Voices from Heaven (
thespaceopera) wrote in
driftfleet2019-01-20 07:28 pm
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Entry tags:
- !event,
- !mingle,
- adrian "alucard" tepes,
- ciel phantomhive,
- connor,
- james buchanan barnes (au),
- james buchanan barnes (ou),
- james tiberius kirk (au),
- kaname buccaneer,
- katherine "kitty" pryde,
- keith,
- loki,
- lup,
- manji,
- mikleo,
- otono-tachibana makie,
- pavel chekov,
- prompto argentum,
- randolph lyall,
- remy lebeau,
- sansa stark,
- steve rogers (ou),
- taako,
- the vision,
- thor odinson,
- tim drake,
- tyrion lannister,
- undertaker,
- vash the stampede,
- veronica,
- victor frankenstein,
- wanda maximoff
'cause it's better than nothing
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(last updated: 1/25/19)
CW: Torture, blood, mention of starvation and death
There's wailing. It's been going on for days. Along with fighting and shooting as people scramble to find a way to survive in a desert when suddenly all the supplies have vanished. The only thing worse then the cries of anguish is the fact that things have been steadily getting quieter as more and more people succumb to the elements.
You're huddled with a few other people against half a wall that's still standing. Trying to hide in the shade during the hottest part of the day. It's during this time when the fighting tends to slow, but you can hear a gunfight off in the distance. You're trying to rouse yourself to go see if maybe you can stop the fight, but you're just so tired you can't find the strength to stand. You've used it all up stopping all the other fights that came before it.]
How? How did this happen? What happened to July? [One of the men mutter in despair.] Who did this to us?
I did. [You answer automatically without even thinking about it. Did you do it? You can't really remember if you did or how, but there's something deep down within you that knows, without a doubt, that you are responsible.]
What did you say?
It was me. I did this.
[More people are looking at you now. A new voice chimes in.] That's not funny.
I'm not joking. None of this would have happened if it wasn't for me. If I had just stayed away.
H-hey. Didn't they say it was a blond haired man at the centre of all this? [Someone else adds to the conversation with a nervous voice.]
Yeah. Yeah. They did! A tall man with blond hair!
I-- [Someone slugs you across the face before you can say anything more. With no energy left you crumble to the ground. You hardly have time to feel how scorching the sand is before he's lifting you up and punching you again.
There's a couple people who try to stop what's happening, but there is just so much anger that they're drowned out by the mob. They're screaming murderer in your face as they kick you and asking you why while they hit you in the face. The only thing that keeps them from killing you is the fact that you're not fighting back. They can't bring themselves to kill someone who can't be bothered to defend himself. You've hurt these people and if they want to take your life for it you can't find a reason to stop them.
They don't last long. Days of starving and the intense heat means they're quickly running out of energy, but the anger is still there even if their bodies can't last.] We can't just let this guy go! We can't let him run off! [There's a round of agreement.] Someone will be here to help us! They can deal with him! [Let someone else pull the trigger.
But they have nothing. What are they to do with you? Someone finds a bit of barbwire in the rubble only with only one arm they can't properly tie your arm behind your back. Instead they drag you to a post that's still crookedly standing. Between your elbow and shoulder of your right arm they tie one end of the wire tight. Already the barbs start to dig into your skin and it's even worse when they lift you up. Forcing your arm above your head so they can tie the short strand to the post above you. The pain is nothing compared to the white hot agony that comes when they let go and you drop. Not lucky enough for the wire to break from your weight instead it sinks into your flesh.
If the barbs were biting into you before, now they're ripping in. Already you can feel blood rushing down to your shoulder. The wire was too short and there's not enough length to let your feet touch the ground and your toes scrap teasingly close to the ground, but not enough to take the pressure off of that arm. Your hand grips a length of the wire and you hardly feel the barb cutting into your palm as you try to pull yourself up just a little bit. Anything to try to take some of the pressure off.
They watch you struggle and cry for a few moments before the mob moves out of the sun. Too hot to stay or perhaps suddenly feeling to guilty to continue watching. Eventually you're left to burn out in the midday sun. It's not until nearly both suns have set when you're found by a different group of survivors. You're so still that they think you're dead at first and are amazed to find out there's still life in you.
Quickly they cut you down, but the damage to your arm is already done. Many think you're going to lose it as they do their best to bandage it in up in dirty rags. The only thing close to bandages that they have. You don't lose the arm, but a deep, nearly perfectly round scar will remain on the upper part of your arm for the rest of your life.
The rubble slowly fades away back into that empty desert. The glint in the distance still visible and looking closer now as the multi coloured feathers continue to fall. ]
no subject
Vash. She can feel it. Feel him. It's not just what remains of his jacket. How many versions of that jacket does he even have? But there is little time for her own thoughts as she falls deeper into his, watching it all play out from his perspective.
