[Shannon Lockwood]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Early afternoon

Celeste dawdled on her way back to the diner. All her regular patrons had disappeared with Pawnee earlier that morning and now even Brandy was nowhere to be seen. No one was in the street, and it seemed as though no one was even stirring...but there was a caravan.

She clapped her hands in her glee and immediately skipped over to engage the trader. "What've you got today?"

"Madam, I am a purveyor of the most gourmet of items in the entire Wasteland."

"...huh?"

"Food and booze, and a few rare consumables."

"That is just fantastic, because my diner is in desperate need of being re-stocked. Let me go and get my cash box." Celeste hustled into the diner and noticed Pawnee, Sue, James, and Harlen had taken up one of the booths and were drinking beers. It'll be really great when Brandy builds me a door with a lock. She retrieved her cash box from her locked cabinet and did a quick count. She stopped when she reached two hundred, pleasantly surprised she had earned that much.

"How much for the whole lot?" Celeste asked the trader. "...well, minus the rare stuff. Just the straight up goods."

"Three fifty," he replied immediately.

"That's a little high. I'll give you two hundred."

"No deal."

"Oh really?" Celeste leaned to the side, popping her hip out and gave a small smile. "Let's face it -- I'm the only person in this whole town you could do business with. I run the diner. Everyone in town comes to mine to eat and drink. You won't be able to unload your stuff in a lot like this anywhere else."

The trader chewed a nail. "Two hundred won't cover the amount of inventory I have, though, if you really want it all. Lowest I can go is two forty."

"Okay, deal. Bring it into the diner and I'll get the remaining forty caps I owe you."

Celeste walked back into the diner. The men were still talking amongst themselves. She pulled out forty additional caps from her cashbox and handed all the money to trader, who easily carried in two large crates into the diner and placed them onto the bar. She began to unpack the packages of food, completely oblivious to the conversation still being had at the nearby booth.

She looked up to see Rusty standing at the bar. He was smiling at her. Her heart fluttered in her chest, yet again. He is always looking at me like that!

"Celeste, I apologize for my behavior last night. It was childish of me and uncalled for. This is no excuse, but, there's just something about you that I find overwhelming. The last thing I wanna see happen to you is get your heart broken, and I am frantic that Joe is gonna do that to you."

"Rusty," she began, blushing a little bit, "Joe is a good man. He wouldn't intentionally do that, not to me."

"I know you don't see it now, and I understand why, I just don't trust him with your heart. I know we've only just met a few days ago but there is just something about you thy would kill me if I saw you hurt. I will try to ignore all the kissing in here. If he ever breaks your heart though, I'll kill him, and if anyone ever bad mouths you i will break their jaw. All I really ask for though is your forgiveness. I will do better, I promise." He held his hands together and stared into her eyes.

Celeste was dumbstruck. Is this for real? Why is he saying all of this to me? It took me days to get anything out of Joe, but it was much sweeter that way. Rusty...he's just come in here and basically confessed some really deep feelings. He hardly knows me. Just days ago he was laughing at me. He told Harlen he had some intention to 'steal' me from Joe. Last night he caused a scene by throwing a tantrum like a child.

She studied Rusty's face and still did not speak. He's waiting for an answer. I better say something to him.

But what? What is he trying to pull? Why would he want to just break us up?

Her eyes widened in her realization. What a jerk! What a weasel!! He must think this is some funny game! He's...he's trying to play me!

"Mr. Valentine," she began, trying to sound as pleasant as she could, and even offering a smile. "I appreciate your...concern towards Joe and his intentions. I do. It's very sweet of you to do that, you must think I don't have anyone in town who would stick up for me. The truth is, Joe really has been nothing but nice to me, and I can take care of myself. I'm a grown woman, you know." She poured him a cup of coffee. "Why don't you sit down and relax for a little while? I still owe you some caps for your help yesterday, but right now I have these crates to unpack."

She reached over and flicked the radio on. Some slow, sad song was playing. She started organizing the packages of food on the shelves.

[Gavin Roberts]

Mirvin. Super Duper Mart. Afternoon.

Miss Frieda listened to Mirvin's question then scratched her head. "I'm sorry, Mirvin, everyone else in here is dead. Brandy and I just got here, and woke you up. Neither of us know how long you were shut down."

Miss Brandy was rummaging through a pile of junk parts, then stopped. "What's this? . . .Frieda, I think I found its leg." Miss Brandy struggled to drag out the heavy metal leg, she looked back at Mirvin, "yeah, I found his leg." She studied it for a moment. "Frieda, if you can wire it, I should be able to put it back on."

Miss Frieda stood and walked over to Brandy and looked into the top end of the severed leg. "I might be able to strip the wires down a bit so that they can be reconnected, but I don't know if that's much of a long-term solution." Frieda turned back to Mirvin. "Can't walk at all, huh? How do we get you back to Grayditch? Worst part is, I don't even have any of my tools. Neither Brandy nor I are strong enough to drag you with us." She frowned. "We can't leave you here, though, these anarchists don't appreciate you one bit."

"No, please don't leave me here Miss Frieda. The raiders here were most unpleasant before they damaged me sufficiantly to knock me offline. As you can tell, they shot me many times."

Miss Frieda sighed. "We came here for other...items. Let me search for them first and I'll think about a solution. Brandy, did you go into that room I unlocked?"

"By all means Miss Frieda, I appreciate that you are willing to help me at all." Of course Mirvin was incapable of appreciating anything, it was an emotion and therefore not something he was programmed to experience. But Mr Frank had taught him about social etiquette, he must be polite and if anyone was willing to do him a favor, Mirvin was compelled to reciprocate.

"Brandy! Mirvin! ...I found some parts!" Miss Frieda shouted. Her shout was followed by the sound of metal being dragged across the concrete floor. "...a little help?!" She added.

Miss Brandy got up to go help, "ooo, a whole one. Now Mirvin can have all new legs and armor. Frieda, Duncan has a wagon, he needs a brahmin pen built to. Maybe I can get him to help us get Mirvin back to Greyditch in exchange for me building a pen? Just a thought, I don't think I can rig anything up here to get him back."

Miss Brandy and Miss Frieda appeared through a doorway and approached Mirvin, dragging another protectron model between them. Miss Brandy paused and looked at Mirvin, "We can get you back good as new in no time buddy." Smiling at the robot, "oh, Frieda, Scythe has a sniper at the house to, not sure if that will cause a problem with finding our hiding spot." She paused, looking between Mirvin and the other robot. "Is it possible that we could put his old leg on to get him back? There's a hammer and wrench on that shelf, and I have a knife to strip the wires?" Miss Brandy stated.

"No Miss Brandy, please don't restore me to good as new condition. Mr Frank said I was to never allow anyone to remove my weapon as it would leave me defenceless. Also, I have been active for over two hundred years, while the memories I have accumulated do not ammount to a life, they are all I have. If you were to restore me to new condition, then these memories would be deleted. Some files have been damaged or corrupted, but if it is acceptable I would prefer that you leave me with what remains. If you would be so good as to replace my leg and foot then I will assist you in any way I can with locating this hiding spot you mentioned. Do you find my compromise acceptable?"

[Ridhwan Hemsome]

FREIDA ~~ Super Duper Mart/Capital Wasteland ~~ Mid/Late Afternoon

Frieda continued to struggle to drag the whole Protectron back into the other end of the pharmacy. Brandy began to help, "ooo, a whole one. Now Mirvin can have all new legs and armor. Frieda, Duncan has a wagon, he needs a brahmin pen built too. Maybe I can get him to help us get Mirvin back to Greyditch in exchange for me building a pen? Just a thought, I don't think I can rig anything up here to get him back."

"Hmmmm." Frieda scraqed the ends of her mind for some way to get Mirvin back to Grayditch. Well, he did say he could do some repairs himself.

Once they had drug out the protectron Brandy looked at Mirvin, "We can get you back good as new in no time buddy." Smiling at the robot, "oh, Frieda, Scythe has a sniper at the house to, not sure if that will cause a problem with finding our hiding spot."

"Ugh," Frieda groaned, "why didn't you mention that before? A sniper, and I'm nearly six feet tall and about to dress myself in black armour. Here's hoping they're not [censored]s who just shoot at anyone for fun."

Brandy wasn't paying attention and instead mused out loud. "Is it possible that we could put his old leg on to get him back? There's a hammer and wrench on that shelf, and I have a knife to strip the wires?"

"No Miss Brandy, please don't restore me to good as new condition. Mr Frank said I was to never allow anyone to remove my weapon as it would leave me defenceless. Also, I have been active for over two hundred years, while the memories I have accumulated do not ammount to a life, they are all I have. If you were to restore me to new condition, then these memories would be deleted. Some files have been damaged of corrupted, but if it is acceptable I would prefer that you leave me with what remains. If you would be so good as to replace my leg and foot then I will assist you in any way I can with locating this hiding spot you mentioned. Do you find my compromise acceptable?"

Sure does talk an awful lot. "Yes, yes, it's fine," Frieda waved her hand. "Mirvin, it's just an expression. No one has any intention of restoring you to a brand new condition." She was frantically popping open the remaining metal boxes and the toolboxes lying around. She found a screwdriver and turned back to her eclectic crew.

