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

[Terratina.]

"If we're going to wait for O'Lafferty the least we can do is get in some actual work. I'll be in the shooting range if anyone wants to join in."

Jun's mood was one of dull annoyance, surely it had been an hour already? He had been standing there, shifting his weight from one leg to the other for what seemed like ages; in the end, he gave up and settled on leaning on the wall. This was a joke. The more time wasted, the less time there was for actually searching for the damn Noble. Not to mention the fact that meant there was more time for the girl to find a corner to hide in before the mean men with guns came a-lookin'. Nevertheless, shooting at targets was something to do, at least. Maybe it would be better than watching a clock tick tock away, though the rhythm of gunfire might be somewhat reminiscent of that clock's racket.

Still, the soldier shifted his weight forward and followed the Commander to the shooting range.

***​

""I am going to keep, who bets first?"

Maria clicked her tongue, it was interesting to see that the Tigerman was going up against Lilith "Casino" Valentine. It was probably because she was new to the game, or overconfidence, or that Elizabeth actually had a good hand. Then again, whatever she had, Lilith was likely to have better. Or, at least, a better hand than Maria's. An eight of diamonds, a four of hearts, a jack of clubs, a five of clubs and another diamond - a two. Last time she checked, those weren't the components of any pokers hands she knew of. Following Sprout's example, she gave a chuckle and then placed her cards on the table, face down of course.

"It's either Lilith or you, Tigerman. I fold." Maria said.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Want to talk to Carlos?"

The Gentleman sighed.

"I don't see why not."

It wasn't as if he had anything else to do.

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

"Austin appeared to be preparing to assault a bordello."

Amy stiffened, her blood running cold for a moment. The plan hadn't gone ahead, the tip-off was never sent, it couldn't be the same brothel. No, it had to be, there was no other within reasonable range, Amy knew that. She had thought that Meredith's refusal had kept her girl out of harm's way, but Austin had descended on the place anyway.

"The second option is that we take a leaf from the aforementioned Mister Canton's book and send an operative aboard the ship to bring it down from the inside."

This was just getting worse.

"You have ta' give me yer word that we won' sit back an' watch him burn the ashlands down, one settlement at a time."

"We won't have to." Amy spoke up. She did not want to say what she was about to. However, she owed it to her new Captain to be committed to the cause. Besides, Georgia and Sandra were already in the crossfire of this conflict, there was nothing she could do to change that now. Giving them direction was just as likely to keep them from harm as it was to put them in further danger. At least, that was what she had to tell herself.

"I have two contacts aboard the ship, plus whatever crew in engineering Austin has kept alive to repair and maintain the Iron Maiden." Amy continued, sounding convicted. "Whether they have been fully turned, which I would consider unlikely after so short a time, or are simply obeying because their lives depend on it, we cannot say from the outside. However, I have agents in every medium and major settlement across the continent. Wherever Austin is heading next, we will hear about it on that same day, though it's still not as much forewarning as I'd like.

Regardless, the next time the ship lands, we can use my outside contacts, to deliver instructions to those already inside. Together, they can make it so that, once the ship lands, it won't be taking off again while Austin holds it. We don't need to cause any serious damage, as Austin won't know how to fly and maintain the machine himself. We simply need to manufacture a mechanical problem that keeps him where he is for a while. Much better than shooting it down, or risking the ship being able to escape next time it lands."

 

[The Funslinger]

"I don' reckon ya' got an ounce'a charity in yer heart,

Not entirely true, thought Payton, glancing idly at Whiskey as the Captain got her tirade out of the way.

"You have ta' give me yer word that we won' sit back an' watch him burn the ashlands down, one settlement at a time."

"Of course, Miss Monroe. I guarantee you we will mobilize as soon as possible. And Austin will not leave your ship alive, I promise you that. However, you know as well as I do that it will take a few days at least for us to have our opportunity to strike, and be in a position to capitalize on it."

"I have two contacts aboard the ship, plus whatever crew in engineering Austin has kept alive to repair and maintain the Iron Maiden." Amy continued, sounding convicted. "Whether they have been fully turned, which I would consider unlikely after so short a time, or are simply obeying because their lives depend on it, we cannot say from the outside. However, I have agents in every medium and major settlement across the continent. Wherever Austin is heading next, we will hear about it on that same day, though it's still not as much forewarning as I'd like.

