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

[ProtoChimp]

Aesop kept standing there, his self pity and self hatred mixing all around his head. However, laughter is often helpful for those who's mind has attacked them with unhealthy thoughts.

Aesop winced and then suddenly couldn't stop laughing as he saw Randy's face contorted in pain. He clapped and applauded the golden rose, who seemed somewhere between a girl and a woman, proceeded to cause him to pass out. He had to wipe away a few tears as she finished off.

"Shall we move on?"

"Ha HAA! Fuck I like you already." He beamed.

 

[Fappy]

Pixie stood, arms crossed as Amy damn near neutered the man in front of everyone. As she retreated to her room she spoke in a flat tone, "Isolate 'im until I am ready. No one is ta' go in 'er outta 'is room." Randy's faint whimpers were the last things Pixie heard before she closed the door behind her.

The room was dimly lit and still smelled of moist shower water. Bennie sat hunched over at the end of Pixie's bed. He looked up at her and pointed to the ground near the bathroom door, "Need I even ask?" Pixie's eye followed his finger to a pile of cloths near and inside the bathroom door. "Not that I couldn't already tell." Bennie explained with an apathetic expression.

Pixie shrugged as she approached the bed, "An' what if I told you she was a whore?"

"Don't give me that shit," Bennie muttered, anger flaring up in his tone. "I can tell when someone's got 'Pixie-fever', you know. It's written all over that poor girl's face."

Pixie plopped down on the end of the bed beside him and assumed a similar posture. Staring straight ahead, she muttered, "I'm sorry, Bennie. But," She met his gaze. "We 'aven't seen each other 'n four years. Do we really 'ave ta' do this now?"

Bennie didn't respond at first, he just stared back at her. She could tell he was disappointed. She could tell he was hurt. Before she could comfort him, however, he spoke once more, "Tell me... and be honest with me here. Do you still love me?"

Pixie hesitated a moment. Biting her lip, she shook her head, "Bennie, it's been four years. No, no I don' love you anymore... not in the way you want me to."

"Bullshit!" Bennie spat, getting to his feet. "That's fuckin' bullshit and you know it!" Running both hands across his hairless head, he began pacing across the room.

Pixie remained where she was, calling out in distress, "Bennie! Bennie listen to me!" She hopped off the bed and grabbed his sleeve. "I'm sorry, but..."

"But what!?" Bennie interrupted. "If you're gonna turn me down, that's fine, but don' be a lying fuckin' hypocrite about it!" Pixie broke eye contact and remained silent. She knew exactly what he was getting at and had no defense. He was right. "I fuckin' knew it. So how long until you break her heart too?"

"That's none of yer business, Bennie." She muttered.

"How old is she, anyway?! Sixteen? Seventeen? She's your son's age for fuck's sake! What's wrong with you?!" Bennie roared.

"That's none of yer fuckin' business, Bennie!" She repeated.

"You're right," Bennie laughed sarcastically. "Maybe things are different now. Maybe it's okay for you to fall in love with your own crew. There's no way at all that it will compromise the integrity of your command. There's no way either of you will make a stupid, fuckin' call for the sake of the other at some point down the line. Right? Am I right, Pixie?!"

Pixie held a hand to her mouth and fought to keep silent, to stay strong as he ripped weapons straight out of their collective memory and beat her down with them. In the end, however, her effort was for naught. Her knees buckled as tears began to stream down her face. Still holding on to his sleeve, she dropped to her knees, openly sobbing, "I-I'm s-sorry, Bennie. I jus'... I j-jus'..." She failed to get any additional words through the knot in her throat as the sobbing continued.

Bennie just stood there for awhile, staring down at her with a permanent frown painted on his face. Eventually, he snapped under the pressure and dropped to his knees, wrapping his massive arms around Pixie and held her tight, "It's okay, girl. I get it. I understand why you're doing this. I just..." He bit his lip. "I just wish it could be different, you know?"

Her face buried deep between his chest and arm, she nodded. He kissed the top of her head before continuing, "Don't think I don't know what you've been through lately. Don't think I'm not aware of what's to come. I get it. She helps. I'm sorry..."

Pixie withdrew her head and leaned back enough to get a full view of Bennie's face. Tears caking her cheeks, she shook her head, "No, I'm sorry. Th-this ain't fair to you either."

"No, it ain't," Bennie whispered. "But, that's life, right? I'll deal with it. I'll stomach it for you, okay? And I won't give that girl any shit."

Trembling, Pixie continued to stare into eyes for a long while before answering, "Th-thank you, Bennie. I-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I---"

"No, no, no," Bennie interjected, hushing her as he buried her head against his chest once more. "It's okay, Meredith. It's okay." He held a hand against the back of her head and bowed his own as she continued to cry in his arms.

This was not the reunion he had in mind, but after everything that had happened... he wasn't surprised. As they sat there, together in the darkness, he thought of how she might deal with the situation in the future. Sooner or later she would break the girl's heart. Once Pixie had overcome these trials. Once things went back to normal, she'd start seeing clearly again. What would come of Amy and Bennie then? Would they both be sent away? Could either of them deal with the wall Pixie would place between them?

