[Danial Zachery]

Jimmy Leggio - Celeste's diner - morning

"ME?" the man asked, angrily.

"Boy, I know you're not pointing that at me" he said, taking a step towards Jimmy.

"I heard some [censored], came to see what the [censored] happened, and helped the best I could. Let's get two things straight right the [censored] now. ONE, I aint no [censored], and I aint no dog, don't treat me like one."

The man took another step closer, "and TWO, you had best get that gun outta my face before I shove it up your [censored] ASS SO FAR, THE DOCS IN RIVET CITY WON'T BE ABLE TO PULL IT. OUT. What's it gonna be?"

Jimmy smiled. His anger was beginning to clear up. He never considered himself as an irrational man, but what he was doing was obviously stupid. That said, the way the man had talked to Jimmy Leggio, one of the most important people in the Capital Wasteland, earned him nothing less than a bullet in the head.

"I am not a boy. And I will not be spoken to in that manner," Jimmy said, his voice no longer a shout. "A group of raiders attack the town last night. When did you arrive? You have to think logically here. A man just happens to wonder into town around the same time raiders do. What can you say to convince me you are not simply a raider dressed up fancy? Playing nice and undercover until your leader returns? That said..." Jimmy lowered his .44, and took a step towards the man.

He didn't smell like a raider, like faeces, gunpowder and sweat. But not all raiders were criminally insane morons who charged at anybody they saw without any sort of plan and lived like pigs.

The people didn't even ask this man about the coincidence. [censored] morons.

[Danielle Brown]

FRIEDA ~~ Diner ~~ Mid-morning

Frieda watched the confrontation between J.T. and the man she'd seen about town but yet still didn't know his name. He was flashing around a magnum and wearing a dirty business suit. She watched as he snarled at J.T. "I am not a boy. And I will not be spoken to in that manner. A group of raiders attack the town last night. When did you arrive? You have to think logically here. A man just happens to wonder into town around the same time raiders do. What can you say to convince me you are not simply a raider dressed up fancy? Playing nice and undercover until your leader returns? That said..." He lowered his .44, and took a step towards J.T.

"For [censored]'s sake," Frieda objected tiredly. "You're right, the town got attacked by Raiders and the rest of us had our own...fun...outside of town. We're all beat down, injured, exhausted. If J.T. wanted to take advantage of us, he'd have already done it. Most of us are total pushovers right now."

Her head was swimming. She really needed some sleep. "Now, sir, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. [censored] off or help out. This place is a shambles and there are other injured people around. Once Brandy is seen, I'm taking her home, and then I'm going to crash for a couple hours myself." She clenched her left hand for the first time since it had been fixed. It was very stiff and the movement made her grate her teeth.

[Lloyd Muldowney]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - morning



The man smiled back at J.T, "I am not a boy. And I will not be spoken to in that manner," Jimmy said, his voice no longer a shout.

"Well, neither will I " J.T snarled

"A group of raiders attack the town last night. When did you arrive? You have to think logically here. A man just happens to wonder into town around the same time raiders do. What can you say to convince me you are not simply a raider dressed up fancy? Playing nice and undercover until your leader returns? That said..." Jimmy lowered his .44, and took a step towards the man.

J.T stood nose to nose with the man, "J.T. Taylor...from Atlantic City" he replied through clenched teeth, "for the sake of these injured folks" J.T leaned a little closer, "my folks owned a casino, they both died, I inherited it along with my dads wealth. Now you tell me, do I need any caps, do I need to steal anything? I don't think so." He leaned back, "don't know who you are, where your from, doesn't really concern me but, don't storm in and try to push me around, especially while pointing a gun at me."

J.T. Stepped back when Frieda spoke up, "For [censored]'s sake," Frieda objected tiredly. "You're right, the town got attacked by Raiders and the rest of us had our own...fun...outside of town. We're all beat down, injured, exhausted. If J.T. wanted to take advantage of us, he'd have already done it. Most of us are total pushovers right now."

You could tell Frieda was exhausted, "Now, sir, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. [censored] off or help out. This place is a shambles and there are other injured people around. Once Brandy is seen, I'm taking her home, and then I'm going to crash for a couple hours myself."

J.T took a deep breath, "Frieda's right, there are other people needing a medic, I pulled the bullet from her hand. As far as Celeste's eye, I'd prolly do more damage then good, and Brandy, well pretty much the same thing." He pointed outside, "if ya wanna talk, fight, whatever let's show a little respect and step outside while these people get the help they need."


"My apologizes everyone" he announced to everyone. J.T then stepped outside the beat up diner, reaching in his pocket he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He sat down on a pile of rubble and struck one up shaking his head.

What the [censored], way to lose your cool. Thank God Frieda spoke up, it snapped me out of it, he scanned the area that was riddled with dead Raider bodies and rubble, some houses were cleaned up a bit, it would take a little work, but it wouldn't be a bad place.

[Emma Pennington]

--Afternoon--
--Pawnee’s House--
--Pawnee--

Pawnee looked down at his missing arm. It was a fleshy stub just below the elbow. He tried to bend it, but it was too painful. The dull, throbbing pain had remained constant ever since his shock wore off. Even the alcohol wasn’t that much of a help, although it had made him happy for a little while.

Now Pawnee felt lonely and depressed.

Got to get some pain meds from Ryler. Hopefully I won’t wind up like one of those med-x addicts you see lying strung out in a gutter. . . .missing one arm. . .I wonder if Frieda will even find me attractive anymore. Or Brandy. From now on I’m just going to be known as the cripple. . .the guy with the missing arm.

Pawnee dug into his pack for a cigarette. Everything was so much more difficult with just one arm. He used his mouth like another appendage, holding the lighter between his lips as he snaked his way down to the bottom of the pack. He heard a woman’s voice carry over the wind.

“ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!”

The announcement was followed by a loud crackling sound. Pawnee stood up and looked out his window. A cloud of purple smoke billowed down the road.

What the [censored]?

A long purple wagon was parked outside of Celeste’s Diner. There was a woman in a blue dress standing next to it, gesturing wildly with her arms.

"Come one! Come all! Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!"

Pawnee surprised himself by cracking a smile. He turned away and sat down.

This is one weird town. . .

I should go see Frieda. . . .but what will I even say to her? She and Brandy got shot for me. How am I supposed to repay that to them? I'm useless. I couldn’t protect them. I couldn’t even protect myself. . .

Pawnee stared at Buck. The dog didn’t share his misery. It was enticed by the spectacle occurring next to the diner. It whined at Pawnee, beckoning him outside.

“I’m tired,” Pawnee moaned. Buck whined again and he rolled his eyes, “you know what - fine. Maybe Zardoz has some med-x. The pain is getting pretty bad.”

The dog darted downstairs immediately. Pawnee followed at a slow pace, exiting his house and approaching the wagon. James was already standing next to it, talking to one of its guards.

[Stephanie Kemp]

Brandy - Celeste's Diner - morning


After the new guy, Bob had finished taking care of her, “Thank you, Bob”, she said “So tell me, what do I owe you?”

“I’ll take that ‘Thank you’ and call it even”, said Bob. “If you still feel obligated…. just keep this in mind if you find me shot in a ditch somewhere.”

“I’ll do that”, Brandy giggled as Frieda came up to usher her away. “See you later”.

She saw Ryler was tending to Celeste at the counter, Celeste was visibly upset. Brandy looked around at all the damage inside, poor Celeste, she always worked so hard on this place, keeping it clean, making sure we all had what we needed. I'm going to help her clean it up later, she then hobbled to the counter.

"Celeste, are you alright?" She quietly asked, noticing Duncan laying on the floor behind her. She could see he was neither moving or breathing, she began to tear up, "Duncan?" She whispered. Using the counter Brandy steadily went around to see Duncan. Duncan, she got down to her knees, she couldn't help but cry, "thank you for all that you did, I will miss you." Brandy put her head on his chest, "I will build your brahmin pen, I promise, you were such a sweet and kind man."

She ran her left hand over his head, closed her eyes trying to maintain her composure, "Celeste and I will make sure you get the burial that you deserve, good bye Duncan."

Reaching for the counter, Brandy pulled herself up slowly, wincing from the know dull throbbing pain. She gave Celeste the best hug she could, "I will help with the diner, if you need someone to talk to later, or whenever, I'm here for you. But I really need to go lay down ok, Ryler fix her up good please." Brandy gave a tiny smile and turned to go home. Stopping before she exited flashing a smile back to Bob before leaving.