Regardless, the next time the ship lands, we can use my outside contacts, to deliver instructions to those already inside. Together, they can make it so that, once the ship lands, it won't be taking off again while Austin holds it. We don't need to cause any serious damage, as Austin won't know how to fly and maintain the machine himself. We simply need to manufacture a mechanical problem that keeps him where he is for a while. Much better than shooting it down, or risking the ship being able to escape next time it lands."

Payton clapped his hands together. "Now that is news to me," he exclaimed cheerfully. "Very well, Miss Turner, you have offered a solution to our quandary. Contact your agents, by all means. And... let us hope that neither they nor the Maiden's remaining engineering staff have been compromised in such a short time."

Steepling his fingers and resting his chin on them, he gave them all a considering look. "But if the worst has happened, we may be very hard pressed to find the opportunity Captain Monroe wants. You know as well as I do that it may be a choice between bringing down your ship, and allowing Father Austin more time to wreak his unique brand of havoc on The Rock."

"He's right about that," said Whiskey reluctantly. "Those Engies of yours don't come through, it could be weeks before we can straight up ambush that fucker. Weeks of him pulling all sorts of fucked up shit."

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

Careening on through the entrance to Feroxi, Bryan's quad came to a shuddering halt as it was coming out the other side of the airlock. The fuel gauge's needle was firmly on 'E'.

Sighing, he got to his feet amid the stares of passersby, adjusted the collar of the Hawaiian shirt that still hung open, patted himself down to rid himself of the worst of the dust of travel, and started walking.

Some twenty minutes later, he was undergoing a security check to enter Basilio's compound, due to his lack of identification. Then he was through, heading to the barracks, he strode in, looking very out of place in the Hawaiian shirt, swimming trunks, deck shoes and sunglasses amid the drab military living quarters.

"That," he proclaimed to the room at large, "was fucking bullshit."

 

[ProtoChimp]

"If that's what you want Hannibal, just tell me when it starts to hurt, wouldn't want to accidentally cause and serious harm."

Hannibal nodded before she continued her assault. Each time grunting and wincing in pain. His pain threshold was not the best, as is the case when fleeing is the preferred method of escaping danger. He hadn't gritted his teeth and bore through pain like the hunter had. Still, he refused to tell her it hurt. He had to just get through it, until it became too much. Still, for now she was going easy-ish, and he was going to stick with it.
==============================================
Aesop didn't like what he was hearing. His fellow maidens didn't appear to be easy to fall under Austin's spell. Still, he knew all too well that even people who you wouldn't suspect to be open to indoctrination can still fail to resist. Hell Austin wasn't the only person in the Ashlands with such tactics, he suspected the big bad moustached mother fucker opposite him was certainly guilty of similar crimes.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Fanning them in front of her face, Lilith glanced at her cards before narrowing her eyes, locking them on Liz.

After several raises, the girl had yet to fold.

"Alright Tigerman, I call, show me what you got."

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before flashing a nervous grin. She revealed her hand: four-of-a-kind. Kings. Gauging Lilith's surprised reaction, Elizabeth giggled, "Do I win?!"

Sprout raised his eyebrows, "No fuckin' way."

Maria clapped, "How'd ya like that, Casino?"

Regaining her composure, Lilith coughed, before casually throwing her cards on the table.

"Yes, well, beginner's luck."

Reshuffling the deck, Lilith dealt another round.

Several hours later

"I can't believe this is happening..." Lilith muttered, rubbing her temples with her fingers. She hadn't won a single hand all day.

Even Sprout was beating her.

Sprout!

"Hey, do you want to swap? My hand for yours." Maria teased. She'd managed to get a decent haul, somehow. Of course, there were more lewd taunts she should use, but if she used them, Sprout would have a little less to say. Best not to encroach on his territory, right?


Sprout shook his head in disbelief, "I reckon you used up all yer luck in your teens, eh Lily?"

Elizabeth frowned, "Aw, quit teasing the poor girl!"

"I don't know what's wrong..." Lilith squeaked with frustration.

"Now I know how Pixie feels."

"Ma' ain't this bad!" Sprout laughed.


"I KNOW!" She cried out with an exasperated moan.

