The Ashlanders - Chapter 6: The Blind Man's Last Gambit (Closed, Started)

[Fappy]

Adrenaline pumping wildly through his system, Sprout yelped like a girl when they crashed into Aquila. He stood there in shock as the two exchanged some light verbal jabs, too confused to interject. Then he heard another approaching from behind.

"We could always try heading towards that light over there, it would mean that we were close to an exit."

Sprout turned to face her, the same woman who'd been yelling at them from the garden. Who was she?

"Well for starters, you there young lady look as though you've had the living hell kicked out of you, can't imagine why your boss Pixie would send you on this kind of a job in the state your in. As for you there young man, you could probably do with a good wash; actually I think we all could given the dingy setting."

Sprout jumped, his mind racing at the mere mention of his mother's name. Whoever this woman was, she was dangerous. She was not to be trusted. Sprout's demeanor shifted from that of a scared boy to a, well... a man.

In one fluid motion he stepped in front of Lilith, placing himself between her and the older woman and drew his revolver from its hiding place among the layers of rags he wore. Lilith had no idea he was capable of drawing so fast. Clearly, neither had the woman threatening them, "Back. The Fuck. Off."

Sprout was no longer trembling. With one hand he held Lilith at bay and the other was held out, firmly gripping his revolver. Viola on the receiving end of the barrel.

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"I'm sure your son is all you say. However, I've never really had much experience with friends. You would think that charming people for a living would make one easily sociable, but in a way..."

That was it. Well, that was a glimpse into what may be there at any rate. Her mask hadn't so much wavered as it had been a deliberate tease. Possibly. Whether it was intentional or not it certainly got Pixie's attention.

"Well, I offered a fair trade. Ask your question."

Pixie closed her eye and let out a satisfied sigh. Scooting forward on the desk, she took the glass from Amy's hands and placed it beside her. She leaned in close. Close enough for Amy to see the finest details of Pixie's weathered, yet fine skin. Their eyes met, "I'm not gonna ask y'all trivia questions 'bout yer life. I wanna know what's really important. I look at you now an' I reckon I see a girl who's self-made. Sure, ol' Gents may'a helped refine yer skills, but you were treadn' these waters before he ever entered the stage. Yer like me. A young woman forced ta' dive in ta' the abyss an' climb on the corpses of lesser men, lest you drown in the process."

Pixie turned her hands over, looking down at them as she caressed the girl's palm, "No sweetheart, I don' wan' you ta' answer any questions. All I wan' is fer you ta' lower yer guard fer one second. Fer one moment. All I wan' is ta' see in ta' the eyes of the girl who's been with you since the very beginnin'. This place here. Between the two 'a us. It's safe fer her here."

Pixie smiled, looking her in the eyes once more, "I promise."

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"We could always try heading towards that light over there, it would mean that we were close to an exit."

Lilith winced as she reached for her revolver, pain shooting through her shoulder. Turning towards the stranger, she recognised the voice, sounded like the woman from before. She narrowed her eyes, and straightened her posture, clenching her left hand into a fist as she ignored the pain. She remained silent as the woman continued.

"Well for starters, you there young lady look as though you've had the living hell kicked out of you, can't imagine why your boss Pixie would send you on this kind of a job in the state your in. As for you there young man, you could probably do with a good wash; actually I think we all could given the dingy setting."

Bollocks. She knew who they were, after the bounty no doubt. Hand still resting on her revolver, Lilith started to take a step forward, before Axel suddenly jumped in front of her. "Axel, what th-" She stopped as the boy drew his revolver, quicker than she had ever seen him do so before.

Back. The Fuck. Off." Lilith was speechless, her eyes were wide for a few moments, before softening, her mouth curling into a small smirk.

"I reckon you'd best listen to the boy, he ain't having the best week."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

For a moment, Amy even wished she could oblige Meredith's request. However, she's spent the better part of a decade searching for 'The Real Amy' without success. If she even existed at all, The Captain wasn't going to find her after a couple of drinks. Still, that didn't mean she couldn't make her believe it. Pixie was good, but the Golden Rose was the best in the business. If you can ever play a player, you can't play a champion.

Amy let her take the lead, not rushing into any further advances. Very slowly, she shifted so that her eyeline was just under Meredith's, and subtly tilted her head, so that both her eyes drank in the Captain lop-sided gaze. Such a move also brought their lips an inch closer, seemingly by complete accident.

"It's not her safety that I fear for." she whispered huskily.

 

[Ruedyn]

Aquila

"We could always try heading towards that light over there, it would mean that we were close to an exit."

Aquila turned around, how did she miss that? Frustration, probably. Or that was just nothing, she had no clue anymore, and that was fairly annoying.

"Well for starters, you there young lady look as though you've had the living hell kicked out of you, can't imagine why your boss Pixie would send you on this kind of a job in the state your in. As for you there young man, you could probably do with a good wash; actually I think we all could given the dingy setting."

"... Pixie?" Aquila smirked, not the best of names. At least hers mean Eagle, who in the right mind was afraid of a fairy? She barely had time to register the boy stepping up and drawing her weapon on the, Aquila assumed, woman in the watchtower. Threatened her, too, perhaps there was more than met the eye on that one?

"Back. The Fuck. Off."

