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

[The Funslinger]

"And why the fuck should we fucking listen to you?" demanded the youngest of the three remaining Santiago brothers.

"If that's a question you need to ask," countered Byron smoothly, "then why the fuck are you even here? But no, I'll answer both of those questions." He gestured around the room, the entire second floor, except for a lobby visible through a frame lacking a door, of the gutted building they were meeting in. "The reason you're listening to me, and the reason you're here is because the alternative is me and my men leaving Boomhower, and leaving you to kill each other. As much as you'd love to think otherwise, whichever one of you is the last man standing is purely down to luck as opposed to any real superiority. And by the end, you'll all each have burned out so much of your resources on each other, whoever is left will be..." he waved a hand. "Swept away by outside forces. Perhaps other crime families, or the Maribels, or even just a good old civil uprising."

They stared at him. Glared at him. But none denied what he said. He had their attention now, and that was all he needed. "So, I gave you this opportunity, a meeting in a remote area, all of us unarmed. I even allowed you to pat me down personally. I dare say the three of you are more united now against me than you have been in any way since your eldest died."

Staring at him as they were, they didn't notice the man in the suit walking through the arch that remained of the door as though he owned the place.

"So why ain't Payton here himself?" demanded the eldest remaining brother.

"Mister Wilkes-Vines is... rather busy, I'm afraid. The world stops for no man. But that's why I am here, as one of his three generals." He switched to the language the Hispanics used among themselves. ("It was felt I was best suited to the task of diplomat here.")

("So what the fuck you even proposing?")

("We'll get to that in a minute,") replied Byron. ("First, a gift.") He leaned forwards, putting a small silver coin in the hand of each man.

("The fuck is this for? Coins ain't worth shit,") replied one of the brothers.

Dropping the Hispanic tongue, Byron said, "I don't think the Ferryman accepts carbon." Then the man standing behind the brother's seats fired the two silenced pistols in his hands. Brothers left and right fell with bullets at the base of their skulls and the middle was able to turn enough to get his through the temple when the man fired again. Turning, he whistled and two more men in suits filed in. Shoving the corpses from the seats, they sat down.

"What now, General Byron?"

"It's simple enough," replied Byron, reaching into a pocket. "I have here a manifest of... well, at least a vast portion of Santiago high rankers. Find them."

"Are we getting rid of them?"

"No," he replied. "Payton may be in no way allied with the Santiagos, but we've had men in this city long enough that they... coexist with the Santiagos whilst performing their duties. We have some influence, and we'll bring them around. Seed them with our own officers, obviously, but also put some of theirs in command of our own."

"What?!"

"Yes. The Santiagos were successful, and there's a reason for that. And these things must work both ways. Besides, it will take some time for any of this to happen. First, we merely ingratiate ourselves. So go."

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

Payton watched, smiling as the Commander attended to the stray cat. He was indistinguishable, now, with his white attire hidden by a grey duster. He watched as two of his men pushed from the crowd, and a third came out of the shop Tsubaki was crouched in front of. All three were dressed plainly, but all three had unbuttoned their shirts or jackets to reveal their Komodo Dragon bandanas. Striding out from the crowd, he smiled politely down at the woman.

"Miss Saburo, it is very good to see you. If you wouldn't mind accompanying me into this rather inconspicuous little shop, we can begin."

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Bit misty in 'ere huh?"

"Yes, um-yes." Amy replied, flustered. "Of all the things I learned growing up, cooking was one of the ones I never got a lot of practice at. Here! Could you watch those potatoes for me? I think they can still be salvaged."

Wiping sweat away from her brow, Amy set about turning over the salmon in the frying pan, before quickly returning to stirring the source.

"I just wanted to make something nice for Pixie, something that would be a surprise. Well, it certainly will be a surprise if I end up burning the whole bunker down!"

'You're babbling Amy. Stop babbling.'

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

The whores from the brothel listened to Austin's speech with trepidation. While some of the younger ones seemed a little more receptive to the idea of this 'rescue', all were scared, and there were many among the crowd who had heard the less than pleasant stories about Austin and his family. Georgia stole a glance at the man (she refused to think of him as a child, he was a grown man whether the deranged Austin liked it or not) named Franklin.

'His faith is broken. He is afraid, but soon he may have nothing left to lose. He was a capable fighter, and might make a worthwhile ally, if he can recover his strength, and discover his resolve, before Austin delivers the final blow.'

"your salvation has come."

"Murderer!" one of the younger girls cried out. She was a pretty, red-headed little thing, no older than fifteen... and she was covered almost head to foot in blood.

"You killed the Madame! She was nice to me, s-she'd look after me since I was l-little, and y-y-your men shot her in the face!" she wailed, before breaking into tears. Many of the older, wiser girls tried to shush her, while some of the more rash among them murmured in agreement, glaring at Austin. Georgia, like most, simply stared at her feet, letting all confrontation pass her by.

 

[Fappy]

There's no way I could take him back with me, is there?

Tsubaki scooped the small creature into her hands, completely oblivious to Payton's presence.

"Miss Saburo, it is very good to see you. If you wouldn't mind accompanying me into this rather inconspicuous little shop, we can begin."

Tsubaki froze, the kitten held close against her chest. Though they'd never met in person before, she knew exactly who this was. Slowly, she rose to her feet and turned to face him. Was he the contact? Was this about Frostfall? Fear rose in Tsubaki's throat, but she refused to show it on her face, "Of course." She stated simply. Glancing over his shoulder, she spotted at least two Wilks-Vine enforcers among the crowd. There was no way out of this.

Payton opened the door for her, ushering Tsubaki into the store. The two made their way to a dimly-lit backroom, sitting down at a poker table, opposite each other. One bodyguard stood inside the room by the door, while a second closed the door behind them and stood guard outside.

The cat remained surprisingly calm as it melted into the mold of Tsubaki's arms. It's warm, rhythmic purring went a long way in calming Tsubaki's nerves. She met the crime boss' piercing gaze with her own, "Is there something I can do for you Mr. Wilks-Vine?"

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

"Just how alone are we out here?"

"In a word," His expression hardened. "Completely." He walked over the the large kitchen window and looked down upon the city. "We have a few guys left, but they've been constantly on the move since the train job. Apparently Basilio has a tighter spy network than we ever imagined. The Gentleman's agents are, for the moment, at our disposal." He shook his head. "But, there's a lag time in getting information from them, and it looks like they're more concerned with pushing his agenda than helping us at the moment."

He sighed and turned to face the two women, "If that boy doesn't recover soon we're going to have to leave this city with a heavy weight on our shoulders. That may end up being our only option."

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

"So," Elizabeth started. "What's next for you... Sprout, was it?"

Sprout chewed the inside of his mouth and nodded, "Well, I reckon the only thin' I 'ave ta' look forward to right now is talkin' ta' Ma'. As soon as ol' Chromey gets in here we'll get that goin'."

"It must have been something... being raised by Pixie, the Bandit Queen of the Iron Maiden."

Sprout shrugged, "Nah, not really. Some folks think of her as a force a' nature 'er a heartless killin' machine." Sprout shook his head. "They don' know her at all."

"Well," Elizabeth scooted her chair closer to the bed. "What's she really like, then?"

"Lovin'." Sprout stated simply.

"Loving?" Elizabeth repeated.

Sprout nodded, "Yeah, she cares about 'er crew more 'n anythin' in the world. She'd do anythin' for them! I don' reckon many other bandit lords can say the same thin'!"

"No, I don't believe they can. Sprout, do you know why your mother is so interested in keeping me away from Lord Basilio?"

"'Cause Dio's a psychotic douche," Sprout grinned.

"Okay, let's assume that's the case," She furrowed her brow. "But why protect me from him?"

Sprout shrugged, "'Cause yer a good person, I reckon. Ma' always tries ta' protect the good people."

"At what cost?"

"Any, I reckon," He smiled. "She may 'ate the nobility, but even she understands they ain't all bad."

Elizabeth nodded, her gaze drifting past the boy as she thought on his words. She didn't by it. There was more to it than that. There was another side to the story even her son wasn't aware of. Perhaps, if she was given the chance to speak to Pixie, she'd ask.

