Joe Rennie. The diner. Evening.

"Where's Moriarty?" Joe looked around, up into the face of an asian man standing beside him, before he could speak though Amelia replied to the question for him, "It's what? Eight? Chances are he'll be at the saloonharassing poor old Gob and pissing in Billy's drink." Joe chuckled, smiling warmly at the newcomer, immediately catching the warning look in Jimmy's eyes.

"I think that what Amelia here means is that Moriarty is still in Megaton, friend. He does own the town, but he doesn't come here often."

As Joe was speaking to the newcomer Calypso passed the man, dragging Harold along by his massive hand. The thief looked at her in disbelief, stunned to silence at her new appearence.

What the [censored]? Why doesn't she dress like that all the time? She's... Stunning. Once you get rid of that stupid cloak and clean all the blood and filth off of her. Why doesn't Harold look impressed? Still? I mean, hell I know just what she's like. She's a cannibal and she seems to be completely mad... But I'd probably still be tempted.

"Jimmy, I am delighted to be graced with your presence once again. How are Laura and Lucille?" Calypso said after seating the giant at the end of the table and slipped into the seat beside Jimmy. "Joseph, I must hand it to you, I fully expected you to fail me."

"Calypso," Jimmy replied. "It has indeed been too long. Laura and Lucille are..." Jimmy paused and looked up at the moron, "at home. Out of harm's way now it seems, seeing as you made it here," he finished, chuckling.

Calypso faced the asian man standing next to Harold, "such a dashing waiter, may I get a menu darling? Oh, and tell that wretched bar wench, if she looks at Harold or I like that again, I will dissect her like a science experiment and make her my late night snack."

"Any who, Jimmy, do tell of our future business endeavors together, I would like to see your stock firsthand."

Stock! Shut the [censored] up woman, we have no idea who this new guy is and you're talking about Jimmy's stock?

"I do not believe we should discuss business while being intruded on," Jimmy replied, glancing at the Asian man. "Joe, if you could perhaps tell this man to move we could begin talking about just what the [censored] is going on here."

"Tell you what folks," Joe said, looking around the people seated at the table, "I have two assistants now, I think it's time they did some assisting. Harold, Amelia, I'm sure that the two of you can speak on my behalf and fill me in on anything that I miss." Joe slipped out of his chair and led the asian man away from the table towards the bar. "Sorry about that friend, private meeting, you understand? How about I get you a drink while you tell me your business with Moriarty?" Without waiting for a reply Joe turned to face the barmaid, surprised to find a woman with a shaven head there instead of Celeste.

"Beer for me please and whatever my friend here is having," As Joe spoke to the bald woman he slipped his hand into his pocket, the sack of caps Calypso had handed him jangling as he did so, he smiled. "Actually I'd like to buy a drink for everyone here. You hear that everyone?" Joe turned to the room in general and raised his beer in the air. "The drinks are on me tonight. Here's to Duncan."

"Now friend," Joe lowered his voice and turned to face the asian man once more, "Allow me to introduce myself, Joe Rennie, head of town security. Have we met before? You look familliar."

Calypso - Diner - evening


Sitting in the booth, Calypso noticed Joe ogling her, as he looked with prying eyes.

"I do not believe we should discuss business while being intruded on," Jimmy replied, glancing at the Asian man. "Joe, if you could perhaps tell this man to move we could begin talking about just what the [censored] is going on here."

"Tell you what folks," Joe said, looking around the people seated at the table, "I have two assistants now, I think it's time they did some assisting. Harold, Amelia, I'm sure that the two of you can speak on my behalf and fill me in on anything that I miss." Joe slipped out of his chair and led the asian man away from the table towards the bar.

"Yes Amelia, do assist Joseph, Harold shall assist me" Calypso rested her left hand on the Harold's inner thigh, "I do believe Harold delivered my gift to you Jimmy..."

"Actually I'd like to buy a drink for everyone here. You hear that everyone?" Joe turned to the room in general and raised his beer in the air. "The drinks are on me tonight. Here's to Duncan."

Calypso flashed her eyes at Joe, her expression quickly changed once Joe had finished his announcement.

"I shall have a Scotch on the rocks bar maid." Calypso called out.

"The name's Tap" the bald bar maid replied scornfully.

"I care not what your name is, but only that you serve me well" Calypso hissed back while Tap dropped two cubes of ice into a glass. She turned back to Jimmy, raised her eye brows, "ahh yes, where were we my dear?"

Tap smacked the glass down on the table, the ice rattled inside. Calypso clenched her right fist, squeezed Harolds thigh with her left, her nostrils flared as her temper began to rise. Harold glared at her and shook his head, she exhaled through her mouth regaining her composer.

If I had not been asked to not draw attention, I would collar you right now you little [censored].

"What a miserable young...a..person, do continue Jimmy." Taking a sip of the cold drink.

James Wilson – Celeste Taps diner- early evening

Sitting in booth James was reading a chapter in book about how the owner of this book was to destroy it in the case of American capture when a beautiful Tattooed lady wearing a black evening Gown walking into the dinner and placed a sack down on by the door way…

Ooh I wonder who that this…. She Looks different…

James continued to watch as the lady walked up to Harold, hiking her left leg onto the bench in the booth, the gown draqed off her long leg. Firmly grabbing the beasts waist, pressing herself to him, "Harold my love, does my new attire please you?" She stepped back, spinning around once more, "Come, let us sit darling." Lady took Harolds hand leading him over to the booth, Jimmy and Joe were sitting at… .

Did she just try to seduce Harold? Hmm I wonder … did Harold Rejected her eariler? I have to get closer but what about Brandy…........ hmmm ..... Jessica and Bob are at Brandy’s and Jess seemed to know what was wrong and Bob is … Bob

During this time Joe had walked to bar and was speaking to some Asian guy, he then shouted out to the people In the diner “You hear that everyone?" Joe raised his beer in the air. "The drinks are on me tonight. Here's to Duncan."

Putting the Chinese book in his Pocket James finished the bottle of Vodka and walked up to bar and took a seat near Joe

“ If Joe’s paying I’ll have another vodka” James chuckled not even saying a word, Tap placed a vodka bottle and a shot glass on the counter infront of James...

She still a [censored] I miss Celeste, now what is tattoo lady doing?

"What a miserable young...a..person, do continue Jimmy." Taking a sip of the cold drink. James heard her say....

She doesn’t like Tap aswelll hehehe

Keeping a eye on the lady, James spoke to Joe “ hey thanks for buying all the drinks buddy , now do you know who that tattoo lady is… she looks different” whilst taking a shot of vodka...

And I want her….

Brandy - at the party in her bedroom - evening


Brandy sat, listening to Bob bicker with the blonde girl, Jessica. Loud footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs, followed by the patter of other, lighter footsteps. Mirvin waddled into her room, followed closely by Ryler and Atarah. As Bob and Jessica continued arguing, Ryler checked Brandy's stats.

"So, is she going to be alright?" Atarah asked.

"She certainly needs some rest, and plenty of fluids. Bob is correct, Brandy had an allergic reaction to something it would appear. Just take the pills that I gave you earlier as directed, there are pills for pain relief as well." Ryler brushed some hair from her eyes, "just rest ok, that would be best, you have an considerable amount of medications in your system. I have to tend to Jordan, so I am unable to stay, but you should not be alone." Ryler told her before he got up and left.