Finally the feather drops slowly from her hand and she stumbles back a step before drawing a deep breath and steadying herself. Her hand comes up to her cheek to wipe away the dampness there.]
Vash? [Is he here? He was here last time with the donuts she remembers vaguely. But before he'd even have time to answer if he was a purple feather lands in her hand.]
no subject
You're also very, very tired, but so very grateful. When you had passed out in the desert several days ago you had been so sure that was the end of you. You never expected to be picked up by some people who spotted you dying out in the wasteland. Expected even less to find out that there was still a ship floating in the sky. Damaged and unable to propel itself out into space again, but they would be able to live in peace up in the clouds so long as they could keep their three plants running.
Here you were. Hair down around your face in a mess and without your trademark red coat. It doesn't even cross your mind because it doesn't exist yet. Instead you wear a pair of blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt that someone has lent you. Or, more like three quarter sleeve as it doesn't quite fit all the way down like it should, but that's fine. Your arms and hands have a couple scars, but nothing to be overly embarrassed about. That's the other thing different in this memory. You have both of your arms and why wouldn't you?
You stare up at the bulb above you and all around you is silent. As far as you're aware you're alone in this room except for one other person. With a smile you press both of your hands against the glass and wait. From the feelings pulling inside you, you know she wants to see you but is feeling a bit shy. It had been a long time since she's shown her true form.
After several minutes the round organic shape in the middle of the glass starts to morph and take a more defined shape. The head and body of a woman appear, but they're also clearly not human. Her eyes are nothing but pure blackness and a few extra limbs and body parts seem to sprout from her in odd angels. Yet, despite this inhuman shape you love her and find her beautiful. You send these feelings out to her through the connection that you share and she smiles brightly.
When she reaches forward and presses her hands against yours that's exactly what it feels like. It feels like touching her without the glass that was keeping the two of you from actually touching.] Hello sister. It's so good to see you. [Her happiness fills you and she is so quick to fill your head with thoughts and images. She's so proud of her ship of people and your two other sisters located in different parts of the ship. How brave and kind they were. Helping each other and caring for each other in the best possible way that they can. How great the humans were!
These feelings touch you as tears start running down your face. For a moment she worries, but through a complicated language that you two share without words you let her know they are happy tears. Your sisters are like a hive mind and struggle at times with their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences so while she can't understand your tears she falls back on the feeling of happiness that comes from her other two sisters that cannot currently see that you are crying.
It just felt good. So good to be among such kind people. To know that there were at least three Plants that were being well cared for and looked after. That these three sisters loved humans like you do. That they all didn't agree with Knives. These last few years have been hard as you have only run into people struggling to survive and turning on one another to do so. It was like a breath of fresh air to be among these saviours of yours.]
The ones who live outside of time... [You turn at the sound of a voice and see the man who you first saw when you first woke up on this ship. He was a very very short man with brown skin. Usually he always wore a smile on his face, but right now he was in awe. His small eyes wide open as he stares at you and the Plant.] I have never seen any of their true forms before, but I had read about it. They are more beautiful than I imagined. And you-- [You suddenly grow nervous. You've exposed what you really were to people before and have always been driven away so quickly out of fear.] --I knew you were special Vash. Please, can you teach me more? I want to be able to take care of them so they're with us as long as possible.
[It's like a huge weight is lifted off of you at those kind words. You weren't going to be driven away off of this ship. Numbly you nod and hold out your hand to the man.] Come here, Doc. She wants to meet you.
[Anxiously he walks up besides you a bit like a teenager getting ready to talk to a girl they've been crushing on. You guide his hand up to the glass as your sister moves her hand to meet him.] Thank you. [Is the first thing he says when he finds his voice.] Thank you. To all of you. Without you we could never have the peaceful life that we do. We are grateful to you. Please, continue to help us and allow us to take care of you in return.
[She smiles down for a few minutes before retreating back to her core.] She's just tired. [You explain. Hoping he's not disappointed, but he still looks absolutely thrilled as he turns to face you once again.]
Vash. you don't need to accept this offer right away, but I do hope that you might consider it. We wish to offer you a place to stay here with us. We have a couple of extra rooms and you could teach us so much that we don't know about the Plants. I hope that maybe you might some day see this place as a home.
[Home. A word that had lost all meaning to you during the big fall. Your heart swells so much it feels like it might burst from your chest.] You know what, Doc? I think that sounds very nice. If you would have me.
[He reaches out to give your back just above the small of it a friendly pat. Too short to properly reach any higher.] We would be honoured. And I would be even more honoured if you get back to your bed. Do you know how much trouble the two of us will be in with the nurses if they catch us here? You're suppose to be resting!
But I feel fine! Honest! [Actually, you were still pretty tired, but for a guy who had nearly died just a couple days ago you were remarkably well.
The two of you laugh and joke as you head back to the hospital ward. Home. That is what this place will eventually become for you. You know that eventually you will need to return to the dusty planet below you to help Rem's vision of Eden become a reality, but for now you could rest in your bed and just be home.
