[ He's not particularly tense but it's not like he's totally relaxed either. In a bit of a stalemate, caught between wants and shouldn'ts. ]
You comin' with?
[ He would've asked if Vash was gonna go revisit the colony separately but 'we' maybe implies that...? He can't imagine Vash is just going to ignore the ship if they bother to go back all the way over there, since it seemed like the colony is one of the few existences that the guy doesn't actively avoid. And he spoke to Luida, and saw the way Jessica looked at him -- they miss him too. ]
Of course I am! What's the other option? Let you go alone?
[ After Wolfwood left him, then died? Sure, this visit is not as grave, but he has little intention of letting Wolfwood visit the colony on his own. He could tell the last time they were there, Wolfwood was some unsettled.
Vash is going. ]
... They told me to visit more, no matter what happened at the end of it all.
[ Back to resting his forehead on the point of Wolfwood's shoulder. Prodigal son returns meme is him, but he doesn't spend lavishly. He just doesn't hold onto money.
[ He doesn't consider these the same, so. Surely they don't have to stick together like they're glued every step of the way, even if for this particular example, he was indeed hoping that Vash would say yes.
He lets Vash rest where he likes, smoking this cigarette down to the stub before he goes for another. It's also been a little weird having his unnatural body back, making him cognisant of the lack of restriction in his lungs after chainsmoking so hard in the UG. Back to being a vice that won't hurt him in the long run because his body will patch it up even if he doesn't want it to. ]
We can think about it then. Sometime. If we're nearby.
[ He trails his free hand idly, hooking fingers around Vash's waist. They don't have a direction to head now, purely wanderers. It makes him feel a little hollow, chained animal suddenly freed but having a hard time deciding how to step out. ]
If you want to go on your own, I don't mind waiting in a town nearby.
[ Vash doesn't intend to be joined at the hip to Wolfwood. They'll likely end up doing what they want more often enough, then convene for the night or halfway through the day.
The scent of familiar smoke comforts him despite his deteriorated health, lulling him until he feels a grasp around his waist. The touch makes him lean in closer, back arching forward. ]
Did you cross Livio yet? I haven't ran into the crybaby.
Hmmm. He would visit a lot and he knows how to get there.
[ Vash doesn't comment on how it's likely Livio visits Wolfwood's grave quite often... Doesn't mention he has some time to play with the orphans, how they gently asked him about Wolfwood, searching for answers to things they don't understand. He kept those secrets much like Wolfwood asked and wanted.
He'll keep these locked away, too. Wolfwood might see when they visit, anyway. For now, he lifts his head so he can nest his chin on Wolfwood's shoulder, peering at him. ]
[ It'd been a while since her last crash, urgency of getting to the Ark much more important. And then the better part of a year on said Ark. And then two months in the UG...
[ Vash drums his fingers against Wolfwood's chest in a rhythm, a pause between each chord. ]
Sounds like we might pay a visit soon.
[ He was never that partial to cars or bikes himself, but... He enjoyed being on the attachment seat. Not so much driving himself and some dread weighs on him when that may be part of his life again.
... It's worth Wolfwood's joy. ]
Having a ride makes things a little more convenient, anyway.
I think I can drive well enough for the amount of hours you sleep.
[ Vash tried to learn... He ended up still bad at it, but he could last long enough not to crash. Have we ever considered that people may just be bad at things?
The drumming eventually stops with the hand rested atop his heart. Sometimes... Vibrations nice. Heartbeat is soothing. ]
Odd jobs like usual, but I also held a part-time at a cafe for a little. That town was rural. Barely received visitors, likewise rumors. I don't think I'd be able to do the same thing anywhere bigger.
[ Made it easier for him to linger for a bit before ditching. ]
[ Usually, Vash is dying by the time he crashes... Well, it's a 50/50. Sometimes he crashes because he's just bad at it.
The heartbeats comfort him more than Wolfwood will ever know, allowing him to sink into the bed truly lazy and content. Shifting a bit, he comes a little closer just for the sake of being close. ]
Worked for pay unlike my short time at McDonald's. [ LET IT GO ] You don't think my new look is enough to elude people? I have a new name now, but I don't think Valerie out there would be happy about it.
