In a field of Edelweiss (Open for anyone~)

[Liechtenstein]

Lily hummed happily, walking through the pleasant valley she had stumbled upon. It was strange to be back in Switzerland, incredibly strange. She had been positive she would not return until she had reunited with Vash. But that had not been the case this time. Smiling innocently, she bent down, sniffing one of the edelweiss that dotted across the valley. And the smile grew, a pleasant warmth of contentment settling in her chest.

Idly she picked one of the flowers, sniffing it as she made her way across the valley. She wasn’t sure how long she had been wandering, let along how long she had been wandering through the field. She probably should turn around, retrace her steps back to the little town the rest of her crew were staying temporarily at. And yet she continued through the field, singing softly as she continued to wander down the flowered fields. “Schla-fe, mein Prinz-chen, schlaf ein. Lass Schäf-chen und Vögel-chen sein…”

It was such a picturesque valley. She really had to wonder why it seemed so secluded…

((The song is “Schlafe, mein Prinzchen, Schlaf ein” or “Go to Sleep, Little Prince, Go to Sleep”. It’s a pretty German lullaby XD; -has been looking for an excuse to use it-))

[pilipinas]

'I can't stand this.'

This is why he hated people. Commoners and the lesser tried to steal his wares. Nobles had no time for the smithies or the riflemen, they didn't give him a second glance. And Pirates -- Pirates. He couldn't stand them above all. They waltzed in, dangled spoils in his face and demanded barrels of gunpowder and 'his best wares in the arms'. First of all, like he would ever sell his best guns! Second of all, half the junk they brought into him wouldn't buy them half a barrel of gunpowder. Always falsified crap they pulled in from the waters. Waterlogged chests of worn-down, useless trinkets all broken and worth next to nothing. The occasional piece of gold or silver might be present, but it seemed like his shop only pulled in the cheapest sea dogs. (Which had nothing to do with his. . . Frugality, really.)

He needed air.
Wait.
He needed to shoot something.

As reclusive as he could be, something in him always relaxed in a valley. Mountains all around in a crown of peaks; nothing better. (And just because he disliked travelling didn't mean he didn't like the outdoors!) The Valley was painted in blues and pinks and greens by the flowers and other greenery around. Picture perfect on all angles. The occasional small animal, maybe a rabbit or a bird, but almost nobody came this far from town --

Something moved. Vash immediately readied his rifle. He wasn't going to shoot an animal, but if some drunkard idiot came and destroyed the peace, then he'd have a few words to say. Words being bullets and saying being pulling the trigger. He stalked down the side of the valley. What was it? It was something. A voice. Not burly, hung-over wails but . . . a song. One he knew. And the voice, if he could remember, he knew too.

The other person was short. Dressed in boy's clothes that fit, but were just that inch too big. Short, sunny blonde hair. "You're not. . ." He mentally scorned himself for getting his hopes up. Lily always wore her long hair in braids. She wore his hand-me-downs, yes, but Vash always made sure she at least had a skirt on or something to keep her feminine. Still, the frame was exactly the same, and probably the face too, once the other turned to face him. ". . . Lily . .?" he hazarded.

[Liechtenstein]

She hadn't heard anyone approaching. Continuing to twirl the flower between her fingers, before idly setting it behind her ear in her hair. Repeating the song, she continued along, smoothing her a bit too big shirt out. The Captain had offered to get her clothes that fit. And Miss Eira had offered to help her shop. But Lily refused the offers. After all, she was so use to wearing the hand-me-downs. Besides, wearing her brother's old clothing... In a sense it made her feel like he was with her still, watching over her.

When she heard an oh so familiar voice, her singing came to a halt. No, it couldn't. It couldn't be. There was no way, just...

She was afraid to turn around. What if she was hearing things? The wind playing tricks on her. That had to be it... It had too! Vash couldn't be here! He couldn't.

And yet she turned slowly, her eyes widening as she saw the familiar face of her big brother. The short cut hair like her own. And from the look of it, the scowl he always wore when he was frustrated and felt like shooting. And she could feel her eyes burn. It had to be an illusion, and an incredibly real one.

She took a step towards him, her voice shaking slightly. "Va-Vash?"

[pilipinas]

Vash nearly dropped his rifle, running at the girl the split second she stuttered his name. The weapon was now just hanging idly over his shoulder. When he came within a foot though, it was like he hit a wall and remembered how socially awkward he could be. Out of instinct, his hands were out to bring her towards him, but that. . . he couldn't bring himself to embrace his adopted sister out of embarrassment, his face steaming red. He settled for putting both hands firmly on her shoulders, bending his knees to be eye level with her.

"Where have you been?" He had a million and one questions, and he was definitely going to ask them. That didn't stop the overflowing concern in his tone. "And why did you go? I know I was gone for a while, but I promised you I'd come home, didn't I? An-and your hair! It's. . .it's gone!" As a protective older brother figure, and as Vash Zwingli as a whole, he immediately assumed the worst.

