Chapter Nine

"Hey, Svenny, baby! Princess! I've got a fun evening planned! We can take a break from sweeping for a while! We've got 65 million dollars. No reason to horde all of that."

"Wrong, Train. We have maybe 50 million dollars. We haven't destroyed public or private property recently, but we still had some outstanding debts. We paid them off with the fifteen million dollars, but that still means we have…"

"Oh, fifty million is still way more than enough. Put most of it in bank accounts, and go crazy with the rest!" Train said in his usual laissez-faire manner. I smiled. In a way, I was happy. Although he was still fairly carefree, he seemed to have developed a certain level of responsibility with his money.

"I've got a few international accounts set up that we can put some of it in. You can do what you want with the rest."

"I'm actually a bit concerned, Train. When has it ever been this easy for us to earn money?" I asked, scowling. "We shouldn't carry large amounts of money around with us, either that, or we should be well armed at all times until we get it in the bank."

"Well, that's no problem. I almost always carry my gun on me. You've got your nanomachines, and Sven's guns are always in his briefcase."

"Actually, my briefcase got severely damaged in the fight with Noa. I need to repair it. You do what you want, but I need to stay here and work on repairs."

"Just take a regular gun with you. We're going out to karaoke!" Train exclaimed excitedly. I started slightly. I had never known Train to be a good singer… Actually, I still knew so little about him.

"I didn't know you sing, Train…" I said. Train laughed.

"I do… Not well, but I sing. You sing, too. So does Sven… Everyone can sing… So long as they can talk, they can sing."

"No… Sven doesn't sing…" Sven said from the other room. "Sven hasn't sung in years… He tried once, and I think some people are still deaf from the attempt. So Sven doesn't sing anymore." He said, speaking in the third person. Train shrugged.

"Just you and me, then, Princess!" He said, taking the money and putting it in his wallet, and taking my hand with his other hand, pulling me out the door. I could really only sigh and follow him. He was like a child dragging his parents to a candy store… Could Train hold his alcohol? Sven could to some extent. He wasn't extraordinarily good at drinking, but he had a drink every once in a while. I never drank.

It wasn't that I couldn't. My nanomachines would break the alcohol down, and thus, if anything, I would have a better head for alcohol than someone three times my size and experience. I just preferred not to. Maybe I would have a glass of wine occasionally. I liked red wine.

"Are you coming with us, at least, Sven?"

"I think not. I'll take the money to the bank, like you suggest. I can take the car. That way, I'm not exposed and vulnerable. Give me your account numbers so I can put some in your accounts as well."

"Sure thing, Svenny baby." Train said, handing Sven a card with three different account numbers. Sven looked at the numbers. What was Train trying to dodge with three different accounts? Well, it wasn't his business, really. It was probably Sylphie's idea. Either way, it didn't matter.

Sven smiled and said goodbye to Train and I, silently shooting Train a look, seemingly warning him not to do anything stupid with me. I couldn't miss the look exchanged between the two of them. Sven, my father, and Train, my good friend and boyfriend. It would have been a little bit funny to see the fight they could get into over this. Was that wrong of me? Train seemed to know what this meant, and gulped, nodding.

"Hey, Eve… Do you drink at all?" Train asked me, taking me into a bar, and showing them his ID. I took out my ID as well. The man looked at me suspiciously, but nodded, scanning my card and finding it to be real.

"I've only ever had a glass or two of wine at a time. I don't like drinking." I answered truthfully.

"Honestly? Me neither. But… Karaoke is at a bar tonight, so… Be on the lookout for drunks and creeps.

"I'd hate to have to explain to Sven that you got assaulted." Train said to me. I was touched that he was concerned about me, but annoyed that he thought so little of me.

"Please, I'll be fine." I said, sitting down at the bar next to him.

"I know. But it's the principle of the thing. Hey…" Train said to the bartender, who smiled politely at him.

"What can I get for you, stranger?" She asked. Train smiled.

"Milk, please. What do you want, Eve?"

"Oh, just water, please." Eve said politely. "No lemon…" She added. The bartender nodded, and went to the back to get our drinks.

"So, what songs do you know, Eve?"

"I know most songs well enough to sing them. There are very few genres that I can't at least fake competence in, namely rap, screamo, and death metal. But I can do most anything else. I honestly prefer opera or classical music."