"Mirvin, I'm going to take apart this other robot as best I can and try to salvage whatever parts you can use to patch yourself up enough to get back to town. It's a forty-five minute walk for us, but longer for you, I suppose. Brandy and I have some more things we need to take care of here and outside, but if we leave you with some parts and tools, when we get back we will help you with the rest that needs to be done so you can come to town. Okay?"

Frieda got to work examining Mirvin's left arm. Many of his components were disconnected but not too thoroughly damaged. She began plugging connections back into sockets and pulled a bullet out of the main piston. "Well, that should help," she muttered. She picked up a pencil lying on the floor and rubbed the graphite all along the piston's inner component. She flipped his arm casing shut and went to work on the hand.

"What compelled you to try and fight a gang of Raiders?" she asked as she pried open the equivalent of his forearm. Frieda strained her memory as best she could for the little bit of robotics training she received while she was at Canterbury Commons and inspected the hand connections. The wires were intact, much to her surprise, but the gears were riddled with small buckshot. "I won't even ask." Frieda fished her pocket knife out and began to pick the buckshot out of the gears, hoping beyond hope that would be enough for his arm to start working. She clicked that casing shut as well.

"Okay, Mirvin, give your arm a try. If it doesn't work then I'm completely out of options for now, and you'll just have to sit tight until we retrieve you and get you back to town."

With a click and a whir, Mirvin appeared to be able to move his arm. Frieda took the rest of the pencil that remained and rubbed graphite inbetween the claw joints. She turned to Brandy. "We're running out of time. If I don't get back to town before evening, I think Pawnee will worry we've gone to assault Scythe ourselves. Let's collect some armour and one of those stupid helmets with the pigtails for myself and stash them. I know a place, it's not far. Let's let Mirvin get a head start on his repairs while we head out into the Wasteland and hopefully we'll all be in town for dinner." Frieda sat onto the floor cross-legged and started to unscrew the casing on the whole Protectron. In about twenty minutes she had its back opened right up and was carefully disconnecting its wires, hoping she could just pop off its leg.

"I'll help you refurbish some of your circuits when I return, but in the meantime, you can get to work replacing some of your structure. Just do what you can." Frieda stood, satisfied with the amount of robot she had dismantled and dusted her hands off on her shorts.

"Come on, Brandy. Let's try and find a spot for us to hide out tomorrow. Let's bring our disguises." Frieda stooped and stripped a set of painspike armour off a Raider whose arm was blown off. No time left to be picky. At least this one has the ridiculous psycho-tik helmet too. She bundled the garments into her arms and headed towards the door. "We'll return, Mirvin, don't worry. Good luck."

Frieda began to cross the ruined parking lot with Brandy in tow. "The safe house isn't too far away from here. We'll put this stuff there -- no one will steal some used Raider armour, it's not worth anything, really -- and then I will let you direct me towards this house of Scythe's, and we'll go from there."

[Emerald Dreams]

OOC: sorry to dissapoint you surfer but Sue is spoken for… but that’s another post

James wilson - Celestes dinner – afternoon

"Well, its nice swapping stores with you guys. I - I want a little time alone now. Got to say goodbye to Frieda too, just incase things go sour. Let's meet up at midnight on the edge of town. I'll stop by the security office a little later today and go see Harold. Make sure he's coming."

“Okay Pawnee I see you at the wall tonight I’ve got business to do anyway “ James said whilst Pawnee walked out of the dinner

Were did Brandy go? I though she wanted to buy an assault rifle never mind she can come to store anyway…

“Come on Sue let’s go back to the shop, goodbye Harlen “ James said as he and Sue walked out of the dinner and back to shop, noticing that Rusty had entered the dinner and was talking with Celeste..

Heading back to shop James began modifying a shotgun whilst Sue got two nuka colas out of the fridge, giving one to James “ thanks sue” James replied and after taking a slip of the nuka cola went back to work, cutting of the shock of the shotgun.

There might be a way that I can fire this in one hand…

[Dan Scott]

Brandy - Super Duper Mart - afternoon


"No Miss Brandy, please don't restore me to good as new condition. Mr Frank said I was to never allow anyone to remove my weapon as it would leave me defenseless. Also, I have been active for over two hundred years, while the memories I have accumulated do not amount to a life, they are all I have. If you were to restore me to new condition, then these memories would be deleted. Some files have been damaged of corrupted, but if it is acceptable I would prefer that you leave me with what remains. If you would be so good as to replace my leg and foot then I will assist you in any way I can with locating this hiding spot you mentioned. Do you find my compromise acceptable?"

"Like Frieda said, it's just a figure of speech." Brandy reassured Mirvin. Brandy was absolutely fascinated by the robot, "Well, you're lucky Mirvin, I have some memories I wish I could erase." She continued to thoroughly study him, "You can feel? You said appreciate, can you feel this?" she touched his chest, "we can put the new armor on you, don't worry sweetie, the last thing we want to do is hurt you. I can't believe you're 200 years old, WOW!!!!". This was something new to Brandy, she had never actually had the opportunity to have a conversation with a robot, let alone a chance to actually work on one. "Mirvin, look" she held up her sawn-off, "just like yours, we could put this one on you, its in better shape. What type of work do you do, besides defend, clean? work on things?" Frieda shook her head at the onslaught Brandy was giving poor Mirvin. Brandy paid no attention to what Frieda was doing, focusing solely on Mirvin.


Frieda turned to Brandy. "We're running out of time. If I don't get back to town before evening, I think Pawnee will worry we've gone to assault Scythe ourselves. Let's collect some armor and one of those stupid helmets with the pigtails for myself and stash them. I know a place, it's not far. Let's let Mirvin get a head start on his repairs while we head out into the Wasteland and hopefully we'll all be in town for dinner." Brandy kept looking Mirvin over, "Come on, Brandy. Let's try and find a spot for us to hide out tomorrow. Let's bring our disguises." Frieda stooped and stripped a set of painspike armour off a Raider, "We'll return, Mirvin, don't worry. Good luck."

"Okay Frieda" Brandy replied picking up her armor, "see ya later Mirvin, we'll be back we promise." Smiling back at Mirvin.

As the two of them crossed the parking lot, ""The safe house isn't too far away from here. We'll put this stuff there -- no one will steal some used Raider armour, it's not worth anything, really -- and then I will let you direct me towards this house of Scythe's, and we'll go from there." Frieda instructed.

"Alright, sounds good Frieda. He's so cute, and polite" Brandy referred to the robot.

They dropped their armor off at the safehouse, "the house is this way" Brandy started walking, "Frieda, I know they have a sniper, but what if we could take it out? Then maybe we could get them all?". As they walked Frieda was kinda quiet, "you know Frieda, I envy you. You're brave, beautiful, and smart. So what did you do before you came to Greyditch? Where are you from? Where did you get that laser pistol?" Brandy blabbed to get Frieda to talk.

Brandy knelt down, "Frieda, its just over this little hill." She crept up and showed Frieda, "Where are you thinking is a good spot? If I had brought my grenades we couldve blown it up." She giggled.

[Janine Rose]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Afternoon

"Mr. Valentine," she began, trying to sound as pleasant as she could, and even offering a smile. "I appreciate your...concern towards Joe and his intentions. I do. It's very sweet of you to do that, you must think I don't have anyone in town who would stick up for me. The truth is, Joe really has been nothing but nice to me, and I can take care of myself. I'm a grown woman, you know." She poured him a cup of coffee. "Why don't you sit down and relax for a little while? I still owe you some caps for your help yesterday, but right now I have these crates to unpack."

She reached over and flicked the radio on. Some slow, sad song was playing. She started organizing the packages of food on the shelves.

I can do more than stick up for you...

Rusty shook his head with a smile, "Celeste, you don't need to pay me. It was my pleasure to work beside you, and I look forward to it again. I meant what I said by the way. I do realize you can take care of yourself, but if someone that's Harold's size comes in here and starts throwing things around I'm not going to stand for it, that's all I'm saying. Would you like me to help with your delivery?" He asked with his swooning smile.

[Peetay]

(OOC: tiny bit of back story for Duncan)

Duncan Talson - Building near Duncan's Brahmin Ranch - Afternoon

Duncan woke up to Darkness, he'd fallen asleep when he'd sat down due to all the excitement. He looked up and was glad to see the two bodies were right where he left them, meaning nothing else was in here with him.

He stood up, still a bit shaky from combat but steadied himself on a hand railing. The room was your standard office fare steel desks, old terminals, office chairs all the stuff executives used in their daily grind. He'd seen many old pre-war buildings just like this one which caused his heart to sink a notch, it meant he'd be hard pressed to find something of use in here.

He hurried off hoping to find a maintenance room the only place that was likely to have anything of value to him. The office building was fairly large but not overly so, Duncan had been in ones that were much bigger during his time as a caravan guard. Duncan felt his mind recalling memories he'd wished had stayed buried.

The first man he had signed up with was intent on getting his own goods in the ruins of DC and sent his guards to do the work. Duncan being a simple man didn't know exactly just how dangerous the ruins were all he was concerned with was the big pay cheque. There had been four of them. A gruff woman named starlight she loved things that went boom, then there was a meek man called Radar he wasn't much use with a gun but was a whiz with computers and locks, he was there to get at the particularly good loot that was generally locked away, the last of his companions had been Stone he hadn't talked much but Duncan had heard if ever there was a man you wanted on your side it was Stone.

