tea before retiring for the night. Vash sat upon the bed and thought Today started crappy in the beginning but it turned out better in the end.