Tsubaki's visit was probably the only noteworthy event of the day. Then again, there wasn't much going in the infirmary and since her visit, Jun had tried and failed to go back to sleep or relax in any manner. In the room there was just him, the stench of disinfectant and the ticking of the clock. It had just been one day since the whole thing - one day! How he was going to fill the rest escaped him.
Jun had already gone over the fight again and again in his mind. Cranston had them, so why hadn't the infamous assassin killed them then and there? Either way, it wouldn't have worked out for The Cook in the end.
Pointless thoughts, that's all they were...
The injured soldier got up from the bed, using his elbows instead of the norm and paced around the room for about five minutes. He had to stretch his legs, walk about for a bit - anything but staying in bed all day. Jun then paused in front of the door, give it a small kick and frowned. If he were on the other side, the door would open. If.
Unfortunately, on the side he was on, it was a pull to open affair. Jun turned and his gaze fell upon the call button, however, they had enough to deal with, let alone one idiot who couldn't open a door by himself. Wait, he could at least do that, right?
There was only one way to find out.
He moved over to the left side of the door and gingerly tried to turn the handle with his foot. As soon as he felt he had a decent grip, Jun pulled and promptly landed on his ass.
"Sseulmo-eobsneun." Jun muttered as he meekly closed the door with his foot, moved over to the bed, picked himself up and got back into the bed. He took a long, deep sigh and leaned back onto the pillow. The worst part was knowing that it was his own fault. Though, of course, Jun would deal with his problems by himself. No need for anyone else.
Ruffles was more or less oblivious to everyone around him as he watched the bodies burn. One thing he did notice was Maria leading Pixie away. He managed a brief smile, even if it did die quickly. Getting the Captain to go to bed was a hell of an accomplishment for a newbie. It was good to finally have a doctor around.
He went back to watching the pyre. Jesus, it was fucked up. It seemed like they were losing people left right and center these days. Warren had been beheaded, even. Beheaded! How the fuck even...
Tapping Brock roughly on the shoulder, he asked, "how the fuck did Warren lose his head?"
Brock turned to peer at him, scowling over the top of his mask. "Why the fuck's that matter? The guy's dead either way."
"Just... how'd it happen?"
Brock shrugged. "Well, we found some kinda big-ass sword with lots of blood on it on one of the bodies. I reckon that's your man." He turned back to the pyre.
Ruffles felt a pit open in his gut. A sword? A big sword? Oh, god no... fuck... It couldn't be. But it had to be. Some psychopathic dickface had used the sword Ruffles had forged to kill one of their crew. The same way that they had used the ship Ruffles maintained, the plasma guns and missile systems he calibrated, and the ship he maintained from top to bottom to break open the dome like an egg and rain hell on Yuteni.
He felt sick.
===============================================
"Well it appears you've stabilized quite quickly, Major," said the Doctor, running his eyes again over the monitor Bryan was connected to.
"Uh huh."
"So, we no longer need to keep you in the ICU," he continued.
"Fair enough," Bryan replied. "Where ya sticking me, then?"
"Well, we've elected to make the simplest choice and put you with your fellow squad mate, Major Moon."
Bryan smirked. "And I'm sure he were thrilled when ya told him that."
"You're the first to know," the doctor replied. "In any case, since you're no longer completely bedridden, we thought a friendly face might be able to help him with simple tasks, seeing as he stubbornly appears to be neglecting his call button."
"Alright," said Bryan. "But I ain't helping him fish his tackle out fer a piss."
"He... he has a chamber pot for that, so you needn't worry."
"Thank fuck. When am I seeing the new roomy, then?"
"We're moving you tomorrow. Now, unless you require any form of assistance, I have other patients to attend to.
A full week had passed since Austin's death. The locals that remained in Yuteni were either too sick or too injured to leave with the bulk of the Wilkes-Vines forces who departed a day prior. Many of the older POW's were hauled off while the children were either taken in by civilians or left to survive on their own. Those few that could be trusted were taken in by the Iron Maiden, along with a collection of Yuteni residence who wanted to join their cause.
There was more new blood than old at this point.
Today was the day. The ship repairs were just about done and recruiting had been completed. Soon, they would be taking to the sky and the Iron Maidens would truly be whole again. There was one outstanding issue hampering that rebirth, however...
"We've been tryin' ta' reach 'im fer days! What the fuck is goin' on!?" Pixie shouted in frustration as she paced back and forth in the navigation room. "Is he dead 'er what!?"
Cameron was leaned against the wall with her arms crossed over her shoulder, watching Pixie march all around the room. She sighed, "I told you, he was Cranston's guy! Maybe when he heard the Cook got taken out he took the payout for himself."
"There's no way he could move that amount of carbon on his own," Bennie shook his head. "Not that fast, anyway. This was a calculated betrayal." The big guy was sitting at the end of the table looking over old documents Pixie had provided him regarding the storage facility they had used to store their carbon.
"FUCK!" Pixie spat before kicking a nearby console. "We're fucked without that money! Payton'll shit down our necks faster'n---" Pixie tapered off when she spotted Carlos. "Carlos." She stated plainly. There was something about his demeanor that set off her alarm bells.
All eyes were on the former bandito as he stepped into the room, "I know what happened to the money." He was greeted by silence. He let the suspense seep in just long enough for Pixie's eye to start twitching. "It was Lady Contessa Lombardi. Cranston's man's dead."
Pixie crossed the gap between them in a flash, "An' how the fuck do you know that?!"
"I was hired by Contessa for that heist."
Bennie glared at him, "And you choose to tell us now?!"
"DID YOU SELL US OUT, MOTHER FUCKER!?" Pixie roared as she drew her sidearm and stuck it right in Carlos' face. "DON' FUCK AROUND WITH ME, CARLOS!"
"Captain!" Cam protested.
Carlos was visibly shaken, but he stood his ground, "Fuck no, Pixie! Listen, she's been keeping tabs on our movements. She just sent word to me about it an hour ago. It's over. It's done. She has it."
"FUCK!" Pixie shouted as she stormed off in the opposite direction. "We're fucked! Not only can' we pay Wilkes-Vines, but now we've got fuckin' Disco Queen out fer ar' heads!"
"Not necessarily," Carlos stepped forward. Pixie turned around and met his gaze. "She contacted me for a reason. She could have just kept us guessing and taken us out when we had our guard down. But no, she wants to make a deal."
"A deal!? Sorry, Carlos but I'm done makin' deals!"
"Do you have a choice?! The Maiden is weaker than ever right now. Do you really think you can afford to be at the top of everyone's shit list?"
"This is fucked." Bennie muttered under his breath.
Pixie was livid, but she was having a hard time arguing Carlos' point. He continued, "Think of all the new recruits. Of your kids. If Contessa came after you they'd be the first to go."
After glaring at him for a long while Pixie let out a long sigh, "What does she want?"
"She wants the Iron Maiden to lead a covert attack on Basilio Tower. She means to assassinate Lord Basilio."
"You can't be serious!" Cameron gasped.
Cam and Bennie exchanged confused looks while Pixie simply stood there, her fingers balled into a fist. As it trembled a thousand thoughts raced through her head. Why did she want him dead? Could she save Elizabeth? Could she be the one to kill Dio? What about her crew?
As a myriad of conflicting thoughts and feelings warred in her mind, one thing was certain: Contessa would not be getting the Iron Maiden.
"Fuck that. We can't be getting involved with this shit, Pixie." Bennie advised.
"Agreed," Pixie nodded. "She's not gettin' the Iron Maiden." She clenched her jaw. "She's gettin' me."
"What!?" Bennie barked as he practically lept out of his seat.
She turned to face him, "This is the only way."
"That's fucking bullshit!" He argued as he put a hand on her shoulder. "You're staying right here. With us. With your family."
Pixie stared back at Bennie for a long while in silence. A firm frown was glued to her face. Eventually, she looked to Carlos, "What happens if we agree to her terms?"
Carlos tried to ignore the stink-eye he was getting from Bennie when he replied, "She said she'd pay back the amount you own Wilkes-Vines in full and she'll leave the Maidens alone. But if she's only getting you... I don't know..."
"Payton's not unreasonable," Pixie replied. "If I can' get the full payment out of Contessa we can at least make it up to Payton by runnin' some errands fer him."
"Absolutely fuckin' not! Are you out of your goddamn mind, Pixie!?" Bennie was not having it. "We can't trust Payton and we sure as hell can't trust Contessa! She's already screwed us once, what makes you think she just wants us to play scapegoat in some political gambit of hers!?"
"WHAT CHOICE DO WE HAVE!?" Pixie shot back. "I WON' 'AVE MY CHILDREN HUNTED BY THAT *****!"
In an attempted to diffuse the situation, Cameron interjected, "What about Payton? Will he really be content with just doing some jobs for him? This operation has cost him a lot of money."
"Well," Bennie put his hands on his hips. "He did say he wanted Ru---"
"We're not sellin' 'im Ruffles. No fuckin' way." Pixie shook her head.
"That's his decision."
"I don' see 'im here right now. Do you!?" Pixie spat. "I can' sell out one of my own."
"Who are we selling out?" asked Ruffles, walking through the door. When he'd found out through the grapevine that there was a meeting about, he'd decided to get involved. It irritated him sometimes that the others seemed to forget he was one of the first people to crew the Maiden. It seemed he'd gotten here just in time, too. Apparently the subject of his departure was on the table.
"Speak of the devil." Pixie muttered. Reaching into her jacket pocket, she retrieved an enclosed letter.
Bennie shrugged, "He already knows about it."
"What?" Pixie blinked stupidly. "You do?" She held the letter out for Ruffles to take.
"Yeah," said Ruffles, taking the letter and glancing at the wax seal. Breaking it open, he pulled out the paper inside and unfurled it, reading silently.
Dear Mister Miller,
I have been aware of your talents for some time. As is fitting for one of the Iron Maidens, you have something of a reputation on The Rock. Particularly as a masterful engineer, and an inventor. These are admirable qualities, but what interests me more is your less advertised training. Your skills as a shipwright. As I understand it, more than anything, ships are your passion. I would be honored to give you an opportunity to fulfill that passion to its full extent.
Of course, given what you may or may not have heard about me, you may have reservations about building the ships I require. I assure you, however, that these vessels are not to be abused. This is something to be discussed face to face, however.
Most importantly, I would like you to consider what I can do for you. It is my understanding that you are something of a provider for your extended family. They have a hard life, and you work hard to provide relief as best you can. To that end, I give you the opportunity to give the people you love a better life. A happier life. Work for me, and I will see your family never wants for anything again. All I ask in return is a few months of your time. If you wish to remain in my service when that time is up, then that is your choice. But know that if you should leave, it will not invalidate this agreement.
This is a difficult decision, and I expect you to take as much time as needed to make your choice. If you should accept, you may also take as long as is needed to tie up any loose ends. I am sure you do not wish to leave your crewmates shorthanded.
Yours sincerely,
Payton Wilkes-Vines
Folding the letter along the preexisting crease lines, he stuck it inside one of the pockets of his jumpsuit. "So were you even gonna tell me about this if I hadn't walked in just now?"
"I was waiting for the right time." Pixie admitted.
"Uh huh," replied Ruffles. There was skepticism in his voice. "Well, y'know, maybe if you actually uh... invite me to the meeting where this shit comes up, then finding the right time ain't so hard. But I guess after near ten years, I don't rate being included on the decision making process for what I do, huh?"
"J-Jake, it ain't like that. I--shit..." Pixie sighed and bowed her head in defeat. "Look, I've jus' been... I've been a fuckin' trainwreck these past few weeks. I get that. There ain't no excuse. I'm sorry."
Bennie clenched his jaw as he looked over to his captain. There was a lot more meaning behind those words than she was letting on.
"Yeah," Ruffles replied, his expression softening a little. "Yeah, okay." Walking around the navigation console, he found a spot and turned to face into their rough circle.
"So what kinda work you reckon he'd have us do if we offered to pull jobs for him, anyway?"
"Fucking bullshit, that's wh---"
"Bennie!" Pixie interrupted in a stern tone. Looking over to Ruffles, she shrugged. "If it has anythin' ta' do with why he wants you I imagine it related to ships. Maybe he wants us ta' lift some hardware? Fuck if I know. If yer gonna go through with this Jake, we could at least 'ave you stick 'round a little longer. Yer our only remainin' engineer. We'd need you ta' pass on that knowledge before you left."
"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere right away," Ruffles replied. "Think I'll give it a few weeks at least. As for teaching people, Jesus..." he laughed. "Not sure I know how to teach someone. Guess I gotta try, though. One of the newbs seems like she might actually know what she's doing. At least, that's what I think when I can fucking understand her."
Pixie winced as she pictured the young girl in question. How many of their new recruits were children, anyway?
"That settles it then," Pixie glanced around the room. All eyes were on her. "I'll take Contessa up on 'er offer. In the meantime, y'all will get the new recruits situated an' see what kinda work Payton 'as fer us. Eventually, Jake'll do some work for Wilkes-Vines to smooth thin's over with 'em."
"No," Bennie protested. "I won't stand for this, Pixie." Why was she so willing to leave so soon after being reunited with everyone? There was clearly something else going on here. "Contessa will screw you."
Pixie narrowed her gaze, "It's not up to you, Bennie."
"Like hell it isn't!" He marched over to her.
Pixie stared up at the big guy as he towered over her. He was fuming, "Y'all are dismissed. Me n' Bennie 'ave a few things ta' discuss."
Ruffles straightened up and headed to the door. As he left, he looked back. "Bennie, just think what'll happen if we don't give that noble chick anything at all." Then he was gone.
Cam looked at the two of them before following after Ruffles and Carlos, wordlessly.
The door shut closed. The tension that followed was palpable.
Pixie and Bennie remained facing each other in silence for a short time before Pixie finally turned around and sat down at the table. Bennie remained where he stood, watching her as she let out a frustrated sigh and rested her forehead on the steel surface. Eventually he spoke up, "Look, I get it okay. I know you're looking for any excuse you can find to go running to her rescue, but listen Pixie... Elizabeth isn't your family. She's---"
"This ain't about her," Pixie cut him off. "This ain't about Elizabeth."
