Chapter 5: B Flat and C Sharp
3days later
Midvalley stared out at the evening light and looked at those who walked out the saloon. His aggravation remain on what happened three days ago.
" You astound me Midvalley, you would kill your own for something simple," Legato echoed
Midvalley balled up his fist and found himself become angered for no reason at all. He closed his eyes trying to figure out why he had followed Legato, was it because in away he did help him escape. No, there was apart of him that still hung onto the past of watching the faces of those who took pleasure in killing innocent people. He couldn't understand the way mankind thought, even though he was apart of humanity.
" So, you see your wasting your time protecting these humans," Legato spoke to him through thought
" There's always a second chance," Midvalley thought
" Think back to when those who destroyed the innocence of your hometown. Did they think about giving a second chance," Legato stated
" No, they didn't," Midvalley answered
Midvalley lowered his head and sighed. He grabbed his sax and played awhile listening in thought.
" Do you know who really caused all that trouble?" Legato questioned
" Angered people, still in shock of the July incident," Midvalley replied
Legato laughed and remarked, " You are unaware of the true reason."
" I shouldn't care it happened 7 years before my birth," Midvalley said, " It's the past."
Midvalley continued to play and stopped when his B flat stuck. He fiddled with it and got it to work again. Midvalley's playing stopped for a second or too.
" Your distracting me," Midvalley said
" Am I," Legato said
Midvalley looked at the setting sun and then put the sax down.
" What is it that you want from me?" Midvalley questioned
" Your loyalty," Legato said
" To you or your master?" Midvalley asked
Legato laughed and simply replied, " Both."
" One or the other, I don't sell my soul for two," Midvalley said
" You can't defy either one of us, you will always be watched," Legato said
" Defy? Why would I do that?" Midvalley inquired
Legato didn't answer and Midvalley laughed a little. He had asked a question Legato could not confirm with an answer. He returned to his playing and then headed down to the saloon. He saw the endless drunks being carried out, thinking that the scenes in a saloon never changed. The ladies of the saloon walked over to Midvalley with opened arms. He sat down and the women joined him. Dominique looked at Midvalley and gave a slightly drunken laugh.
" Doesn't that make you sick?" Dominique questioned
" I'm only a bartender, I don't care what entertainment does after work," Anna replied cleaning up.
Dominique looked at Anna as she put glasses away. Dominique nodded and laughed.
" I see now," Dominique said, " Do all female bartender fall for entertainment?"
Anna looked at her and said, " I beg your pardon, but I do resent that."
" I don't believe you do," Dominique stated
Dominique paid and walked over to Midvalley and hit him on the back of the head. He looked up at her and smirked.
" You come to a city and suddenly your above us all," Dominique said
" What jealous?" Midvalley questioned
" You wish," Dominique said, " In joy the comforts of saloon women."
" You are jealous, I have all this attention and you can't get one emotionless bastard to notice you," Midvalley said
Dominique looked at him and said, " I'm afraid you've read me wrong once again Hornfreak."
" Hornfreak?" Midvalley questioned
" The only love of your life is that piece of metal that plays nothing but sharps and flats," Dominique said
Dominique tipped her hat then headed out. Midvalley looked at her as she vanished out the door and into the darkness. He couldn't stand Dominique and wouldn't dare try to understand her way of thinking.
" HornFreak," Midvalley spat
He looked at the women that draped their arms around him. He smirked and put one arm around each girl hanging on his shoulders.
" What a life?" Midvalley thought
Anna lifted tapped the drunks and got them on their way. She picked up tips and tossed them behind the counter. She hopped over the counter and cleaned the tops off.
" Alright girls get going," Anna said, " It's closing time."
The women looked at Midvalley and he kissed each one on their cheek. They walked off and Midvalley looked over his shoulder. Anna pushed the chairs in and cleaned the tabletops off. She looked at Midvalley as she did and stopped. Midvalley watched her just stand there through the panes of glass on the side of the bar.
" What's wrong?" he questioned
" I don't know," she replied
Anna wiped the sweat off her forehead and then continued to clean up. Midvalley stood up and looked at her and Anna kind of chuckled.
" What?" he questioned
She walked over to him and wiped his cheek.
" It's really not your color," Anna said
Midvalley smirked and kind of wiped his cheek again.
" You don't have anymore," she said
She fixed his collar and he looked at her strangely.
