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“Good evening Cowboy,” Sea Shanty looked up from the basket that previously held his concentration, tanned hands stilling over fibers he was weaving into each other. “Don't just stand there. Ya got something to give me or something?”
Hol Horse tipped the brim of his hat enough to shadow his eyes, “Hm, something like that. You'll meet me outside, won't you? I'll be waiting.”
“Oho, is it that you can't get enough of me? Was I not enough last time?”
Instead of the predicted blush rising in his cheeks at Shanty’s suggestive tone, Hol just let out a dry laugh and walked out of the room stiffly. Something about it left the pirate on edge. Perhaps the cowboy must’ve simply been having a bad day.
The excuse still did not bode very well in his gut, and Shanty moved to take a sword off the rack hanging in his room. He considered the pistol on his nightstand, quickly dismissing it. This was Hol, what could he possibly do?
He almost tripped over something on his way out. He turned to scowl at whatever was in his way but fell short, meeting two red eyes looking fearfully back up at him. The new kid. He couldn't be more than about eleven with how short they were. What was DIO thinking recruiting literal children? All they did was get themselves into trouble and cause more for others. Shanty only scoffed and continued in his way without a word.
He met the cowboy outside, who only motioned for him to follow. A tense silence hung around the two, or rather just Shanty. Hol seemed perfectly content with walking in silence. They passed no words until they were down the driveway and out onto the streets.
“Whatcha got planned? I’m honored that you were thinking of me.”
“Oh, you’ll see, but Lord DIO wanted me to see ta somethin’ first.”
“Hm, of course he does. Couldn’t ya just’ve dealt with it on your own beforehand?”
“I coulda but I didn’t wanna,” Hol took a sharp turn to the side, dragging Shanty into the alley with him, “Brought ya along cause you're good at this and all that.”
“Of course I’m good at my job, how would I not be?” Shanty smirked.
Hol let out a nearly imperceptible sigh and continued on through his path between buildings, Shanty in tow. Eventually they stopped after an extensive amount of sharp turns and thin alleys. Hol turned to him and explained the job. A guy was sneaking around the area antagonizing some of Lord DIO’s agents, lots wanted him dead, they sent Hol to do that.
Shanty frowned. The cowboy was lying about something. His tone was off. Hol did that thing where he wouldn't meet Shanty’s eyes and annunciated his words. Over a year he had known this guy, and he had the nerve to lie to someone like himself!? He could take the sword at his side and drive it right through the idiot’s side right now. Of course he wouldn’t, there was probably a reason for it, but it didn't sit right with him.
The two split up to look for their target more effectively. Shanty found the guy first. The man was cloaked and spray painting something on the wall. He seemed frail with the way he held himself and hunched his back. Looks could deceive, however.
“Why hello there? Would ya happen to know any folk by the names Vanilla or Ice?” The guy’s head shot up and faced Shanty with owl eyes.
“I- I uh yeah…”
Shanty narrowed his eyes. This guy wasn't chalking up to all the grandeur that Hol had described him with, “Great. I can make this quick for ya. A weak fellow like yourself wouldn’t hold up to my usual murder methods,” Shanty took his sword out from under his shirt and held it in front of him.
The guy’s eyes widened. He seemed to debate something for a moment before opening his mouth and pulling a knife from his pocket, “Oh- oh you guys- all you guys up there think you're such hot shit doncha? Act- acting like you can just go around and do and say what- whatever you want.” The man lunged forward in a sloppy manner that Shanty dodged easily, “You know- you can't ju-just do that.”
Shanty frowned, “Those are some unwise words comin’ from a mortal folk talking to a god? I think I will do what I like. You’re free to try an’ stop me. Look! I’m wide open!” he held his hands out to the sides in the way someone would when offering a hug.
The guy lunged again and missed. He stalled for a moment, looking past Shanty. A mistake. Shanty aimed his sword and backed the guy up against a wall. In a fight for your life, the most foolish thing you could do was divert your attention. He quickly finished the guy off and stepped back, letting the corpse fall to the floor.