Bennie cocked an eyebrow, "Then what is it? It's not like you to simply bow to a noble's command. There's a reason you want to go to Feroxi."
"Feroxi, Boomhower, Sherwood, Paradiso... it don' fuckin' matter where."
"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?"
Pixie crossed her arms over the table and lifted her head just enough to peer over them, "I kill them, Bennie. I killed so many of them."
"This about the children or the Maidens?"
"They trusted me, Bennie. They trusted me an' I let them down. Barrot, Silo, Parker, Warren, Banks, Ricky... Cranston... More will die if I stay."
Bennie walked up from behind Pixie and wrapped his fingers around the back of her chair. He looked down at her, "Don't be like that, Pixie. They were your friends. They were your family. We all know what we're signing up for when we become Maidens."
"Is that really true, Bennie?" Pixie couldn't bring herself to look up at him. "These new... kids. They're only joinin' up 'cause they ain't got nowhere else ta' go. We're takin' advantage of them."
"We're giving them a home."
"THAT'S WHAT AUSTIN TOLD THEM TOO!" Pixie snapped. Bennie was taken aback. "I ain't no better than that psychopath. It took me awhile ta' figure it out, but its true. I'm a fuckin' cult leader. I act like everyone's fuckin' Ma' an' then I tell 'em ta' go lay their lives on the line for me! It's brainwashin', Bennie, an' I'm damn good at it!"
"That's not true, Pixie!" Bennie gripped her chair and leaned forward. "We believe in you because you actually care about us! You always have!"
"YOU DON' FUCKIN' KNOW ME ANYMORE, CARMINE!" Pixie sprung out of her seat and pressed a finger against the big man's chest. "YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE I GOT KILLED 'CAUSE I WANTED TA' PROTECT MARIBEL!?" Bennie was silent. Pixie attempted to calm herself as she continued. "Her safety was no one's concern but my own. I should'a sold 'er back the first chance I got, but I didn'. I was selfish an' my people paid the price fer it."
"That doesn't even account for most of the death---"
"It doesn' matter, Bennie!" Pixie interrupted. "It ain't the first time I done it an' it won' be the last unless I step down right now. I'm fuckin' toxic, can' you see that!? Or do I got my fuckin' pincers sunk in so deep inside yer heart you can' see clearly!?"
"Listen to me, Pixie," Bennie began. "You are nothing like, Austin. Not one bit. You give your people a choice and they choose whether or not they will die for you. You don't make them do anything. You know why they do it? It's because you love them and they love you. They would do anything for you and these new recruits will do the same."
"No," Pixie protested. "I ain't gonna kill another generation of Maidens, Bennie. I'm a sadistic parasite who'll drain 'em fer everythin' they're worth before I'm done with them."
Bennie grabbed Pixie's shoulders, "That's not true. You're a good person Pixie. You---"
Again, Pixie interrupted Bennie. This time it was with a sudden outburst of laughter. Bennie furrowed his brow, "'Good person'? Please, Carmine. The fuck are you smokin'? You even know how many fuckin' kids I killed jus' last week?"
"We all did, Pixie. We did it for a good reason. We did it to protect people. We had no other choice. We didn't enjoy it." Bennie regretted that last sentence just as soon as he'd said it. The subtle change in Pixie's expression told him everything he didn't want to know. "Right?"
Pixie fought her hardest not to look away when she spoke. She needed to be straight with him. She needed to look him in the eye when she gave him the truth, "Bennie... not a single minute goes by where I don' regret killin' those kids. Where I don' think about the circumstances that lead them to their deaths. Or how I would feel if they were mine. Not a single minute." She clenched her jaw and her good eye quivered. "But you 'ave ta' know, Bennie... when I kill. When I kill, I enjoy it. Always. No matter who it is. Age, sex, race, allegiance. It doesn' matter. My blood boils an' I feel this... this surge of ecstasy flow through me. I can' help it. When I killed those kids, Bennie... it took every ounce of willpower I had not to laugh and holler. Not to moan in pleasure."
Bennie was finding it harder and harder to looked at her, "Pixie..."
"I'm a monster, Bennie. I don' wan' anymore kids dyin' fer the sake of monsters." She pulled her signature black bandanna out of her pocket and forced it into his hands.
It took Bennie a minute to register what her gesture meant before he shook his head and tried to give it back to her, "Oh, no! No, no, no, Pixie you ca't do this!"
"I can an' I will." She looked away from him and frowned. "I 'ave to."
"They'll never follow me, Pixie."
"They ain't the same Maidens, Bennie." She turned away from him. "I 'ave a few thin's I need ta' take care of before I leave. We'll talk again before then." She started for the door.
"No, not like this Pixie! You can't just walk away like this! Fuck!" Bennie was panicking. Normally he wouldn't have a problem taking over command so long as it meant Pixie remained, but this was just fucked. Why did she have to leave? What did that accomplish. Then it hit him. "So you're just going to run off to Feroxi to die!? You're too much of a coward to face yourself?! Is that it, Pixie!? What about Sprout and Lilith!? What about your kids!? Answer me!"
Tears began to roll down Pixie's cheeks as she found the door, "You were a better parent to Sprout than I ever was." She sobbed as left the room with haste.
And like that, Bennie was left alone. Slumping down in a chair, he looked at the ragged black cloth in his hand.
"You crazy *****." He whispered to himself before closing his eyes and resting his head against the back of the chair.
The last week or so had been somewhat of a slow one for Viola, as she waited with anticipation for Dante to message her with any word regarding the location, or fate of Hannibal. To help pass the time, or rather to help keep herself sane, she'd been helping out down in the Sheriff's Office with a few cases that needed solving; luckily they came with a bit of pay at end of each one, so she'd built a decent amount of Carbon to help pay the other half of what Dante asked for.
It was now the dawn of the seventh day, time was up, and one way or another, Viola was leaving Feroxi.
She'd gotten word from Dante in the early hours of the morning that he had come across some information, and needed to speak with her urgently. Arriving roughly an hour later, Viola knocked on the door to the office.
"It's unlocked." Dante said curtly.
Viola opened the door, and walked towards the desk, noticing that Dante was looking over a few pages of information.
"I got your message." Said Viola as she rested one leg on top of the other. "Said you found something."
"I poked around the bar we talked about. Got confirmation there was in fact a kid looking for Beard. Sounded like yours from the descriptions I was given." He sighed. "Look, Viola, they said he'd been shot. There's no body, so no one knows for certain... but things don't look good."
It was at that moment when everything went quiet, even the clock hanging on the wall became silent. As for Viola? Well suffice to say she had taken the news pretty hard. She'd seen potential for greatness in Hannibal, the potential for him to make something good of his life given how he'd been dealt a pretty crap hand so far. But now? It was all gone, the likely scenario that he'd been killed had come to pass.
"I see." Was all that Viola said, a single tear could be seen falling form her face as she held her head low, her face obscured by the hat that she wore.
"I'm sorry." Dante's voice was low. It was never easy delivering this kind of news. The uncertainty in his findings only made it worse.
"No need for you to apologise Dante. I feared this would happen, guess I was just looking for confirmation, a bit of closure if you will." Responded Viola in a slightly depressed tone as she got up from her chair, taking a moment to readjust her hat, and then taking a small pile of Carbon from her pocket.
"Here, the rest of the payment, as I promised."
"Take care of yourself, Viola." He hesitated a moment before adding. "Maybe... take a vacation?"
"Sounds like a good idea, a week or so off to clear my head, to get a change of scenery, and well, to mourn. And I think I know the perfect place to go." She said, her voice sounding a bit more upbeat, but still tinged with sorrow.
"And where would that be?" Dante asked, to which Viola simply replied.
"Home."
---------- One or Two Days Later - Wolf's Creek - Caliburn ----------
Evelyn Greaves was in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes after lunch, when suddenly she heard a knock at her door.
"That's strange. I'm not expecting any visitors today." She thought as the door knocked again.
"Alright, I'm coming." She yelled whilst making her way towards the door. When she pulled it open, she was met with a sight that she hadn't seen in several long years, and tears of joy formed in her eyes as she went to hug her daughter.
"Viola! My goodness, it's so good to see you again."
Lilith had done very little over the last few days. Other than helping to initiate the new blood, she had done little else than exercise and worry about Florian.
They still hadn't heard from Frostfall.
All the new Maidens were kids, or close to being kids, for the first time Sprout was no longer the youngest on the ship. Quite a bunch there was too, there was even a kid from her own dome.
As Lilith finished her seventh lap around the ship, she ran her arm across her brow as she panted gently. Cam had talked to her earlier, about Pixie. About how she was planning on leaving. As she leaned against Axel's door frame, she rested her hand gently against it, pausing for a few moments. They had only been back a week and they were gonna be apart again. Seemed typical of circumstances lately.
Why was going to tell him? Pixie would drop the news on the boy anyway. Shaking her head, Lilith tapped the door with her knuckles.
Sprout rolled out of bed and answered the door. He'd been working almost non-stop all week and had finally been allowed to sleep in today. Whoever was waking him up had better have a good reason.
Of course that person happened to be Lilith.
"Mornin', darlin'." He grinned.
Still a bit breathless, Lilith raised an eyebrow as she placed her hands on her hips. "Don't tell me you've just woken up." She shook her head incredulously. "Shouldn't you be socialising with the new kids?"
"Fuck that!" Sprout scoffed. "They're lame!"
"Sprout, one of them is a space gypsy, and one swears more than Pixie does." Lilith crossed her arms over her chest. "Maybe you should be looking in the mirror if you wanna see who's lame."
"I'll kick all they're asses soon enough." He flexed his modest bicep. "So what's up? Any reason you woke me from my beauty sleep?"
Lilith scoffed as she barged by the boy and into his room, sitting at the foot of his bed.
Her expression softening, looked at the boy. "Merry is leaving the ship soon. Something about that Lombardi slag and and a job she has going."
"Wait, what!?" Sprout's carefree attitude vanished. "Wh-where is she going? Why? Is she goin' alone!?"
"Oh, that's the good part." Lilith muttered. "She's only to bloody Feroxi. You remember Feroxi right? Big shit hole, nearly killed us?"
Sprout froze, "W-we can' let her go." After sitting down at the end of the bed beside her, he repeated himself. "We can't let her go. Is she goin' for Liz? What does Liz have ta' do with Lombardi?"
"It's about money, apparently the money from that heist Pixie and Gents pulled is now in Lombardi's greasy mitts, and the only way we can get it back is if we do a job for her." Lilith shrugged her shoulders. "Except Merry is adamant she goes alone."
"Why!? I thought after last time she'd never wanna split up ever again!"
"I don' want it, Sprout." Pixie said as she stepped into his room. "I have to do it alone. There ain't a chance in hell I'm lettin' either of you near that city again."
"Ma'..."
Lilith let herself fall back onto the mattress as she put her hands behind her head. "Do we not get invited to meetings no more?" Lilith muttered
Pixie sighed before approaching the foot of the bed, "It wasn' s'posed ta' be some big meetin'. We were jus' tryin' ta' figure out what was goin' on with the money an' one thin' led to another." She sat down next to Sprout and wrapped an arm around him. He didn't resist when she pulled him close. "Contessa wanted the Iron Maiden fer this job, but that ain't gonna happen. I'll do this alone. She wants an' assassination, I'll give 'er an assassin... not a ship full of fuckin' children..."
Lilith furrowed her brow. "Then take me with you, there's nothing for me to do here." She smiled at the pair. "Sprout ain't the youngest for a change, he's finally not the least important person on the ship, he can teach the newbies his ways."
"Sorry, but I can' drag you into this, Lily. You need ta' stay here an' keep Bennie in line, I, uh..." She winced, dreading the words she was about to say. "He's in command now."
"What!?" Sprout pushed away from his mother. "Wh-what's goin' on, Ma'?!"
"Well yeah, of course he is." Lilith rolled her eyes. "Who else you gonna leave in charge? How long you gonna be gone for? A week? Two?"
"I don' know the details yet," Pixie admitted. "I'll be leavin' in a few hours. Carlos says he should be able ta' set us up a meetin' sometime in the next few days."
Sprout looked between the two women, "Hey, don' jus' brush it off like it's nothin'. The way you said he was takin' command... Ma'... what's really goin' on? Yer still the captain, right?"
"No," Pixie didn't hesitate to give her response. "I'm done. I'm no longer fit to lead. When I come back... Bennie will remain in charge."
If I come back...
"What?" Lilith pushed herself up off the bed. "What the bloody hell are you talking about? You're the captain, you've always been the captain, what, you think because we lost some guys that you can't handle it anymore?" Lilith clenched her jaw. "The fuck is wrong with you?" She whispered as she turned her eyes away.
'Are you even planning on coming back?'
Pixie couldn't bring herself to look at either of them, "I-I'm sorry, I jus'... I can' do it anymore, okay?"
Sprout studied her reaction. She was in a lot of pain. Guilt had been running ragged all week and now... this. This is where it left her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his forehead against her collar. Pixie furrowed her brow and looked down at her bow, "M-maybe some day I'll be yer captain again." She whispered before resting her hand on the top of his head. She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince, exactly. "I-I... it has to be this way... at least for a little while."
"So you're just leaving us, is that it?" Lilith pulled her legs to her chest. Rested her head against her knees as she faced away from the woman. Try as she might, Lilith couldn't shake the feeling that Pixie had wasn't going to come back. Why else would she relinquish her leadership?
"Go on then, fuck off, it's not like we've only just got back to normal or anything." Lilith mumbled to herself.
Pixie bowed her head in shame, "I'm sorry, Lily." Was all she could think to say.
"Hey," Sprout pulled away from her and looked to Lilith. "Don' be so hard on her. She's doin' her best."
Pixie winced at the boy's words.