Last time Bennie had left on his own accord. He couldn't weather the pain both of them had felt. Would he be able to withstand it this time? After having spent the last few days among the Maidens, he was reminded how much he missed them. Take Pixie out of the equation and he still wanted to be among the crew. Perhaps, this time, that would be enough.

"I-I-I missed you so much, B-Bennie," Pixie whimpered, her voice muffled by Bennie's chest.

"I missed you too." He replied as he rested his lips on the top of her head. A single, manly tear rolled down his face. It had been the first time Bennie shed a tear in four years.

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

"So what's he got to do with this then?"

Cranston leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, "The man who gave you this note? He's an agent for the Gentleman. His contacting you is... odd," Cranston sighed. "You see, the Gentleman has been working closely with us for some time now. These agents of his have been tasked with keeping tabs on Elizabeth ever since she escaped the attack on the Maiden. Why they chose to approach you with this intel before myself is what's troubling me."

Leaning forward, he spoke in a hushed tone, "The Gentleman is a dangerous man, Viola. I would think twice before getting into bed with him."

 

[Ruedyn]

"Shall we move on?"

"Let's," Vergil said, grimacing slightly. The world had something against Randy's testicles. A worthy fate of a traitor, he supposed... in some very strange way. Fuck it, people were barbaric out here. Best to stop even trying to understand their crazy methods.

"Ha HAA! Fuck I like you already."

"Feh... [sub]agreed[/sub]." Warren reluctantly muttered, she was pretty and knew how to hurt a person. Too bad she was not his type and too young. If she had nothing to do with Pixie, he might've even tried to be a friend to her. As it stood, business relation at most. He was mostly just glad when Bennie fucking left. Something about him pissed him off more than it should have...

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Can we just get to mission already?"

"Oh, by all means." The Gentleman crooned. "I'll just keep this little secret of ours tucked away, you never know when it might come in handy. In the mean time, if you're going to come along, we'd best do something about making sure you're not recognised. You did strike a bit of luck travelling with a master of disguise and all that."

=================================================================================================

Her little show certainly seemed to have won over Aesop, and to a certain extent, Warren. She smiled at them both as Randy was being dragged away, and everyone else was piling into the living area to get drinks. Amy lingered, making sure to greet each of them in turn with a little smile just for them. By the time everyone had made it through, the reunion in the next room had begun to escalate quickly. Left alone in the hallway, it wasn't hard for Amy to hear the highlights.

"I can tell when someone's got 'Pixie-fever', you know. It's written all over that poor girl's face."

"So how long until you break her heart too?"

"There's no way either of you will make a stupid, fuckin' call for the sake of the other at some point down the line."

Amy didn't want to listen. She didn't want to just stand outside as Bennie tore open every logical hole in her desires that Amy already knew to be there. Yet, despite herself, rather than walking away, she was pressing her ear to the door so that she might hear more.

"I get it. She helps. I'm sorry..."

'I help?'

Was that really all Amy was still, a font of catharsis for Pixie? Bennie was making it sound like what had happened was no different from their first time, nor the hundreds of other men and women who had used Amy for physical and emotional gratification alike. Was he right, was it a case of 'once a whore, always a whore?' Was it too much to hope that Pixie might actually care about how she felt as well, rather than just taking for free what others had to pay for?

If Amy was more to Pixie than that, Bennie certainly wasn't hearing about it. Pixie just kept sobbing. Finally able to wrench herself away from the door, Amy took a deep breath, and walked away in the direction of the party, pondering whether or not she had just made the worst mistake of her life.

'You know you did. You knew it when you stood up and followed her into that room, but you did it anyway, and you'd do it again.'

'I'm not the first she's done this too, am I?'

'What do you think?'

No! She wasn't going to just let this prophecy be fulfilled. Maybe it was true that she wasn't the first, but damn it she'd be the last! Was she and Pixie had was different. Amy had more experience of loveless lust than almost anyone, and was more practised at faking affection than any other person alive. It was what made her more than just the average whore. Simply put, you can't kid a kidder, and what she and Pixie had shared was worth fighting for, she knew that. She could make this work.

'Sure you can.'

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Oh, by all means." The Gentleman crooned. "I'll just keep this little secret of ours tucked away, you never know when it might come in handy. In the mean time, if you're going to come along, we'd best do something about making sure you're not recognised. You did strike a bit of luck travelling with a master of disguise and all that."

"Do I get my own top hat?" Florian may as well try and wring some fun out of this situation. Right now it was laugh or cry and he refused to do the latter on the grounds that tears helped to keep The Gentleman alive in whatever Faustian pact he must have made.

Though a hood and a few more days of not shaving would have suited Florian just fine. He scratched absentmindedly at the fuzz on his beard again. He still needed to find a replacement collar as well. Maybe he'd get a chance to stop by Frostfall's own abbey while they were out, though that would involve leaving The Gentleman unattended.

This is the last time I do the captain a favour.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Irena sat at the centre of her own little world, radios, maps and reports all splayed out in front of her like her own little paper pond. She never was neat enough to fit the image of an information handler. But she was good at it in her way and it was her own little niche that she'd carved out so defiantly in this sausage party of a syndicate.