The click of boots on concrete garnered Shanty’s attention. He looked up to meet eyes with Hol Horse. He seemed displeased with his blood-tainted sword. Was he what the guy was looking at?
“Well, hello there handsome. You could’ve let me know ya were here earlier. Woulda’ let you get a shot in.” Shanty put on his most charming smile, hinging on the rush of adrenaline to ignore his annoyance at Hol’s disinterested face, “Ya gave him too much credit, looks like he was skin and bones and momma nature woulda’ took care of em’ erself’”
Hol just shrugged and walked back out of the alley, Shanty at his heels.
“Ha, so yer jus’ gonna leave a body on the street?”
The cowboy simply ignored his question, “Shanty, what do you think of death?”
“What a fun line of questioning. Especially after just killing a guy isn’ it?”
“M’ Jus curious.”
The pirate thought for a moment, “It's an ugly bugger, takin’ things that are mine all the time.” Hol gave him a look to have him elaborate. “It won't dare come anywhere near me. Death can’t take me, and neither can anyone else. It is a little fun, though. I can do as I please cause of it.” Shanty turned back to his companion.
Hol had his eyes downcast and his hands balled into fists at his sides, “That is... All the information I needed.” A beat. “Listen here pirate, you can't just do as you want. That’s how you turn out like Lord DIO. Your'e gonna get people killed. He's a monster and we sure as hell don't need another of him.”
“Oh? You think so? I’m sure Lord DIO wouldn't like you speaking of him as such. And you can certainly try to stop me.” Shanty stepped ahead of Hol into the empty street, shielding his eyes from the setting sun. “You have the same offer as the guy back there. Can’t promise ya won’t end up like him if you do, though.”
An unsteady breath was all his warning before a blunt object hit him in the head. Hard. He stumbled back into the street. Shanty held a hand to his forehead and brought back red-tinged fingers. He looked up to meet Hol in the eyes, only to be stopped by a gun pointed at him.
“Don’ wanna, but I’ll be taking ya up on that offer. If ya don't stop, then I will.”
“Oh, you good for nothin-” Shanty charged into the cowboy to knock him off balance.
The two tumbled over each other into the middle of the road, each getting a couple punches in. Hol pushed him off giving Shanty just enough time and space to get a handle on his sword.
“I’ll tell ya, I’m no stranger to having my crew turn on me, jus’ wasn't expecting such a thing from you.”
Hol rubbed at their side where they made impact with the ground, their stand once again forming in their hand, “Yeah? And I wasn’t expecting you to be so full of yourself.”
“Of course I'm full of myself. What else would I be full of?” Shanty readied his stance and took a couple swings, nicking Hol in the arm before dodging a blow in return. The cowboy in question simply summoned his stand into his other hand and pressed on as if nothing had happened.
Staying close, the pirate did his best to stay near to Hol while remaining out of range. Close enough to get swings in and block the other’s ability to aim. If only Shanty had grabbed a gun of his own before leaving his chambers.
Another hit, red dribbled down the side of the cowboy’s face. Hol stumbled back, wincing when he put his hand up to his face to check the damage. He locked eyes with the pirate once more. “Shanty! You’re gonna get yourself killed.”
“Will I? By who? Your hands? You’re certainly making a pitiful attempt to try!”
Shanty continued to press forward. If he could get his opponent up against a wall, he’d be able to off him swiftly. Did he really want to kill him?
“By anyone’s. You are a fool, Shanty! Such a fool. What makes you think you’re so special?”
“Do your eyes fail you? Are you blind to see me? I've been the demise of many and seen that of many more. If death were going to come after me, it would’ve done so long ago!”
“I can see. I watched you gallivanting that status as you killed an innocent child. He could’ve had his entire life ahead of him.”
“Oh? A shame. That's what you were lying about? I hope ya learnt’ a lesson bou’t it. Nex’ time don't chalk a child up to something that dangerous.”