Mostly guys complaining about work... Sometimes they talk about me like I'm some folktale. When I hang out with the wives, it's neighborhood gossip. Saw people get into fights over affairs; I stayed out of it and didn't take sides. [ Hums. ] People are interested in the new technology—the one the colony and earth forces are prototyping from Kaveh and Nahida's schematics. They're not optimistic, but a little hopeful this will make life easier in No Man's Land while people wait to board a ship back to earth.
[ That is very important. He slouches here, half-tempted to make a comment about how Vash is slowly encroaching to practically lie on top of him, burrowing as if he intends to nest here, but he doesn't want him to stop and put distance either. ]
I was gonna ask about it. Val, seriously? It's not actually short for Valerie is it?
[ She can deal with it, but he does think it'll be a bit weird if Wolfwood has to call him Valerie in public.
He falls back into silence, quiet and ponderous about this new planet. Building and architecture will take years, obviously, but it'll likely be faster with what resources Earth has brought and might continue bringing.
[ So not Valerie... And, listen, Vash is just pressed close to Wolfwood's side. He hasn't clambered over yet and doesn't plan to. He mimics a loving dog which includes nesting against his favorite person.
They're going to see new age of technology soon, which is going to be an interesting turnaround. ]
[ Define 'soon'. Wolfwood doesn't think he'll be out of hot water quite yet. Idyllic life is far off in a planet like this though they can idle and pretend. ]
Only when I feel like it. [ It's easy and nice enough, tracking down a criminal and busting their alleyway ring. He's still ready to fire and kill if it really came down to it, but he's been turning the few ones he's picked up so far unharmed to the police... aside from a couple bangs and bruises. He doesn't admit that here though. ] I'll have to think about turnin' it into a full-time career, since I'm out of a real job position.
[ Hand traveling up from Vash's waist up to his hair, running fingers through it idly. ]
[ Soon is within their lifetime!!! Relative, but they can expect to see change themselves rather than consider it to be something after their death. ]
I'm open to suggestions if you have any.
[ Vash is used to picking up names and being named, so why not? When he feels fingers in his hair, he closes his eyes and enjoys the sensation. Very soothing. Every once in a while, the thumb of his resting hand massages over fabric on Wolfwood's chest.
This really is so weird of them to be able to relax this much. Vash knows it, but he doesn't hate it. ]
There aren't a lot of jobs you can do on the road, so... Bounty hunting and doing odd jobs will have to sustain you for a bit.
[ There's nothing immense waiting over their heads like a heavy cloud, not right now. It's the first time either of them have been able to take a break since they first met.
They need money to settle somewhere too. Even if the colony would house them for free, Wolfwood can't quite settle there comfortably. It'd be a nice place to visit often though, especially for Vash. ]
I like "Vash".
[ He doesn't use this name enough yet to have it feel worn out, like it's time for a new one. ]
So, basically the same as before, with jobs. You lingering around this town long?
[ Some harmless snickering as he reaches to poke Wolfwood's cheek because he knows the guy barely ever says it. Vash seldom uses Wolfwood's first name, too, but drops it here and there in private now. ]
Sorry to say until the bounty's lifted I'll have to go by another name around other people. Nicknames are free game, at least.
[ Poke poke poke. ]
Been here a week and things have been fine since I stick to the less populated area, so I might stay a little longer. I got a short gig at a bakery, too. Interested?
[ It's less about not using it much before more than it was that he never used it because of his shit habit. He's let Vash get that close and now meet him halfway.
Leans POINTEDLY AWAY from the poking. ]
I'll think about it.
[ It'll be easy enough he supposes, even though blondie and Vash are both off the table. ]
The hell is a short gig? You gonna go through the ropes of learnin' how to bake bread for a week's worth of pay?
[ He'll obliterate you in the baking department twink (who is not actually a twink). ]
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[ He's not particularly tense but it's not like he's totally relaxed either. In a bit of a stalemate, caught between wants and shouldn'ts. ]
You comin' with?
[ He would've asked if Vash was gonna go revisit the colony separately but 'we' maybe implies that...? He can't imagine Vash is just going to ignore the ship if they bother to go back all the way over there, since it seemed like the colony is one of the few existences that the guy doesn't actively avoid. And he spoke to Luida, and saw the way Jessica looked at him -- they miss him too. ]
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[ After Wolfwood left him, then died? Sure, this visit is not as grave, but he has little intention of letting Wolfwood visit the colony on his own. He could tell the last time they were there, Wolfwood was some unsettled.