"Did you cut it yourself? Don't tell me someone made you do it; I mean, it was so nice. . . b-but that's not the point. You haven't gotten into anything dangerous while I was gone, have you?"

[Liechtenstein]

Lily almost pinched herself, her eyes wide as she stared unblinking at the sight in front of her. This couldn't be real. This could not be real. She had to be dreaming. Vash wasn't... He couldn't be!

But he was, she realized feeling her eyes burn with tears. Vash was actually here. She had found him, finally. She had to resist the urge to just throw her arms around him and cry. Because he probably wouldn't like that, at least not until she answered his questions. So instead she scrubbed at her teary eyes, doing her best to keep her voice even. "I-I hadn't heard from you in such a long time... I was worried so I went looking for you..."

She shifted, averting her eyes and self-consciously beginning to toy with her short hair. "I cut my hair before I left... I thought it would be more manageable when I was traveling..."

She neglected to answer his final question, gnawing nervously at her bottom lip. While she wouldn't consider joining The Grim a dangerous decision... She knew her brother would disagree. "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you..."

[pilipinas]

Ahh, he thought that might've been the case. It was his own fault for not sending word for so long, though circumstances may have had a hand in standing in his way. He hung his head for a minute and sighed, before looking back up at her. H-he had made her cry! Damn. Vash was never good at this dealing with tears thing. Were they happy tears, to finally see him again, or sad ones because she thought he was mad at her? Crap crap crap. . .

"Shh, shhh," He calmed -- almost more to himself than her -- and wiped away the budding tears in her eyes with the pad of his thumb. Oh he was too awkward about this. Somehow it just had to be his irresponsible father's fault for him being awkward with girls, even his own step-sister. "I know, it was my fault. I-I. . I'm sorry," Vash fumbled over his apology, having to end up looking at the flowers beneath them.

He looked up immediately after she mentioned traveling. "Traveling? Don't tell me you set out on your own!" Ah, he couldn't explode at her. Bad idea, bad idea. He calmed for a moment; took a deep breath. This was his fault, after all! Ahh, he was such an idiot. "W-well anyhow, you look okay. . . you didn't run into any trouble, did you? Did anyone harass you?" He'd have to hunt them down if they did. He knew his way around a rifle for a reason.

[Liechtenstein]

She tried to stop the tears, but she couldn't. She was just so happy. And the moment he apologized she shook her head quickly, trying to speak but only a small sob escaped her. And after that Lily couldn't hold back. Flinging her arms around her adoptive brothers neck she hide her face in his chest. She had missed him so much. She had been so worried. So worried that something had happened to him, that she would never see him again.

Sniffling, she tried to calm herself. At least enough to answer his questions. She didn't want to lie. She had gotten into some trouble. But since she had joined the Grim, she had been fine. Chewing her lip, she just decided to shake her head to answer his question. She didn't want to worry him.

[pilipinas]

He couldn't tell what was worse: the furious blush that overcame him when Lily cried and threw her arms around him, or the fact that he was blushing about his little sister. Well, weird as it was -- when was the last time he had physical contact with someone? With anyone? . . . That wasn't knocking out their teeth?

Hesitantly, gingerly, (Okay, in his own embarrassment) he returned the gesture. Vash wrapped his arms around her torso, smoothing her hair with his hand on the back of her head. It was so weird to run his hand through it, and then run out of hair to run through. It was shorter than he thought. A little messily cut, but that was probably because she did it herself. Still, his embrace wasn't superficial or half-hearted. He meant it, quietly 'shh'ing in her ear and letting her cry. (In the meantime, he just mulled over how relieved he was that she hadn't gotten into anything hairy while he was gone. So he thought.)

He spoke again after a few silent minutes. "I'm glad I finally found you again," he sighed. All their time apart he kept picturing the homeless, hungry little girl that had originally prodded for his attention. "We should go home."

[Liechtenstein]

"Home..?" She couldn't keep her eyes from going wide, staring at Vash as if the word was foreign to her. And it really was now. It felt like so long ago that she had been in that home with Vash. She had left it behind to go look for him. It had stopped being a home when he left, in all honesty. Quietly she looked off to the side, to where she had come from.

Her home was the Grim now... Or at least that's how it felt. But Vash would never approve. Would he even let her return to the ship now? Would the others worry if she vanished? She was sure they would. Her gaze shifted to her feet guiltily. It was best just to tell him now, not drag it out any longer. "Brother... Don't... Don't be mad..."

Oh he would be furious!

[pilipinas]

Something about her surprise raised a small alarm in the back of his head. Why would she be so surprised? Surely, the minute they were back together, they should go home! Home was best. He had payed for the home in advance, surely it was still there after being unoccupied for a while. Surely, surely, surely.

She hiccuped at him and looked frightened. He shook his head at her, gripping her arms. Not angrily, just securely. "Mad? At what?" He quirked a brow. "If it's about you leaving home, I'm not angry. I was just worried is all." Could he promise that he wouldn't be angry? It was very. . . situational. (Well no, he just had a temper with the strength of an ox.) But no, he couldn't be mad at her. Vash couldn't even remember the last time he was mad at Lily, if ever. She was his sister. He wouldn't be mad at her.