"Thank you Ryler, you are so sweet.", Brandy gave just a tiny smile, "Do you have a place to stay Atarah?"

"Not yet, I will find one tomorrow, don't worry about me.

"You can stay here, just sleep on the couch, Mirvin can stay up here with me." Offered Brandy.

"Ok, I will get out of here, its a little crowed." Atarah smiled at her, she went downstairs.

Meanwhile, Jessica was still defending James and herself to Bob, Sue looked like she was ready to kill somebody. Bob was sincerely concerned about her well being, they all were actually. But, the commotion was getting to Brandy.

"Can you guys please quiet down...PLEASE?" Voice became bold as she held head, "I would just like to rest, Mirvin, will you stay her. Bob, you can stay the night to, but would you sleep downstairs?" She worked her way to her other mattress, "I hope noone thinks I'm rude, but please, if you're going to argue, please do it outside."

Sue put a sample of the vomit in a plastic bag. Then Jessica and Sue dispersed from her room, leaving Atarah, Bob and Mirvin, "Mirvin, this is Bob and this is Atarah, they can be in the house, please don't shoot them. Mirvin, will you only let Bob and Atarah in one at a time? After I have rested for awhile though, thanks Mirvin, don't know what I would do without you." She curled up and went to sleep.

Joe Rennie. Diner. Evening.

As Joe wated for the newcomer to respond to him James walked over and took a seat beside Joe.

“If Joe’s paying I’ll have another vodka” James chuckled. The new barmaid slammed a bottle and a shot glass down in front of the wepons dealer and gave him a look that said James better not try to skip out on the tab..

Joe glanced at James as he poured himself a shot, the alcohol spilling on the ber as the trader stared off across the diner. As he picked up the glass he spoke to Joe “hey thanks for buying all the drinks buddy , now do you know who that tattoo lady is… she looks different” whilst taking a shot of vodka...

Joe turned in his stool so that he could follow the man's gaze. He almost laughed out loud as he realized that James meant Calypso, though he kept this from showing on his face. James and Calypso? Ha! Oh James she'd eat you alive. Though... Colin did say she was going to run the new brothel. I suppose I could send some business her way. Though if she's going to be using that as a front for slaving then I'll have to tell her... I'll have to get Harold to tell her that the locals are off limits. Can't have people suddenly asking where Brandy's gone or anything like that.

Joe turned back to face James and smiled. "Oh her? That's Calypso. She just moved here today from Megaton, she's certainly interesting. I think she has some business to take care of with Jimmy." Joe paused and shrugged as he took a gulp of beer. "Women and expensive dresses you know. But once she's done you should definitely go talk to her. In the meantime you enjoy yourself James. Duncan was a good man and he'll be dearly missed. But he'd want everyone to celebrate his life. Could you excuse me for a moment though please. I'm talking with this fellow here at the moment."

When she opened her eyes, it seemed they were still closed.

It took a few passing moments for her young, groggy eyes to register-in such overwhelming, near blinding darkness-that it was a floor she was squinting at. Owned by one of the remaining pre-war structures, with cracks and degradation defacing it's possible perfection to prove it had seen many harsh years and witnessed the day the human race destroyed itself.

The slow path to full consciousness led to a chain reaction of realizations-the first being the pain pounding herself, from a head that felt as if it were faintly pulsing to an achingly sore body--and her wrists! With each back of the hand pressing against the other viciously, they chafed in their forced bondage under a rough rope. With stray strings stinging her skin. A dazed panic urged her to bring her arms back to her front, but a number of frustrated, fretting grunts and tossing movements later proved that they were securely locked behind her back. As if she were a prisoner. The thought, essentially, came to her:

Who would steal a twelve-year-old girl?

Pressed against the cold ground on her side, a few sickly, rasping laughs at her struggling and complaining whimpers silenced both her voice and her protesting struggles. She made but one movement of her hazel eyes to see several figures-were there four, twenty? There seemed to be a hostile army engulfing her-inky black bodies ready to pounce and kill the intruding, foreign element in their presence.

A vague idea, Think, pressed her mind in frustration, as the others flared into a discussion she failed to follow. Their voices, sounding as if their throat had been almost completely slashed out from their bodies, certainly spoke English, but each statement seemed to whiz by like minute sparks of lightning. One bulleted through a statement including the words, "Girl's--up," another rocketed through what must have been a dry joke of some kind, and it felt like a clamor of unintelligible words fought to receive notice immediately after.

"Wh...what in the world?" was the faint slur mumbled, as she forced her head to inch it's angle a tad upward to better see one of the captor's faces-Hummingbirds...they talks as fast as they fly...


Then a scream, so unexpected she couldn't believe it was her's, echoed through the building:

That was one ugly hummingbird.

There were no flashy colors to brighten the dull grays and blues of the place when that hummingbird stuck his large head almost directly in front of her's. No, even as hard as it was to see past eyes lined by sleep in the dark, she instead witnessed what looked like melted chocolate on bones-only it was flesh that seemed to loosely stick and slide across the face. With not locks, but strings of thin hair sticking out like hideous weeds at the top of the head and, disturbingly, in parts of the forehead. Everything about him was rotting-even parts of his eyes were clearly dying. Putrid smells streamed from him like geysers from the earth, making her gag to the point it was hard to breathe.

This thing-...a...ghoul?-was more degraded than the building he stood in.

Once again, the words seemed to speed by too quickly to catch, but with some effort the brunette realized he was taunting her. "Little-pampered-smoothskin...real treat-...like the perfume?"

With a heart overpowering even the beat of her throbbing head now, she was unable to suppress a terrified, almost pleading cry as the disgusting bones of hands clawed the back of her short hair-mangled with knots-and jerked her to a sitting position. The smell of death became more pungent as some of the pasty, moldy skin fell off from friction and melted onto bits of her hair-she could feel a few bleeding scratches at the back of her head.

As the corpse shouted something along the lines of, "...fun!" all the smoothskin could do was stutter as she failed to utter what would have been an only partially-conscious entreaty.

She only could only reach the part of the word, "Pl-pl-ple...."

--Tracy
-Abandoned Police Station

Cole Anders

Abandoned Police Station - Early Morning

Cole approached the station cautiously, careful not to make too much noise. If anything was in there, he wouldn't want to give it a heads up.

Cole reached the door and slowly creaked it open, the sound of its hinges echoing throughout the halls. He entered quietly, listening for anything out of the ordinary. "Something doesn't feel right.."

As he walked, something, someone, touched him. He spun around, but saw nothing. The outpost's door slammed shut, and he jumped. The shadows leapt back and forth, eying him, surrounding him, cornering him. He spun in circles, attempting to follow their movements, but it was of no use. They had him trapped.

One decided to strike and lunged at Cole, giving him a moment to observe the creature. "A ghoul.. Its a fuc*ing ghoul!" Without hesitation, he unsheathed his blade and swung at the beast, missing by nearly an inch. The monster struck out at him with a blade of his own, surprising Cole, but not catching him off guard. He ducked, narrowly avoiding the blade. "Its using a weapon, which means its not feral.. So why is it attacking?"

