INTERLUDE: from the diary of meryl stryfe
July 28, Year 131, 12:13 p.m. – Pain. The more I am forced to consider all the possible consequences that lie in wake of our decisions, the more I feel the pain of our dispositions. Now, we draw two others into the storm. For Faye Valentine and her strange companion, former Gung-Ho Gun, Bran the Toddler, it is only the beginning.
Despite our troubles, Vash seems to be taking all these bizarre changes in stride. So many innocent people may find themselves caught between the jaws of death, yet all we can do is move forward in their defense. I don't think there is any real protection for anyone. All that remains is choice. Vash will move on, because that is just the kind of man he is. So much has been stolen from him, and yet he moves onward because he knows no other way. Of course, I too am bound to this obligation, for it is my own father who stands in the way of our success.
Faye and Bran have their reasons. Faye has suffered at the hands of Quinn and his men. I don't know much about her except that she's a dangerous girl who walks a fine line—maybe even runs blindly, I think. Would that be a fair assumption? Hard to say. Whatever the path, I think she's leaning dangerously close to disaster. Bran the Toddler on the other hand…
What can I say of Bran? He's a Gung-Ho Gun that was probably suckered into a life of crime. He's aptly named for his childlike curiosity and convincingly low IQ. But he has something that the rest of the Gung-Ho Guns don't. Along with childlike curiosity comes childlike innocense. I think, shown a little understanding, maybe even some love, and he can shed the darkness that lingers in his heart.
These are two people who deserve opportunity. Vash trusts them in his own way. Without my support, I really have no room in his heart. I have my doubts, but doubt can be overcome. Vash is the one who proved that to me.
The question is painstakingly obvious. The answer is unclear, whether I'm ready for it or not. Where do we go from here? How do we face an army of thousands, and stop my father and this Dr. Quinn from unleashing hell on the people of this world? The truth is, we are truly defenseless in this scenario that was undoubtedly set up to put Vash into an impossible situation.
Lucky for us, he's faced impossible situations before, and won.
I trust in him. I guess if I didn't I wouldn't have come back to find him. I suppose it's possible I'd be back working with Bernardelli, doing the company's paperwork in the main office back at December. Filing and reading reports all day long. Dreaming simple dreams.
The thought of Milly makes me smile. Why wouldn't it? She has been my shining star from the beginning, even before we came to meet Vash. A part of me dreams those dreams with her in mind. There is so much pain in her. Maybe Sean has come to mend some of those wounds. Wherever they are, I hope they're smiling. I hope they see light at the end of whatever tunnel they're traveling. For myself? Well, what can I really say?
For myself, there is nothing but great relief and satisfaction, knowing that Vash is healthy and that he wants me here, at his side. I couldn't leave him if I wanted to. Besides, those perfect green eyes still send bolts of electricity racing through my heart and coursing through my soul. It's just that now, I can show him more than embarrassment whenever that feeling threatens to overcome my spirit. Now, it a part of that spirit, fitting to my soul like a glove, the final piece to the puzzle that once was my shattered heart. And that's just me. Pure and simple Meryl, no more, no less. That's the source of my pain.
Hurts like hell, doesn't it?