DISCLAIMER: Trigun is © Yasahiro Nightow. This story is a work of fan
fiction.
Note: This story is the second in the "Seasons of Change" series.
The last vestiges of twilight gave way to nightfall. A large group of
JR Town's residents, young and old, gathered in the town square, basking in
the warmth of a roaring bonfire. Some faces beamed in anticipation of the
festive celebration that would soon be held while others expressed relief
that a difficult year would soon be over and a promising future lay ahead.
Four tired travelers emerged from a boarding house where they had
just checked in for the night and were on their way to dinner. Meryl Stryfe
clutched her white cloak tightly, shivering in the chilly air as she walked
briskly to the restaurant. Her companions hurried to catch up.
"Hey, where's the fire?" Vash the Stampede joked.
"Over there," said Milly Thompson, pointing to the bonfire in the
town square.
"What's going on?" Nicholas Wolfwood asked a man rushing towards the
crowd.
"The Solstice Festival is about to start. Come on and join us," he
replied.
"It's a place where we can get warm," Meryl observed. "Let's go."
Reaching the town square, Meryl and Milly moved to the front of the
crowd, Vash and Wolfwood stood beside them. Firelight revealed the town was
aglow with lights. Evergreens were bedecked with silver garlands. Holly
sprigs and ivy wreaths hung in doorways and in windows. "I hope this fire
doesn't cause any damage. We 'd just have more claims to process," mused
Meryl to her fellow claim investigator, Milly.
A bespectacled man with silver hair spoke loudly above the din of the
crackling fire. "I'd like to welcome everyone to tonight's celebration of
the Solstice Festival. On this, the longest night of the year, we reflect
on the present lives and note that we are all part of Nature's community.
The hope of the New Year is right around the corner." He paused and
signaled for candles to be passed out to the gathering.
The bonfire was extinguished. For a brief moment JR Town was
enveloped in darkness. Seconds passed as tiny flickers of candlelight
sprouted in the dark like blooming flowers as the festival attendees fanned
out to form a wide Candlelight Circle in the square. To Wolfwood, it seemed
almost like a candlelight vigil of mourners. The pealing of church bells
interrupted the silence, signaling the end of the celebration. Wolfwood
felt oddly nostalgic as he reminisced about his life before he embarked on
his current path.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat," commented Vash, rubbing his stomach.
"Sounds like a good idea," Wolfwood added.
"We were headed for that café before we got sidetracked," grumbled
Meryl.
"Come on, Meryl. That was fun," countered Milly.
The group made their way to the diner down the street. Dave's Place,
the sign proclaimed. They chose a table in the middle of the brightly lit
café. Poinsettias in full bloom decorated tables throughout the room. A
large green wreath hung in the front window. Cheery red and green lights
blinked randomly in a display behind the cash register. Wolfwood placed his
Cross-Punisher on the floor next to his chair. The preacher took a
cigarette from his jacket pocket and was about to light it when the waiter
admonished him.
"Sorry, mate. This place is a 'No Smoking" zone. If you want to smoke, go
outside."
"I'll wait until after dinner," Wolfwood groused.
"You won't ruin your meal with that nasty smoke," Milly said in a
maternal tone.
Bringing the quartet their menus, the waiter, wearing black pants and
a sky blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves, greeted them. "Good evening and
welcome to Dave's Place. I'm Crocodile Dave, proprietor of this fine
establishment. Can I start you folks off with some drinks?"
"I'll have a beer," Vash replied.
"Same here," Wolfwood added.
"A glass of milk, please," Milly responded.
"And you, miss?" Crocodile Dave asked, waiting for an answer.
Meryl Stryfe paused. Still feeling cold from being outside, she
wanted something to warm her up. "Uh, I'll have some hot cocoa with
marshmallows."
Dave smiled. "All right. I'll be back in a few minutes with your
drinks."
The group chatted idly until Dave returned with their beverages.
Placing the steaming mug of cocoa before the insurance investigator, the
cheerful waiter inquired, "Are you folks here for the Solstice Festival? I
haven't seen you around before."
"No, we're just passing through. We enjoyed our previous visit to JR
Town for the Harvest Festival a few months ago," answered Meryl, who began
to feel a bit more relaxed. [1]
Vash remarked, "Yes, I feel comfortable in this town. People seem
more easygoing." His voice trailed off as a scarlet poinsettia on the next
table caught his ye. The red plant brought back memories of Rem. After all
those years, he still missed her/
"Visitors are always welcome in our town. Well, can I take your
orders?"
Without even glancing at the menu, Vash blurted out, "I'll have a
salmon sandwich."
Meryl gaped with surprise. "Vash, that's not on the menu."
"Sorry, mate. We don't carry salmon sandwiches. This is a vegetarian
restaurant," the proprietor explained in a gentle tone.
"Oh," the hungry outlaw said, pouting.
"May I suggest the veggie sub instead?" Crocodile Dave suggested.
"Ok and donuts if you have 'em."
Wolfwood ordered spaghetti while the women chose salads. Milly also wanted
a side order of breadsticks Vash was still bemoaning the fact he couldn't
have one of his favorite comfort foods. "I really had my heart set on a
salmon sandwich," he whined.