"What happened?" At the moment though, concern was the main tone in his throat.

[Liechtenstein]

She kept her gaze firmly locked on the ground, shifting uneasily from foot to foot. At least until Vash had grabbed her arms (though more in a protective manner). And she knew she had to just come out and say it. Just be quick, she reasoned. Like ripping off a band aid!

The concern in his voice made her look up, and Lily couldn't help but feel horrible for making him worry like this. She should have just remained home and waited for him, like she had promised...

"I... And don't be angry!" Or disappointed, went unsaid. She chewed her bottom lip for a moment, before taking a deep breath. Be quick. "I joined a pirate ship. The Grim... Bu-But everyone's very nice!"

[pilipinas]

The fact that she had to make absolutely certain that he would not be angry worried him the most. Swallow it, he told himself. It couldn't be anything that bad.

His sister was a pirate.
. . . .
A pirate.

It was astonishing to watch the colour literally drain from the male's face. On a ship called the Grim, no less! Vash, being Vash, only assumed the worst. A hundred and one mental images of his pure, cute, innocent little sister surrounded by dirty sea men, hairy and unwashed and clearly after her chastity invaded his mind. He couldn't possibly think of any other scenario, after being on a ship of brutes during the time he was away, with that crazy captain that never docked. He opened his mouth, and closed it. He opened it again, hoping for some kind of verbal indignation to come to mind, but ended up gaping like a goldfish. "Y-you. . . you joi. . . you what?" He blubbered. He thought maybe she got attacked, or had to sell the house, or or or-- Piracy? Really? That was the farthest option from his mind!

'Everyone's very nice', she says. Oh sure. That's what she says now, until they tie her down into a lifetime of wenchdom. What kind of people were they, to take an unarmed young girl as a crewmate?! He was ready to be boiling furious. Wait, wait. Anger was the last thing Lily wanted. Vash heaved a few very forcefully calming breaths, before bringing himself to look at her again. "B-before you say anything, I'm not angry. Yet." He grumbled the last part, but made sure to say it before she got upset again. It was a tad hard to believe though. . . "But Lily, you -- a pirate ship? What possessed you to do that?! They haven't done anything to you? Threatened you? Hurt you? Touched you? I swear, I'll have a few words with these . . . arschlöcher if they've done anything to you! Or even if they haven't yet -- I'm sure they're planning something."

[Liechtenstein]

She played with the hem of her sleeve for a moment, listening to each of the questions. And honestly, she had to stop herself from laughing at his questions. She couldn't imagine any of her crew mates ever threatening her. SHe shook her head finally, reaching her hands up and taking her adoptive brothers hands into her own.

"The Captain saved me." She stated, recalling that day in the port city. "I was lost, and not in the proper part of town. So he escorted me back to the docks but... Some things happened and I had to stay on the ship that evening."

And what an evening it had been. She smiled a little at the memory, but continued on. "That morning, I was allowed to leave. The Captain was prepared to walk me back to the ship I was on. I had asked him if I could stay."

So she could continue to look for him.

[pilipinas]

Oh.
Dammit. These people had to get some kind of merit for saving her. . . but still. And even then, he wasn't being too honest himself. Vash had joined a pirate ship too, however begrudgingly. It was just the easiest way to get around, and earn money. Money, he told himself. 'I'ts for the money.' As to how he was going to tell Lily that, he wasn't completely sure yet. . . T-technicalities.

Well, if Lily trusted these people. . . maybe it would be okay. No, but she was only a young girl! (He was also just a young man, but a critical one, so it was okay. Or something.) Vash continued to grumble. "Well, at the very least, I want to meet these people face-to-face. See for myself if I think they're fit to have you with them." 'Which they aren't. I'm sure.'

He sighed. Getting riled up was going to give him grays before he hit thirty. He grumbled still, though a tone quieter now. "I guess it is only a little fair you travel a little. . . since I was -- But!" His brotherly, commanding tone came back. "If I meet these. . . these pirates, and they're not trustworthy, you're not going to be allowed back with them, understand?" He was trying, he was trying. Even Vash, his heart the steel barrel of a gun, had a hard time scolding his sister. She was just. . . Lily. She was obedient and smart and mature and hard to get angry at. All the more, it just made him worry.

[Liechtenstein]

"O-Of course!" Her eyes went wide. She had expected Vash to forbid from ever returning to the Grim. Not to at least give her the opportunity to stay by meeting them. Smiling more, she nodded again, taking his hand with hers, tugging her in the direction from where she ahd come.

"They're all very trustworthy! Don't worry. They've all watched out for me since I've joined the crew." She smiled a little, before using her free hand to tuck hair behind her ear. He would see when he met them all. He would have to let her stay on the Grim, wouldn't he?

... But did she want to stay now that she had found Vash..? That had been her whole purpose behind joining, she had even told the captain that when she asked to join.