(Header notes from me the author.
This was actually a very easy chapter for me to write. My vision of what the story should be only changed twice during the three days I was working on this, and for me, that is an accomplishment in itself. Normally my vision changes dozens of times before I settle on the final product. This is the second biggest obstruction to me writting this story, the second being I have to do it in my free time, and well, you just don't get that when you are working 2 jobs.....but fear not! For I have a plan! I will forsake the concept of sleep, and write instead of sleeping. Then I may finally get back to work on the novel I started three years ago. A novel based on an idea that came to me way back...like 6 or 7 years ago ( hey gimme a break, 7 years is 1/3 of my life) Not to mention some of my poetic efforts. Man, my plate is full for years to come! If anyone likes my stuff here, and wants to read some of my other stuff, check Fictionpress.com, or check poetry.com. On poetry.com I work under the name Michael Stegeman, but not Michael David or Michael James Stegeman. Mine are all under Michael D. Stegeman, or Michael Stegeman. Ok? So check that out.
Also If you have any comments complaints questions, email me Chaotichappenings@yahoo.com. I love emails, and if you talk to me directly, you may get credited in a future version of the story.
So peace for now. May your future be filled with donuts!
Frank)
-----Chapter 13: Dreamland Revisited-----
The fires burn low in the camp in the middle of Mei. Vash and Gina roam the city quietly, on patrol while the others sleep quietly in their makeshift beds. The meeting had gone well, and plans had been formulated. The nightly watch being just one of many. Vash didn't mind though, it gave him quiet time with his wife, and so far, that is about all he was getting.
Vash: "I never knew married life would be so dangerous."
Gina: "Well, you did marry me... Did you expect me to be boring?"
Vash: "Not at all, I just thought there would be... a little less action....and a little more, well, ACTION, you know?"
Gina: "So...you were looking for less 'saving the world' and more sex?"
Vash: "Yeah, you read my mind."
Gina: "Vash, there will be plenty of time for that, AFTER we save the world."
Vash sighs, and continues to walk with his wife. He agrees with her, and he knows, deep in his heart, that the world comes much before his own personal pleasure. However, as is his way, he always seeks to interject some level of humor into even the most dire of situations. It has been his way to deal with almost every adversity life has sent him. Now, the situation seems grimmer than ever before, and this time, he has been told the results of his failure.
Gina: "Wow, you got quiet all of a sudden. What's on your mind?"
Vash looks down at his wife, and gestures towards the eastern wall of a ruined general store. The have a seat on a small pile of rubble, and sit there quietly listening to the music of the night. Vash thinks quickly. What should he tell her? Should he tell her that he is afraid? Afraid of what might happen, afraid of losing her? Should he joke around? No, she deserves better than a joke. She deserves the truth, and he needs to get this off his chest.
Vash: "Gina....I...."
He clenches up. He knows what to say, but can't verbalize it. His confidence, the confidence that has been a vital part of him for so long, crumbles. He loses his voice and just stares off into space. Gina reaches up a hand and places it around his shoulder, and places her head on his other shoulder. This is going to be a long night for the both of them.
-----Back at camp-----
Wolfwood and Millie lie next to each other staring up at the sky. The boundless ocean of stars usually has a nice lulling effect, able to calm even the most troubled mind. Wolfwood quietly ponders the meaning of Alpris' prophecies. There had been a line in there about The Holy man, and his soul mate... could that mean himself, and Millie? That can't be. Millie is a great friend, and a even better lover, but his soul mate? He didn't think it possible. He looks over at Millie. Well she has been his anchor, the one thing that kept him firmly rooted in sanity, even as things crumbled around him... maybe that is what a soul mate is, and if that is true, then Millie is his.