Vasa had had her working day and night in the lead up to the big job and Irena in turn had been working her people like a slave driver. It wasn't pretty for any of them but maybe after this was over things would calm down and she could take a break. Yeah right! Irena dreaded to think what fuck ups and chaos a regime change would bring. She's be lucky if she ever got to sleep again. A stream of facts and figures flowed in front of her brain like a flood, the logistics alone were going to take a whole new recruitment drive if she was going to get the manpower she needed.

Christ, I need to get laid.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"The man who gave you this note? He's an agent for the Gentleman. His contacting you is... odd." Cranston said with a sigh, though his overall tone spoke with suspicion as well.

"You see, the Gentleman has been working closely with us for some time now. These agents of his have been tasked with keeping tabs on Elizabeth ever since she escaped the attack on the Maiden. Why they chose to approach you with this intel before myself is what's troubling me." Cranston then leaned forward, and spoke with a hushed tone.

"The Gentleman is a dangerous man, Viola. I would think twice before getting into bed with him."

"So what your saying is basically is that I shouldn't trust him. I could very well say the same thing to you as well Cranston; though given that your people are working closely with him, I guess such words would be a little meaningless, but nonetheless important. Though the question of why he presented this opportunity to me before you is interesting." Viola began to think, which was accompanied by a series of glances which were scanning her surroundings.

"Perhaps, and this is only a preliminary thought mind you; but perhaps the Gentleman has something to gain by giving this to me instead of you. On the other hand, maybe he thinks I'll make better use of such information than you. There is a third option mind you. Trust."

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Lily? Are you okay? Wake up!"

Lilith jerked upright as she was roused from sleep, there was a wild look in her eyes as consciousness wrestled her mind back to reality.

"Jesus..."

Her hands began to shake as she held them out in front of her. 'What the hell was that?' She ran her fingers through her hair, turning her head to look at the worried boy, she searched his face for a second before forcing a weak smile onto her face, the echoes of her dream still fresh in her eyes.

"I...I'm fine, just a bad dream is all, I..." She paused for a moment, furrowing her brow. Her hand found it's way to her choker, her fingers grasping the cherry pendent gently. Letting out a sigh, she fell back onto the mattress, draping her arm over her eyes.

"Dammit Sprout, what have we gotten ourselves into?" She muttered, a small smirk on her face.


---------------------------------------------------------------

Asad placed his fork on his plate, his back up against the chair, he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Mind your own goddamn business."

A wry smile curled the corner of his mouth. "Did our Tsu-Tsu get some action last night?" He asked playfully, narrowing his eyes. "It wasn't Jun was it? Because, I don't think we can still be your friends if that was the case." He shrugged, as he picked up the fork, scooping a mound of baked beans into his mouth.

 

[The Funslinger]

"Did our Tsu-Tsu get some action last night?"

Bryan's fork froze inches from his mouth. He could swear the temperature of the room had actually dropped. He wondered if he was going to be cleaning up the beige puddle formerly known as Asad after Tsubaki was done with him. "Jesus..." he muttered.

=================================================

Ruffles turned to Cameron. "Ah, I don't really know Carlos too well. Not sure why, but I just know Bennie fucking hates him. But in the name of professionalism, I guess we just leave it at that."

Around them was a flurry of activity. He could hear Pixie and Bennie shouting, but it was muffled and incomprehensible. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do. It had all been fucking trying. Ruffles was just tired. He wanted to lie down. He wanted his ship back. After a while, he decided it might be best to talk to Pixie. When her and Bennie were done venting at each other.

 

[Terratina.]

Jun ignored the sorry state of the Commander and carried on eating his porridge. It wasn't his problem. It definitely wasn't his problem. It certainly wasn't his place to question his superiors about their private life or about, well, anything that wasn't related to the job.

"...It wasn't Jun was it? Because, I don't think we can still be your friends if that was the case."

However, this definitely was his problem. Still, as much as he hated it, Asad was one of his superiors. It wasn't right to talk back to those with more experience or with a higher rank. Even if they talked shit about you, you had to swallow that shit. One of the worst things about being a soldier.

Nevertheless, like an idiot, Jun dropped his spoon. Probably from the shock of that statement, from its impact. Jun just left it there, for the moment. He could sense the jokes that could be said if he reached down to get it.

 

[Fappy]

"Perhaps, and this is only a preliminary thought mind you; but perhaps the Gentleman has something to gain by giving this to me instead of you. On the other hand, maybe he thinks I'll make better use of such information than you. There is a third option mind you. Trust."

"Fine," Cranston sighed, "You can do as you wish, but I will be keeping tabs." He glanced around at their surroundings. "The Gentleman is an ally, but he's burned us before. I have extensive experience dealing with contractors like yourself, but sending you into the wolf's den like this. Well... let's just say I don't believe in reputations. Stories get twisted. Exploits get embellished. As far as our business is concerned, you're new blood and I'm not yet convinced of your prowess."

He laughed, "Don't take that as an insult, I'm just a really cautious man. So," He grinned. "All that said, are you still willing to take this on? I'm stretched thin trying to track down Gorgon and Elizabeth doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger. Can I trust you to carry out this task?"

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

Lilith looked like hell. Sweating and panting, she must have had one hell of a nightmare.

"Dammit Sprout, what have we gotten ourselves into?"

Sprout pushed himself up into a sitting position, wincing in pain as he straightened himself out, and grabbed her hand. He didn't say anything at first. He just stared down at her, concern painted all over his face. Eventually, he spoke, "Ya' know, I've been havin' a nasty dream recently too. I reckon I've had it a few times now... like, ever since I got shot."