Maria sighed and tapped the table with the cards in her hand, "Is it your time of the month or something?"

"What?" She quickly added, "I don't know how these luck deals work."

"Just bloody shut up and deal the next hand." Lilith muttered, as she slid the deck towards Sprout. "I got this one."

After dealing the cards, Sprout sighed, "Well fuck, I'm out of this one."

Elizabeth hummed a cheery tune to herself and nodded, "Good luck, ladies!" She was trying out the whole "bluffing" thing. Even she knew a pair of 2's was nothing.


Maria peeked at her cards, briefly smirked for a microsecond and took on a nonchalant tone, "You too. Seeing as Lucky Lilith is having a bad run of luck, I guess I'll give this another shot."



Lilith smiled slightly as she looked over her cards. "Now we're talking. I raise."

"Call." Maria said.

"Same." Elizabeth chirped.

Come on girl, act confident. Make them bend to your will!


Fuck this. Lilith crossed her arms over her chest. "All in"


"I've always wanted to say that." Maria chuckled, then she repeated those words, almost parroting Lilith, "All in."

"Uhhh," Elizabeth looked around the table. "All in? Does that mean..."

Sprout chuckled, "You should probably fold. You don' 'ave shit, do you?"

Elizabeth pouted and hung her head, "I fold."


"Better late than never. Straight flush." Tossing her cards onto the table, she smirked as she leaned over to the pot.


In a dramatic fashion Maria placed her cards on the table - face down -and turned her cards over, one by one: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10. "Royal flush, right?" Maria smirked.

Freezing in place, the colour drained from Lilith's face.

A long moment of silence passed, before Lilith closed her eyes, smirking. "I'm totally going to die aren't I." She stated as she leaned back in her chair, hands behind her head.

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

"Making things personal only ever complicates things for me. By all means, be friendly with your colleagues, but count me out."



Asad frowned, "Mhmmm." He hummed non-committally as he adjusted his jacket. "I'm going for a coffee." he muttered, brushing by Bryan as he entered.


"That, was fucking bullshit."

"Sounds fun." He replied as he left the room. "Fill me in later, okay?" He lazily waved as he headed for the canteen.

 

[Fappy]

"I don't see why not."

"CARLOS!" Cameron shouted, her thumb off the button. Several seconds later, the man appeared in the doorway and started for the radio.

Taking the mic as it was offered, Carlos cleared his throat before speaking, "Carlos here. What can I do for you?"

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

The train ride was a long one. Thankfully, however, Severa and her brother traveled in the luxury car. She didn't sleep especially well, but it was far better rest than she would have gotten in coach.

As soon as her skin kissed the frigid, still air of Frostfall, she clutched her arms and shivered, "Dear God, this city is miserable!" Looking back to see her brother stepping out of the train and onto the platform, she frowned. "Don't look at me, Brother! I fear the damage this dreadful place will do to my delicate skin!"

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

Pixie listened to Amy's plan. She thought they had decided against this course of action.

Don' be an idiot, Meredith.

No, this was Amy adapting to the situation. Austin had hit a brothel her sisters were working at. Pixie only hoped they'd survive long enough to be saved.

"... Contact your agents, by all means. And... let us hope that neither they nor the Maiden's remaining engineering staff have been compromised in such a short time."

Compromised my ass. Yer underestimatin' my men.

"Those Engies of yours don't come through, it could be weeks before we can straight up ambush that fucker. Weeks of him pulling all sorts of fucked up shit."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Fer now, we gather 'ar strength and look fer an openin'. Now," Pixie crossed her arms over her chest. "Let's talk numbers.

After several minutes of deliberation, an agreement was reached. It was an open contract of sorts, considering the risky nature of the operation. There were too many unknowns to make a definitive deal at this point.

Bennie didn't like it at all. It was one thing to make a deal with the devil. It was something else entirely to leave the finer details up in the air.

She knows what she's doing.

Does she? Bennie told himself that was the case, though he couldn't help but doubt her. Everyone else had been praising her on the decisions she had been making, despite how obviously unsure she was about them all. He was advising her here. He was no use to her as a yes-man.

But this is Payton...

Considering their history, Bennie knew Pixie would approach any objections he'd raise against Wilkes-Vines with skepticism. Swallowing his anxiety, Bennie finally spoke up just as Pixie and Payton were about to shake hands, "Pixie."

