Chapter 8: A Bit of Normalcy or the Calm before the Storm
Vash found himself drifting in a formless void. There was no color in this place or light for that matter. In fact there really wasn't much of anything. However, it didn't feel hostile or that he was in danger at all. He thought back to the last thing he had done and immediately a hotel room came to mind.
Anya
Vash's eyes snapped open and he immediately saw dark ceiling overhead. He now remembered falling asleep in Anya's hotel room and sleeping quite heavily. He normally didn't sleep poorly but this time felt like it had been his most restful sleep in some time. A small smile found its way to Vash's face as he thought of why he had slept so well. Anya, originally just some girl Vash had fallen for, turned out to be an independent plant just like him. Not only that but she had also psychically shared with Vash her whole story, leaving no secrets between them. Once again, Vash was thankful for coming to this town.
He rolled over on his side to see if Anya was awake and was surprised to see that her side of the bed was empty. Vash quickly sat up, feeling the sheets only to find that they were cold. Fear gripped his heart, his mind going back to his nightmare and images of Knives snatching Anya from him. He stumbled to his feet, racing to get dressed and strap on his holster. In his haste to leave, he stubbed his toe on the coffee table, nearly falling to the floor in the process. Vash gripped his throbbing foot, biting back a few choice curse words for the offending table.
After the pain started to fade, Vash looked up and saw that there was a basket on the table that hadn't been there yesterday.
"Well, where did you come from?" Vash asked curiously as he inspected the parcel. It was covered with a white cloth and a small envelope was pinned to it. Vash grabbed the envelope first, pulling out a letter that had been written in delicate script on the hotel stationary.
Vash,
I'm sorry but I had to go to work. I didn't want to wake you. I left you a quick
breakfast in case you were hungry.
XO
Anya
Vash grinned as relief coursed through him. He had worried over nothing. Anya was safe and only at work. Vash set down the letter and uncovered the basket. He was immediately greeted by the delightful scent of fresh baked goods, causing his stomach to grumble hungrily. Nestled inside were an assortment of donuts and tucked underneath the basket was a copy of that day's newspaper.
The morning passed slowly as Vash ate his breakfast and read the paper, occasionally glancing out the window to watch the citizens of October going about their business. Once he had finished, Vash went through some of his daily training exercises, honing his already impressive agility and fighting abilities, then he tidied up the room in case Anya would still be using it. Satisfied with his work, Vash gathered his things and headed back to his room to shower and get dressed in a fresh set of clothes.
Once refreshed from the shower, Vash headed downstairs to the lobby. It was rather busy as Vash descended the last few steps. People were either checking in or out or they were heading into the tavern. Vash followed the line of people into the popular establishment and soon found that it was quite crowded with available seats quickly filling up. Vash quickly scanned the room, looking for an open table when he was suddenly pulled to the side and spun around.
"Huh? What the?" he blurted out as he spun until the spinning just as suddenly stopped and he fell into a chair that was at one of the tables. Sitting around that same table were Meryl, Milly, and Wolfwood. The preacher in particular looked rather mischievous. Vash was certain that it had been Wolfwood who had pulled him so roughly. Milly looked innocently amused while Meryl looked annoyed.
"Good morning! How's everyone doing this fine morning?" he exclaimed, grinning shyly at his awkward entrance.
"Good morning, Mr. Vash! We were just about to order. What great timing!" Milly replied happily.
"Yeah needle-noggin, we thought we were going to have to drag you down here." Wolfwood replied, putting out his finished cigarette. Vash chuckled as he filled a glass with water from a carafe at the center of the table.
"Just lucky, I suppose." he replied. As he drank his water, Vash looked around the tavern. Many servers, more than usual, were hurrying about the room carrying trays and delivering orders but so far none of them were the one he was looking for. Vash was ready to give up when the doors to the kitchen swung open and out rushed Anya, carrying a tray laden with food and drinks. Today she was wearing a white linen halter dress that had blue swirling designs along the hem and her hair was tied back in a long, twisting braid, showing off her lightly tanned, muscled back.
