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

[Ruedyn]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Daystar Clarion]

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

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

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

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

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

"Was it something I said?"

 

[Fappy]

"Um, yeah sure dude."

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

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

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

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

They'd hear about it soon enough anyway.

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

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

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

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

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

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"Wanna talk about it?"

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

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

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

 

[The Funslinger]

"Was it something I said?"

Bryan gave him a frown that was almost a scowl. He couldn't really be angry at Asad, though. There was no real way they could have known it'd strike such a sore spot. He vaguely remembered Tsubaki getting some action at some point in their history as a squad, and she hadn't been bothered by it.

Getting out of his seat, he made his way over to Tsubaki, close enough that they could converse in an undertone, but far enough away that he was confident that he could duck her if she lashed out at him. But she didn't look violent, she looked broken down.

"Hey," he said softly. "Ignore Asad, he's full o' shit. I don't know what you got up to, and I ain't asking unless ya wanna tell me." He forced a small laugh. "I'm the last person to be judging anyone for getting their rocks off, Tsu."

Bryan reached out to put a hand on her shoulder, but then reconsidered it. "You okay, lass?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Lilith listened intently as the boy recalled his dream.

"L-Lily... Wha-what does it mean?"

The boy seemed close to tears. "Awww!" Lilith chuckled sympathetically, pulling the boy towards her, she wrapped her arms around him, holding the back of his head as his chin rested on her shoulder.

"Sometimes, dreams mean little." She spoke softly, "and sometimes..." Her expression hardened as the memories of her last dream flashed in her mind. "They mean something more." Furrowing her brow, she thought for a moment. "I can't answer your question, hell, I don't even know what my own dreams mean." She chuckled nervously. Pushing the boy away slightly, she rested her forehead against his, "Don't worry about it too much, I hear your dreams get weirder when you're sick, or when you get really hurt." She searched the boy's eyes, he was scared, Lilith knew what he needed, he needed his mother, his mother's words, his mother's embrace. Lilith couldn't offer that.

Narrowing her eyes, menace crawled into her voice. "And why are you dreaming about other women anyway, eh?" She put on her best pouty face. "There I was, worrying my arse off, and there you were, dreaming 'bout other ladies." She pushed him away gently, rolling onto her back, she crossed her arms across her chest, closing her eyes. "Hmph, bastard."

 

[The Funslinger]

After some thought, Ruffles had shaken off his tiredness and found the alcohol. After some searching, he found Bennie with the young girl Pixie had introduced to them.

"Hey Bennie, let's do this shit!" he called out, approaching him with an armful of shots.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Amy accepted Bennie's offer of the cigarette. She rarely smoked, but she supposed that this was a special occasion, and it may have seemed impolite to refuse. As he was asking his question, Amy knocked back her glass of champagne.

"The Gentleman and I first met when I was fifteen." she told him. "For a few months I had been managing one of the establishments he owned in Yuteni, although I hadn't known that he was the owner before that day. I was just beginning to develop a reputation, and The Gentleman wanted a face to face meeting. It was strange... there hadn't been a single man or woman who I'd met before then, and couldn't have told you exactly what they wanted in the space of five minutes; but with him, I used almost every trick I knew to get some kind of reaction out of him, to find just one ***** in his armour, and there was nothing. It scared me, but excited me at the same time. That was when he made his offer..."

Amy took a long drag of the cigarette, staring into the middle distance with the smallest smile forming at the corner of her mouth.

"I won't pretend that The Gentleman was the first man ever to show me kindness. There were one or two I had met before who took pity on me, and wanted to help me out of the wretched place I was in. The those men I always asked, 'but what else would I do, and what will happen to those I leave behind?' When they could never give me a satisfactory answer, I would politely refuse. The Gentleman was different. He understood what they did not; and when the time came he didn't waste time offering me a way out, but rather a way up. Unlike the others, who for all their kindness still saw my whoring as something ugly, to be rejected, he saw it as just another talent to be cultivated and rewarded. He gave me what I needed to rise to a place where, whore or not, no-one would be able to look down on me again. I could do as I pleased, and I could also spread my influence further, find other girls who needed our protection, and make it so that they might each sleep a little easier."

She looked back up to Bennie, slightly apprehensive.