"Fast." Aquila muttered to herself, letting her hand fall off her pistol.

"I reckon you'd best listen to the boy, he ain't having the best week."

"Oh?" Aquila asked, taking a half step back. "So, this going to turn into a shooting? Cause I think I'm on the their side."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Warren & Vergil

"Oh, hey, at least someone made it!"

"Thanks." Warren said, dripping with sarcasm... and blood, kind of, Vergil splashed a bit on him. The hazard of getting near someone who was shot. That reminded Warren, MORE SHOOTING. He turned around, flicking to full auto, and letting out his last three shots. He quickly reloaded, hoping no one would notice.

"Damn, and I thought the crew had some white-ass bitches."

"I resent that!" Vergil called out, making himself known.

"Yeah, I don't reckon Pixie's lookn' for more whities."

"And I resent that further!" Warren turned around and glared at the kid, making the orphan shrug in turn.

"Follow me, the safe-house ain't too far from here!"

"Then it won't-"

"It ain't gonna be a safe-house for long if it's really all that close."

"That." Vergil called out, Warren already found the kid too talkative for someone who wasn't helping in any way. "Neat, can we get fucking moving yet?!"

 

[Fappy]

Spoiler: Smexy Time

Pixie's eye widened as the girl came in closer.

This is not good...

"It's not her safety that I fear for."

Fuck...

Pixie clearly had too much to drink. The way Amy looked at her with those... those seductive, piercing eyes. Those eyes said so much. Pixie had been ensnared. She'd been outplayed. Pixie's lower lip trembled as Amy's breath found her own.

She can' be much older than Sprout. This is... fuck me...

She was flustered. She wasn't thinking straight. Too much booze. Was she really this weak? She had Amy in her sights. She was winning! Winning! And then, with so little effort, the tables were turned.

Had she just been made to think that way? Was she the one being played since the very beginning? No, none of that mattered now. It was too late. Pixie's heart was already in it. There was no backing out now.

Any ounce of regret she'd held on to vanished the moment she gave in, locking lips with the young woman she'd only met that day. It was too much. Everything was too much. The heist, Elizabeth, Dio, Lilith, Sprout... everything, it all came to a head. She was overwhelmed and she needed an outlet. She needed someone's arms to retreat into.

She understood this had been Amy's plan all along, but by the time the cloths started coming off she didn't care. All that remained now was the comfort this girl would bring her. Comfort she'd feel in an otherwise lonely, dark night.

Pixie wasn't strong enough to face it all alone. Amy was exploiting that fact, but Pixie diddn't care. The girl had offered herself freely. She'd offered a place for Pixie to rest her heart, and for that Pixie was grateful. Among giggling, kissing and stripping, the lights eventually went out in Pixie's room.

The bourbon never stopped flowing.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Back. The Fuck. Off." Spoke Sprout in a voice that was well beyond his years, as in one fluid motion, he unholstered a revolver, the barrel pointing directly at Viola's face.

"I reckon you'd best listen to the boy, he ain't having the best week." Spoke Lilith with a definite smirk on her face. Viola already knew in her mind what she was going to do; she took off her mask, letting it hang to the side, took a step back, and raised her hands in surrender.

"Exit the boy, enter the man." Was all Viola said at first, her voice quiet, it lacking any sort of definite emotion.

"I must admit, you've certainly got guts young man, not many of your age would have the bravery to stand up to someone like me, you show real courage and conviction; perhaps in another life, things would be different. In any case, I respect these noble qualities of yours, there is a fire in those eyes I have not seen in some time." Viola said in all sincerity, the fire she saw in him, reminded her of herself when she was young, when she trained to avenge her father.

"Listen, I do not mean either of you harm, it's not what I came for here today. Seeing as how I know your mother's name Sprout, seems only fair you know mine, it's Viola, spelled the same as the violin type." She then added, all the while Viola's hands were still in surrender.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Exit the boy, enter the man."

Lilith crossed her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowing. Don't pretend like you know him, you know nothing.

"I must admit, you've certainly got guts young man, not many of your age would have the bravery to stand up to someone like me, you show real courage and conviction; perhaps in another life, things would be different. In any case, I respect these noble qualities of yours, there is a fire in those eyes I have not seen in some time."

Lilith rolled her eyes, she really likes the sound of her own voice, this one. Just what they needed.

"Listen, I do not mean either of you harm, it's not what I came for here today. Seeing as how I know your mother's name Sprout, seems only fair you know mine, it's Viola, spelled the same as the violin type."

Lilith furrowed her brow. "Cut the bollocks, we know your kind, always prettying up your lies with sycophancy, but we know you're all after one thing" She ran a thumb across her own neck in a slicing motion. She placed her hand on Sprout's shoulder and leaned in towards his ear. "I'm good to go when you are." She whispered gently, as she removed her mouth from his ear, she paused and leaned back in "No, not that way."

 

[Ruedyn]

"No, not that way."

"... What way?" Aquila asked innocently, looking between the pair and the woman in the tower, Viola. She was talkative, liked speeches.

"I'm Aquila, by the way." She added after a moment, drawing her own pistol, keeping it loose at her side. Still, could shoot pretty quickly if she needed to, the step behind the pair was just a bit of extra time. Juuuust in case, if they became friends they could all laugh about it when they were old and gray. Orr they'd get shot and she'd be alone in the city again...