Brandy's house


The smell of detergent lingered in the air as her front door swung open. Slowly making her way inside, "Mirvin, we're back." She called to the robot, but he wasn't where she had left him. She surveyed the living room, it was all tidied up. There appeared to be blood on her mattress, it looked as though someone had tried to clean it off. On the opposite wall, a large hole

that wasn't there when I left, Raiders, "Mirvin?....Mirvin???....MIRVIN??" She raised her voice, "Frieda where's Mirvin? Mirvin are you here?" Her head began to pound again, "oh no, they took Mirvin, why?"

She looked at Frieda, her eyes glassed over, "I can't even keep a robot around,?"

Brandy was practically knocked over when she opened a small closet door. As a dead raider fell out, "Mirvin?....MIIIIRRRVIIINNN?" She looked, "I can't even keep a robot around, I'm useless" she plopped on the couch, groaning from the sudden jar to her body.

"Thanks for everything Frieda, I'm just going to lay down here and I know you're tired and sore to." She took a deep sigh, "I'll be ok, thank you, its nice to have someone who wouldn't just leave me for dead."

[Heather Dawson]

FRIEDA ~~ Diner/Grayditch/her house etc. etc. ~~ Morning

She must have dozed off. She jerked awake when her chin hit her chest and she opened her eyes to see Brandy was on her feet and at the bar. Frieda yawned, rubbed her face vigorously, and stood up. "I'll walk you home," she murmured to Brandy, and followed the younger woman out of the diner. The two walked the short distance to Brandy's house and went inside.

The door was unlocked and it smelled damp and soapy. Frieda looked around, feeling confused. "Mirvin, we're back." Brandy called to the robot, but he wasn't there. Brandy began to look around, appearing panicked.

"Mirvin?....Mirvin???....MIRVIN??" She raised her voice, "Frieda where's Mirvin? Mirvin are you here? Oh no, they took Mirvin, why?" She looked at Frieda, as if she were about to cry, "I can't even keep a robot around?"

"Try to calm down," Frieda replied. "I doubt the raiders took him, but maybe he wandered off to defend himself."

Frieda watched Brandy fling open a closet door and stumble backwards as a dead raider fell out. "Mirvin?....MIIIIRRRVIIINNN?" She looked, "I can't even keep a robot around, I'm useless" she plopped on the couch, groaning.

Oh, Brandy. Her heart softened as she finally realized what Brandy meant. Frieda knelt in front of the younger woman. "Look, don't think stuff like that right now. You're tired and need to rest. I doubt Mirvin would have gone away, because we were going to fix him up. We'll take a good look for him this afternoon, in the sunshine, when neither of us are too sore."

"Thanks for everything Frieda, I'm just going to lay down here and I know you're tired and sore too." She took a deep sigh, "I'll be ok, thank you, its nice to have someone who wouldn't just leave me for dead."

Frieda smirked. "Of course not. You're...my friend." The blonde straightened and left Brandy's house, closing the door behind her. Frieda cut through her famous alley and approached her house. Her front door was wide open. When she got closer, she saw that there was paint on her front door.

GOD WILL PUNISH THE ENCLAVE.

Oh no. Frieda stepped into her house and saw the place had been completely overturned. Her chairs were overturned, the rug torn up, the furniture dismantled. Walking into her kitchen, she saw her table had been hacked in half and her fridge taken apart. Frieda frowned, feeling dejected, and made her way upstairs. There was more paint on her bedroom door, nearly off its hinges.

GOD HAS JUDGED THE ENCLAVE

GO TO HELL!

Frieda nearly began to cry. The Raiders must have tossed a frag grenade, or something similar, into her bedroom and shut the door. The armoire against the far wall had collapsed into large, useless pieces. The bed frame had a couple of legs blown off and it was leaning over on its side. Her mattress was entirely sheared apart. The walls and floor were black from the explosive. She winced as she saw her clothing strewn about like rags. Nothing to wear, nowhere to sleep.

The Enclave papers Pawnee had given her, what felt like years ago, were in tattered pieces all over the place. Frieda turned and left her bedroom, wiping tears out of her eyes. She entered the second bedroom of her house. This room was nearly entirely ruined, it was missing two walls and most of its floor had disappeared. The small bed teetered precariously over the edge. She walked in and yanked its mattress off the frame as hard as she could with only one good hand.

Frieda pulled too hard, and not only surprised herself at how easily the mattress came off the frame, but landed sprawling onto her backside. She dragged the mattress into the hallway and shut the door to the ruined room behind her. Flinging herself down, she curled into a ball and cried.

They ruined my house. They just came in and ruined everything. I didn't even do anything. I don't even know what the Enclave really is!

Sleep finally descended on her. She did not rest well -- Frieda dreamed she was being burned at the stake in front of a crowd jeering anti-Enclave sentiments.



AFTERNOON

Frieda awoke a few hours later. She felt cramped, and strangely chilled. She pushed herself up and adjusted the Raider armour she was still wearing. It had started to pinch her on the back. She shuddered, remembering how all of her clothing was destroyed. Frieda walked into her small bathroom and found her hairbrush and an elastic and gladly bound her hair into a ponytail. Lifting her hair off of her neck and shoulders felt incredible. She washed her face one-handed, not wanting to get her bandages wet.

Frieda was still tired but couldn't fall back asleep. It was too bright in her house and the painting on her doors disturbed her. She tightened her boots and tried to find at least a t-shirt that wasn't destroyed, but to no avail. She toyed with the idea of asking Celeste if she could borrow something of hers, or even Brandy, but both women were tinier than she. Sometimes I hate being tall.

She walked out into the sunlight to the sound of a woman yelling. It seemed to be coming from towards the diner. Frieda swept through the alleyway and was suddenly face-to-face with a gaudy looking covered wagon. There was glitter everywhere and a purple-haired woman in a dress standing out front the diner and yelling.

"...magic and the dark arts, a university trained physician and herbalist, an ordained minister, and a wandering holy man. He is all knowing. He is all seeing. He is an unfathomable enigma. He is - ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!" A row of sparklers ignited on the back of the wagon, causing Frieda to jump. They crackled loudly, shooting out sparks, before snuffing themselves out. A billowing cloud of purple smoke appeared, and engulfed the wagon. The woman continued to yell and got louder still. "Come one! Come all! Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!"

Zardoz? Frieda approached the wagon cautiously. She was momentarily entranced by the glittery sun attached to the side of it. She stopped when she was standing in front of the diner. The display had brought a few people out of the woodwork, including Pawnee and Buck. It warmed her heart to see the two of them together. She couldn't imagine how hard it was for him to spend those few days without his dog. She grinned and waved, hoping to catch his attention.

[Chase McAbee]

OOC: I think I have a crowd now. :shrug: Feel free to join it, anyone, in your next post. This is long, so I hope you guys like

-- Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Zardoz the Munificent--

A well dressed man walked up behind Nikita and gruffly shoved his way past her, into the diner. Nikita pushed back against him, indignant.

What am I - invisible!! Screw this dirty, inbred, [censored] hillbilly town! What am I even doing here?

I used to be the opening act at the Tops!!!!!

Nikita bit her lip, thinking back on her short career as a New Vegas performer. She had sang Madama Butterfly at the Tops Casino twice, before being let go. It was the high point of her life. No one in the Mojave seemed to have any appreciation for opera though. She was an absolutely stunning soprano. The only person in the crowd who even knew what she had sung was the man who would become Zardoz.

While Nikita stewed, a man in blue combat armor approached the wagon and began to chat with the mercs. Another potential customer, a boy with a dog, made his way up the street and paused in front of the wagon, waiting for it to open up. He was followed by a blonde woman wearing raider-style armor.

All of them looked bloody and weary. Badly beaten up.

Nikita scurried over to the wagon and ducked her head behind the curtain.

"I did all I could. I wouldn't even call this a crowd, and everyone looks like they were just in a bar fight."

Zardoz furrowed his brow. He slipped a small, metallic disk out of the back of the wagon and ignited several smoke bombs.

"I'm sure you did your best," Zardoz chimed, "good to hear they're in bad health. Perhaps that means we'll make more sales."

Nikita darted away, and Zardoz pushed a button on the metal disk while keeping himself hidden behind the curtain.

A cloud of blue smoke poured out of the back of the wagon, into the crowd. The metal disk shot out a large holographic projection of a human head into the air above the wagon. The head was green - bulbous and alien looking. It was six feet wide and ten feet tall.

"TREMBLE BEFORE ME WASTELANDERS!" A loud, robotic voice boomed from a hidden speaker, "FOR I AM ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!"

Before anyone could react, Zardoz burst through the curtain, dressed in a shiny blue suit and a top hat. The giant hologram switched off.