"I know if you asked him, he'd say that all resources are expendable, and in most cases that would be true. However, the longer I've worked with him, the more I've got this feeling that he sees me as... 'special', that he wouldn't turn on me for anything or anyone. I know it seems naive, but I hope I've shown I'm not so easily led as that. In any case, I accepted his offer, and so far I have no regrets, but I get the feeling that your dislike of him is to do with more than a simple clash of ideologies. What happened the last time you crossed paths that made your feelings so personal?" She paused for a moment before adding, "It doesn't have anything to do with your departure from the Maidens, does it?"

Before he could answer, Ruffles, the engineer, approached with an armful of further drinks.

"Hey Bennie, let's do this shit!"

"I hope you don't mind if I join in." she said, beaming at him, taking one of the shot glasses and downing its contents swiftly, her eyes never leaving Bennie.

 

[Fappy]

"There I was, worrying my arse off, and there you were, dreaming 'bout other ladies. Hmph, bastard."

Sprout scoffed, "Yeah, whatever, Lil!" He smile returned to his face. "I reckon you dream of other guys all the time! You said you ain't had any in awhile, so you must be thinkin' about it, right? 'Ave any lucky man out there yer lookin' ta' ravage!?"

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Tsubaki's whole body was trembling and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to stand. Biting down on her bottom lip, she'd managed to hold back the tears until now. Then suddenly, her eyes shot open, as she heard someone approaching her. Had she been followed? Were they to stalk her wherever she went? Were they to continue looking down on her?

"I'm the last person to be judging anyone for getting their rocks off, Tsu."

What was this? Bryan trying to be, what, supportive? Was this him acting weird again or was it just a ruse? Just a trick so that she'd open up. To leave her vulnerable so he could smack her back down. She peered at him in the corner of her eye, her forehead resting against the wall, and said nothing.

"You okay, lass?"

"Don't look at me," She whimpered, tears finally welling up. "Pl-please, stop. Y-you can't see me like this!" She stammered, pushing herself off the wall and started down the hall. Clutching her sides, she stumbled at a slow pace, trying her best to keep her balance. She felt almost drunk as she raced towards her office.

Please turn back, please turn back. Just leave me alone...

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Bennie lit both of their cigarettes and listened to her story. She was just as much a pleasure to the ears as she was the eyes. Not just in the manner in which she spoke or the intellect behind her words, but also the soft, yet firm tone and subtle inflections found in her words. Something told him she was making an honest attempt to act natural, but if so, she was making a poor show of it. She likely wasn't accustomed to the concept. Still, he appreciated the effort.

"I know if you asked him, he'd say that all resources are expendable, and in most cases that would be true. However, the longer I've worked with him, the more I've got this feeling that he sees me as... 'special', that he wouldn't turn on me for anything or anyone. I know it seems naive, but I hope I've shown I'm not so easily led as that..."

There's more than one way to be naive, kid. Pixie'd like to have a word.

"It doesn't have anything to do with your departure from the Maidens, does it?"

Bennie's smile faded. That was one hell of a question. Thankfully, before he could answer her, Ruffles had swooped in to save the day.

"Hey Bennie, let's do this shit!"

"You're speaking my language, Jake!" Bennie chuckled, snatching up a shot glass.

"I hope you don't mind if I join in."

"'Course not," Bennie held the shot glass to the air before downing it, returning Amy's gaze. Without looking away from her, Bennie laughed. "Let's put her through the ringer, eh Jake? If she can drink one of us under the table she'll be ascended to 'Black Operative' status in the Maiden. How's that sound, lil' lady?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"I reckon you dream of other guys all the time! You said you ain't had any in awhile, so you must be thinkin' about it, right? 'Ave any lucky man out there yer lookin' ta' ravage!?"

'Florian...'

Opening an eye, Lilith smirked. "fuckin' really Sprout? What kind of man asks that question. Fuckin' really?" She punched him gently on the shoulder. "*****, I'll kick your arse."

Now was not the time for indulging her girlish fantasies, let alone to a 15 year old boy. "I don't have time to get laid remember? I have some lame kid to take care of." She chuckled, putting her hands behind her head.

 

[The Funslinger]

"Pl-please, stop. Y-you can't see me like this!"