“Wanted to make sure for myself. Promised money for him if he’d help me figure it out. Guess now I don't owe him shit. At least he got me the full show. Helps me be sure I wouldn't feel bad if I have to go through with your little ‘gift’.”
Hol kicked out at the pirate’s legs, catching him off balance in the middle of the road. He tried and failed to catch himself on thin air. Shanty hit the ground shoulder first, his head following with a chilling thud. Hol stood over him, a flash of hesitation echoing on his face.
Shanty’s world went black for a moment. He laid for a moment, relishing in the temporary calm in a tense conflict. A pounding in his skull brought back to him a wavering image of the cowboy in ahead. He held a firm grasp on the hilt of his sword, leaning up suddenly and striking, digging deep into the flesh of Hol’s thigh. Hol Horse recoiled with a shout. Shanty struck his sword again, only hitting air, and once more with the same result.
He scuttled back as far as his injured shoulder would allow, cringing at the warm feeling dripping down his back. Blood previously drying on the ground, stuck to his hands and shoes. From the sound of it, his opponent seemed preoccupied with trying to stand, giving Shanty a chance to take in his situation. He reached to his side, searching for the aged leather of his hat, not at all appreciating the sandy air of Egypt assaulting the back of his head. Grasping the cap in his hand placing it back atop his head, he quietly noted how he couldn't discern anything to his left.
A silence urged Shanty to retreat further. He shuffled quickly to his feet in search of shelter. Looking up, Shanty could see a familiar golden object pointed directly at him through his blurred vision. He stepped carefully back until he hit the curb under his feet. Above him, a light flickered on, and then to his left, and his right, and all the way down the roads. Lamp . Shanty carefully maneuvered himself even further back onto the sidewalk and behind the light post. It protected little of him, but it was something. A moment of quiet and pained breaths fell upon the two.
Does Hol think he's retreating? He had the chance, why didn't he shoot? Shanty would never give in! But he was, wasn't he? Desperately hiding away behind the closest object… HAH! Of course not!
Shanty shuffled his way out to the side of the pole. Hol was facing him from the other side of the road. His head was pounding. If he finished this quick, then he could go back to his ship- no, the mansion and sleep. Foregoing his better judgment, he brought his hand back in preparation to throw the scimitar at Hol.
Bang. Shanty’s sword fell out of his hand, clattering several meters away. Oh, Hol was using his stand properly now. Shanty supposed he should too. Of course it’s only fair and perhaps all the cowboy’s insistence on ‘always having a fair fight’ was getting to him.
Shanty dragged out the small ship from his soul, materializing it only for a moment. His swimming mind stopped for a moment for him to reconsider. With the way Shanty’s vision was wavering and flickering, he supposed it wasn't the greatest idea to use Dreadnaught. It would only target himself, being more of a hindrance than a tool, forcing it on his opponent only making things worse. The boat flickered out of existence once more. Disarmed, the last option he could see was to fight with his hands. Shanty stepped around to the front of the lamppost, noticing all too late the gun still very much aimed at him, with the special edition of a finger on the trigger..
Bang. An immense pressure passed through his side, quickly blooming into a sticky warmth. Shanty tried to step forward, only to stumble. Oh, that yeehaw fuck better not have-
Shanty pulled his hand away from his side. It was definitely more red than before. Red that blossomed through his shirt. He couldn't feel it yet, but a gunshot wound would only take so long to register in his jumbled mind.
“Cowboy, you-”
Bang. Shanty lost his balance dodging and fell back on the light post behind him, smacking his head once more, rattling his thinking further, sliding down to avoid the bullet. (If he were in top shape, he would’ve noticed that the bullet swerved out of his path anyway.) He tried to stand up once again, but pain shot up his side, keeping Shanty crouched on the ground.
“Ah- Y’ fucking shot me.”
“And I’ll do it again,” Shanty’s icy blue eyes met the harsh slate of the cowboy. Searching further yielded no pity within them. Hol had his gun trained directly at Shanty’s head. Disbelief wracked the pirate’s features at his position.