The memory fades away and this time Kitty will be able to clearly make out that the glint in the distance is another housing unit for a Plant. Not close enough to see if she's awake inside, but getting ever closer.
The feathers rain down from the sky in all the colours. If she's careful she might be able to avoid them, but she'll need to be paying close attention as there are so very many of them as they fall like snow from the sky.]
no subject
Kitty finds it hard in the fleet being one of only three mutants but Vash has been alone this whole time as the only plant. Even when he was home the only plant like him was also...nothing like him. What a lonely existence. But this memory isn't lonely. It's full of warmth and promise and it doesn't last, does it? Because his arm is missing and he does have those scars and most of his stories are about the desert planet.
She's glad he had this moment. But she also wonders if it hurt him all the more to lose it. That's been the double-edged sword for her. The good moments always ended the hardest. And much like her concerns so ends the memory that leaves her back in that hot place. Feathers still raining from above while this time the sparkle catches her eye. She moves toward it, but before she gets much closer she comes in contact with a blue feather.]
CW: Mention of a fatal gunshot wound
[The would seems to fade and black out and then it's like as if Kitty is waking from a dream. A dark and horrible dream as you open your eyes and find that you're in a strange room you've never seen before. The smell of soup fills the air and there is the sounds of birds and people moving around just outside a window not too far from the bed. It all seems so oddly and strangely peaceful here.
Painfully you sit up. Wondering where you could possibly be as you feel newly healing injuries pull against the movement you're doing under clean bandages. Why were you so injured? Why--
Memories and thoughts will suddenly flash through your mind. They seem like a dream, but your injuries tell you that they are so much more than that. Flashes of visions Kitty has seen before of a man with blue hair dead on the ground. A still smoking gunshot wound to his head. In your hand shakes the revolver that gave the final blow. Your gun. You're the one who gave the final blow.
All is so quiet now that Legato was dead. His puppet victims have all collapsed silent to the ground so the only noise is your quiet, panicked, shuttering breath. What have you done? What have you done? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?
You think you're just about to scream when a voice cuts through the horrific memory. A female voice that you know and soon Meryl comes into the room holding a bag of groceries. For awhile the two of you just stare at each other. You unable to see her as she is; safe and out of danger and her unable to hide her shock at seeing you awake. Finally she is the one to snap out of the stupor. Putting on a forced smile
is that how yours always looked?and moving to set her bag down.] Oh good! You're awake! That's a relief, I'll make you some soup.[You can only watch as she moves towards the stove.] Where are we?
It's a small village about two hundred iles from LR. The villagers here lent us this house so we could care for your wounds. [Placing a hand over your injured stomach a part of you wishes they hadn't.] Do you remember? You've been asleep for the past ten days, ever since we got here. [She holds out a warm bowl of soup for you to take and you simply automatically take it from her.] Here, drink this. It's my own secret recipe. It's good for healing.
[You stare down at the soup without feeling any hunger.] I... I remember. [Comes your soft reply after a couple silent moments.] I remember everything.
OH! I almost forgot! [Surprised by her exclamation you look up at her.] I need to be somewhere! Sorry! I better hurry! [She turns to leave and you can't find your voice to ask her to stay. To tell her how badly you don't want to be alone right now, but you don't. You sit feeling numb and watch her walk away. She turns to smile at you before she shuts the door. A smile a killer like you doesn't deserve. You didn't deserve any of this kindness.] Be sure to finish your soup, okay?
[Then just like that she's gone and you're alone in the room with your thoughts that immediately creep in as soon as she's gone. What were you to say to Knives now? How could you possibly tell him that it's possible to live a life of peace when you have no more examples to show him? How could you ever get him to believe you now? When you yourself were nothing more than a killer? How could you have so easily broken your promise to Rem? Rem... it was so hard to see her face anymore. It was like you've lost her. With one simple pull of a trigger you really were alone now. You have broken your promise and you've lost Rem. You've lost your chance to save your brother. You've lost everything you stood for and have lost yourself.
You sob wildly and uncontrollably. Uncaring who may hear you and indifferent to the way your stomach aches and pulls against newly healed skin with the violent shaking of your tears. The soup spills off the bed. You had no desire to eat ever again anyway.
When you run out of tears you know you can't stay. You don't know where to go, but you just know that you can't stay. On shaking legs you head towards the door. Grabbing a button up shirt on the way and throwing it over your shoulders, but not taking the effort to close it.
As you walk you can feel, just on the very edge of your sense, your brother. Your feet take you up towards a cliff side and you stop and sit near the edge. Too weak to walk anymore you stare off into the desert. Knowing that Knives is just a little further, but how can you possibly face him now?
You thought you had no more tears to shed, but they come back yet again.] Rem. Rem, I'm so sorry. I messed up. I made a really bad mistake, Rem.
