Lights On!
Surprisingly, Vash had not even tried to get any work today. If someone called he would go, of course, but otherwise he decided he needed a day off. Heidi had decided he needed a day off and Vash was not going to protest. After all, he must not have been feeling well. He was crying over a computer. A computer! He...
Oh hell, he knew why he was upset. He was not going to fool himself for any longer. The computer had a personality and he was used to it. Despite how annoying it was. If he wanted to get rid of everyone who had ever annoyed him he would not have any friends. Not that he had many as it was. Which practically spelled out how he really could not be that picky. Thinking about it all did not help his headache.
The doorbell shocked the both of them. Heidi sat straight up in her seat and Vash had been about to reach for one of his guns before he realized what it was.
"Oh! The doorbell," Heidi said, settling down as she came to the realization and getting up to answer it. Funny that they had no idea what their doorbell sounded like. iMarcus had always answered the door before anyone had the chance to utilize that part of the system. What would it be like to actually be able to open the door when they were ready for visitors. Vash considered this. At least there was something good coming out of this, was there not?
That was all struck from his mind the instant he heard who was there.
"I am so sorry! I meant to get up earlier today... but I think I have discovered a way of recovering iMarcus from the computer drives!"
The timing in that was so awkward in his head that Vash was not certain exactly what to think about it. Thankfully Heidi took the position of answering him.
"You... you can save iMarcus?" she gasped, hands coming up to cover her mouth. Vash finally moved to the sight of the front door. Kiku was nodding, laptop already clasped in his arms as he glanced from Heidi to him.
"iLudovicus and I examined their type of system yesterday and there is something that I had not known to try. I am completely certain this will bring him back, if not completely up to date with what the day is."
"If you may," Vash's words came slow as he was unable to come up with what to respond with. Kiku muttered out another apology as once again he set up his laptop at the table. This time Vash sat down across from him. Heidi sat down next to him and reached for his hand. Vash moved his hand so that she could cling to it.
It was quiet for too long. Vash waited for an apology or something, that they had brought their hopes up for nothing. Either that or the sound of that obnoxious voice...
"Your heart rate has increased like... whoa. Wait, whoa. When did Kiku come in? Heidi, you're back? But you just left with Maddox. Huh."
Vash was slightly aware that Heidi had gone over and hugged a very flustered Kiku. He simply stared up at the ceiling.
"Remind me, if I need it, that you are much more annoying when you are silent."
"Really? I get to say that? Is it my birthday, Vash? I thought you said I didn't get to have one!"
Until he lived in Hearth, Vash could never have said he felt guilty for something he had said to a computer. Ignoring the comment, he looked over to Kiku and again struggled for the right words. "Thank you." Those were the right words, they always were. They just did not seem to be enough.
Having finally been let go, Kiku finally gave off a nervous laugh, a smile on his own face.
"Any time."
Kiku left soon afterward and Heidi and iMarcus were already enthused in a conversation. "But I thought it was a Tuesday! What do you mean it's nearing the end of March?"
"You're missing a week or two, but that doesn't matter! You're back!"
"Uh... sure?"
iMarcus did not seem to be believing the fact. Vash could have cared less. It meant he did not have to explain to him that through his own inability of talking with him he had accidentally had him shut down. Actually, this meant that iMarcus was likely to go back to calling Antonio. And if Marcus was back in town... from the sounds of it, he was certain that he would be staying with them. Or Feliciano – the other person iMarcus liked to call.
Vash found that he really did not care if iMarcus continued to do that. Not that he would not talk to him about it. Him?
"You've been quiet for a while there. Everything okay?" iMarcus hummed.
I... I suppose iMarcus is a 'him'.
"Everything is... okay." The word sounded strange on his tongue, but Heidi's smile meant it could not possibly be wrong.
Vash relaxed.
Notes:
And iMarcus is back! If anyone recognizes his first line of dialogue, it is because it is from chapter eight. Yep, he is missing a few weeks, but it is definitely better than not being there at all. At least, I hold that opinion. As do Vash, Heidi, and Kiku.