Cocking an eyebrow, Pixie looked to him, "Yeah?"

"Are you sure about this?" He gritted his teeth.

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

"I'm totally going to die aren't I."

Sprout laughed, "I reckon yer jus' off yer game 'cause you didn' rub Ma's belly before we played."

"Well this just won't do," Elizabeth pouted. "You can't just sit out while we continue to play!" Grabbing up her remaining chips into her hands, she placed a pile each in-front of both Sprout and Maria. "You two can continue without me. I'll keep this sore loser company!"

"Hey!" Sprout frowned. "You gave Maria way more than me!"

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

Just as Tsubaki and Jun were about to head out, Bryan suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"That, was fucking bullshit."

"Where the hell were you, O'Lafferty!?" Tsubaki barked, angrier than he'd seen her in quite awhile. "And what the hell are you wearing?!"

 

[The Funslinger]

"Don't look at me, Brother! I fear the damage this dreadful place will do to my delicate skin!"

Owain grinned as he caught up with his sister and draped an arm around her shivering form. "Worry not, sister dear. I'm sure if this place does damage you in any conceivable way, you will do as you always do and damage it right back."

Slinging his bag firmly over the shoulder of the arm that wasn't wrapped around Severa's waist, he looked around idly. "Let's head to the inn. Miserable times and miserable places always look better from the bottom of a glass. And who knows, maybe it'll even be warm."

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

"Are you sure about this?"

Payton lowered his hand for the moment. "I understand your reservations, Mister Carmine. I understand how you feel -how you all- feel about me. So let me assure you that unless you actively come seeking employment to earn back some of that rather prodigious sum of carbon you're agreeing to pay me, then our relationship will be very brief. In and out. Surgical would be the word. And regardless of the countless other accusations you might level at me, Mister Carmine, you know me. If nothing else, I am a man of my word, to the letter."

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

"Where the hell were you, O'Lafferty!?" Tsubaki barked, angrier than he'd seen her in quite awhile. "And what the hell are you wearing?!"

Ordinarily, Bryan would have tried to placate Tsubaki's outrage with some manner of apology, or far more likely, some kind of joke.

Still, he was bone tired, and in two minds about what he quite thought of her after last night's revelation. Instead, he walked past her and sat down heavily on his bunk, kicking off the deck shoes. When he replied, he answered both questions with one statement. "I have no fucking idea."

Sweeping his bare feet up onto his bed, he lay back, throwing off the sunglasses and rubbing his eyes. "I think... I think I stole a Police Crawler and rammed it through a compound wall and into some Ivory Tower. Or maybe someone else there did it. Most o' them fuckers around when I woke up were unconscious, but I reckon a couple might o' died from alcohol poisoning."

He was interrupted by an uncontrollable yawn. "I think Lord Ivan's stripper secretary or whatever the fuck she was tried to make me breakfast for fuck knows what reason. All I know is I woke up to the aftermath o' the world's most fucked up pool party and stole a Noble's shirt and shoes 'cause he were too rat-arsed to stop me."

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"You two can continue without me. I'll keep this sore loser company!"

Smiling wearily, Lilith ran her hands through her hair, groaning slightly as fatigue gripped her. Moving her head to the side, she cracked her neck.

"I'm gonna go for a smoke, you can come along if you want." Lilith got to her feet as the argument over chips continued.

Closing the apartment door behind her, Lilith crossed the hall, resting her back against the wall as she slid to the floor, crossing her legs as she rearranged her dress over her knees. Placing an ashtray beside her, she sleepily fumbled with her cigarettes and lighter.

Leaning her head back against the wall, she inhaled the smoke deeply, gently gripping the cigarette between her teeth as tendrils of smoke crawled from her mouth.

"Tick tock." She whispered.

Tired.

She was so very tired.

 

[Terratina.]

"You gave Maria way more than me!"

"Us girls look out for each other." Maria winked. It was clear that not-so-lucky Lilith was a disappointed with her performance in poker however, the girl's words had brought back the spectre hanging about in the background: the subject of the raid. Maria sighed, maybe she shouldn't have been such a bad winner or a bad joker. 'There I go again, no tact at all...' She thought to herself. With that in mind, it was rather funny that she had been left with Axel - left with probably the least tactful person out of the four. Still, perhaps Elizabeth would be able to cheer Lilith up... That naïve optimism could be infectious.