[Behind you you hear a pair of footsteps approaching.] Vash, what are you doing up here? Your wounds haven't fully closed yet. [Meryl's voice is full of worry and this time she has Milly with her.
Overwhelmed you get up and turn away from the cliff face in an attempt to get away. Only you don't get very far, falling to your knees after just three steps. Meryl is almost immediately at your side.] Vash! You shouldn't strain yourself like this!
I have to go...
Go? Go where in your condition?
Rem... I have to go to Rem.
I don't understand what you're saying.
I'm going to go be where Rem is. [Yes, Rem. If only you could find her again then maybe she can help you find your way again.] I'm going... I'm going to where...
Snap out of it, Vash!
Let go of me! [You push her arm away. You don't deserve any of their concern and the fact that they can't seem to understand that is driving you
moreinsane.] Don't you understand!? I can never go back. I killed a man. With my own hand. I shot him dead and took his life!But there had been no other--
There's always another way! [It had been your mantra. Your way of life for over a hundred and thirty years. Rem's words that had made this terrible planet bearable to you couldn't be wrong. What was to the point to all your years of pain if they were meaningless?] I'm ending lives. There's always another way I just didn't see it. Rem, tell me... did I....? [You don't get to finish that thought as you attempt one more time to push yourself up to your feet and only end up passing out.
The girls take you home and from there the days start to blur together. At the start all you really want to do is sleep and wait to die. Only the insurance girls won't let you. Meryl continues to make you soup and after a lot of prompting you finally eat just because you can't handle that worried look on her face. She smiles at you when you do. Even if you don't think you deserve it you're glad to see it.
Every day she changes your bandages before she goes to work and you're the first thing she checks on when she gets home. At some point she insists that you need fresh air and each morning she helps you out to a rocking chair on the porch. You should like this. Usually people watching is a favourite activity, but it brings you no enjoyment anymore. Still you smile for her when she leaves for work and when she comes back. She deserves at least that, doesn't she?
Not once do you bother to style your hair or put your red coat on. You don't even think to do either of these things. Those symbols don't matter to you anymore.
One night when you can't sleep you sneak out of the house. Thinking that no one will miss you and go back up to that cliff where you can just feel the pull of your brother. He's still there waiting for you, but you try not to think about him and stare up at the sky. Trying to once again feel that connection that you once had with Rem. Softly you sing her favorite song in the hope of feeling closer to her once again.]
So-- [A second voice joining in surprises you and you stop singing. Meryl's voice continues the song.] --on the second celestial evening. The children of the pebble join hands and compose a waltz. [She sits down beside you.] That's a pretty song.
Mhm.
[The two of you sit in a comfortable silence for awhile.] You can... [You look over as she shyly hesitates for a moment.] You can stay as long as you'd like.
[You consider her proposal for a moment. What's she is really offering; for you to stay so that she can stay with you.] That sounds good. [She takes a surprised small intake of air. Clearly this wasn't the answer she expected.] Might not be such a bad idea. [She smiles. Happy with your answer.
You still don't know what you want to do, but you know one hard truth. If you leave her now you know you will give up completely. So you'll stay here with her and maybe now that you've given up completely you'll be left alone. There were no more Gun Ho Guns. There was no more Legato. Maybe now you could simply rest and recover.
But it's never that simple for you; is it? You've tried to retire once before and it had all gone so wrong. It's not even a full twenty four hours before everything falls apart this time either.
Not that Kitty gets to see that. The memory fades out with that lingering sense that this was not over. That something more is to come.
When she comes back to herself she's standing close to the light bulb that she should now understand houses a Plant. The creature inside is awake and smiles at Kitty. Clearly happy to see her and immediately putting her hands up to the glass. An overwhelming feeling of familiarity and excitement is in the air. The feeling that says: I know you.
The feathers all sill fall. Including those blue ones. There's a chance that Kitty could still touch one. Or will she speak to the Plant?]
no subject
And then there's Meryl's concern. She's different than Kitty. At least in this memory. Kitty's not sure if she would have sat by making soup and changing bandages only. She would have yelled at him too. Told him he did the right thing. Coaxed him gently into believing it and then bashing him over the head with the truth when that wasn't working.
Back to the desert with the feathers she goes before she can think any more on that. She looks down at the plant in the bulb, not fully understanding. She thought maybe it would be Vash, but it doesn't look like Vash, but there is a familiarity somehow?]
Hello? [She puts her hand up to the glass too. She's not trying to miss the feathers, but not trying to catch them either.]
no subject
No clear words come through. She can't speak in words, but she will try to get her own feeling through to Kitty if she can. Happy. Brother like. Family. Kitty. Like Kitty. Brother likes. Brother really likes Kitty. I like.