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

Several minutes after the shouting had died down, Pixie and Bennie were ready to join the others. Little was said between the two of them as she dried her tears and got ready to head back out into the main room, "We can talk 'bout this later, okay Bennie?" Pixie said, her voice weak.

Bennie shook his head as he walked into the bathroom, "No need. Do me a favor and get drunk, okay?" He turned on the faucet. "I don' want anymore of this heavy shit tonight. Let's just try to have fun." He suggested as he splashed cold water onto his face.

"No problem." Pixie grinned and opened the door, filling the once silent room with the echoes of booze-fueled laughter. As she took her first step through the door she was greeted with a soft crunching noise. Lifting her boot up, she noticed a now crumpled orchid on the ground.

Amy....

Kneeling down, she plucked it off the floor and put it in her jacket pocket. How much of the conversation had she heard? They hadn't exactly been whispering, after all. Pixie furrowed her brow and scanned the room. She spotted Amy drinking with Cameron and Brock. Laughing. If she had heard anything she certainly wasn't letting it affect her... or at least, she wasn't showing it.

Well, fuck...

Now wasn't the time to worry about it. She'd have Amy all to herself tonight. They could talk then. Now, however, it was time she addressed the rest of her crew. She had no doubt they all had their own concerns and anxieties she'd need to assist them with. The mission in Boomhower was a disaster and their home had been taken.

Thankfully, Carlos had stocked up plenty of booze. Grabbing a bottle of vodka out of Carlos' private stores, she began mingling with her crew. Brock just talked about how jealous he was that Pixie was 'tapping that'. Parker shared a few fun stories about the comrades they'd lost in Boomhower and Cameron... well, Cameron wasn't doing so hot by the time Pixie had shone up.

It wasn't the booze, no, she was girl that could hold her liquor. She was a hardened outlaw, after all. No, this was about the mission. This was about Silo. Pixie took her aside and sat her down on a couch, where they spoke for a long time. She wouldn't call what they had 'love', but they had known each other for a long time. He was her best friend among the Maidens.

Bennie watched this from afar. Leaning against a wall across the party from them, he drank a cold beer as he read the expressions on their faces. It wasn't long until Cameron was smiling again. This was what he missed most about Pixie. She was like a mother to them all. She didn't baby them and she'd sure as shit smack them down if they crossed the line, but she was different from the other bandit kings and queens out there. She didn't use her Maidens to further her own ends... she did what she did for them. In the end, this whole operation always was for them. A weird little family for the misfits of the Rock. She offered them a place where they felt like they were making a difference.

It took Bennie a long time to understand that fact.

As Pixie and Cameron parted ways, Bennie peeled himself off the wall and found his way to Amy. Tapping her on the shoulder from behind to get her attention, he flashed her a genuine grin, "Hey, me an' the boss-lady had a little chat. I'm sure you know about our history and judging by your track record," His grin bore teeth. "I know you'll read me like a fuckin' book, so I'm going to be straight with you." His eyes darted around the room to ensure no one else was listening in.

"There's no hard feelings," He said, pointing back and forth between the two of them. "That said, I'd like to start over." He extended his hand for a shake. "I'm Bennie Carmine. It's a pleasure to meet you, Amy."

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

"Did our Tsu-Tsu get some action last night?"

Tsubaki's eye twitched reflexively and she gritted her teeth. She could feel her blood quite literally boiling. Strangely, however, it was not anger she felt. It was fear.

"It wasn't Jun was it? Because, I don't think we can still be your friends if that was the case."

Tsubaki remained silent for awhile. Again, it felt as if all eyes were on her. It was as if the three of them were all waiting for her to snap in half in front of them. Did they enjoy it? Did they enjoy making her feel this way? The shame, the terror... the helplessness?

Keeping her eyes glued to her feet and without speaking a word, Tsubaki got up from her seat and fled across the mess hall and into conjoining hallway. After making it an adequate distance from everyone in the hall, she braced herself against the wall with once hand and clutched her chest with her other hand. Fighting back the tears proved harder after every whimper that escaped her lips.

Practically doubled over against the wall, she felt like she was going to vomit.

 

[Ruedyn]

Vergil had waited awhile, listened to Brock act like an idiot, the ex lovers quarrel in the other room too, and had noted Amy's disposition when she joined back up with them. A talented actress, but a few signs of her true mood slipped through, and Vergil knew he would have to see about her later. Bennie's heavy handed approach told him he finally left Pixie alone, time to actually try having a conversation with the Maiden Queen. Hopefully this'd go well, and he hadn't just wasted god knows how long following a group of brutes through what would have normally been a suicide mission.

