The Noose Has Been Tightened

I didn't know if we'd be welcomed with open arms or if anyone would have even realized that we'd been gone. I didn't care either way, I was more concerned about myself. What would I be feeling going back to that place? Would I shut myself up or be strong now? Chopper had been kind enough to bring me along, that did take my mind off everything. When I was calmly allowed to think, I was able to understand everything better. Things that had happened were things that needed to happen, although they could have taken place differently. But that didn't matter anymore.

Before I knew it, we were already on the trail that led to Valhalla. The trees that provided shade to the trail seemed thicker than they'd ever been. The two of us slowly walked down the path and soon the place was in view. Chopper looked over his shoulder, perhaps affirming if I was still following.

"I'll go see the hag", he murmured, to which I nodded.

Since I was really unsure of what I should say or do, I decided I'd just storm back to my room after saying hello to whoever came in my way. I quickly made my way inside. Chopper stood in the door, asking Deli where Lady was. In fact, other than Lady, every one was lounging about. My scheme quickly failed. Sight grabbed me soon enough and after the formalities were over with, he went on and on with his no nonsense chatter which, try as I might, I can't even remember what it was about.

Grim was dozing off in his usual corner, hogging two benches. Lubbock was doing whatever it is he did. And June sat in her corner, doing paperwork, as silent as ever. She did look up for a second to nod, returning my hello. That was usually the only interaction she had with anyone. And then, it hit me that Prophet wasn't there. Even though, he barely had any presence, it seemed so empty now that he was gone.

"Hey you!", Deli grabbed my neck from behind, almost too vampirishly, "Long time no see. Don't be making that face now."

I guess she had noticed, although I wasn't showing much.

"Yo, Deli", I spoke, constantly gazing at her closely, "Don't you ever drink blood?"

She was a little taken aback and stared at me, shocked for a minute. Then she chuckled and slapped my back rather hard.

"Where'd that come from?!", she chuckled before assuming a wicked grin and bringing her face closer to me, whispered, "Or do you want me to drink yours?"

I remained unfazed. It wouldn't have bothered me if she did so, but then the idea of Nasty II came to mind and I didn't find myself as willing anymore. Indeed, my blood wasn't only my blood. So I remained silent.

She chuckled again, "Ain't that true? I bet your blood would be nasty as hell."

Its ironic she said something like that without even realizing. The corner of my lip twitched into a smirk, though she didn't notice.

While we were chattering away, Lady and Chopper appeared. She had been talking with our correspondent in the military, the same one that had come to talk to her when Bardock was killed. Chopper stood behind her, smoking, with an annoying look on his face. He was usually pissed whenever he was around Lady so that was a given. Lady was the same, with a blank grin fading somewhere on her face. You could never tell exactly what her expressions were about. She was really empty.

"Get up and get dressed, people", she announced, "We're going to a party."

I should mention that it was really early in the morning, the city wouldn't have been bustling or even fully open at this hour. By all means, it was awfully early for a party.

"Ain't that the best news I've heard all week!", Deli certainly loved letting loose, not that we'd ever done that before, "What's it about?"

Lady grinned, a little more clearly now, "Well, my dear, you'd be glad to hear. The man responsible for the murder of our very own General Bardock (may he rest in peace) has been found. We're going to his execution. Its all in good military nature, so we'd better be dressed for the occasion."

Silence ensued after that. I looked at her, utterly blank. She seemed chipper to get someone else to hang for her crimes. I understood that there was more to this than I knew, but I couldn't stand the way she said it. Every time I found a resolve to tolerate her even a bit, she would just go off the edge and shatter any hopes I'd built. I truly couldn't stand her. She was a witch, the most evil one that I ever knew.