Millie also stared at the sky. Things had changed for her. Since Haryusa had turned up, she had lost her best friend, a woman she had considered a sister. Her world had crumbled away, and she sought solace anywhere she could find it, and she finally found it back in the arms of Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a man she had at one time believed dead. she still remembers the night before he died. The wild night had left her breathless, but had also complicated matters somewhat. She loved the man, this she knew. She wanted to marry him, this was true, too. and she had to marry him soon, or her parents would disown her. Her parents. That was another problem. They were going to want to meet him. However she couldn't do that, her Mom would KNOW, and then they would still disown her. If she showed up one day with a husband that they didn't know about, that would cause problems, too. Not to mention she still had not told Wolfwood. She turns, and looks into his eyes...
Maybe tomorrow
-----Back at the outskirts-----
Vash and Gina sat there for a while, not saying a word, and also not having to say any. Finally they stand, and get ready for a little more patrolling. On a whim, they head of to the north, skirting the perimeter of the ruined city. A six hour patrol shift was turning into a very quiet night time walk. The night has been quiet, no signs of intruders, no covert attacks by Haryusa, even though covert was not his style. It was just a nice time for Vash to be with Gina.
As Vash got ready to speak again, he noticed a shadow moving deeper in the city. Motioning for Gina to be silent, he points toward where he had seen the shadow move. Silently they stalk after the shadow, as it moves inexorably in the direction of their camp. The shadow weaved quickly between buildings, taking an intricate path. Her path would be hard to follow, for an average human, however Vash and Gina are both trained trackers, and they follow the shadowy figure's path. Slowly the light of the dying fire began to brighten up the alleyways ahead.
Camp was nearby, and the shadowy figure was already there.
-----Millie and Wolfwood-----
The light of the fire casts a ruddy glow over the two lovers. Even embraced by sleep, the smiles on their faces are bright. They have found comfort in each other, and are lost in pleasant dreams. Dreams, that they would be surprised to learn, are surprisingly similar. Their sleep is deep, and undisturbed by the noises of the night. So deep, that they are completely unaware of the three sets of eyes on them.
-----In the Shadows-----
There. On the ground. All I have to do is kill them. I failed him once, he doesn't know. I can do this. Nothing can stop me. I will get my revenge.... What's that? There was I noise, I know I heard a noise, where was the noise? Doesn't matter. Kill the priest man and the giant girl. Then kill The bounty hunter and Vash. Especially Vash. Cut him gut him. Why am I giggling? Shhhh I don't want anyone to hear me. Just have to make sure they don't wake up this time... The first time was too quick, and the priest man stopped me the second. Third time is a charm. Heh. No one is waking up this time. Wait! There is that noise again! What is making that damned noise, is it a rat? Ewwww I hate rats... no not a rat. Is it a person? If they are awake I can't stop them. Maybe they are sleep walking? Let me just send out my dream weave.
-----Vash and Gina-----
They looked towards camp, and saw Millie and Wolfwood sleeping peacefully. Apparently the shadowy figure hadn't disturbed them. This is good. It will give Vash a little bit of time to stop whatever it is the shadowy figure has planned. Slinking carefully from shadow to shadow, Vash and Gina move in on their adversary. The night has lost it's musical quality. Now it is just noisy, distracting. Vash looks back to Gina, and motions for her to go around to the other side, and grab there enemy from two sides. Gina nods, and the two break apart. Vash waiting for Gina to get into position, and Gina circling around the next building. Gina makes it into position, and signals over to Vash. They begin to close in on the shadowy figure. Suddenly Vash tenses up, and Gina stops. Gina sneaks back over to her husband.
Gina (whispering): "Vash what's wrong?"
Vash (whispering): "Gina....I know who the shadowy figure is."
Gina (whispering): "Really? How? who is it?"