She doesn't mean to overwhelm. Someone is excited. Help. I help. Brother. How help? Likes Kitty. I help. Sleeping. Ask. Help.]
no subject
Help? Help Vash? Is Vash sleeping? [A silly question. They're both sleeping or something akin to sleeping if she's seeing any of this.]
no subject
If Kitty chooses to explore inside she'll first need to dodge the last few feathers that fall from the sky. She might accidentally hit one more on her way in.]
no subject
no subject
[The world changes again when that brown feather touches her. Standing not to far from Kitty now is an imposing looking man. Firmly built, tall, and a very fit man in his mid to late forties. He stands with a grin and a coin held in his hand as you two stand face to face with guns drawn. Behind the thief named Gasback is a large Plant bulb he's recently stolen. This duel is to decide if you'll be allowed to take it back to the city he's stolen it from. There's a lot riding on this duel because if you lose not only will it be your life, but the life of everyone in that town that will come to an end.
Off to the side your best friend Wolfwood and a young woman with long red hair named Amelia wait and watch. This was the nature of this world. They won't interfere with this fight. Wolfwood seems unconcerned as if the winner has already been announced, but Amelia seems much more nervous and unsure.
You stare back as Gasback through your golden tinted sunglasses while he raises the coin to prepare to toss it.] When this coin hits the ground. [That is all that needs to be said. Everyone knows that's when the shooting is to start. He throws it and you two start to run in a large circle around each other. Waiting for the coin to fall and you both know the other to be honorable enough to not fire before the signal is given.
Not that you need to fire the moment the coin hits this time. Not for this duel. You know that Gasback's weapon has a lot more ammo that your six shooter. You don't need speed for this duel. It will be precise shooting that will win this one so when the coin strikes the ground you prepare for the onslaught.
It comes the very moment the coin hits. The hail of bullets don't phase you as you've seen enough of that strange arm gun to know that Gasback's aim is off. As long as you keep running at this speed and match him should he speed up or slow down he can't hit you. You've found the perfect spot to stay so the three barrels of his weapon shoot their bullets too wide, too short, or too high to ever hit you. They come close, but you stay cool under the pressure waiting for your perfect shot.
What you want is a shot at his shoulder or legs as the only openings available to you right now are kill shots so they're not even considered as an option in your mind. You need to get that giant metal arm out of the way first to have the opening you need. While bullets fly all around you with a calm, steady hand you fire the first of your six shots. It hits true on that large weapon and Gasback can't stop the arm from being yanked to the side. He tries to swing it back into place to fire again, but you're quick with a second shot that sends that weaponized arm flying upwards again.
Gasback snarls and grabs for his pistol, but you're ready for that. You remember how he favored that weapon twenty years ago before he had that giant arm canon. As he draws his second weapon you hear the sounds of his mechanical arm changing and whirring. He must be changing the mode and will soon try shooting at you with the large canon barrel instead of the three quick shot barrels. Which is exactly what happens as with your third shot you disarm the pistol he was holding. It was a distraction tactic as he drops that arm to shoot his rocket. It probably would have worked if you weren't Vash the Stampede and was already ready for the blast that was headed your way.
Amelia gasps as the shot hits just in front of your feet and a giant cloud of dust blasts into the air. Rolling with the momentum of the blast you stop with one knee on the ground and the other bent low to the ground to throw off Gasback's follow up aim should he not think you finished with that last attack. It also puts you in a perfect spot to take aim at his legs.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Calm and calculating you don't waste the shot. Squeezing down on the trigger only when you're sure you'll hit your target. Now. As the man's leg rises up again mid-run you shoot and the bullet strikes the man's thigh. He instantly tumbles head over heels onto the ground, but you don't get up. Not yet. You know Gasback won't give up that easily.
Snarling and growling the thief works on pushing himself up right. You let him sit up again partly to give him the option to surrender, but mostly to get a better shot at the man's shoulder. You don't really expect surrender from Gasback. He does exactly what you expect which is to take one last desperate shot at you, but the very moment he does you fire a bullet into the shoulder holding that large weapon up. That should disable it for good as with an injury like that he won't be able to aim it anymore.
Trembling with pain from his new injuries and the adrenaline from the fight the thief stays on his knees. Gasping for air. Now you allow your aim to relax and start to stand fully upright again, but you really should have known better that this man would have one last ace up his sleeve. He always did.
There's an explosion of air as the arm raises itself up again with two jets of air pushing it back into position to fire. It's slow so you have more than enough time to ditch the empty shells from your gun and replace them with six new bullets. Instantly you're ready to fight again, but you pause before firing. Watching the man with both amazement and pity. Gasback growling and snarling with pain uses his free hand to try to stabilize his injured shoulder as he pushes through the pain so he can aim his gun at you again.
If he wasn't using all this stubborn energy to kill you it would be commendable. He fires wildly and without thought at you once again. He doesn't even notice how all his shots are going wild. You don't even flinch at all the bullets that sail all around. The sound, heat, and dangerous surrounding means nothing to you. It's like you've zenned right out and the only thing you see is the perfect spot to shoot. This time your aim is to take that arm out for good.