" Your becoming sloppy," she said
" Then I guess I'm glad I have you to clean me up," Midvalley said
Anna nodded and walked behind the bar. She pulled out a bottle and poured a drink, she then poured one for him.
" Have a drink, I know you can handle this," she said
Midvalley walked over and took the glass and nodded.
" To life," Anna said
" May it never lose its excitement," Midvalley said
Anna smiled and downed her drink and Midvalley drank his down. He set his glass down and he looked down at the empty glass. It reminded him how empty his life was once all substance was taken out. One moment he was a wondering homeless boy, the next he was in love with the most gorgeous woman alive, then it was all sucked out and he became empty. His music was the only thing left and now the new idea of help stopping a pest.
" Midvalley," she said
" Huh?" he responded
" You ok?" she asked
" I'm fine," He said
" Want another?" she questioned raising the glass
Midvalley smiled and said, " Filler up."
Anna smiled and poured another glass for him. After a "few" drinks Midvalley stopped. He could feel the alcohol getting to him. He got up and slightly stumbled, but regained balanced, to play off the slight drunkenness. Anna smiled and walked over to him and took one arm and put it over her shoulder.
" Come on, I'll help you up," she said
Both walked upstairs and to his room. She opened the door and got him in, then she sat him down on his bed.
" Thanks," he said
" All in a days work," she said
Anna looked at Midvalley and then turned away and headed out the door.
" What's your story?" Midvalley questioned
Anna turned and replied, " My story?"
" Why are you so closed up?" he asked
Anna walked into the room and stood there. She wasn't sure how to exactly answer Midvalley's question.
" I don't know," she replied, " Afraid I guess."
Midvalley sat up and looked at Anna's confused look. He smirked a little and a small chuckle escaped his lips. She looked up at Midvalley and gave him a look.
" There's got to be something," Midvalley said
Anna walked over and sat next to him and shrugged.
" I'm a lonely bartender, I just listen to the problems to those who walk in. I never really had a story of my own," Anna stated
" Afraid maybe to commit to something, cause of all the stories you hear from drunks," Midvalley suggested
Anna turned and looked at him and sighed.
" Maybe," she said
" Maybe you shouldn't be afraid, and just go for what you want," Midvalley said
" Go for what I want, easy for you to say you don't have a saloon to run," Anna said
Midvalley nodded and said, " Your right, I don't have anything to run my life. I'm free from responsibility, but it's not about me. This is about you, there must be something."
Anna looked at him and stood up and Midvalley grabbed her by her wrist. She stumbled back towards him and he caught her in his arms. With that Midvalley kissed Anna, and Anna replied back to his kiss. For the bliss moment neither one had realized their attraction to one another, until that moment. Anna pulled away slowly and looked at Midvalley, she was surprised, but delighted the handsome saxophone player took an interest in her. His smooth playing remain even off stage.
" Are you afraid now?" he whispered
" No," she replied
She pushed Midvalley down and looked at him, he smiled and then Anna kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and enjoyed the sudden fearless bartender.
The next morning Midvalley opened his eyes, his head was pounding. He rubbed his eyes and then looked around, then looked next to him. Anna's head rested on his chest. He was surprised and then remember barely what happened. He sighed and looked at his sax that rested against the wall. He gave another sigh and then heard Anna moan a little waking from her slumber. She opened her eyes and looked around, then looked up.
" Morning," she whispered
" Morning," he replied
Anna sat up and held the covers over her. She looked at the morning light and sighed, then looked at Midvalley.
" I have forgotten how it feels to be free from the duties of life," she said
" Perhaps you needed this the most," Midvalley said, " Your to tense."
Anna smiled and said, " And your too carefree."
Later, that morning Midvalley took a walk around town and stopped when he felt the stares of jealousy.
" What do you want?" he said
" Don't get caught up with that woman, she's only going to drive you away from what your suppose to do," Dominique said
" Well, I don't believe you should be telling me that," Midvalley said
" Your just a womanizer," Dominique said
" In your opinion," Midvalley said, " And in my opinion your wasting my time."
Dominique walked past Midvalley and brushed past him.
" I hope you don't sleep at night," Dominique said, " Cause I'll rip that heart of yours right out and you'll see what pain is."