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

As usual, it was Amy who woke first. It was a force of habit that she never slept in longer than her partners. Sleep was vulnerability, not to mention that most of her clients wouldn't want to be seen waking up next to her. She wasn't sure if the same would be true for Meredith. In her own way, the Captain had her own appearances to keep up, and may well regret what had happened between them the night before. Certainly, she had a job to focus on now, and Amy being the first thing she saw today would only be distracting. It certainly hadn't been a wasted evening though. Meredith was good company, and better still Amy had been able to learn a lot about her.

Silently, Amy slithered off the bed and rose. After quickly getting washed and dressed, she grabbed her own files still left over from last night and headed for the door. Taking one last look at the sleeping Captain, she went in search of breakfast.

 

[Fappy]

"It ain't gonna be a safe-house for long if it's really all that close."

"It's safer than here, that's for damn sure!" Bennie remarked as he led the group through the labyrinthine ghettos of Boomhower's capitol. Though the gunfire had grown muted the farther they ran, it eventually subsided completely. Those they left behind were either dead or prisoners of the banditos now. Bennie gritted his teeth as the thought sunk in. That's why he preferred working alone... he didn't like losing people.

After putting half-a-mile between them, Bennie threw himself up against a wall to peak around the corner. Sammy's place may have been a dump, but it was well hidden. They'd be safe here... for a time. Confident the coast was clear Bennie signaled for the group to stay put and hugged the wall as he inched around the corner. With the back of his fist he reached out and knocked on the iron door, "'What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?'"

Bennie held his shotgun close, just in case. A few moments later and the door opened, "We're clear!" Bennie shouted back to his allies. Sammy peaked her head around the corner with a paranoid expression painted on her face. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Bennie smiled. "We're cool, Sammy. But we need to hide."

The old crone nodded, "It's been awhile, Bennie. Come in, come in!"

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Sprout hung on to every word Viola spoke. Was she trying to play him? Obviously she was after his mother, but he sensed an odd amount of... sincerity. Even still, he wouldn't let up. He wouldn't let her words weaken his resolve.

"I'm good to go when you are... No, not that way."

Sprout nodded, "Listen Viola, we're gonna take a few steps backwards 'til we've put some distance between the two'a us. Yer gonna do the same. Once yer outta site we're gonna lose you in these streets n' skip town. Yer not gonna see us again, is that clear? 'Cause if it ain't..." Sprout pulled back the hammer on his revolver. "I'm gonna shoot next time."

"I'm Aquila, by the way."

Sprout didn't look back at her. His eyes remained glued on his enemy, "I'm Sprout. This here's Lilith. If yer gonna follow us ya' better keep up. Now, Viola.... turn 'round an start walkn'."

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Spoiler: All Dat Zen

Pixie woke the next morning with her face buried deep in her pillow. Perhaps it was the hangover messing with her senses, but it almost felt like she was waking to the sensation of the morning suns shining on her skin. It was a warm, comforting feeling... even if it turned out to be an illusion. Perhaps a memory of a morning before the Iron Maiden.

Reality slowly settled in as her vision focused on the iron bulkhead above her. Though it could feel like a cold, hollow shell at times, the Iron Maiden had been her home for nearly ten years. There was no other place she'd rather wake up in. Sitting up on her elbows, Pixie glanced down at the vacant space next to her on the bed. It was still warm. It shouldn't have come as any surprise to her that Amy would be the first to wake. She wasn't even sure if the girl had gotten so much as tipsy that night.

Pixie had already slept in far longer than she usually did. That was fine with her. She needed the rest. The ship would be quiet these next few days, so she figured she'd appreciate it while it lasted. After caressing the warm space her partner had left behind she pulled her elbows away, allowing herself to fall back into her pillow. She remained there awhile, staring into space.

She was here. Now. Laying in the bed she'd shared with a much younger woman the night before, while her family was out there fighting for her. It was unfair, but such was life. She'd make her own sacrifices soon enough... not that she hadn't already.

Axel...

Amy's embrace had helped ease the pain. At least she didn't have to spend that first night alone. Where was he now? Had he exchanged the hostage already? Was he safe?

Pixie wanted nothing more than to be there with her son, but she knew that wasn't possible.

"Kill your heart or kill the girl."

Placing the back of her hand on her forehead, she sighed heavily. She wasn't sure she'd be able to live by those words. She wasn't sure she'd be able to fight this war alone, because if she lived by that sentiment that's exactly what she'd have to do. Last night was a mistake. Throwing herself at another in such a way was in direct contradiction to the words she'd adopted. Her memory was foggy, but something told her there was more to last night than a simple fuck.

No. Pixie rubbed her face to banish the tension and sat up once more. She wouldn't dwell on the girl or on Sprout. She had a job to do. A job to focus on. That was the priority.

After a quick shower, Pixie put on white panties and a tight-fitting, black long-sleeve shirt that reached down to her upper thigh. Some of her tattoos could still be seen on the sides of her neck, peaking out from under the shirt. Barefoot, Pixie walked into the empty corridor and found herself in the dining hall. She spotted Amy eating breakfast in the corner, but her head was turned so Pixie chose not to call out to her.