-----In the Shadows-----
No. Not a sleep walker. Back to the priest man. Kill him Fast. Gotta be fast. They're coming...they won't stop me again. No. no no nononononononononono. Not again. This time I will win. They can't beat me twice... I'm ready. I've planned. I will succeed. Master Haryusa will love me. All I have to do is kill a priest and a giant and a bounty hunter and Vash the stampede. Easy easy Kill kill kill kill! Yes, simple. A kill in the dreams, no mess. Hehehehehehehehe. To sleep, perchance to die. Death a mercy only I can give to you this night. Goodnight Preacher man. Goodnight Giant girl. Here come the nightmares......
-----Synchronicity Revisited-----
The houses interior shone with a brilliant light. All corners illuminated by the bright lights Millie has placed everywhere. Wonderful smells permeate the houses atmosphere. Cookies are being baked in the kitchen, and the smell wafts throughout the entire house, spilling out even past the stoop, creating a welcome scent for all the passers-by. The house stands at the end of a small street, near the outskirts of the newly rebuilt Mei. Her husband's church was built next door, and remains the only church in the new Mei. Many people Come by everyday, some to visit Wolfwood, some to see how the babies were doing. She is content. The babies are doing well, and should be born in the next two months. Wolfwood, constantly brags about his future children.
Wolfwood exits the kitchen, and wraps his arms around his wife's shoulders, giving her a peck on the cheek, his hands wander down to rub her swollen stomach. Millie smiles at the show of affection, both to her, and to her children.
Wolfwood: "So, how are my three favorite people doing?"
Millie: "We are doing just fine! Thank you very much for asking"
Millie tilts her head to the side, and returns his kiss. The kiss lasts mere, seconds, but is more then enough to send both their hearts racing. It serves to remind them both of just how well they compliment each other.
Wolfwood: "I invited Vash and Gina over for dinner tonight."
Millie's eyes light up. While Gina is no replacement for Meryl, she has been kind, and a welcome addition to her surrogate "family". Quickly however, her eyes take on a sterner cast, as she looks up at her beloved husband.
Millie: "And where are we going to get the food to serve all these guests of yours? Hmm? Did you think of that before you invited them? And after I slaved over this hot stove all day long to cook dinner for the two of us."
Wolfwood: "Millie dear, you know as well as I do, that the amount of food you cook could feed this entire town. And probably parts of New July, as well. And let me say, a better meal they will never in their lives eat."
Millie smiles. Her husband always compliments her cooking, and it is true that she cooks a lot. However she uses all of it, well not really, a lot of it goes to the local orphanage. The orphans eat well, and everyone is happy. Tonight, the orphans will just have a little less.
The world darkens.
The front door is kicked open, revealing a woman with long blue hair, and a crazed expression. Her eyes immediately latch onto Wolfwood, as she reaches behind her back. Wolfwood's gunfighter instincts take over, and he dives for cover behind the couch, reaching for the gun he no longer carries. Millie, meanwhile waddles into the kitchen, and hides in the closet, ducking down and barricading the door with assorted cans and pudding cups. Morphia glares at the couch that Wolfwood is using as a shield. With a thought and a nod, the couch disintegrates, leaving Wolfwood exposed. He gets up and starts running, barely avoiding having his head crushed by the newly reformed couch above him. However, his legs are not as lucky, and are pinned beneath Wolfwood lets out a scream, as his left leg is broken by the weight of the couch. Morphia grins, and leaves the priest there, to go searching for the giant girl.
Morphia: "Oh Giant Girl... Come out com out wherever you are.... don't worry, I'm only going to kill you."
-----Vash and Gina-----
Gina and Vash stand several yarz back, looking at Morphia as she stares at the sleeping pair on the ground. She hasn't moved for a few minutes, and Vash and Gina are getting ready to move in. Millie lets out a small whimpering noise. Vash motions with his hand, and he and Gina proceed towards the spot where Morphia crouches in the shadows.
-----Synchronicity-----
The whimpering behind the closet door alerts Morphia to the giant girls whereabouts. Morphia prepares to open the door, bet then decides to have some fun instead. With a thought, and a gesture, the fun begins. Inside the closet, Millie flinches back, as the pudding cups start to move. Pressing her back up against the far wall, Millie watches as the Pudding cups erupt in a shower of spiders. Her scream far exceeds the volume of Wolfwood's scream.