" Your pride has been injured hasn't it," Midvalley stated
Dominique threw her head up and headed off and Midvalley smirked in contentment. He continued outward to explore December. There was more than just the inner part, there was an extended outer region, that most did not know about. Midvalley took it upon himself to feel adventurous. These people lived their lives differently than those who lived in the inner part of December. They were more rough around the edges, more out from society. Midvalley had seen parts of this back in Geo Town and Rosetta, but not as rough as these. There were fights and distasteful people, especially in the women.
" Take a look here boys, looks like we got a rather high class man visiting the slums," A rather large rounded man said
Midvalley turned and looked at the man. He didn't care to quarrel with such a rustic resident. He was just floating around.
" Do you think your better than us stranger?" a slender man asked
Midvalley didn't answer and continued to walk on. The women looked at him and smiled give a seductive look.
" Hey handsome, do you need a companion?" women called
Midvalley continued onward and entered a bar. He sat down and in the corner he saw Legato sitting there eating cake.
" What are you doing here?" he questioned
" Widen my horizons," Legato answered
Midvalley got up and walked out and ran right into the first set of guys.
" Well, this would be twice," the large rounded guy said
Midvalley turn the other way and the tall slender guy stood in front of him. Midvalley sighed and began to feel he was in a trap. He walked around the tall slender one and headed on.
" So, he does think he's higher than us," the big rounded one said, " He's ease to take care of."
The big rounded man pulled a gun out and aimed it at Midvalley. Midvalley continued walking and then he heard two gunshots. He stopped and turned around and Dominique slipped her gun into her holster.
" Men like that just make me sick," Dominique said
Midvalley looked at them and breathed deep, he felt no remorse to those who were just killed, but he could have handle it himself.
" I was perfectly capable of doing it myself," Midvalley stated
" Being gunless doesn't help your situation," she said
Midvalley pulled out a gun and Dominique looked at it.
" I was wrong," she said
Legato walked out and looked at the two, his same expressionless face just stared at him.
" When are we going to meet this master of yours?" Midvalley asked, " I'm beginning to doubt that there is or ever was a master you serve under to order us around."
" You should never doubt," Legato answered, " It could lead to your death."
" Can you prove to us that this master exist?" Midvalley questioned
" Stop being insubordinate," Dominique growled
Midvalley looked at Dominique and said, " I wasn't speaking to you."
Legato walked off casually, not answering Midvalley's daily babbling. Dominique and Midvalley continued until people stared and then she ended the conversation. She brushed past him and walked beside Legato.
" He is most troublesome," Dominique said
" And so are you," Legato replied
Dominique smirked and then looked at Midvalley as he stuck his hands in his pockets and followed the two. Dominique was pleased with her accomplishment of killing and made Midvalley see he was only less than he seemed to be.
That evening Midvalley played his sax for the evening drunks, whom constantly cried their troubles to the bartender. Midvalley's evening music tended to be depressing and long agonizing melodies. Anna found it slightly depressing and strange, when he did. It was almost as if he were trying to make those who listened suffer more. Anna felt she should address the issue afterwards.
Once the evening died away and the saloon shut. Anna cleaned up and looked at Midvalley as he laid his sax in the case. There wasn't anything to be said between them, he didn't speak of last night and nor would she bring it up. She knew and had predicted right that she was just a one night stand.
" Midvalley," she said
He looked up at her and didn't say anything. She walked from behind the bar and walked over to him.
" Why are you playing such depressing melodies?" she asked
" Their not depressing," Midvalley responded slightly coldly
" They are to me, don't you feel it deep inside," Anna said
Midvalley smirked and shook his head.
" The music comes from how I feel, and that is how it will always be," Midvalley said
Anna shook her head and said, " No, your music was up beat."
" Then perhaps I've changed," Midvalley responded
Suddenly the doors opened up and someone stumbled in, both Anna and Midvalley looked up.
" Sir are you alright?" Anna questioned
The man looked at her and fell to the ground and Anna ran over and Midvalley joined her. The man was warn out and beat up like he had been running from a fight. Midvalley looked at the man's face and his eyes slightly widen. Anna looked up at Midvalley and tapped his hand. He looked at her and walked off.
" Midvalley," she said
" I have to go," he said
He grabbed his case and headed out and Anna grabbed his hand.
" Where are you going?" she asked
" Home," Midvalley said
" Midvalley," she said
" I'm sorry," Midvalley said
Midvalley walked out the door and took off on the three days path. Anna watched him disappear into the night and sighed.
" Vash….the….Stampede," the man whispered
Anna turned around and looked at the man felt her heart fall into her chest.
" Vash the Stampede," she repeated