CHAPTER 2
Nicholas D. Wolfwood was undeniably frustrated. After waiting in line for nearly half an hour at Hotel Johnston, he learned that all of the rooms were booked.
"What do you mean, 'there are no rooms left'? Where the hell am I supposed to stay?" the priest demanded.
The employee at the counter shrugged. "Sorry, sir, but when the sand-steamer comes in, the rooms get taken quickly," he apologized. "I'm sure there are some rooms available at the inn down the street."
Wolfwood shook his head firmly. "There is no way I'm spending the night at that hole-in-the-wall! I've stayed in some pretty crappy places in the past, but I'd rather sleep in the middle of the desert than in that dump!"
"I don't blame you," the employee shuddered. The Radley Inn had quite the horrid reputation in Corning. "But I'm sorry, sir, there are no rooms left."
Hefting his cross over his shoulder, Wolfwood thanked the employee anyway and dejectedly made his way to the door. Head down and wondering where he'd rough the night, the priest almost missed the trio entering. He actually would have missed them if it wasn't for a familiar voice shouting "Mr. Priest!"
Much to his surprise, it was the girls--although it was Millie he really noticed.
"Hey!" Wolfwood grinned, sufficiently cheered up at seeing his friends. "How've you been, I haven't seen you two in a while!"
"We've been doing great, Mr. Wolfwood!" Millie replied cheerfully. "How about you?"
Before the clergyman could respond, a voice piped up. "Hey, what about me?"
Wolfwood looked over towards the source of the comment and his jaw dropped several feet.
"Spikey, what the hell is all over your face?"
Vash flashed his teeth in a silly, Vash-esque smile, which was even sillier due to the hair all over his face. "Why, Wolfwood, it's a beard!"
"I'm not even going to ask what possessed you to grow that," the priest said, shaking his head and waving his free hand in a no-thank-you gesture.
"Good thinking," Meryl mumbled discreetly and Millie gave him sort of a concerned look that symbolized their distaste. Good, the girls are as displeased with it as me, Wolfwood reflected.
"Are you staying at this hotel, too?" Millie asked, welcomingly changing the subject.
"I was planning to, but there aren't any rooms left." Wolfwood shrugged. "So I've got to find some place to stay that isn't that nasty-looking Radley Inn down the street."
"Hey, you can stay with me, if you'd like," Vash offered. "There's an extra bed in my room."
"I think I'll see what else's in town--" Wolfwood said, attempting to slink away. The prospect of rooming with Vash in the first place was rather hard for him to stomach, but with a bearded Vash? Out of the question!
"Nonsense, there aren't any other decent hotels around here," the legendary outlaw said, matter-of-factly. "It's either here or that decrepit excuse for an inn. And I won't have any friend of mine staying there!"
Oh god, what a difficult decision! Wolfwood thought. Either one will be like hell... and either one I choose, Vash will make me stay with him. He clenched his jaw in dissatisfaction for a few beats before responding.
"Alright, Vash, I'll take you up on that offer," the clergyman mumbled, defeated.
"Hooray! We're roomies now! Come on, let me show you our hip bachelor pad!" the Humanoid Typhoon declared gleefully and rather dork-like. Slinging the cross over his shoulder and grabbing Wolfwood by the arm, Vash began dragging his reluctant roommate towards their quarters, which caused quite the commotion in the lobby.
The girls watched as Vash toted away Wolfwood, who shot them a "please save me" kind of look before he disappeared up the staircase.
"Have fun, Mr. Priest!" Millie called after him.
"We'd better get to our room, Millie," Meryl said. "I have the feeling that we have a hectic week ahead of us."