"Which is why she's going alone to get herself killed in Feroxi, and why we're here with our thumbs up our arses wandering if she's gonna come back, after we just came back, and why we still haven't heard from Florian yet." Lilith slid off the bed as she headed towards the door. Pausing as she stepped into the corridor, Lilith turned, crossing her arms over her chest, barrowing her eyes as she glared at Pixie.
"I get it, people died, you had to do a lot of fucked up shit." The girl shook her head. "But you're not the only one, and you don't see anyone else leaving." Lilith scowled. "Stop feeling so fucking sorry for yourself, it's pathetic." Turning on her heel, Lilith stormed down the corridor, tearing the headband from her hair as she clenched her jaw.
Pixie didn't steal a single glimpse of Lilith during her tirade. She wish she had. She wish she could have stormed down the hall after Lilith and explained herself, but she knew she'd only be giving the girl more bullshit. In the end, she simply couldn't tell her what was really going on. There was no world in which Pixie could explain her reasoning to her. She'd reject it no matter what.
And what of Sprout? Could she tell him the truth? Did she have the strength to do that?
"You are comin' back, right?" Sprout asked, trepidation clear in his voice.
Pixie looked at her son longingly as she fought to keep from breaking down right then and there. She nodded and embraced him, "I wouldn' dream of missin' yer sixteenth birthday, Sprout."
Was she lying to her son? She wasn't really sure.
The uncertainty was what hurt the most.
You are pathetic.
Lilith closed her eyes as she took a deep drag of her cigarette. Blowing the smoke the slowly into the cramped watchtower. She had kicked one of the newbies out of the overlook, who was all too happy to oblige.
Narrowing her eyes, the girl held the cigarette in her teeth as she peered out over the ashlands. Why was Meredith doing this? What was she trying to prove? Didn't she know she didn't have to do anything alone? That was always the Maiden way of life, never having to do anything alone. Did she have a death wish? Just strolling into Basilio territory? She would leave her and Sprout behind for nothing, and nobody was even trying to stop her.
"Fuck you, Meredith." Lilith grumbled as she took another deep drag.
Amy had been going at it, solidly, for over an hour, striking the practice dummy in the throat, groin, under the arms, anywhere soft and vulnerable, her golden hair, tied back, shimmering as she danced and weaved. Sweat poured off her, her hands were bleeding, and she'd broken one dummy's arm clean off in a fit of rage some ten minutes before. Still, she didn't stop, or even slow down. If fighting was going to be her new vocation, then she was damn well going to practice until she was just as good as the most seasoned warriors The Maidens had to offer. Amy didn't ever do anything half-heartedly, and she was a quick learner. It helped, admittedly, that current circumstances were giving her an insatiable urge to punch everything in sight. It was fortunate for her, and everyone else, that the practice dummy's had been on hand to absorb her frustration. If she'd been sparing with a live partner today, Amy doubted she could exercise the restraint required not to break their bones.
"AH!"
The sound of clang and crunch competed as Amy's strike misses its target, and her fist slammed with full force into the steel spine that held the dummy upright. Not even stopping to nurse her now throbbing hand, Amy threw herself at her inanimate opponent, sending it clattering to the floor. Cursing wildly, she stamped on its head, again and again, until the plastic face came off and skidded across the floor. Finally pausing, Amy sunk to her knees, sullen, massaging one hand with the other.
Perhaps she would find a proper partner to spar with after all; one of the newcomers. Specifically, one of Austin's lot whom the rest of The Maidens had seen fit to take in. Amy didn't care what they said, no matter how young or impressionable, those kids had already made the choice to be weak, and it was a choice people only got to make once.
Eventually though, Amy could distract herself no longer from the real issue. If she didn't go and see her soon, there was every possibility that Pixie would go without saying goodbye. It wasn't like Amy could trust the woman not to run from everything else, why not having to see her one last time?
She was packing her things when Amy arrived at their room. Either Pixie did not hear her approach, or she was determined not to look at her.
"Were you even going to tell me?" she asked, leaning against the doorway. Her tone of voice was frank. As furious as she was, hers was a genuine question, and nothing more. The last thing she wanted was another fight with Pixie.
Pixie stopped what she was doing and looked up at Amy. She frowned, "Of course I was. I jus'... I 'ave a lot on my mind right now. Lilith didn' take it too well an'..." She broke eye contact and looked back down at the duffle bag she was packing. "I know how you must feel right now. I'd hate me too." She clenched her jaw and continued packing.
"Save it." Amy replied, again not sounding anywhere near as angry as she felt. "Don't forget, I saw this coming."
She moved closer, to Pixie's side, and started to help her pack her things.
"I don't hate you." She said, after a short interval. "I'm angry, of course, but so what? What am I supposed to do about that? If I beg you not to go, you'll say you have to. If I say that's stupid, you'll say I don't understand. If I offer to come with you after I've exhausted everything else, you'll have a thousand excuses pre-packaged for why I can't, excuses you've probably had to use on everyone else already. You've finally got the pretext to leave us, to leave me, that you've been waiting for since the battle, so unless you've got anything to say to me that I don't already know, what else is there?"
Pixie thought long and hard about it. Few people she'd ever met could be as blunt as Amy when it came to matters of the heart. In a way, she envied her for it. Pixie could be blunt, sure, but she had a habit of shying away from the truth when it hurt too much. She continued to pack alongside Amy when she began speaking, "I wan' you ta' know somethin' Amy." She looked at the girl and took a moment to appreciate her beauty. "The woman yer discoverin' within you. She's beautiful and she's amazin'. She can do anythin'. But she's gonna hurt. She's gonna hurt a lot, Amy."
Dropping the shirt she was holding, she cupped the side of Amy's face, "I know this doesn' mean shit comin' from a coward like me, but I believe yer strong enough to see it through to the end. You don' need my help to do that. In fact, I probably only make thin's harder fer you bein' the way I am." Pixie offered a weak smile. "I'm glad the Rose is gone, Amy."
Amy's rock hard gaze faltered, and she looked down at her injured hand.
"I'm not afraid of the pain. Maybe everyone else should be though."
It was absurd, how the simple act of Pixie touching her, after days of uncertain distance between them, could make all of Amy's anger dissolve. Had she really become so... dependant?
"Pixie..." she said, looking up again. "I don't know if I can do this without you. I don't think-no, I know I'm not a Maiden. You think I want to take orders from Bennie, or any of them? They're good people Pixie, but, it was you I signed up for. It was you I chose to follow. I was you I-"
She bit her lip. What use would it be to say that now? It would only hurt the pair of them?
"I'm not sure I want to go through all that pain, if you're not waiting for me on the other side."
"You can' go through all this jus' because of me, Amy. In the end, you've gotta do it fer you an' you've got to do it knowin' you can make thin's work... with or without me." She squeezed the girl's shoulder and started packing again. "When I lost Cherry... when I lost my best friend, the girl who saved my life an' had given' me everythin'... I was broken. I was lost. I didn' know what to do. She was my whole world, Amy. When she died... I suddenly had nothin'."
Pixie chuckled sadly, "You 'ave a lot more here than jus' me, Amy. You jus' 'ave ta' open up. You 'ave to learn to trust people." She glanced over at the blonde in the corner of her eye. "Take Sprout for example. You two get along. Confide in him an' he'll be quick to do the same. If anyone makes you feel at home, he will." Pixie smiled warmly as she turned to face Amy. "Give these dumb fucks a chance, will ya'?"
Amy furrowed her brow, still shining from her exertions earlier.
"I'll try."
The without warning, Amy was kissing Pixie. A deep, long kiss almost frenzied in it's urgency. Much like the first time she'd thrown herself at her, back at Carlos' safe house.
"I can't make you stay... and I can't make you come back..." Amy's words came out in stops and starts during brief pauses for breath. "If I can't do anything else... then please... let me do this... just twenty... maybe thirty minutes... when nothing else matters... when there's nothing in the world but us."
Pixie was completely caught off-guard by Amy's sudden passion, but humored her all the same. After the kiss, the bandit queen searched her eyes. She was still so hopelessly enamoured.
Pixie wasn't really in the mood for anything like this, nor did she think it a good idea considering the uncertain status of their relationship. Despite that, Pixie felt she owed the girl. If nothing else, she could give her one last thing before she abandoned her and everyone else.
This time Pixie would be the one getting used. She could take solice in that, at least.
Pixie did well to mask her uncertainty and grinned, "I'm yers, sweetheart."
Amy broke from her just long enough to look into Pixie' eyes. She wasn't fooled. She'd been playing this game too long not to know the difference...
And she didn't care.
"Thank you." she whispered, as she kicked the door shut behind them, and began tearing off Pixie's clothes.
Aesop was beginning to get back into the swing of things, physically at least. He managed to have a good amount of distractions in the past week to stop him from his own thoughts, even if he was being a little greedy with what Ruffles brought back from his mysterious garden. Whenever he wasn't talking to someone, trying to crack jokes or making awkward small talk, he occupied his time with the book he was reading before he left for Boomhower.
'Feels like its been months, and its been less than one. Christ, Allah and Buddha you guys really don't let us take breaks do you?'
These thoughts he was trying to avoid had been... disturbing to say the least. He was thinking about Austin, Peter, not just about ripping his throat out, or the humiliation of being so quickly owned by him, but of old memories. Happy moments before he went insane, or maybe he already was. Why he was thinking about happier times with that lunatic he didn't know, he was self aware enough to be freaked out by it.
A thousand other thoughts had raced through his mind as well, how he felt about his comrades and the fallen, and Pixie. Especially Pixie. She hadn't spoken to him since the drive up to Yuteni. He didn't want to press the issue of course given how much shit she had and it wasn't really important, but he knew he had given her even more reasons to hate his guts.
This day Aesop had been pushing his body to the limit, furiously working out in his room. He hadn't left the ship whatsoever, and ignored any pain still lingering as his room stank of sweat and progress as he worked his ass off.
A light knock sounded from outside. "Hey, Aesop. Do you have a moment?" Cameron called out from the other side of his door.
Aesop stood from his push ups and opened the door, wearing just baggy sweat pants and a white vest. "S'up?" He asked as he opened the door.
Cam waved a hand in front of her face as the man's BO reached her nostrils. He must have been working out all morning, "Have you heard the news yet? Pixie's going to Feroxi on a solo assignment. Today. I figured you'd want to talk to her before she left..."
"What?" He closed the door behind him. "Sorry for... Is it something big? Do we need to worry?"
"Yeah," Cam cringed. "It's a big deal. I'm going to convince her to take me along, actually."
"Oh, alright I'm gonna check it out. Thanks." He said as he made his way down the corridor, "she in her room?"
Cam pointed her thumb down the hall, "No, she's gearing up in the armoury. She's taking a lot of firepower."
Aesop's face sunk as he began to worry. "Shit, that ain't good." Aesop began jogging down the ship before it turned into a run as he made his way into the armoury.
Cam watched him leave with a sad frown on her face.
Pixie was packing extra ammo for Mr. Monroe when Aesop entered the room. She didn't even bother looking over her shoulder. She could tell it was him by the sound of his ragged breathing, "Howdy, Aesop. Reckon yer feelin' better?"
She was acting casual. God he hoped this wouldn't turn into an argument, he wouldn't win one of those, he never did. Might as well play this game. "Sure do. My balls are all good and these teeth can cut through bone. Though Ruffles had to stop me from getting a gold plated grill with my name on it." He panted as he talked.
Pixie chuckled as she shoved a few grenades into her bag. Suddenly, she stopped what she was doing and sighed, "I'm sorry I didn' tell you I was leavin' sooner. Kinda short notice, ya' know?"
"Oh yeah, no worries Cap'n." He wandered in and took a gander around the armoury. "We get all the goods back?"
"Still missin' a lot, but I reckon we'll right that travesty soon enough." Pixie stood there, hunched over her gear in silence for a moment before turning around. "How are you really doin'? I... I don' feel right jus' leavin' outta the blue if yer still..." She wasn't sure how to finish that statement.
Aesop didn't want to answer, he felt he didn't have the right to say how he felt. "I'm good, I am really. Hell Austin's dead, the fuck do I have to complain about." He lifted a busted up plasma rifle off the wall. "Damn I wish these fuckers worked." He ignored her question and began looking down the sights. "God damn these are so cool!"
"Aesop," Pixie cocked her head to the side. She didn't look pleased. "No bullshit."
Aesop didn't look at her and put down the rifle. "Fine. I've been having... weird thoughts. I don't know how to explain it. Its like, I dunno, like it doesn't feel different. It should, it should feel different I mean he's dead and buried. But it doesn't."
Pixie crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her feet, "I know that feelin'. This job... it's ta' kill Dio. The man who---" She grit her teeth in an attempt to censor herself. "He's taken more from me than any man alive. I'm no stranger to vengeance, Aesop. I know how little meaning it can have once it's all said an' done." She sounded almost ashamed.
Aesop could finally turn to look at her. "Pixie, I knew the second we had that Maribel chick that he'd be after us, that he'd want his fiancée back. But this feels like a lot more than us just keeping her hostage. What exactly is going on? I know Lil, Sprout and the doctor chick went through some shit but I don't know everything that went down. I know I... I know I don't have a right to know your personal shit but, I'm just worried about you. And us. I'll be honest I wanna know why you wanna kill Dio, but you don't need to tell me. I just... fuck it nevermind I'm talking in circles sorry."
He ignored his own stupid questions and got to helping her pack, avoiding eye contact as he did, the last thing he wanted to do was piss her off or upset her more than she already was. Austin may have been Aesop's demon but Pixie and everyone else mattered more than him, he had to be careful for them.
Pixie couldn't help but think back to Warren. He was a basket case and she'd recruited him under the pretence that she would help him. She never did help him though... she just used him. Used him just liked everyone else had. And now he was dead.
She could have offered him her ear. She could have offered him a shoulder to cry on. But she never did. He died for her. Gave up everything for her and got nothing in return. Pixie failed him.
Would she fail Aesop too?
He needed her now more than ever, clearly. She couldn't just abandon him. He would go mad if he remained on this ship without her.