"Stop your bellyaching," Wolfwood scolded. He drummed his fingers on the
table, wishing he had a cigarette.
"I noticed that most of the items on the menu are organic. It's supposed to
be more healthier," Milly remarked in a helpful voice.
"And the food is more tastier too," Meryl added. Her blue-gray eyes
regarded the lanky blonde gunman sitting next to her. For a brief moment,
he seemed distant, lost in his thoughts, but then switched back to his
usual happy-go-lucky persona.
"In that case, I'll try it," Vash the Stampede said, grinning.
"So you're going out on a limb and trying new cuisine. Not sticking to your
diet of donuts and salmon sandwiches. I'm proud of you," kidded the
nicotine-addicted priest, who idly scratched the stubble on his chin.
Crocodile Dave brought their meals. Wolfwood devoured the plate of
spaghetti. The peppery taste of the arugula augmented the tomato basil
sauce. A satisfied look on his face, the minister leaned back in his chair.
He wondered how the children at the orphanage were faring. Wolfwood made an
effort to send them the "donations" he collected from hearing confessions
during his travels. Life as an orphan was hard and he wanted to do anything
he could to make it easier.
"Can I take your plate?" .the waiter asked.
Wolfwood answered, "Sure. Could you bring another beer? " When the waiter
brought the second beer, the preacher asked, "I'm collecting funds for the
orphanage. Would you be interested in making a donation for the children?"
Coins jangled in the church-shaped collection box that also doubled as
Wolfwood's portable confessional.
"Hey, it's for the kids," the kind waiter said, putting a five double-
dollar bill in the slot of the steeple.
"I love your charming accent, Dave? Where are you from?" Meryl queried.
"From a place far, far away. A town called Down Under. My wife and I moved
to JR Town five years ago and opened up Dave's Place."
Meryl studied the genial man as he spoke. His hazel eyes twinkled behind
his wire-rimmed glasses. His silver hair was neatly combed. Something about
him was familiar, and then recognition hit her. "Were you the speaker at
the Solstice Festival?"
"Score one for the little lady. You are perceptive. Yes, I spoke earlier
tonight at the festival tonight. I'm the Honorary Mayor of JR Town,"
Crocodile Dave said proudly.
Milly offered the mozzarella breadsticks to the others at the table. Meryl
and Wolfwood declines, but the spiky-haired Stampede hungrily took two and
gobbled them down. 'Mr. Vash, you can have more," the brunette said.
Glancing at her companions reminded her of holiday meals with her parents
and many siblings. It had been many months since she had seen her family,
but she wrote to them regularly. "I may not be with my immediate family,
but I consider my long-time friends as 'family'. I'm glad to be able to
spend this joyful gathering with family," Milly raised her glass in a toast
to her friends. "Share the Joy", a holiday carol, played in the background.
Meryl was touched by her partner's expression of friendship. She felt
fortunate to be partnered with the taller woman. Meryl's thoughts drifted
to her co-workers at the Bernardelli Insurance Society and the home office
in December City. Would the office be decorated for the holidays? The boss
had been fairly strict about not allowing any extra decorations in the
office. Perhaps the holidays had mellowed his attitude?
Sipping her cocoa, the insurance investigator mulled over her present
emotional state. Meryl felt a growing affection for that lovable scalawag
known as the Humanoid Typhoon. She had initially thought Vash to be the
notorious threat that the "Wanted" posters and the $$ 60 billion bounty
purported him to be. Having seen the man go to extraordinary lengths to
protect innocents, Meryl knew that wasn't the case. Beneath his carefree
demeanor lurked a man hiding behind an optimistic façade.
She would weigh the pros and cons of getting into a relationship with
Vash the Stampede. If it became public knowledge that she was linked with
the infamous outlaw, would she be able to handle the notoriety? It was a
risk she hadn't faced before. Meryl had always been independent and had the
need to control matters. She'd be navigating the waters of the emotional
unknown.
"Meryl, aren't you hungry?" asked Milly, a bit concerned.
"Sorry. Just thinking," the shorter woman replied, toying with the
croutons in her salad. "Vash," she paused, "I have something to ask you."
Vash removed his yellowed-lens glasses, placing them on the table,
and gazed at Meryl with his golden eyes. " Turning his full attention to
her, "What is it?" he asked earnestly.
"Could we order dessert? I'm craving a piece of chocolate crème pie."
"So that's why you're not eating your salad," Vash commented.
"Oh, can I have some pudding?" Milly chimed in.
"Hey, I want a Popsicle!" Wolfwood added, grinning.
[1.] This refers to the first trip to JR Town, as told in "With Autumn
Closing In".
THE END
1 Author's Notes
1.Family ties are an important part of any holiday celebration. It's a
time to think about loved ones who aren't presently with you and to
ponder what the future holds.
Perhaps Vash snuck a kiss from Meryl underneath the mistletoe, but that's
another story. ^_^
2.Feedback can be sent to robertrubious@aol.com
3.My stories are archived at Odango & Donuts,
www.geocities.com/odangodonut and also at www.fanfiction.net.