Maria cut herself off from that train of thought and tried to keep things happy, "'Nother round, then?"

***​

Jun paused. A quizzical look crept onto his face as the missing man made his entrance. Nevertheless, the pain of the ennui soon made sure that the look faded into his usual scowl. This was going to be a long day...

 

[Dogmatic99]

Whirrun lowered the binoculars from her eyes, glowering at the scene unfolding across the way. These newcomers could be a problem. There was definitely at least three fighters among them and no doubt they brought more backup than Whirrun could find in this quick scan. This would be tricky, with the element of surprise maybe her lads could take them out fast enough to leave any survivors reeling as she made her escape. Problem was, Whirrun didn't trust her lads as far as she could throw them. Maybe if she had some of Erik's or even Sergai's hordes but those freakin' Russkies always horded the best talents for themselves.

Well if she could bring in Payton's head then all that would change quick enough. People would sit up and take notice to her, before she busted out her axe!

"That's the Iron Maiden!" One of her lads hissed loudly behind her.

"What?" Whirrun quietly snapped at him, smacking the idiot upside the head as way of telling him to be quiet.

"The ginger one, that's the iron maiden. There's this huge bounty out on her head. If we can collect that we could retire."

"Idiot." One of the others cut in. "The Iron Maiden's the ship. She's called Pixie. Pixieee... somethin'-ur-other."

"The bandit queen." Whirrun muttered to herself, drifting off into her own little world as she imagined what could happen if she claimed bother her and Payton in one hit. Screw Vasa, she could start her own gang with that kind of carbon and rep. This changed everything!

"We need to get in position." Whirrun hustled her crew along and gave one last check to her machine pistol. This could all be over in seconds. Just a few, bloody, glorious, battle filled seconds.

***​

The night had passed without incident but Florian had still barely slept. He'd been so close to them... and they hadn't recognised him. They'd looked right at him and nothing.

And you nearly crapped your pants in fear.

While Gentleman was busy on the radio Florian was waiting out back of the safe house, rather under-dressed compared to his usual layers. If he was going to stay sharp on this job then he needed to keep awake and letting the cold winds blast any kind of sleepiness out of him was probably the easiest way of doing it.

The image of Vasa and Erik refused to leave the forefront of his thinking. time hadn't been kind to the two of them. Erik had always worn the visage of a pissed off bear whenever he was out on a job but you could see the air of confidence about him even then. A certain brand of cheeky confidence that only took its backseat when things hit the fan. But Florian hadn't seen that last night. Just more aggression. It was as if Erik was straining at the leash.

Florian reached up to his collar, rubbing it between his fingers. And Vasa, well he'd barely seen anything there. It had taken everything Florian had just to look him in the eye. He couldn't tell if it was fear or shame that was making him like this, both probably. If Florian truly could stand behind his actions then he could of come home as himself, with his head held high.

But after all of this... Looking back on it now he would have done so many things differently. If he had who knows how things could have gone? A bitter laugh escaped Florian's lips at the very thought. He'd been such an idiot back then. Oh face it you still are! And somehow he'd tricked the maidens into thinking he knew what he was talking about! The old question kept coming back to him. What use did bandits have for a priest?

They'd never needed him... but he'd needed them. All that time, shut away from the world in the abbey, wandering the Rock with others of his order. For nearly two years he'd been going back and forth between being afraid and being lost, but with the maiden it all changed. He finally had a sense of who he could be. And all by denying who he used to be.

Oh don't be a complete idiot. It's who you are. It would have been so much easier to place all his past sins on a former self. To weigh down the shoulders of a dead man. Someone he'd drowned in the waters of baptism, but here was the past alive and knocking on his door and none of them had forgotten. Maybe he should have kept running.

"What do I do?" Florian slumped against the wall as he slid down to the ground, his eyes looking to heaven for answers it had never given him before. "What do I do?"

 

[Fappy]

"Let's head to the inn. Miserable times and miserable places always look better from the bottom of a glass. And who knows, maybe it'll even be warm."