A dreamy, content look came over Vash's face and he almost began to dribble water down his chin. Milly giggled at the sight of him while Wolfwood sat silently amused, but Meryl groaned and leaned across the table, smacking him hard across the side of the face. Water spilled down the front of Vash's red coat as he snapped out of his daydreams. He looked back to Meryl, who was now glaring at him with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Mr. Vash, I do not think that it is appropriate that you sit around here all day, eyeballing that poor waitress. She's had to suffer enough of your company." she said harshly.
Wolfwood let out a short bark of laughter while he lit another cigarette. It made Vash wonder just how he managed to have so many on him. Meryl ignored the cigarettes and turned her glare on the priest.
"Oh, and what was that for, Mr. Wolfwood?" she asked, her tone accusing.
Wolfwood looked at Meryl calmly, completely unfazed by her temper, and set his cigarette in the ashtray. His attitude only seemed to annoy Meryl further, especially since he was taking his sweet time answering her. When he finally let Meryl stew for long enough, he answered her.
"Meryl, you need to relax. Trust me when I say that Vash is not bothering Miss Harper. Actually, I believe they enjoy each other's company." he said bluntly. That statement shocked Meryl, leaving her mouth hanging open. The flustered insurance agent recovered quickly and shot back an incredulous response. Vash rolled his eyes and tuned them out. It seemed like Milly was doing the same as she perused the menu again.
Psst! Everything okay over there?
Vash sat up alert at the subtle mental intrusion. He looked around, the others still oblivious, and he saw Anya cleaning glasses at the bar. She looked up at Vash as if sensing his gaze and winked. He smiled and gave her a short wave.
Sorry to startle you. I just noticed that things were a bit heated at your table. She thought with an apologetic smirk on her face.
It's fine. I like being able to talk like this with you. Meryl thinks that I'm a bad influence on you and that I should keep my distance. Vash answered. Anya's smirk widened into a smile and she laughed through their mental connection. It was a clear and pure sound like a bell and a warm, gleeful feeling followed.
Oh heaven forbid we see each other! The outlaw may corrupt me! She thought sarcastically. Vash grinned, happy that she wasn't taking Meryl's concerns to heart. Then someone from the kitchen called for Anya. She put away the last set of glasses and hurried off, sparing only a glance back at Vash.
Gotta go! I'll be done at two o'clock!
I'll be waiting.
He turned his attention back to his friends as their own server approached the table. The argument had abated and they hadn't even noticed that Vash hadn't been paying attention.
-)*(-
Anya had counted the long minutes until her shift ended. She had hurried through all her cleaning duties so that she could leave right as the clock struck two. Anya tossed her apron into the laundry bin and hurried out the back of the kitchen that led into a service hallway for the hotel. No sooner had she stepped a few feet into the hallway, when she was suddenly pulled into a side doorway. Instinct told her to defend herself but Anya felt no hostile emotions from this individual.
"Surprise!" a familiar voice exclaimed and Anya was glad that she had withheld her attack. In the dim light of the doorway, Anya could see Vash smiling. Anya grinned and leaned back against the wall.
"You know, randomly grabbing a lady into a darkened doorway could get you a beatdown." she replied, playfully scolding him. Vash shrugged as if it wasn't important and gave her another one of his innocent, playful smiles.
"It was a risk worth taking. She was a very pretty girl." he answered simply. Anya's grin grew into a wide smile as her annoyance at Vash melted away. She couldn't fathom how anyone could stay mad at this wonderful man. He had seen so many terrible things in his life and yet he still managed to have a positive and lighthearted outlook on life. Anya ran her hand down Vash's chest then hooked her fingers in the lapel of his long, red coat and pulled him closer to her.
Their bodies were practically pressed against each other and Vash's hands went flat against the wall on either side of Anya. Vash's smile faded and was replaced with a look of piqued curiosity. Standing straighter, Anya looked up at him, her face the picture of warm acceptance.