Morphia: "Lookit all the pretty spiders, giant girl. They just wanna play with you, that's all... and all your screaming is making them all excited."
A shadow on the wall in front of her causes Morphia to turn around. Wolfwood has apparently freed himself from the couch, and was able to limp his way over while she was tormenting the giant girl. She looks at him, and the look in his eyes frightens her. A quick punch sends her flying into the far wall, leaving a large dent. Wolfwood limps over, picks her up and slams her again into the wall.
Wolfwood: "Don't mess with my Wife!"
SLAM
Wolfwood: "Don't mess with my house!"
SLAM
Wolfwood: "But most of all. Don't..."
SLAM
"...mess..."
SLAM
"...With..."
SLAM
"... MY..."
SLAM
"...CHILDREN!"
SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM.
Morphia's dream body does not hold up well to the barage of the angry priest. As she loses her hold on the dream, she starts to fade away.
Wolfwood: "Don't run away you bitch! I'm not done with you yet!"
Her body disappears in a puff of smoke, and the missing light returns once more to the world. Leaving an angry Wolfwood fuming. However the continued whimpers from his wife break him out of his mood, and he sets about trying to open the door. Pulling it open, he looks at his wife.
Wolfwood: "Millie dear, when you barricade the door like this... make sure that the door opens INWARD, ok?"
Millie stands up, and exits the closet, stepping over piles of cans, and destroyed pudding. She takes a good look around her kitchen and frowns. The big dent in the wall causes her particular trouble.
Millie:" I suppose we may have to give Vash and Gina a rain check on dinner...."
-----Vash and Gina-----
As Vash is getting ready to grab Morphia, she coughs loudly, and falls over. Her breathing is really shallow, and her skin very pale. Vash and Gina look down at the her, even as they hear Wolfwood and Millie awake. Wolfwood and Millie make their way over to see what has Vash and Gina so interested. Millie arrives first, and upon looking down, she sees the woman's face, and gasps. Hearing the gasp, Wolfwood looks down, and sees who it is. A cruel smile forms on his lips.
Wolfwood: "Vash, Gina, Millie. Would you step aside.... I have some unfinished business with this woman."
Puzzled Vash and Gina step aside, while Millie's eyes go wide.
Millie: "You....know her?"
Wolfwood: " Well, sort of. You see I just had a dream. We were......er.... well anyway, I beat her up pretty good and she disappeared... So now I want to finish what I started in my dream."
Wolfwood picks up the woman, and once again slams her against the nearest wall.
Wolfwood: "Now remember that next time you pick on my family, bitch."
He throws the limp body, still breathing, to the ground, and kicks her in the gut for good measure. Millie, sits down heavily on a large chunk of a toppled wall. The look on her eyes is a mixture of fear, and wonder.
Millie: "W-what was that about your...f-f-family?"
Wolfwood: "Oh it was part of my dream... I was married, to you actually, and we were living in Mei, a rebuilt Mei....."
Millie: "...and the babies were due in two months...."
Wolfwood: "Yeah! How did you know? I wasn't talking in my sleep again, was I?"
Millie: "No. I had the same dream."
Wolfwood: "Wow...I wonder why?"
Millie: "Not all of the dream was fake."
Wolfwood: "What do you mean."
Millie: "What I mean, is that you are going to be a father, Father."