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

Paradiso, the Golden City, shined like this every night. Some say the city itself is a beacon for God, so that he knows where to begin when he delivers the people of the Rock to their salvation. Lady Contessa Lombardi, head matriarch of the Lombardi noble family, did not believe in such fairy tales. She was her own God in many ways. Not only did she oversee the most advanced and prosperous dome of all the Rock, but she also enjoyed the most wealth and respect. Standing at 5'9, she was a beautiful, tall woman with long, wavy black hair; easily considered the most beautiful noble in all of the world. Her influence was unquestionable and her armies were second only to Lord Basilio of Feroxi. She sat at the head of the Noble joint-council, and for good reason.

She had been standing out on the Grand Balcony, a massive structure at the top of her tower that overlooked the city, enjoying the fresh, chilling breeze. As soon as she had finished her wine her servant was at her side once more, "Would you care for some more M'lady?"

Contessa scoffed, "No, I have had quite enough, thank you. Please Roy, could you send for the twins? Their train is awaiting them."

Roy bowed, "Of course, M'lady. Where may I ask are they headed?"

Contessa flashed a cruel grin, "Frostfall."

"Well then," Roy started towards the door. "God have mercy on that city."

"Quite," Contessa giggled.

If the Gentleman wanted ton play dirty, she'd oblige him. No one disrespects the Lady of Paradiso. Not even men who fancy themselves God.

 

[ProtoChimp]

"Of all the things I learned growing up, cooking was one of the ones I never got a lot of practice at. Here! Could you watch those potatoes for me? I think they can still be salvaged. Aesop had to stop himself from laughing at her bashfulness as he checked on the potatoes. Perhaps salvaging was a bit generous a term for the food. Of the little rumours he had heard of the young lady (most of which were false worship of her perfection) he never imagined her to be so gosh darn cute and flustered, and not being brilliant at something? That surprised him no small amount indeed.

"I just wanted to make something nice for Pixie, something that would be a surprise. Well, it certainly will be a surprise if I end up burning the whole bunker down!"

Aesop couldn't help himself and had to say out loud, "Awwwwwww that's so cute!" he chuckled. He tried to stop himself because he didn't want to embarrass her but damn her love stricken nature was just so adorable. "Sorry, couldn't help myself," he tried to hold in the biggest shit eating grin, "sorry to say but I ain't the best cook either." He opened the oven and put on some oven gloves, taking out the potatoes that were quickly becoming a burning crisp. "You got any seasoning or anything over there? Maybe we can cover it up a bit."
============================
"Murderer!" Austin's head snapped down and his eyes clocked the young girl, her skin painted red from the blood of her captors. And that was exactly what they were whether she thought it or not. "You killed the Madame! She was nice to me, s-she'd look after me since I was l-little, and y-y-your men shot her in the face!"

Austin jumped down off the roof of the crawler and marched towards the girl. They were barely an inch apart, and he towered over her by a foot at least. "She nice to you?" He asked, his features clearly holding back he frustration within, and that was an understatement. "If she was so nice to you," he lowered himself to her level and roared, causing the girl to jump back, "THEN WHY DID SHE ALLOW THOSE CREATURES TO FORCE THEMSELVES INSIDE YOU FOR PROFIT?!" He spoke softer for a moment, sounding even more intimidating, "she gave sick pretenders, selfish disgusting monsters, the right to shove themselves into your sacred body. If she looked after you so, then why did she let you... no," he paused and shook his head, biting his lip, "why did she MAKE YOU spread your legs for carbon I doubt you ever saw." He chuckled and addressed the whole crowd now. "Why, I bet she served herself the finest delicacies as she turned such wonderful innocent creatures... into whores." He returned to the girl from before, pulling out a cloth from his pocket, wiping the blood from her face. "Can you not see, there is a better life for you?" He spoke softly, his concern clear as day. "Surely, you wouldn't want to spend your life being the toy of others and the tool of a madame. Do you have no dreams? No thoughts of a better life? Have you never wanted to be anything other than what other people made you?"

He bent his knee so he was no lower than her. "I can give you that. I can give you everything." He took her shaking hands in his. "You need only ask."

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Furrowing her brow, Lilith thought for a moment, weighing all their options, one stood out in particular.

"Cranston, Gorgon and his men are no doubt still reeling from their last arse kicking." She looked up at the man, a sly glint in her eye. "Why don't we fuck them, before they fuck us." She wasn't asking.

Maria folded her arms, she had little to say on the subject of violence. But she had already gotten in deep with the Maidens, what other strange situations could she fall into? Nevertheless, she did feel that she was intruding a little here. While the subject of Sprout was a given, Maria couldn't shake off the feeling that the Maidens present were going to discuss some super secret plan to deal with the situation.

"You sure I'm not in the way here or anything?" She asked.

"No," Cranston shook his head. "You're responsible for Sprout's continued existence. Keeping you in the dark would only complicate matters. Viola," He began, closing his eyes. "That bounty hunter who was hunting you and Sprout a few days ago? I had her do some snooping around on Gorgon." Cranston met Lilith's gaze. "I don't know where he is hiding yet, but I may be close. Viola won't likely be at our disposal if we choose to go after him directly, however. If we do this it will just be you and me, Lilith."

Cranston looked back to Maria, "If we do go after them, can I trust you'll keep the boy safe?"

The feeling of unease subsided a little, but only a little. Regardless, what sort of doctor would just leave a patient alone in a dangerous situation? "Of course." She replied and then turned to Lilith, "Be careful, 'kay?"

Of course, the worry hadn't gone away yet. They were in a tough situation. Alone in a big city with few friends. The rumours were true, and the Maiden's position was weaker than Maria had previously thought. Well, before she had encountered them in person, at least.

However, could she keep the boy safe? Maria had managed to lose one of her patient before. Despite the number of exuses her mind had came up, it still counted as a loss.

Maria would try, though. She owed them more than the boy's life.

Lilith turned her head to face Maria, a small smile on her face as she nodded her thanks. "Please, who do you think I am?" Returning her attention to Cranston, her expression hardened. "Sprout isn't fit to travel, and I don't like this waiting around, this..." Frustration slipped into her voice as she balled her hands into fists. "Useless waiting. I say we find out where they're hiding out, and we go in hard." She pounded a fist into her palm. "But more importantly, we go in smart. They won't be expecting us to retaliate with such small numbers, we have the element of surprise, I say we use it."


Cranston's eyes bore into Lilith's. Though he hadn't moved a muscle since he last spoke, there was something about him that seemed... increasingly intimidating. It was as if they could see his mind working. After a brief moment of silence, Cranston crossed the kitchen, standing no more than a meter from Lilith. He continued to stare into her eyes until he finally spoke, "Lilith," His voice was cold. "I can't have you taking these emotions into battle. I tolerated Pixie's shit because she knows what she's doing, but you? If you don't go into this with a clear head you're going to end up dead."

Lilith narrowed her eyes. She was angry, she was goddamn angry, but she wasn't stupid. The more they waited, the chances are of Gorgon finding them increased, the chances of them finding Axel increased.

'Never again.'

"I'm not Meredith." She said coldly. "I'm not doing this for revenge, I'm doing this for the boy."


Cranston cocked an eyebrow, "Those two things aren't mutually exclusive, Lilith. Everything Meredith has done since Margaret died has been for that boy," His voice dropped into a low growl. "Don't you forget that. Now," He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Promise me: If we go after Gorgon together, you will do exactly as I say. If I get the sense you will break ranks on me to go after Gorgon, I'm calling this off."



Lilith shifted her gaze downwards slightly, she wanted revenge, there was no doubt there, could she resist it when she needed to?

'Only one way to find out.'

Looking back up at the old man, she smirked. "I promise. Just make sure we get the wanker."


Cranston appeared unmoved, "Sprout's safety is the priority. I can't make that promise," He scowled. "Don't make me regret this decision, Lilith."

"Okay, relax old man, you're too uptight, you know that?" She poked him gently in the chest. "We go in, fuck 'em up, get out. No revenge, deal?"

"Deal." Cranston muttered. Turning around, he threw the refrigerator door open and grabbed a beer. "Deja vu."

Maria sighed, the heavy atmosphere just wouldn't go away.

"Mind getting one for me?" She said.

