Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 27, 2010 0:05:10 GMT -5
Vash was almost out of the room when he turned to face Elise. "Wait, we almost forgot the broom!" Vash walked back into the back room. Vash picked up the broom and looked to Elise. When he did, his energetic mood faded. "Elise, I... I still feel cruel for what I put you through." Vash looked away. "To be thrown back into such memories, no one deserves that. When I felt the type of your magic, I did not bother to gauge how fresh it was; now I know to study how older magic feels compared to fresher magic," Vash frowned, "to avoid revealing past lives."
"Oh god, why would you do this, why would you, oh! Spare the children, please, why would you-" Vash put a crossbow bolt through the mother's skull. Vash leapt out of the gaudy, now blood-stained carriage to see Grildwar peeling the gold plate off of the side.
"Good! It's about time you shut that wench up," yelled Grildwar. "Ye've the right sensibilities, Merc. Keep it up and ye might become leader of the exiles someday!" Grildwar continued tugging on the plating. The children trembled in fear, clinging to their dead mother. Vash pitied them, but kept reminding himself that this was how he must live, that he must do this to survive. "It's a good thing those brats are smarter than their mom. Who knows, I might take 'em into the clan. Raise 'em as me own, get it?"
"I understand." The last thing Vash wanted was to live as an outlaw long enough to become the clan leader. Vash, though, was trapped. He had nowhere to go; if he left the outlaws for civilized society, he would be chased and killed. What Vash didn't know was who would kill him first; the clan with its desire to keep secrets, or the royal army with its desire to preserve the royal lineage.
Vash looked at the surrounding forest. It looks calm, but it is calm like an ocean. The surface shows nothing, but underneath the life is thriving, teeming with predators and their unwitting prey. Vash decided then that he must escape the outlaws in a way that did not provoke their murderous pursuit, while also escaping his family's canton.
"C'mon Merc, let's get home. Bring the brats if ye want, shoot 'em if ye want, don't matter either way for me." Grildwar pulled out a whistle and blew three times towards the west: short, short, long. A few seconds later, he heard the reply: long long long. "Huh, they've moved camp. They're east of us now. C'mon then, what did you- oh." Grildwar looked at the heavily panting Vash, and then at the three slumped bodies in the carriage. "Alright, it'll be just us then. Let's go."
Vash had wanted to let the children live, let them go, let them enjoy their lives, but Vash realized that with their only parent dead, they had nowhere to go but to the clan of the outlaws. Vash knew that if he did not end their lives here, they would just anguish as pawns of the clan their whole short lives. Vash knocked them unconscious before he killed them, so that they were at least unaware of the pain when they died, but he knew that he could not continue like this. In time, he would become completely detached from reality and would descend into psychopathy, becoming a heartless criminal.
"What're ye doin', givin' last rites? Get ye arse over here!" Grildwar barked. Vash complied, and fell in step beside the grizzled, ruthless cutthroat who Vash once looked to for a second chance at life.
Vash looked back to Elise. "...Well, I guess we should go back to the front now that I have the broom."
|
|
Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
|
Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 27, 2010 11:46:30 GMT -5
Elise nodded and clapped him on his shoulder. "Yes, we should. Sanchez will start a brawl if we're gone for too long."
She winked at him, but then her smile fell and she grew serious. Vash looked like he had fallen into a trance, as if he were remembering something from long ago. Elise felt her heart go out to him. He too bore scars of the past, and his memories could be just as haunting as her own. These were dark times, after all. Murder and robbery were abundant. Evil creatures were everywhere.
"Vash, you don't need to apologize. Believe me, I...I relive those memories every day. Sometimes visions of the past are just so haunting that they stay with you always. They leave such a lasting impression you can't forget them no matter how hard you try," she explained, trying to comfort him with this rather...melancholy knowledge. "But...You know, I wouldn't want to forget. I can't. My whole life has revolved around these memories. And...While some may not call it healthy, I need to remember. I was...I was separated from my brother, and I will do anything to find him. This bar's entire operation is to gather information that may be useful to me."
Her eyes flickered from him to the floor and back again. "We're both looking for someone. Just...How we're going about it is different. I decided to stay in one place and gather information from travelers, because I know that if my brother is alive, he's looking for me. He's not the type to stay in one place."