Pixie pitied Aesop much in the same way that she pitied herself. They were both broken and pathetic. Slaves to their own demons.
She had finished packing. Pixie hesitated a moment before zipping up her bag and looked over at an empty one on the bench nearby. She looked to Aesop, "You wanna come with me?"
Aesop's eyes snapped up to meet hers. "Uh... sure. Yeah! Yeah fuck yeah! Killing blondie and rescuing a damsel hell yeah!" He grinned like a kid before realising he needed to more to go on than just her pity. "Though, if I'm gonna go, I might need to know a little more about what's going on. NOT NOW, it-it doesn't need to be now. But just to um, y'know, assess the situation." He felt so uncomfortable saying this but if he went in knowing nothing he could fail her.
"Of course," Pixie assured him. She pointed to the nearby bag. "Get packin'." She forced a grin.
"So you'll take scruffles but you won't take me?" Cam barked as she suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Pixie, do you remember the promise I made you?"
Pixie pursed her lips and nodded, reluctantly, "Cam, I---"
"None of your excuses will work on me, and you know it." She crossed her arms and leaned her shoulder against the door frame. "I owe you my life, Pixie. I would follow you to hell and back without asking a single question. I'm not your child, I'm not your lover, or your mother or your sister." She grinned. "I'm your comrade. It's okay for me to die for you."
After a small sigh Pixie straightened herself up and looked Cameron over. She was determined to come. She had been as much since the very beginning. She knew Cam. She knew she couldn't keep her here no matter what she told her.
And she could use the support.
"One condition," Pixie warned. "Don' die, Cam."
Cameron smirked and offered a mock salute, "Roger, Captain."
Lady Contessa was always one to appreciate the simple pleasures life had to offer. No matter how powerful or wealthy she would become, she would always enjoy the basic act of bathing above all others. Her obsession with her image had gone a long way in preserving her youthful complexion and smooth skin. She had run the gamut of topical herbs and treatments to keep her age masked under a layer of beauty. It was when she was stripped of all these supplements that she felt an odd sense of... excitement. The only time in her life when she was honest was when she bathed.
During this basic, natural act, she removed her mask and basked in the ugliness of her truth.
She laid sprawled out in her over-sized bath with the back of her head resting against the side of the tub. She had been like that for a long while before she was finally disturbed by a knock on her door. Her eyes remained closed when she spoke, "Come in."
The white double doors opened, allowing a curtain of steam to pour through the new opening. A man stepped forward and stood at attention before her. He was a tall, hansom man with short, styled brown hair and a regal blue outfit reminiscent of a military officer's. He wore a smug grin, "My apologies, mother. Your guest is waiting for you in your office."
Contessa moaned in amusement, "How long has he been waiting?"
"As long as has been requested, mother. I am quite sure his nethers are itching at this rate."
"Silly boy," Contessa chuckled. Opening her eyes, she rose to her feet and let the hot bath water pour all over the floor as she stepped out. "The Gentleman has no nethers to bother." And there she was, standing naked in all her glory in front of her only son. He didn't so much as flinch and his eyes never wandered.
He had been well disciplined.
"Is that so? What makes such a man tick, I wonder?" He grabbed a towel off of the sink and handed it to his mother.
Contessa took the towel and ran it over her hair before stepping out of the bathroom and into the master bedroom, "He is no man, Franz." She tossed the towel onto the bed and walked across her room to the enormous window that overlooked Paradiso. The suns were still rising over the dome. "He is a function of this world. Such rudimentary creatures do not want for much."
Franz followed his mother out of the bathroom and stood by her side, "Do his wishes align with your own?"
"More than you know." She cooed.
"Then why make him an enemy?"
"He's the only one who is worthy, that is why." Her eyes glistened as she took in the splendor of the city she ruled. "I could have everything if I desired it, Franz. If I were to simply take, uncontested, it would make for a sorry tale. What joy is there in celebrating a victory if there was no fight?"
"You are a complicated woman." He joked.
"We will talk. He will understand me," An insidious grin stretched across her face. "He's the only one who can."
"You wound me."
Contessa cocked an eyebrow and turned to face her son. Stepping forward, she reached up and caressed his cheek, "Are you jealous?" Her grin widened.
"I think you're confusing me for Owain." He laughed.
"Disguising creature," Contessa spat as her fingers glided down to his chest. She absentmindedly played with the medals on his uniform as she spoke. "Animals, both of them. I should thank the Gentleman for his hospitality."
"Why did you send them?" Franz looked down at his mother as she teased him.
Contessa pulled away from him and walked to the center of the room, "To entertain him, of course! To give him a preview of the relationship we are to share."
Franz's eyes followed her, "And Basilio? I thought you wanted the Gentleman's help in stopping him. I don't see how playing cat and mouse with that man will accomplish that."
Contessa looked at him from over her shoulder, "Oh, Franz! Your brain is oh so small, isn't it!" Franz was not amused. "Basilio is but a mutual annoyance that we must rid ourselves of before the game can truly begin!"
"Are you sure you can trust her to kill him though?"
"I can," Contessa looked to the old ratty book that lay on her nightstand. The latch that kept it bound had long since been broken. On the front it read the words, 'A New World'. "There isn't a single person on the Rock who is more capable of killing that man." She smiled. "Nor eager."
"She hates the nobility. What makes you think she'll play along?" Franz wasn't convinced.
Picking up the book, Contessa ran her fingers along the cover, "She won't have a choice." She opened to the front page which was blank save for a pair of letters written, 'MM'.
Elizabeth had been out of the hospital for two days now. Despite that, she was still being contained to very small area. She'd been given an apartment suite near the top of the tower, two floors below Dio's very own penthouse. The elevators were locked and she was to remain there unless under the Major's direct supervision. It was still early in the morning, however. The Major was likely still asleep in the barracks.
Though she was restless, she started her morning at a sluggish pace. She simply saw no point in rushing things. After a long shower she got dressed and made herself breakfast. Dio had offered her servants but she refused. After getting a taste for self sufficiency she wasn't prepared to just let it go. She found that the very idea of servants repulsed her now.
She could make herself a piece of toast. She wasn't a child.
As she ate her mind found its way to the Major. The man charged with her protection. Could he really be trusted or was he just warming up to her so that she would abandon her rebellion?
Elizabeth had a dangerous game to play and not but a single piece on the board to call her own: herself. Word of the wedding had traveled to the other domes and she would soon be able to contact other nobles. Perhaps an opportunity would present itself then?
She wouldn't hold her breath.
When she was done with her breakfast she wandered over to the window overlooking the city. She wasn't sure how she would make it out of this... all she knew was that she would.
Her hair up and her shoelaces ties, Tsubaki made her way out onto the training ground. Grass was a rare sight on the Rock, but the military facility at the base of Basilio tower had a lot of it. It was one of the only places on the planet you were liable to see 'dew' in the morning. Tsubaki enjoyed it. She cherished what little real nature there was left. The little bits and pieces left behind by the men of old. Antiquities of a time long past.
She found it odd that something as simple as grass was little more than a memory at this rate. It was likely such a fundamental, basic thing back on the homeworld.
If Dio's plan came to fruition... maybe she'd see more of it. A lot more of it.
As she jogged around the parameter as per her usual morning routine, she couldn't help but think of Dio. Recently she had been rather disillusioned with him. He was demanding and petty at times. And he wasn't afraid to lord his position over her.
And yet... he was fighting for such a noble cause. He was fighting to raise humanity to the stars again, so to speak.
He's just doing it for his own glory, dumbass.
Tsubaki pursed her lips. She was conflicted. Confused.
She didn't know what she wanted anymore or who she wanted for. Asad? Maybe, but she still wasn't sure about that? Was it love or just a fling?
I thought running was supposed to clear you head, not fill it with shit.
With Lord Basilio away on business, Tsubaki hadn't had much to do the last few days. She had offered to come a long, as she was assigned to his personal guard, but he refused. With his return later today and the preparations for the wedding, hopefully she would have some time with him.
She needed to make sure he was the man she always thought he was.
A bitter sadness burrowed into her chest as Pixie threw the last of their gear into the back of the crawler. Most of the crew was gathered in the back of hangar, watching as they made their final preparations to leave. The others were already in the crawler: Cameron was riding shotgun while Aesop and Carlos sat in the back together. The Bandit Queen tried her best to avoid eye contact with her crew as she moved to the front of the vehicle. She could feel all their eyes on her.
The veterans were sad and angry while the newbies were just confused. They had just joined and their leader was already stepping down? The situation hadn't been fully explained to them, but they at least knew she wasn't to be their captain any longer. Whether that was a permanent change or not was anyone's guess.
When she got back to the driver's seat Bennie was there waiting for her. Leaning on the rolled down window of the crawler, he gave Pixie a stern look, "You know, you don't have to do this."
Pixie frowned and placed her hand on the door, "I'm sorry, Bennie... I do."
The two stared at each other for a short while before Bennie grinned, "Come back to us."
"I hope I do." Pixie returned the weak smile. As unlikely as it was that she'd survive this mission, she was being sincere. She wanted nothing more than to be with her loved ones.
"Hey," Bennie pulled something out of his pocket. "You gave me yours to hang onto. It's only fair you look after mine." He offered his signature bandana out for Pixie to take. On the white cloth was a black silhouette of a woman. Pixie had picked it out for him nearly a decade ago.
"Bennie..." Pixie hesitated.
"Take care of her for me." Bennie chuckled. It wasn't clear if he was speaking to Pixie or the cloth.
Pixie took it in her hands and held it close to her chest, "Thank you, Bennie."
"Of course, Pixie." Again, the two shared a prolonged silence. Then, suddenly, Pixie stepped forward and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. Bennie held his hands to his sides, unsure of what to do at first. Then he accepted it and held her in his arms.
It felt like it was over in a flash.
They parted and Bennie gave Pixie one last nod before walking over to the others.
Leaning over the passenger side of the crawler, Lilith planted a kiss on Cameron's cheek. "You take care of her okay?" She whispered into the woman's ear. "Stupid woman it liable to do something stupid, with the way she is now."
Placing her cigarette back between her teeth, Lilith smiled sadly as she moved down the crawler, placing a hand on Aesop's shoulder. "Are you sure you wanna do this? I would have thought you'd have wanted to... I dunno, relax a bit, before you lose your shit again." She nudged him playfully.
"Lil?" Aesop smiled at her with his dentures in full view, "when am I not losing my shit? Have you ever known me to go a week without losing my shit?"
Lilith chuckled as she took a long drag. "You said it, not me." Her expression softened as she smiled at him. Leaning forward, she kissed the man on the forehead. "Take care, Aesop."
Aesop's hairy face managed to conceal a blush. 'Dammit why does she have to be so hot.'
They weren't that close at all, but he should at least let his friends, well he didn't think they were his friends, the maidens know his real name since, despite his enthusiasm to join Pixie, hers was a suicide quest if he'd ever seen one. And he would throw himself in front of any bullet for her before she had the chance to.
"My name is Sillah actually. Probably should have told people that sooner."
"Sillah?" Lilith furrowed her brow. She liked the way it rolled off her tongue. "Well, if we're being honest..." She leaned in close to the man's ear. "My real name's Lilith, don't tell anyone okay?"
Aesop chuckled. "Hubuh WHAAAAAA? I thought it was Casino all this time!"
As the pair shared a laugh, Lilith coughed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I suck at goodbyes, so I'm just gonna go stand back and let someone else have their turn." She took a step back away from the crawler. "You take care you two." She looked at Carlos, pausing for a moment. "You too, Carlos."
Carlos and Aesop hadn't said a word to each other as they sat side by side. The last conversation they had ended with Aesop trying to murder him, this was going to be an awkward trip until one of them died.
"Take care of that brat for me, will ya'!" Cam winked. "I reckon you'll have your work cut out for you."
Carlos simply nodded to Lilith as she passed him by.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Ruffles stepped up. "You're gonna be okay out there, right?" he asked Pixie.
Pixie offered him a weak smile and rested a hand on his shoulder, "Don' worry about me, Jake. Worry about yerself, please. This Wilkes-Vines stuff is serious business. Promise me you'll give it plenty of thought before you agree to anythin', okay?"
"Aw, come on," he replied. "When have I ever not thought about something?"
He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Hey, sorry about being so hard on you lately, Merry. And uh... sorry I couldn't fix that plasma rifle we got in the armoury in time for you leaving. Seems like it mighta been useful."
"Hey," Aesop spoke up, "we'd probably just burn our hands off with that shit." It was odd for Aesop to be the ice breaker for once.
"Yeah, I'll stick to good ol' fashioned lead, thank you." Pixie winked at Ruffles. "An' don' sweat it. I've been a... mess lately. I'm sorry I haven' been the friend you deserve, Jake."
Ruffles broke eye contact, rubbing his neck self consciously. "Yeah uh..." then he looked back up, grinning. "Hey, I know just how you can make it up to me," he said.
"How's that?" Pixie cocked an eyebrow.
"Stop calling me Jake, god dammit," he answered, slapping the side of the Crawler in mock frustration. "I hate that name!"
"Never gonna happen, Jake." Pixie laughed.
"Well fuck, I think I'll leave faster, then," he said, moving around the Crawler to talk to Aesop and Cam.
"Good luck out there, man," Ruffles said, reaching into one of the inner pockets of his jumpsuit. "Here." He tossed a large, fairly full ziplock bag into Aesop's lap. "I reckon that's the last you're gonna get for a while, buddy."
"Aww yeah! This is the bestest christmas ever, thanks black santa!" Aesop held a fist out the window. 'Would a hug be too gay?'
"No problem, buddy," said Ruffles, bumping Aesop's fist. "But you gotta be a good boy and share with the others, remember."
"Aww," he pouted. "Okay." He said, slowly sliding the bag into the inside pocket of his fancy, flowery purple waistcoat.
"Try not to jump him too quickly, Cam," Ruffles said, stepping back so the next in line could say their farewells.