The two clashed as his allies observed, entertained by the brawl. Each masterfully blocked the others moves, careful not to make any mistakes. As they battled, a scream could be heard from down the hall, catching the ghoul off guard and leaving him wide open. Cole took the chance and thrust his blade into the ghouls head. His brethren, shocked at Cole's victory, began moving again, encircling him once more. Cole picked up the ghouls blade and swung clumsily into the darkness, unable to spot out his enemies.

He continued moving through the hallway, intuition being his only guide as he blocked the oncoming threats. But he spotted a way out.. or at least a way to even the playing field. A light shone at the end of the hallway, and Cole took off in a run, determined to reach it. He withdrew into the room which held the dim light and turned to face his opponents head on.

Thankfully, there weren't many. Three ghouls, all armed with swords. He thrust his newly acquired blade into the heart of one as they entered. As he dropped to the floor, his partners began swinging mercilessly at Cole, who stood at a disadvantage thanks to his combat knife. He was able to slice ones head off and managed to strike the other in the neck with his knife. They both fell to the floor, motionless.

Cole, exhausted, dropped the sword and re-sheathed his knife. He turned around, and stared at what lay before him.

A small, frail little girl sat alone in a single cell, strapped to a chair. She stared at him blankly, no doubt she had witnessed the entire fight firsthand. He was at a loss for words. They simply stood, staring at each other.

He walked over to her, mindful to watch out for any more ghouls, and unsheathed his blade. He cut the ropes keeping her restrained and helped her up.

"You alright, Miss?" He asked.

Jimmy Leggio - The Diner - Evening

"Tell you what folks," Joe addressed everybody around the table, "I have two assistants now, I think it's time they did some assisting. Harold, Amelia, I'm sure that the two of you can speak on my behalf and fill me in on anything that I miss." Joe slipped out of his chair and began leading the asian man away from the table towards the bar.

Yeah, that seems about right, Jimmy thought as Rennie fled from the booth.

"Yes Amelia, do assist Joseph, Harold shall assist me," Calypso said to Amelia, resting her hand on Harold's thigh. " I do believe Harold delivered my gift to you Jimmy..."

"Well, I don't really think lovely Amelia should leave quite yet. I would like to know what Rennie is doing here, bringing a cannibal who also happens to be a slaver to what is supposed to be a peaceful settlement," Jimmy replied to Calypso.

"The drinks are on me tonight. Here's to Duncan," Joe announced to the diner from the bar.

"I shall have a Scotch on the rocks bar maid," Calypso called out to the bald woman behind the counter.

"The name's Tap," she shot back.

"I care not what your name is, but only that you serve me well" Calypso hissed back while Tap dropped two cubes of ice into a glass. She turned back to Jimmy, "ahh yes, where were we my dear?"

Before Jimmy could respond Tap approached the table with Calypso's scotch in her grasp, and slammed it on the table before. Calypso's face suddenly changed into one of intense anger, and Jimmy could see her arm clench. Harold shot her a look and she eased, still glaring at the barmaid.

"What a miserable young...a..person, do continue Jimmy," Calypso diverted her attention back towards business.

"Uh, Tap. Could you perhaps grab me a beer," Jimmy asked the ugly, bald woman, giving a weak manufactured smile. "Well seeing as Joe is paying, make it thr--, no four bottles. Thanks."

Tap went to the counter and got four beers as requested. She brought them back down and dropped them before Jimmy, staring fiercely at Calypso as she did. Jimmy nodded at her and she went back towards the bar.

"Well, as I was saying, I'd like to know what you and Amelia are doing in Greyditch," Jimmy said, beginning to pry the cap of one of the beers. "And what gift do you speak of?"

(OOC - short post, mini Cobra is throwing a fit )

Calypso - Diner - evening


"Uh, Tap. Could you perhaps grab me a beer," Jimmy asked the ugly, bald woman, giving a weak manufactured smile. "Well seeing as Joe is paying, make it thr--, no four bottles. Thanks."

"Thirsty are we?" Calypso playfully said, taking another sip of her scotch.

Tap returned with the beer, staring fiercely at Calypso as she did, sitting them in front of Jimmy. Calypso smirked at Tap, motioning back to the bar with her eyes.

"Well, as I was saying, I'd like to know what you and Amelia are doing in Greyditch," Jimmy said, beginning to pry the cap of one of the beers. "And what gift do you speak of?"

"We, well I, have been commissioned to get a written confession, Jake, Harlen Jake was his name." She took another sip, "gift, why none other than the feeble minded, annoying Mr. Wolfgang."

"Once I get the confession, I shall use the old bank for my own brothel. Amelia and I have been told we may visit your clothing store as well, all expenses paid." Calypso smiled at Jimmy, then winked at Amelia.

James Wilson – The dinner – evening

Joe turned to face James and smiled. "Oh her? That's Calypso. She just moved here today from Megaton, she's certainly interesting. I think she has some business to take care of with Jimmy."

“Calypso huh and yes she’s certainly is interesting....” James repiled but continued to look at claypso, hearing part of what she said to Jimmy....

"We, well I, have been commissioned to get a written confession, J--- “ but missed the ending as Joe began talking again "Women and expensive dresses you know. But once she's done you should definitely go talk to her.

“you bet I bloody will ! ” James said whilst finishing off the vodka

wow I Finished that bottle quick James though, unware that he had spilt half of vodka on the floor...

In the meantime you enjoy yourself James. Duncan was a good man and he'll be dearly missed. But he'd want everyone to celebrate his life. Could you excuse me for a moment though please. I'm talking with this fellow here at the moment

“ yes he was a good man, thanks for drinks again and sorry for Interrupting you” James replied but then glanced at Calypso again listening to was she said again…

“Once I get the confession, I shall use the old bank for my own b---“

“ you want another drink? “ Tap said , whlist tapping James shoulder and Interrupting
his Focus again….

damm it you stupid [censored], I missed it, what does she want to set up?

“yes but make it a wiskey , I've had enough Vodka…” James repiled

Danon - Dinner

Danon eased up from the seat he had been resting on. He was confused, not knowing what happened, when it hit him. Damn! I can't believe I had a seizure right at the funeral. I hope I didn't come off as a nuisance to anyone. Danon saw that there were stimpacks lying on the table in front of him, so he quickly slid them into his pocket. When he finally sat all the way up, he noticed that there were others in the diner with him. He stood up and walked to the counter, " do you anywhere I could sleep for tonight? Nothing permanent, just for one night." he asked.

Vict gathered himself. He had to see people. He headed towards the diner. He could surely find someone who needed something done there. Something to make him feel useful. Something to keep his mind off of the fact that he didn't have much inside. He grabbed his hunting knife and attached the sheath to his belt. He locked up Spark & Flame just in case another attack happened. He would try to scrounge up some caps and get ahold of an assault rifle or a shotgun for next time. Just in case.

He was right about people being there. He hadn't gone to the funeral. He couldn't. Still, as he walked in he heard a man ask for a place to stay. Vict replied, "You can stay at my place as long as you leave any weapons you have with me. I have an extra bedroll you can use." He took a seat and asked for a beer. He then asked, "Does anyone here know of a job? Something to keep the mind busy?"

He didn't care much for the details of the man he had offered housing to. So long as he didn't mean harm, Vict didn't care.