Elise reached up and pat Vash's cheek. "You're a good person. I can tell. I don't know why you're looking for Roderich Edelstein, and it's not my place to ask when you've been so kind. I sincerely hope you'll find him."
She took her broom and waltzed back into the pub's main room, grin plastered back onto her face.
"What are you lot up to now? I swear, if one of you gets drunk playing that game again, I'll have your wives come down here and drag you back! I'm looking at you, Mister Lambert! Milly wasn't too happy last time, was she?" Elise teased and laughed at them as she took her place behind the bar to sweep up the mess, some of the men giving exaggerated groans and other chuckling along with her.
"Oh, and Vash!" Elise called to him. "Remember, your drinks are on the house tonight for helping me with that pesky little pixie!"
She glanced around the room once more, eyes settling on one of her newer customers that must've just come in. He was a solitary sort of guy. Didn't sit next to anyone and didn't say much. He didn't drink, only coming in to have a a few smokes. He unnerved her just a bit, but she wasn't the type to turn someone away.
"Good to see you again, Mister Donovan. Will you be having anything to drink tonight, or are you just here to relax with a smoke?" she asked politely.
"I'm just here to watch the beautiful Miss Elise serve a bunch of drunken louts," he gave her that eerie smile that chilled her to the bone. She didn't much like him. "You won't take that away from me, right?"
"Of course not, Mister Donovan!" she replied, giving a little curtsy. "Though I must say, you really do make a girl nervous!"
Her tone was teasing, but she was quite serious. She didn't like the way he looked at her. It made her uncomfortable. He didn't say anything more, just stared at her in that creepy way of his.
"If you'll excuse me, I've got those drunken louts to attend to," she said, turning away from him and walking towards Sanchez, where she felt comfortable.
But she could still feel his eyes on her.
|
|
Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 27, 2010 16:03:51 GMT -5
Vash returned his spot at the bar and finished his mug of beer. He started to ask Elise for another beer when he noticed she as busy with another customer.
"Good to see you again, Mister Donovan. Will you be having anything to drink tonight, or are you just here to relax with a smoke?"
"I'm just here to watch the beautiful Miss Elise serve a bunch of drunken louts, you won't take that away from me, right?" Vash watched Elise, and then looked back to the leering newcomer. I don't like him. I don't like him at all.
"Of course not, Mister Donovan!" she replied, giving a little curtsy. "Though I must say, you really do make a girl nervous!"
"Could I have more of the same, Elise?" Vash said. He then leaned over the counter. "Elise, I don't like Donovan at all. He has a glint in his eye that I really do not like. Please, if he is still here when you are closing up for the night, let me escort you home. He might not be dangerous, but I don't want to leave you here to find out on your own." Vash leaned back to diffuse any curiosity of the others in the room, especially Donovan. "Yes," Vash said loudly, "I know it is not anything special, but that's my family recipe for lager; if you think it sounds good, you should try brewing some."
Vash watched Donovan with narrowed eyes. No, I do not like him at all.
|
|
Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
|
Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 27, 2010 18:07:49 GMT -5
Elise was thankful for Vash's distraction and concern. So she wasn't the only one that felt Mister Donovan was suspicious. She wasn't sure why he made her so nervous. After all, he hadn't even touched her once. His remarks were of the similar type the others made. Still, her gut feeling was he wanted something that she wasn't willing to give.
"Hm...It does sound quite good, but a bit complicated. Perhaps you should stay behind and show me how to do it properly. I'm afraid I don't brew the stuff quite often. I have a fella come in for that. Still, please stay and demonstrate so I can instruct him next time. Though it'll take awhile. You'll probably have to do it a couple of times."
Elise glanced around to make sure people weren't keeping a close eye on them. Donovan appeared to be busy lighting a cigarette. She leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "Listen...Tonight will be the thirteenth night in a row he's come here. You know as well as I do what that means. Now, my home is right above the pub, so don't you worry about me getting home. But I plan on dipping into my store of red clay tonight. I could use some help with it. Sanchez doesn't know what you do, and I don't want to be here doing it alone. It could be too late by the time I finish sealing off all the doorways and windows. If you need to--"
"Miss Elise, I think I would like something," the voice that made her skin crawl called. "You serve food here, right?"
Elise walked away from Vash and stood in front of Donovan, her hands on her hips. "Yes, we do. I make the best Tarte au Maton around, if you're interested."