Vash is going. ]
... They told me to visit more, no matter what happened at the end of it all.
[ Back to resting his forehead on the point of Wolfwood's shoulder. Prodigal son returns meme is him, but he doesn't spend lavishly. He just doesn't hold onto money.
Which simply leaves him with being a bad son. ]
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We're both adults, aren't we.
[ He doesn't consider these the same, so. Surely they don't have to stick together like they're glued every step of the way, even if for this particular example, he was indeed hoping that Vash would say yes.
He lets Vash rest where he likes, smoking this cigarette down to the stub before he goes for another. It's also been a little weird having his unnatural body back, making him cognisant of the lack of restriction in his lungs after chainsmoking so hard in the UG. Back to being a vice that won't hurt him in the long run because his body will patch it up even if he doesn't want it to. ]
We can think about it then. Sometime. If we're nearby.
[ He trails his free hand idly, hooking fingers around Vash's waist. They don't have a direction to head now, purely wanderers. It makes him feel a little hollow, chained animal suddenly freed but having a hard time deciding how to step out. ]
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If you want to go on your own, I don't mind waiting in a town nearby.
[ Vash doesn't intend to be joined at the hip to Wolfwood. They'll likely end up doing what they want more often enough, then convene for the night or halfway through the day.
The scent of familiar smoke comforts him despite his deteriorated health, lulling him until he feels a grasp around his waist. The touch makes him lean in closer, back arching forward. ]
Did you cross Livio yet? I haven't ran into the crybaby.
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Nah. You can be there.
[ He might rather that, though he'd prefer to talk to Melanie privately probably. It'd help. ]
And I think the kids would like you.
[ He idly kneads his fingers lightly into Vash's side, over the cloth. ]
I haven't, figured he'd be doin' something like workin' odd jobs somewhere too. Or maybe I'll see him at the orphanage.
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[ Vash doesn't comment on how it's likely Livio visits Wolfwood's grave quite often... Doesn't mention he has some time to play with the orphans, how they gently asked him about Wolfwood, searching for answers to things they don't understand. He kept those secrets much like Wolfwood asked and wanted.
He'll keep these locked away, too. Wolfwood might see when they visit, anyway. For now, he lifts his head so he can nest his chin on Wolfwood's shoulder, peering at him. ]
You know what else is at the colony right now?
[ Guess time! ]
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Surprise me. What is it?
[ As long as the surprise isn't Knives. ]
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[ HEHE!! ]
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[ HIS BABY!! Wait. ]
What's her condition...?
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[ Won't know until they stop by, but that's exciting, isn't it? ]
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He will believe Vash about this even if Brad is meh to him. If Marlon can fix the Punisher though, and Brad is a studier under Marlon, he can hope...
BUT... TOTALED... ]
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She'll be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.
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...
I miss takin' her out to ride.
[ It'd been a while since her last crash, urgency of getting to the Ark much more important. And then the better part of a year on said Ark. And then two months in the UG...
Joyride... ]
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Sounds like we might pay a visit soon.
[ He was never that partial to cars or bikes himself, but... He enjoyed being on the attachment seat. Not so much driving himself and some dread weighs on him when that may be part of his life again.
... It's worth Wolfwood's joy. ]
Having a ride makes things a little more convenient, anyway.
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He really thinks Vash should learn. He doesn't get what the big deal is!! It's just driving, so why is he so bad at it. ]
If you don't crash, yeah, it is. Ass hurts way less than if you take a toma, and less people to deal with than a bus.
[ Cheaper than a sandsteamer. Not that he knows where they'd go, but... somewhere. ]
What're you doin' these days anyway? Other than runnin' from the girls and hunters.
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[ Vash tried to learn... He ended up still bad at it, but he could last long enough not to crash. Have we ever considered that people may just be bad at things?
The drumming eventually stops with the hand rested atop his heart. Sometimes... Vibrations nice. Heartbeat is soothing. ]
Odd jobs like usual, but I also held a part-time at a cafe for a little. That town was rural. Barely received visitors, likewise rumors. I don't think I'd be able to do the same thing anywhere bigger.
[ Made it easier for him to linger for a bit before ditching. ]
Drinking with locals. Listening to their stories.
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With the amount of times I was thrown out of sleep by you tippin' over a dune?