She brewed a quick cup of coffee and walked to the observation deck. Despite the suns being up for a few hours already much of the remaining crew seemed to still be asleep. That was okay. They deserved a break every now and then.

Pixie took a sip of her coffee and placed it down on the floor as she sat. Crossing her legs, she held her back up straight and rested her arms, stretched out across her knees. She inhaled slowly and closed her eye. She had an important job to do and she'd need to be sharp. She'd need to be focused.

Her thoughts faded into obscurity as she practiced slow, methodical breathing. She let the darkness take her. She wouldn't think of Sprout, Lilith, Amy or anyone. Just the darkness.

 

[The Funslinger]

Following Bennie into the decrepit building, Ruffles slung his shotgun over a shoulder.

"Jesus, Bennie. How long has it been, man?"

 

[ProtoChimp]

Silo had been next to him calling out shots up until he had ran out. There wasn't even enough time to check if he had another clip.

"Y-your out!? SHIT! You should have saved two for US! FUCK! FUCK! FU---" They both stunted in shock for a second as a bullet nearly took out Silo. Without warning they were now flooding the room. For the at least thirty banditos Aesop had killed it seemed to be at least double now on their way to tear him apart, perhaps less or even more he simply didn't know. In the minute or so he would be allowed left of consciousness his head wasn't making much sense other than the emotions of fear and anger colliding around them. Aesop jumped to his feet and lunged towards the first bandito, pounding him on the head as he was thrown down by others. He got back to his feet for a moment but was kicked back down. With an assortment of baseball bats, crowbars, nightsticks and other blunt objects, Aesop was beaten bloodily. He was stood on, jumped on, punched, there seemed no end to what his beating was as they threw him around the room. It was the toughest sixty seconds of his life and he begged his mind to just let him slip into darkness soon. Eventually, slowly... the pieces began to fade.

'I'm done here. I'm so fucking done. I'm dead. Dead and gone. I wonder what the others are doing? Pixie, what is she doing right now? What about Sprout and Lillith? Will Ruffles and Cameron and Warren come to get us? Will we be dead by the time they come? Will they even fucking come? GOD DAMMIT JUST SHUT DOWN ALREADY!!! Just shut down... just shut down...'

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Listen Viola, we're gonna take a few steps backwards 'til we've put some distance between the two'a us. Yer gonna do the same. Once yer outta site we're gonna lose you in these streets n' skip town. Yer not gonna see us again, is that clear? 'Cause if it ain't..." Sprout said as he pulled back the cocking mechanism on the revolver, the barrel still pointed at Viola. "I'm gonna shoot next time." It was then at that point in the conversation that Sprout and the other girl conversed, with Viola learning her name of Aquila.

"...Now, Viola.... turn 'round an start walkn'." Viola raised a smirk as she took a single step back her hands still in surrender.

"You do realise that there will be other bounty hunters after you, and unlike me, they won't be as civil, or as polite or as complimentary as I have been. They won't hesitate to use violent means to extract the necessary information out of you two. Once they've got what they wanted, they'll just put a bullet in the back of your head." Viola said with a small sigh, not wanting to think more on what may occur.

"Whereas I would be more inclined to at least listen to you and act in a rational manner, it's what my father taught after all, calm and rational. If I wanted to see you injured or in a worse case scenario, dead; I would have done so back in the garden instead of taking out one of the hunters that would harm you."

 

[Dogmatic99]

It wasn't quite the usual all go kind of morning the Maiden was used to. With so many people away the mess hall felt almost empty. Though on the bright side it left Florian with relatively little cleaning to do so he could get to making breakfast sooner than usual. He managed to scramble together some scrambled egg and what passed for bacon among their rations. Hopefully they'd be able to do some extra food shopping after their business with The Gentleman was done. He quickly cooked up three portions for breakfast, one for himself and another two for Elizabeth and Josephine. Taking meals with the two of them was becoming more of a regular occurrence now and it was only polite to provide them with some proper food. Florian crowded the three plates onto a tray and moved out of the kitchen.

The hall was so bare bones it was easy to spot Amy, she stood out like a match in the dark among all the beaten grit of the Maiden's interior. He passed the captain on her way to the coffee station and offered her a polite good morning. It was strange, the two of them looked awfully ruffled up. Almost as if they hadn't slept very well, if at all. An unpriestly thought crossed Florian's mind.

No. No that's ridiculous... unless. Florian quickly shook the thought off. It had been way too long since he'd last had a bad nights sleep, clearly.

He arrived at the noble's room and awkwardly set about opening the door and trying not to spill any food since he was too stubborn to just put the tray down.

"Good morning, everyone. I hope you are all well this morning." He greeted them, laying out the food and grabbing himself a seat.

 

[Fappy]

"Jesus, Bennie. How long has it been, man?"

Bennie sighed, "Four years. What's up, man? Why's Pixie have you runnin' around in this shithole instead of watching the ship?" Sammy closed the door behind them as Bennie led the group into the main room. Bennie placed his shotgun down on a nearby table and plopped down in a chair.

Sammy scuttled around the room, making sure none of her guests had sustained any injuries, "What happened out there? I heard gunshots."