"Hm...No, no...That's far too sweet...I'm in the mood for something else..." he drawled out, before looking up at her with a little smile. "I don't suppose you serve any sort of hearts here, do you? Pigs, cows...I know it's an unusual dish, but I'm a big fan of them..."
She stared at him for a bit, trying to hold her smile in place and keep from showing her anxiety. Finally, she managed to get out, "No...No, I'm afraid we don't offer that sort of thing here..."
"Aw...Pity," he let out a hum and reached a hand up to stroke her cheek. His hands were as cold as ice, which was fitting seeing as how she was frozen in place. "Then...Can I have yours?"
There were a few seconds of silence from Elise before a resounding smack that surprised even herself occurred when her palm made contact with his face. A few patrons turned to watch them as she shouted, "Mister Donovan! H-how dare you hit on me when...! When...! When my husband just gets home for the first time in a long while! I will have you know that my heart is quite off limits!"
"Is that so?" he leaned back in his chair, unfazed by what just happened. "I heard that you were quite single. So...Who is this husband?"
"Well, it's really quite obvious!" she rolled her eyes, though her mind was running at a mile a minute to figure out what to say. Nearly everyone here was a regular and married! Who could she possibly pass off as her husband?! Meanwhile, Donovan raised his eyebrow, waiting. "He's...He's sitting right there!"
"I'm sorry...Right where? Maybe you could...Point him out?" he smirked at her. He knew she was lying and was enjoying himself. They had even caught the attention of nearly everyone in the place.
Elise bit her lip a bit before huffing, "I really can't believe this. He just got home! I'm sure all he wants to do is relax right now! But if you must know...Just so you don't bother me anymore..."
Trying to look cool and confident, she marched over to a certain blond drinking a certain stout she had just refilled for him.
"It's Vash!" she announced, squeezing his shoulder and leaning down to peck his cheek.
She let her lips linger and whispered desperately, "Please play along...I swear to God I will make it up to you!"
"This is my husband!" she laughed nervously before adding, "And I love him very, very much! So much I just can't stand it! Ahahahah! But you know, I just didn't want to tell anyone because...Because we knew...That you'd all freak out! But, seeing as how we have your attention, boys, ah...Yes! My husband. My husband Vash! Right...? Darling...?"
|
|
Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 27, 2010 20:16:41 GMT -5
"Yes, dear," Vash said, glowering at Donovan, "I suppose now would be a good time as any to tell your patrons of our relationship. We've been happily married for a couple months now, but I just got back, like my wife said. You see, my job takes me away from home for periods of time." Vash looked again at Donovan. "Yes, the life of a mercenary is unforgiving and harsh but I do what I must to take care of our problems."
Vash could not have given a colder glare. If Donovan wants to get out of this situation uninjured, he better conduct himself very carefully. "Now Donovan, you wouldn't happen to be giving my wife any problems, would you?" Vash did not want to start anything unnecessarily, but he also did not want Donovan to ever give Elise trouble again. She's too kind for her own good; perhaps it's what made her bar so popular, but people like these who abuse her kindness...
|
|
Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
|
Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 27, 2010 20:57:28 GMT -5
"No...No trouble," he said, but the smirk never left his face and his eyes strayed to her again. She shuddered, but ignored him and turned back to Vash.
"It's okay, darling. Really, I'm fine," she used such a sickeningly sweet voice it nearly made herself gag. Elise bent down to press another kiss to his cheek, whispering a quick, "Thank you!"
"Well, I've got work to do! But listen...Since it's your night back, I promise I'll close early," Elise said to him, practically purring, but still loud enough for all to hear. She turned to face her customers, hands on her hips and a motherly voice ready to go. "You lot hear that? We close early tonight. Maybe you should go home and see your wives for a change, yeah?"
Some groans, but Elise only scoffed and laughed a bit. "Sorry!"
She smiled to herself, beyond grateful and happy that this was working out so well. The men had totally bought it, if the swarm around Vash and the questions in the air were anything to go on. Even the excuses were good. Kick the boys out early, no need to lie about why Vash was staying late, throw down the red clay, sneak Vash out and let him get back to his place before it was an ungodly hour...Yes, this was actually quite perfect!
Until she turned around and came face to face with dear old Sanchez, who had been a father to her ever since she first came to this town. Weakly, she let out an, "Oh..."