Aesop thought about it for a moment, and despite it looking super gay for supposed bandits, he did it anyway. He hopped out the crawler and in front of Ruffles, pausing for an awkward second before even more awkwardly hugging him. "Shut up its not gay." He said before Ruffles had the chance to say anything.
"It's totally gay" Lilith chuckled as she took a long drag of her cigarette
It had taken a lot for Amy come. She really didn't want to do this, and had put it off as long as she dared. Every step she took as she descended into the hangar was accompanied by a wrenching in her gut. She didn't want to say goodbye to the best thing that had ever happened to her, knowing that, if she saw her again at all, it could well be as a corpse. It wasn't right...
Still, here she was.
"Hey." she said, quietly, as she approached Pixie at the driver's side of the Crawler.
"Hey," She replied. "You look purdy as always, darlin'." She smiled warmly.
"Why wouldn't I?" Amy forced a short laugh. "You know I'm coming to get you right, as soon as you need someone to pull your arse out of the fire. This is just me giving you a head start, y'know, just for the sake of appearances."
Her lip trembled, and she couldn't contain it anymore. Amy flung her arms around Pixie's neck, and held her tight.
"Come back." She whispered, too low for the others to hear. "Do whatever you need to do out there, but come back... please."
She refrained form saying 'to me'. The thought that Pixie might be returning at all was all the false hope she could bare.
She embraced Amy and buried her face in her shoulder, "I'll do my best, Amy." She whispered back. After they remained like that for awhile, Pixie pulled away. "Oh, by the way... I 'ave somethin' fer you." A giddy expression shone on her face as she reached into her jacket pocket.
"What?" Amy asked, her sadness briefly punctuated by curiosity.
Pixie took Amy's hand and turned it over, palm facing up. With her other hand she produced a cloth, "It's official." She grinned as she placed the cloth in the girl's hand. "Wear it with pride, Maiden."
Any stared at the token in silence for a long time, and at the insignia. Two roses, gold and red, twining around each-other. For a moment, it looked like she would reject it, but then her expression changed to something more resolute. She took the cloth and tied it around her neck.
"Thank you."
She pulled Pixie in for one last, deep kiss. When they broke apart, Amy stayed fixed for a second, her face an inch from Pixie's, and she let out a long sigh, her eyes shut, before she pulled back, and turned to face the others in the Crawler.
"Good luck. Be safe." She managed to say, stiffly, before the lump in her throat choked her, and she retreated.
Aesop jumped back in the crawler after making Ruffles no doubt feel weird, and watched Amy and Pixie's goodbye. He was really, really glad Amy hadn't seen Bennie kiss Pixie. He didn't know the ins and outs of thier relationship, but the burning pyre of a cultist along with stacks of dead children told him he didn't want to know. Regardless, Aesop knew that he would at least try his best to make Pixie come back to the maiden. He would throw himself in the fire for her to return to her family, and Cameron, and anyone else who was there, apart from the rapist.
"Thank you," Pixie replied. "For everythin'." She added. Placing her hand on the window once more, Pixie glanced over to Lilith. Was she still mad at her?
As the two women embraced, Lilith clenched her jaw as she averted her eyes. If she was so intent on going alone, then why the hell were Aesop and Cam going with her? Why couldn't she go?
'Whatever, guess I'll just stay here with my thumb up my arse.'
As she looked back at the pair, Amy was in the process of putting on her new bandana. As Pixie caught her eye, Lilith pursed her lips as she blew a puff of smoke from her nostrils, averting her eyes again. This sucked.
Sprout noticed Lilith's reluctance and nudged her, "Go." He was staring daggers into her. 'No' wasn't an answer as far as he was concerned.
Lilith returned the boy's look for a few moments before she rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips.
Hunching her shoulders and pushing her hands into her pockets, she approached Pixie. "Sup." She mumbled, the cigarette hanging loosely from her lips.
"I 'ave somethin' fer you too, Lily." Pixie said softly. Her resolve was waivering. "Do you wan' it?" Her question was sincere.
Not looking at the woman, Lilith shrugged her shoulders. "I guess."
Reaching into her other jacket pocket she retrieved the new scarf she'd made for Lilith. It was red like her last one, but this time it had a little something extra. Holding it out to Lilith, Pixie struggled to smile, "I was thinkin' a doin' somethin' different fer you this time an' I came up with somethin' I reckon you should'a had all along." There was a single playing card-style white heart in the center of the cloth. "You like it?"
Turning her head to look at the scarf, Lilith remained silent as she looked at the gift. As her expression softened, the girl pulled her hands from her pockets, taking the scarf in hand, she ran a hand over the heart.
Finally her eyes met Pixie's a shy smile curling her lips. "Why do you always make it so hard for me to hate you?"
Pixie's anxiety washed away the moment she saw her smile. She couldn't help but return the expression, "I love you, Lily. No matter what happens, jus' remember that. Okay?"
Clasping the scarf to her chest, Lilith took a step forward, rested her chin on Pixie's shoulder as she leaned into her. "I know, you never let me forget."
Pixie grabbed the side of Lilith head of and kissed her on the cheek before fully embracing her, "I'm proud of you."
"I'm still not sure why." Lilith chuckled softly as she wrapped an arm around Meredith's waist. "Thank you, I love it." She paused for a moment. "The scarf I mean, not this feelsie crap."
Ruffles put his hands to his mouth and called out, "yeah, it's gay! Quit it!"
Pixie laughed, "Maybe one day when this is all over I'll take up knittin' full time."
"You should." Lilith sighed. "Could be a book." Lilith stepped out of the embrace. "The Knitting Queen: Several things you didn't know about Meredith Monroe." Lilith arced her hand in front of her face as she recited the title. "Includes gardening tips from Jake Miller, and fashion advice from Aesop... er... shit, does he have a last name?"
"I reckon if more people start dressin' like Aesop I'm gonna have ta' blind myself in my good eye." Pixie snickered.
"Oh fuck you ginger!" Cried Aesop. "And its Ruben! Sillah Ruben *****! That's where the sexy latin heat in me comes from."
"*****, I ain't sharing my secrets," said Ruffles. "My weed's too dank for the lowest common denominator to handle!"
Pixie facepalmed, despite her laughter. Hopefully things wouldn't end in Feroxi. Despite how much better off they would be without her getting them killed... she did really love being around them. Pixie patted Lilith on the shoulder and nodded, "Well, I gotta be hittin' the ol' dusty trail. Take care of the kid, okay sweetheart?"
"Don't I always?" Lilith shurgged her shoulders. Biting her bottom lip, the girl's eyes softened sadly. "just... Don't fuck up, okay?" Lilith reached out and grabed Pixie's hand. "I know you think you can't handle being the captain anymore or whatever, but that doesn't mean you should leave." She kissed the woman gently on the cheek. "Just make sure you come back."
Pixie smiled sadly and nodded.
"Now fuck off, before I change my mind." Lilith chuckled as she playfully pushed herself away from Meredith. Nodding towards Sprout, she unfurled the scarf, tossing it around her neck casually. "Fuckin' awesome."
"Swanky." Sprout agreed. He and his mother locked eyes from across the hangar. There was no one else left. The two of them were all that remained.
After taking a deep breath, Sprout made his way over to his mother, "Sprout..."
"Save it, Ma'," He held his hand out to silence her. "This ain't goodbye."
"But---"
"No. I'm gonna promise you somethin', Ma'." He stared right into her eye. "While yer gone I'm gonna become stronger. I'm gonna become what I need to be to protect these people. To protect the people I love. To protect you. When you come back, I'll be waitin' fer you an' we'll never be apart again. Okay?"
Pixie was utterly floored by Sprout's resolve. A knot formed in her throat when she tried to speak, "Sprout, I---"
She fell silent after he stepped forward and embraced her, "You don' 'ave ta' make me any promises. I'm grown up now. I understand. You gotta do what you gotta do."
"I love you," Pixie muttered. Her hand trembled as she brought it up and pet the back of her son's head. "I love you so much." She began to sob.
Sprout held his mother as she cried, like he always had. It didn't take her long for her to collect herself, "Good luck, Ma'." Sprout whispered.
Pixie nodded and the two of them parted. Wiping the tears from her face, she forced a smile, "Take care'a Bennie fer me, okay? Don' let 'im break my ship."
"I'll keep 'im in line," Sprout joked. Bennie laughed as well. "I love you, Ma'. Give 'im hell."
"Count on it." She assured him before kissing him on the forehead. "I love you, kid."
Sprout offered a stupid grin before shuffling over to Lilith's side.
After one last sigh Pixie glanced around the hangar. It was possible she'd never see this place again. Pushing that painful thought to the back of her mind, she got in the driver's seat. Once the engine roared to life the whole hangar lit up is howls and cheers. Pixie smiled as she and the others put on their breathing masks. She took an extra second to examine Bennie bandanna before putting it on.
She'd take care of Pixie, just like Bennie asked.
With the hangar open, Pixie took one last look at her fellow Maidens. They loved her and she loved them.
Yer doin' the right thin'.
Her gaze lingered on Sprout and Lilith a few moments before she turned to face the ramp.
After waving goodbye she gripped the steering wheel and flew down the ramp and out of the ship. Aesop stood up in his seat and shouted something about a road trip. Pixie wasn't sure exactly, her mind was somewhere else.
And just like that it felt like a great weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Bennie, a man far more fit for the job, was running the ship and looking after her children. By removing herself from the picture, the one person everyone was after, she had made the Iron Maiden irrelevant. They were no longer a piece in the 'game'. Not only would she not get them killed through her inept command, but she had reclaimed her enemies as her own. Dio Basilio and Contessa Lobardi were her enemies, not the Maidens'.
And she was about to take the battle to them.
You will 'ave yer peace, Cherry.
They had only driven about five miles out by the time Cameron spotted the Iron Maiden in the sky. She pointed it out and Pixie turned her head to look. A rogue tear got caught by the wind and rolled across the side of her face as she watched it ascend in the distance.
"Progress?" Dio groaned as he spotted Dr. Pym coming around the corner. He pushed his back off the wall and signaled for Ortega to leave them. The soldier did as was told and disappeared down the hall.
Pym shook his head, "I told you it wasn't going to work."
"Really?" The noble did not look convinced. "It worked on Masakado. MASAKADO! If it can work on him of all people it can work on anyone!"
"Apparently that is not the case," Pym shrugged as the pair began walking the way the doctor had come. "The subject has resisted all attempts at subversion. We've tried everything. Every possible route for him to take."
"Then clearly we don't have enough to go on!" Dio spat.
"We have his entire memory, Dio!" Pym argued. "He won't bite."
"Fuck."
"What do you want me to do with him? Should we just---"
"No," Dio shook his head. "I have an idea. He can still be useful."
"To who exactly?"
Dio grinned, "Me, of course." As his words left his lips he opened the reinforced steel door in front of them and stepped inside the small, dank room. In the middle of this hovel sat a beaten and broken man in irons. The man did not look up at his captors, nor would he greet them.
They were his enemy and they always shall be. No matter how much they poked around in his head that fact would never change.
[HEADING=1]The Ashlanders - Chapter 5: AS THE PALACES BURN[/HEADING]
Her wavy, golden hair fluttered in the artificial wind as she turned on her heel to receive her friend. Like always, she greeted Meredith with a cheeky grin, "You stayed for seconds I take it?"
Margaret was the most beautiful girl Meredith had ever met. Always smiling. Always so... alive. The blue sundress she wore did not do her figure justice, but then she always was a modest girl.
"I don' reckon you rightly know the kinda grub yer passin' up, Cherry." Meredith gave her friend a light shove.
With her hands held behind her back, the young noble bent over to meet Meredith's gaze, "I no longer have the luxury of youth, Pixie. Any second helping will go straight to my waistline." She giggled.
"Please," The little redhead rolled her eyes. "Yer fuckin' eighteen, Cherry! Yer barely a grown up!"
"And you're just a little twelve-year-old! Hardly old enough to have a mouth as vile as that." Margaret teased as she squeezed Meredith's button nose between her fingers.
"Aw, fuck you!" Meredith spat as she swatted the noblewoman's hand away. Margaret giggled before turning around and running between the hedges. "Hey, get back here!" Meredith sprinted after her antagonist.
The two of them had spent countless afternoons in the tower's gardens: basking in the warm light of the twin suns, playing in the hedges and talking about all manner of things. Usually boys.
Margaret hadn't gotten very far by the time the little spitfire caught up. Charging forward with the fury of her ancestors, Meredith wrapped her arms around the teen and brought her toppling down onto the grass. They rolled across the lawn before coming to a stop, piled on top of one another. Margaret burst out laughing while Meredith took this opportunity to best her foe, "Yer dead, *****!" The child shouted as she crawled atop her friend and held her fist up in the air.
"I surrender!" Margaret pleaded. Satisfied with her victory, Meredith lowered her fist and plopped down onto her back, beside the blond. "You're fast."
"You went easy on me." Meredith grinned. The two remained lying in the grass beside each other, looking up at the sky above. Meredith rubbed her over-stuffed belly. Perhaps it was best she lay down for a bit. "Can' it just be this way ferever."
"I wish it could, Pixie." The noble mused.
"Why can' it?"
"Duty," Margaret closed her eyes and nodded. "I have a responsibility to protect the people of this city. To honor my family. You know, noble stuff."
"Sounds shitty." Meredith said matter-of-factly.
"Maybe," The noblewoman admitted. "I want to do more than that though. My birthright isn't all that I am. I can do more than my station."
Meredith laughed, "Like take in good-fer-nuthin' orphans, right?"
"More than that. Much more," Margaret suddenly sounded a lot more serious. "This world is ugly, Pixie. If there's anything I can do to fix it..."
"You can' save everyone, Cherry."
"No, but I can try," Margaret assured her. "They're worth it. The people of this world are worth it."
Meredith rolled over and propped herself onto her elbow. Margaret did the same. The little redhead searched her friend's eyes, "Well, as long as yer plannin' ta' save the world I reckon I owe it to ya' to help out."