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"Whereas I would be more inclined to at least listen to you and act in a rational manner, it's what my father me taught after all, calm and rational. If I wanted to see you injured or in a worse case scenario, dead; I would have done so back in the garden instead of taking out one of the hunters that would harm you."

Sprout didn't move a muscle as Viola gave her warning. She may have been after the bounty, but it was clear she didn't want harm to come to him. Sprout figured she had a soft spot for children. Sprout's eyes narrow. He was no child.

"Noted." He waved his pistol towards her. "Go on now, get!" Viola did what was asked of her and slowly backed off. Sprout and Lilith did the same until the darkness of the sewers had engulfed her. He looked to Lilith. "Let's get the fuck outta here!"

Lilith rotated her left shoulder, smiling slightly "Amen to that, I need a fucking drink." She placed a hand on Sprout's back, so as not to trip over him in the darkness. "Lead the way."

Sprout nodded and the two of them bolted down the tunnel. Sprout made sure not to leave Lilith behind as her injuries seemed to be slowing her down. He didn't bother looking back, and considering the noise they were making Sprout wasn't sure if Aquila had managed to keep up or not. The light from the sewer's exit grew brighter and bright as they made their way to the ladder.

Sprout let Lilith up first and kept an eye on her in case her shoulder gave out. It took him a moment to adjust to the light outside when he stumbled out of the manhole. They were in the alleyway once more with no one in sight, "Whadda ya' think we---SHIT!" Sprout screamed when he noticed two bounty hunters sprinting down the alley towards them, pistols at the ready.

Spoiler: RUN!

"This way!" Sprout shouted, signaling towards the open street.

"Oh for fuck's sake!" Lilith exasperated. She picked up the pace, shrugging off her pain. As they made it to the exit of the alley, Lilith turned her head to get a look at their pursuers. "We just can't catch a bloody break!" They dashed left out of the alley and into the streets, maneuvering around a group of people walking in the opposite direction, earning themselves a few disgusted stares in the process.

Lilith grinned, panting slightly, "Sprout!" She glanced his way as they kept running. "People think we smell or something!"

Sprout snuck in a laugh between deep, exasperated breaths, "Yer the smelly one! I---" Sprout's words were suddenly drowned out by the sound of gunfire as the hunters behind them opened fire. "THE FUCK?R Y'ALL DOIN'?!" He wasn't sure where the shots hit, obviously not on the mark. Whether it was their goal or not, the streets cleared up rather quickly as bystanders ran, screaming for cover. "Shit! Shit! Shit!"

"Oh shit, the cunts are serious!" She laughed, as they dodged the scattering crowds, they turned a corner and cut across the street and into an alley, taking them onto another street. They stopped for a second to get their bearings. Lilith heard the start of an engine from further down the pavement, a woman with dark hair and clothes was kick starting a battered old motorcycle. "Axel! The bike!"

Sprout clutched his knees, wheezing, "A bike? You wanna steal that girl's bike?"

"I don't want to!" She clutched at her shoulder, smiling wearily, Sprout gave her a disapproving look. "We'll give it back!" Lilith laughed.

Sprout heart thumped louder and louder as the men pursuing them got closer. The hunters would be upon them soon, "Fuck it! Let's steal it!"

"Yes!" Lilith cried triumphantly as they both started running down the street. The girl must have heard them as she turned to see what all the fuss was about. Lilith pulled her off the crappy looking thing.

"Wha--" Maria gasped. One moment she was on the moped, getting the damn thing to work, and the next, she was off. Maria landed rather roughly on her ass. She didn't have time to curse the pain coming from her coccyx, she had to get the blasted thing back.

Lilith bowed over the girl slightly, a sympathetic smile on her face. "Sorry love, but we're robbing you!" She shrugged her shoulders, "Isn't that great?!" She turned her head to look at Sprout, who was currently in the middle of slapping his palm to his forehead.

Maria couldn't see why anyone want to steal such a beat-up thing; however, with the scene unfolding in front of her, she didn't bother with the who's, whys and whats, or even with responding to the robber. The encounter had put her in one hell of a mood - besides, why bother being polite to robbers? Maria pushed herself up from the ground. The firearm inside her pocket banged against the top of her thigh. 'Now that's an idea...' She thought. It was pathetic, but it was an option. Nausea rose up from her stomach as she drew the garrucha and tried to keep a steady aim. "Hey pendejo!" She said, "Give that back! Or I s-shoot!"

Lilith turned her head as she heard heavy foot steps from the alley they had just exited, "No time for chit chat Miss, we'll bring it back, we promise!" She grabbed the case from Axel and beckoned him onto the bike, "You drive kid."

"We better bring it back." Sprout grumbled. Reluctantly, he grasped the throttle and sped off into the street. "SORRY!"

Maria told herself that those strangers were robbers, were in the wrong and probably had committed more than robbery. She told herself that those strangers were not better than those who had ransacked her hometown and had turned her life upset down. She told herself all of this, yet she couldn't squeeze the trigger. It was really a pathetic idea. She dropped the garrucha back in the pocket, defeated. Nevertheless, there was another option. She ran after the apologetic attackers gasping an exasperated, "Can't you just steal... someone's else's?"