With four perfect shots hitting in the exact same shot the arm flies up into the air once more. This gives you the angel you need to shoot open the casing housing the man's bullets. It also means with his arm straight up then his vitals are out of the way as with your last shot you hit that tiny strip of bullets now freed from their casing. They explode in a spectacular way and as the dust settles Gasback is splayed out on the ground. Alive; but utterly defeated with just twelve well placed bullets.
The memory fades away as Amelia walks up to join you in your victory and Kitty is once again where she once was. The opening in the ground is still a little ways off and those feathers are still falling. Will she reach it or will she touch any more feathers on her way?]
no subject
Still, Vash's aim and dexterity and confidence are somewhat intoxicating. The man can move. He knows what he's doing. He's well practiced and talented in this arena. He used his enemies weaknesses against him and came out on top with much less firepower. She's still thinking about it as she emerges from the scene only to make contact with yet another feather. They really are everywhere!]
no subject
[Kitty will find herself taken back to a familiar place. It's the same little town that Meryl and Milly had taken Vash to in order to recover from his fight with Midvally and Legato.
You have just spent the night out on the cliff's edge. Once more trying to figure out what sort of future a killer like you could possibly have. Over a hundred years of life with the one goal of showing that it was possible to live a life without killing a single life had ended. How can you possibly move on from something like that?
Feeling a bit stiff from injuries that were still healing and falling asleep outside on the cold ground that was quickly warming with the first of the twin sun's arrival you open your eyes. Huddled closed next to you is Meryl. She had stayed the whole night with you. Had given you at least a starting point for this strange new life you were being forced to live. To simply stay with her and live your life for the moment. It wasn't much, but it was something as it gave you a purpose to live through each day. She wanted you to live so you would. So long as she is there you think you can at least keep going until you outlive her. After that you're not so sure of.
She suddenly sits bolt upright with a started gasp. She's overslept and was going to be late for work if she didn't hurry. Even in her rush she's so gentle as she helps you up to your feet and lets you lean your weight into her. For someone so small she was incredibly strong in so many ways. Quietly you watch as she runs around the little home the three of you share. Milly has already left for the day but the tall girl had left out breakfast for the both of you. Meryl thanks her as she straightens her hair, makes sure you have some sort of lunch, before running out the door in the clothes she wore yesterday and hurries off to work.
Her footsteps fade away and your feel your heart sink with them. This was the part you hate each day when both girls are at work. The house is so empty and quiet that it feels like death. Only today is different. Your sharp ears pick up the sound of footsteps trying to silently walk up to your door. Why? Who would be coming up here now?
You don't need to wait long for an answer as the door to the house is kicked open. A group of men clearly expecting some sort of fight rush into your home and circle you with guns drawn. You can already find several points of exit. There to their left their circle isn't tight enough. You could easily slip through there. Twitchy over there would be easy enough to scare into shooting too early. With the aim he's got on you he'd never hit you and that would send a chain reaction off leaving these men stunned and you safely away. But you're so tired and you can't find any reason to care as one of the men points at you. You know him and a couple of the others. They were the town folk that Legato had terrorized before you murdered him.] That's him. That's Vash the Stampede alright.
[An angry cry runs through the crowd. They scream at you, slap your face, spit on you, punch, and pull your hair. They're so wild up and screaming for your blood at first they don't even notice that you're not fighting back at all. Rough hands yank your own behind your back. Tying them there securely and then using more rope they pin your arms to your sides before dragging you out of your home. Someone kicks you into the dirt before more hands roughly grab you and sits you on your knees. A gun is pressed into your temple and you find you still don't care. You're not happy to die, but you just don't care.
Only your life is never that easy. They're not ready to kill you they're waiting for someone to finish tying the length of rope tied to you to the bumper of a car. As the engine roars to life the crowd cheers with wild joy.] This is for July!
[The person in the car floors it and you're yanked backwards off your knees. The burning hot, hard desert floor digs roughly and without remorse into your body. Your back, your hands, legs and head. You can feel your shirt shredded underneath you. The injuries from your fight start tearing open as that rope drags you along.
You don't know for sure how long they do this for, but both suns are up and much higher in the sky then you think they should be. Your body trembles in pain as the car comes to a stop and the crowd gathers around you once again.] Well, did you feel some of the pain? For the people who've died because of your reckless behavior?! [You stay silent because he's right. There were so many people dead who would be alive right now had you never been born.] What the hell's the matter with you? Say something! At least make some sort of excuse! [Frustrated the man kicks you hard in your freshly torn up back.]
Somethin's not right here. [Another man comments. The crowd has stopped calling out for blood. They're still angry, but now there is confusion as well. This is not at all what they had been expecting.] Is it possible this guy isn't him?
Could be. Never imagined that guy could be such a wuss.