It had been a while since her last drink, not that she was an alcoholic. The doctor just felt like it.



Cranston cracked a smile, "Of course," Grabbing a second beer, he popped the caps off and handed one to Maria. "Suddenly I find myself thinking of Boomhower all over again."

Lilith held out her arms, an incredulous look on her face. "The fuck, Chromey? Where's mine?!" The girl whined.

Cranston laughed, "I've only got two hands, Lilith."

"Oh, I see how it is." She crossed her arms over her chest. "New favourite eh?" She nodded towards the doctor before placing her hands on her hips and turning towards the other woman. "You." She pointed at her own eyes with two finger, before aiming them at Maria. "I'm watching you." She smirked.


Maria flashed a smile, "I dunno, maybe he's sick and tired of babysitting and wants the company of a grown-up."

She paused, took a sip of her beer and winked.

"Niña."

Scrunching her eyes shut, the girl stuck out her tongue, shaking her head.

"Mature." Maria muttered. She did feel sorry for Cranston sometimes, having to deal with this.

Cranston just sat there with a smile on his face, enjoying his beer.



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Asad narrowed his eyes as the strange men approached Tsubaki. While the other two men were off doing their own thing, Asad decided he needed to remedy his lingering hangover.

Standing at a crowded coffee stall, the man gently sipped at his drink as he watched proceedings.

"Just what the hell is going on here?" He muttered to himself. With a casual pace, he headed over to the old store front, keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious.

 

[Fappy]

Spoiler: Creeeeeeepyyyyyy

Severa arched her back up against the oak headboard, her sharp nails digging into the sheets, ripping large gashes across the silk. Her ecstatic moans could be heard echoing down the marble halls of Tower Paradiso. A telling sigh for visitors to stay away.

Everyone in the tower knew what such cries meant.

The children were playing.

The young woman had a slender, pale figure, like her brother; with curly, black hair she usually kept in tied in some fashion. Not now, however. Between the lavished sheets of her bed she let her beautiful hair flow freely. It was long enough even, that it covered the whole of her tattoo: a single black angel wing across her right shoulder blade.

Crying out with glee, she nearly ripped his hair out as she pulled his head up, out from under the comforter, "You're getting too greedy, Owain. Let a girl catch her breath." She grinned insidiously, sweat trickling across her brow.

Owain grinned widely at Severa as he nudged her hand from his hair. Leaning forwards, he kissed her hard, his tongue flitting deeply into her mouth. When he pulled away, he was still smiling. "I'd say being too generous. I'd say I've earned the chance to lie back..."

"Have you?" Severa purred, tracing her fingers up Owain's torso before grabbing hold of his side, throwing him over onto his back next to her. As she began planting kisses down the length of his body a knock sounded from the door. "WE'RE BUSY IN HERE!"

"My apologies, M'lady," Roy called out through the door. "Your Aunt has requested the two of you catch your train at your earliest convenience. Darkness has already fallen upon Frostfall."

Owain gave an exasperated sigh, and reached over to the bed side table where one of his knives was lying, and flipped it at the door, where it stuck halfway to the hilt, quivering.

Sitting up, he said, "how aggravating. I suppose I shall dress, and prepare to travel." Then he stood up, standing naked as the light played over the wing tattooed across his left shoulder, and began to pull on a black shirt, doing up the buttons. Their clothes were strewn across the room, and it was the work of a few minutes to find everything. In the end, though, he was stood dressed in black and dark grey, watching Severa put her own clothes on.

Roy hesitated a moment after seeing the blade peek through the thick door, "Very good, M'lord. Your escort will be waiting for you in the lobby."

Severa waited for his retreating footsteps to fade away before speaking once more, "That man is an insufferable maggot, he is. Roy has no respect for a woman's privacy, I tell you!" Sitting at the end of the bed, she tied her fluffy hair in back and slipped on her stockings. "It is of no consequence, I suppose. I had my fill at least." She giggled, shooting her brother a devilish smirk.

Owain ignored the jibe, as well as the strong impulse to ignore their summons and pin Severa against the wall, although he didn't doubt she saw the lust in his eyes. Instead he sat on the edge of the bed and laced up his boots. "I choose to look at it this way: There won't always be a door between him and my knife."

Standing back up, he went to retrieve his knife from the door. "I'll say this, though: Frostfall is the last place I expected to be sent to deal with that man. It should be interesting."

Still only half dressed, Severa scampered up behind Owain and hugged him from behind, caressing his chest with her fingernails, "Remember brother, we're not going there to kill him," She mused. "We're going there to play with him. With only the priest to satisfy his vanity he is in sore need of our aid. But do not fret," She licked the side of his neck, before standing on her tippytoes to whisper into his ear. "I don't doubt there will be many toys to for us to have our way with." She mused.

Turning on her heel, she returned to the bed and crouched down to retrieve something from under the mattress. Effortlessly, she swung a large, black case out from under the bed and laid it out on the mattress, "I fear Miranda will have many to entertain before this is done." She giggled, running her fingers along the length of the case.

Owain followed his sister to the bed, and placed a hand on the small of her back as she leaned over the huge case, and moved steadily south, caressing as he went.

"Yes, it's something to look forward to. I shall have to select some firearms for the occasion. It's just a shame about the need to wrap up warm in Frostfall." He leaned over her, still moving his hand downwards and whispered, "I do hate when clothes hide your figure..." then he stood straight. "But I suppose more layers means more knives. I just hope they all get their turn at some fun."

"Oh," She gasped. Looking back at him with a grin as he retreated she smiled. "You do love your sharp objects, don't you brother?" She mused as she spun around and dug her finger nails deep into his forearms, drawing blood. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Owain."

"Oh, you know me well," he replied, licking the crimson that trickled from his arms. Then he kissed her, just as deeply as before. It seemed to go on for an age, their tongues intertwined as they shared the sharp, metallic taste of his blood.

Eventually, Severa pulled away, "You sick man, wherever do you draw the line?"

Owain shrugged. "Wherever the mood strikes me on any given day," he replied as he unrolled his sleeves. "Now," he said, offering her his arm, "shall we go and greet our dear aunt?"

"Yes, let's," She giggled, spinning out of his arms and collecting the rest of her cloths. "Do try to hide the marks I left, brother. You know how angry she gets when she hears of our... endeavors."

Owain gave her a bemused smile and gestured wordlessly at the sleeves he had just unrolled to hide the marks, and waited for her to dress. When she was done, he held the door for her as they left to bid farewell to their beloved aunt before they left for Frostfall.

Spoiler: OOC

Severa is being controlled by Fappy and Owain is being controlled by Binnsy.

 

[Terratina.]

More than just a few minutes had passed and Jun had headed back to the square with the coffee shop, moving through the crowd on the main street from one of the exits of the alleyways. The Commander was nowhere in sight, but Asad was. He was next to an old store front. Maybe "a few minutes" meant more than Jun expected, maybe. He could never tell with vague statements with that. There was the urge to ask Asad what was going on, but that question was swallowed up by pride. Of course, Jun himself should know as part of the operation. Besides, Asad was mouthy enough already - especially when he didn't have an excuse to start chatting away. In the meantime, Jun found a spot not too close to the other soldier and leant against a wall.

 

[The Funslinger]

Bryan carried on wandering through the crowds, bored. This was Feroxi, after all. Home turf. It was times like this that he almost wished he smoked. It would be something to do.

He'd come full circle around the general area now, and now he was back outside the shop where last he'd seen Tsubaki. She was gone now, but that was to be expected. She'd be following her own advice of scoping out the area. Walking up to a street vendor, he bought a glass bottle of lemonade. Something to do.

Sipping the (sadly not chilled) drink, he sidled onwards, and his gaze moved up to the rooftop of one of the adjacent buildings. There was a man standing on it, watching. Bryan watched him for a few seconds as he appeared to speak into his lapel. Letting the current of the crowds carry him, Bryan drifted on and sipped his drink, looking for all the world like a man who might spontaneously fall asleep at any given moment. Eventually, made his way back to the storefront and found Asad.