A man of few words, Sanchez didn't say anything. He merely crossed his arms and gave her a look that said quite clearly, "Little Miss, you better damn explain yourself."
Another nervous laugh from her. "Oh, Sanchez! Listen, it really wasn't much of a wedding. Really! I know you're upset I didn't tell you, but with Vash always gone, I didn't want you to be mad and think I could do better. I really don't think I could! And it wasn't a big ceremony. Just us. We just jumped the broom, you know that I could never afford anything more and--! And you're not mad, are you?"
She had been babbling, she knew. It was a bad habit. Still, the pat on her head from the large man was comforting, and he walked away with a nod at Vash. To be honest, Elise felt a bit miffed. As if he was agreeing that she couldn't do better. Maybe he was like the rest of them and thought she'd never get married and was happy she actually found someone. She grit her teeth at the thought. Okay, sure, most women her age already had an armful of children, but that didn't mean that she didn't have the same chances! She had just been too busy looking for her brother, that's all!...Really, it wasn't like it was because only old men hit on her...It wasn't!
"I'm going to die an old maid, aren't I?" she muttered, slumping against the bar and hiding her face in her hands with a sigh.
"...Aren't you married?" a confused patron asked.
Looking up and resting her chin in her palm, she sighed. "Yeah...Sure."
Usually the pub was open until 3 in the morning, but Elise shuffled everyone out by 1. Donovan had disappeared earlier, much to her relief. Closing the door behind the last of them, Mister Smith, naturally, she turned to Vash with an apologetic look.
"I am so sorry...You were the only one that would work! And besides, now we don't need an excuse for you to stay late and I don't look like a little wench letting some stranger into my bed!" Elise tried to lighten the mood. She added, "Oh, and by the way, Mister Lambert wanted to wish us luck tonight. Because apparently, being married for four months and having no word of me being with child is really quite shameful on your part."
Elise slumped against her counter. "I am so sorry...I swear, anything you want, I will give you. Drinks, food...All free for as long as you live. Which may not be that long, if you plan on leaving soon and never coming back. I promise the story of your death will be very heroic."
More jokes. Was it the time? No. Was she nervous? Yes.
((By the way, I'm going on hiatus for three days starting tomorrow. Just a heads up! Also, apologies for craptastically long posts...))
|
|
Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 31, 2010 13:05:05 GMT -5
Vash almost choked on his drink upon hearing Elise's seductive tone this time, but controlled himself to keep the illusion real. He flashed her a quick smile as she continued on, persuading the patrons to leave early.
She turned to him again: "I am so sorry...You were the only one that would work! And besides, now we don't need an excuse for you to stay late and I don't look like a little wench letting some stranger into my bed! Oh, and by the way, Mister Lambert wanted to wish us luck tonight. Because apparently, being married for four months and having no word of me being with child is really quite shameful on your part."
Vash flushed again at that last sentence, but pushed past his embarrassment. "There is no reason for you to apologize; if I was not in favor of the plan, I would not have played along. As for Mr. Lambert, his gift of good fortune is misplaced. As for the complimentary fare, I will gladly take you up on that offer." Vash's eyes suddenly widened with realization. "If I 'die', would you be able to remarry, or would you be forced as a 'widow' for the rest of your life? If I left this town for a long period, would I ever be able to come back without causing confusion and scandal? What have we started?" Vash's face was all concern.
|
|
Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
|
Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 31, 2010 14:02:50 GMT -5
Elise sighed and started to place stools and chairs up so that she could mop the floor later. "I don't believe it matters much...I doubt I'll ever get married. I'm already twenty-one, Vash. Most women my age already have three or four children. The only marriage proposal I've ever gotten was from a drunken old man that passed away a few years ago--bless him. Women that work--especially in a pub--are rarely ever sought after. Men want a girl who can stay home all day and tend the children, make them dinner, and still find the energy to give it a go. I run my own business. It turns suitors away."
She walked into her back room where her oven was and pulled out a fresh batch of Tarte au Maton. Finding a dish to set it on and a fork, she carried it out to the front and placed it in front of Vash.
"Start of your complimentary fare," she explained, winking at him. "Thanks again for all your help. It's a wonder you yourself aren't tied down! Then again, men aren't on a time limit like we are. If you 'die' I'll be expected to be a 'widow' all my life, yes. But if it were the other way around, you could remarry the very next day and nobody would object. It's not fair, in my opinion."