"LIES!" Zardoz shouted, holding his hands high in the air, "for I am Zardoz the Munificent! I am a purveyor of the un-purvey-or-able. A treasure hunter, a knowledge-seeker, a philosophizer, a collector, and a simple, honest man. The traders of Canterbury Commons told me that the town of Greydicth may be in need of someone of my unmatched talents, so I have come here to show you my most exotic of exotic wares."

On cue, Nikita fluttered behind Zardoz and opened up the back of the wagon. She pulled out several shelving units that held bottles of green, blue, and pink liquids. Next to these bottles were piles of ornamental jewelry, boxes of prewar food, fruits and vegetables, PreWar clothing, ammunition, and other assorted odds and ends.

Zardoz reached back and picked up one the green bottles. He held it up for the crowd to see.

"This here is my Elixir of Vigor!" Zardoz shouted, "feeling a bit tired or lethargic? Lost your ability to focus? Has depression stricken you soul? Maybe you have arthritis? Or perhaps you've lost a bit of your youthful stamina in bed?"

Nikita made a dramatic blush, daintily putting her hand over her mouth.

"This elixir is made of the extract of the purest strain of Xander root, mixed with turbo, and banana yucca. It is guaranteed to restore your vitality," Zardoz grinned, "After drinking just one bottle even the slowest sloth will find himself bursting with energy – winning first place in the race. It also alleviates joint pain, eases melancholy, and will help you keep that special someone sixually satisfied for several nights on end. . . ."

Nikita took the green bottle from Zardoz and handed him a blue one.

"This tonic is for those of you who suffer from some of life's most common ailments and maladies," Zardoz showed off the blue bottle, "Do you suffer from headaches, a bad back, sore knees, indigestion, diarrhea, or menstrual cramps? This tonic, brewed from the finest agave fruit and Nuka-Cola Quartz is guaranteed to quash such symptoms and have you feeling fit as a fiddle after just a few a sips. It also removes rads from your system and detoxifies your blood!"

Nikita playfully flexed her arms like a body builder. She then rushed up to Zardoz and handed him a pink bottle, while putting the blue one back.

"Perhaps its heartache that ails you? Can't seem to get the attention of that special someone?" Zardoz held up the pink bottle, "this right here - believe it or not ladies and gents - is the real McCoy - an absolutely certifiable, one hundred percent genuine, love potion. The most potent of potable potions - made from Ant Queen Pheromones. It is called Love Potion Number Nine. If your heart's desire drinks a bottle of this potion, I will personally guarantee that he or she will never be able to get you out of their mind."

Nikita put the back of her hand on her forehead and faked a swoon.

"Besides these elixirs, tonics, and potions, I have many other fine items for your perusal," Zardoz handed the pink bottle to Nikita and snatched a brown bag from the back of the wagon, "take these beans. These are magic beans! What do you mean by magic, you say? These beans will grow chest high in just two to three days, regardless of soil conditions or lack of moisture. They taste like fresh brahmin steaks and are more nutritious than mutefruit, buffalo gourd seeds, and punga combined!"

Nikita rubbed her stomach and smacked her lips.

"I also have this sword," Zardoz pulled a short sword out from under the wagon, "it belonged to a man named Joshua Graham - the Burned Man - the most powerful shaman of the Blackfoot Tribe. It is said that this blade is cursed, and any man whose skin is pierced by it will fall ill, and die within one week."

Nikita clutched her stomach and fell into the dirt, feigning death.

"Otherwise, I have quiet a few more common items - food and water, ammunition, basic perishables, pocket watches, silver jewelry."

Zardoz reached back and pulled out a silk teddy. He cupped his mouth, pretending he was whispering, while still speaking at full volume.

". . .a bit of racy lingerie . . .," he handed the teddy to Nikita and she pouted and arched her back, modeling the lingerie to the crowd.

"I have tins and empty bottles that can be used to store any item or concoction," Zardoz continued, "broken weapons and other gadgets that you can use for spare parts. I have PreWar clothes, combustibles, flashlights, chems, matches, trinkets to hang on your bedroom wall.

Nikita frantically pointed to the various items as Zardoz quickly rattled them off.

"I have everything you could dream of. Everything under the sun! But wait! There's more!" Zardoz beamed, standing on his tippy toes, "my lovely assistant, the voluptuous Nikita, is a purebred gypsy. For a mere twenty caps, she will read your palm, your cards, and will visualize your future in a crystal ball.”

Nikita took a deep bow.

"Now," Zardoz cleared his throat, "who amongst you would like to be my first customer? First one up gets a very special discount. Buy one elixir, potion, or tonic and get one absolutely free! You won’t find a better deal from here to the NCR!”

[Kelly John]

Brandy - Grayditch - Afternoon


Brandy was starting to get restless, her shoulder started to throb badly again. She strained to sit up on the couch.

Ow, I need to take some of those meds.

She rubbed her eyes before putting her glasses on, she instinctively reached for the bottle of pills with her right hand. It pulled on her staples, "Damn that hurts" she mumbled, she leaned back on the couch. Flipping her hair with her hand, she noticed how matted and blood crusted it was.

Gross, she scooped up the pill bottle in her left hand and slowly climbed the stairs to her bathroom. Carefully removing the armor, she washed herself up, trying to not move her right arm to much. In the bedroom, she decided on her red Prue-war park stroller dress. I really need a sling, maybe i wont use it so much, she winced as she pulled the strap over her shoulder, sliding her feet into some old flip flops she went back to the bathroom. Naturally picking up the pills with her right hand, she went to twist the cap, popping it off and dropping the pills down the sink, "[censored]!!!" she said out of frustration. Snatching her brush with her good arm, she brushed her hair, thinking of what she might have to help her throbbing pain.

Jet, looking herself in the mirror, satisfied with looking normal again.

Down in the kitchen, she grabbed the last inhaler of Jet and took it immediately. A couple seconds later she felt as though she could normal chores again. She made a makeshift sling for her right arm, hopefully she wouldn't use it anymore today. Brandy picked up her cap pouch and walked outside.


She heard a woman, "Greetings wastelanders!" she shouted, "I come to you to herald the arrival of an absolute wonder of the world! A man who has traveled all the way east from California - through the dust bowl that once was Texas - all the way to your humble abode. He has been south past the Broken Banks, and north of the snows that blanket Ronto. He has seen the ends of the Earth and has meticulously scoured its scorched surface for the rarest of rarities and most hidden of treasures and gems. He is a purveyor of black magic and the dark arts, a university trained physician and herbalist, an ordained minister, and a wandering holy man. He is all knowing. He is all seeing. He is an unfathomable enigma. He is - ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!"

On cue, a row of sparklers ignited on the back of Zardoz's wagon. They crackled loudly, shooting out sparks, before snuffing themselves out. A billowing cloud of purple smoke then poured out from the rear gap in the canvas, momentarily obscuring the wagon from view.

"Oh neat," Brandy cocked her head to the side, "cool"

"Come one! Come all!" Nikita's voice was now at a crescendo. She beckoned everyone, towards the wagon, waving her arms like they were wings, "Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!"

Brandy started to walk to the purple covered wagon, it was the most interesting wagon she had ever seen. Halfway there, [censored], my list, she hurried back home grabbing the list off the kitchen counter and ran back outside. Her mouth hung open slightly as she walked up to the wagon, the woman had purple glittery hair that matched the wagon cover and the glittery sun on the side. She had alot of eye shadow, and a long blue dress. More smoke arose along with an huge alien like head, "TREMBLE BEFORE ME WASTELANDERS!" A loud, robotic voice boomed from a hidden speaker, "FOR I AM ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!"

Brandy stopped in awe, then a man in a shiny blue suit and top hat hopped out the back of the wagon. "LIES!" Zardoz shouted, holding his hands high in the air, "for I am Zardoz the Munificent! I am a purveyor of the un-purvey-or-able. A treasure hunter, a knowledge-seeker, a philosophizer, a collector, and a simple, honest man. The traders of Canterbury Commons told me that the town of Greydicth may be in need of someone of my unmatched talents, so I have come here to show you my most exotic of exotic wares."

She stood and listened to Zardoz rattle through descriptions of his stock, the pink potion got her attention. Frieda and Pawnee were standing there also, "how are you feeling Pawnee? How's your hand Frieda?"

Looking over the things meticulously placed on the wagon she picked up a silver necklace, she put it back. Pushing her glasses up with her finger looking at her list she asked, "Do you have gumdrops, a pilot light, a door handle with a lock, a baseball hat?" Brandy leaned in and whispered, "How much is the pink potion?" she motioned her eyes towards Pawnee and put a finger in front of her lips.

[Nims]

OOC:first RDR now Bioshock what will the next reference be?