Calypso - Diner - evening



Calypso couldn't help but notice the tall handsome man who walked up to the bar, he appeared three sheets to the wind already, but ordered another bottle of whiskey. He had been eying her for a few moments, turning back after speaking with Tap and Joseph.

This town may be more lucrative than I thought, easy pickings. Calypso flashed a quick smile at the man.

"Jimmy, I do also have a group of so called, mercs, delivering my supplies tomorrow. Perhaps we can get them...aquanted with the town as well." finishing off her scotch, "I have a customer in need of some fresh, um, help shall we say. Now if you will excuse me, I must further quench my thirst."

Calypso ran her hand up Harold's arm and chest, draping them around the brutes neck, her mouth next to his ear, "If you do not wish to change your luck this evening, I must say, it is tremendously disappointing." she nibbled the top of his ear, "But I on the other hand, will fulfill my needs anyway necessary."

She glided to the bar, smacking the empty glass on the bar next to the man, promptly taking his bottle of whiskey, pouring into her glass. Then turned to Joe, smiled and turned back to the awe struck man, downing the glass of whiskey and pouring herself another glass full. She held up her glass, tapping his, and downed the second glass.

"Hello my love, do you like what you see?" She asked, spinning once around, "would an handsome man such as yourself be in need of some company this evening?" Calypso turned his stool, raised her leg over sitting on his lap, she filled the mans shot glass, placed it in her cleavage, pulling his head to the glass she stood up and leaned forward. The man downed the shot, smiling afterwords, his eyes filled with lust.

OOC: James doesn’t not know calypso is a prosttute

James wilson – The dinner – evening

downing a glass of wiskey; Danon, the guy who had a Seizure at Duncan’s funeral. Had gotten up and asked, “Do you anywhere I could sleep for tonight? Nothing permanent, just for one night." To the people of bar

But before James or anyone else could speak vict had walked in the dinner and spoke to Danon "You can stay at my place as long as you leave any weapons you have with me. I have an extra bedroll you can use." He took a seat and asked for a beer. He then asked, "Does anyone here know of a job? Something to keep the mind busy?"

Hmm I had a job? What was it again? …. I’ll remember in morning and were has Vict been? I haven’t seen him in a while?

Suddnely Claypso glided to the bar, smacking the empty glass on the bar next to the James, poured some of james’s wiskey into her and downed it before pouring herself another glass full. She held up her glass, tapping his, and downed the second glass.

It looks like she noticed me and …. She liked it?

"Hello my love, do you like what you see?" She asked, spinning once around, "would an handsome man such as yourself be in need of some company this evening?"

“yes?” James nnervously answered wanting to see what calypso did next

Calypso turned his stool, raised her leg over sitting on James lap, she filled the James shot glass, placed it in her cleavage, pulling James head to the glass she stood up and leaned forward. James downed the shot, smiling afterwords, his eyes filled with lust.

That was epic , she defiantly is different…

"Wa, wǒ de míngzì shì zhānnǔsī wēiěrxùn yǒu yīxiē guānyú kǎ lì pǔ suǒ bùtómg... . érqiě wǒ xǐhuan tā... . Wǒ xiǎng tā... ." James said to claypso whlist staring at her dragon tattoo... "Err would you like to see my gun collection?" James asked

------------------------------
Chinese translation- note as James has only just started learning he missed out a few words....

wow (hello) my name is James Wilson; there is something different about (you) calypso …. And I like it …. I want it….

Atarah Zipporah Dorcas – Diner – Evening

Atarah made her way down the stairs, deep in thought. This was no ordinary town she’d ever been to before. So many unfortunate events stirred from within the town borders, you could smell its scent in that air. Needing a drink and something small to eat, Atarah exited the young troubled woman’s house into the dark of the town. Cold hit her like a hammer, wrapping her in his embrace. Rubbing her hands together for warmth, Atarah headed towards the diner.

The large, bright, white eye sat in the night sky, stars illuminating small light about it. Usually, dark grey clouds hung pregnant with certain sadness, but tonight, the blanket of grey drifted away, revealing a natural beauty.

Walking into the diner, Atarah saw a newcomer lingering about. Seems like the Grayditch population is growing by the minute, she thought to herself. The itching thought that slept at the back of her head stirred awoke. Religious raiders? I sure hope these people won’t judge me on my past, let alone my faith. Memories kept locked away had been opened by a key; the past flooding her with a deep shame.

Struggling not to let her emotions crack, Atarah walked to the counter at a brisk pace. The woman behind it was an ugly thing; her head was shaved (?) and her predator like gaze immediately judged you. Atarah sat herself on the red leather stool, tapped the table for her attention trying her best to avoid the woman’s hawk stare.

“Just a nice cuppa Earl Grey, please.” Atarah beamed.

The barmaid gave Atarah an odd look, before nodding wordlessly and proceeding to meet her customer’s needs. Atarah couldn’t help but notice James giving yet another newcomer the flirt. The woman was of around her own age, she had more cleavage than clothes, a notable tattoo and her eyes shone with lust; her smile wanting and hungry.

Atarah knew this smile all too well; the look men gave you and the smile you returned – she’d been in the same situation a decade ago. Before she could call out the newcomer dressed in black, the barmaid – whom Atarah picked up came by the name, Tap, slid the mug across.

“5 caps, woman.” Taps spat; her tone met that of her eyes.

Atarah nodded, reaching into her pockets and placing five, small round bottle caps over the counter. She picked up the cup by the handle, and drank.

Harold. Diner. Evening.

"Jimmy, I do also have a group of so called, mercs," Calypso purred, "delivering my supplies tomorrow. Perhaps we can get them...aquanted with the town as well." finishing off her scotch, "I have a customer in need of some fresh, um, help shall we say. Now if you will excuse me, I must further quench my thirst."

Harold glanced to the side, otherwise remaining completely motionless, as he turned his eyes. Watching as the canibal left her seat between Harold and Jimmy. Calypso ran her hand up Harold's arm and chest, draping them around the brutes neck, her mouth next to his ear, "If you do not wish to change your luck this evening, I must say, it is tremendously disappointing." she nibbled the top of his ear, "But I on the other hand, will fulfill my needs anyway necessary."

Harold remained silent as she moved away and began to ply her trade with the local weapons dealer, James. It appeared that she wouldn't be completely disappointed as James was immediately all over her, talking some gibberish. Harold could feel himself becoming angry. He wasn't interested in Calypso, not in that way. She wasn't his type. But he did find himself enjoying her company. She had a different outlook to Harold, glorifying in the kill rather than the battle before. He was enjoying the attention, finding the woman fascinating and James had interrupted that. The giant glared at James for a moment before slipping a couple of buffout pills from his pocket and dry swallowing them.

The brute turned his gaze towards Jimmy. "Your supplies are in the security shack, I'll bring them in the morning, the other package is currently in a ticket booth. Your men should find it. As for the bill for her," he indicated Calypso and then Amelia. "and her. A runner will be sent to Tenpenny tower to colect payment and bring it back to you."

Mirvin. Miss Brandy's house. The following morning.

Mirvin had assured Miss Brandy that he would allow nobody to enter her room until she awoke and had remained in her room all night, once more clutching the pocketwatch he had purchased from Mr Zardoz and holding it up before his faceplate. Miss Brandy had offered to help him, so Mirvin had concluded he would ask her when she awoke. He slowly waddled across the room until he was standing beside Miss Brandy's bed.

