~Under the Sky so Blue: Aftermath~
Part Four
"I can't believe I let Vash talk us into this," Meryl grumbled as she and Milly walked the streets of Demetri toward a very small restaurant.
The petite insurance woman crossed her arms with an expression of mild contempt for the spiky blond haired man, yet her lumbering assistant knew better than that. Milly beamed brightly down at her companion and spoke with her usual cheeriness.
"What do you mean Meryl? I think breakfast is a great idea, and besides, we get to meet Mr. Vash's brother, don't we?"
Meryl scowled. "That's the part I'm worried about. Meryl, Knives is nothing but a cold blooded killer- if everything Vash has told us is true, he could very well decide to attack us during breakfast."
The tall brunette girl sighed, "Well if he thought we'd be in danger I don't think Mr. Vash would have invited his brother anyway. And remember, you thought Mr. Vash was a killer too and he turned out really nice, didn't he?"
'Does anything anyone says ever really get through to her?' Meryl thought with a side glance to Milly as they entered the restaurant.
It was almost empty, but the table in the far corner proved to be occupied by two blond young men, one sitting up very straight and the other one with his head slightly bowed. Vash and Knives were dressed as any normal young man would be in the city- both adorned in tan trousers not unlike the ones Milly wore, and white button up shirts. However, Vash had red suspenders and one button undone while Knives appeared more cleaned up, shirt buttoned to the last button-hole.
"Oh hey Mr. Vash, you got here before we did!" Milly shouted as they walked across the floor to the table. She turned her gaze to Knives, "It's really great to meet you Mr. Knives!"
Knives arched an eyebrow, staring at the hand she stuck out in front of his face in greeting with disgust. He suppressed a disproving growl and refused to take her hand.
"I don't know who you are, therefore I don't think I should be entirely too pleased upon making your acquaintance. Vash, who are these cretins?"
Meryl winced as Milly jumped the gun and replied upset before Vash had the chance.
"We're not cretins! We're representatives of the Bernardelli Insurance Society, disaster investigators section! I'm Milly Thompson, and this is Meryl Stryfe, and I think it's very rude that you didn't shake my hand."
Laughing nervously, Meryl stepped in front of the taller girl, glancing between Knives and Vash. "I'm very sorry, sir, she gets a little carried away with herself sometimes."
Knives was not amused, and neither was Vash.
"No. Don't apologize to him- he should apologize to both of you for being so rude, just as Milly said."
Meryl thought she was used to Vash's serious side, but it turned out she wasn't at all. Her blue eyes flickered toward him, studying the completely concentrated expression on his face. Of course, why wouldn't he be serious? He had to be with Knives around- his brother caused him so much trouble, he had to be sure it didn't happen again soon.
Knives scowled at the insurance girls and muttered something like an apology before Vash motioned for them to take a seat. Meryl quickly slid into the seat beside Vash while Milly took the one next to Knives with a smile still plastered to her face. They were all quite silent until the pale blond twin grew annoyed with the choice of seating arrangements.
"Why are you smiling like that for? There's nothing to smile about, it's annoying."
Puzzled briefly, Milly looked at him then to Vash and Meryl before answering.
"Well it's like my big, big sister always said- Even if there's nothing to smile about it always makes people feel happy, so I smile because people should be happy."
Still irked, Knives looked away, trying to plot his way out of this mess. He was surrounded by idiots and his incompetent excuse of a brother. It was clear to him that Vash was dedicated to Rem and her foolish teachings. Didn't he know that not everyone could be saved? Sacrifices had to be made, he told him that before- the lesser and weaker race had to be destroyed in order for them to live fulfilling lives. But Vash was always in the way of Knives' hopes and dreams and now in order to live up to them he had to get rid of his brother. He hoped it wouldn't come to it, that he wouldn't have to be the only one remaining, but the fool simply refused to see logic and reason.
He was too weak to do it now, but Knives would cause chaos and havoc like Vash never saw before. Slowly a grin came over his face as a plan evolved in his mind…a game would be played and Vash would become a pawn unknowingly. It couldn't happen too quickly, suspicion must not arise, but Knives could pull it off. He would have to in order for anything to go the way he wanted.
~End Part Four~