[Eddie Howe]

OOC: There was an explosion at a shop down the road , luckily no-one was hurt.- Real life not RP

James wilson – Celeste’s dinner – morning

Celeste, Rusty and Bandy hnd entered the dinner but only Brandy had noticed that James and Sue were aready inside and said "Good morning Sue, James"

“ morning Brandy “ james replied , with Sue nodding aswell

--

Whilst Celeste had been making the coffee she had been taking to Rusty about Harlen and how he had abandoned Rusty when he was 17 years old, it was also clear that Celeste was unaware they were related….

OH!" she exclaimed. "Harlen is your father? I didn't know that." She poured some coffee grounds into the machine and snapped open a bottle of water. "At least you knew your father, and you have him back, now."

--
After Celeste had finished speaking to Rusty James walked over towards him..

“Rusty , I think you should make up with your father, or you may wake up tomorrow and find him dead in his bed and for the rest of your life you will reget never making up with him… “ James said

“Especially now that a [censored] or some [censored] raiders are outside town beating the [censored] out of people, weres is Joe anyway , isn’t it his job to stop this kind of [censored] “

[Betsy Humpledink]

Harlen Jake

Greyditch - Frieda's House - Morning

"Listen here, Harlan," Pawnee painfully began, "you say Cree hired you to kill me, and I'm a little confused why you would take the job if you weren't intending to carry it out. I don't want anyone to get hurt over me, Frieda especially," he eyed her and smiled, "or my dog, Buck. There were three bounty hunters that I saw, one had a scythe. They're holding onto Buck until I get back to them. I've got two days."

Pawnee coughed up a little blood and then spoke anew.

"If they see me coming back with anyone by my side, Buck's as a good as dead, and these were some bad hombres, so even with you and Frieda at my side, I doubt we could take them on without someone getting hurt. . .and that's exactly what I don't want. . .so how's this? I'll take up your offer for help, but you give me some time to think about how I want you to help?" Pawnee tried to smile, "and let me heal a bit too. It hurts like hell just standing here, and the painkillers give me cotton mouth. . .Frieda can you get me some water?"

Pawnee began to cough again.

"I didn't exactly take the job. It was just given to me, and it gave me something to do, which you get to my age thats all you ask for really. I was planning on talking to you, getting your side of the story. All i would have done is bring you to Cree and mediate this, to where you live and he gets what he wanted. Then "farmer death" showed up with his scythe and that was when plans changed to me keeping you alive. These three remind me of a group called the sandmen. I heard about them on my travels, they aren't the best of folk to be tangled with. I never met them, but they might've heard of me. I've been doing this a lot longer than them."

Harlen stroked his beard, "You've got two days to return, that gives us plenty of time to form a plan. I don't want anyone hurt, even yer' dog, ol' Buck. We might possibly also have my son, Rusty. Y'all don't believe me yet, but I am doing this out of the goodness of my heart. N' yes, I have a heart."

-

Rusty Valentine

Greyditch - Celeste's Diner - Morning

“Rusty , I think you should make up with your father, or you may wake up tomorrow and find him dead in his bed and for the rest of your life you will reget never making up with him… “ James said

“Especially now that a [censored] or some [censored] raiders are outside town beating the [censored] out of people, weres is Joe anyway , isn’t it his job to stop this kind of [censored] “

"Ha, that's a funny thing to say James, as I'd probably be the one to kill him. Don't know if I'll ever forgive that bastard." It made Rusty think though. He did come back into my life, should I forgive him?

[Marcus Jordan]

Brandy - Celestes Diner - early morning

“ morning Brandy “ james replied , with Sue nodding aswell


The man in black closed his eyes in annoyance, He turned to her and gently forced a smile, "Hi, I'm Rusty valentine, and you, well your that female that was on Frieda's doorstep. Huh, you're doing better for yourself then. That old geezer you saw at the front door, that was Harlen Jake. He's a no good sonuva[censored], and yes, I'm biased."

Wow, um ok sorry I asked

Rusty then asked her politely, "Brandy, could uh, you give me and Celeste a minute or two please. We can talk later if you like?"

"Yeah, sure" Brandy answered

Rusty scowled at the name of his father, after Celeste put two and two together "What did Harlen do to me? Well let's see, when I was 17 he got a job and just took off, never came back. Oh yeah he said goodbye but he never came back. I'm only friendly with him when I'm in a good mood. Other than that I can't stand him. He pisses me off is what he does."

Whoa, who pissed in you Sugar Bombs this morning she quietly thought as she tried to not eavesdrop, but couldn't help herself.

Celeste reached down and pulled out a box of snack cakes. She smiled and put them in front of Brandy. "How are you this morning, Brandy? You have some dark circles under your eyes...did you not sleep very well?"

"Nah, fell asleep in front of Friedas" feeling embarrassed "got to see Pawnee, said to stay away from him, that he's poison, but I think I may be the poison." She let out a miserable sigh. "Say Celeste, isn't there an old Super Duper mart close to here? Thought I heard someone talk about it."

