[Vash isn't stupid. He's certain that Wolfwood doesn't believe his lie. As long as he isn't called on it, though, he can deal with it. They can lie to each other's faces, just as they've always done. For as much as he supposedly trusts Wolfwood, Vash hasn't exactly been honest along the way.

He takes a bite out of a peanut butter slice. Then a few more. Each movement of his jaw is slow as he thinks. He understands the need to leave. Neither of them belong here. But right now, trying to go running into the woods again was only going to get them killed for real.]

We wait it out. Learn what we can, and at least let the snow melt. [He hates saying it. He thinks of Jeneora Rock, waiting for its plant. He thinks of Meryl and Roberto, waiting for them back on the ship. They were all waiting on him. Relying on him.

Had he even managed to save Hopeland? They wouldn't know that until one of them made it home. Unfortunately for them, it's simply not in the cards.]

We can gather supplies. Figure out who and what we're dealing with. And then we'll try again.