Runic Aftermath

Gallows didn't know what would be more fun. . .saying "I told you so" to Jet, or teasing him about Virginia's hanging all over him earlier. He finally decided on C. None of the above, on account of knowing the tendencies of the male Drifter upon being angered. So instead he settled for trying to play his cards right with Leila; thiefdom be damned. She was cute, and maybe she'd settle for roaming with them now.

"So, Leila," he began, "How did we do? As you can se, we got the treasure, so you don't have any thing to worry about now. You know, you can always change your mind about thieving, and come with us. We can hang out, go to the bar for drinks at night. It'll be good to have someone to party with for a change."

"No thank you. I like my life just the way it is. Nothing a drunken moron like you says will ever change my mind. Now then, let me have my treasure so I can get back to the hideout," demanded Leila. Clive, not wanting to argue with the girl, handed it over in a flash. With that, she got back on DC, and rode away into the sunset. Gallows sighed, another attempt at impressing a cute girl had slipped by once more.

Jet muttered, "Serves him right, he never should have got us into this mess in the first place." Then, the still blushing boy turned his face away from the others. But Virginia noticed him, knowing what was the matter now. She too was still amazed at how brazen she just was. I mean, she let herself hug him. Him! Jet Enduro! The cold hearted youth whose kind words were still a little harsh on your ears. What was it about the boy that made her do things like this this? Why didn't she want him to fight with Leila? It's not like he would have gotten hurt then, he was good enough. Was she really that worried about his well being?

Clive looked at the two of them, knowing how much they seemed to be in denial. 'I know Jet loves Virginia, else he wouldn't save her all the time. If all he cared about was Gella, he could always have let us fend for ourselves and taken off. And I know Virginia loves Jet, she pays the most attention to his problems. Sure whenever Gallows or I have something wrong she helps us, but she doesn't go to the extremes like she does when Jet is the one not feeling right. I remember when I felt like I couldn't go on with them, she let me find out on my own when begging didn't work. But when Jet was distant about things like his past and his memories, she went out of her way to try and help him feel better. If only they could realize how much pain they are causing themselves by not admitting how they feel.' He sighed, and looked at Gallows.

The Baskar was leaning against a rock, contemplating the latest girl trouble he had. Poor guy never caught a break when it came to women at all, this was one of many rejections he'd suffered in his life. Clive began to wonder about how he could help Gallows to find the right girl, but then realized it would do no good. There was no way for Clive to know what girl was right for Gallows, he would have to figure things like that out on his own. Perhaps being burned all these times would serve as a lesson in finding that special girl.

"Well then," an extremely red Virginia said, "Let's go and make camp for the night, then Clive can tell us all about how he stopped the Clown Wight. And I'll cook us some dinner, I don't know about the rest of you but I'm starving. How about it? I've got some meat we picked up in town. I'll make us a nice stew."

. . .

As they ate Virginia's stew, Clive told them his story. He'd shot right at the spot that Gallows had informed him of, and then something weird happened. The Clown Wight let out a crazy laugh, and toppled over on its side. Turns out, the creature was no more than a robot, and his shot had struck a vital wire to its activation. Then, he found the treasure, and left the ruins. Many gems had been in the chest, it would have been enough to satisfy Maya Schroedinger for about ten years. That comment caused Gallows to laugh.

"Anyway, this stew is very good Virginia. You should make this more often. Although I have eaten many of the recipes you make, but never this one. Where did you learn to make such a delightful stew?" asked the scholar. He looked to Gallows--who was scarfing down stew--and Jet--simply sitting down.

Virginia told him, "My mother taught me this recipe. It was the last one she gave me before. . .the day. . .when she died." Suddenly, she dropped her fork, and began to sob unconsciously. Anytime she thought about her mother, especially about her death, she began to feel sad. Ekatrina had died so young, and the Drifter had been a mere child. If she hadn't died, would Virginia have all these problems right now.

Jet suddenly felt a strange sensation come over him. Almost as if he couldn't control his own arm, the boy held his right arm around her body. Virginia turned her face to his shoulder, and sobbed into it. Gallows resisted the temptation to tease Jet about his attitude towards Virginia, knowing it wasn't the time or the place for it. Virginia wasn't in the best of moods, she didn't need him pushing her buttons anymore.

Clive shook his head. "I'm sorry Virginia, I shouldn't have brought it up. If I had known this would cause you to think about your mom like that, I would have never have asked about where you learned the recipe." But the second he said that, he realized that it was not necessary. Virginia was too intent at hanging onto Jet. She was going to be just fine, all the girl needed was a good cry to let her sorrow die.

"Thanks Jet," she finally said, wiping her eyes on his red scarf, "That's all I needed. Just let me cry, and I'll feel better. You may not think it, but you are the best comfort I can have when I'm sad, because I know that you are by my side, and I'm not facing the world alone." She smiled once more, at Jet in fact.

Jet blushed, trying to turn away. He didn't want her to know what a total softy he could be, but he had let it show when he worried about her. Luckily, she wasn't teasing him for it, but she wouldn't do that anyway. Virginia understood him, and would most likely be happy that he had shown her some emotions other than his own anger. After all, Virginia wanted him to make happy memories, wanted him to be happy himself. And if he was happy, then she was happy. He wondered why this was so, what was he to her?

"So, Clive, lets just leave the two of them be for a little, let them have their little moment without us here to ruin it," Gallows suggested. He grabbed Clive by the shoulder, and began pulling him around the side of the rocks. No doubt, he only wanted to spy in order to see what Jet and Virginia would do when no one else was around. Clive would have protested too, if he hadn't been ready to lecture Gallows on how it is not a polite thing to do if you peep at other people who are having a romantic moment, they might get mad.

The second they were gone, Jet's composure returned. He muttered, "Whatever Virginia, if you want to cry on me it doesn't matter. Just as long as you don't make me solve your problems, there's nothing I can do in that sense. Next time, however, can you try not to soak my only scarves when you cry on them?" He was obviously trying to sound tougher than he really felt. Truth was, he was just relieved to know that she felt better, and that he had helped her to do so. Almost as if she wove a spell around him.

Virginia looked at him, and smiled. "I know you don't really mean that so harshly. You don't have to act tough around me, I know you're tough. And I also know that you are hurting deep inside over things you can't control. Listen, if you ever need to cry, just do it. I won't tell Gallows and Clive what's wrong."

"Hey, Clive, move over," demanded Gallows, " I can't see when you're blocking the view of the canyon." This was because Clive was facing Gallows, with his back to the others. He wanted Jet and Virginia to have their privacy. But unfortunately, there was no way to block out Gallows's hearing too.

"I know you're spying Gallows. If you don't come out of there right now, I'll shoot you full of lead!" threatened Jet. When Gallows did come out, with a very angry Clive in tow, Jet was as red as a tomato.

Virginia sighed. She thought, 'Well, it's nice to know that nothing's changed. Oh, Jet. I hope that someday I can tell you how I really feel. Because I think I might be falling in love with you."

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

I was looking for more humor than romance, and all romance getting interrupted ala Slayers. Anytime someone seems to have a romantic scene, something goes wrong. See. . .(SPOILER ALERT) Lina and Gourrys kiss—they forget it happened and get into a fight—Martina and Zangulus's wedding—the front of the church falls onto them—and any time someone hangs onto their destined partner—either they simply blush it off or they have to go on so they can't have any moments. (END SPOILER).