[jasminε]

FRIEDA ~~ Her house ~~ Morning

Pawnee waved her off. She thought she caught a bemused expression on his face but wasn't sure. Frieda lowered her pistol but did not step away. She listened as Pawnee explained a few details to Harlen, feeling impatient. She winced when he coughed some blood.

Maybe he won't be feeling more normal until tomorrow. Hopefully his injuries aren't worse than we thought. Maybe I will go get Ryler to come back...

"Frieda," Pawnee's voice cut into her thoughts, "can you get me some water?" He coughed some more.

Frieda furrowed her brow. Sending me off? What do you think Harlen will say that I shouldn't hear? She took a breath. I promised I'd start trusting him... Frieda flashed Pawnee a brilliant smile. "I think I've got some in the fridge, sure." She pushed her plasma pistol into his hand, turned and crossed the room into her kitchen. She shut the door behind her and bent over the counter, leaning her head into her hands. Bounty hunters who don't collect bounties. Sounds more weird than an Enclave soldier who doesn't know a thing about the Enclave.


CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Morning

"Nah, fell asleep in front of Friedas," Brandy replied sheepishly "got to see Pawnee, said to stay away from him, that he's poison, but I think I may be the poison." She let out a miserable sigh. "Say Celeste, isn't there an old Super Duper mart close to here? Thought I heard someone talk about it."

"Pawnee spoke to you? He...he's awake?!" Celeste exclaimed, feeling a wave of emotions. Brandy's other query was completely ignored. "How is he? How did he look? Is...is he okay? Did he say anything about whether Frieda is taking good care of him?"

Celeste leaned on the bar in front of Brandy, now very interested in the girl with the glasses. "I don't think he meant that at all, Brandy. He likes you, don't you remember how nice he was to you? I think you'd be really good for him, to be honest. I said as much just yesterday, when he was in here all hung up on Frieda." She nodded sagely. "I even told Frieda what he told me, but she brushed me off and almost ran me out of her house. I just don't get that woman..."

[sophie]

--Morning--
--Frieda's House--
--Pawnee--

"I think I've got some in the fridge, sure." Frieda pushed her plasma pistol into Pawnee's hand, and walked over to the kitchen.

Pawnee watched her leave, smiling.

"You've got two days to return, that gives us plenty of time to form a plan," Harlen continued, "I don't want anyone hurt, even yer' dog, ol' Buck. We might possibly also have my son, Rusty. Y'all don't believe me yet, but I am doing this out of the goodness of my heart. N' yes, I have a heart."

Sure you do. . .every man's got one. Just another organ like an eye or a lung. Only bounty hunters with a heart I've ever heard of are in children's campfire stories. Hooey.

Pawnee turned back to Harlen, keeping a tight grip on the pistol.

"I appreciate your help, and I'll get back to you in a little while," Pawnee began, "but like I said, I need to rest. Heal. I'll come by tomorrow and we'll talk then."

Pawnee shooed Harlen out of the house and shut the front door, locking it, and using the chair Frieda had placed beside it as a doorstop.

Pawnee lumbered down the hallway, into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table.

"Bounty hunter with a heart? Did you hear that one Frieda?" Pawnee chuckled a little, but it made his whole body ache, "I wonder if they sent him here to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't run. Don't tell him about the gold. He may say he don't value caps, but I'd bet all of them, that given the chance, he'd steal them."

Pawnee bit his lip. He watched as Frieda handed him a water bottle.

"Frieda," Pawnee looked down at the floor, submissively, "Bittercup's not dead. At least not for sure. This isn't related to the bounty on me, but I lied to you about it. She left me. Said that 'spark' was gone, and like you, she was tired of me talking up other girls and flirting. I don't know why I lied about it. . .I lie all the time. Its just. . .easier. But with you - with you I want it to be different. I want to stay honest. Even if its only for the next two days. . .until that guy with the scythe kills both of us," he grinned, but wasn't sure if Frieda would find that funny, "just kidding."

[Bethany Short]

Brandy - Celestes Diner - morning


"Pawnee spoke to you? He...he's awake?!" Celeste exclaimed, feeling a wave of emotions. Brandy's other query was completely ignored. "How is he? How did he look? Is...is he okay? Did he say anything about whether Frieda is taking good care of him?"

Celeste leaned on the bar in front of Brandy, now very interested in the girl with the glasses. "I don't think he meant that at all, Brandy. He likes you, don't you remember how nice he was to you? I think you'd be really good for him, to be honest. I said as much just yesterday, when he was in here all hung up on Frieda." She nodded sagely. "I even told Frieda what he told me, but she brushed me off and almost ran me out of her house. I just don't get that woman..."


"He looks terrible, yes he spoke to me, albeit not what I wanted hear." A saddened look washed across Brandys face "He's real sore, but he will be ok. I'm sure Friedas taking good care of him, she even has the door blocked with a chair." She opened her snack cakes "Frieda even apologized for the other day, and asked if we could be civil, maybe friends even." Shrugging her shoulders. "So, about that Superduper Mart, you hear of it?"