Bryan followed after Tsubaki, catching her hand as her office door loomed into view. "It's too late now, I already have," he said. "I need to know you're okay, Tsu, please!" it was genuinely painful to see her like this, but it would hurt even more if she shut herself away from people, leaving him to torture himself with the the image of her getting worse and worse, and when he spoke, there was desperation in his voice.

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

"Let's put her through the ringer, eh Jake? If she can drink one of us under the table she'll be ascended to 'Black Operative' status in the Maiden. How's that sound, lil' lady?"

"She can try," replied Ruffles, "but you're freakishly overgrown, and I'm the man who invented Valhalla!" he said, passing out shots and putting the rest on a table. "Check yourselves before you wreck yourselves, bitches," he exclaimed before downing his first and reaching for another.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"How's that sound, lil' lady?"

"Lil' lady, is it?" Amy flashed an insolent look at Bennie, before taking another two shots, one in each hand, and downing them one after another.

"Game on."

"I'm the man who invented Valhalla!"

"I'll have to try that sometime," Amy giggled "It sounds like the perfect thing for a quiet night in."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Viola listened to everything was being said, from Cranston's explanations to the questions that Hannibal asked; which she had to commend him for. She was annoyed at Cranston with all the secrecy surrounding Pixie and Elizabeth, Viola was both curious about it, but wanted to be respectful at the same time. "What to do?" She asked herself. It was all going well until...

"That would be Father Austin." Cranston muttered, his voice hardening. The mere mention of that name made her shiver, as it would most people.

"Father Austin?! As in the psychotically deranged, child army raising Father Austin. Just mere mention of that name makes me sick, not because of who he is, but what he does. Rest assured Hannibal, whatever you do, do not, I repeat, do not approach him." Viola said, feeling gravely concerned for the young man. She took a moment to compose herself, taking a sip of water before speaking again.

"As for the meeting, I'll go; as I'm partially a little curious myself. And if this does lead to locating the Lady Maribel, I'll be sure to inform you. Though to be honest, I'm not wholly convinced leaving her with you is the right idea at this moment, especially after the attack, and the current problem we have regarding snakes. We best be off Hannibal." Viola remarked before finishing what was left of her meal and downing the remaining water in her glass. She then stood up and dusted herself off.

"By the way Cranston, you wouldn't mind keeping an eye on this bottle of Chianti for me? But don't open though, might save it for a special occasion. Anyway, till next we meet, cheerio." Viola said with a wave before leaving the food court for the Grand Hotel.

 

[Fappy]

"*****, I'll kick your arse."

"Who saved yer ass in that bar, eh?!" He joked.

"I don't have time to get laid remember? I have some lame kid to take care of."

Sprout rolled his eyes and threw an arm over his eyes. Suddenly, all he could think about was sex. Such was the fate of a teenage boy, "Lily," He begun, his voice weak. "It ain't weird that I'm still'a virgin, right? Like, am I s'posed to be goin' out an' gettin' laid 'er somethin'? How old were you when, uh, never mind... you don' hafta answer that." Sprout blushed.

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"It's too late now, I already have. I need to know you're okay, Tsu, please!"

Tsubaki struggled to pull herself free for a moment, but stopped after a few halfhearted tugs. She was too weak, too defeated to even try at this point. Grasping for the door with her freehand, she found it and rested her forearm against it. After staring at the floor for awhile she eventually turned her head to face him. There was anger in her eyes now, "DO I LOOK OKAY TO YOU, O'LAFFERY!? WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME!? WHY THE FUCK," She ripped her arm from his grasp and held it close to her chest. "ARE YOU TOUCHING ME!?"

Her back pressed against the office door, she began hyperventilating again as her wild eyes bore into his. Eventually, she crumpled under the pressure. It was just too much. She buried her face into the palms of her hands and began openly sobbing. If not for the door supporting her, she'd have likely dropped to her knees.

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Bennie's grin grew wider after every drink he consumed. Six shots in and he was starting to feel it in the back of his head. For a girl her size... Bennie was more than impressed by Amy's ability to hold her liquor. If she was feeling it at all she'd managed to hide it well. Knowing her profession, he didn't expect her lips to get all that loose while under the influence, so he figured he'd have some fun instead.