The job seemed fairly simple to Duncan go into the building take anything of value bring it back to the driver, how wrong he had been. Within five minutes the job had gone to [censored] the team had climbed one flight of stairs and set off a grenade bouquet. Starlight had been leading the team and took the brunt of the explosion, it ripped her combat armour apart and wasn't to kind to her body. She died instantly, but it didn't deter the party they pushed on to the second floor and found a fairly expensive looking safe. Radar got to work while Stone and himself kept watch. That's just whoever was in that building wanted, in opening the safe, Radar had tripped an alarm Stone had hauled the man to his feet then charged back down the stairs with Duncan and Radar in tow. They were there waiting, another team of 'dungeon crawlers' as they called themselves. Stone looked them all squarely in the eye demanding what they were doing here.

"You don't know?" the leader of the group asked with an evil glint in her eye "Old man Jenkins hired us as well."

"So why are you killing us?" Stone had roared at them you could almost feel the anger radiating off him.

"Old man Jenkins orders." The woman said and began to cackle as though she were mad.

Stone snapped and put a bullet right between her eyes she collapsed in a heap and her three companions quickly whipped out their rifles. Duncan didn't have a chance Stone had shoved him out the door yelling "Run kid, you've got your whole life ahead of you, if you can dish out some justice to old man Jenkins for us." and like that he disappeared. Duncan didn't know what happened in the building he heeded Stone's advice and ran for his life thinking why the hell had Jenkins had hired another group to kill him and his companions and how the hell another group of people he was starting to care about were gunned down.

In the end he had heeded Stone's advice and gunned down Jenkins as he sat in a saloon drinking whiskey, Duncan didn't want any explanations, he just wanted revenge for what he had to go through. Oddly enough no one stopped they all knew Jenkins was a snake and believed he had it coming.

As he walked into the desert from that day forth vowed never to get to close to anyone again.

Duncan snapped back to the present "Well old boy that's got to be the greatest vow you've broken." he said to himself cheerily still hoping to bury the memory for good.

He found the room he was looking for but as he expected it didn't have anything helpful, apart from a hammer and an old wrench "better than nothing" he sighed and made his way back to the entrance. He gave the door an almighty kick and it gave allowing sunlight to rush in to the blackness. Duncan was blinded for a second due to the sudden rush of light. When he regained his sight he looked down at his arms and chest, his scuffle with the ghouls had left his armour in tatters and with deep scratches that were redder than they should be. "Best get these inspected by Ryler, might be infected." He said to no one in particular. He then discarded the tools near his little working area and trudged off to the medics home.

When he arrived he gave a knock on the door of the clinic and waited for a reply.

[Erika Ellsworth]

OOC: Hope this works for you Kettle.

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

Pawnee yawned under the blazing afternoon sun. Duncan passed by him as he walked down the street. He checked Frieda's house to see if she was home, but the door was locked and no one answered the door.

Bored and nervous of what was to come, Pawnee sat down on the curb for a little while, smoking a cigarette, watching a trader who had just arrived in town haggle with Celeste.

I've gone and dug myself my own grave, eh? Never was too bright I guess. What are the odds that Scythe and company will really let me go? I might as well hold onto that C4 when James blows it.

No way I'm letting them take me alive.

Pawnee killed the cigarette and threw the butt into the street. He stood up and walked over to the security shack and opened the door, squinting in the resulting darkness.

"Harold?" He called.

Harold was seated behind a desk near the entrance door. He had a mess of scars criss-crossing his forehead, and Pawnee wondered how he'd gotten them.

"Hey there Harold," Pawnee smiled warmly, "the other day Joe and I were talking - well you were there too actually. . .anyway, I'm sure you know by now that there's a gang of bounty hunters after me. They're camped just a bit outside of town. I reached an agreement with them to pay them off, but you never know how it will really go."

Pawnee paused to make sure Harold was following, but the brute kept a blank expression like a stone.

"So," Pawnee nervously continued, "Joe told me you'd be willing to come along with me and some of my friends as backup. Some really intimidating meat in the room. Is that alright with you? I wanted to hear you agree and not him. If it is, the posse and me are going to form up by Greyditch's outer wall at midnight, and you should join us. Make sure your armed and armored though - well armed - Scythe and his crew don't look like they mess around if you catch my drift."

[Code Affinity]

Mirvin. Super Duper Mart. Afternoon.

"Yes, yes, it's fine," Miss Frieda said, waving her hand. "Mirvin, it's just an expression. No one has any intention of restoring you to a brand new condition." She was rummaging through the metal boxes and the toolboxes that were still lying around. She turned back to Mirvin, holding a screwdriver.

"Mirvin, I'm going to take apart this other robot as best I can and try to salvage whatever parts you can use to patch yourself up enough to get back to town. It's a forty-five minute walk for us, but longer for you, I suppose. Brandy and I have some more things we need to take care of here and outside, but if we leave you with some parts and tools, when we get back we will help you with the rest that needs to be done so you can come to town. Okay?"

"Yes Miss Frieda, I do indeed find your proposal "Okay". I would be most grateful if you could restore movement to my arm, as this would allow me to perform basic mainteance on myself."

"Like Frieda said, it's just a figure of speech." Miss Brandy interrupted staring at Mirvin as he sat on the floor, "Well, you're lucky Mirvin, I have some memories I wish I could erase." She continued to thoroughly study him, "You can feel? You said appreciate, can you feel this?" she touched his chest, "we can put the new armor on you, don't worry sweetie, the last thing we want to do is hurt you. I can't believe you're 200 years old, WOW!!!!".

"Feel is a subjective term Miss Brandy. I am aware of the presance of your hand on my bodywork. Mr Frank taught me that I should always be polite and show my appreciation, I am unable to experience true emotions as I was never fitted with the relivant software. But as far as I am able, I wish to feel, I have been told that it is one of the key componants of having a life."

Miss Frieda got to work examining Mirvin's left arm. She began plugging connections back into sockets and pulled a bullet out of the main piston. "Well, that should help," she muttered. She picked up a pencil lying on the floor and rubbed the graphite all along the piston's inner component. She flipped his arm casing shut and went to work on the hand.

"What compelled you to try and fight a gang of Raiders?" she asked as she pried open the lower part of Mirvin's arm.

"Oh, fighting them was not my intention Miss Frieda. I was looking for salvage. I saw the building and was compelled to enter." Mirvin croaked in his synthetic voice.

"I won't even ask." Frieda fished her pocket knife out and began to pick the buckshot out of the gears in Mirvin's arm, before clicking the casing shut.

"Okay, Mirvin, give your arm a try. If it doesn't work then I'm completely out of options for now, and you'll just have to sit tight until we retrieve you and get you back to town."

With a click and a whir, Mirvin raised his arm and bought his claw up before his faceplate.

"Mirvin, look" Miss Brandy interrupted once more, holding up her sawn-off, "just like yours, we could put this one on you, its in better shape. What type of work do you do, besides defend, clean? work on things?"

"Origionally I was programmed as a mechanic, specializing in the repair of late twentieth century cars and motorcycles. After the great war I remained with the other workers in the auto-shop, they taught me additional skills such as how to forage for foodstuffs and how to find salvage. Since Mr Frank sent me away, this is mostly what I have done."

Miss Frieda took the rest of the pencil that remained and rubbed graphite inbetween the claw joints. She turned to Miss Brandy. "We're running out of time. If I don't get back to town before evening, I think Pawnee will worry we've gone to assault Scythe ourselves. Let's collect some armour and one of those stupid helmets with the pigtails for myself and stash them. I know a place, it's not far. Let's let Mirvin get a head start on his repairs while we head out into the Wasteland and hopefully we'll all be in town for dinner." Miss Frieda sat onto the floor cross-legged and started to unscrew the casing on the whole Protectron. In about twenty minutes she had its back opened right up and was carefully disconnecting it's wires.

"I'll help you refurbish some of your circuits when I return, but in the meantime, you can get to work replacing some of your structure. Just do what you can." Frieda stood, satisfied with the amount of robot she had dismantled and dusted her hands off on her shorts.

"Come on, Brandy. Let's try and find a spot for us to hide out tomorrow. Let's bring our disguises." Miss Frieda stooped and stripped a set of painspike armour off a Raider whose arm was blown off. She bundled the garments into her arms and headed towards the door. "We'll return, Mirvin, don't worry. Good luck."

"See ya later Mirvin, we'll be back we promise." Miss Brandy added, smiling back at Mirvin.

"Thank you both," Mirvin rasped after the two young women. "I will endevour to at least be semi-funtional by the time you return."

Mirvin scanned the floor around him, looking at the items that Miss Frieda had left for him. Replacing his leg and foot were not an option, there was no way he could hold an appendage in place and re-attatch it with only one hand. Instead he picked up a set of pliers and began pulling shrapnel out of the gears on his gun arm. He would at least be able to defend his new companions once they returned.

Harold. Security shack. Afternoon.

Harold sat behind the computer in the shack, slowly typing out a report for Mr Moriarty. The door to the office creaked as Pawnee let himself in.

"Harold?" He called. "Hey there Harold," Pawnee smiled warmly, "the other day Joe and I were talking - well you were there too actually. . .anyway, I'm sure you know by now that there's a gang of bounty hunters after me. They're camped just a bit outside of town. I reached an agreement with them to pay them off, but you never know how it will really go."

Harold watched impassively, waiting for the young man to continue.