"You mean like Led Zepplin, Ozzy Osbourne, Toto, and Boy George?" Train asked excitedly. I blanched slightly. Did Train really think that was what Classical Music was? I knew that he lacked the education that I had given myself, but really?

"What? Wait… I mean… What? No… Well, I do know most songs by some of those artists, but I mean Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Tchaikovsky, etcetera, etcetera."

"Okay… Well, do you know Jason Mraz?" Train asked me. I thought for a moment.

"Oh, sure. I'm Yours, The Remedy, Lucky, and some others."

"Yep. Great, I'll be right back." Train said, walking up to the DJ, grinning and talking to him. He smiled and nodded, looking over at me, winking. I shuddered slightly. Maybe he was nicer than he seemed

"Hey, she's beautiful. Lucky." I heard him say. I hadn't been listening before that.

"That is the name of the song I want to sing. Thanks so much for remembering." Train laughed. The DJ laughed along with him.

"Sure thing. You'll get up eventually. Not sure when…" He said in a cheery Irish accent.

After about an hour, the DJ finally called Train and me.

"Okay, and now we've got some new blood on the scene! Train and Eve, c'mon up…" The DJ called. I started. I had sort of known that he signed us both up, but I had been hoping I was wrong.

"Train, what did you do? I don't want to sing! I came here because you wanted to, but I've never sung in public before!" I protested desperately. Train laughed.

"We'll be right up, DJ. Don't worry, Princess. Most of these people are drunk, anyway. Besides, I'm sure you're a really good singer. Come on. For me?" Train asked. I sighed and stood up, taking Train's hand and following him up to the front. As we were walking, Train whispered to me. I could never refuse Train when he gave me that look.

"If you get self-conscious, just sing louder. Sing over any voices in the crowd. It always worked for me. Thank you." Train said, taking the microphones and handing one to me. I nodded and took the microphone, taking a deep breath and steeling my nerves.

The song started with Train singing Jason's lines. I was surprised. Train was really good at singing. He had quite a voice. He had told me that he wasn't very good. I'm embarrassed to say I was so enraptured by his voice that I almost missed my cue to start singing. However, Train kicked my foot lightly to prompt me, and I began singing. I like to think I'm decent at singing. I practice fairly often, or at least when I have free time.

When the song ended, the crowd exploded with applause as Train and I went to the bar, paid for our food and headed out, barely noticing that we were being followed until a hand on Train's shoulder alerted him. I started, alarmed, as Train immediately turned around on instinct, and grabbed the person's arm, flipping them over. The person landed on his feet, and reached for his waistline, grabbing his katana just as Train grabbed his gun, and the two pointed their respective weapons at each other.

"Creed?" Train asked. Creed nodded, smiling.

"Hello, Train. How are you? And you, Miss Vollfied? May I put my sword away?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Did they let you out of the crazy house for good, now?" Train asked with a laugh.

Creed laughed as well. "Well, only for a week. I'll be headed back soon."

"And… You're still on your crazy pills?"

"They'll wear off in a few hours… And then I'll have freedom to kill!" Creed said with maniacal laughter. Train laughed uncomfortably.

"Creed, when a crazy person pretends to be crazy… It's not funny." He said nervously, thinking that he really didn't want a fight, especially in the middle of a city, especially with Creed of all people.

"You're discounting all talk radio, Train."

Sometimes, I admired Train's ability to remain calm and even blasé under pressure. But at other times, I just had to say "Goddamnit, Train. Just shut up and stop putting us in danger with your big mouth."

"Well, regardless, the princess and I need to get back home. Bye, Creed… Oh, Echidna, I never got to ask you, could I have your autograph?" Train asked, handing her a notepad. Echidna smiled cheerfully, pulling an old photo of herself out.

"You just carry those around with you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you'd be surprised how many people still recognize me and want an autograph. I stopped acting years ago, but my reputation still precedes me. No harm in being prepared. Besides, it's a conversation starter, right?" Echidna asked, signing the photo, and handing it to Train, who thanked her and took my hand once more, putting his gun away and heading back to our base with me.

"Train… I didn't know that you were a fan of Echidna Paras." I said, smirking at Train.

"Oh, yeah. One of my favorite actresses. I remember watching all of her movies, even when I was a member of Chronos. Alright, alright…" Train said, laughing sheepishly at my skeptical look. "I kind of had a crush on her when I was younger. Can you blame me?"

I sighed at this.

"I suppose not. She is quite pretty."