Margaret laughed, "Yeah, sure. Next time I need someone to disappear I'll be sure to call the 'expert'."
"At least we know everyone's roles," Meredith said with mock confidence. "No, but seriously... I'll always be by yer side, C."
Margaret smiled warmly and put her hand on Meredith's, "And I'll always be by yours."
Pixie woke from her nap in haze. The stress of the long trip had done a number on her, it seemed. After rubbing her eye, she yawned and stretched out across the sofa. Judging by the neon light shining through the window it must have been nightfall already. How long had she been out?
The trip to Feroxi had been a quiet one, but they made the drive in record time. It took nearly an hour to meet up with Contessa's man so they could sneak into the city, but that particular setback was to be expected. Feroxi wasn't exactly on high alert anymore, but it still had the largest standing army on the planet.
Before she had passed out Carlos slipped out to gather some intel, something they sorely needed now that their network was gone. Not even the Gentleman had eyes in the city now. At least, not reliable ones anyway.
Pixie gave herself a moment to wake up before she'd force herself off the couch. She had a million things nipping at the back of her mind and all she could think about now was getting a drink in her.
Nothin' better than a shot of whiskey in the morin'.
She chuckled to herself as she scratched the top of her head and pulled herself up into a sitting position. Then suddenly, Cameron came into the room. She looked to be in far better shape, but then, she napped in the crawler on the way over, "Rise'n shine, slut. I'm heading out for a supply run. You okay?"
Pixie squinted when the light poured through the doorway and nodded, "Reckon I am. Aesop out there?"
"Yeah, he's here. Alright, well I won't be gone long."
"Be careful, Cam."
Cameron nodded, "Always am." With that, she turned on her heel and left through the front door of the safehouse.
After a few moments of silence, Pixie stretched out one last time and yawned before calling out into the main room, "Hey, Aesop! Be useful an' get me some booze, will ya'?!"
There was something about Cherry dreams that always put her in the mood to drink.
Bennie had been standing on the bridge, looking out the main viewing port for hours now. They didn't have a clear destination in mind. He simply gave orders for them to test the systems and find a good place to lay low.
It was getting late and dinner would be served up soon. If he was going to make this speech he was going to have to do it soon. He'd waited long enough.
Looking down at the black bandanna around his neck, Bennie called out to Sprout who was sitting in the captain's chair, "Make the call, kid."
"Roger that," Sprout hopped out of the seat and grabbed hold of the console-mounted mic. Tapping it twice, he held down the button and hesitated a moment when he heard his breath echo through the ship's PA system. "All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
"Thanks, kid." Bennie said, his head bowed.
"Hey," Sprout walked up behind him and rested his hand on the man's massive arm. "You alright, Bennie?"
He sighed, "I should have stopped her."
"You know Ma'. She's the most stubborn woman on the Rock." Sprout chuckled. "Don' blame yerself."
"Yeah," Bennie nodded. "Thanks." He turned to face the kid and offered him a weak smile.
"It looks good on you." Sprout declared with a firm nod.
"What?"
"The bandanna."
Bennie chuckled, "Well, I'm just holding on to it. Sooner or later I'll have my old one back."
"But then we won' match anymore!" Sprout pouted as he pointed to his own bandanna.
"You'll live." Bennie said before tussling Sprout hair with his monstrous hand. The pair shared a brief laugh.
Elizabeth spent the day bored out of her mind. After reading every novel in her apartment for a second time, her patience was wearing thin. The Major was supposed to take her out to get dinner that evening but he was late.
Dressed up in an elegant blue dress and jewelry she'd been given by Dio's servants, Elizabeth sat impatiently on the sofa tapping her foot against the coffee table.
I wonder if he keeps his dates waiting on him like this too.
Security checks, every goddamn day, Asad understood the need for them, but at this point they were just looking for something to do. He didn't doubt guarding an elevator all day, with Asad being the only consistent visitor, wasn't a particularly exciting job.
"We take security very seriously here, Major Harel, you would be mindful to remember that." One of the guards looked down at the Major's ID, before looking back up. "Your hair is different." The man said, narrowing his eyes.
A perplexed look creased Asad's brow. "But... it's still me." The man shook his head as he ran a hand over his newly cropped hair.
"Major, you must remember to update your credentials, we take sec-
"You take security very seriousLY here, I know, I know." Asad interrupted, rolling his eyes. The guard shook his head, nudging his colleague as they eyed up the Major.
Shrugging his shoulders, Asad shook his impatiently. "What?"
"What's with the get up?" The second guard appeared to have a more lax attitude than his colleague.
Asad looked down at his dinner suit before looking up at the pair, a smirk curling his lips. "You like it? Tailored last week." Asad straightened his back as he brushed his hands down his jacket.
"What's with the tie?" The guard scoffed. "Going somewhere special?"
Asad raised an eyebrow as he adjusted his bowtie. "It's a bowtie, bowties are cool."
"Yeah, right." The second guard muttered under his breath.
Asad sighed impatiently. "If you must know, Lady Elizabeth has been granted permission to leave the premises, it would not do for me, as her chaperone, to be under dressed for such an occasion." The man gestured towards the elevator. "Are we done here?"
"Yes Major, go right ahead." The first guard sighed as flipped a switch to open the elevator doors.
"Thank you." Asad muttered as he stepped inside, turned around as he placed his hands behind his back. The second guard was still staring at him with a look of amusement. "Shut up." Asad frowned as she adjusted his attire. "Bowties are cool." As the door slid closed, Asad shook his head. He was late, Elizabeth didn't react too well to tardiness.
The Major ran a hand over his shaven jaw, his other hand patting the hidden pistol holstered under his jacket. He wasn't expecting there to be any trouble, the city had calmed considerably over the last few days since the departure of the Maidens. News was, they had managed to get their ship back from that crazed cult leader, but not without Yuteni getting wrecked in the process. Pushing those thoughts from his mind as the elevator reached its destination, Asad stepped out into the corridor and approached Elizabeth's room. Surprisingly, he had quickly taken a liking to the girl, she was far from what he was expecting, she wasn't some spoiled brat who had it easy her entire life.
Or she used to be, and she had awoke to the reality of the world. Either way, the job was a lot less boring than he had anticipated.
Knocking on Elizabeth's door, Asad waited coughed as he held his hands behind his back. The man had a key, but he thought it best to respect the girl's privacy, for what little of it she had left.
Lilith yawned as she looked over the Ashlands. The woman had hid herself away in the watchtower for the rest of the day, turning away everyone who had come to relieve her. Whoever scheduled this stuff must have hated her by now, not that those who were down for a shift complained.
Pulling her new scarf over her mouth, the girl nuzzled it gently, taking comfort in the familiar smell. She smiled, rubbing her fingers over the embroidery of the white heart covering her mouth. How did that woman get so good at this stuff? Lilith couldn't knit for shit. Maybe she'd ask Meredith to teach her when she came back.
'If she comes back.'
The girl sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. "Goddamn it Merry, what are you doing to me?" She chuckled.
As Lilith continued to bask in the growing violet moonlight of the rising moons, Sprout's voice rang out over the intercom.
"All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
Lilith scoffed as she pushed herself to her feet. "The captain isn't here, boy." She stretched her arms above her head before she began climbing down the ladder out of the lookout.
Maybe she'd finally get some answers about Florian...
"Oh aye lassie, ya like that don't ya?" Allie cooed as she tinkered with the Maiden's engine fittings, tightening a few bits and bobs that were starting to shake loose. "Ya keep bein' all excited like that and ya clothes are gonna fall off, but I dannae mind, us girls gotta stick together." The young girl grunted with exertion as she tightened a bolt in a particularly tight spot.
Allie had originally been slated to work with the other new recruits on simple repairs and clean up, the Maiden was a big ship, and there was a lot of petty damage that needed attended to, but even then, some of the others still managed to mess it up. It involved a lot of swearing and shoving people out of the way as the girl refused to watch such incompetency.
This had somehow reached the ears of the ship's head engineer, who had began to take in interest in the girl. Enough so that he had let her into the main engine room for 'Low risk maintenance', whatever that meant. It involved a lot of the man talking to himself and whispering about being unsure of letting a new woman into his life.
As the girl tightened another bolt, the engine quieted down slightly. "Ohhhh" Allie shushed as she giggled to herself. "That's the spot, lassie, I found it, dannae mind me, I ken what you want, Allie knows" Closing the engine cover, she gently patted it. "Aye, that'll do ya for now." Pulling her goggles up her forehead, pushing back her wild red hair, Allie tilted her head as a voice echoed over the PA system.
"All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
"Fookin' Sproot, what kinda name is Sproot?" Allie shook her head as she asked the ship. "HEY ROOFLES!" The girl called out. "THE CAP'N WANTS TO SEE US!"
Name: Alison (Allie) McTavish
Age: 13
Sex: Female
Profession: Mechanic/engineer
Appearance: The first thing people notice about Allie is the wild, fiery red hair that falls to her shoulders. Although hard to tame, the girl usually has no problem with at least keeping it out of her face by pinning it back with a large pair of protective goggles, although that doesn't stop the occasional spark from claiming a tress or two, fire hazards be damned! With soft features, her nose and cheeks are dotted with freckles, and her large green eyes emphasise her youthfulness. At around 5"2', Allie is a petite girl with a thin build, making her ideal for repairs in tight spaces or that require a more delicate touch, that's not to say she can't give an engine a good bloody wallop though, she can smash something with a wrench like the best of them!
Allie's typical attire consists of an pair of overalls held up by suspenders, with a t-shirt underneath and a pair of thick protective gloves and steel toe-capped boots. Although she does own other clothes, she rarely changes out of her work clothes, mostly because it's just easier to pull up her suspenders and get back to work, than to waste time getting changed. She's never seen without her tatty red and green tartan neck bandana.
Allie is a little manic, always running off numbers or measurements in her head, whispering to herself, counting off fingers, leaving conversations without warning if she has an epiphany, which gives the impression that she is unfocused, when she's anything but.
Personality: Loud, energetic, unsubtle, uncouth, and very... sweary. Allie is a prodigy in all things mechanical. If it has moving parts, chances are she can fix it, or at least bullshit enough parts to hold something together long enough for it to not kill everyone. Maybe.
Allie has little concept of authority, sure she'll obey orders, but don't expect her to keep quiet if she dislikes them. The girl has no issues calling someone an idiot, no matter how important they might be. Thankfully, her accent is so thick that most people don't catch half the stuff she says anyway.
The girl also has no concept of weight classes. She'll happily throw down with someone three times her size, thankfully, she is so little a threat that she can be easily brushed off, or sent away with a clip around the ear, ending the fight in 'a draw'. Thankfully, she is as playful as she is fighty, endearing herself quite quickly to others.
Biography: Raised in the Sherwood dome by Nana McTavish, Allie loved everything mechanical from a young age. Nana McTavish ran a small metal shop, offering various miscellaneous repairs to the district they lived in. Fixing crawlers, air filter units, building equipment, clocks, farming equipment, anything really. Until the age of 12, this little repair shop was enough to keep the pair afloat, until business just ground to a halt. Forcing the to move to Yuteni, they set up another small repair shop, business took off immediately, and everything was going great, until the attack...
Notes: Although she has zero weapons training, she can assemble a gun with her eyes closed, she knows exactly how they work, she's just never had to use one before.
"Yeah, Allie, I heard," Ruffles replied, worming his way out of the wall he had cut into to chase faulty wiring. His goggles were down, and the telescopic right eye presently had a heat vision filter engaged, making Allie a burning red blur that filled his vision. Not that different from regular sight, in that regard. He pulled the goggles down and let them hang around his neck. "The drive plate's gonna need replacing," he said. "I want you to watch while I do that. Gotta do it just right. If the plate doesn't seal properly, then when that engine fires up, there's gonna be quite a big hole in my ship."
==============================================
"Do you... have any threes?" asked Whiskey.
Millie peered owlishly over the top of her cards at her mother for a moment before handing over two cards.
"Your turn, baby," said Whiskey, taking the two threes and laying down the set of four.
"Okay. Mommy, do you have any kings?" Eddie's hat slid down her eyes as she said this, and she pushed it back up. She rarely took it off these days. Especially when she was playing cards. She had taken its apparent luck to heart. And maybe it was working, because although Whiskey had just gotten a set, Millie had five to her two.
"Go fish, honey."
"All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
"Well, that's my cue," said Whiskey, getting up from the floor. "You gonna be okay if I leave ya alone for a while, Mil?"
Millie nodded. "I got some paper and crayons," she said. "I'm gonna draw something."
"Can't wait to see it," said Whiskey, pulling on her boots. She was wearing a man's chambray shirt today, which was hanging open. Buttoning it up, she felt for the pack of cigarettes in the breast pocket and found them. "I'll be back in a while."
When she was in the corridor, she pulled out a cigarette and her lighter, and lit up.
=========================================
Bryan opened his eyes blearily and sat up, yawning. Turning on his ass, he got out of the bed, tentatively so as not to send a bolt of pain through his chest. He straightened up successfully and went over to the sink on his side of the room to wash his face and rinse his beard. Blotting it with a towel, he turned around.
"Hey, Moony. You awake? Need anything?"
=========================================
Eddie had paced the room so many times, he thought he must have worn a groove in the ground. The sound of Whiskey's screaming had faded away, and that was a relief, but the silence was torture. Eventually, he went to the door, and up the stairs.
When he came out onto the landing, the nurses, both of them male, looked up in apprehension. They had already struggled to remove him once the labor had really gotten underway.
"Mister Canton, you can't be here. We told you, the midwife will come for you when your, ah... significant other, is..."
But Eddie ignored the protests, barreling past both men to the door. He opened it so forcefully, the hinges creaked in protest.
"Whisk..." he started, but found he'd lost his voice. She was watching him from her bed. Sweat drenched her face, as well as her hair to the point where it looked almost black instead of its usual copper. She was smiling a tired smile. In her arms, there was a bundle, almost frighteningly small, from which a pair of large, baby-blue eyes peered out at the newcomer.