Several hours later Miss Brandy began to stir. Mirvin hesitated for a moment to ensure the young miss was awake before he began to speak. He had tried to speak to her several times during the night only to discover she was rolling over in her sleep. This time however she stretched and yawned before sitting up, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning Miss Brandy." Mirvin rasped from beside her bed.

"Ah!" Miss Brandy replied, seeming startled.

"I must apologise for that Miss Brandy, that was not my intention. May I ask to take you up on your offer to assist me?" He held the pocketwatch out towards the young miss. "Mr Zardoz said I was to hold this and reflect. That I must stop wandering and look within myself in order to locate my life. I found this to be cryptic advice to begin with, he talked of beauty and such. I Have however, reached a conclusion. If it is possible I would ask that Miss Frieda and yourself leave me switched on when you replace my bodywork from the protectron in the supermarket. Pehaps I will find my life somewhere in there. Is this request acceptable?"

Bob Dobbs

Brandy’s House – Evening

“There’s nothing inside the cure that she could be allergic too you fool!”, hissed Jessica, clearly stung by Bob’s lack of faith in her Antidote. “It’s only engineered Jet, epinephrine and Med-X and you don’t if he went to Ryler, whoever he is?”

“Ryler is the town doc”, replied Bob. “And Brandy had all the symptoms of a acute allergic reaction…and oddly enough the emergency treatment for allergic reactions worked. If being right makes me a fool in your eyes, then I ‘m proud to be one!”

Bob then noticed Sue was looking at him in a threatening manner and was brandishing a pistol. That didn’t help Bob’s mood any.

What. The. [censored]. Do these people think even thirty seconds into the future? Or do they plan to kill Brandy too and blame it on me?

“Either use that God-damned pistol, or PUT IT AWAY!”, snarled Bob. “Do you make a habit of walking into other people’s houses uninvited and threatening the people you find with guns?”

“If you give me time”, interrupted Jessica, not liking where this was going, “to collect, test and anolyze some of Brandy Vomit and the Nuka-Cola bottle it was in I may be able to figure out what happened”

Clean the puke off the floor….yeah, you’re probably qualified to do that. Probably.

“Be my guest”, replied Bob sarcastically as he gestured towards the puddles of vomit around the room, noting someone was slowly clomping up the stairs.

Probably that robot again. Oh, [censored].

Jessica and Sue moved aside as the Protrectron waddled into the room. It looked around at everyone then turned to face Brandy, leaned down to look at her and activated it’s speaker.

"Miss Brandy", the robot said, "Is there anything you require my friend?" Then the robot straightened up to face everyone else.

"Who is responsible for this?"

“I’m not sure”, Jessica said. “James gave Brandy the cure and something went wrong, Mr robot. Now to be safe will need to flush Brandy’s systems with Med C or are you going to an [censored] again and not let me do it, Bob….”

“An [censored]?”, Bob replied icily. “I think I’ve been nice about this, considering the facts. Your boy mixed your so-called “Antidote” into a bottle of Nuka-Cola? so he could trick Brandy into taking it. Never mind she already had Pre-War meds given to her by her Doctor. What he did is not ethical, no matter how you cut it. And I’ve noted it doesn’t seem to bother you, either.”

At that point Ryler and Atarah burst into the room. Ryler kneeled next to Brandy and examined her while Bob described her symptoms and the steps he took to Ryler. He also handed him the expended auto-injector.

"So, is she going to be alright?" Atarah asked Ryler.

"She certainly needs some rest, and plenty of fluids. Bob is correct, Brandy had an allergic reaction to something it would appear. Just take the pills that I gave you earlier as directed, there are pills for pain relief as well." Ryler brushed some hair from her eyes, "just rest ok, that would be best, you have an considerable amount of medications in your system. I have to tend to Jordan, so I am unable to stay, but you should not be alone." Ryler told her before he got up and left.

"Thank you Ryler, you are so sweet.", Brandy gave just a tiny smile, "Do you have a place to stay Atarah?"

"Not yet, I will find one tomorrow, don't worry about me.

"You can stay here, just sleep on the couch, Mirvin can stay up here with me." Offered Brandy.

"Ok, I will get out of here, its a little crowded." Atarah smiled at her, she went downstairs.

Meanwhile, Jessica was still defending James and herself to Bob, while Sue glared at Bob. Brandy found the whole situation irritating.

"Can you guys please quiet down...PLEASE?" Brandy said irritably as she held her head. "I would just like to rest, Mirvin, will you stay here. Bob, you can stay the night too, but would you sleep downstairs?" She worked her way to her other mattress, "I hope noone thinks I'm rude, but please, if you're going to argue, please do it outside."

Sue put a sample of the vomit in a plastic bag, then she and Jessica left, leaving Atarah, Bob and Mirvin.

"Mirvin, this is Bob and this is Atarah, they can be in the house, please don't shoot them.”, said Brandy wearily. “Mirvin, will you only let Bob and Atarah in one at a time? After I have rested for awhile though, thanks Mirvin, don't know what I would do without you." She then curled up and went to sleep.

Ushered out of Brandy’s bedroom by Mirvin, Bob and Atarah headed downstairs. Atarah was hungry, Bob felt it was better if she went out to eat first as he was still furious at James for his stunt with the “Antidote” and felt it best if he didn’t see him until he had calmed down.

After Atarah left, Bob occupied his time by disassembling Brandy’s rifle again and using one of the spring replacement kits he got from Sue to replace all the R-91’s aging springs, putting the old ones in the package the new ones had been in. After re-assembling the rifle, Bob cycled the action, the rifle now seemed to work much better.

It won’t give her any problems now. I’ll have to show her how to use it….once I’m sure she won’t try to kill herself again.

Bob then sat and listened to GNR as he drank a bottle of water. The news was mixed, the Talon Company was rumored to be pulling all its forces out of DC and rallying by the Jury Street Metro, most likely in a bid to re-take Ft Bannister. Three-Dog was somewhat annoyed that his Citadel sources had no comment on the matter.

Best not to go very far West until that settles out. Knowing the Brotherhood, they’ll wait until whoever is in charge of Talon Company now rallies everything they have left then drop the hammer on the whole lot at once.

Raider activity was up around Megaton, several caravans had been hit over the last few days, and one of the Canterbury Commons merchants was overdue on his regular stop in Megaton.

Glad I’m here instead of out there guarding water caravans...better to be here in town where it is relatively safe.

--Tracy
-Abandoned Police Station

"What was that?"

Tracy hadn't caught the noises of footsteps or fighting that faintly sounded in the background, but the ghoul holding her with a messy clutch of hair did. His rough, scratchy notice caused the group to slither away-the outlines of their bodies holding semblance to a predator.

All seemed quiet, but Tracy kept expecting the ghouls would return, prepared to crowd her to suffocation and swallow her. So she remained dead-still with shoulder's raised close to her head, back hunched, and legs stiffened next to one another. She was about to convince herself that life had given her a breather, but then louder steps of people running petrified her once more as dread overwhelmed her. The d*** hummin-ghouls! They're back already!

Yet they hadn't simply returned with plans of what must have been business-as-usual, as Tracy realized when strained eyes and ears revealed the entrance, first, of a man under a dim light. A man with smooth skin...and a weapon.