"So," Pawnee nervously continued, "Joe told me you'd be willing to come along with me and some of my friends as backup. Some really intimidating meat in the room. Is that alright with you? I wanted to hear you agree and not him. If it is, the posse and me are going to form up by Greyditch's outer wall at midnight, and you should join us. Make sure your armed and armored though - well armed - Scythe and his crew don't look like they mess around if you catch my drift."

While this wasn't Harold's problem, Rennie had promised Harold's help. It could go a long way towards helping maintain their cover. However if Harold turned him down, that would blow their story completely, the head of security had given an order after all.

Rather than speak a reply, Harold meerly nodded then reached under the desk. From the floor he grabbed his chinese made assault rifle and placed it on the desktop, then turned back to the young man, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

[Penny Wills]

(OOC: I'm so wordyyyyyyyyyy sorry )

FRIEDA ~~ Capital Wasteland ~~ Late afternoon

"He's so cute, and polite" Brandy referred to the robot.

"...yeah, he is," Frieda found herself smiling while she agreed.

They dropped their armor off at the safehouse, "the house is this way" Brandy started walking. "Frieda, I know they have a sniper, but what if we could take it out? Then maybe we could get them all?"

"The problem with a sniper is that he's supposed to see you, before you see him. I'd rather not take that risk." Frieda fell quiet while they walked, brooding.

Brandy broke the silence after a little while. "You know Frieda, I envy you. You're brave, beautiful, and smart. So what did you do before you came to Greyditch? Where are you from? Where did you get that laser pistol?" Brandy blabbed to get Frieda to talk.

Frieda's mind froze. What do I tell her? She's definitely naiive, as Pawnee had said. Maybe she doesn't know much about the Enclave, or cares. I could use another friend, even if she has a more than passing interest in my boyfriend, but she's cleverer than she lets on.

"Ahhh, well, that's a lot of questions at once," she smiled nervously. "I worked in Canterbury Commons doing electrical work for the town, and Uncle Roe taught me a few things about robotics. Before that I just traveled around doing contract work. Roe gave me the Grayditch flyer, since work was drying up in town, and the rest is history." Frieda shrugged. "Everything else is just...details. I found the pistol, and my electrical knowledge helps keep it in good condition."

Sorry, Brandy...maybe, if we survive, I'll tell you the whole truth.

They walked for a few more minutes when Brandy knelt down, "Frieda, its just over this little hill." She crept up and showed Frieda, "Where are you thinking is a good spot? If I had brought my grenades we could've blown it up." She giggled.

"Buck's in there," Frieda replied softly. "Besides, his brother's particularly ... angry. He'd just keep sending people out until Pawnee was brought in, I think." She scanned the surrounding wasteland. There was very little in the way of cover. These [censored]ers knew what they were doing, choosing the only viable hiding spot in the area.

Brandy opened her mouth when Frieda suddenly covered it. "Shh!" she hissed, and motioned slightly with her head towards a passing Giant Radscorpion. It scuttled to within ten feet of them and paused. Both women laid very still until it turned and scuttled off after two very stressful minutes. "One of those chased me up a tree, one time. I was stranded for hours." Brandy was smirking. Frieda looked sheepish. "Part of bravery is knowing when to run, I suppose."

"Now," she sighed, "about that hiding spot." Frieda squinted into the distance. The best option was what remained of a ruined building -- a slab of upright concrete and what would appear to be the remnants of a door frame. "I think that's the best spot." She poked her finger over the hill to point towards the wall. "It's not as close to the house as I wanted, but beggars can't be choosers. We'll approach it in our disguises."

She slid back down the hill, out of sight of the main road again. "Unless you can see something better...let's head back to Mirvin, get his leg and foot back on, and back to town."


~~Super Duper Mart ~~ Early evening

"Mirvin," she heard Brandy call in, "we're back!"

Frieda moved straight to the rear of the store. "Everything okay, Mirvin? I'm ready to try and get your leg and foot back on." She knelt to better inspect the leg, hoping beyond hope that somehow something would have changed while she was out.

Obviously, it hadn't. "Brandy, I'll need your help, now. I know it's heavy, but can you prop up this leg of his, while I try to reconnect it?" Frieda pulled out the wires and frowned deeply in thought. I wish I had my soldering iron. If I can get these wires reconnected for the most part, we can assist Mirvin's walking to get him back into town. She began to strip the end of the wires and wrap them around their connectors. "Any idea where that foot is...?"

She finished with the leg and took another pencil, rubbing the graphite all over the pistons and gears inside it. Frieda snapped the casing shut and worked on pulling out the stray wires sticking out of the equivalent of Mirvin's right ankle.

"Here, this must be it," Brandy said, pushing Mirvin's foot along the floor with her toe.

"Brandy, I'd be lost without you, today," Frieda smiled. She reconnected the foot as best she could but didn't see anywhere to add some graphite. As a final thought, she opened up his right leg and was glad she did -- there was considerable buckshot jammed in the main piston and smaller gears. "Brandy, help me pick this stuff out, and then hopefully we'll be able to get Mirvin back to town. We'll have to come back for the dead robot later."

Mirvin helped as well and his right leg was clear within moments. Again, Frieda rubbed graphite, closed up the leg, and stood up, stretching out her back and knees. "Well, Mirvin...can you walk?"



CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Mid-afternoon

Rusty was still talking. "Celeste, you don't need to pay me. It was my pleasure to work beside you, and I look forward to it again. I meant what I said by the way. I do realize you can take care of yourself, but if someone that's Harold's size comes in here and starts throwing things around I'm not going to stand for it, that's all I'm saying. Would you like me to help with your delivery?" He gave her a disarming smile.

Celeste quivered. I wish he'd stop doing that... "If you really don't have anything else to do, then...w-well, sure. You could help me unpack. It's slow in here today," she remarked, flicking a few fingers into the diner that was completely empty except for Harlen. "You all right there, Mr. Jake? Anything I can get for you?"

Three Dog barked some nonsense and then started to play a quick song. "Oh, I love this track," Celeste smiled to herself, beginning to shimmy a little to the beat. With Rusty unpacking her delivery, she decided to turn her attention towards preparing the dinner she'd serve that night. She started to toss some of the tougher cuts of the leftover Yao Guai into a pot with some salt and some of its bones, hoping she'd be able to pull together some kind of stew.

[Becky Cox]

--Afternoon--
--Security Shack--
--Pawnee--

"So," Pawnee nervously continued, "Joe told me you'd be willing to come along with me and some of my friends as backup. Some really intimidating meat in the room. Is that alright with you? I wanted to hear you agree and not him. If it is, the posse and me are going to form up by Greyditch's outer wall at midnight, and you should join us. Make sure your armed and armored though - well armed - Scythe and his crew don't look like they mess around if you catch my drift."

Harold slowly nodded then reached under his desk. He produced a Chinese assault rifle and placed it on the desktop with a clank. He then stared at Pawnee, raising his eyebrows, as if he was asking if that was acceptable.

Man of few words. I Kind of like that. Also a little unsettling. . .

"Alright Harold," Pawnee nodded to him, "thanks. . .you got to tell me how you got those scars sometime. I've got plenty of my own, and they're always a good story."

Pawnee let himself out. He spent rest of the day in daze, walking around with little else on his mind but his impending rendezvous with death. The wait was exasperating and he just wished the day would end. He returned to his house to have another drink, just to cool his nerves, and then he scrawled out a small note and placed it on a conspicuous rubble pile next to where he slept.

Dear Freda, Brandy, and Sellest:

If ur readin this, I didnt make it and am dead or with sithe. I hope no one got hurt tri-ing 2 protect me. This was my fault and I got 2 pay 4 my own sinz.

I hope u didnt com after me Freeda. U and Brandy would make great frends so dont fight over me. Im not worth it.

Sellest - I will miss u the most. My ma'z dead, and u were like 1 2 me .

Brandy - ur still my dezert roze. I'll remembur u always

I hope I c u all in heaven.

-Pawnee

Pawnee put a small rock on top of the note so it didn't blow away.

By now it was approaching evening and he watched the first stars begin to twinkle. He idly strolled up to the front of town and saw three strange shapes walking down the road.

Two of the shapes were Frieda and Brandy. The third figure lumbering forward was too boxy and jagged to be a man. It looked like a robot.

Pawnee scratched his head.

What the [censored]?

OOC: If Mirvin doesn't walk back with you two I will edit

[Czar Kahchi]

Sue cooper – Grayditch – late afternoon

Whilst James was busy trying to modify a combat shotgun to be fired in one hand, sue had gone back outsideand towards the dinner

Celeste won't like me smoking inside, might tell James I better sit outside hehehe

sitting down on a wrecked car , Sue began smoking a cigarette whilst James had tired to encourage sue to stop smoking, saying it causes cancer or something, Sue secretly had one or two whilst James was busy or away...

I wonder if Pawnee was talking about Bittercup in the dinner, I guess she would of gone to Big town with the others by now, I should ask him later…

Finishing the cigarette, Sue walked back to the Grayditch arms to see James throwing Pieces of a shotgun into an empty Box, his project had Cleary failed

“Hello Sue I was just about to get some dinner, care to join me” James asked

Sue nodded and the both of them walked of the dinner, only Celeste, Harlen and rusty were at the dinner and Pawnee was outside, walking to the Grayditch wall

“Hello Celeste, what’s for dinner?” James asked, walking up to the counter, whilst Sue sat down in an empty booth, opened her notebook and began Writing inside

[jessica sonny]

Brandy - Capitol Wasteland - late afternoon


"Ahhh, well, that's a lot of questions at once," Frieda smiled nervously

"Sorry, that was one the reasons my brother left me at Greyditch" Brandy shook her head, I really need to stop doing that.