He got up from his seat, silently making his way towards the captain, speaking with Cameron. They spoke for a time, the girl was grieving. Would have to remember that, just in case. A berserk button that would likely remain sore for awhile... They separated as well, and now she was alone. Vergil sauntered over, offering a warm smile and a simple enough greeting,

"Good evening, Ms... Pixie, right?" He hoped his accent had gotten through enough for her, "Do you have a moment to speak?"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Amy did her best to properly introduce herself to as many of the Maidens from Boomhower as possible. She found that she particularly liked Cameron, though it was clear after little more than a minute of conversation that she had been one of the one's hit hardest by the mission. In her reserved body language, the eyes that never matched her smile, and the way that her laugh was always the first to cut off, the grief was clear to see. Amy knew that she hadn't assimilated enough yet to approach the subject directly with her. Whoever it was Cameron had lost, Amy did not know them, and it would be cold and transparent even for her to act like she had. Still, she did the best she could to comfort Cameron indirectly, using all the tricks of body-language and inflections that she had been taught to comfort a person in pain. Again, clinical, manipulative even, but Amy couldn't help but approach these things this way. Every emotional turmoil was a problem to be solved; and really, what did the consciousness of her methods matter, if they were able to bring just a little solace to her new sister, in her time of need.

Amy spotted Pixie as soon as she entered, but decided not to approach her. She had very likely had her fill of heart to hearts for the time being, and if Amy was too eager all she would achieve would be to push her away. Besides, the rest of the crew needed her now. After losing so much to gain so little, they all needed to be reminded for who it was they fought, and why she was still worth fighting for. Amy was surprised, however, how hard this realisation was to swallow. Being so close to Pixie was like an itch she couldn't quite scratch. More than anything, she wanted to down her drink, and go and plant the best, longest kiss Pixie had ever had on her lips right there where everyone could see. Then she wanted the pair of them to tumble each-other into their room, tear off their clothes and spend all night...

'Oh no!'

Amy hurriedly snapped herself out of the beginnings of her dangerous little fantasy, and put her game-face on when she saw Bennie approaching. Pixie had promised that she wouldn't get a hard time from him, but the last she'd known of him had been four years ago, and back then they'd been in love.

'Are you sure it was only "back then"?'

What was he coming over here for? To sew more seeds of doubt in her mind, to interrogate her and try and make her look like a naive little girl in front of the rest of the Maidens; or was his style more to take her quietly to the side, and explain to her that the Maidens were his, that Pixie was his, and that she didn't belong here?

"I'm Bennie Carmine. It's a pleasure to meet you, Amy."

Amy was struck dumb for a small moment, before coming to her senses.

"I-er, thank you." she said, a little breathless "Thank you Bennie."

Smiling weakly, she raised her glass to his, and gave out a nervous little giggle as they clinked together.

"I... I'm sure that Pixie and I are probably the last thing you want to talk about right now," she said, now more composed "but I just thought I should say this..."

They both looked over to where Pixie was, now with a crowd of Maidens forming around her.

"I won't pretend to have known her as long as you have. However, as you said, I'm very good at reading people, and I know with certainty that you will always mean the world to her. If you weren't here right now, I don't know if she could face them all tonight."

Amy turned back to Bennie, and looked up into his eyes.

"I just thought you should know that, wherever things go from here, you were never forgotten, nor will you ever be. Anyway, let's talk about something, anything, else. I suppose, if we're going to be comrades now, you probably want to find out a bit more about me that you don't already know."

=========================================================================================================================

It was clear at first that Florian was not keen on the idea of playing dress-up, but The Gentleman did his best to reassure him.

"Don't fret Padre, I have no interest in making you look garish or gopping. No, we'll keep this simple, I think." he said with a smirk.

Roughly forty five minutes later, The Gentleman now walked through the streets of Frostfall with a weathered, slightly hunchbacked fellow who looked to be in his mid-fifties. The man had watery grey eyes, a rather beakey nose, thin, balding hair and a scruffy beard, the only remarkable feature of which was the the plaited rope of hair hanging from his chin, that only reached his breastbone thanks to the stooped posture. The Gentleman himself remained unchanged, apart from wearing an immaculate, fur-lined travelling cloak over his existing suit. Vasa was a cautious man. Better that he know The Gentleman was in the city sooner rather than later, make any effort to hide, and it may be interpreted as The Gentleman being here to kill him. Of course, were he actually here to kill Vasa, his disguise would be flawless.

"You're hear as my translator, remember." he told Florian as they trudged along. "Of course, I speak the local tongue, but locals will be more likely to speak secrets to a local. All I need do is listen."

 

[ProtoChimp]

As everyone piled into the main room to drink and party, Aesop just found a quiet room away from them all. He desperately wanted to drink. He wanted to join in. He wanted to be with people who... who he thought hated him, but maybe with drink he could pretend to be their friends for just a little while. But he knew he had screwed everything up. Ever since he stepped foot on the ship he had acted too creepy for anyone to like him, he thought.

Lilith, a schoolboy crush, probably thought he was a creepy asshole. Lucky he never acted on it, and Sprout's total lack of subtlety certainly helped. Sprout, he was different, it made Aesop feel even worse. A kid, younger than Aesop was when he fucked his life away, having to spend time with the boring alcy because he himself couldn't drink. He must have made him uncomfortable with every conversation he had. Florian, hell he was the only person he could sit and not drink with, but Florian seemed to pity Aesop. He didn't know why but he acted with such pity towards him. Still he could call that friendship, one of the two he could call friends on the maiden. One of the only ones who Aesop wasn't convinced was tired of his melodramatic bullshit. He was too, but fuuuuuck he just kept thinking he was a fuckup, and he needed to prove that he was good at something. Fucking anything just to make up for, well everything. Everyone had some sort of specialty except him, everyone was good at something except him. He was a jack of all trades, master of none, but he sucked at all trades.

