Well, I made it to the 8th episode and things are still going smoothly. I hope you guys will stick around to see what happens next.

Hopefully, the new cast will work to the benefit of the series.

TRIGUN BETA: Series I

Episode 08: Dance-Dance, part 1

.o.o.o.

Vash stepped up onto the rise and looked off into the distance. He stood atop a grassy hill that overlooked a large valley below. He could see a town in the distance. "Finally!" He remarked.

It was a warm summer day, and Vash had discarded his trademark red coat. He was now simply wearing the clothes he had on underneath- brown trousers, black combat boots, a white dress shirt that had the top two buttons open and a red unbuttoned vast. He had also stuck a white Panama hat over his head to keep the sun off his face.

Meryl appeared beside him, dressed in her usual white and black suit- minus the cloak. Maggie was along side them, dressed in a pair of dark gray slacks and a white blouse with a red ascot tied in the front so that the red lengths were visible from under the wide collar. The outfit was completed with a pair of fetchingly incongruous white tennis shoes.

"What is it Vash?" Meryl asked.

"Look, there's a town down there." Vash said, pointing down at the valley. "I'm not too sure on the name, though." He admitted.

Maggie pulled a small book out of her duffle bag. "According to this Atlas, this place is called 'De Lorna' and it's a small farming village." Maggie read out loud.

Vash smiled at her. "See, I knew it was a good idea to bring you along." He said with a smile that made Maggie smile weakly and blush a cute pink tone that complemented her light skin.

Maggie slipped her book back into her duffle bag and then got back up onto her feat.

"Not exactly a Mecca of technological wonder, but it certainly possesses a certain charm of its own." Meryl remarked.

"Then let's go!" Vash exclaimed happily.

.o.o.o.

The three of them entered the village square, where there appeared to be some kind of festival going on.

"This looks like a nice place, all in all." Vash remarked. "We might as well find an inn for the night and enjoy the stay."

"I'll go find one." Meryl remarked. "Come on Maggie." She said gently. The two females departed.

Meryl felt oddly at ease around this new girl, something about her seemed familiar and comforting, like it was meant to be. . .

Vash then turned to observe the area.

.o.o.o.

Vash casually strolled around, looking at the various banners. One caught his eye for some reason. "Dance Contest." He read. He then looked over at several couples of what must have been dancers. Attractive men and women in flashy clothes.

But, what truly caught his eye was the sight of a sad-looking girl sitting alone on a bench.

"What's up?"

The girl looked up to see the tall, smiling figure looking down at her warmly. "Excuse me?" She asked.

Vash sat down beside her. "You know, I close friend of mine once said that faces weren't meant for frowning," He began, and then smiled at her and leaned forward a bit. "Especially a cute face like yours."

She was fair skinned with brown hair and dark eyes, and wearing a simple green dress and sandals, with her hair tied at the top.

The girl blushed and looked away. "T-t-thank you." She stuttered.

Vash smiled, watching her look away, but he could see the corner of her lips curving into a slight smile. "Now that's better." Vash remarked. "By the way, my name is Vash, what's yours?"

The girl turned around and smiled at him. "My name is Mina."

"That's a nice name." Vash answered. "So what's bothering you?" He asked.

Mina looked at him and her face trembled slightly. "I can't dance."

Vash fell over. He quickly pulled himself back up. "Wait now, I can't dance either, but it's not something to cry about."

"No!" She cried out. "I KNOW how to dance, but I'm not being allowed to dance in the competition."

"Oh, why?"

The girl looked at him weekly. "Rula said that if I did, something awful will happen to me."

.o.o.o.

Meryl returned to where Maggie was standing, waiting silently for her.

"I got the rooms; you don't mind bunking with me again, do you?" Meryl asked.

Maggie shook her head slightly and Meryl smiled.

.o.o.o.

"Who's Rula?"

"The mayor's daughter." Mina replied simply.

Vash sighed. "Let me guess, she's using her position as his daughter to bully you out?"

"Yes."

"She's nothing more than a simple bully, but you can't let her push you around." He paused. "You have to go into this competition."

Mina stood up and looked at him. "Rula's not just a bully, she's twisted and dangerous."

Vash stood up and looked at her seriously. "Don't worry about Rula. I'll make sure that nothing happens to you."

"How?" The Girl asked uneasily.

Vash smiled confidently. "Because I'm Vash the Stampede."

-End of Chapter 8-