@Surfer: doesn’t matter much but James took of his armour and put on a fade blue shirt and blue Jeans ( also James’s arm is still Bandaged but he can move his arm now)

James wilson - Zardoz's wagon – early afternoon

“he’s in the back” the merc replied

James was talking to the merc when a cloud of blue smoke poured out of the back of the wagon, into the crowd. The metal disk shot out a large holographic projection of a human head into the air above the wagon. The head was green - bulbous and alien looking. It was six feet wide and ten feet tall.

"TREMBLE BEFORE ME WASTELANDERS!" A loud, robotic voice boomed from a hidden speaker, "FOR I AM ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!"

Before anyone could react, Zardoz burst through the curtain, dressed in a shiny blue suit and a top hat and the fancy hologram switched off.

Were did he get that?, bet that attacts a lot of customers , i wonder if he would sell it...

"LIES!" Zardoz shouted, holding his hands high in the air, "for I am Zardoz the Munificent! I am a purveyor of the un-purvey-or-able. A treasure hunter, a knowledge-seeker, a philosophizer, a collector, and a simple, honest man. The traders of Canterbury Commons told me that the town of Greydicth may be in need of someone of my unmatched talents, so I have come here to show you my most exotic of exotic wares."

I highy doubt him being an “Honest” trader , he looks too fancy in that blue suit & top hat

As if on cue, the lady James had seen in dinner fluttered behind Zardoz and opened up the back of the wagon. She pulled out several shelving units that held bottles of green, blue, and pink liquids. Next to these bottles were piles of ornamental jewelry, boxes of prewar food, fruits and vegetables, PreWar clothing, ammunition, and other assorted odds and ends.

Zardoz reached back and picked up one of eached coloured bottles and held them up for the crowd to see, he described what each favour whilst lady started to act out each favour...
.
Just Fancy drugs, in fancy bottles I bet I could Probably find something that does all that for a lot less that what he’s selling it for

"Besides these elixirs, tonics, and potions, I have many other fine items for your perusal," Zardoz handed the pink bottle to Nikita and snatched a brown bag from the back of the wagon, "take these beans. These are magic beans! What do you mean by magic, you say? These beans will grow chest high in just two to three days, regardless of soil conditions or lack of moisture. They taste like fresh brahmin steaks and are more nutritious than mutefruit, buffalo gourd seeds, and punga combined!"


“ We aready have that “ James said as he pointed to the "Garden" growing behind the Security shack, since Drifter had walked off they hadn't Grown much but were still very tall for five day old plants “ although our Farmer just died…” James silently muttered

Nikita rubbed her stomach and smacked her lips.

"I also have this sword," Zardoz pulled a short sword out from under the wagon, "it belonged to a man named Joshua Graham - the Burned Man - the most powerful shaman of the Blackfoot Tribe. It is said that this blade is cursed, and any man whose skin is pierced by it will fall ill, and die within one week."

I heard about that Guy ,a real [censored] but nice sword I might buy that, even if it’s a fake it looks nice and would go with the scythe.

"I have everything you could dream of. Everything under the sun! But wait! There's more!" Zardoz beamed, standing on his tippy toes, "my lovely assistant, the voluptuous Nikita, is a purebred gypsy. For a mere twenty caps, she will read your palm, your cards, and will visualize your future in a crystal ball.”

Nikita took a deep bow.

I highly doubt that she can do that, bet he keeps her around to get more customers and trick “native” people on silly Fortune telling...

"Now," Zardoz cleared his throat, "who amongst you would like to be my first customer? First one up gets a very special discount. Buy one elixir, potion, or tonic and get one absolutely free! You won’t find a better deal from here to the NCR!”

NCR, that on the other side of the [censored] country, or whats left of it...

James walked up to Zardoz, just as he had finished talking with Brandy “ Howdy the Names James wilson, drugs…. Don’t work for me but how much for Grahams sword? And do you have 44. ammo, nuka cola Quantum and blue paint “ James asked..

lets see if he has everything?

[Tiff Clark]

OOC: You can all approach / interact with Zardoz at once if you’d like and I’ll figure it out. You may haggle as well.

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Zardoz the Munificent--

Zardoz’s first customer approached. A small, mousy girl wearing glasses. She played with a silver necklace and then put it back down.

"Do you have gumdrops, a pilot light, a door handle with a lock, and a baseball hat?" She leaned into Zardoz, whispering, "and how much is the pink potion?"

Zardoz discretely followed her eyes over to a boy in the crowd.

“Of course,” Zardoz gave her a Cheshire smile, “Nikita. Can you grab me gumdrops, a pilot light, and a baseball hat?. . .I’m sorry but I’m fresh out of door locks.”

Nikita returned with the items and Zardoz slipped a pink bottle into the girl’s palm.

“Be very careful with this potion,” Zardoz winked, “and make sure you dab a little bit of it on yourself before you slip it to your intended suitor, or he may fall madly in love with someone else. . .Now, its ten caps for the gum drops, fifteen for the pilot light, twenty for the baseball hat, and fifty for the potion, I will slip in an invigorating elixir for free. That’s ninety five caps total.”

“Would you like me to tell you your fortune?” Nikita weaseled her way between the two of them, “I can tell you if the one you seek is indeed your true soul mate. Just let me read your cards. . .”

Before the girl answered, a man approached Zardoz.

“Howdy the Names James Wilson,” he began.

Zardoz grabbed James’s hand and shook it vigorously, “it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you Mr. Wilson. Or should I call you James? Can I interest you in one of my elixirs?”

“Drugs don’t work for me,” James replied, “but how much for Graham’s sword? And do you have 44. ammo, Nuka-Cola Quantum, and blue paint?”

“.44 ammo yes. Blue paint, yes as well. Quantum no. All of it went into my tonics and elixirs,” Zardoz shrugged, “you should really try one. The invigorating elixir works wonders, I assure you.”

Zardoz gathered up ten .44 rounds and small can of paint. He then pulled out the sword and studied it intently.

“The .44 rounds are three caps a piece. The paint is twenty five,” He handed James the short sword, “but for such a unique accouterment as this. . . well. . .I couldn’t part with it for less than two hundred and fifty caps. What do you say to that? Do we have a deal?”

Zardoz's eyes lit up.

"Oh and before I forget - I believe I have a piece of mail for a Mr. James Wilson," Zardoz reached into his pocket and handed James an envelope.

[Steph]

Brandy - Grayditch - afternoon


Zardoz discretely followed her eyes over to a boy in the crowd.

Brandy blushed


“Of course,” Zardoz gave her a Cheshire smile, “Nikita. Can you grab me gumdrops, a pilot light, and a baseball bat?. . .I’m sorry but I’m fresh out of door locks.”

Nikita returned with the items and Zardoz slipped a pink bottle into the girl’s palm.

“Be very careful with this potion,” Zardoz winked, “and make sure you dab a little bit of it on yourself before you slip it to your intended suitor, or he may fall madly in love with someone else. . .Now, its ten caps for the gum drops, fifteen for the pilot light, twenty for the baseball bat, and fifty for the potion, I will slip in an invigorating elixir for free. That’s ninety five caps total.”

Brandy was fiddling to get her caps out, “Would you like me to tell you your fortune?” Nikita weaseled her way between the two of them, “I can tell you if the one you seek is indeed your true soul mate. Just let me read your cards. . .”

"How much was the fortune reading? Here's ninety five caps" Brandy handed them to Zardoz.

James walked up and began talking to Zardoz, she turned to Nikita, "do you have any blankets, purple like that?" Brandy pointed to the canvas on the wagon, "Oh and some Jet to?"

Brandy looked around, a little nervous wondering if Frieda or Pawnee saw Zardoz slip her the pink bottle.

[dell]

OOC: last post of the night but feel free to CC James walking of to dinner (he will read the letter inside)

James Wilson – Zardoz wagon – afternoon

44 ammo yes. Blue paint, yes as well. Quantum no. All of it went into my tonics and elixirs,” Zardoz shrugged, “you should really try one. The invigorating elixir works wonders, I assure you.”

If only he knew…

James leaned in "Look It’s not that I don’t want one, it that I can’t have one… "James whispered at Zardoz.

Zardoz gathered up ten .44 rounds and small can of paint. He then pulled out the sword and studied it intently.

“The .44 rounds are three caps a piece. The paint is twenty five,” He handed James the short sword, “but for such a unique accouterment as this. . . well. . .I couldn’t part with it for less than two hundred and fifty caps. What do you say to that? Do we have a deal?”

James held the sword in his hand and swang it around twice and then Examined the blade for a few seconds…

Looks & feels real enough I wonder if “curse” is true aswell, if it’s I come back and Haunt him...