Terrifying, hideous figures-the same that had been about to torment her-quickly joined him under the grimy, yellow glow, and the human man wasted no time to kill them. First a stab to the chest with an unnerving crack of the ribs, then a head barreled to the floor-emotionless-with a hard hack of the intruder's blade, then another's neck was slammed with the weapon to let blood spurt and spray in a disturbing flood. Tracy's mind went blank as her droopy eyes shot open, but the most she could voice was a whimper under her shallow breath. He killed them, he really killed them! Without even the slightest hesitation!

In disbelief, her eyes dragged after the falling corpses, dropping like heavy sand bags. What were the chances that he would save her, and not kill her without distinction to murderous ghouls? The answer, of course, had to be None.

Her eyes were only pried from the bodies when the sword followed, and they abruptly darted to the owner-still with his back turned. Another moment changed that, as his eyes fell on the brunette-silent.

Tracy felt dead.

The man approached her, the man unsheathed his knife, and all Tracy could do was tremble with the look of a deer in the headlights-but God, did she tremble. Whether or not it was visible, it felt like an earthquake to her-only absent of the falling and splitting floor.

He cut the rope and offered a hand-the girl could barely get to a stand, as her wobbly feet struggled to find a stable placing on the concrete. She felt lightheaded, her head and body still ached, her stomach gave a stabbing feeling of emptiness, her body beat in rhythm of her head as her heart still ran like a crazed man, her mouth was dry, she felt weak, and her face maintained a perplexedly blank look-as if she couldn't comprehend all that happened. When she just barely managed to catch a simple "You alright, Miss?" she almost immediately burst out a blubbering, slurring, "N-n-n-no!!" with an equally explosive entrance of tears. Flooding a slender face tainted with distress and filth as it wrinkled in sorrow from the trauma.

In the faint light, it could be observed that hygiene had been neglected for a few days-completely. The girl smelled faintly of body odor and dirt, and pungently of death-one could see that the dark, rich brown hair that nearly reached her shoulders was woven into its own mess of thick locks, with bits of rotting flesh from a ghoul intertwined. Every inch of her was coated in some form of dust or soil, and an already worn and tattered yellow dress that ended at her knees and jacket about her torso had stains from splotches of filth. With red, painful markings from the tight bindings she had experienced for more than a day, soreness of her entire body, and the stinging, bleeding scratches at the back of her head, Tracy was too busy silently, but violently sobbing to pay it notice.

Tracy soon realized with another pang of fear, "My group! I lost my group!" Weak from emotional shock and lack of physical strength, her legs felt as if they were going to crumble to the ground, and desperately she clutched the man. Wrinkling his clothing with fingers holding on for life. Soon reddened eyes, lined by sleep, droopy, and still shining with water, pleaded to the man she once had wanted to do nothing more than run away from. "Don't lea-ve me here, please! I can't be alone-in the dark, with monsters!"

Her voice constantly faltered and cracked-a mix of her hysteria and dehydration.

"I can be useful, I'm not trouble-I--I swear!" A young, pretty face-as ugly as the stains on it were-pressed it's cheek against him, pitifully begging.

This stranger, he was her lifeline now, and she really needed a lifeline right then.

Tao
Diner
Evening
Tao had posed the question to Joe, the man he had met when he first worked out his contract with Moriarty; the girl, Amelia answered.
"It's what? Eight? Chances are he'll be at the Saloon harassing poor old Gob and pissing in Billy's drink."
Joe spoke, confirming what Amelia had said about Moriarty.
Tao was surprised: he had expected Moriarty to be present at the fledgling town he had funded. The look of astonishment on Tao’s face left as quickly as it had come; Tao re-gained his composure and prepared to leave. He gathered his belongings: the duffle bag which concealed his gun and the mask which concealed his face. Lowering the blue ballistics mask over his face he headed towards the exit; on his way out he turned to Joe staring at him through his cold metal mask and stood. He turned his attention to Amelia,
“Amelia was it?” he paused, “thanks for the assistance.”
Tao barely noticed the two figures passing him as he left the diner; one was a monster of a man the other looked to be some kind of prosttute. The larger man glared at Tao as he left but Tao ignored him, he could hear the group talking as he left. Tao slung the bag over his shoulder and headed to the road.
The meeting had left a bad taste in Tao’s mouth; He didn’t like Joe or any of Joe’s associates. They were the type of people who hired men like Tao to do things that they were to afraid to do themselves. Most of Tao’s clients fit this profile, in Tao’s mind Joe was no different besides the fact that he seemed to be able to convince people otherwise. By now Tao was at the edge of town and the road to Megaton was just over a mound of rubble.

OOC: I've been battling sickness and piles of work but I'm trying to stay afloat :confused:

--Greyditch--
--Sundown--
--Pawnee--

"Its okay boy," Pawnee leaned down to pet Buck. The dog looked anxious. It had been watching Pawnee as he packed up all of his possessions in preparation to leave Greyditch.

Pawnee had made his mind up to leave at daybreak. He still wasn't sure if going to tell anyone. If he did, he knew he'd be forced into saying goodbyes to Celeste, Brandy, and Frieda. Right now all he wanted was some space. He figured he'd probably return to Greyditch after his business in Tennpenny Tower was over.

That is - if he lived through his business.

Pawnee dug around in his coat pocket, pulled out his last strip of Brahmin jerky, and fed it to the dog.

"Hey, Pawnee?" A voice echoed up the stairwell, "It's Frieda. Are you home?"

"Yeah," Pawnee sighed. A pit formed in his stomach. He couldn't avoid saying goodbye, "I'm here."

Frieda walked up the stairs and into the middle of Pawnee's open-sky loft bedroom.

"You look nice today," Pawnee gave her a crabbed smile, "your hair. It - it always looks really good."

"Can I stay for a minute? I'm not trying to make things awkward..." Frieda sat on the floor and fidgeted with the lace of one of her boots. "I'm sorry about this morning. I have a hard time expressing myself. I. . .I just wanted to. . ."

She's going to ask me to stay. And I'm going to have to tell her-

"I really care about you, but I want you to be happy, too," Frieda interrupted Pawnee's thoughts. "No matter what you decide, is okay with me. You have to live your own life. I'm just glad I got to spend some time with you."

Whoa. . .really?

"I'm trying to make it easier on you. Not. . .not pressure you." Frieda added.

"Thanks," Pawnee croaked. He scratched his head and then opened and closed his mechanical fist slowly, "I - I've already decided actually. You're probably right about Bittercup. She left me. She's through with me. But I still need to see if I can help her. I couldn't live with myself knowing that's she's someone's slave, and I'm just sitting on my ass over here. I need to go to her."

Pawnee walked over to Frieda and put his hand on her shoulders, leaning into her.

"I'd still like you to come with me. I know that may seem. . .strange, but I could probably use a little help getting in and out of Tennpenny, and I know you've been talking about leaving town so. . . I want to head out in the morning without telling anyone. Avoid drama and all the tears and goodbyes."

Pawnee stared deep into Frieda's eyes.

"Will you come with me Frieda? At least as far as Megaton? Or is this goodbye? Until I get back. . .if I do."