Warren and Ricky. Lunatics the pair of them. Still, he couldn't judge, the realisation he felt, the freedom, realising how little killing meant. It was just glorious. Still they weren't really friends. He knew nothing about then the more he thought about it, other than that Ricky had killed maidens when he first arrived. Austin probably killed him. Aesop snarled. "Good." he thought. Fuck Ricky. Anyone who killed maidens didn't deserve to live... just like when he killed Silo. He didn't deserve to live.

Ruffles, his best friend on the maiden. He knew Ruffles didn't think the same. It didn't bother him of course, that would be weird, but even then he still felt like he was a bother to him. Even with some inside jokes, "Aesop and Ruffles in the mooorning." He chuckled to himself trying to cheer up. He wasn't that much of an outsider-

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" His thoughts were interrupted by the partying. He was lying to himself, of course he was a god damn outsider. He couldn't even party. And without Florian to talk to... God he felt so alone.

Cameron, his relationship with her was the same as Brock and Parker, as well as all those who had likely died on the maiden... 'Killed by my former best friend in the whole wide world...' He dug his hands into his hair, before grabbing at his beard and pulling roughly, as hard as he possibly could. Before he knew it, he couldn't feel the sting anymore. He was ripping chunks out of his beard. He wanted to cry, to pound the floor in anger. But what was the point? He didn't want to ruin anyone's partying. "Thats all I ever fucking do. Shit if I hadn't have run the fuck away maybe I could'a shot Austin back when he fucking called himself Peter." He stayed there slumped against the wall, wondering if it was worth resisting the urge to take the knife he had used to kill Rodrigo and added his own name to his kill list. "Oh feeling sorry for yourself? How fucking original! Why not find something useful to do!"

"But what's useful to do now?! Just sit here and stay out of everyone's way jackass. Let them be happy. Don't kill their buzz."

"But you can do something. Look through... I dunno files or something?"

"Where'd you get that Jackass idea huh? Where'd you..." He hit the back of his head against the wall. "And now I'm fucking talking to myself. Jesus Christ Sillah get a fucking grip." He spoke as he sheathed his knife and brought his knees up to his chest. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself you *****."

Yet he couldn't stop himself from wallowing in self pity, whether he had reason to or not, as he heard the sounds of the party rage on. "You could just sit in an-"

"AND DO WHAT? Creep people out? Kill the mood? Shut up Sillah just shut up. Fuckin crybaby. Look at you, feelin sorry for yourself. DO THE RIGHT GOD DAMN THING! Sit here. Don't bother anybody. Stay quiet. Stop talking to yourself." He began whispering to himself now. "Do 'em all a favour." He sunk his forehead into his knees and stayed there in silence.
=====================================
"Can I trust you to carry out this task?"

"Sorry," Hannibal interjected, "but what exactly happened to the maiden. I-we, heard it was attacked, but I don't know who by. And um, I'm sorry I've been quiet I just have a couple of questions. This Gentleman... he sounds like we can't trust him at all, and um, I'm sorry, Elizabeth? This is all kinda... big, if you mean, the first name basis of a um..." His voice trailed off. "Sorry nevermind." He shot himself down.

 

[Terratina.]

"I'm sorry, Miss. This is all I can offer."

With that red glow and sheepish look, Maria felt somewhat guilty that she was taking money from the poor girl. Then again, her patient not only needed bandages and tubes to get better, but food as well. Still, it was somewhat of a blessing that the onions, garlic and beef were salvagable. Couldn't really afford to replace anything else. However, the doctor was half-tempted to give her some of the soup as soon as it was finished as a bit of compromise, though Maria was sure that she couldn't turn the apartment into a soup kitchen and bring strange women into it. That would ruin the whole point of Axel and Lilith hiding there.

"C'mon then!" Maria said as she grabbed the other woman's hand and dragged her along to the different stalls.

 

[Fappy]

"Good evening, Ms... Pixie, right?"

Pixie was leaning on the armrest of the sofa, polishing off the bottle she'd shared with Cameron when the boy appeared.

"Do you have a moment to speak?"

Pixie cocked an eyebrow, placed the bottle on the table nearby and belched before giving the kid a cynical grin, "Right, I heard 'bout you. Yer that know-it-all kid, right? I had Cranston run a background check." She laughed. "I reckon you underestimated 'ar information network, Vergil. Now," She shifted in her seat, crossing her arms to extenuate her bust. "The fuck can I do fer Gents Jr.? Eh?" She giggled. "Oh, wait! Yer like Gents, but with trainin' wheel!" She slapped her knee. "God, I got a million 'a these!"

Pixie always did think herself a riot.

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

Bennie's warm grin remained as he listened to the girl.

"I won't pretend to have known her as long as you have. However, as you said, I'm very good at reading people, and I know with certainty that you will always mean the world to her. If you weren't here right now, I don't know if she could face them all tonight."

Oh, girl, don't you know it.

She hit the nail on the head in a way that made Bennie's stomach churn. She was even sharper than he'd suspected. Bennie could see why Pixie took to her so easily. She was intuitive, maybe even more so than Bennie himself.

"I just thought you should know that, wherever things go from here, you were never forgotten, nor will you ever be."