"Yeah, but she's nothing compared to you, Princess…" Train said, holding me close to him and kissing me. I found myself heating up. I knew I shouldn't be embarrassed. He was my boyfriend, but this was sort of new for me.

I had dated in the past. There was Leon, and a girl in Braccio City. I learned how to speak Italian from Clara. It was such a beautiful language. I managed to learn it in three weeks, and started speaking to her only in Italian. Eventually, we needed to move on. More bounties to catch. So, although I really liked Clara, we had to say goodbye. Still, nobody held a place in my heart like Train did. He still, even after knowing him for years, made my heart beat faster when he spoke to me.

"I-I…"

"Hey, Eve… I don't think we need to be home for a while. Let's go for a walk. We can walk in the park if you like, or maybe down to the river."

"Hey, Train… I still know so little about you. Like… What were you like before you joined Chronos?"

"You want to hear that story? Well, I was Zagiene's apprentice for a while. He normally didn't kill parents or children, but his employer didn't tell him that he was assassinating a parent. So, after he killed my mom and dad, he took me in. I can't say I was ever terribly athletic before I was taken in by Zagiene. But my desire for revenge led me to work out more. He trained me in marksmanship. Don't aim for the head. It's too small a target. Aim for the heart. Even if you miss, you'll still hit the chest.

"That was one of the first lessons he taught me. I was given implicit permission to try to kill him at any time, day or night. But if I failed, I was punished. I learned quickly. But before I could get revenge, he was assassinated by a rival. I came home one day to find him dying on the ground from a gunshot wound. I was devastated, not because I was angry that someone had gotten him before me, but because he had become like a father to me.

"Well, there wasn't much I could do for him. I buried him, and took the few hundred dollars I could find and went off on my own. Sometimes I would perform feats of marksmanship as a street performer. Sometimes, well, I just went hungry. But I was noticed for my skill by Chronos, and they made me an agent. It wasn't long before they asked me to be one of the Numbers… And you know the story from there." Train said with a sad smile.

"Train… What was your first kill like? I hardly remember mine. It's so muddled among the rest of my kills as Rudman's assassin. But I'm assuming your experience was a bit different."

"Yes. I remember feeling sick the first time I killed someone. I couldn't believe I had taken a life. Was this what Zagiene felt the first time he killed? I wondered that as I looked down at the poor man I had just shot. There was no excuse for what I had done.

"I actually vomited the first time I killed someone. I was quite sick to my stomach. All that blood was nauseating. But, Sepiria told me that it was good that I felt that way. She said that eventually, killing got easier, after your third or fourth time. She was right, I never had such a visceral reaction again. But she said that I should never forget how I felt that first night. That feeling of remorse was what made me human, was what separated me from a common murderer.

"I was a professional, she said. My job was not to enjoy the kill, but to do what was necessary for the greater good. I didn't understand at the time. But I do, now. Sephiria has no problem killing people, but she's not a monster. The two descriptions don't seem to fit together, but despite the fact that she is an assassin, she has a strong conscience and that conscience allows her to empathize not only with her subordinates, but those she kills.

"I wasn't able to continue that life. Not after Saya died. She may never have said it outright, but I think she wanted me to leave that life behind. She taught me more in a few months than Chronos had taught me in my entire time working for them." Train said, tears stinging his golden eyes. My own eyes widened, surprised to see him crying.

"Sorry, Train… I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"No… N-no, it's alright. I'm flattered that you're s-so interested in me. Hey, look… Isn't the moon gorgeous tonight? There's going to be a Blood Moon in a little while. What time is it?" Train asked. I looked at my watch. It was just a cheap light up watch that I had gotten at a gas station. It wasn't exactly elegant, but it worked, so who cared?

"9:32." I said. Train nodded, swept me off my feet and ran all the way to a hilly region outside of town where he sat down under a tree, looking up at the full moon. It was so big tonight. If it was really going to be a blood moon, it would be spectacular. Train took out a video camera. It looked old, but he pulled out the screen so he could see what he was looking at.

"Hey. Here with my girlfriend in Neuveville, about to watch the blood moon. The moon looks amazing already. We've already got La Luna Del Cacciatore, or the Hunter's Moon in the sky. It's huge, isn't it?" Train asked, pointing the camera at himself, then pointing it at me.

"Go on, say something…"

"Um… I don't think…"

"Don't worry about it, beautiful. I'm sure they'll love you." Train replied. I sighed.