Calypso - diner - evening


"Wa, wǒ de míngzì shì zhānnǔsī wēiěrxùn yǒu yīxiē guānyú kǎ lì pǔ suǒ bùtómg... . érqiě wǒ xǐhuan tā... . Wǒ xiǎng tā... ." James said to claypso whlist staring at her dragon tattoo..." Mr. Wilson spoke in Chinese. His blue eyes sparkled in the incandescent light of the diner, he seemed easily smitten.

"Is that so Mr. Wilson" Calypso laughed

"Err would you like to see my gun collection?" James asked.

"I have no interest in guns darling, but this.." Calypso pulled his sword halfway out of its scabbard, "I possess a fondness for true pieces of weaponry."

Calypso picked up the bottle of whiskey, noticing the glare Harold shot at Mr. Wilson, she gave Harold her devilish smile. She stood up, holding her hand out, "Shall you lead the way Mr. Wilson?"

James anxiously grabbed her hand, leading her back to his place, he picked up her bag as they walked by upon leaving the diner. James couldn't get home fast enough, as he stumbled and staggered a few times in his haste. He opened the door, waived around at his gun collection, he wore a boyish grin on his face. Unimpressed with the gun collection, Calypso's expression quickly changed, there in the corner was a sickle. She strode over to it, the blade was stained with blood stains there were recent, the blade slightly blued, someone must have put heat to it before its last intended purpose. Calypso turned, putting her arms around Jame's neck, he leaned in as if to kiss her.

"James my dear, it would be a shame if I did not freshen up first, do point in the direction of your powder room." She cooed.

James led her up the stairs, opening the bathroom door for her, " Thank you darling, I will freshen myself in a timely matter."

It had been awhile since James heard the shower run, he walked to the bathroom door, it was opened a crack. James peered in through the crack, he could see Calypso, she was turned looking at her wound in the mirror. Her back to the mirror, crooning her head around examining her right should, her hair trailed down to the middle of her back. Her chest facing the door. A large Chinese dragon tattoo graced her entire arm, and left shoulder. Looking up from her shoulder she could see James in the mirror, she smiled, James gently pushed open the door.

Calypso turned her head back as James walked up to her, grabbing her waist, taking in her toned body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her whispering in his ear, "Do pleasure me darling, take me."

He carried her to his bedroom, shutting the door with his foot. Their moans filled the house for quite some time.

James wilson – dinner/ his house – sunset

"I have no interest in guns darling, but this.." Calypso pulled his sword halfway out of its scabbard, "I possess a fondness for true pieces of weaponry."

“Graham sword? I got it off that Trade Zardoz; good sword I’ve only used it once but it performed well when chopped up several Talon mercs on my escape of Ft bannister a few days ago. “ James chuckled

calypso stood up, holding her hand out, "Shall you lead the way Mr. Wilson?"

“off course “ James said as he anxiously grabbed her hand, leading her back to the grayditch place, James picked up her bag as they walked by upon leaving the diner.

Wow this bag is heavry, I wonder whats inside…

James opened the door and said “ anyway heres my collection” as he waived around at his gun collection But claypso seemed Unimpressed until she noticed scythes, sickle in corner and She strode over to it

“That’s my latest trophy“ James giggled “ belonged to some “badasses” bounty call scythe, when I first met him, I said I’ll be taking his “toy” when we next met… “

To bad the [censored] got away…

Calypso turned, putting her arms around Jame's neck, he leaned in as if to kiss her.
"James my dear, it would be a shame if I did not freshen up first, do point in the direction of your powder room." She cooed.

“Off course” james said as he led her up the stairs, opening the bathroom door for her, " Thank you darling, I will freshen myself in a timely matter."

Whilst calypsos freshen up, James walked back downstairs, after drinking several glasses of water and writing a quick note for the morning, James waited….

It had been awhile since James heard the shower run, he walked to the bathroom door, it was opened a crack. James peered in through the crack, he could see Calypso, she was turned looking at her wound in the mirror. Her back to the mirror, crooning her head around examining her right should, her hair trailed down to the middle of her back. Her chest facing the door. A large Chinese dragon tattoo graced her entire arm, and left shoulder. Looking up from her shoulder she could see James in the mirror, she smiled, James gently pushed open the door.

Calypso turned her head back as James walked up to her, grabbing her waist, taking in her toned body. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her whispering in his ear, "Do pleasure me darling, take me."

He carried her to his bedroom, shutting the door with his foot. Their moans filled the house for quite some time.

----------------------

several minutes later after James and claypso had [censored] they both fell back into the bed....

"that was .... that was magnificent, better than that time in kentucky with those Twins " James gasped

as Claypso curl up to spoon James , he reached over to the nightstand and pulled out two glowing cold Nuka cola Quantums

"I'm being saving these for special occasion , would you like one " James asked...

Cole Anders

Abandoned Police Station - Afternoon

"My Group! I lost my Group!" She hoarsely screeched, "Don't lea-ve me here, please! I can't be alone-in the dark, with monsters!" The girl grabbed onto Cole, barely able to stand on her own two feet. She cried, Cole barely able to make out words between the sobs. "I can be useful, I'm not trouble-I--I swear!"

"Jesus Christ.. What happened to you, kid?" Cole thought, staring down at the dirt stained child. "Hysteria seems to be the cause of distress... Her legs appear to be suffering from some sort of Dystrophy.. Physical wounds cover her body..."


"Torture is most likely the cause of her symptoms. The real question is.. Why were they doing this?" He pondered, the girl still sobbing. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of here," Cole said in a soothing, mellow voice. "Your safe now,"


She looked up at him, a genuine look of gratitude twinkling in her soft, hazel eyes. Cole could not imagine what disgusting, vile creature could ever torture such a innocent being.


Nevertheless, he had to get her medical attention. The back of her head was bleeding furiously, and the rest of her wounds and needed to be treated. Gently, he lifted her onto his shoulder, mindful of her head. He darted out of the station and emerging out into the daylight, the sun bringing Cole a sense of safety. He ran for the town, hoping that someone would be able to assist him.


_________

"I need help!" Cole yelled as he entered town, though no one seemed to be out this late. He ran from street to street, looking for anyone that could assist him. As he turned a corner, he caught glance of a young man with curly, brown hair leaving a house.

"Does this town have a doctor?" He asked the boy, who was focused on the child as Cole approached.

"That would be me," He responded. "What happened to this girl?"

"Can you help her?" Cole asked, hoping he wouldn't need any more of an explanation. "I.. Think I can. Here, follow me," The man led him to his office, where he instructed Cole to lay her down on a small medical bunk. He did as he was told, and laid her down. "Wait outside," The man asked, Cole nodding in response.

_________

A few hours passed before he emerged, a look of exhaustion crossing over his face. "She'll be fine, thankfully you got her to me before the injuries worsened to a deathly extent. It will take a couple days of resting and a healthy diet before she'll be able to walk around again, but that as far as her physical injuries extend. As for Mental injuries.. Well, its obvious she will suffer some trauma from whatever caused this.." He took a moment to catch his breath, and attempted to continue, but Cole waved his hand as a motion for him to stop.