“So? What -ah- do you want? You want me dead? Very unoriginal.”
Hol didn’t take to his vain teasing, instead locking eyes with the pirate in a frosty glare. “Sea Shanty. You are going to listen to me and hear what I am saying. Get it through your thick fucking skull. If you pull anything, I will not hesitate to shoot again.”
“Ya’ threaten me as if you’d actually do it. Hah- go ahead then, I’m listenin’.”
“Take inventory, Shanty. You see that wound in your side? Dangerous, right? Just a millimeter off and it would’ve ruptured your kidney, intoxicating your blood and killing you within a few hours. You know why, Shanty?”
Shanty made another move to stand up, only balancing weakly on the balls of his feet. Hol made a show of placing his index finger back on the trigger and flicking off the safety. He shifted his gaze into the barrel and back up to meet the cowboy, “Hol if you are implying what I think you are, I’ll kill you.”
Hol only looked down at him with disdain, “You aren’t a god shanty. Don't make me prove it to you.”
“Hah! Wha- of course I am- I can't- huff, I won’t-” He took a rare moment to consider. He was bleeding out, his head was swimming so much he couldn't use his stand, and the cowboy had him crouched him on the ground, defenseless, and completely at the mercy of themselves. A man he put his trust into. Not a single one of those were what DIO would fall victim to; None of those were traits of a god.
“I-” Shanty’s eyes fell to the bloodied ground beneath him. The words uttered by the other echoing around in his mind.
‘You aren’t a god. Don't make me prove it to you.’
This was what it was like to feel helpless. Such a strange feeling, he could die at any moment the other pleased and wouldn't be able to do a single thing about it. A feeling wormed its way through Shanty’s over-inflated heart. Tired. He’s seen so much he wouldn’t give up now. Had this been anyone else, he would have kept giving his all until he killed them. A pain tugged in his core at the thought. It couldn't possibly be true? He couldn't die, only defeated when he wanted to be. Many tiny things amassing themselves with the cowboy’s words were telling him otherwise.
The street was quiet save the heavy breathing from both men exhausted and injured by their fight. Shanty’s thoughts were running as wild as they could, considering what was very much a concussion. Forming connections and increasingly unlikely theories.
The pirate slid down the lamppost back onto the ground again with a disbelieving sigh. “Hol… I’ll kill you…,” He looked back up at the cowboy who jostled the gun in their hand, “But you... make a point.”
“Good. I care bout’ ya pirate, but I won’ stand to see you follow in the footsteps of that monster.” Hol made a motion with his gun in the general direction of the mansion.
“Nice ta know.” Weariness edged into Shanty’s voice. His rapid heart rate was slowly calming, darkness threatening the edges of his current remaining vision, “Now what?”
“The sun is setting,” Hol Horse observed.
“Heh- no shit, swashbuckler.”
The sun had just set when the front door of the mansion swung open. Practically carrying the other, Kaname watched the cowboy, Hol Horse- he’d learned, carry the pirate he bumped into earlier through the hallway. He walked with a limp, a large gash in his thigh, the pirate grasping a bloodied sword in a half-clenched hand swinging by his side. Did- did they fight each other? From where he stood he couldn’t see very well but a large splotch of blood coated the pirate’s side and was rubbing off on the other; while the cowboy had no weapon in his hand, not that far of a stretch considering how untouchable DIO’s agents’ reputations were. He couldn't imagine just any random person putting one of them out of commission.
If either of them noticed Kaname’s staring, they made no move to address it. They just continued down the hall, tracking slow drops of blood onto the already red carpets. The cowboy placed his face into the hair of the other. They might’ve said something, but Kaname was too far to hear. It seemed like a tender moment and he felt as if he was intruding-. Hol simply adjusted his hold onto a bridal carry, lifting the pirate through a door to the side.
The hall went quiet for a moment. Kaname let out a small noise of confusion in consideration. This place was going to be the death of him if this was a regular occurrence.