"Yes, let's." Severa replied. Hefting her case with one hand, Severa's lips curled into a self-satisfying smile. Hopefully it wouldn't be long before she could take Miranda out to play.

Having collected all of their belongings, the pair started for the inn they were to stay at. Once they'd checked in and dropped off their things, the hunt would begin.

Severa's blood was boiling.

She couldn't wait.

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

"... And regardless of the countless other accusations you might level at me, Mister Carmine, you know me. If nothing else, I am a man of my word, to the letter."

"Fuck you!"

"Bennie!" Pixie snapped back.

Gritting his teeth, he eased up, "S-sorry," He muttered. "Carry on."

"Right," Pixie sighed. Looking to Payton once more, she offered her hand. "It's a deal then?"

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

Tsubaki listened to the whole of Bryan's tale with a look of utter contempt on her face. Whether he was telling her the truth or weaving some elaborate lie, his behavior was abhorrent, all the same, "I don't have a clue what you're on about, but you better get your ass out of that bed!" She barked, marching towards him. "Get the fuck up, O'Lafferty!"

She was fuming.

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

"'Nother round, then?"

"Sure," Sprout grinned, "Don' reckon ya' wanna make this one more interestin', do ya'? I mean, it's only fair, right? Y'all already seen my naked glory, after all." He winked.

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

"I'm gonna go for a smoke, you can come along if you want."

"Okay!" Elizabeth chirped. "I'm going to pour myself some water really quick."

After retrieving a glass of water for herself, Elizabeth found Lilith out in the hall, sitting against the wall. She didn't look too happy. Standing before her, Elizabeth looked down at her, "Are you okay?"

 

[The Funslinger]

"It's a deal then?"

"Of course, Miss Monroe," said Payton, clasping her hand firmly. "And one more thing: Unless you have any objections, I'll be sending Miss Fifer along with you as a liaison."

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

Fortunately, it didn't take long to find their inn. Quaint was the word to describe it. Still, at least the fireplaces dotted at intervals made it quite warm.

Their room was slightly cramped, but at least there was a small wood burner in the corner. Owain couldn't help but chuckle when he saw that their Aunt had booked a room with two single beds in a futile gesture of disapproval.

Setting his bag on one of the beds, Owain shrugged off his fur lined parka and began strapping an assortment of sheaths over his body, enough that the process took a good few minutes. Comparatively, the 9mm pistol was rather casually set in the waistband of his trousers.

As he was strapping on his knives he said, "I suppose unless there's anything else, it's right back out into the cold, then, so we can look for the old man."

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

"Get the fuck up, O'Lafferty!"

"Yes, Commander," replied Bryan. With a gruff sigh, he hauled himself back into a sitting position and got to his feet. "So, what are we doing today? Still murdering that noble lass?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Are you okay?"


Opening one eye, she looked at the girl, a small smirk curling the corner of her mouth. "What do you think?" She replied, turning her head slightly as she blew smoke from the corner of her mouth. "I've gotten about six hours sleep in the last four days, my best friend was nearly killed, my home has been stolen by a psychopath, the only woman who ever cared about me did this to me," She pointed at her face. "I had to throw away the scarf I've owned since I was five years old, and tonight I may very well get brutally raped and murdered."

Taking a long drag of her cigarette, Lilith closed her eye as she cradled her forehead with her fingers.

"Oh, and I suck at cards now." She chuckled, coughing slightly as she tapped ash into the tray next to her. "So yeah, I'm doing bloody brilliantly" She muttered sarcastically.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Viola continued her semi-vigorous assault on Hannibal, keeping up the pace of her punches, testing to see which one would either make him fall, or force him to submit. She had to admit that the boy was holding up well, almost a bit too tell in fact; maybe she should step things up a notch, after all, not everyone's punching strength wouldn't be the same as hers.

A small smirk quickly crossed Viola's face as she momentarily stopped her barrage, though still kept her hands up, throwing a few mock punches at Hannibal, intentionally not hitting him.

"You know Hannibal, I've realised something, I think I've gone a little too easy on you with these here punches of mine. I mean your holding up pretty well, and whilst that is great and all, there are going to be some people who punch harder than this. Next one is going to be a power punch, so you are going to have to brace hard if you want to stand up after this one you hear?" Viola said, giving a moment for Hannibal to brace before drawing her arm back.