-----End chapter 13-----
(Auxiliary Pronunciation Guide:
Dabrine- Duh-Bree-nuh
Hagime- Ha-jee-mee
Yoshin- Yo-Shin
Iode- Eye-o-da
Salphae- Sal-fay
Haryusa- Hair-ee-oo-suh
Mikil- Mee-Kill
Raphel- Ray-fell
Alpris- All-Pree
End Auxiliary pronunciation guide}
This was actually a very easy chapter for me to write. My vision of what the story should be only changed twice during the three days I was working on this, and for me, that is an accomplishment in itself. Normally my vision changes dozens of times before I settle on the final product. This is the second biggest obstruction to me writting this story, the second being I have to do it in my free time, and well, you just don't get that when you are working 2 jobs.....but fear not! For I have a plan! I will forsake the concept of sleep, and write instead of sleeping. Then I may finally get back to work on the novel I started three years ago. A novel based on an idea that came to me way back...like 6 or 7 years ago ( hey gimme a break, 7 years is 1/3 of my life) Not to mention some of my poetic efforts. Man, my plate is full for years to come! If anyone likes my stuff here, and wants to read some of my other stuff, check Fictionpress.com, or check poetry.com. On poetry.com I work under the name Michael Stegeman, but not Michael David or Michael James Stegeman. Mine are all under Michael D. Stegeman, or Michael Stegeman. Ok? So check that out.
Also If you have any comments complaints questions, email me Chaotichappenings@yahoo.com. I love emails, and if you talk to me directly, you may get credited in a future version of the story.
So peace for now. May your future be filled with donuts!
Frank)
-----Chapter 13: Dreamland Revisited-----
The fires burn low in the camp in the middle of Mei. Vash and Gina roam the city quietly, on patrol while the others sleep quietly in their makeshift beds. The meeting had gone well, and plans had been formulated. The nightly watch being just one of many. Vash didn't mind though, it gave him quiet time with his wife, and so far, that is about all he was getting.
Vash: "I never knew married life would be so dangerous."
Gina: "Well, you did marry me... Did you expect me to be boring?"
Vash: "Not at all, I just thought there would be... a little less action....and a little more, well, ACTION, you know?"
Gina: "So...you were looking for less 'saving the world' and more sex?"
Vash: "Yeah, you read my mind."
Gina: "Vash, there will be plenty of time for that, AFTER we save the world."
Vash sighs, and continues to walk with his wife. He agrees with her, and he knows, deep in his heart, that the world comes much before his own personal pleasure. However, as is his way, he always seeks to interject some level of humor into even the most dire of situations. It has been his way to deal with almost every adversity life has sent him. Now, the situation seems grimmer than ever before, and this time, he has been told the results of his failure.
Gina: "Wow, you got quiet all of a sudden. What's on your mind?"
Vash looks down at his wife, and gestures towards the eastern wall of a ruined general store. The have a seat on a small pile of rubble, and sit there quietly listening to the music of the night. Vash thinks quickly. What should he tell her? Should he tell her that he is afraid? Afraid of what might happen, afraid of losing her? Should he joke around? No, she deserves better than a joke. She deserves the truth, and he needs to get this off his chest.
Vash: "Gina....I...."
He clenches up. He knows what to say, but can't verbalize it. His confidence, the confidence that has been a vital part of him for so long, crumbles. He loses his voice and just stares off into space. Gina reaches up a hand and places it around his shoulder, and places her head on his other shoulder. This is going to be a long night for the both of them.
-----Back at camp-----
Wolfwood and Millie lie next to each other staring up at the sky. The boundless ocean of stars usually has a nice lulling effect, able to calm even the most troubled mind. Wolfwood quietly ponders the meaning of Alpris' prophecies. There had been a line in there about The Holy man, and his soul mate... could that mean himself, and Millie? That can't be. Millie is a great friend, and a even better lover, but his soul mate? He didn't think it possible. He looks over at Millie. Well she has been his anchor, the one thing that kept him firmly rooted in sanity, even as things crumbled around him... maybe that is what a soul mate is, and if that is true, then Millie is his.