"I worked in Canterbury Commons doing electrical work for the town, and Uncle Roe taught me a few things about robotics. Before that I just traveled around doing contract work. Roe gave me the Grayditch flyer, since work was drying up in town, and the rest is history." Frieda shrugged. "Everything else is just...details. I found the pistol, and my electrical knowledge helps keep it in good condition."

"That's a nice gun, wished I could find one like that, this ones kinda heavy" Brandy motioned to her assault rifle.


They walked for a few more minutes when Brandy knelt down, "Frieda, its just over this little hill." She crept up and showed Frieda, "Where are you thinking is a good spot? If I had brought my grenades we could've blown it up." She giggled.


"Buck's in there," Frieda replied softly. "Besides, his brother's particularly ... angry. He'd just keep sending people out until Pawnee was brought in, I think." Brandy opened her mouth when Frieda suddenly covered it. "Shh!" she hissed, and motioned slightly with her head towards a passing Giant Radscorpion. It scuttled to within ten feet of them and paused.

OMG, OMG, were are so dead, Brandy tried to not shake. Both women laid very still until it turned and scuttled off after two very stressful minutes. "One of those chased me up a tree, one time. I was stranded for hours." Brandy was smirking. Frieda looked sheepish. "Part of bravery is knowing when to run, I suppose."


"Now," she sighed, "about that hiding spot." Frieda squinted into the distance. The best option was what remained of a ruined building -- a slab of upright concrete and what would appear to be the remnants of a door frame. "I think that's the best spot." She poked her finger over the hill to point towards the wall. "It's not as close to the house as I wanted, but beggars can't be choosers. We'll approach it in our disguises."

Brandy looked to the slab of concrete, "Can we even shoot from that far?"

They slid back down the hill, out of sight of the main road again. "Unless you can see something better...let's head back to Mirvin, get his leg and foot back on, and back to town."


"That looks like its about it, like you said." Brandy answered, "Maybe James has a sniper rifle, I have quite a few things at home to trade, just a thought." She finished as they started walking back to work on Mirvin, "



Super Duper Mart - early evening



"Mirvin," Brandy call in, "we're back!" the women went straight back to Mirvin.

"Brandy, I'll need your help, now. I know it's heavy, but can you prop up this leg of his, while I try to reconnect it?" Frieda frowned.

Brandy picked up a shelf laying on the floor, and an old toolbox that was next to it, "Here" Brandy said as she sat the toolbox next to the leg, "lets slide this under it, put the shelf on top of the box, and his leg here, we will be able to move it alot easier." Frieda helped Brandy prop the leg onto the shelf.

"Any idea where that foot is...?" asked Frieda while glancing around.

"Here, this must be it," Brandy said, pushing Mirvin's foot along the floor with her toe.

"Brandy, I'd be lost without you, today," Frieda smiled. She reconnected the foot as best she could but didn't see anywhere to add some graphite. As a final thought, she opened up his right leg and was glad she did -- there was considerable buckshot jammed in the main piston and smaller gears. "Brandy, help me pick this stuff out, and then hopefully we'll be able to get Mirvin back to town. We'll have to come back for the dead robot later."

A broad smile crossed her face at the compliment, "Theres alot of [censored] in there, what's the pencil for? I see you scribbling on stuff inside his joints" Brandy curiously asked, while they picked the buckshot out from Mirvins leg, "are you OK Mirvin, does it hurt?" placing her free hand on the side of his head.

"Well, Mirvin...can you walk?" said Frieda with Brandy standing at her side.

[Wayne Cole]

Mirvin. Super Duper Mart. Early evening.

Mirvin sat in the dim supermarket, slowly plucking metal slugs from his bodywork with the pliers. After he had completed this task he placed the pliers on the floor and picked up the screwdriver Miss Frieda had placed beside him. A faint whirring sound whined from behind his faceplate as his camera eye rotated to focus on his gun arm. Mirvin began tightening screws, refastening as much of the reloading mechanism as he could.

The raiders had clearly spent a great deal of time trying to pry it from his arm and had caused a great deal of damage to it. All of the shells that it had held were gone and the shotgun itself, attatched at the end of his right arm, bore the clear marks of a crowbar. Once the screws were all tightened Mirvin used the srewdver to scraqe away the grime and grit that had become jammed in it. Once it was mostly clean Mirvin attempted to open the shotgun. The servos in the mechanism whined, but the shotgun didn't open. Mirvin used the screwdriver to lever a piece of buckshot from underneath.

With a metallic crack the gun fell open, revealing two shells still inside. the servos whirred again as the shotgun clacked closed again. Mirvin was abruptly aware that footsteps were approaching, he aimed his gun towards the sound.

"Mirvin," Miss Brandy call in, "we're back!" She and Miss frieda went straight back to Mirvin.

"Hello Miss Brandy, Miss Frieda. I apologise but I was unable to repair myself to you specifications. I am however now mostly clear of shrapnel."

"Brandy, I'll need your help, now. I know it's heavy, but can you prop up this leg of his, while I try to reconnect it?" Miss Frieda frowned.

After the two women had worked on him for quite some time, they managed to re-attatch Mirvin's damaged appendages. At one point Miss Brandy stopped in her work, plucking the remaining buckshot from his arm and turned to look directly at Mirvin's faceplate "Are you OK Mirvin, does it hurt?" placing her free hand on the side of his head.

"I am quite well Miss Brandy, thank you for your concern, but I am quite incapable of feeling pain. Though if I were capable then I am sure I would still prefer that to the many pieces of metal that have been removed so far remaining within my body."

"Well, Mirvin...can you walk?" Miss Frieda asked, standing beside Miss Brandy."

"I shall certainly try." He replied, slowly lurching forward and managing to get his feet beneath him. After a great deal of clumsy rocking and clanking he finally managed to stand before the two women. He then waddled a few hesitant steps. "It would appear that I can Miss Frieda. Thank you for your assistance, I still have many faults with my systems and hardware, but this is clearly a great improvement. Now, is there anyway in which I may assist you? I will have to move slowly though, my foot is still fairly loose and I fear that if I move too rapidly I will be forced to perform the rest of my task hopping."

[Kate Murrell]

(OOC: LONG UPDATES AGAIN...also, Surfer, what is up with that note? Not even one nice thing to say to Frieda? Tsk tsk.)

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Late Afternoon to Early Evening

Celeste wiped her hands on a towel and looked around the diner. Empty. She smiled at Rusty who was leaning on the bar, tapping his foot to the music.

"Rusty, I hope you don't mind, I'm going to go see Harold for a minute." She sauntered out of the diner and approached the security shack. Celeste smoothed out her skirt before knocking on the door, then opening it. "Harold? Are you in here?"

She peered in. Harold was doing one-handed push-ups in the middle of the floor. "Hi, Harold! I haven't seen you for a couple of days. You're looking ... well," she grinned. "Put your shirt on and come with me."

Harold seemed to hesitate but complied.

"So...a bounty hunter, huh?" she continued, trying to make a little conversation with the very large man. "Pawnee's so young. What on earth could he ever have done to have earned a bounty? I just can't imagine. Ah, here we are." Celeste confidently walked up to the front door of Frank's house and knocked.

"Frank! Open up, Harold's here for a haircut and shave!" She turned to Harold and hoped he wouldn't run -- there was no way she'd catch him. "You'd look so handsome after a nice trim, Harold, don't you think? A nice shave, too. You deserve some pampering, you work so hard all the time, hmm?"

The door popped open and Celeste grabbed Harold's arm and pulled with all her strength to get Harold to go inside. "Get yourself all gussied up and dinner will be ready in the diner by the time you come out."

Harold took a couple steps inside. Celeste pulled the door shut. Satisfied with herself, she nearly skipped back to Joe's house. Celeste let herself in and leaned her back against the door.

Joe was sitting on his ruined couch, clearly wrapped up in some mental reverie. "Oh, hi Celeste."

Celeste made a point to sway her hips in a particular fashion over to the couch. "Hi, Joe. Harold's off having a haircut."

"So?"

"...so..." Celeste wagged her eyebrows and nodded towards the upstairs.

Twenty minutes later, Celeste stepped into the dusk that was beginning to overcome the town. She straightened her hair and hoped her face wasn't too flushed. "Sorry I took so long, Rusty. I had a few things to ... talk about with Joe." She picked up a spoon and stirred her cream-of-Yao-Guai stew.

“Hello Celeste, what’s for dinner?” James asked, walking up to the counter, whilst Sue sat down in an empty booth, opened he notebook and began writing.

"A new recipe," she chirped in response. "Cream of Yao Guai stew, ala Celeste Brown. I hope it turns out okay. Rusty manned the pot for a little while there," she winked. Rusty scowled. "Oh come on, Rusty, just a little tease."

The sound of metallic clanking was echoing into town. "I wonder what that is," she mumbled, turning the volume dial on the radio back up.


FRIEDA ~~ Captial Wasteland/Grayditch ~~ Evening

"I shall certainly try." Mirvin stood and rocked dangerously back and forth as his systems attempted to balance his weight out properly. He then waddled a few hesitant steps. "It would appear that I can Miss Frieda. Thank you for your assistance, I still have many faults with my systems and hardware, but this is clearly a great improvement. Now, is there anyway in which I may assist you? I will have to move slowly though, my foot is still fairly loose and I fear that if I move too rapidly I will be forced to perform the rest of my task hopping."