Holding her breath to help steady her aim, Viola struck at Hannibal's chest like she had done previously, though this time there was more force behind it. At first, Hannibal was merely pushed back an inch, then as it followed through, he suddenly just collapsed onto the floor. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she walked over to where Hannibal lay and offered a him a hand.

"Sorry if I knocked the proverbial wind out of your sails there, needed to see how capable you were at holding back a stronger hit."

 

[Fappy]

"And one more thing: Unless you have any objections, I'll be sending Miss Fifer along with you as a liaison."

Pixie nodded, "That's fine with me so long as she don' stick 'er nose where it don' belong an' all that." She gave the girl a cruel smile. "I don' reckon she'd mind bein' blindfolded on the way over ta' 'ar hideout considerin' y'all'd have the same stipulations."

Bennie grunted, unamused. They were going to have one of Payton's among them from here on out? And the notorious Whiskey Fifer, at that? This deal was just getting worse and worse. Thankfully, Whiskey didn't appear too pleased with Payton.

Bennie forced a smile at the girl, "Don't worry about our crew. We'll treat you right. We ain't like the rest of those scumbags out there."

"Says you," Pixie snickered. "Don' worry, darlin', we know how ta' party."

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

"I suppose unless there's anything else, it's right back out into the cold, then, so we can look for the old man."

"If you think I am going back out there without a bath you are sadly mistaken," Severa scoffed. "I was stuffed in the back of a ratty old train for nine hours! I feel disgusting!" She whined as she started discarding her clothing. As she walked into the bathroom, she added. "I won't be too long."

"Too long" for Severa meant little, unfortunately. She was partial to long baths.

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

"So, what are we doing today? Still murdering that noble lass?"

Tsubaki scowled, "If you weren't so late you would already know the answer to that question." She gritted her teeth. "No, we are not to kill Lady Maribel. Lord Basilio wants to take her for a wife. All he wants is for us to return her to him in safely. Think you can stomach that, O'Lafferty?!"

She was a lot more angry than usual it seemed.

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

"So yeah, I'm doing bloody brilliantly"

Elizabeth pouted, staring down into the glass of water in her hands. She didn't know what to say. Sure, she'd suffered her fair share of tragedies these past two weeks too, but it didn't compare to what Lilith was going through. Leaning her back up against the wall, she slid down into a sitting position beside Lilith. After a moment of silence, she spoke, not yet knowing what she would say until her words left her mouth, "You know, you don't have to go tonight, right? Can't Cranston do this on his own?"

She put her hand on Lilith's shoulder, "It's true... we were enemies such a short time ago, but a lot has changed since then. I know things I didn't before... and you do too. Lilith," She leaned forward and forced Lilith to meet her gaze. "You're the most important person in the world to him. Don't take my nephew's best friend away, okay?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"You know, you don't have to go tonight, right? Can't Cranston do this on his own?"

The cigarette hanging loosely from her lips, Lilith clenched her jaw. It's was true, Cranston was a master of his craft, if anyone could take out a den of bounty hunter single handedly, it was him.

Was it really about that though? No, it was more another instance, amongst countless others, of being left behind while others fight. An overwhelming sense of uselessness, of having no control over anything in her life. Even her reputation was based on chance, not skill, not tenacity, just the uncanny tendency to walk away from things that would end everyone else.

Just luck. Lucky that Sprout took the bullet instead of her.

As Elizabeth locked eyes with her, Lilith could see the genuine concern on her face, in her big brown Sprout-like eyes.


"You're the most important person in the world to him. Don't take my nephew's best friend away, okay?"

Lilith opened her mouth to speak, hesitating slightly before leaning her head back, breathing out a half chuckle, half sigh as she looked at the girl from the corner of her eye. There was a weariness in them, in the depths of her icy gaze, that went beyond what her body felt.

Opening her cigarette tin, she grabbed a smoke, casually holding it out to the girl.

"Smoke with me." A warm smile curled her lips, her eyes saying what her mouth dared not.

'I don't want to be alone.'

 

[The Funslinger]

"Don't worry about our crew. We'll treat you right. We ain't like the rest of those scumbags out there."

"That's disappointing," said Whiskey as she got to her feet, setting Eddie's hat back on her head. "I was hoping for at least a little scumbaggery."