Zardoz's eyes lit up as James swang the sword

"I’ll take all of it" James said giving Zardoz a small bag with 320 caps inside “ keep the change…” James said and

"Oh and before I forget - I believe I have a piece of mail for a Mr. James Wilson,"
Zardoz reached into his pocket and handed James an envelope.

Who the hell sent me a letter unless it was , not it can't be them

“thanks” James said with confused look on his face

picking up the items James had brought, James slowy walked back to dinner but overheard Brandy talking nitika "Oh and some Jet to?"

can't have Brandy turn into a [censored] up raider [censored]

James turned and faced Brandy “ don’t Take Jet, it’s bad for you” James said, just as Zardoz slipped a pink bottle into her pocket.

wonder what she's going to use that for...

[Anthony Rand]

FRIEDA ~~ Grayditch ~~ Afternoon

Frieda smiled warmly and took a few steps towards Pawnee. She was suddenly very aware of the fact she was still wearing the skimpy Raider armour and crossed her arms over her chest. "Hey," she greeted him.

The man calling himself Zardoz stepped out from the back of his wagon wearing a ridiculous suit. It's like he knows we can't take him seriously.

"...I am Zardoz the Munificent! I am a purveyor of the un-purvey-or-able. A treasure hunter, a knowledge-seeker, a philosophizer, a collector, and a simple, honest man. The traders of Canterbury Commons told me that the town of Greydicth may be in need of someone of my unmatched talents, so I have come here to show you my most exotic of exotic wares..."

She smirked as she listened to the man begin to introduce bottles of unnaturally-coloured liquids as elixirs and potions, his assistant acting out highly dramatized demonstrations of the supposed outcomes. Frieda was quickly tired of the whole thing. She leaned over towards Pawnee.

"Did you think of a new name, yet? Something...normal enough?" She giggled. "Ricky, or Dan? Andrew? Matthew...?"

Zardoz was still talking. He seemed to be coming to the end of his spiel and rushed to describe the various "basic" goods he carried. I wish he had more clothing than simply that skimpy lingerie. She blushed at the thought of wearing something so clingy and revealing.

Brandy approached her and Pawnee. "How are you feeling, Pawnee? How's your hand Frieda?"

"My hand is okay." Frieda was about to ask Brandy if she had anything that was a bit too big for her, maybe she had one of her brother's shirts around by accident, that she could borrow, but the young woman quickly shuffled over to engage Zardoz as soon as he finished speaking. She turned instead to look at Pawnee, unable to read his face.

"You look sad," she said to him. "Come on, let's check out what kind of BS this guy is selling for real money, hmm? Do you want a lacy thong?" Frieda took his hand and led him over to the back of the caravan. Brandy and James were buying what seemed to be a list of things. Frieda wondered if she needed anything for the shop. Not like I need anything for my house. "Uhh, Pawnee...weird question but...could...I possibly..." She took a breath and bit her lip. "I can't use my house anymore. The Raiders came in and destroyed it, painted on the front door and everything. Destroyed all my clothes, too. Can I use your spare bedroom until I find somewhere else...?"

[Josh Trembly]

EDIT: I got Cobra's permission for the CC.


--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Zardoz the Munificent--

"How much was the fortune reading?” The girl handed her caps over to Zardoz, “Here's ninety five caps."

“A mere twenty caps,” Zardoz chimed, “an absolute steal for someone with the divination-natory talents of my gypsy companion.”

Nikita took the girl by the hand and led her up and into the wagon, without waiting for her answer. She closed the rear flap, and the two disappeared inside.

Zardoz turned back to James, who was still ogling the sword.

"I’ll take all of it," James finally muttered. He handed Zardoz a heavy bag of caps, “ keep the change.”

“You are a shrewd trader, Mr. Wilson,” Zardoz smiled to him, shaking his hand once again, “I should have demanded five hundred caps for that sword. Where else could you have found such a rare treasure? You’ll probably trade it yourself, and make quite a handsome profit. Ah well. . .it was a pleasure doing business with you. I hope that accursed blade serves you well in your future battles.”

James walked away. The boy with the dog and the blond were next in line.

“Ah, such a beautiful, beautiful blond,” Zardoz crooned to her, beckoning her forward, “which of my items catches your fancy, young lady? You should try my special tonic. It will help numb the pain in that injured hand of yours, and it will also relieve some of the swelling in your eye.”

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Nikita—

“How much was that fortune reading?”

Nikita squinted at the girl. She looked barely twenty and was wearing raider’s armor that didn’t seem to fit.

Obviously trying to be something she’s not.

“A mere twenty caps,” Zardoz chimed, “an absolute steal for someone with the divination-natory talents of my gypsy companion.”

“Here,” Nikita grabbed the girl’s hand and guided her into the wagon, “it’s fun. Follow me.”

“Do you have any blankets, purple like that?" The girl mumbled, “Oh and some Jet too?"

“Yeah there’s jet, but no blankets. It’s really hard to find purple dye.”

Nikita went to close the gap in the curtain. She eyed the boy in the crowd – the boy she’d seen her customer stare at when she’d asked for the love potion. He was acting very cozy with a tall, attractive blond.

Okay. . .I can use that.

Nikita smiled to herself and closed the curtain, lighting a small oil lamp so she could see around the interior of the wagon.

“I’m going to tell you your fortune. Just relax and sit down.”

The inside of Zardoz’s wagon had a small table set up in it. Nikita sat on the floorboards next to one side of the table, and the girl followed suit on the other. Nikita then rifled through a black bag laying next to the curtain and pulled out a deck of very old, crinkled cards.

“This is a tarot deck,” Nikita handed the cards to the girl, “you shuffle them first and then cut the deck. Do it however you’d like, then give them back.”

The girl took the cards and began to mix them.

[censored]! I forgot to ask her for her name. . .well, it’s too late now. . .

Nikita took the cards back from her. She then flipped over three cards, one-by-one, and placed them on the table top. The first card had a woman on it, holding a long staff. The next card had a crippled man on it – and five strange flowery, swirls. The last card had two cups on it, sitting side-by-side.

Here goes nothing. . .

“This card symbolizes you,” Nikita pointed to the first card, the woman with the staff, “you’re the http://www.biddytarot.com/card.php?id=84&name=Queen%20of%20Wands. She’s a representation of inner strength and femininity. You are a tough and determined girl, trying to find a path for herself in life. You are passionate and deeply caring. You would do anything for those you love.”

Nikita pointed to the second card, the one with the cripple.

“This card represents your past. It’s the http://www.biddytarot.com/card.php?id=48&name=Five%20of%20Pentacles. It means that you’ve experienced great loss. There is some kind of distance between you and those you love. This distance has caused you great pain, and you’ve yet to heal. You’ll have to close that distance or sever all ties to those people if you want to be whole.”

Nikita pointed to the last card, the two cups.

“This card is your future. It is also the answer to whatever question you have been asking yourself. It’s the http://www.biddytarot.com/card.php?id=31&name=Two%20of%20Cups. It symbolizes a budding relationship. A romantic relationship. An engagement, perhaps? A boyfriend? But its only potential. There is something in your way. Something or someone is blocking you from getting what you really want. You have to forcibly take your place on the stage and demand attention. It’s time for a confrontation, or what you want is going to slip away from you, forever.”

Nikita snatched the cards up and put them into the bag. She then dug around in a container lying towards the front of the wagon.

“Like I said – no blankets. But here’s some jet. Its twenty caps and so’s your reading. Forty caps in all,” Nikita smiled, “do you like my reading? Pretty accurate right? What do you think?”

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Pawnee--

"Did you think of a new name, yet? Something. . .normal enough?" Frieda giggled. "Ricky, or Dan? Andrew? Matthew...?"

Pawnee was in too much pain to play along. He tried to put on a pleasant smile.

“No. Not yet. I’ll have to think of something soon though. Its weird not knowing what I want to be called.”

Brandy approached him from the crowd. "How are you feeling, Pawnee? How's your hand Frieda?"

“Okay,” Pawnee nodded to her, “everything considered. I hope you’re alright. You look pretty good considering you took a bullet for me. Thanks for that. I wished you listened to me and stayed away. . .but thanks. Thanks for coming out.”

"My hand is okay." Frieda cut in. The tone of her voice seemed to drive Brandy away, and she skipped up to the strange merchant, Zardoz.

"You look sad," Frieda cooed. "Come on, let's check out what kind of BS this guy is selling for real money, hmm? Do you want a lacy thong?"

She really doesn’t care that I’m missing an arm?

“Only if you’re going to wear it.”