"The rest of our errands are finished, all we have to do is go back into town. We have many more resources and people who can help get you fixed up." And at least one simple-minded diner operator who will likely adopt you as a son. "...and lives. We have those, too."

The walk back from the Super Duper Mart was excruciatingly slow. Frieda had explained to Brandy that she rubbed the pencil onto Mirvin's joints because the graphite is a makeshift lubricant. It would have to do until she found a more suitable grease of sorts.

The walk was physically slow, but made to feel much more so as she listened to Brandy and Mirvin constantly banter back and forth. She wanted some quiet. She wanted some time with Pawnee before...

The sun had set by the time they passed the wall on their way into town. Frieda had to fight the urge to dash straight into town. She became more and more anxious with the thought that Pawnee and his crew would have already left to stake out some hiding spot in the wasteland before going to see Scythe. Near the diner, a familiar figure stood staring at their approach. She grinned, despite herself.

"Brandy," she began, without even turning to look at the other woman, "how about you take Mirvin, well, where ever he'd be comfortable for the night. He seems to like you." She picked up her pace and broke away from the group.

Why does it feel like I won't be coming home like this again? Frieda stopped just in front of Pawnee, wanting to hug him, kiss him, and slap him all at once. She swallowed. "I...found a robot," was all she could manage. Wow, Frieda. Awkward, much? "Want to catch some dinner, or..." just run away with me, forever? We can start right now, we'll be in Canada in a few days and just take a straight line to the prairies, we can join a tribe, make our own tribe, hell, re-establish the Enclave, you know, whatever "...just go look at the stars?"

[Dustin Brown]

Ryler North--Clinic--Morning

The wounded man grunted for his attention. Ryler ran to his side, kneeling by the bed.

"Sir?" The man seemed stable, "I'm Ryler, the town medic. Frank brought you here. May I ask for your name?" Ryler stood up and poured a glass of water, almost asking what had happened, but forced himself to stop. Handing the glass of water to him, Ryler asked, "Can you stand?" Moving his index finger in front of the engineers eyes to follow.

Opening the cabinet, there sat ine last box if Insta-Mash. The engineer needed it more than Ryler did now. Boiling water, Ryler ripped the cardboard box off and peeled the plastic covering. He poured in the boiled water then let it set.

It wasn't exactly the best Insta-Mash he'd seen, but he was a medic, not a cook. "Here, have this. You need it. If you want, you may stay here until you get house." That reminded him. He needed a house too. "Joe's the man you want to talk to. He's the dark-eyed, dark-haired one. He can be seen with Harold, a giant muscle man." Ryler passed a smile, "Anyways, I need to grab some supplies. I'm running our of pills and whatnot."

Ryler North--Metro--Afternoon

Rubble lay around the tunnel mouth, litter and more litter decorated the entrance. This place really needs some cleaning up. He had hoped some supplies were in the old Metro offices. His medi-kit slung around his back, Ryler whipped out his pistol. Who knew what lurked in there, but he certainly didn't want to return a beaten pulp like Pawnee and Jordan, his life skimmed by the skin of his teeth.

Walking down the steps, with dips in the middle where many had walked in the past years. He came to a weathered and rusted gate. To his suprise, it didn't swing open with a light touch as he expected. Giving it a kick, the gate swung back violently.


Inside, it was cloaked in semi-darkness, an eriee feel washed over him. Ryler felt his heart thump against his chest, the blood pulsenating through his temple. Something was off about this Metro. He swallowed, waiting for his eyes to adjust. Walking forwards, looking for door the enter, his sneakered feet hitting the floor and breath seemed to not be alone. Not alone. The thought tormented him.

In the distance, a wimper and cry choked back on itself, trying to keep quiet. The hairs pricked up on the back of his neck, the air dense with fear. He followed the noise, careful to take small, quiet steps. He could hear it more clearly now, the crying voice being calmed by a fatherly tone. The fatherly tone tried to shed hope to the crying one.

Curiosity urged him to open to door. It was made of metal, and clanged against his kick. His fingers searched of a latch; the cold metal seemed a stronghold. At last he found it. He pulled the lever, and the door retracted into it's frame. Inside, was a large circular room, a large pillar stood in the middle.

Then he saw it. No, not it. Them. Ryler felt his jaw drop. People were dressed in dirty rags, wimpering, screaming and crying. What were they doing here, not far from Grayditch? Surely Celeste and Joe would've shed their kindness and let these people in, right?

Something sparked his suspicions. If they were so afraid, why did they not leave? Did he barged in their home? No, of course he didn't otherwise they'd have shown hostility or hospitality. Why didn't they just leave? His heart dropped, unless the door was locked from the inside.

The suprised man stood there gaping. Then, realising how intimidating he looked with his gun in the semi darkeness, he put it away. He slowly approached the people. They backed away. If they were being kept by someone, could they not just attack them?

"I'm not here to do harm. Let me help you." He swung the bag over his head, "Please, you have to trust me."

The sight of these people struck his heart, he felt uneasy, but at the same time, mercy flooded him.

"I will help you." He repeated.

[Louise Andrew]

Jordan Argero

The medic came running to Jordan's side when he grunted. He had mumbled something, but Jordan could barely hear him; it sounded like his voice was being covered by a rag. The medic had left the room for a second and some back with a pot of food, if you could call if that. Jordan wolfed it down despite the texture. The man mumbled some more, then left. Jordan made out two things: talk to Harold for a house, and that they needed supplies. Jordan could help the town with their supply problem, if that's what the medic meant. Jordan had done it before, helped towns, that is. But in order for him to help the town, he needed to get a house first. The medic left again, and Jordan closed his eyes, and slept. He slept for a long time, and it was a peaceful sleep. He felt safe, for the first time in a long while.

[Andres Lechuga]

Harlen Jake

Celeste's Diner - Mid to Late Afternoon

Harlen had drifted back off to memory after he told his story...

The old man sit in the darkness of his prison. He was forty four at the time, and what some might consider all alone. The middle agked man wasn't alone however. Jake had the spirit with him to keep him company.

The man started to worship inside his prison. He started off slowly and grew louder in a crescendo. Harlen began in a whisper, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, i once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see*..."

The man grew just a bit louder in volume, "'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved, how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed*..."

Harlen got to his knees and extended in open arms. He grew in volume once more, "My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God, my savior has ransomed, and like a flood, his mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace...*"

Jake was loud enough now he awoke the man on guard duty. "The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures, his will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures...*"

Harlen heard a voice within his mind, Close your eyes. The man listened.

The door flew open and the armed guard came in and and dragged Harlen from the room and into the sun of the day. The guard growled at the malnourished man, "Shut it, you scab."

Harlan kept singing however, "My chains are gone, I've been set free, my God my savior has ransomed me, and like a flood his mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace."

The guard punched Harlen in the face. Iit felt like a brick to the malnourished man, but he continued to sing, "The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine, but God, who called me here below will be forever mine, will be forever mine, you are forever mine."

The guard threw Harlen in front of a throne.

Sitting in the booth, Harlen was unaware he was humming the old tune taught by his mother, and tweaked by his mentor.

Harlen kept his eyes closed while before the throne. The light nearly blinded him even with his lids shut. He raised his hand to protect his eyes further.

A bald man sat on a throne. He had a head full of teeth, and a scar through his left eye. He leaned to on the left armrest and spoke with a calm, smooth, but deceitful voice. "Harlen, why are you brought before my throne this day?"

The light had adjusted to his eyes, but he kept them closed as not to give the hubris men satisfaction. "Oh, you know Luci, just singin' to my God, is all."

Luci looked to the guard with shocked expression, "What the hell? He was just singing. Why do you waste my time by bringing him before me?"

The guard was dumbfounded, "He was singing strange things, 'bout and earth changing to snow or soemthin'. He said his chains were gone."

The man on the throne wiped his face and pointed with a knife hand. "Look at him, he doesn't have nor need chains, [censored] idiot." He turned his attention back to Harlen, "I do apologize for that outburst of anger, I'm struggling with incompetent guardsmen."

The man of faith chuckled, "Hehah! That ain't all you strugglin' with, Lucifer."

Lucifer shook his head with a scowl on his face, and shooed the prisoner away, "Take him back to isolation. For pity's sake do not bring him back to me if he sings, and do not shoot him. I swear that if you do I will slowly hang you. It he singe just knock him out with the but of your weapon."

The guard nodded and drug the prisoner back to his cell.

Harlen was thrown in like a dog to his pen. He opened his eyes only the be blinded by darkness again. The door slammed shut-

"You all right there, Mr. Jake? Anything I can get for you?" Harlen looked to his left when Celeste asked this.

It took him a few moments to realize where he was. He looked around and nothing seemed familiar for a quick minute. Realization struck his face, "Oh..."

He looked back to Celeste, "Could I, uh, just have some good 'ol water please?" He tapped his fingers together to keep his mind from straying.

-

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Mid to Late Afternoon

Rusty did as told. He got to work putting away all the items mentioned away. He smiled as he eyed Celeste like he knew something she didn't.

Valentine wondered if she felt at all the same way he did. He liked her, and he knew it, but she was fairly decent at hiding any feelings, if there were any.