Lilith spun on her seat, planting her back ups against Sprout's. "We'll take good care of her, I promise!" She smiled, waving as they began to turn a corner. "Poor girl." she shook her head, laughing. Lilith could feel Sprout's remorse. "Relaaaaax Sprout, we'll bring it back tomorrow, no worries."

Of course they didn't stop and think about that question. Just steal and plunder with no time to wonder. She sighed and stopped running. Sure, Maria was skeptical of the pair, but what would be the harm in believing them? Clearly, the snarky side of her was waking up. With a final stomp, she stopped running and called out to them, "You better! I hope your memory isn't as bad as your moral compass!"

Lilith plonked the case down in front of her and cracked it open slightly, taking a gander at the bars of carbon inside. She whistled, "Christ, that's a lot of drinking money!" her eyes wide, she tilted her head as she saw a piece of folded paper lying on top of the bullion. "Huh? What's this?" She removed the note and unfolded it, reading it aloud.

Spoiler: Letter

"Dear Maidens (cute name, by the way)

That there's some real nice work you guys do, so a friendly warning: You're being tailed by a big bad bounty hunter called Viola Greaves (AKA the Gunslinger). Keep on your toes.

-Whiskey

P.S.

Call her sugar tits. She'll love it."

Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Viola... Wasn't that the chick from the sewer?" She smirked slightly "Looks like we dodged a bullet there."

Sprout, still somewhat remorseful for they had done to the poor girl sighed, "I reckon she's the least of ar' worries." After scooting around, down alleyways and through markets, they found a nice spot behind an inn to park the bike. Sprout had heard of this place, "Borelli's". It was a brothel, which was something Pixie'd loath him to enter at his age, but Cranston was only friends with the owner. It was safe.

Sprout smirked,"Reckon I can find a girl hotter'n you in there?"

**************************************************************************************************************************************************

Elizabeth opened up her pocket-sized mirror and began applying make-up. Though they weren't going anywhere anytime soon it was noble's duty to always look presentable. Even while in custody. She had just gotten back from a shower and was still in her bathrobe when Florian came in.

"Good morning, everyone. I hope you are all well this morning."

Her turned beat-red, Elizabeth snapped the mirror shut and crossed her arms over her chest in distress, "Father! How could you! A proper man should knock on a lady's door!" Though she had a point about the knocking, most people would find her reaction a bit on the severe side. She was technically decent after all.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Reckon I can find a girl hotter'n you in there?"

Lilith held out her arms, looking down at her filthy clothes. "Sprout, I think every bloody woman on the planet is hotter than I am at this moment in time." She pulled a tuft of hair to her nose, recoiling at the smell, a huge grimace on her face. "Let's go inside, I can't wait to get out of these clothes." Lilith put a hand on her hip, "Yes Sprout, I'm sure you can't wait either." She could feel his smirk on her back.

They walked into the establishment of fleshy pleasures, fortunately for Lilith, it was still early, and there were no signs of any scantily clad ladies of the night. Unfortunately for Sprout, it was still early, and there were no signs of any scantily clad women of the night. They stopped at what Lilith guessed was a reception desk. There was nobody there. Lilith looked around, a small smile on her face, "Great service, huh kid?" She knocked on the hard wooden desk. "'Scuse me? Anyone here?"

They both heard movement from a room behind the counter. A few moments passed before a man walked through the doorway. A greasy looking man, with a terrible comb over and sweat stains on the pits of his terrible looking shirt. "Yeah, whadda you kids want?" he asked, gruffly, he froze as he got closer, his eyes narrowing, "Christ, you kids stink of shit, where ya been, the gorram sewers?" Lilith laughed nervously, "Err yeah, you could say that. Umm, we're looking to stay in a room for a few days, think you could help us out?" The man crossed his arms across his fat chest. "You? Maybe..." He nodded at Lilith, "But him?" He aimed a thumb at Sprout. "No way, he's too young, what kind of place do you think this is?" Lilith smiled, "As much as I'd love to get the kid laid, we're not here for that. We just need a place to lay low." The man's expression didn't change, "Sorry kid, I can-"

"Cranston sends his regards, by the way." She quickly added. The man's expression lit up. "You two know that bald bastard?" He chuckled, "Old Chromey's still running with the young 'uns huh? Good for 'im" He bent over slightly as he reached for something under the counter. "Room 3 is free, it's small, only one bed, but it's got a bathroom." He slammed the key down, "And after the day you two smelled like you've 'ad, I'm guessin' you could do with a 'ot shower."

 

[The Funslinger]

"Four years. What's up, man? Why's Pixie have you runnin' around in this shithole instead of watching the ship?"

Ruffles sat down on some kind of stool or corner table, and sighed. "Long story, man. Whole crew's divided. It started with this train robbery. Usual business, y'know? Sneak me aboard to stop the engine, they grab some hostages and whatnot. Kinda went outta control from there. Gents showed up, one of the Nobles we nabbed Pixie had real beef with and she went all sadistic executioner on his ass, until I stepped in. Got a smack for that when we were alone, I tell ya. Since that whole thing, she's been different. Bent outta shape would be an understatement. As for her sending me out here, I'd like to think it's 'cause of my brain and whatnot. More likely she's just sick of me after the whole Bart thing."