Just as a silly plan began to take shape in his head, Cameron sauntered over, already a bit tipsy, "SHOTS!" She shouted when she noticed the drinks on the counter. "I NEED MORE BOOOOOOZE!"

Bennie laughed and put an arm around Cameron's shoulders, "If we keep this up we're gonna be plastered before Pixie does. How 'bout this," He grabbed a new shot glass and held it up, gesturing the others to do the same. "'Never have I ever'?"

Cameron doubled over laughing. Her face was bright red, "OH NO! OH NO, NO, NO! BENNIE, YOU'RE CRAZY! THIS IS GONNA GET SOOOOOO BAD!"

"Exactly," Bennie chuckled. "So, who is up first?"

 

[Dogmatic99]

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

"Of course of course." Of course he speaks the stupid language. Why am I even here? To slip laxatives in his tea if he starts acting too evil?

Florian shuffled along looking like a male rip off of Baba Yaga and feeling like he needed a cane, this outfit just didn't feel complete and thanks to the strange pillow-hump-thing he'd been given he kept getting the urge to hobble himself. Should have picked up one of the canes back at the safe house. It wasn't like they lacked for choices, Gents owned more clothes than any woman Florian had ever known. Granted most of the women Florian had ever gotten to know properly had restricted themselves to habits or skimpy tank tops...

...What is it with me and extremes? I need some middle ground in my life.

He should probably stop playing with the weird beard too, before he ended up pulling it off.

The streets were getting more crowded as they got closer to their destination... and people would not shut up! Florian kept picking up snippets of conversation and gossip as they went. Pregnant teens, bitchy store clerks and young bandit thugs that were too big for their boots and had no respect for their elders. It was all so asinine but Florian couldn't help but love every bit of it. He'd been away for so long that not having to translate everything he heard in his head was just so freeing!

The wind was bitter, the people were harsh and the dome itself was grey and bleak... but it was beautiful. And you said you'd never come back here. Florian smiled to himself.

 

[ProtoChimp]

"I hope you're not feeling left out. Pixie told me about your, well, uh, your problem."

'Its impossible to not feel left out. If you knew how many nights I have to sit by myself while everyone gets drunk-Oh stop feeling sorry for yourself again you god damn pussy *****!'

Then this Carlos dropped some knowledge on him. He knew what it was like, to hurt, maybe even kill someone who is close to you, or close to those you love.

The guilt... it never goes away. But, there are ways to cope. Ways that don't involve numbing your mind to the pain. You find what you can do to help those that you've hurt. Even if it takes your entire life to do it, you do whatever it is you can to make things right."

Aesop wanted to speak, to tell him he knew, that he wanted to do that exact thing, but he didn't want to interrupt the man who clearly knew more about life than himself.

"If you hide from it. Run from it. Try to forget it. You're no better than the rest of the scum out there, taking no responsibility for the sins they've committed."

"But I want..." his words trailed away.

"I've spent the last eleven years of my life trying to repent. Trying to make things right. It's something that I will continue to do until the day I die. Otherwise, well, I don't reckon I'd deserve to live."

'Holy shit. You know... holy fucking shit you know what its like to be the cause of your own pain?' Aesop's mind suddenly felt... lighter. He couldn't explain it. The pain was still there but, numbed.

"Despite what you might think now, it's not too late. Everyone's got strength in them... you just have to find it is all."

"I..." Aesop looked dumbstruck. "Maybe I'm wrong but... its my fault I'm this way... is it your fault too? I mean, I can't imagine everyone in there being the way they are if it wasn't for someone else. Some evil fuckhead screwing them over. I can safely say, 100% that its my fault my life sucks." He then chuckled. "Though um, its pretty impossible to not feel left out. Its every single week, and more, that they do this. Kinda hard to not feel lonely man." He forced a laugh, trying to feel more levity. "But even when I'm sober I know..." why was he spilling his guts to this guy?

"I know I'm not a maiden."

 

[The Funslinger]

Spoiler: PARTY!

Amy smiled broadly at Cameron as she joined the group. The alcohol was making her feel a little woozy, but apart from being slightly numb in the tips of her fingers and toes, she felt she was doing well so far.

"'Never have I ever'?"