Thanks for the sentiment, kid.

"Anyway, let's talk about something, anything, else. I suppose, if we're going to be comrades now, you probably want to find out a bit more about me that you don't already know."

Bennie reached into his shirt pocket and produced a pack of cigarettes. After slipping one into his mouth, he offered Amy one, "Well, I can say I have probably heard most of the rumors out there about the 'Golden Rose', but somehow I don't reckon many of them mean much." He flashed her a grin. "How about this: how'd you find yourself in bed with the Gentleman? I won't lie to you, I'd gun that mother fucker down on the spot, given the chance. He's the kind of man whose better off dead if you ask me. Despite your history, you never know when he's going to turn his gun on you." Bennie's friendly demeanor didn't waiver, but it was clear he was being dead serious.

He wasn't one to trust easily, and the Gentleman was the last person on the Rock anyone should trust.

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

"Sorry nevermind."

Cranston laughed, "You remind me of Sprout. No need to be so shy, kid. You're right though, I suppose I should have called her Lady Maribel. It's a force of habit I suppose. Pixie's been calling her Elizabeth this whole time, you see."

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

"Do 'em all a favour."

A light knock sounded from outside the door, "May I come in?" Carlos asked.

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

"C'mon then!"

"Oh!" Elizabeth gasped as she was tugged along.

After shopping around for a bit and collecting most of the replacement items, Elizabeth pointed to the sash on Maria's arm, "So, you're a... doctor?" She asked with a dumb grin.

 

[ProtoChimp]

"May I come in?"

Aesop's head snapped up as he tried to make himself look presentable. "Um, yeah sure dude." He stood up and leaned against the wall.
=======================================================
"Pixie?" Hannibal asked. "Y-You're captain?" Hannibal asked, being more forward than usual, he blushed as he was called shy. "Sorry I..." He looked up to Viola before he thought to continue. They wanted him to speak, both of them, and he wanted to as well, but he didn't want to be rude...

'Okay, how about this. If you don't speak you will be disappointing them.' A voice spoke in his mind. The voice wasn't his. That same voice again. Confident. Strong. The voice that had saved him. And he certainly didn't want to disappoint Viola. "Um..." he spoke out again, "I was wondering could you tell us about this 'Gentleman' person, and who att-t-ttack-tack-tacked your ship," his stammer began acting up badly, "and wh-h-h-h-who, I mean why P-Pixie calls her Ellllllllizabeth. And why would we b-b-be aft-t-ter her?

'Did... Did I just manipulate myself into talking?'

 

[Ruedyn]

"Right, I heard 'bout you. Yer that know-it-all kid, right? I had Cranston run a background check. I reckon you underestimated 'ar information network, Vergil. Now."

'Oh, this is going to be fucking delightful.' Vergil forced a grin, feeling his eye twitch slightly. He was supposed to be Prophet in this, let his name slip with the group and then this shit happens... He needed a vacation after all this. With booze. And people who spoke actual English around him.

"The fuck can I do fer Gents Jr.? Eh? Oh, wait! Yer like Gents, but with trainin' wheel!"

Vergil just waited a moment, holding his tongue and temper. Didn't want to alienate this one, she could potentially be useful. And could certainly rip his head off. Why did he walk himself into this situation, he should've left it to one of his bruisers.

"God, I got a million 'a these!"

'Please don't actually have a million of these.'

"Yes, yes. Though I can probably rock a suit better than 'Archi', but that's beside the point." Vergil began, trying to at least pick some of his words. "If you know who I am, you should at least be courteous enough to learn my mission. And, if you know that, you know we share a pretty big common enemy." Vergil let erased any emotion and humor in his voice or manner,

"I'll cut to the chase, my allies think we could use your crews help in the assassination of Dio Basilio. But first, you'll need your ship back, logistics can wait until then. Plus, you're missing a few here. I can offer all the help of the Alley Shadows I can muster, in the meantime. Some ammunition never goes remiss, after all." He said, his smile returning.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Lilith clenched her jaw as the memory of the dream rapidly faded from her mind. Something... Something about blood? Blood and fire. An overwhelming uneasiness fluttered in her chest.

"Ya' know, I've been havin' a nasty dream recently too. I reckon I've had it a few times now... like, ever since I got shot."

Peeking from beneath her arm, Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?" She tugged on the boy's hand gently, "Wanna talk about it?"

----------------------

Asad pursed his lips in confusion as the Commander hastened her way from the table. Looking at the other two men, he shrugged his shoulders, chuckling nervously.

"Was it something I said?"

 

[Fappy]

"Um, yeah sure dude."

Carlos stepped into the room, closing the door behind him and flashed Aesop a smile, "I hope you're not feeling left out. Pixie told me about your, well, uh, your problem." He pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. "I figured I 'd give you company, but, no," He shook his head, his smile fading. "No, that's not why I am really hear. Look, I know a guilty man when I see one. From the moment you hopped out of that crawler I could see it written all over your face. You can't forgive yourself for what you've done. For the crime you've committed."