"B-boy or girl?" he asked. His legs felt like jelly beneath him, despite the relief sweeping over him.
Eddie woke up with a start. The movement caused his muscles to protest loudly. He groaned. The previous night's 'punishment' had been intense. No doubt Payton's way of making up for the lapse of several days. Eddie couldn't recall feeling much of it, however. He had taken the pain silently. It was nothing compared to the other agony he felt.
Amy sat slumped, on her own at a table in the corner of the mess hall. A bottle of rum stood empty to her left, and she was about a third into her second, raising it to her lips once more, and taking a long, clumsy gulp. She grimaced as the fiery liquid made it's way once more down her gullet, that which was not dripping off her chin, anyway.
She'd started drinking shortly after the departure of Pixie and the others (she could no longer remember exactly when) and had kept it up ever since. It seemed as good a way to pass the time as any. What were the chances, she wondered, that she could fill enough of each day with distractions that she left herself no time to think about Pixie. When she wasn't fighting, she would drink. When she wasn't drinking, she would fuck, and then maybe she's even go to sleep, but only after drinking so much that she wouldn't dream. Anything, anything was worth absorbing herself in so long as it it kept her from slowing down, and letting everything catch up to her. She'd do anything, so long as it wasn't crying. She was done crying.
"All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
Amy glared up, bleary-eyed, at the loudspeaker, as if it had just said something personally offensive. The words 'The Captain' in particular left a bad taste in her mouth, especially now, having spent her day thinking. Amy had figured some things out.
Nevertheless, Amy struggled to rise. Perhaps this meeting would present an opportunity to embarrass or undermine Bennie in some way? To make him give a bad first impression as Captain in front of everyone... that would be fun. It was hopeless however. The more she tried to get up, the more aware Amy became that she could no longer feel her legs, and whatever commands her brain was trying to send them were not translating properly.
"Fine. Didn't wanna go anyway." She mumbled, flipping off toe loudspeaker before taking another hearty swig of rum.
The reception room of Contessa Lombardi's private apartments reflected The Gentleman's own face back at him, in various warped contours, from whichever angle he looked. It seemed that every ornament, every surface in the room, shone a polished gold. Even The Gentleman found it hard to feel at home in such gaudy surroundings. However, he put on a good show of it, leaning back in the large, rococo armchair, his pipe in one hand, and an envelope twirling in and out of the fingers of the other, as he waited for his host to make her appearance.
His thoughts returned, not for the first time, to Owain and Severa. Perhaps Contessa really had been hoping that he'd get rid of them for her, she seemed to have so little regard for their well-being. It had been thoughtful of him, to make sure that they were provisioned for a long time. Provided they didn't get greedy, they should still have a couple of days worth of food left.
Why had she sent them after him? Whatever pretext she had given, it had apparently been abandoned the moment they had Florian in their clutches. Contessa must have known her own blood better than he, she must have known the two of them would not be reliable. Why then, out of all the resources under her command, did she send them? To get his attention? Well, mission accomplished on that score, and yet it seemed somewhat overboard. He'd just beaten her to the largest heist in history, and taken a great deal of her own carbon in the process. Of course the intentions of Contessa Lombardi were going to be on his radar for a long time afterwards.
The Gentleman didn't like this. He needed to see the woman face to face. He needed to look into her eyes, where the intentions couldn't hide.
"Damnit." Florian cursed under his breath as the radio carried on its stubborn crackle of static, no doubt just to spite him. He'd been fiddling with the wires for what felt like forever and with no luck, by this point he was probably doing more harm than good. Nothing left to do now but hit the blasted thing!
Why was it so hard to find a working radio in this day and age? Luck wasn't going to be of any help in reaching the Maidens by the looks of it.
'What are they even doing now?'
He'd been gone for only a couple weeks and yet it may as well have been years for all that could have happened. They were fine no doubt, they had to be. Lilith and Axel would have gotten clear of the trouble they'd ran into and found themselves a place to lay low. By now they were probably far from anyone's reach and setting up their own little fresh start. The captain had regrouped the others and they were probably in the middle of recuperating their losses. The Gentleman's intelligence had even said that Elizabeth wasn't going to be taken to Dio. She could be anywhere by now, vanished into the ashlands. Maybe not as rich or as comfortable as before but free at least. They were all no doubt fine. They had to be.
'This will all pass. This is just one last scheme and then you're out. Out for good.'
Whatever Florian would do after this could wait. still, he couldn't help but wonder. Once things were settled in Frostfall he'd be free and not like before, not stalking off in the night like a hunted man but walking away openly. Free of vows and duties and able to go anywhere and do anything. he could rejoin the maiden as a fully fledged bandit... except that was what he was trying to avoid, God knows it hadn't gone well for him lately. Maybe he could go searching for Elizabeth, hold up what little honour he had and put all the tricks he'd learned over a life poorly spent to good use. It was dangerous but it was cause he's easily fight for.
Or maybe he'd be selfish, put it behind him, fighting and all and go after something he simply wanted instead of things he had to do. 'Maybe they wouldn't mind having a third runaway tag along.'
But this was all fantasy and could wait for later.
Irena had kept him up to date on all the inner working of the Bejic family - his family, did he really need reminding? - a lot of new lieutenants and captains were being named, new crews were being put together in the wake of the conflict as swathes of criminals from all walks had earned their names. Problem was; very few of those reaping the benefits were Irena or Erik's people. The balance of power was turning and not in the way people had expected. Vasa's tastes had soured, it seemed, and his favour was being showered on Sergei and his kind.
'Sergei... I still can't believe he replaced me with that fuckwit.'
A poor thing for Frostfall but a blessing for Florian's plans. People would be bitter about this, they'd be doubting Vasa and the future he was carving. Pushed even further by the fact that Sergei's crews were quickly carving up the streets as they marked their new playgrounds. The old guard were being pushed out and they weren't the kind to not push back.
=======================================================================
["The fuck kinda drinks you even serving in this fag joint?"] Another glass fell to the floor and bar staff looked on sternly as a bunch of punks went about getting drunk way earlier in the day than anyone with class would.
["You boys wanna calm down. I can fix you some beers but we don't put up with this shit, so I'm gunna get a brush and pan an you can-"]
["Shut up! What are you supposed to be anyway?"]
Alexi bristled under his makeup, keeping his rigid posture and his arms folded over his chest. He really needed to get a gun. There was a pool cue near by but too many bastards for his violent flailing to take. Growing up in Frostfall, boys like him learned to pick their battles. But luck was with him today as his bar's stinking white knight lumbered quietly through the door.
["You really wanna think about leaving now. You got your last strike so piss off out the door and I'll think about calling us quits there and not bill you for the damage."] A faint smirk was finding its way onto his face.
["You mother fucker."] Barked one shameless dog who thought he had a bigger scarf than all the rest. He drew his gun with some difficulty and it was plain to see how he meant to use it. ["You even know who you're talking to?"] He wouldn't get to use it though as his wrist was trapped in an iron grip and the air in the bar went a little colder, if that was possible.
He turned his head awkwardly to see Erik looming over him, his face a picture of calm disapproval.
["Oh fuck..."] was all he could think to say.
["Yeeaaahhh..."] Erik sighed out in the same way you tell a friend that they have indeed trodden in a giant pile of dog shit.
=======================================================================
["Have you seen Erik around here?"] Irena asked the latest in a long line of street walkers. She'd been looking for him for hours, apparently he'd forgotten how to answer his radio, as was Erik's custom.
She didn't get the chance to hear their answer though as everyone's eyes were suddenly drawn to the sight of some poor fool being sent flying sideways through a window further down the street. ["Never mind, think I found him."]
'Oh Christ, when he finds out Florian's still alive. That thought alone was enough to send shudders down her spine. It would be like storming the tower all over again.
=======================================================================
"All Maidens, this is Sprout speakin'. The Captain requests that all y'all gather on the bridge fer a short meetin'. That's all."
"Well hiedy hoe if that aint just the best." Gale chirped away to herself, nonchalantly swinging herself clear of her chair and the mess hall table.
Today was shaping up to be a good one, she'd had an easy morning after the infamous Lilith had bagged Gale's lookout duty, giving her a free morning and time enough to take her time about breakfast. After that was plenty of time to herself, plucking away on Martin and giving Barker a good clean and then just exploring this wonder of a ship.
The Maiden was like nothing Gale had ever experienced, the moment it took to the sky she was like a kid in a candy store. No, scratch that! A kid on their birthday morning. No! A kid on their birthday morning and they woke up to find a puppy sitting next to them... and they were in a candy store and... and. It was fucking awesome! The travelers didn't have anything like this, they relied on land convoys and massive people carriers that rumbled and roared across the ashen dunes. But this! To fly like a spirit, Gale still hadn't gotten bored of it and she hoped she never would. Even now she'd find herself just stopping now and then and just... loving the feeling of it. Of being where she was.
Maybe this was the destiny the lion had to show her. If she could bring back a ship like this to the Colmore caravan she'd go down in traveler history. Maybe they'd even write songs about her! 'Whoah there! Don't get ahead of yourself there girly, this journey's just started, got a lot of glory to earn yet.'
That thought could make a good day even better. Where would her first job as an actual bandit take her first? Well there was only one way to find out, so off she went at a trot. This was gunna be so sweet!
Birth Name: Gale Havensworth (Pronounced Havensverth) Spirit Name: Wandering sun. Age: 18 Sex: Female Profession: Fortune teller, mystic, part-time bounty hunter and future Iron Maiden.
Appearance: Gale stands at 5 foot 6 inches and is perfectly fine with that. She can trace herself back to Indian and Middle Eastern ancestors, not that she knows this. Her hazel coloured, almond shaped eyes stand out brightly against her dark (and usually dirty) complexion. A life of almost constant travelling forces a lady to grab her chance of bathing when she can get them. Plenty of physical chores around the caravan and taking jobs around the shadier sides of a dome have left Gale's hands rough and more callused than those fancy dome dweller girls, along with a good amount of muscle, though she lacks any kind of definition. It did give her an awesome pair of legs though and if you say otherwise then Gale will calmly inform you that you are wrong.
Practicality is the driving force behind Gale's attire, fashion and flattering clothes are something that passed her by completely. If it's comfy and it'll help pad a hit then what's the problem? Not that she doesn't have her own little bits of flare. Every traveller carries some brightly striped or dotted cloth bandannas or scarves or whatnot and Gale's no different. Wrapping a bright white and red striped cloth around her head like a cap to keep her long black hair out of her eyes when needed and a smaller sash that she usually ties around her wrist or keeps stashed in her vest pocket.
Gale has fairly round features that can make her look younger than she really is. She usually keeps her hair tied back in a ponytail that she keeps in a tight braid. Gale isn't used to getting to sitting around and taking it easy that much so when she gets the chance she revels in it, lounging around on furniture like a house cat and taking full advantage of any pillow or cushion she can find.
Personality: Open to a fault. In the caravan you share everything, everyone's equal and you do whatever you need to if your people need your help. This kind of upbringing has left Gale without some of the usual personal boundaries that dome dwellers tend to have. Personal space is a luxury they could never afford and secrets and gossip can tear the group apart.
This can lead to Gale coming on a little strong at times but it never seems to register with her why people might have a problem with this. It must just be a domer thing.
Bio: Outside the safety of the domes and beyond the reach of noble hands are the true people of The Rock. Looked down upon by pompous domers as a bunch of thieves, beggars and petty criminals but what the hell. The grand caravans know that they will one day inherit The Rock for they know the true ways of the ash.
The ash gypsies, or Travellers as they prefer to be called, are scattered into a collection of small and great caravans with each one being named after its founder. Gale was born to the Colburn Caravan, under the stars of Teneb the Harvester. The people of Colburn keep their stories close, passing them down by the tradition of word of mouth, along with their ancient spiritual customs. Mama Colburn taught Gale all the tricks of the trade that a caravan's wise woman should know while others showed her how to handle herself when she was out in the world. How to traverse the ash like a true child should, where best to kick a man when he kicks off and how to place a good mark if you're short of carbon.
But being the future wise woman of a caravan isn't all book learning (in fact Gale's never even read a real book) it also means proving that you have the strength and bravery to help lead yourself and not just the caravan. Now Gale has come of age and must go on her own grand journey into the ash, making her own way, carving her own stories and eventually bringing something of worth back to the caravan.
So Gale set out, armed with nothing but her trusty carbine rifle "Barker", a deck of hand drawn fortune cards (they tell your fortune) and her beloved backpacker guitar that was given to her by Mama Colburn who named the ancient instrument, Martin. Before she left the cards gave Mama Colburn two pieces of wisdom to help guide Gale and keep her safe. The first was the day and means of her death so that she could enter each of her battles bravely. The next was a clue to help her find her direction. That a young lion who had shaken the reaper's hand would show Gale her destiny.
So Gale made her way from dome to dome, telling fortunes and busking around, trying not to rob people too much because stereotypes are terrible things. She even put her rougher skills to the test, working her way up through low level bounty jobs and acquiring a taste for it an all. It was one of these jobs that brought Gale to Yuteni just in time to get swept up in Austin's attack. It was touch and go for a while but both Gale and Martin survived.
It was in the aftermath that Gale's curiosity caused her to check out the famous Iron Maidens since they were recruiting. Where she would meet Axel Munroe, a young lion who'd shook hands with the reaper and Gales unwitting spirit guide.
Noted: Gale has learned all the stories of her caravan and the old legends of the spirits of The Rock. Including (but not limited to) The Great Scorching, The legend of Ajani ?Greatest of all the hunters? and the story of the faded stag of Feroxi.
Gale can read the fortune cards of the travellers, a complex and convoluted system that caravan mystics use to help them predict an individual's fate.
She also loves to play a cool tune at parties or just to pass the time. She's very protective of Martin the guitar. Gale would love to be able to write her own songs but sucks when it comes to lyrics. Her composition's pretty good though... if you're into that kind of thing.
Barker is an old M1 Carbine. Martin is a slim Martin&Co Backpacker guitar, larger than a ukulele but much thinner.