He scrubbed unconsciously at his hair as he talked, scowling at nothing in particular. "So first, she's talking to our two other hostages, comes out fixin' to kill old man Bart again, even though Cranston had already set an exchange with Whiskey Fifer. Lilith got there before me."

He glanced at Vergil then, and blinked. He'd heard the kid speak, and it was the same accent Lilith had. And they weren't... dissimilar in appearance. Shaking his head, he put it out of his mind. There was too much to deal with.

"Don't know what she said, but she was a bleeding, whimpering pulp when I found her. Bart lived, though. Anyway, after that, fuck knows, Sprout and Lilith go off to handle the exchange and then I find out she's fucking sent them away forever. I don't know what those ladies are to her, but it's big. Josephine Tigereye, and Elizabeth... Maribel? The girl engaged to that Dio Bassilio guy. The one sending hunters after us. Those names mean anything to you?"

Ruffles was itching to go and find Aesop and Silo. He hated having left them. But he also wanted to see if Bennie could or would shed any new light on the strange goings on of the Maiden. And for now, only one of those things was doable, even if it hurt to leave crew mates to horrific circumstances.

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Father! How could you! A proper man should knock on a lady's door!"

"Oh! Umm.." Florian was taken aback by the sudden shrieking. All he could take in was a woman in some kind of undress screaming in girlish panic, his brain panicked and let social awkwardness take over.

"So sorry." He spun around and faced the wall, looking down at his plate of eggs as he fought off the encroaching embarrassment. He just stood there like a child that had been told to stand in the corner. Florian thought about leaving but that would have meant moving and possibly catching a glimpse of exposed Elizabeth flesh. At least that's what he thought would happen.

"So... I take it you slept well..."

Dear god when did I get so bad at this?

 

[ProtoChimp]

For the past few days Heath had led his section of the family through Feroxi, often splitting into groups to cover more ground. Everywhere they went were plans to kill any pretenders and save any children, however they were more contained. Under ordinary circumstances they would have cut a bloody swath through, but in the dense centre of a city such as Feroxi they would be hunted down by any and all who saw them as the murderers that they were, and that was something none of them needed right now. What they needed was information about the maidens. Bits and pieces were spotted here and there, but most were merely rumours, people talking about the train heist, worriers of Lady Maribel (and those who laughed at her), but then... they got just a little bit lucky.

Heath and a small crew entered a motel, intending to stay in for the night. It had taken all of their willpower in order to not kill everyone they saw over the age of thirty and not kidnap anyone under the age. It was like going cold turkey and they didn't like it. Heath buzzed at the front desk, his history as a bounty hunter and dealing with pretenders have him a patience none of the others possessed, even the Father.

"I don't care what you say baby, next time I'm going with you," Heath heard a female voice say from a nearby waiting sofa, "they could have killed you."

"Please calm down, you saw what they gave me, shit they paid me for my troubles." A man chuckled.

"I don't care, and I don't want bandits paying for our stay its thug money."

'Wait a second.' Heath thought to himself.

"Money is money baby, come on lets just enjoy our stay, its better than staying at your place." Replied the man.

"What did you just say to me?" Shouted the woman.

Just as the man began stuttering his response Heath sat in between the couple, separating them and making them feel uncomfortable. "Hello my name is Heath. And you were on the train the Iron Maidens lifted weren't you?" The couple stuttered before Heath continued. "I'm going to be honest, I'm a bounty hunter and I'm willing to pay handsomely for anything you know about the crew, anything you saw, any defining details."

Swiftly and without thinking the man began to spill his guts, at the behest of his partner. "Yeah okay," he spoke quickly, barely pausing at all, "they took all the nobles and robbed them and gave the money to us in the common car and they took them outside and nearly killed this skinny guy and they-"

Heath grabbed his lips and shut them forcefully, "Thats not what I was asking. Who did you see? What did they look like? Any of them look weak to you."

"Get your hands off of hi-" the woman shouted, soon interupted by the gun heath had unshethed and pointed at her chin, not even looking at her.

"You saw them, I know you did. Now tell me, who looked weak, who would you say was the weakest link?"

The man stuttered and shook as Heath moved his hand to his throat, a gun at his girlfriend's chin. "T-Th-There was a p-priest and a um, a kid a little kid yeah a kid."

"D'ya get his name? Anybody call him Sprout?" It was a name he had heard around, possibly the daughter of Meredith Monroe, but it was unclear.

"I dunno I don't know, look please-"

"Ahh, you're useless!" In one fluid motion he snapped the man's neck one handed, and before his partner had a chance to react he turned and punched her in the throat, then snapped her neck as well. Standing up he lay the woman's head on the man's shoulder, as if they were sleeping. By the time the owner of the motel got to the counter all the old woman saw was a cute 'sleeping' couple and Heath at her desk. "I need a few rooms please."

"Family get together?" she asked, to which Heath nodded. She looked over his shoulder to see the couple. "Aww isn't that cute, I wish me and my husband still fell asleep like that."

"Don't worry, you will soon." smiled Heath, taking the keys.
=========================================================
Austin drove sat in his RV being driven around by Oliver while he spoke on the phone with his family. "Have you made it yet? Good, good. Make sure you gather quickly, we don't know where that airship will be. Oh really? Oh good girl good girl, yes I am proud of you. Alright alright, move on quickly. Okay love you, goodbye." He hung up and shouted to Oliver, "Are we close yet?"