"Hey, you seen the guys on the roofs? This ain't right, man." He looked up at the roof again. The man was still there. Furthermore, Bryan thought he was making eye contact with him. The man stared for a few seconds, and then shook his head very slowly and waved his hand in a 'move along' gesture. Suddenly, Bryan was noticing more and more men on rooftops. And their rifles weren't hidden.

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

"Is there something I can do for you Mr. Wilkes-Vines?"

Payton spread his hands. "Oh, but I thought I was here to do something for you," he replied, smiling. "But I suppose it can wait just a few minutes, even if I do have quite the schedule to keep to. I've been wanting to have a chat with you for quite some time, Miss Saburo."

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

With his gambling winnings stashed safely in his holdall, Ruffles straightened up and headed into the little en-suite bathroom that he and Bennie were privileged enough to have in their room and sat down. Reaching down, he picked up a magazine from a little metal tray and began to read. It was a copy of a digest magazine called Engineering Across The Ashlands.

Wrong. Wrong. That's fair enough, but it's a little obvious. Those FL-Strider Crawlers are just the Land Hoppers with a new chassis and a second exhaust...

 

[Fappy]

"Red Queen, this is Chromey, do you copy? Over."

Cranston's voice snapped Pixie out of her drowsy state almost instantly. Grabbing the mic, her lips curled into a large grin, "I copy you, Chromey! How's my lil' boy?" Pixie and Bennie shared a smile.

"I'll let him answer that." Cranston replied warmly. A clattering noise sounded through the static as the mic was passed to Sprout.

"Ma'?" Sprout muttered.

Pixie covered her mouth, her eye instantly welling up at the sound of his voice, "S-Sprout! Axel! I-I--," She paused a moment to collect herself. "How are you doin', kid?"

Sprout chuckled, "I reckon I'm doin' purdy good fer havin' a bullet wound in my chest," His mother didn't laugh. "It's okay, Ma'. I'm doin' great, I promise!"

The silence continued, prompting Sprout to trade a glance with Cranston. Eventually, the sound of his mother taking a deep, raspy breath sounded from the radio, "I-I'm sorry, baby, it's jus'," She buried her face in her hand. "I was so worried about you, Sprout." Bennie rested his hand on her back and bowed his head.

Sprout cradled the mic in his hand, unsure of how to reply for awhile, "I know, Ma'. But there's no need ta' worry anymore, okay? I'm safe."

Pixie nodded to herself, "G-good, baby," She sniffled. "H-hey, we'll talk more in a sec. I have someone here who wants to talk to you. Someone you ain't talked to in a long time, kid."

Sprout perked up, "Who?"

Pixie handed the mic over to Bennie with a weak smile on her face. Holding it close to his lips, Bennie laughed, "What's up, Sprout? It's been awhile."

"Bennie!?" Sprout shouted, recognizing his deep, soothing voice instantly. "B-Bennie?! 'That really you?!"

"Yeah, man, it's me. I'm helpin' your mom out with this Father Austin-guy."

An enormous grin shone on Sprout's face, "Fer real!? So yer back!? Yer part of the Maiden again?!"

Bennie looked to Pixie who offered a smile and a nod, "Yeah, I'm back, kid."

It felt good to say that.

"What about Ma'? You two gettin' back together?"

Pixie furrowed her brow as she watched the enthusiasm drain out of Bennie. She should have known he'd ask. A long, awkward silence passed before Pixie reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder only to have it swatted away by Bennie. Holding her hand close to her chest, Pixie's eye found her feet, "No," Bennie finally replied. "No, we're just friends, Sprout."

"Oh," Sprout muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Hey, look, we can catch up later, okay?" Bennie said, in a voice that feigned joy. "Your mom has been worried sick about you, and I'm sure she wants to talk to you more. That cool?"

"S-sure," Sprout said. "It's good to 'ave you back, Bennie."

"Yeah," Bennie muttered as he got to his feet and tossed the mic back into Pixie's hand. She watched as he stormed off across the bedroom, threw the door open and slammed it shut behind him. "FUCK!" Pixie heard him shout, followed by a loud clattering noise. Probably kicked a chair over or something.

An elbow on the table, Pixie closed her eye and massaged her forehead with her fingertips.

Bennie...

"Ma'?" Sprout's voice chimed in through the radio.

"H-hey, kid, I'm back!" Pixie's sadness quickly evaporated as she and Sprout began talking once more.

Sprout contemplated bringing up the weird dream he'd been having, but considering the others in the room he though it best to wait. He and his mother spoke awhile about all manner of things, avoiding anything that may be difficult to discuss. That was until Pixie finally summoned the courage to address the elephant in the room.

"So," Pixie started. "I heard you killed yer first man." Her voice was serious, yet warm.

"Men," Sprout corrected. "I didn' 'ave time ta' think. If I didn' kill 'em I'd---"

"It's okay, Sprout," Pixie interrupted. "You did the right thin'."

"It didn' feel like it."

"Good," Pixie replayed, plainly. "It shouldn'."

Sprout was silent for a long while. Eventually, his voice softened, "I think I'll be okay, Ma'."

Pixie smiled, "I know you will, baby. Yer strong. Stronger'n me, that's fer sure." She wiped a tear from her eye. "I'm sorry I wasn' there fer you."

"You are now."

"I reckon that's true," Pixie mused. "I love you, Sprout. I miss you."

"I miss you too, Ma'," Sprout giggled. "I'll see you soon?"

"Yeah," Pixie muttered. "Now get some rest, okay? You need ta' regain yer strength."

"Okay, Ma'. Love you!"

"Love you too, baby."

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

"But I suppose it can wait just a few minutes, even if I do have quite the schedule to keep to. I've been wanting to have a chat with you for quite some time, Miss Saburo."

Tsubaki's resolve did not waiver, "Is that so," She narrowed her gaze, "Please, the anticipation is killing me." Her sarcasm was palpable.

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

After having kicked a metal chair across the living room, Bennie ignored the sideways glances he received as he retreated to the room he and Ruffles were sharing. Collapsing on the bed, Bennie ran his palms over his eyes and groaned in frustration, "Fuckin' kid." He muttered. He knew there was no point in getting pissed at Sprout. It wasn't his fault, after all.

It seemed the steam he'd vented during his bout with Aesop was back in force. He just wanted to... break something. After some time moping around on the edge of the bed, a soft knock sounded from the door, "Yeeeeeah?" Bennie moaned, his wrist resting limp across his forehead.

"Hey, Bennie? It's Cam," Cameron announced through the door.

"It's unlocked," Bennie muttered. Cameron entered the room with a sympathetic frown on her face. After closing the door behind her, she sat down on the edge of the bed by Bennie. "You okay, buddy?"

Bennie chuckled, "Me? What about you? You damn near blacked out a few hours ago."

"Yeah," She smiled. "Well, I'm not the one throwing around furniture. Want to talk?"

Bennie rolled over, facing away from her, "Not really."

After hesitating a moment, Cameron placed a hand on his hip, "Want to do something else?"

Bennie cocked an eyebrow.

 

[Dogmatic99]

Florian didn't give The Gentleman an answer, words had failed completely at the sight of the armed Bejic bandits, their bright red scarves cutting through the dull colours of the blasted urban landscape. They covered their faces, Florian couldn't help but wonder why. The days of Bejics committing quiet crimes or caring about the domes law catching up to them sounded so far away. Still it made the desired effect. It took away part of their humanity, they didn't even move like men as they made to flank the two of them as they made their way into yet another husk of a church. This one used to be grander than the ones they'd passed before.

Funny, Florian had never noticed how many of them there were in Frostfall. How many people actually went to these? There couldn't be enough people in Frostfall to fill all the seats, now less than ever. The guards surrounded them and herded the two of them in to the meeting room, the red scarves rustled in the breeze as the icy wind found its way in through the bullet-shattered windows. The desecrated carvings of the crucified Christ and the weeping women at his side looked down on the motley collection of sinners, their stone eyes never leaving Florian as he shuffled across the marble floor, feeling like an intruder in the place he once called home.

A door slammed and Florian's attention was brought back to the present. Stood before them in the shadow of the cross was Vasa, with a host of armed guards at his side. Erik stood there with them, towering above the rest, he and Vasa were the only two showing their faces, their eyes looking through the two strangers with empty disdain. The sight of them froze Florian in his tracks.