Millie also stared at the sky. Things had changed for her. Since Haryusa had turned up, she had lost her best friend, a woman she had considered a sister. Her world had crumbled away, and she sought solace anywhere she could find it, and she finally found it back in the arms of Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a man she had at one time believed dead. she still remembers the night before he died. The wild night had left her breathless, but had also complicated matters somewhat. She loved the man, this she knew. She wanted to marry him, this was true, too. and she had to marry him soon, or her parents would disown her. Her parents. That was another problem. They were going to want to meet him. However she couldn't do that, her Mom would KNOW, and then they would still disown her. If she showed up one day with a husband that they didn't know about, that would cause problems, too. Not to mention she still had not told Wolfwood. She turns, and looks into his eyes...
Maybe tomorrow
-----Back at the outskirts-----
Vash and Gina sat there for a while, not saying a word, and also not having to say any. Finally they stand, and get ready for a little more patrolling. On a whim, they head of to the north, skirting the perimeter of the ruined city. A six hour patrol shift was turning into a very quiet night time walk. The night has been quiet, no signs of intruders, no covert attacks by Haryusa, even though covert was not his style. It was just a nice time for Vash to be with Gina.
As Vash got ready to speak again, he noticed a shadow moving deeper in the city. Motioning for Gina to be silent, he points toward where he had seen the shadow move. Silently they stalk after the shadow, as it moves inexorably in the direction of their camp. The shadow weaved quickly between buildings, taking an intricate path. Her path would be hard to follow, for an average human, however Vash and Gina are both trained trackers, and they follow the shadowy figure's path. Slowly the light of the dying fire began to brighten up the alleyways ahead.
Camp was nearby, and the shadowy figure was already there.
-----Millie and Wolfwood-----
The light of the fire casts a ruddy glow over the two lovers. Even embraced by sleep, the smiles on their faces are bright. They have found comfort in each other, and are lost in pleasant dreams. Dreams, that they would be surprised to learn, are surprisingly similar. Their sleep is deep, and undisturbed by the noises of the night. So deep, that they are completely unaware of the three sets of eyes on them.
-----In the Shadows-----
There. On the ground. All I have to do is kill them. I failed him once, he doesn't know. I can do this. Nothing can stop me. I will get my revenge.... What's that? There was I noise, I know I heard a noise, where was the noise? Doesn't matter. Kill the priest man and the giant girl. Then kill The bounty hunter and Vash. Especially Vash. Cut him gut him. Why am I giggling? Shhhh I don't want anyone to hear me. Just have to make sure they don't wake up this time... The first time was too quick, and the priest man stopped me the second. Third time is a charm. Heh. No one is waking up this time. Wait! There is that noise again! What is making that damned noise, is it a rat? Ewwww I hate rats... no not a rat. Is it a person? If they are awake I can't stop them. Maybe they are sleep walking? Let me just send out my dream weave.
-----Vash and Gina-----
They looked towards camp, and saw Millie and Wolfwood sleeping peacefully. Apparently the shadowy figure hadn't disturbed them. This is good. It will give Vash a little bit of time to stop whatever it is the shadowy figure has planned. Slinking carefully from shadow to shadow, Vash and Gina move in on their adversary. The night has lost it's musical quality. Now it is just noisy, distracting. Vash looks back to Gina, and motions for her to go around to the other side, and grab there enemy from two sides. Gina nods, and the two break apart. Vash waiting for Gina to get into position, and Gina circling around the next building. Gina makes it into position, and signals over to Vash. They begin to close in on the shadowy figure. Suddenly Vash tenses up, and Gina stops. Gina sneaks back over to her husband.
Gina (whispering): "Vash what's wrong?"
Vash (whispering): "Gina....I know who the shadowy figure is."
Gina (whispering): "Really? How? who is it?"
-----In the Shadows-----
No. Not a sleep walker. Back to the priest man. Kill him Fast. Gotta be fast. They're coming...they won't stop me again. No. no no nononononononononono. Not again. This time I will win. They can't beat me twice... I'm ready. I've planned. I will succeed. Master Haryusa will love me. All I have to do is kill a priest and a giant and a bounty hunter and Vash the stampede. Easy easy Kill kill kill kill! Yes, simple. A kill in the dreams, no mess. Hehehehehehehehe. To sleep, perchance to die. Death a mercy only I can give to you this night. Goodnight Preacher man. Goodnight Giant girl. Here come the nightmares......