"Yeah dad we are."

"Good, kids get ready, we need to be inside before we start shooting, alright."

"Yes father." They all answered in unison as they pulled over in the car park outside of the police station. Oliver stepped out, he was the only one who wouldn't be shooting, thus all he had was a knife. He entered the police station and went through the metal detector, handing his knife into the officers as he did. The smaller children soon followed after, whom the police took to the waiting chairs. No one expects a child to be carrying. Austin was the last one who walked in, strumming his guitar as he did.

"Sir, please stop playing the guitar." said an officer.

"Why? I bring music to your ears." Austin replied calmly.

"Um, sir please just stop playing the guitar."

"Oh I won't be long, I'm just here to pick up my daughter." he said smiling.

"I see," said the cop nodding, "well I think- wait," the description was familiar, the guitar, the robe, the massive stature. It was him. It was him! The cop quickly drew his firearm and aimed at Austin. "Sir put the guitar down and put your hands behind your head."

"Of course." The second the guitar stopped a hailstorm of bullets came from the waiting area, police drew for their firearms to shoot Austin but his children valiantly charged to defend him, as he jumped behind the metal detector for cover. The police, unable to shoot children, were swiftly wiped out in the lobby. Austin lay his guitar down on the ground as he pulled out his shotgun. Quickly they made their way down to the cell block, the children leading the charge. The hesitation of the police led them to die at the hands of children. Austin grinned, carrying his shotgun and not needing to fire a single shot. They took the keys from one of the dead guards to open the cell doors, finding one of his children. A young girl, blonde hair, tattoos covering her face. She ran out to hug her father.

"I knew you'd come." She embraced him. He then set about letting all of the young ones out of their cells.

"Of course I would come." He said before proclaiming to the younger prisoners, "All of you, do you want out of these cells?" They cheered as he dangled the keys. "I can help you. I can save you, and you are part of our family. Do you like what you see? How we have decimated these sadists who call themselves officers!" They banged at their cells as they roared in sick laughter. "Then welcome home my children, welcome home!" He set about personally letting them out of their cells before turning to the older prisoners. "As for you pretenders, you deserve so much worse than this." One by one he blasted them away with his shotgun. The former prisoners armed themselves with the guns of the guards as the rest of the police flooded down into the cells. Austin and his children simply stood back and waited while those who had just found freedom threw away their lives, though they had taken a few cops with them.

"You're surrounded, put your guns down now, there's no way out!" Yelled the surviving law enforcers.

"Oh? So you'll kill us if we fight you?" Austin laughed.

"Stand down or we will open fire." they yelled to him.

"Even against children?" As Austin said that a child, with no gun in his hand calmly walked down to the police officers. They had no idea what to make of it, horrified at the situation. Taking aim back down the corridor were Austin was hiding behind cover, the child pulled out a flashbang, shielded his own eyes and set it off, giving Austin and the others the opportunity they needed to finish them off.

Running throughout the building the Family found the files the police kept. Swiftly tucking them away Austin led his children back into the RV, police were now encroaching, but the child soldier tactic had always worked like a charm, as the good father set off on his escape.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Noted." Sprout waved his pistol towards Viola. "Go on now, get!" She watched as the two bandits disappeared into the darkness of the tunnels and she could finally lower her hands, as her upper arms were starting to ache a little. Viola kicked at the walkway, visually annoyed at the outcome of this exchange. Aquila soon followed the pair out, leaving Viola on her own.

"Great, I'm back at square one with nothing to show for it except a bad smell. I'll admit, things could have gone better." She told herself, before making her own way out of the sewers, heading down the same path that everyone else did, eventually arriving topside in an alleyway. Viola took a minute to check everything was still there and to see how dirty she had gotten from running about in the sewers; she was moderately clean, but still carried a faint odor.

"Right, first on the agenda, have myself a wash. Second... I have no idea, thought this was going to be a 'simple' information grab, and I would be on my way out of here. Perhaps I'll think of a plan during the shower; might visit Dante again, see if anything turns up. Right now though, I'm simply not in the mood." Viola told herself as she walked along the alleyway, soon arriving in a relatively empty part of town. There were a few guys with guns hanging about, but she just assume that was normal in these parts; when suddenly something caught her eye on the ground. Bending down to pick it up, she saw that it was a empty bullet casing.

"Strange, why'd there be bullet casings all over the street. Shootout perhaps? Maybe Sprout and Lilith crossed paths with some other bounty hunters in this area, told them there would be others coming after them." For some reason, Viola decided to pocket the bullet casing, think that it may be useful as a clue later on. She then carried on walking, passing through another couple of alleyways, before arriving on what looked like a main street.

Viola noticed some tire tracks trailing off from a large building as she walked down the street, hands in her pockets and still sporting a slightly foul mood, when she spotted a woman in a long muddy grey coat with a black hood standing in front of said tire tracks. She looked at the tracks, trying to see where they lead, but couldn't make anything noticeable out.

"What happened here then? Your bike got stolen or something?" Viola asked as she approached the woman from behind.