["Who is this?"] Vasa's quiet voice cut through the air between them. He was looking straight at Florian, who had to remind himself that his hands weren't really going numb. ["Who are you, why are you here?"] Vasa barked more firmly this time.

Florian was still struggling to close his mouth properly and stumbled his way into a response. ["Forgive me sir... I am The Gentleman's translator... I- I am here to-"]

"We speak English." Erik cut him off, his wolf like growl silencing Florian instantly.

"You are not needed." Said Vasa. "Remove him." And like that a pair of the hussars had grabbed Florian spun him around and were pointing him out of the church by gunpoint. "Now let us begin." Vasa neatened his tie and looked at The Gentleman expectantly.

 

[The Funslinger]

"Please, the anticipation is killing me."

Payton chuckled. "Oh, I like you already. Thing is, I'm very familiar with Samsara squad. You're some of, if not the most distinguished soldiers at Lord Basilio's disposal. And I do take pride in keeping up with the veritable mountains of intelligence reports that fill my in-tray."

Payton regarded Tsubaki for a moment before saying, "I hate to admit to such ungentlemanly behavior, but I actually tried to recruit a couple of your men out from under you. One takes talent wherever one finds it in this business. Unsuccessfully, of course, which was surprising. Though I was smart enough to know trying to hire you would have been an abject waste of time. Do you know why?"

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

Ruffles was oblivious to Bennie's loud entry, dismissing it as noise from the party. He was engrossed in a surprisingly interesting article about an engine with a plasma power cell that had been excavated from a dig near Calico. As such, he also didn't hear the sounds of Bennie and Cameron conversing in undertones.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Something will happen." Hannibal said in a mumbled voice as they were almost at the front door to the hotel. "Something always happens." He then added, his tone becoming more misanthropic at what was being said, perhaps it was all because of the years of bad luck he'd been having, had left him feeling a little jaded.

"Well in that case." Viola said as she stopped and turned to Hannibal. "We best be prepared in case something does happen. Come on, let's get inside and get this over and done with." She then added, afterwards they arrived at entrance to the hotel. Going through the revolving door, they arrived at a busy looking lobby.

Guests, whether they were coming or going were dotted about all over the place. Porters moving luggage trolleys to and from the elevator to those who were new arrivals. There were several people who turned round at the sight of both Viola and Hannibal, each receiving odd looks, the kind that said; "You don't belong here."

Looking around, there was one face that stood out to Viola. It was that of a man who was sitting in the lobby drinking from a bottle of water. Whilst his suit was of an exceptional quality and looked to be recently cleaned, the unkempt hair on the other hand was a stark contrast. This made Viola somewhat suspicious of the man.

"Just stick close to me Hannibal, and this should all be over quickly." Viola said quietly as they were approaching the front desk. They were greeted by a woman wearing a business looking suit.

"Ah good morning madam, good morning sir. Welcome to the Feroxi Grand Hotel. How may I be of service to you today? Are you here to book a room?" She asked a bubbly manner whilst putting on a smile.

"Sadly no. You see we're here on a business call if you can believe that. Tell me, which way would be quickest to reach the third floor?"

"Hmm, whilst I would recommend the elevator, it's currently going under some scheduled maintenance, so your only other option would be the stairs I'm afraid."

"Fair enough. A bit of exercise never hurt anyone now did it? Come along then Murdock." Viola said, referring to Hannibal, it was a name they chose earlier, in case anyone came after him, mainly Gunderson. They headed up the three flights of stairs it took to reach the third floor, then turned left upon arrival.

"31A... 31B... 31C... 32A... Ah here we are, 32B. Let's hope whoever it is we're meeting with is inside." Viola remarked as she checked each door number along the hall, stopping at their destination. She then gave the door three knocks.

 

[Dogmatic99]

["You can't stay here!"] One of the guards shouted, jabbing his gun at Florian.

The priest waved them off, irritably. Guess I'll just have to stay nearby.

Florian was left to wander the streets as the meeting went on and worry all by himself what on earth everyone there could be up to. This area wasn't as battle damaged as the others, which wasn't to say it was untouched but this was deep enough in Bejic territory that it hadn't had too many counter attacks to worry about. Still it seemed quiet. It was as if the whole dome was slowly being abandoned. Florian could only guess that that was the effect of long term war. Open war at least. If this was like the family wars years ago things would have been different, the streets would have been full of people going about their daily lives. The families had been decent enough to do their killing behind closed doors... most of the time. All of Frostfall seemed to be holding its breath.

Florian eventually found maybe the only other person in Frostfall, besides himself, who didn't have the sense to be indoors this late at night as he came across a street food vendor set up under the pale lamp light. He was just closing up when Florian came across hiss tall.

["Time for one more?"] He called out like a man hailing a cab.

["Yeah sure."] The vendor replied absentmindedly. ["Only got goulash left, that okay?"]

Oh my god yes! Florian's inner child screamed. ["Oh yes, please."] His external adult said calmly as he rummaged through his pockets. He hadn't had that in years! Even the sight of the greasy, watery broth he was actually being served couldn't kill that tiny victory for him.

Though he couldn't help but disapprove of the terrible condition the cook kept his utensils in. Most of them had dried up food burnt and crusted onto them and the ingredients were left open to the elements. Call it pride talking but Florian had always kept a much tighter ship when he was cooped up in the maiden's kitchen. And now Austen and his brood are running riot through it. The place may have always been forgotten when it came to all the marvels the maiden had to offer. But the cramped little kitchen had always felt like home to Florian.

Spoiler: Fun times in the kitchen

Florian had mostly kept his head down for the few days he'd been on board the maiden. The crew had greeted him with a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. None of them had been outright hostile towards him, well except for the one they called Smiles, but most had welcomed him like school yard tough kids. At least how Florian imagined school yard tough kids acted. Most of it had been like the captain herself, shouting, drinking, groping and the occasional outbreak of violence.

So for now he kept busy in the kitchen and keeping the canteen spotless. At least it was some way he could pull his wait. Maybe this was a mistake after all. He'd gone along cleaning in silence when one of the other maidens came in and dropped off her dishes, singing a song to herself.

"Where is that accent from?" He asked, in some vain attempt to try and be social. "I don't think I've heard it before."
Lilith had heard that Pixie had recruited someone new, a priest no less. "Oooo." the girl cooed curiously, she didn't know the new blood was in the kitchen. Her heart fluttered in her chest, not expecting to see a man of the cloth who was so young... and handsome.

"'Ello!" She smiled, "So you're the new guy, huh?"

"That's... that's me." Florian gave a bashful grin, trying to fight the nerves that had put him so on edge the past few days. It was her tone, it was the same one the others used... before they groped him. "I hope the meal was to your liking."

"That was you?" Lilith said curiously, tilting her head slightly. "And here I thought Pixe had splashed out on some decent food for a change." She chuckled as she crossed her arms on the counter top. "Good job... er?" She blushed slightly. "Nobody told me your name." Her eyes shifted downwards.

"Brother Florian. Just Florian is fine." He said, feeling just a little proud of himself. Those cooking lessons at the abbey were paying for themselves.
Florian. She really liked the way he pronounced that name. And all the other words too.

"Well, Florian, good job. I'm Lilith." No doubt he'd heard of her already, her crewmates had big mouths.

"Casino! Yes... yes." Florian nodded along in sudden realisation. "One of the captain's valkeries." It was funny what you heard people say when you were the only sober one at the party and the maidens partiede regularly.

"You didn't say, where is this accent from." He asked, draining the used water down the sink and running a fresh batch. There always seemed to be more maidens than he realised.
Lilith smiled coyly. "I come from Sherwood. I, err, I'm an orphan, I was raised at the orphanage there. You probably don't know the nuns that run that place, huh?" She giggled.

"Oh yes, we all know each other in the church." Florian laughed along awkwardly. Should he have apologised for her being an orphan? There wasn't anything he could do about it, she wouldn't want to dwell. Too late just keep going!

"What is it like there? I don't think I've ever been that far south."

"Eh, place was a dump, too many irresponsible parents abandoning their kids." She replied sardonically. "What about you? I've never heard that accent either." She tongued the inside of her cheek, wiggling her shoulders slightly. "I like it."

