Originally, I was going to have a section just of their interactions, sans opinions, here. But, first off, I'm not really sure how I would do that, knowing my penchant for babbling. And since I also wanted to do a section on how I saw the development of their relationship... I just decided to mesh them into one. So, here it is, the early Vash/Merylness, and my own rambling opinions on it. I'm also sort of bad at organization, so forgive me if this is frighteningly incoherent.

(Little disclaimer: I haven't watched the first four episodes in quite some time, and don't have easy access to them just now, so I may be changing this later, once I can go back and re-view, and muse.)

First off, as we all know, Meryl was quite in utter denial as to Vash's identity upon initially meeting him. It seems to me she had an image — and a pretty clear one at that — in her head as to what Vash the Stampede would be like. And from her reactions in later episodes, (Hard Puncher, to be specific) I'd say she was sort of... eager to meet the guy. Maybe a little bit thrilled — okay, trying to be coherent here: not succeeding. I'm not sure she had much of a choice in it, but I get the feeling Meryl wanted to take on the job to chase after this guy. Perhaps for the danger, adventure. Perhaps out of a quirky curiosity. But she just seems really excited, thinking she's finally going to meet the real Vash the Stampede. The Vash she meets is so different from the image she's cultivated, she's thrown into total disbelief. And hence the denial.

At this point, we aren't given much insight into Vash's emotions. His character is still being slowly revealed, piece by piece — does he truly have not a clue what's going on? Can he really keep dodging simply by chance? We do see Vash chasing random women — but not Meryl or Milly. Mayhap because they're not random women. Again, my guess is that for all Vash chases lassies, he wouldn't ever follow through. (Er, please don't take that the wrong way.) Evidence: the beginning of, er, B.D.N. I think. And the reason for this probably has a lot to do with his own modesty. His scars, for one thing—and also, I don't think he would be comfortable with someone he didn't love. And since this is not where I was trying to go with this writing, moving on: whatever the reason, he sets Meryl and Milly apart from others.

Of course, there has always been more interaction—tension?—between him and Meryl than him and Milly. (I don't think there's anyone out there who sees a pairing between Vash and Milly. Although, if there is, I'm sorry! I hope I haven't offended you!) They don't get along. Meryl writhes in denial. Bethany says: I see an anime romance forming here!

Tangent: a lot of the Vash/Meryl interaction reminds me a great deal of early Zelgadis/Amelia from Slayers. (What's this you say?) Like how Zel and Amelia constantly find themselves accidentally being thrown into each other, how they started off on the wrong foot, how their personalities at times seem at opposites. (Which they aren't.) And sort of reminiscent of a lot of comedy romance, in general. Of course, that's a lousy excuse for liking the couple — and Trigun isn't exactly your ordinary comedy, and neither is Vash your ordinary hero... (Nor Meryl a typical heroine, for that matter.) End tangent.

The first time I thought something was possibly going to spring up between the two was... in the second episode. Yup, that early. Small details, but things that I took as hints of something to come. Foreshadowing, if you will: Vash shooting his love bullet (^_~) and Meryl, overcome with exasperation, collapsing. The second instance is the time when Meryl thinks Vash is grabbing her. (Which... he, er, wasn't. I forget precisely what did happen, but I think it had something to do with Vash's peeking in on Mariane and getting caught by Milly.) No, these aren't exactly moments of love and adoration: I just took it as... foreshadowing.

Argh, I really need to rewatch the two eps after that. For now, I'm going to skip onto Hard Puncher. This is the episode in which Meryl finally (well, sort of) accepts that the man she and Milly have had contact with is, indeed, the legendary Humanoid Typhoon. Before Vash goes into his love-and-peace bit, she's actually coming close to reconciling her image with the reality. She still has a long way to go before realizing her developing feelings for him, but hey, it's a start.

Which brings me to Lost July, the first episode (if I'm recalling correctly) that shows Meryl is beginning to have a more than professional concern for Vash. When the plant goes bonkers, she thinks they should wait for Vash, and has to be convinced by Milly to leave. And when Vash finally emerges, Meryl takes a half step forward, to go to him, eyes closed, a strange expression upon her face—but stops as she sees Elizabeth move toward him, and he toward her. The look she's wearing alters to one sort of startled, or sad. The ever-observant Milly questions her — aren't you going to go talk to him? But Meryl shrugs it off and walks away.

Once Wolfwood comes in, a division becomes rather apparent. Take the time in Murder Machine (yes, I know, I've babbled about this before) when Vash and Wolfwood both leap outside opposite sides of the bus. Meryl and Milly each turn to shout at one: Meryl at Vash, Milly at Wolfwood. The strange thing? They have to shout across each other to do this. Later in the episode, Wolfwood moves to sit by Milly, leaving Meryl with Vash. (Much to her chagrin.) I suppose it could be argued that Meryl is merely with Vash by default, but I don't believe that's what was intended. In Quick Draw, both our boys find themselves signed up in the tournament, and neither is very happy with the other. They sit in a huff, side beside — each with a girl standing in back. Meryl behind Vash. Milly behind Wolfwood.

And since it's late, and I'm tired, I'm going to leave it there for now. I do plan to add more to this section. Hopefully after I review some of the episodes, so I'm not totally talking out of my ass.

But one last thing, ere I leave you to more interesting pursuits: I'm sure this is really obvious, but... Vash and Meryl (well, everyone) do a helluva lot of changing throughout the series. Both in the way they handle each other and in the way they handle others. Meryl may seem bossy at the beginning, and Vash like a total loon. And while those are aspects of their personalities, they also have a great deal more to them. A great deal in common and in contrast. And damned if they're not cute together. Hee.