He looked away and didn't speak. Rusty blushed a bit, and he could tell. The man hoped that it could all be dumbed down to just the heat, and hoped that Celeste couldn't tell.

Celeste asked Harlen if she could get him anything. The man's father didn't answer at first. Rusty looked to see what was going on. Harlen looked at the man with a pitiful curiosity. His father looked out of place. This worried Rusty a tad, but he didn't fret. Valentine got back to work with worry in his eyes.

She got him his water before she asked Rusty to watch the diner. He did it gladly.

*Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

[Czar Kahchi]

Brandy - Greyditch - evening


"I shall certainly try." Mirvin answered Frieda. Brandy stood, watching nervously as Mirvin stood and rocked dangerously back and forth as his systems attempted to balance his weight out properly. He then waddled a few hesitant steps. "It would appear that I can Miss Frieda. Thank you for your assistance, I still have many faults with my systems and hardware, but this is clearly a great improvement. Now, is there anyway in which I may assist you? I will have to move slowly though, my foot is still fairly loose and I fear that if I move too rapidly I will be forced to perform the rest of my task hopping."

Walking back to Greyditch, Brandy and Mirvin talked practically the entire way. Brandy asked the poor robot question after question, "Look Mirvin, here we are, Greyditch. I think you will like it here, alot of nice people." Brandy chirped

As they passed the wall on the way in, ""Brandy," Frieda began, without even turning to look at her, "how about you take Mirvin, well, where ever he'd be comfortable for the night. He seems to like you." She picked up her pace and broke away from the group.

"Really, Mirvin, you can stay at my house. We will goto the diner first though so you can meet Celeste." Brandy's voice ran with excitement. She watched Frieda run up to Pawnee, her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. "Mirvin, I think you will like Celeste, she's a real good person" Brandy stopped for a second and looked at Mirvins faceplate, choking back tears "I don't suppose you can fix a broken heart? . . .We are almost there."

Mirvin and Brandy entered the diner, though the excitement had left her voice, she attempted to sound cheery, "Hey Celeste, look what Frieda and I found, his name is Mirvin. We had to put him back together so he could come home with us. Mirvin that is Celeste, those people over there are James and Sue, that's Rusty and I believe his father Harlen." pointing at each person while rattling off their names. "Can I get two shots of whiskey, please Celeste?"

The look on Celeste's face brought a smile to Brandy's, she quickly downed the two shots. After letting Mirvin meet everyone for a few minutes, a tear ran down her cheek, she cleared her throat, sniffled, "Come on Mirvin, my house is just down there " motioning across the intersection, "Thanks Celeste, I'd stay, but I just can't right now." putting caps on the counter for her drinks, she stood up and grabbed Mirvin's metal hand, "let's go buddy" wiping the tears from hers eyes.

"Mirvin, I'm going to run upstairs and get my blanket, I'll be right back just, get comfortable", she trudged up the stairs. She decided to take her mattress downstairs to, sliding it down the stairs with a bunch of rapid thuds as it hit the steps, "I'm going to sleep down here with you" Brandy placed the mattress right next to Mirvin, fetching her toolbox from the kitchen, she placed it on the other side of him, "I have more tools to help put you back together right, and what I don't have, I'm sure Frieda does." Shuffling to the mattress, she sat down and took a drink of water, "I really enjoyed talking on our way home Mirvin, if you like it here, you can stay as long as you would like, your are more than welcome here. . . .sometimes I wish that I didn't feel emotions either, it really svcks." Brandy laid back on the mattress, tears falling down past her ears thinking of what could happen when Pawnee goes to see Scythe. "I just wish I could give him a hug, that's all, just a hug." she mumbled, trying to fall asleep.

[Tracey Duncan]

James wilson – Celeste dinner – lafternoon
"A new recipe," she chirped in response. "Cream of Yao Guai stew, ala Celeste Brown. I hope it turns out okay. Rusty manned the pot for a little while there," she winked. Rusty scowled. "Oh come on, Rusty, just a little tease."

“that sounds (pause) nice … Celeste” I hope it tastes better that it sounds

The sound of metallic clanking was echoing into town. "I wonder what that is," she mumbled, turning the volume dial on the radio back up.

James sat down in his booth with Sue, James was about to ask what she was wirting when a small robot and Brandy entered the diner

So that were she has been doing all day, looks like she found an assault rifle as well

"Hey Celeste, look what Frieda and I found, his name is Mirvin. We had to put him back together so he could come home with us. Mirvin that is Celeste, those people over there are James and Sue, that's Rusty and I believe his father Harlen." pointing at each person while rattling off their names. "Can I get two shots of whiskey, please Celeste?"

Mirvin , what a odd name for a robot

Getting out of his booth James walked over to the robot “ hello Mirivn welcome to Grayditch, you look like you came along way... ”

James looked at Mirivn for a minute, It’s right hand/claw has been replaced with a sawn-off shotgun, it’s faceplate has a bluish tinge to it and the body section had various bullet holes and spraypaint on it.. god dam this robot has been though a lot…

“you look like your been though alot; Mirvin if you want, you could come by my store tomorrow “the Garyditch arms” and I might be able to “upgrade” that shotgun of yours” James chuckled as he walked back to his booth...

"Not long now Sue" James said whilst Brandy and Mirvin left the dinner

----
*edited post to show that Mirvin & brandy had left the dinner

[Pete Schmitzer]

Jordan Argero

Jordan awoke from his peaceful slumber feeling better than he had in a long time. He swung his feet off the mattress and slowly stood up. He had regained movement in his legs. He leaned heavily on the wall, and soon came across a crutch. Jordan then switched his weight to the crutch, and was able to get around much faster. He made his way into the kitchen, and found a piece of paper and a pencil. Jordan wrote on it.

Dear Mr. Medic,
Thank you for all your hospitality in healing me. I can not thank you enough. I have left all the money I have inside this letter, and I hope it is enough to pay you back. If not, I am seeking a job somewhere in town, so I will be able to pay you back shortly. I will come back and visit occasionally, but I hope you see you around town sometime. Thank you for everything,
Jordan Argero

Jordan put all the caps he had on him inside the letter, folded it, and limped back into the room he had come from, leaning heavily on the crutch. He set the note on the bed, and stumbled slowly out of the house. He closed the door behind him as he left, and stared out into the gleaming sunlight. He shielded his eyes, as he hadn't seen daylight in at least four days. He walked towards another building, what the medic had mentioned was the diner. He entered slowly and cautiously, trying not to surprise anyone. He entered the bar.

"Hello, I'm new in town. Could anyone tell me where I am exactly?"

[Hayley O'Gara]

OOC: When was I invested with such authority?

--Evening--
--Greyditch Outer Wall--
--Pawnee--

Pawnee watched as Frieda, Brandy, and the hulking robot came before him.

"Brandy," Frieda said, keeping her eyes locked on Pawnee, "how about you take Mirvin, well, where ever he'd be comfortable for the night. He seems to like you."

Frieda broke away from the girl and machine and shuffled over to Pawnee, stopping dead in her tracks in front of him

“Mirvin huh?” Pawnee grinned at her.

"I...found a robot," Frieda said dumbly, "Want to catch some dinner, or... just go look at the stars?"

Pawnee stared up at the sky. It was well past dusk now.

“Looking at the stars would be nice. Here,” he grabbed Frieda’s hand and led her into town, “let’s go to my place for one more time then.”

The two made their way down Greydicth’s main drag, holding hands like teenage lovers. When they reached Pawnee’s house, he playfully chased Frieda up the stairs and then sprawled out on his bed roll.

Frieda joined Pawnee and he produced a bottle of whiskey that was two thirds empty and a fat, uneven cigarette. He lit the cigarette and passed Frieda the alcohol.

Pawnee took a toke on the cig and began to cough, “I mixed that stuff that Drifter was always going on about into this. Vegas Baby or something. . .whatever happened to that crazy old coot? Guess he just wandered off. Must have gotten the name Drifter for a reason.”

Pawnee offered the cigarette to Frieda and had some whiskey for himself. He cuddled up next to her as the drugs kicked in. Overhead, the sky was aglow with stars and the full moon.

“I guess you’ve never had your heart broken,” Pawnee kissed Frieda on the neck and then turned back to the sky, “or if you did, you wouldn’t remember it. I have – only once – but it hurt real bad. Worse that getting shot, or branded, or anything else someone can do to your body. The thing about heartache is, it never quite heals. Always a sore muscle in there. You can fill your heart up with new love but the old scars and scratches still ache in bad weather.”

What am I talking about? I know what I’m talking about. I shouldn’t be talking about it – I’m here with Frieda. What does she care? Why does this still affect me so much?

“You know what Bittercup used to say to me?” Pawnee pointed up at the moon. The Milky Way seemed to swirl around it from his high, “she’d say that no matter how far away from someone you are you can always see the same moon as them. That always sounded dumb to me. . .but I think I kind of get it. Wherever Cree is now, wherever Bittercup is, wherever Drifter is – they could be looking up at the moon too, seeing the same moon we are. In a way we’re still together, still connected, every time we look up. Distance doesn’t matter.

Pawnee turned and smiled warmly at Frieda. He then sunk into himself and for a moment it looked like he might cry.