"It's uh... it's Frostfall." Florian said a little taken aback. "From up north." He pointed up towards the ceiling, the universal sign for north. A rarity this far down south in the heat. "It's... well not a dump but... I doubt I could not do her justice." Florian shook his head as he scrubbed into an extra stubborn burnt stain on one of the pans.

"'Her'?" Lilith smirked. "Sounds like a frigid ***** to me." She chuckled. "Yes, my jokes are that terrible, get used to it." She moved her arms, resting her elbows on the counter ash she supported her chin on clasped hands. "I thought priests were celibate?" She cooed

"There are lots of different kinds. Some can marry some cannot." He turned to look at her properly, feeling rude about spending so much focus on crockery.

He hadn't really taken in the sight of her before. And oh how Florian took the sight in as his eyes unthinkingly moved down her body. "I... cannot." And he'd never regretted it more.

The young woman pouted, "Well that's... disappointing." She teased. "I'm starting to get flashbacks of grumpy, sexually repressed nuns." She shook her head, smirking slightly. "It's not pretty."

"No... it..." The way her lips looked when she pouted. "It never is." Florian droned as his brain lost control itself. "I mean!" He yelped, blinking hard and trying to ignore the curves of her hips, why did she have to be leaning over a counter?! "I mean most of the nuns I met, were, were nice. Though most were sisters and - and initiates so, so maybe they dropped out after I left."

Lilith grinned. The priest seemed to get flustered rather quickly. "Hmmm, nice were they?" She shifted her hands, resting her cheeks on her palms.

"They were nice girls." The kind you'd want to take home to meet your mother, a pity none of them would ever go though that. "Though I still wonder what kind of woman chooses the life of god." He guessed it was probably easier for women.

"Well, the ones knew were always good to me, maybe a bit too fond of the sermons." She closed her eyes as she put on her best Sister Theresa voice. "Thou shall not blah, blah, blah."

"Hmm." Florian nodded along. He'd met his fair share of that kind of preacher in the abbey. Brother Cornwall sprang to mind. "That can happen. I think they stay out of the world for too long." Listen to you, running for abbot already are we?

"Maybe they should make bandit service a must for getting ordained." Florian smiled.

"Hmmmm." Lilith hummed, tonguing the inside of her cheek, "Maybe, I don't think I'd mind you preaching to me, Padre."

"Yes, well." Florian cleared his throat and willed the red that was spreading over his skin to stay beneath the collar.

"I can always take requests, still working on getting a chapel set up."

"Oh?" Lilith cooed, as she stood up straight, running a hand through her hair. "Need any help with the heavy lifting?" She held out her arms and flexed them in an exaggerated fashion. "'Cos I'm like the strongest person on this whole bloody ship."
"I don't doubt it." Florian smiled, this was actually turning out nicely, she wasn't what came to mind when one thought of women bandits, far too relaxed and easy going. "How did you come to join this crew? - If I can ask." He quickly corrected himself.

The young woman giggled at the priest's awkwardness. "Oh, you know, troubled youth, abandonment issues, self-fulfilling prophecy, all that jazz." She joked, waving a hand dismissively. "I arrived on the Maiden when I was 15, originally just on board for passage out of Sherwood. Pixie couldn't stand to be without me though, so she begged me to stay."
"That makes sense." He nodded along, easily able to imagine any man begging her to stay and having met the captain he could easily believe the same of her.

"It's true, ask anyone, except her of course, she'll only deny it." She gave the man a knowing wink. "Sprout would be your best bet."

Oh the boy, Florian had met him shortly after the captain had brought him on board the maiden. That brought him more pause than even Smiles had, he hadn't been in the crew long enough to comment, just he seemed so young. And who are you to judge that? You are a guest here, remember.

"I should... I should be going." Florian mumbled, drying his hands and sorting away what was left of the washing. "I still have the engine room to organise."

The girl frowned. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no." The priest raised his hands panicking as if waving them around could calm her. "This was nice but the captain still needs convincing that a priest belongs anywhere on the maiden. No rest for the wicked" He chuckled nervously. "It was nice meeting you, Ms Casino."

"Lilith, call me Lilith." The girl smiled. "I never really liked the nickname much, I didn't pick it." She stretched her arms forward, cracking her hands outwards before putting them behind her head. "Well, I hope you stick around." She winked, "Would be a shame if we lost such a handsome man on a ship full of uglies." Spinning on her heel, she was off, singing her little tune.

What he would have done to have some of the maidens here with him now. Aesop or Ruffles could have lightened the mood no end and made good back up at it. The captain wouldn't have stood for any of this cloak and dagger either, she would have busted some skulls and cut right to the thick of the matter, Florian would have just had to of stood back and stayed out of her way. Even Warren would have made good company right now.

Or maybe he could have shown Lilith around his beloved home dome. You shouldn't think of her. She's not a part of this life now, she has a chance for better life now. Still over the past few days Florian's mind had kept wandering back the the last conversation they had had in private. And what she'd said...

"You'll never need to justify yourself to me Florian."

Those words had knocked him through such a loop. He couldn't justify any of this to anyone, he'd spent the last four years running from it like a damned coward. But in that moment, he would have told her everything, he would have spilled his guts and explained it all. But instead he ran, like he always had. Maybe some day he'd get a second chance, things were beginning to pile up more and more and it was beginning to look like he'd have no choice but to come clean.

But if I told you... would you ever look at me the same way again?

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Viola had barely drawn her hand back after the third knock, when chains rattled on the other side and the door swung open, a black-sleeved arm beckoning the pair inside wordlessly. There were a dozen men in the room, all tall and broad shouldered, all with the unmistakable, relaxed-yet-ever-alert posture of ex-special forces. They leaned against walls, doorways, and bits of furniture, every angle covered. Each one dressed smartly, in tailored suits or else in black, polo-neck sweaters that hugged their physiques closely. The only one whose face was not concealed by scarf of balaclava, was also the only one seated, behind a coffee table, laid out with a near-priceless looking antique tea-set.

Agent Sandringham had all of The Gentleman's formality, with none of the easy charm with which his boss carried it off. Although he reclined in the wing-back armchair, he did not look comfortable, and their was cold disdain in his eyes as he looked over the pair of them.

"Are you certain you were not followed here?" was all he said for their preliminary greeting.

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

The Gentleman watched, unperturbed, as Florian was manhandled from the ruined knave of the church, and more Bejic men closed in, to remove him of the agreed items. Away went his overcoat, his pistol, and his pocket-watch, but not his pipe. That, The Gentleman proceeded to light and take a long, satisfying puff.

"Here I thought this 'Vasa' they all speak of was a cut above your average villain." The Gentleman teased as he made his way up towards the altar. "I understand you have been fighting a hard war, but what's the use in anything if it costs an honest man his courtesies?"

Standing opposite Vasa, The altar bridging the distance between them, the twinkle in The Gentleman's eye cut through the smoke furling from the corners of his mouth as he exhaled.

"May I say how deeply shocked, and saddened I was, when I heard of the attempt on your life. Words cannot express how please I am to see you alive and well, looking as strong as ever."

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

The red-headed whore was cowed at first by Austin's rage, and shrunk from him, whimpering. However, as the tyrant rattled off his sermon, Georgia saw that defiance had not been completely stripped from the girls eyes.

"You need only ask."

There was silence for a few seconds, as the girl stared dumb-struck, into Austin's face. Shaking her head a little, she looked down at the hands that clasped her own, and her face adopted an expression as if a giant, venomous spider was inching its way up her arm.

"You LIAR!" she shrieked, wrenching away from Austin in disgust. "What would make me into, huh?! Just another soldier, another slave like all these morons, killing who you tell them to, or else dying while your hands stay clean! Don't think I ain't ever heard of you, don't think I don't know the stories... What kind of father let's his kids die for him?! Go on, answer that one!"

More voices, panicked now, tried to shut the girl up, joined by angry hisses from Austin's more loyal fighters, but Georgia saw the frenzy she'd worked herself up into, and she shrugged off those dissenters viciously.

"We were fed well here. We had nice clothes, and a doctor to make sure we were well. You shot him too! They took care of us, and if any man ever tried to hurt us, or wouldn't pay up, they'd see to it that man would never come back. They cared about us, so don't you tell lies!"