Frieda took Pawnee’s hand and led him over to the back of the caravan. They waited for Zardoz to finish up with Brandy and then James.

"Uhh, Pawnee...weird question but...could...I possibly..." Frieda took a deep breath and then bit her lip. "I can't use my house anymore. The Raiders came in and destroyed it, painted on the front door and everything. Destroyed all my clothes, too. Can I use your spare bedroom until I find somewhere else...?"

“Are you serious?” Pawnee coughed, “[censored] raiders. Of course you can use my place, but remember there’s no roof. Only the stars. I honestly won’t mind us being closer together. . .but I have to ask. . .are you bothered that I’m. . .disfigured now? You know – my arm?”

Zardoz finished dealing with James and beckoned Frieda and Pawnee forward.

Pawnee felt self conscious and used the distraction to prevent Frieda from answering.

“Ladies first,” Pawnee stepped aside, sheepishly, “don’t want to hold anyone else up.”

“Ah, such a beautiful, beautiful blond,” Zardoz crooned to Frieda, “which of my items catches your fancy, young lady? You should try my special tonic. It will help numb the pain in that injured hand of yours, and it will also relieve some of the swelling in your eye.”

[Makenna Nomad]

Brandy - Grayditch - afternoon


Brandy listened as Nikita explained the cards, just after Nikita started, Brandy's mouth hung open in awe.

Nikita pointed to the last card, the two cups.

“This card is your future. It is also the answer to whatever question you have been asking yourself. It’s the two of cups. It symbolizes a budding relationship. A romantic relationship. An engagement, perhaps? A boyfriend? But its only potential. There is something in your way. Something or someone is blocking you from getting what you really want. You have to forcibly take your place on the stage and demand attention. It’s time for a confrontation, or what you want is going to slip away from you, forever.”

Brandy stared blankly at the cards, how does she know so much about me? This is amazing.

Nikita snatched the cards up and put them into the bag. She then dug around in a container lying towards the front of the wagon.


“Like I said – no blankets. But here’s some jet. Its twenty caps and so’s your reading. Forty caps in all,” Nikita smiled, “do you like my reading? Pretty accurate right? What do you think?”

Brandy was wide eyed and lost in thought, "Wha...." She looked up at Nikita, "How did y....how did you know all that?" She just couldn't believe a complete stranger would know all that, like they had known each other for a long time, "Ya....yes, I loved it, very accurate, scary even."

She mindlessly gave Nikita all the caps she had left, "there's forty five, its all I have, or I'd give you more of a tip."

Brandy got up and went outside, she looked over at Pawnee, then at Frieda. She went over to Frieda, eyes still wide, "Frieda, you need to see her, she was....everything the said was true." She motioned with her bad arm at Nikita, she winced and without thinking pulled the Jet from her bag and took a small puff from the inhaler, "its like she knew everything about me, unbelievable, unbelievable. I have to look for Mirvin."

She stood and watched Nikita, and Zardoz conduct their business, still marveling at Nikita's talents.




J.T. Taylor - Celeste's Diner - morning


J.T flicked his cigarette butt at the dead raider he had laid in front of the diner.

svck it up, you lost it in there and people still need help.

He got up from the rubble pile and walked back in the diner he stopped by the man with the gun, "I lost my cool, I apologize sir. Its just been a long interesting night, I didn't come here to cause any trouble."

With that, J.T walked to the man who was still lying on the ground. He knelt down, "can you hear me? Hey man, can you hear me?" He lightly shook the mans shoulder, the man was unresponsive. J.T looked on the ground next to the man, he could see a puddle of blood forming.

"Hey buddy, uh Shawn was it? Would ya mind lending me a hand?" J.T asked.

The two men carefully rolled the man onto his side, the entire back of his white clothes were soaked with blood. Grabbing his switchblade, J.T cut the mans shirt revealing giant claw wounds someone had previously closed up.

"Ah [censored], grab my multi-tool over there would ya Shawn?" J.T said, "some shrapnel re-opened this wound on his side"

After he was handed his multi-tool, he studied the shrapnel stuck in the mans flesh, "not good" he said under his breath. The piece of shrapnel appeared to be a jagged piece of metal, perhaps from a piece of table leg, or a chair leg. It had penetrated the skin just under his wound, the force of impact forced it across the old wound, and as if someone had twisted it like a prison shank not less the two inches from his spine. All in all, it not only ripped open the old wound, but mad a nasty gash about five inches long and deep.

Shawn and J.T propped the man so he would stay on his side. J.T went to his guitar case and removed the strap off his guitar. He folded the leather strap, so it was an inch or so thick. Opening the mans mouth, he put it inside.

"Now if he comes to while we're working him, hopefully he won't bite his tongue off or anything" J.T explained aloud.

Grabbing some rags, the bottle of vodka he used on Frieda, and some water, he looked over at Bob, "when I get this out, you reckon you could seal him up?"

J.T looked to see which way the metal had twisted in, so as to not cause anymore damage. Settling on what he thought was best, he put his pliers to the metal. Twisting it to the left, it barely moved, he paused briefly, the man never even flinched.

God, hope we ain't too late

Slowly rotating the metal to the right yielded a slight tearing sound, J.T took a deep breath, Here we go. He very carefully pulled, the piece began to pull out then got caught up on something else inside. He had to rotate the piece to the left this time before it would pull any further. As the metal piece exited, it made a sickening sound, like reaching into a gore bag. J.T dropped the pliers and metal shrapnel, quickly fetching a rag applying ample pressure.

"Shawn, grab that vodka, pour some on this hole as soon as I pull the rag off " J.T directed

Peering inside the hole, between wiping the blood and putting pressure on it, the metal had went deep into the mans lower back muscles. It missed the mans kidney, barely, the man had lost a lot of blood though.

"[censored], can someone hand me that stapler?" J.T called out, "Shawn, roll him to his stomach would ya?"

Once the man was on his stomach, the blood flow subsided, allowing J.T and Shawn to clean the wound and staple it up.

"Don't know if he's gonna make it, but being on this floor isn't gonna help him." A concerned J.T said aloud.

[Saul C]

Joe Rennie. Joe's house. Mid-morning.

Joe came to his senses once more. He was slumped as far forward as the rope binding him would allow. As his eyes slowly focused, Joe could see a thin stream of blood flowing from his face to form a crimson puddle on the floor between his knees. He could feel nothing but pain. Before taking Joe's "confession" the raider had used the hot crowbar as a branding iron.

He had stuffed a rag so far into Joe's mouth that the thief thought he was going to suffocate, than roughly slapped a strip of duct tape across Joe's lips to prevent him spitting the cloth out again. Then the burning had began. Grayditch's head of security had no idea how long it had lasted. He knew that the raider had had to return to the kitchen several times to reheat the metal of the crowbar, returning when the end of it once more glowed with heat. He would run the metal in a sizzling line across Joe's chest, arm, or back. Immediately raising agonizing, blistered welts wherever the crowbar touched, while Joe writhed in pain and struggled against the ropes. All the while the filty, bearded man kept reciting prayers to himself, occaisionally stopping to whisper in Joe's ear about the vengeful nature of his god.

When the tape had finally been ripped from Joe's lips, he confessed to everything. The slaves in the metro, Moriarty's plans to steal from traders, even playing Celeste. It had all spilled from Joe's lips in a panic induced babble. Joe was fairly certain that the raider planned to kill him once the confession was over. But he had no way to escape, he was tied securely to the chair. He had heard explosions and gunfire coming from the town, so he doubted that anyone was going to come looking for him. He had decided thad death would be preferable to continued torture at the hands of this fanatic. When the last word of his confession had been spoken, the raider had stopped speaking his prayer for a moment, smiling almost benevolently at Joe, before striking him on the temple with the crowbar.

As Joe watched as the bloody puddle at his feet continued to grow he suddenly felt a hand roughly grab hold of the hair on the back of his head and roughly wrench his head upright. The dirty face once more loomed into view, only inches away from Joe's. "Is it broken now? Is it ready to recieve it's pennance?"

"Look you crazy bastard," Joe quietly mumbled, "we both know where this is going. Why don't you just [censored] get on with it."

"It still isn't ready. It is still defiant, it must be humbled before it is ready to be delivered. Perhaps it must be blind before it can truly see."

The hand that was tangled in Joe's hair tightened it's grip once more, pulling until the thief was looking upwards, facing the ceiling. The raider's other hand was slowly brought up so that Joe was staring directly at a large kitchen knife. As the blade began to descend towards Joe's eye, a loud pounding suddenly came from the door. Hope filled Joe Rennie, someone was outside his door, someone had come looking for him. He opened his mouth to cry out for assistance, but before he could make a sound, the raider had thrown the knife down and clapped a filthy hand over Joe's mouth. The other hand released Joe's hair, instead clamping around his throat and squeezing.