Grabbing a mug and filling it with Vash's usual beer, she handed that to him as well. "Leaving for a long time won't be a problem. You'll be on business, yeah? And as for our little family...Well, nothing brings in money more than pity. It pains my heart when I think of our poor baby...Dying before he even took his first breath...Oh, miscarriages are something awful!"
It was wicked, and she knew it. A sin without a doubt. But it was true about the business. Pity could bring in new customers, and really, Mister Lambert was right. If they had been married for a few months now, she should be pregnant. But nobody said she ever had to give birth, and a miscarriage would be easy to fake. Perhaps she'd close the pub for a few days, too 'depressed' to go on...And then she'd be in a foul mood for a week or two, cry when she saw a woman with her newborn, throw a fit when someone mentioned they'd just been blessed a son.
Elise was a liar, but she needed to be good at it to survive. Practice had made her into one of the best.
"We'll be fine, I'm sure...Don't you worry, Mister Zwingli. I got you into this mess, I'll get you out of it."
|
|
Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Aug 1, 2010 14:10:13 GMT -5
Vash grimaced. "You're not like most women. You're strong enough to stand alone... and that intimidates suitors? What cowardly men would be intimidated by an independent woman? Most women act like they don't have a mind of their own and question themselves, giggle when they're wrong, and overall shy away from expressing anything unsettling. It disgusts me."
Vash took a bite of the Tarte au Maton. "I've met some women who had a head on their shoulders; in the harsh world of outlaws and exiles there is no room for women to loaf around; if you could not keep up, you were left behind. Women who are strong and independent like that should marry at their own time. Thanks," he said, taking and drinking some of the beer with another bite of the Tarte, "but I do not think I will be leaving quickly. I still have to find Roderich, and I have a good living here now with my weapons shop."
Vash thought hard about Elise's suggestion of miscarriage to explain their lack of child as he at his Tarte au Maton. "If we are going to go about this seriously, I think miscarriage would be less logical than another option: absence. I only recently set up my weapon shop; I could have married, honeymooned, and then been torn away to an earlier obligation of which I had no control. In that way, it could easily have been that you did not bear a child since our... interactions... were so few." Vash drank a few more gulps of beer at that.
|
|
Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
|
Post by Elise Peeters on Aug 1, 2010 18:31:37 GMT -5
"That's very kind of you, Vash," Elise smiled at him. "I wish more people thought like you. It's quite all right, though. I've no desire to get married just yet. In the future, yes, but my brother is my main priority. I refuse to have any children until I find him. Though time is running out...Finding a husband becomes a more difficult job with each year that passes....Nobody wants an old cow."
"No, darling, I meant something different. In the future there are going to be questions. That excuse you said is all well and good for why I'm not with child yet, but weeks and months from now, they'll want to know. I reckon I could face pregnancy for a few months. Three at the most. Then we say I lost it. That's what I meant," Elise explained, patting his shoulder.
"And don't you worry about sticking around. The only thing I ask is you come here often. To keep up appearances, but I'd also like to see someone like you around, too. I like you, Vash Zwingli. You're a good man," she told him as she pushed aside bottles, searching for her hidden jar of red clay.
"Sorry for all the trouble this is causing you, but I'll try and make it up to you. Your meals and drinks are always free here. Hope you like my cooking!" she chuckled to herself. "Otherwise it ain't worth much!"
|
|
Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
|
Post by Vash Zwingli on Aug 5, 2010 13:13:12 GMT -5
Vash did not know the words he could say to comfort or convince Elise that she had time, and instead ate more Tarte with a gulp of beer. Vash found the words when she explained her reason for saying she miscarried.
"...That is the best idea, Elise. I feel as though I am heaping their pity on you, but it was your idea and I will respect your decision, as you know them better than I do. I will try to make myself a more frequent visitor of your bar here, but there might be times where I actually do have business outside of the city and must be away. I'll make sure that they become comfortable with the idea of us together." Vash then remembered her last comment. "You think so...?" He responded, partly embarrassed, partly cynical.
"Elise, if I can eat here for free, there is no trouble in my eyes. I see it as a fine exchange." With that, Vash finished his Tarte and beer, hiding a small smile.
|
|