"Don' worry, darlin', we know how ta' party."

"Then we'll get along like a fucking house on fire," she replied.

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

Owain smiled as he watched Severa disrobe. It looked like he'd have some time on his hands, after all.

"I won't be too long."

"Oh?" As she passed him to the bathroom, he leaned over and kissed her neck. "Only two hours, then?" he asked, with an edge of amusement on his voice.

When she was gone, he listened to the sound of running water for a moment, and then started taking off his knives. If she was going to spend so long cleaning up, he might as well get some exercise in. Stripping to the waist, Owain descended to the floor to start with push ups.

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

"No, we are not to kill Lady Maribel. Lord Basilio wants to take her for a wife. All he wants is for us to return her to him in safely. Think you can stomach that, O'Lafferty?!"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, curtly. "Anyway, I'd best be putting on some real clothes, so if ya don't mind..." he gestured towards the door as he shrugged off the Hawaiian shirt.

 

[Terratina.]

"Don' reckon ya' wanna make this one more interestin', do ya'? I mean, it's only fair, right? Y'all already seen my naked glory, after all."

Maria chuckled, like she was going to indulge a teenage's fantasy! How old did the kid like 'em, anyway? She was old enough to be... Nah, she wasn't that old yet. Or at least that was what Maria told herself.

"Glory? Please." She teased, "I'd like to stick with this glorious pile, thanks."

***​

More shouting and more time wasted - when were they going to actually start? Jun exited the room but chose to hang around the door. Probably too late to start shooting a couple of rounds at targets anyway.

 

[Fappy]

"Smoke with me."

Elizabeth blinked stupidly as she stared down at the cigarette she was offered. Nervously, she furrowed her brow and chuckled, "B-but, I don't smoke. I," She could see the pain in Lilith's eyes. "Well, um, okay. But just this one."

Taking it, she held it in her mouth as Lilith lit the end of it. After one small drag, Elizabeth started coughing and wheezing, "D-dreadful!" She croaked between coughs.

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

"Then we'll get along like a fucking house on fire,"

"Glad ta' hear it," Pixie mused. Turning her attention to Payton, her expression hardened. "I reckon we're done here?"

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

"Anyway, I'd best be putting on some real clothes, so if ya don't mind..."

Tsubaki nodded and followed Jun out of the room. Standing out in the hall, Tsubaki leaned her back against the wall and looked at Jun. He looked more upset than usual, "I'm sorry for my misconduct last night, Moon." Was all she was able to say as they waited.

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

"I'd like to stick with this glorious pile, thanks."

Sprout grinned, "Yer loss sweetheart."

After the next hand had been dealt, Sprout found it hard to focus on the game. Maria caught on and they shared a long silence. He hadn't even looked at his hand.

Eventually, he spoke up, "Why does it 'ave ta' be Lilith?"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"D-dreadful!"


Smiling wearily, Lilith flicked her lighter closed.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it, pretty sure I threw up after my first one." She tilted her head slightly, recollecting the fond memory. "Or it could have been the scotch..." A ponderous expression creased her face. "Come to think of it, I had the scotch for the first time that night too." Crossing her arms over her chest, she closed her eyes. "That was a good night." She nodded to herself.

Thinking for a moment, over the sound of Liz struggling with the cigarette, her expression hardened as she looked at Liz from the corner of her eye.

"You want to know why I'm going out tonight?" She furrowed her brow as she looked forward, her eyes losing focus. "There's... something I need to know." She bit her bottom lip. "About me. I don't know what it is, but I'll know when it happens..." She trailed off, "I have to know." She whispered to herself.


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


Asad grimaced as he took a deep drink from his mug. The coffee in the barracks was terrible, but it did the job. Running a hand over his stubbled jaw, he raised his hand, squinting as he rubbed the bridge between his eyes.

"Fucking women." He muttered, a smirk on his face as he took another deep swig. He knew Tsubaki was a tough woman, but damn if she didn't have such a colossal stick up her ass. The hunt for the Maribel girl would continue, and if everyone was to be believed, she wouldn't be harmed. Good enough in his books, but that still didn't damper the uneasiness he felt over the whole situation.

Leaning back in his chair, he ran a hand through his hair.

He should have probably had a shower.