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FTC vol.2 part ii.
Note: No spoilers yet... i think. Just that it is short. VERY short. *sweatdrops*
“Waah!” wailed Vash. “I can’t believe that you’re actually chaining me to the barstool!” He looked mournfully at the departing figures of two insurance agents going off to collect their monthly stipend for their travels. Despite all his assurances that he would not cause a ruckus or sneak off while they were not looking, they still did not believe him.
He sighed, as he tugged at the manacle. “So much for being the most dangerous criminal alive. I wonder what mother would say if she saw me like this.” He sulked into his beer but brightened soon enough as a bosum figure caught his eye.
Vash grinned at the pretty barmaid and winking at her, leaned way over to whisper in her ear.
*SMACK* The bar quieted and everyone glanced at Vash whose right cheek was decorated by a small red handprint while the barmaid flounced off in a huff. After enjoying a hearty laugh at his expense, everyone returned to their own entertainment while Vash grinned sheepishly as he rubbed his face.
Oh well, better luck next time.
Vash picked up his mug and drained it with gusto before yelling to the barkeep for another one. Might as well keep busy while waiting for Meryl and Millie to return with the money they owed him. And with the money back, he could finally settle the bill he owed the barkeep for the last bar room fiasco with Nicholas. He glanced at the empty seat that Wolfwood - if he had been there - would have occupied, its presence speaking volumes.
Vash paused, mind turning back to the incident at the ice-cream parlor and the subsequent farewell that followed in the afternoon. What was it that got Wolfwood so spooked that had led to such an abrupt departure to such a chance meeting?
He considered the idea before resolving to worry about it later and watched the mug filled with frothy beer placed in front of him with a grin. He was half-way through draining it when wild yells from outside and the stomp of booted feet caught his attention.
He stopped, the mug still at his mouth and watched the door with narrowed eyes. True to form, it was soon filled with the figures of twelve ugly and battered desperados who entered with loud voices and small greedy eyes.
“Hey barkeep! Twelve mugs of beer! It’s going to be a long road North!!” One yelled while another grinned.
North? Wasn’t that where Wolfwood…?
“Yeah and to easy money!” With that, the entire group burst out into wild laughter. Vash watched them, his eyes alert and ready. Sitting behind him, they continued talking rowdily, seemingly unworried about their surroundings.
“That mayor was so stupid.” One man, whom Vash had already privately dubbed as Piggy, snorted.
“Yeah.” Another agreed, as he wiped the foam from his mouth with his hand. “I can’t believe that he was so stupid to believe that we would actually want to help him. Still, it is going to provide an easy route into Orleans. He’s going to welcome us with open arms!”
“Yeah and we’ll welcome him with bullets.” Piggy added to the accompaniment of raucous laughter. “It’s going to be a piece of cake. We go in and kill everybody! He wanted us to wipe out the Fringe? Well, we’ll be extra hardworking and throw in the actual town for free! And then the water mine will be all ours and all the other towns will have to pay through their nose to get it from us!”
Vash frowned.
“Still, what if he hires other gunmen?” Asked a short quiet one, with Vash’s nickname of Shorty.
“Not a problem.” Piggy replied with confidence. “They’ll only see eight of us. Rez and the others will be backup,” he said winking at a scar-faced man who was presumably Rez. “Besides who would be able to beat the Horatio Gang? We’re one of the best gangs!”
“Yeah and soon to be one of the richest!” The clash of mugs against each other negated all other sounds but that was enough for Vash to get busy. With his manacles mysteriously fallen on the floor, he suddenly stood up, looking completely inebriated and hiccuped loudly.
“One round on me! I feel generous today!” While the rest of the house cheered loudly and the barkeep eyed him critically, Vash watched the villains, secretly pleased when they decided to take advantage of the sudden generosity. Slowly, he scooted from seat to seat, every action bringing him closer to the door…. Almost… only to suddenly fall at the feet of the barkeep when someone pushed a seat out from under him.
“Money.” A hand, palm up, was shoved out under his nose when suddenly its twin appeared, clenched in a fist. Gulping, Vash smiled weakly and quickly paid his share of the beer before quietly leaving.
* * *
“Vash-san! We’re back!” Millie cheerfully announced as she stepped into the bar. “We brought you some of your favourite donuts!”
She paused and blinked, taking in the scene before her.
“Anou…”
“What is it, Millie?” queried Meryl as she followed behind. Automatically, her eyes fell on the opened manacle by the barstool.
There was no red-coat figure in sight. Meryl stared, horrified, the truth slowly sinking into her. She checked her watch. They had only been gone for half an hour and so, if Vash did leave, it couldn't had been long. A red streak of colour flashed through the window.
Vash. He was leaving.
"Quickly, Millie! We have to hurry if we are to catch up with him and -"
The two girls blinked as a large figure - the barkeep - hovered before them and blocked their way. A hand, palm up, rose and expectant eyes looked at the insurance agents.
"Money. Your pointy-headed friend said that you were going to pay for the damages the last time." Meryl glanced horrified as the scarlet clad figure was moving further and further away with every passing moment. But no matter how much she tried, she could not get past the barkeep until they paid up.
"“VAAAAAASSSSSSHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”