Amy felt like she had just been punched in the stomach, as her eyes darted round the group, most of whom cheering enthusiastically at Bennie's suggestion. She couldn't, she wouldn't, but they were all here, all looking at the little blonde whore like a pack of hunting hounds might bear down upon their prey. She couldn't run, that would just get their blood up more.

"So, who is up first?"

"I-I'm not sure I want to play this game." she said weakly, but for all the drunken shouting, it would be a miracle if anyone heard her.
"Well shit," exclaimed Ruffles. "Guess I'll be last man standing!"
"Damn straight, you fuckin' prude." Cameron giggled, giving Ruffles a light shove. "Poor, wil' Ruffles!" She said in a teasing, puppy dog voice.

After laughing at Cameron, Bennie turned his attention to Amy, "Hey," He said. He could tell she was uncomfortable. "You don't have to do this, Amy. I was more aiming to see how slutty this one is!" He chuckled, pulling Cameron in closer and shaking her shoulder.

"Shut up, *****!" She snickered, giving him a light smack on the chest.

"No, but seriously," Bennie continued. "Last thing I want to do is kill your buzz, girl. You can just watch us make idiots of ourselves if you prefer."

Ruffles shrugged and laughed. "Hey, it's not my fault Pixie keeps me locked in the bowels of the ship!"

Turning to Amy, he said, "yeah, nobody wants you to be uncomfortable. Just watch, or if you play, just drop out if it starts getting too close for comfort for ya."
It was nice of them to say, but Amy was the new one here, and she was associated with The Gentlemen, opinions of whom seem to range among the Maidens from quiet mistrust to outright, homicidal loathing. She had to give something before they would ever see her as one of them.

It would have been so easy to walk away, but instead Amy drew herself up to her full height, and said, cheekily "What's the matter? Scared you can't handle it?"
"Well alright then," said Ruffles happily, picking up shots and passing them out. "I've never given a rimjob."

"First time for everything..." Amy muttered, as she knocked back her glass. So far, so good. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
Bennie laughed, "That's not how you're supposed to phrase it, dumbass!"

"Aw, gross, Ruffles. The fuck!?" Cameron shook her head, holding her drink out at arm's length. Seeing Amy down her shot, Cameron shook her head. "Gross!"

Bennie shrugged, "Cheers." He said to Amy before he downed his drink.

"BENNIE!?" Cameron shouted.

"Don't judge, woman!" He shot back, laughing.
"No lying, Cam," replied Ruffles, ducking out of reach. "Alright, ya pedant, 'never have I ever given a rimjob.' Better?"

It was Amy's turn, which at least gave her a respite from drinking.

"Okay, never have I ever..."

'Wait... fuck!'

"Um..." she mumbled "never have I ever been in a..." she counted on her fingers "a 9-way."

Looking up, the silence hung for a few seconds, before she said "What?"

Ruffles blinked. "Impressive," he said. "Bennie, you're up."
Bennie and Cameron just stared at her for a moment. Looking to Ruffles, Bennie chuckled, "Yeah, I---" Suddenly Cameron downed her shot glass and grabbed another one. "Cam!?!"

She shook her head, "No, sorry, that wasn't an admission of guilt. I was just drinking to uh... forget what I just learned."

"Yeah..." Bennie muttered awkwardly, "Anyway, 'never have I ever' slept with two generations of the same family."

Cameron looked disappointed, "Now y'all are making me feel like a prude!"
Setting his shot glass down, Ruffles drew a joint from his back pocket and lit it. "I deserve something."
'Oh Christ!'

After consuming yet another shot, Amy looked up. The faces were beginning to look accusatory now, or was that just the liquor...

"There was a client," she explained, sounding more embarrassed than she had felt at the time. "who asked me to, um, 'initiate' his son."
"Damn, fair enough," said Ruffles. "As long as it wasn't at the same time. But then, that's more weird on their parts than yours."

Cameron peered around. "Uhhh... never have I ever had sex in a public place."

"Oh hey," said Ruffles, downing his shot.
Bennie sighed in disappointment after downing his shot, "Girl, da fuck have you been doing with your life!?"
Amy kept silent at Ruffles' response. She'd said all she was going to.