The hammering at the door continued for a while, but Joe was completely unable to reply. After a moment of silence, the knocking resumed. Only this time louder, whoever was knocking was hitting the door so hard that the wood was rattling in it's frame. Suddenly the door exploded inwards, swinging open and striking the wall with considerable force before rebounding and slowly begining to swing back closed. As it slowly moved a large imposing figure dressed all in black strode into the room. Rusty. Joe was almost relieved to see the man until he spotted the jealous, angry glint in the tall man's eyes. He hadn't come to see if Joe was unharmed after the attack, whatever intentions he had towards Joe, they weren't good.

The hands relaesed Joe's face and neck as the raider immediately went on the attack, snatching up the crowbar as he charged the other man. As the door continued to close, Joe spotted another figure standing outside the door. The man was also dressed all in black and had long, greasy hair. Joe was fairly certain that it was the town's new barber, the one Celeste had used to distract Harold so she could come round for yesterday's "visit". The man knew who Harold was. Judging by the way the sunlight spilled in through the doorway, the brute would either be dead or back in town by now.

"Help me!" Joe screamed at the man as the door continued to close. "Get Harold, get anybody. Please just hurry." Joe thought he caught a brief nod from the man before the door finaly clicked shut.

OOC: I realize there is some CC here with Rusty, but Wolfman has left the RP, so it's fine. @Starbug: Harold is in the security shack when you get a chance to post.

[Ice Fire]

I will edit this out later, when I have all the time on my hands.

[OnlyDumazzapplyhere]

Surfer/everyone: I’m not sure if did but I’m having the sword come with a scabbard.(If it didn’t I can quickly edit and have James make one)

James Wilson - Grayditch – Afternoon

Picking up the items he had just brought, James walked back to the grayditch arms

I wonder if he would of take a Gold coin for everything on his Wagon

Turning the corner James walked past Joe’s house, Frank was knocking on Joes house but no-one seem to answer, Rusty also walked up to Joe’s door, he looked angry…

What got him so angry?

Entering The Grayditch Arms James placed the items he had brought from Zardoz on the table and put on Graham sword’s scabbard, Mrivin had come inside James's house, Sue was awake and was looking at the items James had brought.

" hello Mrivin, Sue aready cleaned up but take these shotgun shells" James said pointing at the shells on the table, the robot walked over and picked the shotgun shells up...

" I think brandy's looking for you Mirvin, she was getting her fortune told by a trader called Zardoz that arrived in town."

He’s go some interesting items for sale, might have something you like” James said as he picked up Graham sword and began swinging it in the air before placing it in the Scabbard…

Sue made several hand signals (cool, I’m going to see what he has for sale) and then walked outside towards zardoz's carvan.

James sat down on couch and pulled out the letter Zardoz had given him

------------------
James Wilson

I have an item that belongs to you, it you want it back come to Anchorage memorial tonight at 8.00 and alone

If we see anyone else we burn it, if you tell anyone else we burn it

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

Who the hell sent this letter and what do they have? , guess I’ll find out tonight

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

@Surfer: Sue is looking at some of items Zardoz has for sale. In your next post could you please have Zardoz / Nikita ask "is there is anything you like".

[victoria gillis]

FRIEDA ~~ Grayditch ~~ Afternoon

“Are you serious?” Pawnee coughed, “[censored] raiders. Of course you can use my place, but remember there’s no roof. Only the stars. I honestly won’t mind us being closer together. . .but I have to ask. . .are you bothered that I’m. . .disfigured now? You know – my arm?”

You know I love the stars. Zardoz finished dealing with James and beckoned Frieda and Pawnee forward.

“Ladies first,” Pawnee stepped aside, sheepishly, “don’t want to hold anyone else up.”

"What?" she replied, startled. Frieda suddenly felt under-dressed and very exposed.

“Ah, such a beautiful, beautiful blond,” Zardoz crooned to Frieda, “which of my items catches your fancy, young lady? You should try my special tonic. It will help numb the pain in that injured hand of yours, and it will also relieve some of the swelling in your eye.”

Frieda raised an amused eyebrow. "I'm afraid I'm just window shopping today..." She playfully poked some piece of lace and then realized it was an entire garment. Frieda blushed and pulled her hand away like it was burned.

She looked around at the shiny trinkets and junk. Who wastes money on stuff like that? Her eyes rest on a silver bracelet with a dangling half-moon charm. Frieda had noticed that Celeste wore a necklace but jewelry just wasn't the blonde's style. Too...pretty.

Besides, I prefer the stars to the moon.

Brandy burst out from the back of the wagon. "Frieda, you need to see her, she was....everything the said was true." She motioned with her bad arm at Nikita, she winced and pulled Jet from her bag and took a puff, "its like she knew everything about me, unbelievable, unbelievable. I have to look for Mirvin."

"Mirvin's still missing?" she replied. "I'm surprised he didn't come home." Frieda snatched the Jet from Brandy's hand. "And what is this? Did you just buy this? I gave you some last night because there was nothing else, but there are other things if you're in pain. Non-addictive things." She found her tone becoming more and more irritated. "Ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. I --" Frieda was about to say she had some at her house, but that likely wasn't true any longer. "I can get you some. Just don't take [censored] like this, Brandy, please."

Frieda trembled in her sudden anger. Brandy was a bit too innocent -- despite recent experience stabbing a Raider to death and being in a gunfight -- to keep herself from getting into major trouble with chems. "I'm asking you, please -- as a friend -- don't take this [censored] anymore."

[~Amy~]

OOC: @ Tiberius: If you don’t want to wait for me to respond, so you can move your character along, that’s fine. Zardoz will agree to officiate and do the eulogy ect (for a fee), for Duncan, but just write that he agrees. Don’t write Zardoz’s dialogue

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Zardoz--

"I'm afraid I'm just window shopping today," The blond girl playfully poked the silk teddy. She blushed and then meekly pulled her hand away.

“That teddy is made of the finest silk from Asia,” Zardoz leaned towards her, “not only will it please anyone who sees you wearing it – but its so comfortable, you may find yourself wanting to wear it when no one anyone else is around. . .”

Nikita and the girl with glasses emerged from the wagon. The girl looked giddy – her eyes were bright as stars.

"Frieda, you need to see her,” she pointed to Nikita, “she was....everything she said was true."

“As I’ve told you,” Zardoz waved his arms wildly, “my assistant’s prophetic powers have never once been matched.”

Nikita took a bow. She then skipped up to the blond, "would you like me to read your palm?"

Zardoz turned his attention to the boy with the dog.

“And you sir, what can I interest you in? Do any of my tonics or elixirs sound like what you've been looking for?”

The boy frowned, he pointed to his left sleeve. It looked empty.

“Do you have anything that could re-grow an arm?”

“That’s a tall order my friend,” Zardoz seemed to laugh, “I’ll have to admit that none of my concoctions have that kind of rejuvenatory power. But, if your arm is bothering you, why not have me take a look at it for a mere. . . .twenty-five caps? I apprenticed under Dr. Nickolas Vernetti, the most skilled physician in Shady Sands.”

The boy spit into the dirt, “okay. . .,” he delicately rolled up his sleeve. His left arm was severed a few inches below the elbow. The flesh at the cutoff point was bright red and raw.

“It looks a bit inflamed at the moment. I wouldn’t want to cause you unnecessary pain,” Zardoz reached back into his wagon and produced a needle, “allow me to give you an injection of med-x. It will dull the pain for a little while and alleviate some of the inflammation.”

“Fine,” The boy offered up his arm. He winced as Zardoz pushed the needle into it.

“All done,” Zardoz beamed, “stand back and give that ten or so minutes to sink in. Then I’ll give you a proper physical exam.”

The boy stepped away. Behind him was a girl that looked like a merc. She had long black hair, blue eyes, and across the middle of her throat was a white scar.

“Ah, what can I interest you in, my dear?” Zardoz smiled at the new girl, “You look like a perfect candidate to prove the rejuvenatory, invigor-atory properties of my elixir. Or perhaps its new apparel that you're after? I have a red dress in stock that belonged to a beautiful PreWar movie star. . .”

OOC: @ Paladin: The new girl is Sue.

[loste juliana]

Brandy - Grayditch - afternoon



"Mirvin's still missing?" Frieda replied.

"Yes" Brandy said with a sigh

"I'm surprised he didn't come home."

