Ven: Part 2

Ch. 3 New management

"They're leaving." Vick says placidly.

"Yep, and I've officially declared war on them," I say holding my stomach.

"And they're just leaving?" Jacob pants.

"I broke the ship," bile rises in my throat making me cough.

"How many survivors?" Ed asks.

"All." I cough.

"Why? They're the World Government." Ed narrows his eyes at me. "If it weren't for us protecting the town, they'd have killed us."

"We don't kill, you want to stay with the Caravan Palace you'll abide by that." I stare pointedly at him, clearing my throat. "We aren't them."

"Caravan Palace?" Marney gives me a questioning look.

"I thought it up, I like it," I smile.

"So, you're fully taking control now? You're going to lead us?" Ed walks up and stares up into my face.

"Yes, I'm going to do it." I stare back at him, straightening up to my full height.

His face breaks into a big smile.

"It's about time!" He squeezes my elbows. "Mikey, go round everyone up."

With a parting kiss Mikey zooms off.

"Wait, no, I don't want that," I shake my head vigorously.

"Everyone has been waiting for this." Vick cuts in.

"I don't want to talk in front of everyone! I'm not good at it!" My whole body feels restless, my stomach rises to the back of my throat.

"Everything you've done in the past contradicts that." Vick says evenly.

I chew uneasily on my lip as we walk back to the town square.

I feel like I'm going to be sick.

My bowels feel like they're going to release at any moment.

What do I even say?

Hey guys, sorry for the delay! Don't worry about it, let's go to war!

That'll go down well.

The small town square is filled with everyone in the Caravan Palace.

Oh, man.

Mikey really got everyone.

The path is clear to the centre of the crowd.

Vick, Jacob, and Marney all stop at the edge of the crowd as I walk down the path.

Everyone cheers and applauds as I make my way through.

I reach the middle of the crowd, standing head and shoulders above the crowd.

"Uh, he~llo..." my voice cracks. I clear my throat. "Hello. Sorry for the wait and thank you for bearing with me." I address the crowd, my right leg shaking uncontrollably. "I'm ready to take the helm now. Just... be cool with each other, y'know? We're all in this together so make sure everyone has enough so we all get by comfortably. Just, uh, don't kill anyone and do your best to save everyone you can. That's all." I nod and gulp hard, making to walk out of the crowd.

"Where are we going now?" A voice calls out.

"What's a Caravan Palace?" Another rings out.

"What about killing the World Government?" A third from the back.

I freeze.

I take a shaky breath and turn around.

"I'm going to make contact with the Turncoats and go from there, then eventually we'll wage war with the World Government." I stare around nervously, searching for resentment and coming up disappointed. "And I've decided that this town is the Caravan Palace! A traveling sideshow that fought kings, I thought it was cool..." I trail off.