"Oh." she exclaimed in surprise. "I don't actually have to drink for that one."
Cameron laughed and pointed between the two of them, "Yeah, see? We're classy ladies unlike you two animals!"

Bennie shook his head, "What's next, Jake?"
Ruffles took a drag on his joint and passed it to Bennie as he thought. "Hmm... never have I ever had a same sex sexual encounter."

Bennie and Cameron both downed shots. After realizing what had happened, Cameron gasped, "Bennie?!"

"I THOUGHT HE WAS A SHE! I WAS YOUNG!" He laughed. "What about you?"

"I was young too! And it was only once!" She pleaded.

Well, that one was a given. Downing another shot, Amy racked her brains to try and think of what to say for her next turn. Various remembered experiences flashed before her eyes, going all the way back to...

'No. No! I will NOT think about that!'

"Never have I ever..." she announced, her voice trembling just a little "Given someone else an injury in the bedroom."

Ruffles blinked and took a shot. "It was an accident, we fell outta bed. Bennie, you go."

Cameron took another shot before stumbling forward. Bennie caught her with one arm while taking his shot. The two of them laughed, "I accidentally elbowed this one guy in the nose!" Cameron looked to be swimming in booze now. "HE BLED EVERYWHERE! IT WAS AWFUL!"

Bennie sighed, "I should probably take a few shots for that one. CURSE THESE MONSTER HANDS!" He boomed, a dumb grin on his face. "Anyway, how about this... never have I ever performed a sexual act 'cause I lost a bet!"
Cameron frowned and took a shot, "Fuck you, Bennie."

"Nah," replied Ruffles. "Never done that, although I did lose my virginity by winning a bet."
Another round where Amy did not have to drink. She was thankful, as her intake was starting to catch up with her now, and the room was swimming a little bit.

Cameron was beginning to sway now, prompting Bennie to help her into a bar stool nearby, "You okay, girl? You want to take a break?"

Cameron nodded, "Yeah, b-but i-it's my turn! Let me burn y'all first! NEVER HAVE I EVER FUCKED A REDHEAD!"

"*****," Bennie muttered as he downed his shot. Taking is place next to Ruffles and Amy once more, he began wobbling a bit. Yeah, he was feeling it now.

Ruffles took his shot. "Good times, good times. Alright, let's do this shit. Never have I ever had a pregnancy scare."
Bennie took a shot, "Fuckin' dammit, Jake." He had to turn and prevent Cameron from taking another one herself. "You're done, Cam!"

"BUT I HAD ONE ONCE!"

"You're out, lightweight." He said, pointing a finger at her. Bennie took a drag from the joint and handed it back to Ruffles. He'd nearly forgotton he was holding it. Too much booze.

Spoiler: mewzick

Amy downed another shot for Cameron's round, naturally, and was starting to sway a little when Ruffles went for his. In a split second, she was brought back to complete consciousness as her stomach dropped out of her, along with the new shot glass as it slipped from her fingers, announcing her panic to everyone as it smashed on the floor. Instinctively, she lowered her face and bent down. Not that it did any good, she was hardly going to pick up all the little pieces, especially with her hands shaking like they were.

Behind her own warped reflection, thrown back at her by the fluid she'd spilled on the floor, as could see the faces of all the others staring down at her. Why? Why were they all looking at her like that?!

"I..." she began, but no more words would come out.

A crowd was gathering now. Encircling her, trapping her here. Why had she agreed to play this stupid game?! It was so hot, and Amy was feeling like she had to gasp in every breath just to get a single drop of air.

"I-I need to go. Sorry."

She fled, practically dashing away across the crowded room, out through the hallway towards her bedroom, flinging the door shut behind her and only coming to a halt at the toilet bowl, where she collapsed to her knees and retched. Once, and then again, and then one more time. When that was done, Amy crawled away on her hands and knees, curling up in a ball with her back to the bathroom door, chest heaving as she struggled to breath. Everything was so bright, so loud.

She needed Pixie.

What happened next was so unexpected that Ruffles only stood stunned, a coil of ash falling from his joint as Amy fled.