[ He tucks his free hand now without cigarette behind his head, extra slight leverage. ]
Assumin' you were paid proper this time. [ Hmm. ] Maybe you should consider a disguise.
Heard anythin' interesting?
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[ Usually, Vash is dying by the time he crashes... Well, it's a 50/50. Sometimes he crashes because he's just bad at it.
The heartbeats comfort him more than Wolfwood will ever know, allowing him to sink into the bed truly lazy and content. Shifting a bit, he comes a little closer just for the sake of being close. ]
Worked for pay unlike my short time at McDonald's. [ LET IT GO ] You don't think my new look is enough to elude people? I have a new name now, but I don't think Valerie out there would be happy about it.
Mostly guys complaining about work... Sometimes they talk about me like I'm some folktale. When I hang out with the wives, it's neighborhood gossip. Saw people get into fights over affairs; I stayed out of it and didn't take sides. [ Hums. ] People are interested in the new technology—the one the colony and earth forces are prototyping from Kaveh and Nahida's schematics. They're not optimistic, but a little hopeful this will make life easier in No Man's Land while people wait to board a ship back to earth.
That's exciting!
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[ That is very important. He slouches here, half-tempted to make a comment about how Vash is slowly encroaching to practically lie on top of him, burrowing as if he intends to nest here, but he doesn't want him to stop and put distance either. ]
I was gonna ask about it. Val, seriously? It's not actually short for Valerie is it?
[ She can deal with it, but he does think it'll be a bit weird if Wolfwood has to call him Valerie in public.
He falls back into silence, quiet and ponderous about this new planet. Building and architecture will take years, obviously, but it'll likely be faster with what resources Earth has brought and might continue bringing.
Man. ]
I'm gonna need a job too.
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[ So not Valerie... And, listen, Vash is just pressed close to Wolfwood's side. He hasn't clambered over yet and doesn't plan to. He mimics a loving dog which includes nesting against his favorite person.
They're going to see new age of technology soon, which is going to be an interesting turnaround. ]
You're not a bounty hunter?
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[ Define 'soon'. Wolfwood doesn't think he'll be out of hot water quite yet. Idyllic life is far off in a planet like this though they can idle and pretend. ]
Only when I feel like it. [ It's easy and nice enough, tracking down a criminal and busting their alleyway ring. He's still ready to fire and kill if it really came down to it, but he's been turning the few ones he's picked up so far unharmed to the police... aside from a couple bangs and bruises. He doesn't admit that here though. ] I'll have to think about turnin' it into a full-time career, since I'm out of a real job position.
[ Hand traveling up from Vash's waist up to his hair, running fingers through it idly. ]
Sadly, things cost money, needle-noggin.
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I'm open to suggestions if you have any.
[ Vash is used to picking up names and being named, so why not? When he feels fingers in his hair, he closes his eyes and enjoys the sensation. Very soothing. Every once in a while, the thumb of his resting hand massages over fabric on Wolfwood's chest.
This really is so weird of them to be able to relax this much. Vash knows it, but he doesn't hate it. ]
There aren't a lot of jobs you can do on the road, so... Bounty hunting and doing odd jobs will have to sustain you for a bit.
[ Unless they settle somewhere. ]
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They need money to settle somewhere too. Even if the colony would house them for free, Wolfwood can't quite settle there comfortably. It'd be a nice place to visit often though, especially for Vash. ]
I like "Vash".
[ He doesn't use this name enough yet to have it feel worn out, like it's time for a new one. ]
So, basically the same as before, with jobs. You lingering around this town long?
[ Got business? ]
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[ Some harmless snickering as he reaches to poke Wolfwood's cheek because he knows the guy barely ever says it. Vash seldom uses Wolfwood's first name, too, but drops it here and there in private now. ]
Sorry to say until the bounty's lifted I'll have to go by another name around other people. Nicknames are free game, at least.
[ Poke poke poke. ]
Been here a week and things have been fine since I stick to the less populated area, so I might stay a little longer. I got a short gig at a bakery, too. Interested?
[ make bread ]
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Leans POINTEDLY AWAY from the poking. ]
I'll think about it.
[ It'll be easy enough he supposes, even though blondie and Vash are both off the table. ]
The hell is a short gig? You gonna go through the ropes of learnin' how to bake bread for a week's worth of pay?
[ He'll obliterate you in the baking department twink (who is not actually a twink). ]
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