I am... [With effort you find the strength to push yourself back up to your knees.] I am him. I am Vash the Stampede. [No more running. No more hiding. These people have been hurt because of you and so you're willing to take any pain they wish to inflect on you for that.] You're right about me. I'm just... I'm nothing but a killer.
[Once again the man lashes out and punches you in the face. Mistaking your intentions by what you said.] Don't you get defiant with me! [You fall back painfully onto your back and bullets fly all around your head, but you're not scared. Not because even without trying you can see he's not aiming to kill you, but because you just don't care even if he was.] I've heard enough of your crying! This is for everyone you ever hurt! [Now he finally aims his gun properly to kill you.] Now smile. [It's almost funny. The one thing you use to never have any problems doing, even when you didn't feel like smiling, but you just can't do it anymore.] At least you can have the decency to die like a man! So come on you, shit! SMILE! [His finger tightens on the trigger and you're so sure that the end will finally come now.] I SAID SMILE DAMN IT!
Stop it please! Don't kill him! [Merly's worried voice breaks through the crowd and soon she's at your side. Milly not much farther behind. She carefully sits you back up, but you're so tired it's too much trouble to even lift your head. You let your chin rest against your chest. You're not worried about the girls. It's your head this mob wants.] You don't understand! He fought to protect everyone! I beg you please don't kill him! He just came here to heal! He wasn't going to hurt anybody! [You hear Meryl say this, but she should know better. Never once did you ever go anywhere with the intent to hurt anyone. All you ever wanted was a quiet life of peace, but still everyone around you dies. It likely would have been the same here anyway.]
Get out of the way! [The man pushes Meryl away from you. You may not like the rough handling, but you're glad that he doesn't seem to want her to get caught in the cross fire.] Can a normal human being do all those horrible things!? He had to be the one! Who else could be responsible!?
No! You're wrong!
Then tell me why. [Now the man was on the verge of crying.] Why did Steven have to die such a horrible death, huh? Answer me! [And now he was crying.] Answer me...
[Quickly Meryl stands to her feet again. Her words are firm and confident.] I've watched him for a long time so I know. It's true that he can't avoid fighting, but this man knows how to live. To live like a decent human being. [Ha... human. Meryl, you should know better now.] Shooting him won't help anyone! [The man fires his weapon and while with your head hanging down you can't see it you can hear the way Meryl flinches from the harsh sound of gunfire.]
Don't feed me your garbage! We have the right to shoot this monster for everything he's done! We've lost friends. Families. Neighbors. And even children! We should hate this bastard and now he deserves to die!
But you're wrong. [Mery's voice is once again confident, but gentle now. Almost soothing.] No one ever had the right to take the life of another person. No one. No one ever has the right to take the life of another. No one. And everyone. Everyone deserves a future. [Hearing your own words coming for the first time out of the mouth of another confuses you at first. You had no idea that Meryl felt the same. She always been the most practical one, but she sounded like she actually believed in the words she was saying. Your words. No, not your words. Rem's words. The words you were so sure died when you pulled the trigger.
Raising your head you finally look at your defender. She stands so proud of what she's said that for a moment you do see Rem standing there before you. You never thought you'd see her face again. You whisper her name softly and then she's gone. Meryl standing in her place once more. Maybe you hadn't completely lost everything? If Rem's words can live on in Meryl... then maybe... she hadn't truly died?]
Don' you think that's true? [Meryl smiles and holds out her arms wide. Placing herself between you and the man who is determined to kill you. Just like Rem had done when you were a kid and one of the crew had attempted to shoot Knives.]
Wait! Stay back! [He seems nervous now. No one had expected anyone to come to the terrifying Humanoid Typhoon's defense. He takes a nervous step back and keeps his gun drawn on Meryl. Now you are scared. If he shoots... Meryl. You can't move now. You can tell that if you move it will spook the man to shoot her. This is all up to Meryl now.] Didn't you hear me!? I said stay back!
Please. Please, it's time to stop the fighting now. [She takes a step closer to him with her arms still outstretched.]
Why!? Why are you doing that? Please get back!
[She takes another slow step.] It's up to us to stop the cycle of hatred. If we don't work to end the sorrow this time then the cycle of pain will just continue on. [She, she had not only listened to your words, but she had evolved them. She had understood what you were trying to do!] When we were all born, were any of us made to steal or cause other's harm?
[The crowd is breathless. The man is sobbing. You're in utter awe, but Meryl is calm. Her smile warm as she reaches out and gently puts her hand on the man's gun and encourages him to lower it.
With this simple act the crowd looses their energy. They disperse leaving you and the two insurance girls alone. They will untie the ropes, but you need a moment to sit there after everyone is gone. Some time to fully take in all that you saw.] How could you two be so reckless?
You're the last person I want criticism from. [Meryl says with a light laugh.]
And besides, what we did is what you have always done. [Milly helpfully adds before she sadly lowers her head a little.] And I'm sure; I know in my heart that he would have chosen to do the same.