Maria gave a yawn as Sprout's voice came over on the intercom.
Life for her had somewhat settled into routine after routine ever since they had left the broken shell of Yuteni, causing days to just past by in a blur. Recovery, recuperation, repair... All had taken place but things still seemed fractured somehow. No doubt the departure of the ship's captain had something to do with that. Though, that didn't mean things were falling apart at the seams. Not at all. Drifting was the word; the Iron Maiden and its crew wasn't really going anywhere, just a ship and its crew waiting for the Bandit Queen to return. Maria just hoped that it wouldn't turn out like another Cook. She sighed and made her way to the bridge as her thoughts turned to Elizabeth and her... predicament.
Maria chuckled slightly, everything was a mess...
***
Bryan was finally awake, "Hey, Moony. You awake? Need anything?"
Over the past few days, the ratio of boredom to frustration had slowly swung back into boredom's favour. There really wasn't any point in staying angry at oneself for days on end anyway. That, and there were other targets available. If the doctors' answer to the problem of the injured soldier avoiding the call button like it was infected with some deadly disease was bringing in Bryan, then they were clearly fucking geniuses. In another show of utter stubbornness, Jun had got into the habit of sorting out any urgent business with the nurses before his squadmate could have a chance to. The nurses were the lesser evil, after all. Still, there was one problem: his surname had taken on an entirely different meaning thanks to those gossips.
Jun turned his head slowly and replied with, "No, O'Lafferty."
***
Astor groaned, was it going to be another Iron Maiden 101 class? He hated those.
Well, at least the notorious noble-eater of a leader was gone. But why was he even worrying about that? Astor, or rather 'Jesse', had done everything possible to convince the Maidens that banditry wasn't his forte, that he was but a simple boy born to a travelling snake-oil salesman who wasn't really very good at convincing a couple of bandits about the marvelous properties of his wares - something Astor had got out of a dime novel. However, there was only so long the noble could stand to be out of the spotlight... It helped somewhat that girls on the Maiden ranged from okay-looking to meeting the standards of the fussiest nobles. Yes, that would be his mission! The noble-eater's son might think he was too good to even greet the new blood, but Astor would have his revenge.
Whistling a jolly little tune, he made his way to the meeting.
Name: Astor Horatio Catamitus Beauregard Chetwynd-Talbot IV, though at the moment, he simply goes by ?Jesse? Age: 16 Gender: Male Profession: Noble
Appearance: Dark, chocolate-coloured (dyed, originally was a blondie) hair frames his fair facial features and his blue eyes glitter with both confidence and mischief. He gives off a pompous air, to put it shortly. His body language is mostly relaxed, and is perhaps of the few Nobles that have mastered the art of both possessing perfect posture and not appearing like a condescending twat. Well maybe. Astor?s normal choice of clothing consists of the latest in Noble fashion but with his own personal touch, in other words, ostentatious yet classy. Patches of stubble dot his jaw - his pride and joy as a man and the fruit of many sessions of ?growth encouragement?. Though, whether these patches suit his boyish face is matter of debate. Astor is a person who speaks with his hands as much as his mouth - over the top gestures are the best way to grab the spotlight, after all.
Personality: Friendly; outgoing; charming; a real ladies? man, or at least that?s what Astor thinks of himself. Regardless, he?s a natural crowd pleaser. Astor is not one to quietly fade into the background, no, he is the leading star of every scene! Expect grand speeches and whatnot from him. However, he has been slowly trying to blend with the common folk - key word being ?trying?. Some aspects of commoner life still baffle him, for example, take instant coffee: terrible, terrible stuff that tastes so bad that the sheer effort of acquiring and making the real stuff is absolutely worth it. Though, some inventions and customs of commoners impress Astor, especially those that save time or carbon. But more often than not, the Noble?s over-the-top nature gets the better of him, forcing him to make up elaborate stories about himself - especially as Astor is currently hiding his nobility from the common folk.
Biography: As always with Nobles, Astor was born in the lap of luxury. Though, as the third son of the Chetwynd-Talbot family, he was more or less left to his own devices as his parents doted on his much more important brothers. Sure, Astor was given tutors and whatnot but he was always in his brothers? shadows. They are always more clever, better at sports and, well, their achievements actually mattered. As if to compensate for Leonard?s and Quentin?s rowdiness, Astor had always been a quiet little lad during his childhood, though that changed when he was placed under his uncle?s - a certain Lord Ivan - care. There, Astor spent carefree days in Calico doing almost absolutely nothing at all while Lord Ivan hosted various parties. Well, at least when Astor wasn?t being forced to be a cutesy little drinks server or was being forced to listen to the many lectures of Lord Ivan about how to succeed in life (the content of these mostly including good women, good drink, good food and good parties - oh, also hints for getting the aforementioned things.)
On the eve of his sixteenth birthday, Astor made his debut in high society in his beautillion ball only to find that most of the girls - or in other words, potential brides - were ugly bores, to put it harshly. Even worse, he had been promised of one of them! While his older brothers had naturally been engaged to the more important, and probably more prettier girls. Of course Astor objected but those objection were simply rebuttaled with talks of ensuring that the Chetwynd-Talbot family endures or of loyalty, honour, and responsibility. Then, it dawned on him: the Noble life was a boring one, full of nothing but fulfilling other people?s expectations, so why not just go off the beaten path and make a life for yourself? That way, Astor wouldn?t have to deal with his boorish brothers or his aloof uncle or the broad his relatives were all too happy to force on him. And so, it was decided! Astor gathered up some supplies, dyed his hair and ran off during another of Lord Ivan?s parties, where all involved except for the plucky young noble were absolutely zonked.
Unfortunately, the lad?s travels brought him to Yuteni, and he was caught in the middle of the battle...
Other: His equipment consists of a Winchester Model 1892 with a shortened barrel and stock, along with gold-tone embellishments on the receiver - something about an old cowboy and the words Courage, Strength and Grit. Whatever that is. Regardless, Astor refers to it as the Mare?s Leg. To go with that, is a holster and some .44-40 Winchester cartridges for ammo. Being someone who travels light, his only other possession is his wallet, complete with a good amount of carbon in it.
Aesop had actually managed to relax during the trip, despite sitting next to a bastard. He didn't know what it was, despite probably going to his death with the woman he admired so much, someone who had given him pity when he probably didn't deserve it, and a man even worse then him, he felt calm about it. He could make jokes without it being a bullshit shield, nor to distract him from his troubles. He had a lot of baggage especially now, but for some reason it wasn't weighing as heavy on his shoulders at it had the past week. As strange as it was he wasn't going to question it, he was just happy to be with Pixie and Cam, and would tolerate Carlos.
Aesop was busy reading the comics that Sprout was apparantly too cool to read when Pixie called him.
"Hey, Aesop! Be useful an' get me some booze, will ya'?!"
"You sure thats a good idea for a drunk like me to hand you your booze?" Is what he probably should have said.
"Right Cap'n." He said as he leapt up off the couch, tired from the journey sure but he managed to get one or two hours shuteye. He opened the door to a... surprisingly decadent liquor cabinet. He was a little awestruck at first by the selection, picking up an old favourite after a long pause. Boomhower Original. Rough as all hell but gave a mule kick of a buzz, fast. He quickly made his way to Pixie and handed it to her. "Still got an eye for this shit." He smiled.
Pixie threw her head back against the couch cushion and sighed.
Quit callin' me that...
Raising her arms above her head, she hung them both over the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling. It seemed like ages since she just took it easy. Chilled out. No kids, no lovers, no death or drama. Just some booze, a ratty sofa and minimal clothing. It wan't particularly hot in the safehouse, Pixie just preferred tanktops and underwear when she was lounging about. Under the right circumstances socks were comfy too, as was the case now.
By the time Aesop appeared in the room Pixie was already tired of following the ceiling fan spin with her good eye.
"Still got an eye for this shit."
Pixie lifted her head to see him and grinned, "Don' reckon that'll ever change, Aesop." Keeping one arm slung over the back of the couch, Pixie reached out for the booze. She took a swig straight out of the bottle and held it out to examine the label. "If I stopped killin' right now I'm sure I'd still be jus' as capable five years down the line. I'd still feel the same rush I do now. There are some things you never ferget." She frowned. "Some things ar' jus' a part 'a you, I reckon."
She took another sip before looking at Aesop, "It's good. Sorry you can', uh... well, you can light up if you wanna. I don' like that shit Ruffles grows, but it'd be selfish of me ta' complain." She looked past Aesop and chuckled. "We need some cigars."
"Coming!" Elizabeth called out when she heard the knock at her door. Considering their lack of speech it must have been Asad. Few others she had encountered here had been nearly as... straight forward as he.
Perhaps that isn't the right word.
Rushing over to the front door, she stopped by the nearby vanity mirror to look herself over quickly.
Good enough. This isn't a date, anyway.
Under normal circumstances she wouldn't have been too concerned with her appearance, but this was the first time she'd been allowed to leave the tower. She wanted to look pretty. It would help her forget how utterly hopeless her situation truly was.
She opened the door.
"Major," She offered a small smile. "You clean up well, I see."
They were all here from the looks of it. Despite their rag-tag nature, the new Maidens had gathered on the bridge in short order. All of them gathered together in the back, right in front of the captain's chair. Sprout stood at attention before them as Bennie lingered by the window, collecting himself. The last time he led the Maidens it had ended in utter failure. His failure as a leader is why he went solo in the first place.
This time will be different.
He allowed himself one last sigh before turning on his heel and stepping up to the command console behind Sprout. Standing at the boy's side, he put his hands behind his back and examined the collection of Maidens.
So fuckin' young... it's like it was back then... when this all started.
"Maidens," Bennie began, his tone firm but not unkind. "Pixie's departure was... a last minute decision. None of us expected it. It is my hope that she returns to us soon, but in the mean time she's left command of this vessel to me. Until such a time that she returns to reclaim it, I am acting captain of the Iron Maiden."
There were a few murmurs here and there, but nothing unruly. Sprout managed to quiet them with a simple glare. Bennie resisted the urge to bow his head as he continued, "Our first order of business is to strengthen ourselves and our ship. Many of you require formal arms training, among other things and this will be made a priority for everyone aboard. My man, Ruffles is also hard at work training new engineers; people we will be in dire need of if he does decide to work for Wilkes-Vines." He couldn't help but say their name with a tinge of venom. "Which brings me to the second order of business: Wilkes-Vines. I won't lie to any of you, I despise their organization. I'd like nothing more than to bleed them dry. We cannot afford to make them an enemy, however, and due to complications in our agreement we may need to do some work for them."
Bennie sighed and shook his head, "I don't like it, but this what we were given. I intend to clean up this mess and get us on a clear and concise path as soon as possible. It's going to take a lot of adjusting for many of you." His gaze lingered for a moment on some of Austin's ex-followers. The two young women who had helped him with Millie. "If any of you need anything do not hesitate to come to me or any of the older Maidens: Sprout here," He gestured to each of them. "Lilith, Ruffles, Brock or Tallahassee. We're all here for you." He nodded to himself and added. "Any questions?"
"Yeah," said Ruffles. "Was that a speech?" He grinned. "Sorry, I'm just used to my ears burning by the end of these things." He cleared his throat, adopting a gruff mock up of Pixie's voice. "You chode suckin' newbies better git ready fer one ass fucker of a ride, 'cause our Captain done decide ta ***** the fuck off t'dick lickin' nowhere an' now we gotta work fer some limp-dick, white haired, snake oilin' **** basket son-***** so he don' take nasty t'us! Y'all got that, ya loose flaps ah fuckin' sweaty scrote skin!?"
A cigarette in her mouth, Lilith smirked as Ruffles did his best Pixie impression, nudging him with her shoulder as he finished. "I'll pay you money to keep talking like that." The woman chuckled before taking a long drag of her cigarette, raising a hand lazily as she blew smoke towards the ceiling.
"I gotta question." She glanced around at the crop of new Maidens. "Sprout isn't the youngest, I don't know what is real any more, what do I do?" Lilith shook her head as her voice rang with mock concern. "Also, what's going on with the Frostfall situation? Have we heard back from Florian yet?"
Standing on the other side of Ruffles, Allie furrowed her brow as Bennie explained the situation. She didn't really understand the circumstances behind the original captain's absence, but then again, Allie never really paid that much attention to anything that wasn't in a workshop. As far as she could tell, she was amongst the youngest on the ship. She glanced up at Lilith as she muttered to Ruffles. Blondie was the only person on the ship from her neck of the woods, and even then, she was from the opposite side of the dome.
"Psst, Roofles." Allie whispered as she nudged the man with her elbow. "What are these 'other' engineers he's talkin' aboot?" She pouted as she looked up at her mentor. "You seein' other lasses behind me back?"
Lilith glanced at the little red headed thing, almost squeaking as she talked. Throwing an arm casually around Ruffles' shoulder, she sighed happily. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of her saying 'Roofles'."
"Away an' boil yer heed, blondie." Allie stuck her tongue out at the taller woman.
"Oh we're keeping this one." Lilith chuckled.
=====================================
"You clean up well, I see."
Asad shrugged his shoulders. "It's not very often I have an excuse to dress so fancy." The man smiled. "May I come in?" He asked. He imagined standing on ceremony wasn't a new thing for the girl, she knew very well that he only asked out of respect, he had 'permission' to enter her apartment whenever he saw fit, hopefully he'd never need to exercise that authority.
As the girl beckoned him inside, Asad bowed his head as he glanced at the young woman's attire. "This is more of what you're used to, I imagine, are you excited to get out of here?" He couldn't imagine how cooped she must feel. He knew he's be driven slowly mad by such restrictions.
"Well there are these tiny little elves that float in the corners of my vision, and occasionally, while I'm sleeping, degrease the engines for me," Ruffles replied. "But they're gender nonspecific. I assume they reproduce through spores, or something."
"Oh we're keeping this one."
"You kidding? If we can train her to speak English, then there's people in the south domes that'd pay me a fortune for her."
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