"Oh... shit... what the fuck did I do? Aw Jesus, what the hell..." he ran his hands through his hair as guilt twisted his gut.
Bennie watched as she fled, only turning to face Ruffles once she was out of sight, "Get this mess cleaned up." He said pointing to the ground. Looking to Brock, who had appeared just in time to witness Amy's freakout, he gestured to Cameron and said. "Look after her. I'll be right back."

That all said and done, Bennie moved through the small crowd and found his way to Pixie, "Pixie!" He shouted, trying to get her attention.

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

"DO I LOOK OKAY TO YOU, O'LAFFERY!? WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME!? WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU TOUCHING ME!?"

Bryan let go and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't want anything from ya, Tsu. I'm worried, 'cause I care about ya, and seeing you like this... it's fucking painful, alright?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"It ain't weird that I'm still'a virgin, right? Like, am I s'posed to be goin' out an' gettin' laid 'er somethin'? How old were you when, uh, never mind... you don' hafta answer that."

Lilith smiled warmly, "It wasn't at all romantic, I'm afraid." She looked up at the ceiling, a fond look in her eyes. "I was 17. Me and Meredith had just finished a job, here in Feroxi in fact, can't remember what it was, but I remember it being boring, guarding a shipment of something I think, Pixie was gonna take someone else, but she thought it was about time I had more responsibility." She tilted her head slightly. "She took me to a bar afterwards, there was a boy, I got drunk, one thing lead to another, and well..." She turned her head to look at the boy. "Your mum was proud of me, but all I could think of the morning after was how... not special it was."

Reaching out a hand, she gently cupped the boy's cheek, affection glittering in her eyes. "So no, it's not weird that you haven't done it yet. You're a brave, sweet boy, and just so bloody handsome." She pulled his face towards hers, gently kissing the tip of his nose. "Any girl would be lucky to have you, I'll kick the arse of anyone who says otherwise." Her expression hardened slightly. "Don't give it away as easily as I did." Her voice tinged with regret.

 

[Terratina.]

"So, you're a... doctor?"

"Yeah, of sorts..." Maria furrowed her brow, why did she say that? With the arrival of those two black bars, she didn't have to do any of that sort of work anymore. Hell, she didn't even have to work full stop! Still, what sort of doctor would leave a patient behind? A quack, that's what. Regardless, Maria quickly dug herself out of that line of thought and continued talking, just to cover up the little silences, "Y'see, most of the food here is for a patient of mine... Anyway, Miss, what about you?"

There was no escaping the small talk now.

***​

An awkward silence settled after the two other members of the group left. Jun scraped the last of his porridge from the bowl and let go of the spoon gently, with but a *clink*. Jun began to drum his fingers, what exactly was taking them so long?

 

[Fappy]

"By the way Cranston, you wouldn't mind keeping an eye on this bottle of Chianti for me? But don't open though, might save it for a special occasion. Anyway, till next we meet, cheerio."

"So long," Cranston muttered. Looking at the bottle on the table he scoffed. "If you were going to leave me some booze, Gents, the least you could have done is give me bourbon." A sly smile appeared on his face as he got up from the table and disappeared into the crowd once more.

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

"I know I'm not a maiden."

Carlos' friendly demeanor did not waver, despite wanting to slap the man across the face, "That's where you're wrong. Pixie wouldn't have said what she did earlier if she didn't think you were a Maiden. Here, do this for me." He pointed to himself. "I am not among you. Pay close attention in the coming days to how Pixie and I interact. If you want to see what an outsider looks like, look no further."

He sighed, "Aesop, you're a prisoner of your own mind. I know how it is to take what others say to you and twist their words. To imagine they hate you more than they do, because, hell, if you feel that way, surely they do too, right?" He shook his head. "Wrong."

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

"I don't want anything from ya, Tsu. I'm worried, 'cause I care about ya, and seeing you like this... it's fucking painful, alright?"

Painful? PAINFUL!? Did he really just say he was in pain? Tsubaki glared at him through her fingers, her teeth digging into her bottom lip, "FUCK YOU! DON'T YOU DARE MAKE THIS ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL! YOU HAVE NO IDEA! YOU DON'T HAVE A FUCKING CLUE! I---" Realizing she was screaming now, she covered her mouth with both hands, a look of shock on her face. Standing in silence for a brief moment, a torrent of pent of anxiety crashed over her. Tears streaming down her face, she collapsed forward into Bryan's arms, hoping to muffle her sobs in his shirt.