It was half true, what the girl was saying, though she believed it utterly. They were indeed well cared for here, in comparison to some places. The source had less to do with compassion, however, and more to do with the Madame knowing who was truly watching over them, and how displeased the Golden Rose would be if any of her sisters had been allowed to come to harm. It was then when the young girl passed the point of know return. She leaned in close to Austin, and said, in a voice full of revulsion. "I'd rather have a hundred 'pretenders' fuck me all night long, than have you so much as hold my hand!"

Then she spat, full in his face.

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

"You got any seasoning or anything over there? Maybe we can cover it up a bit."

"Let's see..." Amy said, rifling through the overhead cabinets. "No. No. No. AHA! Yes!"

Chucking a whole spice rack across the kitchen in Aesop's direction, the pair of them set to work. It wasn't smooth sailing, and a few of the components of the meal had to be started from scratch, but, piece by piece, things started improving, and soon enough Amy felt like she could relax.

"Thank you so much for your help, Aesop." she said, sincerely.

That was when Bennie stormed past, fuming, on his way to his bedroom, where he slammed the door, and by the sound of it, started doing considerable damage to Carlos' possessions. Just when Amy thought things might not have to be tense between the pair of them. She wondered if Pixie would even be in the mood for a romantic evening, or whether she was just wasting her time trying to impress.

'Sop it!'

"Aesop..." she said, wishing to move her thought on to something else. "May I ask, how are you feeling, after before? I know that business with Randy can't have been easy for you."

 

[Fappy]

"Oh, I like you already..."

Tsubaki scoffed.

"... Though I was smart enough to know trying to hire you would have been an abject waste of time. Do you know why?"

Sporting a knowing grin, Tsubaki cocked an eyebrow, "Is this the part where you remind me of my time with he yakuza? Please, any information broker worth a damn could get you my background." Tsubaki wasn't the least bit impressed. "Cut to the chase, Payton. I'm a soldier. You don't need to sugarcoat your shit for me."

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

Bennie sat up, "Cam..."

Smiling, Cameron met his gaze and drew a circle on his chest with her pointer finger, "Come on, Bennie. What's there to lose?"

"But," Bennie furrowed his brow. "You have to know, I don't... I lo---"

Cameron put a finger to his lips, shushing him, "No," She shook her head. "No more thinking, Bennie. The both of us have been doing too much of that lately."

Bennie's expression softened. Cupping her cheek with his massive hand, he caressed her lips with his thumb, "You are a fine woman, Cam. I---"

Spoiler: BENNIE NOOOOOO

Again, Bennie was interrupted when Cameron grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled herself in for a kiss. Their lips parted and joined, over and over, until Bennie grabbed her face and looked her in the eye. Cameron grinned, "For a supposed 'Sex God', you sure do take your time."

Bennie took that to mean, "take me", and proceeded to unbutton her shirt. Straddling his lap, Cameron towered over him as he undressed her, planting a myriad of kisses on his lips. In that moment, all his doubts were gone. All thoughts of Pixie, pushed aside. All that mattered was making this woman happy. Providing this woman with a night she'd never forget. Cameron deserved better than what she'd been given. No doubt she felt like a third wheel of sorts in the presence of Pixie and Amy, much like Bennie himself.

Her shirt off, Bennie turned his attention to her chest, prompting Cameron to squirm and giggle. Draping her arms around his head, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against the top of Bennie's. Her laughter turned to moans, and eventually, the man turned his attention elsewhere. His trail of kisses leading to an obvious destination, Cameron gave him a knowing look as she helped him get her pants off. Holding her in the air, Bennie spun his body around and tossed her on the bed behind him, and the pants were off soon after.

"O-oh, h-h-holy shit, Bennie," She squealed, wishing there was a single hair on his head to grasp. "Yo-you are a G-g-g-g-g-god! How do---OH GOD!" Clutching her thigh with one hand, he couldn't help but sport a self-satisfying grin.

Swimming in dopamine and adrenalin, Cameron took the fight to Bennie, peeling off his cloths in a barbaric fashion. It reminded him of Pixie just a bit. Perhaps it was just a trait all female bandits shared. It wasn't long before Bennie was on the receiving end of things. Cameron was good, sure, but Pixie was...

Fuck Pixie.

Why was he thinking of her again? He'd had numerous partners these last four years, so why was it that he kept thinking of her now? Cameron was a fine woman and a good friend. Why couldn't he just enjoy a simple romp with her? Just her? It wasn't fair to the poor girl. She was giving herself to him and what was he doing? Fantasizing about another woman? No, it was all wrong.

Bennie did the only thing he knew to do in such a situation. He took charge. Soon enough, he was on top of her, putting the whole of his body to work in the vain hope he could just focus on that. On the sex. Despite his conflicted mind, he was doing well enough that Cameron was at least enjoying herself. Screaming his name. Wrapping her arms around his massive frame and digging her nails into his back. Perhaps only an professional would know his heart was only half in it.

"F-F-FUCK! B-BENNIE!" Cameron squeaked for the umpteenth time, her legs now wrapped around his. Hopefully the room was well insulated, lest the whole place know what they were up to. Then again, why not let them know? Why not let Pixie know? Fuck her, after all.

Rolling over onto his back once he was done, he closed his eyes and simply panted for a long while. Cameron rolled over and sprawling out across his massive form, "J-jesus, Carmine. You're a fuckin' monster." She laughed. "You were great." She mused, closing her eyes and resting her head against his chest.

"You too." Bennie stated, his thoughts a thousand miles away. Glancing down at the woman cuddled up against of him, he frowned and rested his hand on her head. She deserved better than this.

Bennie didn't feel all that better. In fact, he somehow felt even worse than he had before they started.

 

[The Funslinger]

"Cut to the chase, Payton. I'm a soldier. You don't need to sugarcoat your shit for me."

"No, no, it wasn't the Yakuza," he replied. "Actually I thought that was quite the handsome credential. No, the reason I knew not to try with you is because of your... utter devotion to our mutual friend, Lord Basilio."

He leaned across the table. "Tell me, has young Dio tried to turn that loyalty to... untoward purpose? He always was such a little rascal... but I forget myself." He sat up straight. "I suspect you're wondering about the men I tried to take into my service. The first was Jun-young Moon. But I imagine you know that song and dance. He's a machine and as devoted as any with his background. But still, he broke to freedom once, I imagined he might do it again for something better."

He stroked his moustache thoughtfully. "The second was... well, the real shock. Mister O'Lafferty. Seemed guaranteed. The man lives to line his pockets, he's an ex-cat burglar turned mercenary, he has a track record of excelling at finding the most lucrative deal. I could have made him rich, but... well, he said he wasn't going anywhere so long as his Commander still needed him." Payton grinned. "It's always the petty criminals who have the strangest notions of nobility and morality, isn't it?"

Still watching Tsubaki shrewdly, Payton said, now with a tone of finality, "but the nub of the matter, though I hope what I've said thus far has been interesting if not insightful. You want Lady Elizabeth Maribel, and I know where she is. This is information I give freely, as I took the liberty of ambushing one of your master's hired guns, a bounty hunter of some considerable talent, while he was carrying out his mission. The girl was with him, and so from that point, I've been keeping a weather eye on her."

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

"O-oh, h-h-holy shit, Bennie, Yo-you are a G-g-g-g-g-god! How do---OH GOD!"

That was like a bolt of lightning through Ruffles' head.

Spoiler: He looked up...

Oh god dammit... Bennie was nailing a woman in the next room, and he, Ruffles, was stuck in the bathroom. Shit...

=========================​

Some time later...

"Oh God, fuck yes, fuck fuck FUCK!"

Ruffles was sat by the shower, with wads of toilet roll stuffed in his ears. It wasn't doing much good. Jesus christ...

=========================​

"YES YES YES YES YES!"

Ruffles was banging his head on the tiled floor, wondering if he could knock himself out.

=========================​

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Alright... that was it...