[You smile even though it hurt. Life hurt, but there was happiness to be found in that hurt. You think about your friends and how they've changed. Yes; even Wolfwood had changed in the end. Things change, but life continues. Suddenly things just seem to click.] You've just given me the answer. [They look at you bewildered.] That's it! It's just got to be! [Feeling so full of emotion you can't stop yourself. Quickly you push yourself up onto your feet and wrap your arms around Meryl in a tight hug.]
Hey! Wait! Uh-- [At first she's stiff from the surprised hug. You've never really done anything like this before. Not this honestly and intimately before. Even Milly looks a little worried that maybe you've been smacked on the head too much.] What are you doing!?
[It just feels so good to hug her. To have her so close and she very quickly relaxes into that hug. You just really need to hold someone right now as you get your thoughts together.
People have many different ways of thinking. Even if a mistake is made as long as a person realizes their mistake; it's possible to make it right again! If you keep your vision clear, then you will see the future. This is what one must realize. Right, Rem?
You made a mistake. You killed Legato. You realize your mistake was trying to leave the girls behind when you should have stayed with them. Should have explained things better to them. So they could have known what danger they were in. You can't bring Legato back so you can't make it right that way, but you can do better next time. You can stop wasting time here and go find Knives. Stop your brother before he can make someone as powerful as Legato was ever again. You had let your vision get cloudy and you lost track of that in your self pitying sorrow, but thanks to Meryl your vision was clear now. You'd stop the circle you think you had fallen into and break out of it.
Suddenly all the stress of the last few... weeks? Months? Never aging you've never been overly great with long passages of time anyway. It all melts away and you laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh. Together the three of you go home. You stay in the village awhile longer until your injuries are healed.
The towns people are nervous, but after a bit of time they start to warm up to the girls again. They had come to know them before they figured out who you were and it was hard to shun them. Soon it was like the events of that day had never happened.
Your injuries healed, your red coat repaired by Meryl, and your gun once again at your hip you prepare to head out into the desert. Milly brings you Wolfwood's large Cross Punisher. A giant cross that is actually a giant gun. With a grateful smile you take it and give Meryl your word that you'll be back. You've learned from your mistake. No more running away. You'll be back or die trying.
Shouldering Wolfwood's cross you head out in the direction of your brother's energy. A power shared among your fellow Plants. You can feel his pull and you know he must feel yours as well. He knows you're coming.
And then... suddenly... the desert is gone. Instead of the hot burn of the twin suns a strange coldness is in your bones. Kitty should remember waking up on the host ship for the first time from her own experience. The memory fades away from Vash's first moments of the fleet. His panic that he had broken an important promise of coming back or the fear that this was another of Knive's tricks before she's back into the desert. The feathers raining down, the Plant watching her nearby, and that open door still all options for her to choose from.]
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And Meryl. He'd been growing closer to her. They cared about each other, but they weren't together. Not exactly. And this is how they left things? That's all the further they got? Has Vash ever had more memories than this or was waking up on the ship the last of it? He doesn't know what becomes of the two of them in the future? Or if he finds Knives or makes it back? Why would he leave then? Why didn't he just stay?
He can see why she means a lot to him. Kitty wouldn't have killed anyone in that crowd attacking Vash, but she would have fought them off. Yelled. Intimidated them with her powers. Or just grabbed Vash and phased them out on the run. She wouldn't have managed what Meryl did. Wouldn't have agreed so fully with Vash's mission.
Kitty's eyes return to the Plant and then the door. That's right. She was going to go to the door before everything happened. Except, nothing has really happened. She just touched two feathers and if she stands here any longer she'll touch more. And maybe part of her wants that. She wants to see more. To know him better, but that's not really fair, is it? It's not fair to Vash who can't stop her or to herself because it would mean more hearing it from Vash if he did want her to know. She nods to the Plant before heading to and through the door.]
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Artificial lights will turn on as she walks down the hallway as if leading her down the right path although there's only one way to go. At least there are no more feathers to dodge in here.
At the end of the path is where she'll find Vash. Resting peacefully in his normal red jacket inside a broken glass bulb. He starts to stir as she comes close. Sitting up with a yawn he rubs at his eyes before turning and really noticing that he's not alone.] Oh! Kitty! [He blinks. Surprised to see anyone else here.] So, ah... you probably have a few questions. [He smiles and scratches at a cheek as if he was feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught sleeping. He won't say it, but maybe she'll get a sense about it like one sometimes does when they're in a dream and they just know things, but in here, deep in his core, Vash can't lie.
She can speak to the man. Walk though the broken glass to sit inside with him. Go back the way she came to the feathers. Or further off in the distance is a pod door that reads in bright red neon lights: Emergency Exit. She could simply leave if she wanted to.]
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She shows no interest in that exit now that she's found him.]
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[Still looking at their hands.] I can see why Meryl is so important to you.
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