"No." I refused.

"Fine. Spoilsport." Train said jokingly, sighing, and laughing. "The lady's a bit shy. But we have a great show for you, tonight. See that moon? Watch, watch, watch!" Train exclaimed, pointing the camera at the sky.

"See the eclipse starting? There's a tiny sliver of blood in the sky… Wowww…" Train continued to monologue as the eclipse made its way across the moon, covering it with a bloody hue. Finally, it finished, covering the moon completely.

"Aaaand, we have our crescendo! Folks! Isn't it gorgeous?" Train asked, acting as though he was conducting the 1812 Overture, which he had turned on as soon as the shadow started to move across the moon. Train had always been quite the showman, quite the dramatic one. I was simply staring at the moon. It wasn't that I had never seen a lunar eclipse before, but it was even more beautiful when being watched with friends, or with my boyfriend, as it was.

"Okay, and that's our show for tonight, folks… Impressive, wasn't it?" Train asked, as the shadow finished retreating, and left the moon white as before. "This is 13 coming to you from Neuveville, wishing you all good night." Train said jovially, shutting off the camera, and turning to me.

"Hey, Princess… That was fun, right? Do you want to hang out in town a while longer, or would you rather go home?" Train asked. I thought for a moment, then lay back down on the grass. It was such a gorgeous night. This far out from town, even with the moon, the stars were shining brightly, and I could appreciate each and every one of them.

"I think I'd like to stay out a while longer.

"Dad will be annoyed, but I just want to enjoy this night. The stars are beautiful, aren't they?"

"Not as beautiful as you, Princess." Train said. I scowled.

"Train… You've never been this romantic before. What happened to you?"

"Well…"

"And I swear to God, if you say Sylphie happened to you, I'll kill you." I growled. Train laughed.

"No, no… Sylphie was annoyed that I wasn't romantic. So, I decided that if I ever got another girlfriend, I'd try to be more romantic with her."

"Yeah, well, it doesn't really suit you. You've always been so blasé, so laissez-faire…" I said, laughing. It was flattering, though that he was trying so hard for me. Did that mean he really did love me? He had said he does, but with Train, I was never sure.

"Can't I try for halfway between the two? I don't want to mess up and be too unromantic." Train laughed. I sighed, rolling my eyes. Yeah, this was the Train I knew.

"Whatever." I said. "Just watch the stars. They're gorgeous tonight. We need to come out on a New Moon. I've convinced Sven to take us out to a rural area for the New Moon so we can see all the wonders of the night sky." I said.

Train's eyes widened.

"Wow! That sounds amazing! I can't wait, princess…" Train whispered to me, kissing me gently on the forehead. He was so much taller than I was, even now that I was older, he seemed so tall to me. I wondered if I would ever reach him.

When I was younger, my goal had been to beat him in combat, to be better than him. And, to a degree, I still consider that my goal. But now, my main goal was to make him truly love me.

"Finally. You two are home. Where have you been?" Sven demanded angrily. I was about to say something, but Train spoke up.

"Well… We went to karaoke first. I kind of coerced Eve up onto the stage with me. She didn't really want to sing. I had to persuade her. Still, we had a good time. Then… Ohh, what happened? We ran into Creed and Echidna on our way through town and I got Echidna's autograph." Train said.

"She was one of my favorite actresses as a kid. I kinda had a crush on her when I was younger. One of those stupid crushes that kids get on their favorite actor. But what then? Well… We went to the hills outside of town and we watched the Blood Moon. I recorded it with the 1812 Overture in the background for theme music. Quite appropriate, I think. Then, Eve and I hung out and watched the stars and then we came back here. How did you do putting all that money in the bank?" Train asked.

"Um… Well, they were a little surprised at the amount that I was investing, but if they disapproved they didn't say anything. As it stands, we have to move on tomorrow. We're heading to our Cincinnati Base. We have another target we're chasing. Study this information I got about him. We need to be as prepared as possible. There are rumors that he's another Tao user. His actual ability is unknown. Noa didn't have full Tao powers, but this one apparently does.

"There are rumors that he works for a criminal organization who took inspiration from the Disciples of the Star and are using Tao to enhance their top members. Not much is known about them."

"Was Noa a member?"

"Not likely… More likely she was a freelance agent who got a gift in that briefcase from them for her work." Sven said.

"Either way, get to bed. We're leaving early tomorrow.