-----Synchronicity Revisited-----
The houses interior shone with a brilliant light. All corners illuminated by the bright lights Millie has placed everywhere. Wonderful smells permeate the houses atmosphere. Cookies are being baked in the kitchen, and the smell wafts throughout the entire house, spilling out even past the stoop, creating a welcome scent for all the passers-by. The house stands at the end of a small street, near the outskirts of the newly rebuilt Mei. Her husband's church was built next door, and remains the only church in the new Mei. Many people Come by everyday, some to visit Wolfwood, some to see how the babies were doing. She is content. The babies are doing well, and should be born in the next two months. Wolfwood, constantly brags about his future children.
Wolfwood exits the kitchen, and wraps his arms around his wife's shoulders, giving her a peck on the cheek, his hands wander down to rub her swollen stomach. Millie smiles at the show of affection, both to her, and to her children.
Wolfwood: "So, how are my three favorite people doing?"
Millie: "We are doing just fine! Thank you very much for asking"
Millie tilts her head to the side, and returns his kiss. The kiss lasts mere, seconds, but is more then enough to send both their hearts racing. It serves to remind them both of just how well they compliment each other.
Wolfwood: "I invited Vash and Gina over for dinner tonight."
Millie's eyes light up. While Gina is no replacement for Meryl, she has been kind, and a welcome addition to her surrogate "family". Quickly however, her eyes take on a sterner cast, as she looks up at her beloved husband.
Millie: "And where are we going to get the food to serve all these guests of yours? Hmm? Did you think of that before you invited them? And after I slaved over this hot stove all day long to cook dinner for the two of us."
Wolfwood: "Millie dear, you know as well as I do, that the amount of food you cook could feed this entire town. And probably parts of New July, as well. And let me say, a better meal they will never in their lives eat."
Millie smiles. Her husband always compliments her cooking, and it is true that she cooks a lot. However she uses all of it, well not really, a lot of it goes to the local orphanage. The orphans eat well, and everyone is happy. Tonight, the orphans will just have a little less.
The world darkens.
The front door is kicked open, revealing a woman with long blue hair, and a crazed expression. Her eyes immediately latch onto Wolfwood, as she reaches behind her back. Wolfwood's gunfighter instincts take over, and he dives for cover behind the couch, reaching for the gun he no longer carries. Millie, meanwhile waddles into the kitchen, and hides in the closet, ducking down and barricading the door with assorted cans and pudding cups. Morphia glares at the couch that Wolfwood is using as a shield. With a thought and a nod, the couch disintegrates, leaving Wolfwood exposed. He gets up and starts running, barely avoiding having his head crushed by the newly reformed couch above him. However, his legs are not as lucky, and are pinned beneath Wolfwood lets out a scream, as his left leg is broken by the weight of the couch. Morphia grins, and leaves the priest there, to go searching for the giant girl.
Morphia: "Oh Giant Girl... Come out com out wherever you are.... don't worry, I'm only going to kill you."
-----Vash and Gina-----
Gina and Vash stand several yarz back, looking at Morphia as she stares at the sleeping pair on the ground. She hasn't moved for a few minutes, and Vash and Gina are getting ready to move in. Millie lets out a small whimpering noise. Vash motions with his hand, and he and Gina proceed towards the spot where Morphia crouches in the shadows.
-----Synchronicity-----
The whimpering behind the closet door alerts Morphia to the giant girls whereabouts. Morphia prepares to open the door, bet then decides to have some fun instead. With a thought, and a gesture, the fun begins. Inside the closet, Millie flinches back, as the pudding cups start to move. Pressing her back up against the far wall, Millie watches as the Pudding cups erupt in a shower of spiders. Her scream far exceeds the volume of Wolfwood's scream.