"Me too, I'm worried about him"

Frieda snatched the Jet from Brandy's hand. "And what is this? Did you just buy this? I gave you some last night because there was nothing else, but there are other things if you're in pain. Non-addictive things."


"um....yeah, i just bought it, my shoulder still hurts" Brandy explained

Frieda's tone became more and more irritated. "Ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. I --" Frieda paused, "I can get you some. Just don't take [censored] like this, Brandy, please."


"Ba...but I spilled my pills down the sink on accident. That helps me to feel better, so I can actually do things. I found some at the SuperDuper Mart after that Raider attacked me, if it wasn't for the Jet, I wouldn't have been able to make it home." cowering as she defended her actions.

Frieda was trembling she was so angry, "I'm asking you, please -- as a friend -- don't take this [censored] anymore."

Brandy felt embarrassed, scared and hurt. She did not like the idea of upsetting Frieda so much, Frieda had made sure she was taken care of after she was shot. Really, Frieda never left Brandy out of her sight until Bob patched her shoulder up.

"I'm....." Brandy toed the ground with her flip flop, "I'm sorry, I will try Frieda, I swear. I just feel like such a klutz knocking the pills Bob gave me down the drain. I'm going to need something, think Ryler would have some more? James? Bob said those were all he had." she looked up at Frieda, " I owe you for helping me, I.... I wont use it anymore. "

[T. tacks Rims]

Fl8cobra: Mirvin has been found & James may have something for your Jet addiction

James Wilson – Grayditch arms – afternoon

James folded up the letter and put back in his pocket and looked at Mirvin as he reloaded/ picked up the shotgun shells, it appeared to be very hard from him to do especially with only “hand”.

There must be an easier way to do from him to do that maybe a drum mag

“ I’m going to the dinner now Mirvin, if I’ll see Brandy I will tell her your at my shop, she’s worried sick about you” James said as walked outside and up the road to the dinner,

T.J and the other guy, Shawn something were working on the guy in white Jumpsuit, he appeared to have a large injury on his back

Dam I forgot his name

James walked into the dinner and called out “ does anyone need any help?”

Sue cooper – Zardoz wagon – afternoon

Sue had spent a few minutes looking at some of trinkets Zardoz was selling, some of them Sue could tell were fake, others like a silver bracelet with a dangling half-moon charm looked nice but Freida had her eye on it….

Suddenly Zardoz himself walked up to Sue “Ah, what can I interest you in, my dear?” Zardoz smiled at the new girl, “You look like a perfect candidate to prove the rejuvenatory, invigor-atory properties of my elixir. Or perhaps its new apparel that you're after? I have a red dress in stock that belonged to a beautiful PreWar movie star. . .”

Invigor – atory what? but that dress seems nice

Sue did several hand signals at Zardoz (can I see this dress) but gave up after a few attempts and pulled out her notebook and began wirting inside.
---
Hello my name is Sue

Can I see this red dress and what is this invigor-atory elixir thing and what does it do?

----

After writing in her note book, sue showed it to Zardoz...

ooc: @surfer: Sue didn't see Zardoz's opening speech

[Timara White]

Shawn Taylor

Shawn looked up when he heard someone say, "Hey buddy, uh Shawn was it? Would ya mind lending me a hand?" Shawn saw that it came from then man who had nodded at him earlier. He was kneeling next to a different man, who seemed to be unconscious and bleeding out. Shawn quickly rushed over to help. The man quickly gave him instructions on helping him, from getting tools for him to helping him move the unconscious guy around. By the time the first man had apparently finished, the unconscious one was patched up, but he had still lost a lot of blood, and was still in bad shape.

"Don't know if he's gonna make it, but being on this floor isn't gonna help him." The man said, concern in his tone, as he looked down at the badly injured guy. Shawn, who hadn’t talked the entire time out of concentration, asked, “Do you need me to move him somewhere?”

He was also worried about the unconscious man. Shawn didn’t like people dying near him if he thought he could do anything to save them. He looked up at the other one, though, and held out his hand. “I don’t think I caught your name, even though you obviously know mine.”

He waited for a moment, then added, “So, what exactly happened here? All I see is injured people everywhere, and everyone seems a little on edge.”

[Sara Lee]

Mirvin. Grayditch arms. Afternoon.

Mirvin had cleared up the worst of the mess he had caused from the floor of Miss Brandy's house. The corpse had proved to be a problem, Mirvin had tried to force the body into the trashcan in the kitchen, but it was much too small. He couldn't leave it laying around for Miss Brandy to find, so he lifted the raider and placed it in one of Miss Brandy's cupbords. He would deal with it once he returned. Once the door was closed, Mirvin turned and left the house, he waddled down the street towards the shop called Grayditch arms.

Inside he found Mr James. "Hello Mrivin," The man said to him when he entered. "Sue aready cleaned up but take these shotgun shells" Mr James said pointing at the shells on the table.

"Thank you Mr James." Mirvin replied as he waddled over and began picking the shotgun shells up, awkwardly feeding them into the mechanism on his arm, the device clicking and whirring as it fed the shells along it's length. The first two dropping into the gun, which snapped open and closed with a loud clack.

"I think Brandy's looking for you Mirvin, she was getting her fortune told by a trader called Zardoz that arrived in town." Mr James continued as Mirvin reloaded his weapon arm. "He’s got some interesting items for sale, might have something you like. I’m going to the diner now Mirvin, if I see Brandy I will tell her you're at my shop, she’s worried sick about you.”

"She is concerned about me? I must find her immediately. Miss Brandy has been most pleasant since my arrival in town. Thank you for the amunition Mr James. I will return to discuss payment for them later." He turned an waddled from the shop, back into the street. He turned towards the diner end of town and saw a brightly coloured purple wagon parked at that end of town. Nearby, he could see Miss Frieda and Miss Brandy talking together. As quickly as he could Mirvin stomped towards the Miss Brandy. By the time Mirvin arrived, he could hear Miss Brandy apologising for something, "I owe you for helping me, I.... I wont use it anymore." She must have been deeply sorry for whatever she had done, as she didn't seem to notice the steady thuds made by Mirvin's feet.

"Hello Miss Brandy. It is my understanding that you are concerned about me. I must apologise for causing you undue worry. Was your night eventful after you left?"

OOC: Sorry the post is weak. I'm not feeling well.

[Eliza Potter]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - mid morning


Wonder where we can put him, no one has said if there's actually a clinic here, J.T. wiped the blood off his hands with a rag.


“I don’t think I caught your name, even though you obviously know mine.” Shawn said


" J.T. Taylor, sorry was a bit pre-occupied, but I saw ya walk in an introduce yourself."


Shawn then added, “So, what exactly happened here? All I see is injured people everywhere, and everyone seems a little on edge.”


"Well, a group of Raiders came in and raised some hell last night. I was holed up just outside of town and was woke up from the gunfire." he pressed his tongue against his cheek, "They were praying and ranting about cleansing the town. A religious Raider clan, talk about strange."

J.T. pulled his guitar strap out of the mans mouth, standing next to the counter he reattached it and closed up his case. He noticed a couple of unbroken bottles of beer by the fridge. He picked them up and walked back over to Shawn, handing him one, " So Shawn, wouldn't happen to have any family from around Atlantic City would ya?"

He twisted the cap off the bottle and took a long drink, " Ahhh, still cold, breakfast of champions. Anyways, thanks for the help Shawn it's much obliged and a pleasure to meet you. Where you from?"






Brandy - Grayditch - afternoon



Brandy felt absolutely terrible for disappointing Frieda, who else did I disappoint?



"Hello Miss Brandy. It is my understanding that you are concerned about me. I must apologise for causing you undue worry. Was your night eventful after you left?"



"MIRVIN!!!" she ran to Mirvin wrapping her left arm around him as far as she could, " Oh my God, are you Ok? did they hurt you?"



Brandy looked up at Mirvin's blue face plate, " THOSE ANIMALS, they cracked your face, lean down so I can see it."



Looking his cracked face plate over, "Why did you leave? Where did you go? What did you do? Why didn't you leave a note or something? Please don't do that again."



She then took notice of the fresh slugs embedded in his chest plate, " How many were there Mirvin? Did they try to steal you?"



She walked around him looking for more damage, " I was worried sick about you Mirvin" she placed her left hand on the side of his face, " don't ever do that again" she said glassy eyed, " you could say eventful, I got shot and it went through my shoulder. Frieda got shot in the hand, Pawnee's arm got cut off. I'm sorry Mirvin, I'm getting an attitude with you, lets just go home I'm not feeling so well."

Brandy took Mirvin's hand, "I'm going to go home and lay down, my shoulder is starting hurt again. Good night Frieda see ya tomorrow."