“I – I miss Bittercup. Such a dumb thing to say to you a few hours before I might die but that’s the truth. I love you, but she and I were peas in a pod. . .do you. . .do you think there’s only one person in the world that’s really right for you? One person that's a perfect fit for you? That you're fated to be with?”

[Alexandra walker]

(OOC: always modest, Surfer...you run this joint and you know it ...and weak post is weak.)

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Evening

“That sounds...nice, Celeste," James said, raising an eyebrow.

Celeste had turned to stir the pot once more. Brandy's voice called out from behind her.

"Hey Celeste, look what Frieda and I found, his name is Mirvin. We had to put him back together so he could come home with us. Mirvin that is Celeste, those people over there are James and Sue, that's Rusty and I believe his father Harlen." pointing at each person while rattling off their names. "Can I get two shots of whiskey, please Celeste?"

"H-hello, Mirvin," Celeste replied cautiously. She wondered if Brandy had ordered the second whiskey for the robot. She poured the drinks and slid them over to Brandy, who knocked them right back. "Rough day, honey?" she asked.

A very tall man cautiously entered the diner. He looked like he'd been through an ordeal. "Hello, I'm new in town. Could anyone tell me where I am exactly?"

Celeste gave me a wide, warm smile. "Hi there, you're in Grayditch! I'm Celeste Brown, and this is my diner. Can I get you anything to eat or drink? Have a seat anywhere, hmm?"

She looked back at Mirvin. It spoke like it was a person, but...it just wasn't. "Brandy and Frieda found you, huh? ...do...you want something to eat...?" she asked, completely unsure of herself. She leaned over and nudged Rusty. "Just, um, keep an eye on him, please?"


FRIEDA ~~ Grayditch/Pawnee's bachelor pad ~~ Evening

“Looking at the stars would be nice. Here,” he grabbed Frieda’s hand and pulled her into town, “let’s go to my place for one more time then.”

Pawnee's roofless loft was cool and breezy. After spending the majority of the day in the sun, and the dusty, disgusting Super Duper Mart, the crisp evening air was very refreshing. Pawnee dove onto his bed roll. Frieda could tell he'd already been drinking when she had got closer to him and could smell it on his breath. I suppose if anyone deserves a drink tonight, it's him. She settled next to him and kicked her boots off with her toes as he pulled out a bottle and a funny looking cigarette. He passed her the bottle but she eyed it warily and didn't drink.

Pawnee took a toke on the cig and began to cough, “I mixed that stuff that Drifter was always going on about into this. Vegas Baby or something. . .whatever happened to that crazy old coot? Guess he just wandered off. Must have gotten the name Drifter for a reason.” He offered the cigarette to Frieda and had some whiskey for himself and nestled up to her. She couldn't help but smile. It was overwhelmingly comfortable there, next to him.

She took a tentative puff. The herbal tobacco tasted okay. She took a bigger puff and spluttered and coughed, the smoke burning the back of her throat. Frieda passed it back to Pawnee who had started talking again. “I guess you’ve never had your heart broken,” Pawnee kissed Frieda on the neck and then turned back to the sky, “or if you did, you wouldn’t remember it. I have – only once – but it hurt real bad. Worse that getting shot, or branded, or anything else someone can do to your body. The thing about heartache is, it never quite heals. Always a sore muscle in there. You can fill your heart up with new love but the old scars and scratches still ache in bad weather.”

There's my chatty drunk. She took a deep breath but did not respond.

“You know what Bittercup used to say to me?” Pawnee pointed up at the moon. “She’d say that no matter how far away from someone you are you can always see the same moon as them. That always sounded dumb to me. . .but I think I kind of get it. Wherever Cree is now, wherever Bittercup is, wherever Drifter is – they could be looking up at the moon too, seeing the same moon we are. In a way we’re still together, still connected, every time we look up. Distance doesn’t matter."

Pawnee turned and smiled warmly at Frieda. She returned his gaze, and smile, starting to feel a little lightheaded. "That's a really sweet kind of idea." His expression changed, then. Uh oh.

“I – I miss Bittercup. Such a dumb thing to say to you a few hours before I might die but that’s the truth. I love you, but she and I were peas in a pod. . .do you. . .do you think there’s only one person in the world that’s really right for you? One person that's a perfect fit for you? That you're fated to be with?”

Frieda was quiet for a long while. She took a deep swig off the whiskey and cringed as she swallowed it. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him close, but it was no use. She was certain that no matter how much she smoked or drank that night, she probably wouldn't feel much of any buzz. Better than being hungover and ending up sleeping in, anyways, I guess.

She kissed his head and took a breath. "Pawnee, I don't know much about romantic things like that. I know I fought with myself -- and hard -- to resist feeling anything for you. Maybe I've been hurt in the past, I don't know. Maybe I'll never know." She sighed. "It's...better that way. That she fills that part of your soul, I mean. I'm not whole. My entire past is missing, and it's probably horrible. It's...it's probably why I don't stay anywhere very long, usually."

You're babbling. And boring. "Let's talk about something else. Where did you get your tattoo?" She rolled over and propped herself up on her elbow and looked into those gorgeous brown eyes of his. They were cloudy with substance but Frieda thought they were perfect. Better stop that. "Can I have one?" She plucked the cigarette out of his fingers and took another long toke, being careful to take it in and out slowly to try and avoid coughing.

She grinned and traced a finger up from his navel, across his chest, and to his chin. "You can't pass out until you tell me what time you're leaving tomorrow. Please? Don't...don't just leave. I'd never forgive you." Frieda flung her hand up towards the moon with a dramatic wave. "I would stare up at that moon every night and curse at it until the day I die!" The more she spoke, the sillier she felt. Must be that smoke.

[Beat freak]

--Evening--
--Pawnee's House--
--Pawnee--

Frieda was quiet for a long while. She took a deep swig of whiskey and cringed as she swallowed it. She wrapped her arms around Pawnee's shoulders and hugged him close

Pawnee reveled in her warmth.

Frieda kissed his head. "Pawnee, I don't know much about romantic things like that. I know I fought with myself -- and hard -- to resist feeling anything for you. Maybe I've been hurt in the past, I don't know. Maybe I'll never know." She sighed. "It's...better that way. That she fills that part of your soul, I mean. I'm not whole. My entire past is missing, and it's probably horrible. It's...it's probably why I don't stay anywhere very long, usually."

“I don’t think you’re capable of doing anything horrible, Frieda,” Pawnee rubbed her back, “I can read people pretty well, and you’re one of the most caring women I’ve ever known.”

"Let's talk about something else,” Frieda smiled, trying to lighten the mood, “Where did you get your tattoo?"

“Cree gave it to me after our parents were killed,” Pawnee licked his teeth, “we all tattooed the same design on each other. Supposed to bond us together closer as brothers.”

Frieda cocked her head at Pawnee, now puffing on the laced cigarette. She slowly exhaled its blue smoke and put it away, running her hand along Pawnee’s chest, up to his chin.

"You can't pass out until you tell me what time you're leaving tomorrow. Please? Don't...don't just leave. I'd never forgive you." Frieda flung her hand up towards the moon with a dramatic wave. "I would stare up at that moon every night and curse at it until the day I die!"

Pawnee smiled, “I can’t pass out anyway. I’m going at midnight, tonight, with Harlan and the others,” he snuggled up next to Frieda, wrapping her in his arms, “this – this is how I want to spend the rest of my night though. If I got to choose how to spend my last night on Earth, It’d be just like this. Just like this.”

Pawnee and Frieda lay together without speaking until eleven o’clock. They’d sat there quiet for so long that Pawnee wasn’t even sure if Frieda was awake anymore – she’d been hitting the cigarette pretty hard. He kissed her cheek and slowly rolled away from her and stood up.

“I’m going now,” Pawnee whispered in her ear, “hopefully I’ll be back in one piece in a few hours.”

Pawnee left his house and went over to Frieda’s to get her gold coins and his power armor. He had to jimmy the door-lock with a piece of scrap metal to get in, but did so without damaging the lock, and no one around seemed to notice. He put the armor on piece by piece with a deliberate calm like he was a samurai readying himself for battle. Once he finished, he studied his reflection in the visor of his helmet with admiration.

“I'm coming for you, Buck.”

Frieda hadn’t told him where she had stashed the gold, so he searched her house frantically for it for quite a while. He didn't find the coins, but did find a key to her shop. Remembering that she'd stowed his armor there before for safekeeping, he took the key and walked over to Spark and Flame.

He found the coins inside of a small pouch in Frieda's locker.

Pawnee took the one coin he needed and then headed out to the town wall.

He waited there for Harlan, James, Sue, and Harold to arrive, nervously pacing and fiddling with his assault rifle.

[suniti]

"Hi there, you're in Grayditch! I'm Celeste Brown, and this is my diner. Can I get you anything to eat or drink? Have a seat anywhere, hmm?"

"Um, Hi Ms. Brown. I was actually looking for some kind of work, I'm low on caps right now. I met the medic, well, sort of. You see, my squad and I were attacked by a ferocious pack of Deathclaws a while back, and I came here to seek refuge. As far as I know, the rest of my squad was wiped out. So, I'm looking for a semi permanent place to stay. I can help a lot with different things around town; our squad used to go around and help found towns, and get them off the ground, so I know a little about living off the land and getting structures up, and-- Oh, sorry to bore you.."
Jordan looked down at his shoes. He did this sometimes, when he tried to explain something to someone. He wasn't the best speaker, but he could go on for hours.