"You're right. It was a good risk to take." she agreed softly then leaned into Vash, giving him a soft kiss. The tender kiss once again sent sparks dancing along Vash's nerves and his heart began to race like a quick drum. He wrapped his arms around her lithe form, pressing into her and prolonging the kiss. He was amazed how one little act could make him come undone. Vash kissed Anya earnestly once more then pulled back so he could look at her, a weak smile on his handsome face.
"I'm helpless around you. You know that?" he admitted sincerely, no hint of his playful nature in his tone or face.
"Do you think it was intended to be this way?" Anya asked. When Vash's only response was a confused look, Anya rephrased the question.
"Do you think that the plants we came from intended for us to have such a strong response to each other?" she clarified.
Vash rocked back slightly in surprise from such a deep question. Although it was intriguing and soon Vash was deep in thought, pondering over how to respond. Anya, Vash, and Knives were unique beings and they had no cultural frame of reference from which to base their situations. Also, if there was a union between them, would they even be able to produce offspring or were they abnormalities in plant production?
Anya was silent as Vash contemplated her query. She contented herself with looking at the serious looks that came over Vash's face and the way his brow crinkled or how his lips pursed together while he was deep in thought. His expressions were unintentionally cute and Anya couldn't help but let out a short giggle. The noise brought Vash out his contemplations and he looked at Anya quizzically.
"What's so funny?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing." she replied, hiding a grin. "Did you come up with an answer?"
Vash shrugged, though he didn't seem overly bothered by it.
"I don't know what their intentions could have been except that maybe they were lonely. All of the plants are alone in their own cell and maybe we came from a desire for companionship. We would have a twin for familial companionship and then when we were old enough, we'd find a mate." he explained quietly. When he saw Anya's stunned look, Vash quickly laughed and shrugged again.
"Of course that could be just my sentimental take on things!" he exclaimed nervously. He quieted when Anya suddenly hugged him tightly, resting her head on his chest.
"Maybe you're right, Vash." she said quietly. Vash looked down at her, trying to see her face.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think so. It's just what you said. It kind of makes sense. We live for so long, even those of us in the power cells, and it's hard to imagine not having anyone, being alone. I think that's why I visited the plants so much when I was younger. We needed the company."
Vash rested his head on top of Anya's, a slight smile tugging on the corners of his mouth.
"You're not alone anymore." he said gently.
"Neither are you."
-)*(-
After their discussion, Anya had invited Vash over to her parents' home for dinner. She had added that Wolfwood and the insurance girls were invited as well. When Vash told them about the offer, Milly and Wolfwood were enthusiastic about it while Meryl politely tried to decline, saying that they shouldn't impose on them. Anya wouldn't hear of it and soon the kind barmaid had convinced the overly-serious agent to join them.
That night Vash and his companions went to the home of Anya's parents. It was west of the inn in an area of town where the homes were more spaced apart. The Harper home was a modest two-story stone home. Since wood was a rare commodity, they had also fashioned a front porch from the stone and an impressive overhang that seemed to flow out of the house to meet the columns at the end of the porch. Farther back from the house was another large building but it was only one level and had few windows. It also had three chimneys coming out of the roof.
As they stepped onto the porch, the group caught the hearty aroma of food cooking in the house. If anyone had worries about eating well that night, those thoughts soon vanished. Their stomachs were rumbling hungrily before they had even reached the door. They all stood there silently waiting then after a moment all eyes turned to Vash. He looked at each of his friends, unsure of what they wanted.
"What?"
"Vash, it's your girlfriend's house. Knock on the door." Wolfwood said, flicking his cigarette into the street.
"Oh…right." he said, gulping nervously and stepping to the front. He sighed; gathering his courage, then slowly raised his fist and knocked three times on the wooden door. There was a short pause and then footsteps hurrying to the door. It opened and they were bathed in light. There before them was a woman in her fifties with rich, dark brown hair that only had a few strands of gray. She had a slightly plump figure and was dressed in a fashionable light dress which was protected by an apron that was splattered with flour and other food stuffs. She had quick, alert brown eyes that were looking all of them over inquisitively. After her appraisal, her face split into a wide smile and she let out a squeal of delight.