Morphia: "Lookit all the pretty spiders, giant girl. They just wanna play with you, that's all... and all your screaming is making them all excited."
A shadow on the wall in front of her causes Morphia to turn around. Wolfwood has apparently freed himself from the couch, and was able to limp his way over while she was tormenting the giant girl. She looks at him, and the look in his eyes frightens her. A quick punch sends her flying into the far wall, leaving a large dent. Wolfwood limps over, picks her up and slams her again into the wall.
Wolfwood: "Don't mess with my Wife!"
SLAM
Wolfwood: "Don't mess with my house!"
SLAM
Wolfwood: "But most of all. Don't..."
SLAM
"...mess..."
SLAM
"...With..."
SLAM
"... MY..."
SLAM
"...CHILDREN!"
SLAM SLAM SLAM SLAM.
Morphia's dream body does not hold up well to the barage of the angry priest. As she loses her hold on the dream, she starts to fade away.
Wolfwood: "Don't run away you bitch! I'm not done with you yet!"
Her body disappears in a puff of smoke, and the missing light returns once more to the world. Leaving an angry Wolfwood fuming. However the continued whimpers from his wife break him out of his mood, and he sets about trying to open the door. Pulling it open, he looks at his wife.
Wolfwood: "Millie dear, when you barricade the door like this... make sure that the door opens INWARD, ok?"
Millie stands up, and exits the closet, stepping over piles of cans, and destroyed pudding. She takes a good look around her kitchen and frowns. The big dent in the wall causes her particular trouble.
Millie:" I suppose we may have to give Vash and Gina a rain check on dinner...."
-----Vash and Gina-----
As Vash is getting ready to grab Morphia, she coughs loudly, and falls over. Her breathing is really shallow, and her skin very pale. Vash and Gina look down at the her, even as they hear Wolfwood and Millie awake. Wolfwood and Millie make their way over to see what has Vash and Gina so interested. Millie arrives first, and upon looking down, she sees the woman's face, and gasps. Hearing the gasp, Wolfwood looks down, and sees who it is. A cruel smile forms on his lips.
Wolfwood: "Vash, Gina, Millie. Would you step aside.... I have some unfinished business with this woman."
Puzzled Vash and Gina step aside, while Millie's eyes go wide.
Millie: "You....know her?"
Wolfwood: " Well, sort of. You see I just had a dream. We were......er.... well anyway, I beat her up pretty good and she disappeared... So now I want to finish what I started in my dream."
Wolfwood picks up the woman, and once again slams her against the nearest wall.
Wolfwood: "Now remember that next time you pick on my family, bitch."
He throws the limp body, still breathing, to the ground, and kicks her in the gut for good measure. Millie, sits down heavily on a large chunk of a toppled wall. The look on her eyes is a mixture of fear, and wonder.
Millie: "W-what was that about your...f-f-family?"
Wolfwood: "Oh it was part of my dream... I was married, to you actually, and we were living in Mei, a rebuilt Mei....."
Millie: "...and the babies were due in two months...."
Wolfwood: "Yeah! How did you know? I wasn't talking in my sleep again, was I?"
Millie: "No. I had the same dream."
Wolfwood: "Wow...I wonder why?"
Millie: "Not all of the dream was fake."
Wolfwood: "What do you mean."
Millie: "What I mean, is that you are going to be a father, Father."
-----End chapter 13-----
(Auxiliary Pronunciation Guide:
Dabrine- Duh-Bree-nuh
Hagime- Ha-jee-mee
Yoshin- Yo-Shin
Iode- Eye-o-da
Salphae- Sal-fay
Haryusa- Hair-ee-oo-suh
Mikil- Mee-Kill
Raphel- Ray-fell
Alpris- All-Pree
End Auxiliary pronunciation guide}