Fun in a Bar

"Virginia," Jet whispered, "I don't usually say this…but thanks. It does hurt to remember. That's why I was originally against finding out who I was. But it also makes me feel this funny sensation of happiness inside; I had a good life with my old man even if it was for a little while. But if you even dare to tell Clive and Gallows about what happened here today, then I am going to have to do something drastic."

"Oh my Guardians! We forgot to get Clive and Gallows! I don't even know where they are now," exclaimed Virginia. She dropped Jet from her arms in the excitement. However, when he should feel relieved that she wasn't smothering him anymore, Jet was actually angry. He wanted her to hold him close to her and show him how much she cared. But since this was Jet, he didn't tell her what he felt.

Jessica added, "And I forgot my team too. Man! I hope they aren't in any trouble. Laura at least can cause a real ruckus if she gets drunk. They're gonna kill me when I return to them." With that, the young girl began to run for the exit with Frisky on her heels. Virginia and Jet weren't far behind. But at the end of the raised area, she forgot to jump down and ended flat on her face. Everyone else sighed.

S...S

Two mugs of beer clinked halfway across the table. The first belonged to one rebellious young priest named Gallows Carradine. The second was in the possession of one fun loving Drifter named Laura Hammilin. Around the table sat Clive Winslett, Lyla Fischer, and Vincent Maxwell. Those three simply sighed at how immature and foolish their other friends were being; it was bad to drink in excess.

What had happened was that Lyla had awoken from Virginia's konk on the head shortly after the Illusion spell had taken effect. First she managed to locate Laura and Gallows fighting with their ARMs. The Baskar had taken off his hood at the realization that his opponent was indeed a woman. When his attempts at romancing his way out of the situation failed, he began to fight back in hopes of wounding her so he could make a getaway. However, Lyla recognized him and convinced Laura to drop her weapon while she gave him a talking to. That led to the true story about Beatrice killing Lamium coming out.

It wasn't long before they found Vincent fighting Clive; who had also taken off his hood. When the explanations were put on the table, the boy went along and stopped his fighting as well. But they searched all over for the three missing ones to no avail; nobody thought to look in Doria for the trio.

That was how they had ended up at Jolly Roger's Saloon once more. The three members of the Blazing Guns had put on their own ponchos and Vincent had tried his best to make the bogus excuse that they were all sensitive to the sun believable. Luckily, everyone else inside the saloon was drunk off their asses. Clive didn't need to deal with the bounty hunters now; what with his leader and Jet both missing.

Gallows had tried to assure them that it would be ok. "Don't worry about them. I bet our leader and the sulky punk went to a nice quiet spot together where they're having a fun time. Man, I feel like such an idiot. Even he beat me out in getting laid. I must be the most unlucky man on the whole planet."

"I hear ya," Laura added, "I never get anyone to sleep with me. I don't want to die a virgin. And nobody on my team can understand the finer things in life. I mean, none of them drink at all. And then they try to stop me too. Last time I was drunk, Vincent and Lyla dragged me up to my room and I didn't get any man to come with me. How about we have a drink together; a drink to the drags in our lives."

"You hit it right on the button. Let's do that. Bartender, another couple of rounds over at this table. And please be especially careful with the lady's drinks," Gallows ordered. He felt like he was dancing on air. At last, someone who thought as he did. Perhaps everyone did have their soul mate.

Lyla yelled, "You should be serious Laura. We've got to locate Jessica and get the team back together. How are we going to get anywhere without her? She eventually has to bring us to meet her mother; when Vincent feels that he's ready to go into the town and get the answers to his questions."

Clive gave Gallows a bit of a death glare. "Really, we too have to be going. Jet and Virginia are still missing. And unlike you, I highly doubt he's gotten her into any compromising positions. When is the last time he's even shown mild interest in something like that? Not since I've known him, that's for sure. And we know that she's an innocent maiden. I think the two of them are a lot more responsible than that."

"Your friend is named Virginia?" inquired Vincent, "That's the same name as my twin sister. We were separated at birth and I'm trying to locate her. All I've found is that my mom is dead and she and my dad are not at home. The two of them seem to be traveling as Drifters; though not with one another."

"Well, the Virginia I know doesn't have any siblings. She's an only child who lost both her parents at a young age. Quite sad really. Her father died in a tragic accident. Since nobody survived, there was no way to get a message back home to his family so they could all find closure. Her mother was so sad that it is said that she lost the will to live and succumbed to her illness rather easily," Clive told the boy.

Vincent didn't know whether or not this was his family Clive was talking about. After all, he was sure his real father was alive due to the journal. He did feel at ease, however, talking about the reason behind his kidnapping. The youth said, "My father's rival, a man named Leehalt, took me from my mom just to hurt our family. He wanted to use it as a wedge to drive my parents apart. But mother told no one else about me; suffering alone for everyone she loved. I wish I could kill that monster for what he did."

Clive patted the boy on the back. "It's ok. He's dead now. Our team killed him. Or rather, one of our two missing members did so after Leehalt tried to torment him for something he couldn't help. I take it then your father and mother were a Werner and Ekatrina Maxwell. That would be the late parents of our team leader. There was an old love triangle between Werner, Ekatrina, and Leehalt; from what the two men were discussing during our trip to the Yggdrasil system. But Werner recently found his peace; his memories weren't able to rest in peace due to Hyadas and the fact that he regretted certain past errors."

"Father," whispered Vincent, "I hope you and Mother are happy together once more. Don't worry about my sister. I'll take care of her. Once I speak to Aunt Victoria, she's going to confirm my story and we can be a family. Then, we can mourn your passing together." But tears flowed down from his eyes.

Lyla walked up to him and held his hand. She was no longer wondering about her attraction to him. His soul was pure and kind; scarred by betrayal and deceit. Only he hadn't grown up bitter from the loss of his foster father nor turned to the Demons the second he found the man again. All he wanted was to have a family. With most of his gone, he would have to build one again. Perhaps she could be a part of it somehow. But Lyla was a shy girl and feared opening her mouth to tell him. So she kept it inside.

Teefa's Last Words...

A little depressing, and a little humorous. I just wanted to have a scene with Laura and Gallows in a bar. We'll get back to them later at a reunion, and then I have a plan for even more fun.