He met Aesop's gaze, "Aesop, you're among friends here. Don't think for a second that there isn't a single person in that room out there that doesn't carry regrets. That hasn't committed some horrible sin they will never forget. Something they will never forgive themselves for." He gritted his teeth, breaking eye contact. "We've all hurt the ones we love." He looked at him once more. "The guilt... it never goes away. But, there are ways to cope. Ways that don't involve numbing your mind to the pain. You find what you can do to help those that you've hurt. Even if it takes your entire life to do it, you do whatever it is you can to make things right."

He placed a hand on Aesop's shoulder, "If you hide from it. Run from it. Try to forget it. You're no better than the rest of the scum out there, taking no responsibility for the sins they've committed." He sighed and looked towards the door. "I've spent the last eleven years of my life trying to repent. Trying to make things right. It's something that I will continue to do until the day I die. Otherwise, well, I don't reckon I'd deserve to live." He looked back to Aesop. "Despite what you might think now, it's not too late. Everyone's got strength in them... you just have to find it is all." He gave Aesop a weak, yet reassuring grin.

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

Cranston's eyebrow remained cocked as Hannibal forced his words through what appeared to be a mountain of anxiety. Tilting his head to one side, he gave the kid an understanding nod, "Pixie calling the Lady of Boomhower by her first name is a nuance I am not at liberty to divulge, unfortunately. As I said early, her safety is a personal matter to my Captain. As for who attacked the Maiden, well."

They'd hear about it soon enough anyway.

"That would be Father Austin." Cranston muttered, his voice hardening.

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

"I'll cut to the chase, my allies think we could use your crews help in the assassination of Dio Basilio. But first, you'll need your ship back, logistics can wait until then. Plus, you're missing a few here. I can offer all the help of the Alley Shadows I can muster, in the meantime. Some ammunition never goes remiss, after all."

Pixie's condescending smile evaporated at the mention of Dio's name. Her gaze seemed to sharpen as she continued to stare at the boy before her. Without a hint of emotion, Pixie spoke, "If 'assassinating' Dio Basilio was as easy as you seem ta' think it is I'd have done it a long time ago. I reckon ya' heard of the job I jus' pulled on Sirus, right?" She leaned forward, her eye burning holes into his. "I 'ave enough carbon n' clout ta' buy an' army of mercenaries, or, the best assassins on the Rock. Moreover, I've already got two of the top hit-men alive at my beck-and-call. What makes y'all think a second-rate information organization 'as any hope doin' somethin' even the Gentleman's crew ain't able ta' do without years of plannin'?"

She laughed, a cynical, cold laugh, "An' how the fuck's a ship gonna aid us in an assassination?" She sighed and pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose. "Look kid, I appreciate yer stickin' around an' helpin' my men. I do, really. Don' think I 'aven't taken note'a what ya' did or the balls ya' 'ave to of come before me like this. But, look," She leaned back on the sofa and crossed one leg over the other. "Y'all gotta heed the food chain here. I will be gunnin' fer Dio sooner or later, but it's gonna be under my terms. Yer welcome ta' help if you wan', but Dio's mine. I marked 'im when I buried two bullets in 'is gut." She smirked. "News to ya'? Yeah, put that shit in yer fuckin' portfolio."

Spotting Carlos entering the room Aesop had locked himself in, Pixie got to her feet, "Now, if there ain't any other business ya' wanna discuss I've gotta drunk ta' lull to sleep." The apathetic expression she'd shone earlier had now been replaced by a genuine grin. "Lily gave me the same look when she first heard my voice, ya' know that? Don' worry, you'll never get over it." She gave him a teasing wink.

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

"Wanna talk about it?"

Sprout hesitated a moment before nodding, "Uh, well, I guess so." Laying back down, he stared up at the ceiling trying to recall the vivid images that had been racing through his mind these past few nights. "One thin' that stands out about these dreams is the... pain. I still remember the pain 'a gettin' shot. Right before I lost consciousness... it was like it left an imprint on my mind 'er somethin'." He placed his hand on chest. "It's like I could feel the pain the whole time I slept. Anyway, I don' remember ever feelin' nothin' like that in a dream before, but this one was different. There was some... lady, I don't know who."

He closed his eyes, struggling to see her face in his minds-eye, "I think I 'ave memories of 'er, but I don' know 'er face. Well, anyway, she's holdin' me an' then she ain't. Somethin' happens an' then Ma' is there and she's like, she's like my age, right? She's scared an' she's cryin' an' screamin'. Lily," His voice cracked. "It felt so real... it was so vivid. More like a memory than a dream. So, yeah, anyway I ain't feelin' no pain yet, but then she hits me. She hits me right in the shoulder, Lily, an' it hurts. She hits me again an' again an' it hurts just like the bullet did."

His voice wavered as he continued, "Is was scared. Like, terrified. An' as I am tryin' to crawl away from 'er she ends up runnin' away 'erself. She hides from me an' curses me. She's terrified a somethin'. Maybe me? I dunno, but she screams some stuff I can' remember an' another lady picks me up. She's different from the first one, but I can' remember who it is. Then she turns into you somehow an' yer... yer holdin' me close an' comfortin' me. You point at Ma' an' whisper somethin'... somethin' that scares me, an' I don'... I j-jus'... I..." Sprouts words got caught in his throat as he struggled to finish his tale. As he recalled his dream it felt too surreal. Too vivid. It was like a painful memory trapped in his subconsciousness. "L-Lily... Wha-what does it mean?" He whimpered.