"Oh Adrian, they're here!" she yelled excitedly back into the house then looked back beaming at the guests. "Come in, come in!"
Introductions were made and Mrs. Harper not only surprised them with her excited attitude but also by giving each guest a warm hug rather than simply shaking hands. At one point, Milly leaned over to Meryl, a pleased smile on her face.
"Meryl, I'm so glad we came. I feel like I'm back at home!"
The shorter agent could only nod in agreement, stunned by the older woman's response to them. Didn't she know that her daughter was seeing The Humanoid Typhoon? Though he wasn't necessarily a bad person, trouble followed him everywhere. Didn't she fear for her daughter's life? Apparently Mrs. Harper wasn't bothered or she didn't know. She grabbed Vash's hands and pulled him into the living room.
"Let me get a look at you." she said, giving Vash another look-over. "Oh, you are a handsome one!"
Vash blushed at the compliment and at his friends' resulting snickers.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Please call me Sarah. I'm just so happy that you're here. Anya's told me so much about you. I've never seen her so giddy." Mrs. Harper paused, her eyes misting up. "She's never really been able to make a connection with anyone and I worried for her. But now she's met you and it's got to be something really special if you can bring this much life into her."
Vash smiled, gently brushing away Mrs. Harper's tears. He was about to reply when he was interrupted by great booming laughter that caused them all to jump. They turned to see Anya, looking spectacular in a pale pink linen dress, and next to her was a giant man with jet black hair and neatly trimmed beard. He was as tall as Vash but had a broad muscular chest and shoulders that seemed to barely be contained by his white dress shirt. The rest of him seemed powerfully built and he cut an impressive figure in his dress clothes, despite being an older man. He had been the source of the loud laugh.
"Sarah, you keep talking like that and you're going to scare the guests away!" he said jovially. His wife smirked and waved him away.
"Oh shush! Go show our guests to the dining room, you silly man!" she scolded good-naturedly. Mr. Harper laughed again then ushered his guests into the next room. The dining room was tastefully decorated with a few family photos while the focus of the room was the large polished wood table with two chairs, one at each end, and benches along each side. A simple metal chandelier hung over the table, bathing them in warm light. The table was already set and plates laden with piping hot food were spread out in the middle. Mr. and Mrs. Harper sat at the ends while Vash and Anya sat across from each other, near to Mr. Harper, Wolfwood was next to Vash, and Milly and Meryl sat between Mrs. Harper and Anya.
During the dinner, everyone chatted easily as they ate. The group learned that Mrs. Harper was a schoolteacher while Mr. Harper made shoes but he worked glass on the side. The building in the back was his workshop. This elicited many curious questions from Milly. All throughout dinner Vash and Anya snuck each other secretive glances. A couple times Anya slipped in a telepathic suggestion that made Vash blush and he had to hide it by either gulping water or by hastily eating more food. To his relief, no one seemed to notice, too busy either eating or carrying on their own conversations. Everyone really was having a wonderful time.
-)*(-
On the other side of town, unbeknownst to the group, a small sandsteamer was arriving at the travel depot. This one made small jaunts between October and small villages nearby. It was a late arrival, the last of the week and it had only a small group on-board. One man in particular was eager to disembark from the steamer. The other travelers eyed his garish gear warily, giving him a wide berth. The man nodded in approval of their movements and simply walked past them without giving them a second thought.
They weren't worth his time anyway. The man known as Legato Bluesummers had bigger prey to catch. He closed his eyes for a moment, sending his consciousness out into the town of October. After a few long moments, Legato felt a twinge in his left arm that made his hand clench tightly. A cold smile found its way to his lips and he continued on his way off the steamer. His prey, Vash the Stampede, was here along with the strange girl that Legato would have to kill.
-)*(-)*(-
Here ends another chapter and things are about to get crazy. Only question is who does Legato run into first? Bwahahaha!
Anywho- thank you all for your patience and support. I apologize for all the delays. Thank you so much for the comments. I hope to continue to hear from you all in the future. You all are awesome!
Until next time. Love and Peace!