The small group had ended up in another town, just like routine, and routine meant something crazy and/or dangerous would come up sooner or later. So, while everyone else had run off somewhere, probably to gamble or drink, Meryl wanted to take some time to gather herself before some ridiculous scenario surfaced.
She came across a small bar, hoping to get a small meal with what money she had to hold her over until later. She pushed the door aside, revealing a scene too wild for just 3 in the afternoon.
Lo and behold, none other than Vash the Stampede had managed to land himself into a drinking contest, at least that's what Meryl was told (excluding the Vash part, of course). She was also told that whoever kept their alcohol the longest didn't have to pay, and you bet Vash's life that he was absolutely going to hold that liquor, otherwise Meryl would have 60 billion double dollars the next day. This comment earned her a very slurred "not funny," but her arms crossed over her chest and she pierced her stormy blue eyes at him. So much for gathering herself.
Of course, she couldn't lie to herself, the scene before her was pretty entertaining to watch, as Vash stumbled around, mocking the other, and equally drunk man as he downed another shot of hard liquor. The other man dared to fill two shot glasses, downing them both one after the other.
Vash, drunker than Meryl had ever witnessed, stood deathly still, and for a moment she was on the edge of her seat. Was Vash finally going to pass out?
The man in red grabbed the bottle from the other drunkard's hand and started to chug, and everyone went bonkers. Meryl broke out in a laugh she didn't recognize was hers at first, watching as Vash held the bottle over to show it was completely empty. He looked over at the young woman, giving her a wink. Meryl felt heat rising in her face but swore it was from laughter and nothing more.
This continued until the indifferent bartender announced that no more of his liquor would be wasted, and someone would have to pay up before the night was over. Meryl sighed, beginning to pull out what money she had left when the unmistakable sound of hurling rang in her ears. She was never going to talk to Vash again after this.
But to her surprise, the other man was the one doubled over, and everyone was cheering for the mysterious drunk in the red coat.
"We won, Meryl! We-HIC-won!"
Meryl had nor wanted any part in this, but took some flattery in his drunken celebration anyway. She quickly tipped the bartender for his troubles and got Vash away from the fuss before people started asking too many questions.
"Honestly, Vash, you've got to stop risking our livelihoods because of stupid things like drinking contests. You're gonna end up getting us banned from every bar on Gunsmoke," she said, assisting the wobbly man to the nearest motel.
"Hey now, at least-HIC-I didn't have to pay, don't be a buzz kill!"
"How could anyone kill your buzz right now?! Besides, it doesn't matter, it was still beyond stupid."
"I thought ladies liked men who could-HIC-hold their liquor." (not me =P)
Meryl looked over, slightly flustered at the blonde's expression. His eyes were glassy and half lidded and his mouth curved up into a flirty smirk. She snapped away from his stare, rolling her eyes.
"You're gonna have to try harder than that, Vash," she countered, hearing the man whine and hiccup again.
"It's okay," he said, slurring and watching the woman. "I saw you smiling, Meryl, it was really wonderful.."
Meryl felt her heart jump into her throat.
"I...thank you Vash," she spoke softly, but composed herself. "Now, let's get you settled before you say anything else."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