Spoiler

Ruffles cast around for a while and then decided there was no other option for it. Climbing onto the toilet, he pulled a particularly flat piece of carbon out of his pocket and jammed it into the grooves on the screws holding the ventilation grate shut. After several minutes' awkward work, the screws were all out and his hand felt as though it were on fire. He took the grate down and set it on the floor. Then he hauled himself into the vents and started crawling. Almost immediately, he had to turn a corner, and for several minutes became stuck. Finally breaking free, he crawled onwards, turning his head purposefully away from the grate that he knew would give a bird's eye view into his own room, and ignored the sounds therein. He crawled onwards.

Another corner, and he became stuck again. "Mother fucker..." he breathed.

When he was finally free, he reached out again and his hand closed on air. There was a drawn out moment of vertigo during which it occurred to Ruffles just how drunk he was, and then he was falling, his legs scraping against the sides of the vent, slowing him down some. Still, it was inevitable. "SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"

There was an echoing thud, and being drunk, he tried to sit up, hit his head hard, and fell backwards through a thankfully loose grate which broke away. As it happened, he fell into a kitchen filled with smoke, that reeked of spices.

These had a sort of smelling-salts effect as the darkness creeping in on his vision beat a hasty retreat. Aesop and Amy were staring down at him.

"Hey guys..." he said, and then the darkness did creep in and he passed out.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Asad's posture straightened as he heard someone approach from behind.

"Hey, you seen the guys on the roofs? This ain't right, man."

'Just Bryan.'

"I did." Asad muttered, the typical light-heartedness gone from his voice as he resisted the urge to take out his pistol. "The commander is in there." He nodded gently at the small abandoned shop.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Asad narrowed his eyes, his his gaze went back to the rooftops. His eyes rested on one of the lookouts. Tilting his head slightly, the man clenched his jaw. "What's your game?" He muttered to himself.

 

[ProtoChimp]

Hannibal walked with her inside as they approached the front desk, they recieved a few looks which went a long way in making Hannibal feel uncomfortable... No... 'Oh God...' It was one of them. One of them were finally here. They took their sweet damn time but they were here. He couldn't look, he turned away and tapped his fingers nervously onto the counter as he avoided the man's gaze.

"Come along then Murdock."

Murdock. Yes of course, "Y-Yes of course." 'Damn stop stuttering. He probably knows already jus-just...' He needed to get out of here as fast as he could.

He walked with her up the various flights of stairs, running up so fast he needed to slow down for her sake, and as not to draw attention. "That was one of them that was one of them that was one of them." He spoke none stop in hushed tones to her. His mood did not improve as they were welcomed into an extremely sinister looking room either. This looked like a trap if ever he had seen one.

'What do I do?1?!?! I can't stay outside he will come for me. But these people look like serial killers. I'd like just a week without meeting a man in black with too many guns.'
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"What kind of father let's his kids die for him?! Go on, answer that one!" He wanted to tear her head off her shoulders then and there, but he was used to this kind of treatment, spouting on about pretenders helping them and all. Many have trouble understanding at first. T'was tragic.

But then he discovered the truth. And she was yet another young pretender. "I'd rather have a hundred 'pretenders' fuck me all night long, than have you so much as hold my hand!" And she spat in the father's face.

He stood there for a moment and allowed the rage to pass through his body. Breath in. Breath out. Breath in. Breath out. "Take the rest to the Iron Maiden." He said, ignoring the girl yet staring deep into her pretty eyes. "This one has to stay here with me." Just as the children were rounding them all up Austin wrapped his giant hand around the girl's tiny throat. "Pretenders have no right to hold my hand." He said coldly as he squeezed. He pulled her closer and closer towards himself as he slowly crushed the life out of her, taking his sweet time.

She collapsed with a dull thus as many began to panic, and many realised it was time to fall in line. "You know what to do." He roared. "Who to save, and who to kill." He entered the back seat of a crawler, being chauffeured by another child. It shamed him when he was tricked by pretenders who he believed were children.
=================================================
"Thank you so much for your help, Aesop." Aesop gave a friendly smile.

"Hey, stupid men help pretty ladies all the time." He gave a playful wink, just as Bennie stormed past. Clearly it had sullied Amy's mood. He need only guess why, and his guess was probably right.

"Aesop... May I ask, how are you feeling, after before? I know that business with Randy can't have been easy for you."

Aesop winced though he dare not show it. He really did not want to talk about Randy at all. But its best he be uncomfortable rather than someone else. "I um," he thought how best to phrase his words, "I feel better, I guess?" He answered, not confident in his words. "The past few days, especially with the maiden have been..." he sighed, "not great." He gave an obviously fake laugh. "My mood has just been, shit its been all over the fucking place. Before, that wasn't even me at my worst. Bennie's first impression of me he thought I was a psycho, and I'm pretty sure I freaked Cameron the fuck out cos after a while she just kinda stayed away from me. And don't even get me started on that Vergil kid. I owe him my life and I scared the shit out of him." He sighed, thinking of all the shit he had put everyone through. He didn't want to tell Amy about him being covered in the gore of another man, and not wanting to wash it off. Pixie may have told her already but he still didn't want to talk about it.

He gave a soft chuckle and continued in a lighter tone, "Right now though," he chirped up, or at least he looked like he did, "right now I'm helping Pixie's new gal pal cook her something sweet... and not burned. Sorry I couldn't resist." He gave a cheeky grin. It looked like she was going to speak again when he held up a finger and said, "Hang on." He paused, listening closely to the sounds around them. "Do you hear that?" It sounded as if there was some kind of clattering coming down the walls.

Suddenly the root of the noise was revealed when the blackest engineer on the planet crashed down behind them. Aesop and Amy turned around to look at him with puzzled expressions. "Hey guys..." And then he was gone again.

A long pause past before Aesop burst into laughter. He nearly double over and had to pound his knees to get it all out but it was too much. This was just too funny.

Spoiler: Aesop's face

He couldn't get words out, only the beginning syllables before shouting out, "WHHYYYY???" This was one of the most random things he ever saw. The fuck could the explanation be for this?

His laughter didn't subside but he thought it best to pick him up off the floor. He scooped him up, still laughing as he turned back to Amy. "I'm gonna take care of this. Careful on the roast yeah?" He nodded to her before carrying him into one of the nearby bedrooms and lying him down. "Awww, like a little drunken angel." He cooed.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Georgia lacked the surprise to be horrified, as she watched the young girl die from the seat in one of the crawlers that she had been herded into. Still, that only made the disgust more potent. She looked at the back of Austin's head as he mounted up, letting none of the bile at the back of her throat show on her face.

'Throwing our toys out of the pram are we Austin? You can't field a fair challenge, so you just grind someone into the dirt. There's really nothing special about you is there? You're just another bully with delusions of grandeur.'

She looked across at Sandra as the convoy got under way. Sandra was intelligent too, more than clever enough to keep both her body and mind safe among such company. However, she was also younger than Georgia, and had seen less of the world. Reaching over, Georgia held the younger girl's hand, and was met with a squeeze in response.

Austin would try to make them part of his family, but they were already sisters. Until such time as rescue came, they would be all the family to each-other that they would need.

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

Amy couldn't help but burst out laughing too. She felt guilty about it, Ruffles was probably feeling terrible, and may even have been in need of medical attention... but it was just too funny. Still, eventually Aesop attended to the issue, seizing the moment to take his leave. Amy couldn't help but be a little disappointed. However, there'd be other opportunities to speak to him. For now, it was probably best to leave him alone, even if he was in need of help.

The panic had settled down now, and the pieces were starting to come together. All in all, considering the disaster it could have been, Amy didn't think she'd done too badly, and now she had some respite to get everything else prepared.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The rattle of chains and the turning of bolts, that is what could be heard on the other side of the door the moment Viola had finished knocking. Moments later, a black sleeved arm beckoned them inside. As they entered, Viola saw that the room was filled with a dozen or so men. They were leaning against walls, standing near furniture. It looked as though every possible angle was covered.

Every one of them was smartly dressed, but their faces were concealed by balaclavas and scarfs. All of them except one that is. He was sat in a wing-back armchair, though he didn't look all that too comfortable, behind a coffee table with what looked to be an antique tea set. There was a cold look in his eyes as he stared at Viola and Hannibal.

"Are you certain you were not followed here?"

"I am certain that no one else was following us. What's with all the extra people? Expecting trouble?" Viola asked with crossed arms.