What had gotten into her? She hadn't broken down like this in years. What was all that training and discipline for if she was just going to fold now like some pathetic little girl. Tsubaki just wanted to shrink into nothing. She wanted to hide where the leering eyes couldn't find her. Where their fingers couldn't point to her.

She was ashamed. Not of what she'd done. No, she was ashamed by how she felt. How she was acting. She'd served her master. She'd done her duty. She'd done exactly what she'd always done. Serving Lord Basilio; it was what she lived for. It gave her life purpose.

So why was it then that she felt like such a...

Whore...

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

"Don't give it away as easily as I did."

Sprout perked up at her last words. Had she regretted doing it? Really? It was such an alien concept to him. Why would anyone want to "save themselves' or anything like that? He'd spent his entire life hearing about how great sex was, so why was Lilith implying otherwise. He knew he shouldn't pry, but the question was eating at him.

"Hey, Lily," He started. "What's so important about waitin'? Everyone we know does it every chance they get... don't they?" He blushed. He felt like such a child asking such questions.

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

"Pixie!"

Her attention focused on the door that had just slammed shut nearby, Pixie hadn't even realized Bennie was there until he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, Pixie. It's Amy... somethin' happened."

Pixie furrowed her brow, "Somethin' happened?! The fuck does that mean?"

"We were playin' a drinkin' game an'," He sighed, frustrated. "Look, that's not important right now. She---"

"Hold the fort for me," She interrupted, marching between Bennie and Vergil.

Looking to Vergil, Bennie simply shrugged, "Women."

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

Pixie raced across the room, closing the door to Amy's room quietly before scanning the room. She wasn't anywhere to be seen, but faint whimpers could be heard coming from the bathroom, "Amy," Pixie whispered as she ran over to the door and placed an ear to it. "Amy, Darlin'? Are you okay in there? Can I come in?" She called out to Amy in a tender voice.

What the fuck had happened? What did they say to her?

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

"Y'see, most of the food here is for a patient of mine... Anyway, Miss, what about you?"

Elizabeth's friendly smile quickly warped into a distressed frown. She hadn't spoken to anyone but the innkeeper since she'd arrived in Feroxi. She hadn't even made herself a solid cover. Scrambling to come up with a convincing answer she blushed as she spoke, "Uh, um, Margaret uh-h, Margaret Tiger---man. Yeah, Margaret Tigerman!" She stuttered.

Christ, Liz. WHY!?

"I'm uh, I'm a, uh... well, I used to be a merchant. Or, I should say, uh, I am the daughter of a merchant. My father... he was run out of town though, so i am alone now." She offered her a fake, pathetic grin.

Just keep digging that hole you moron!

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

After about fifteen minutes of walking, The Gentleman and Florian came to a street occupied by what used to be expensive terrace town-houses, each rising four or five stories from street level. Their once beautiful architecture was lessened somewhat by the scorched brickwork, boarded up windows, and the dozens of red and black streamers that flew from the rooftops. Whomever these properties had once belonged to had been driven away some time ago. Together, they walked up the front steps of number 21, and The Gentleman wrapped smartly on the knocker of the great door, its paint once black, now fading to grey and peeling. The letter-box was pushed open from the other side, and The Gentleman peered down, bringing himself face to face with dark, shifting eyes.

As quick as that, the letter-box slammed shut, and through the muffling effect of the door a voice could be heard saying ["He's hear."] followed by the scratching of what sounded like a dozen locks being released before the door was opened by two mean-faced men in the red and black apparel of the Bejics.

["In! In!"] one of them said, beckoning with his hand.

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

"Amy, Darlin'? Are you okay in there? Can I come in?"

Amy gave a gasping sob at the sound of Pixie's voice, that was half grief and half relief. Standing up, she tottered unsteadily over to the toilet basin, flushing it to clear away the mess she'd made, before getting herself a small drink of water from the tap, before heading back to the door.

When the door opened, Amy stood there staring at her shoes, four dirty streaks running her face from the corners of her eyes.

"Come in." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I-I'm sorry Pixie. I've spoiled it haven't I. My fault, I shouldn't have played. I just w-wanted them to like me, and now..."