"Thats enough information. Thank you..?" Cole questioned, reaching out for his hand. "Ryler North, at your service," Ryler responded, shaking his hand in return. "Cole," He said, "Cole Anders,"

It had been a long day for Jen. There seemed to be more animals out than usual in the early morning, causing her to spend more energy than she wanted to during the day. She had managed to avoid most of the Rad scorpions yet all her efforts to sneak past any feral dog was unsuccessful thanks to their keen noses; one of the dogs even managed to get a bite in on her right arm, a few inches above the wrist, before she was able to draw her pistol and shoot it through the head. The leather armor that she wore helped a little to keep the dog's teeth from breaking her skin but her arm was still bruised and sore from the bite pressure alone.

Yawning out loud, she decided it was best to try to make camp for the night and gathered up the supplies to make a fire. Placing some brahmin meat near the flame Jen sat back and admired the night sky. She breathed in the night air and after getting a whiff of the cooked meat she reached to grab a piece, noticing lights off in the distance that should not have been there.

Those are coming from the Grayditch area... The surprise caused her to quickly get to her feet, grabbing her things but leaving the food behind. Slowly yet quickly, she made her way towards the source of the lights until she could see most of the town and barely make out a few humanoid shapes walking about outside. I suppose they could be a mercenary company... definitely not raiders though. She thought, taking note that in the fact that the city looked to be in better shape than she last saw it, instead of torn apart and stained with graffiti. She decided to take her chance with the possible mercs and began walking closer to the city, holstering all weapons and calling out to the people.

Brandy - home - morning


After all that had happened, and the roller coaster ride that her body and mind had rode, Brandy slept fairly well. She stretched and gave a long yawn.

"Good morning Miss Brandy." Mirvin rasped from beside her bed.

"Ah!"Brandy replied startled.

"I must apologize for that Miss Brandy, that was not my intention. May I ask to take you up on your offer to assist me?" He held the pocketwatch out towards the young miss. "Mr Zardoz said I was to hold this and reflect. That I must stop wandering and look within myself in order to locate my life. I found this to be cryptic advice to begin with, he talked of beauty and such. I Have however, reached a conclusion. If it is possible I would ask that Miss Frieda and yourself leave me switched on when you replace my body work from the protectron in the supermarket. Perhaps I will find my life somewhere in there. Is this request acceptable?"

"Uh, well, um, Mirvin if that is what you would like to do, then I have no problem with it." Brandy was groggy, and caught off guard by the robots question as he held the pocket watch in front her.

"Mirvin, I will certainly do my best, but I have to go to the bathroom first, just a second" Brandy said while getting up, hurrying to the bathroom. She washed her hands and face, staring at the mirror.

What on earth do I say to him? How do I try to approach this? He's so innocent, and Zardoz used that, I can't break his heart.

Looking down, there it was, in the trash can, the familiar red and white inhaler, she thrust her hand in the can, clutching the inhaler. She shook it, it sounded as though there may be a touch left in it. She brought it to her mouth, squeezed it, it left out a tiny puff, she frantically depressed the now completely empty inhaler.

Better than nothing I guess, now how do I approach Mirvin?

Brandy returned to her bedroom, the curious robot standing next to her bed. She looked at him with longing eyes as she sat down on the bed. Brandy took a deep breath, her stomach muscles were sore from being sick the night before, she bit her lip.

"Mirvin, I think...I think that Zardoz meant, look at the people, the experiences, things you have done and reflect on the relationships you have had. Take Mr. Frank for example, he cared for you, and you for him, that's a working relationship. It sounds like a healthy one at that." Brandy paused, as she wanted to do her best to help Mirvin, "that's one of many things that give you life Mirvin. You were like his baby, so to speak, he taught you things, did things with you, and shared his knowledge, and experience with you."

Brandy shifted her legs, now sitting indian style, she had hoped this was making sense to him.

"If you want to explore and travel, do it, if you want to stay in Grayditch, that's your choice, only you can make it. Get to know people, bond with them through conversation, through working with them, life is what you make it. It is all up to you Mirvin, the watch, its beautiful, its a thing that you can look at, realizing it gives you time to make your decisions, time think on how you feel." Brandy wished that she could read his face, to gage if she was making sense to him, but the cracked blue faceplate just glowed back at her.

Brandy got up, fumbled through her suitcase, she laid out all of her pre-war books on the bed. A dozen in all, of various varieties, "Mirvin, I have read all of these books, maybe they will help too. But, I think we could help each other. I miss my family back home, to me, family and friends are a huge part of life." Brandy pulled the picture of her with her grandparents and brother, showing it to him, "see, you may have a life of your own, but you share it with those you love Mirvin. I would like to be part of your family Mirvin, I want to be there for you. You're special Mirvin, in a lot of ways."

Brandy svcked in her cheeks, looking up at the ceiling, returning her gaze back to Mrivin.

"Life teaches us lessons, lessons we will learn until the day we die, Pawnee for example. I desperately wanted to be with him, to be his girl, so I threw myself at him, I ended up giving myself to him. But, it didn't seem to really matter to him, he just didn't feel the same way as I do. He has few girls I guess, and I ranked at the bottom of his totem pole, despite my attempts. That taught me that I need to get to know a man more before I just give myself to him, it was, and is still, a hard lesson. I screwed up with Frieda, not asking before I yelled at her, I upset her, and now I have no idea where she is, the lesson, don't always assume, but ask. Now, I don't know where the best friend I've had in years is even at, or if she is even safe. Bob, I've learned he is a very patient man, he is also protective and makes me feel safe. And Mirvin, you make me feel safe, you make me feel like I have a purpose, the task of helping you put the pieces together, literally, and to help answer your questions. You make me feel needed, and I really need that Mirvin, I've never really felt needed before, it gives me purpose."

Brandy stopped, shook her head, "I...I'm sorry Mirvin, I'm just blabbing away. Does that help at all?"



Calypso - Grayditch Arms - night


"That was .... that was magnificent, better than that time in Kentucky with those Twins " James gasped, as Calypso curled up to James, he reached over to the nightstand and pulled out two glowing cold Nuka cola Quantums .

"Twins? How tantalizing." Calypso said seductively, while beginning to massage James' back, noticing bruises and scraqes, scattered all over.

Must be from his valiant escape from Fort Bannister he had mentioned.

"I've being saving these for special occasion, would you like one? " James asked.

"I shall drink from yours, as my thirst for the evening has been quenched." Putting her hand over his, directing the bottle to her lips.

Calypso rubbed his shoulders, and played with his hair. James tried to kiss her, she pulled away, putting her finger to his lips, "now, now, tis a bit personal."

As she rubbed his beat up body, he drifted off to a drunken slumber. After what must have been two hours, she was unable to sleep, whether it was her aching ribs and jaw, or James obnoxious snoring, she eased out of bed. Calypso, quite efficient in quietly sneaking about, put her evening gown on and plucked the unopened bottle of Quantum from the nightstand. Creeping down the hall, she realized, they were not alone in the house. She peered into the other bedroom, there were two women bedding down together, fast asleep.

Calypso walked through the living room, placing the bottle of Quantum into her bag, retrieving a stimpack. She injected her sore ribs, I do hope Harold did not fracture them, she painfully thought. She shouldered her sack, and walked up to the sickle, caressing it like a mother to a newborn child, taking in its true beauty.

Such an unique weapon, with a masterful range compared to my shiskebob.

She felt the weight in her hands, imagining the force to which the tip of the blade could enter her enemy, relieving the body of the head. Calypso opened the door, preparing to leave, as the cannibal had a long day of activities brought before her.