Brandy ate the snack cakes "Thanks Celeste, these hit the spot." Maybe Pawnee would be impressed if I went out scavenging and made it back, STOP, forget about him "Anyways Celeste, Frieda is pretty frazzled with all the people stopping by, she may end up shooting somebody." she laughed "I have to run some moonshine back over there later for Pawnee, I can tell him you said hello" Brandy added

[Honey Suckle]

Rusty Valentine

Greyditch - Celeste's Diner - Morning

Something popped into Rusty's mind, "Celeste, you said that your father wasn't around for most of your life. How was it without him?"

-

Harlen Jake

Greyditch - Outside Frieda's House - Morning

Harlen sighed, "After this save, it's retirement for me, shoot." The old man decided it was time to get some breakfast. Be began a small walk to the diner.

[Jeff Tingler]

James Wilson – Celeste dinner – morning

"Ha, that's a funny thing to say James, as I'd probably be the one to kill him.”

“ I can’t make you forgive the old man but you should think about it before you do anything “extreme”, that the old man may have a few tricks up his sleeves… James chuckled

With that James got up and walked back to his booth, and could hear Brandy & Celeste talking about Frieda…

“Frieda even apologized for the other day, and asked if we could be civil, maybe friends even." Shrugging her shoulders. "So, about that Superduper Mart, you hear of it?"

Why does brandy want to go to super duper mart?

James sat back down in his booth, waiting for Celeste's refreshing coffee and see why Brandy wanted to travel outside of town to the super duper mart, a well known (ex)raider hideout…

[Jah Allen]

Joe Rennie. Security shack. Morning.

Joe paced back and forth across the dirt floor of the security shack, trying to figure out the best way out of the situation he was in. He had slipped away from Celeste's in the early hours of the morning, leaving her sleeping, sprawled across her couch.

He had chosen the security shack over his house. Harold would be in the stone building and Joe wanted to be alone. He needed to think and that wouldnt be easy if he woke the brute. He had fallen into one of the old chairs and fallen into a restless sleep.

When he awoke he began pacing up and down the room, deep in thought.

What are you going to do now Joe? You've taken too many risks. Running isn't really an option yet. You don't have the caps now, you handed them over to Jimmy for his [censored] security guards. Moriarty you bastard! You never said anything about me having to pay men you'd bought in. Like Jimmy said, I've done a good job so far, but the cracks will begin to show.

Joe crossed the room and sat in one of the battered old chairs by an old desk.

This is all your fault Pawnee. How did you talk your way out? Why couldn't you just die? You could cause me no end of problems. You're pally with Celeste, and you're not known for keeping your mouth shut are you? If she says anything to you then it's only a matter of time 'till you let something slip in front of Harold. If you know I set you up, you could say something. Then I'll be lynched by an angry mob.

Joe slumped over the desk, propping his head up with one hand and sighed deeply.

You could be in real trouble here Joe. That was a close call with Wierd kid. Again Pawnee, you spill the beans and everyone runs outside. If you'd have gone out for a piss a little earlier then everyone in town would have seen the slaves. That kid could ruin me, I need to figure out a way to deal with him, but he has Harlon on his tail too. That big guy said as much. I need some way to get rid of the bounty hunter, Harold too if I can. Wait a second.

Suddenly an idea flared in Joe's mind. He got up and walked out the old tin door and strode to his house. He opened the door to find Harold aiming his assault rifle at him.

"Woah," he exclaimed, holding his hands out. "I've been in the shack Harold. Listen Celeste doesn't know anything and according to her neither does Frieda. I've got an idea of how to deal with this. But I might need backup. Come with me now, we need to see if Pawnee's awake yet."

"What are you going to do?" The brute rumbled.

"The only thing you can do when your lies get you into a fix," Joe said, smiling at Harold, "I'm going to tell a bigger lie. Smooth over the cracks in the old ones."

Joe walked across town to Frieda's house, seeing Harlon walking away, heading for the diner. His face was a mask of anguished guilt as he passed the bounty hunter, but Joe didn't speak to the man. He continued to wear the expression as he walked up to the door and began to franticly hammer on it.

Frieda wrenched the door open, looking pissed off. "Frieda is Pawnee still here?" Joe asked in fake panic. "Can I talk to him please? I think I may be involved with what happened to him. That trader, the one who was here when the bounty hunter came to town. I think he set me up. Can I please come inside to explain?"

[CHANONE]

Harlen Jake

Greyditch - Morning

Harlem was ok his way to the diner, when he see a figure dash by. He turned around to see a man clear on his motives, Joe, head of security. Harlen could see right through the man, and he saw a black soul, nit a shed of light lived in him.

Harlen pulled out his .44 Magnum and out his six round in the lying, swindling, con man called a security guard.

Harlen shook his head and cringed his teeth. You can't be thinkin' thoughts like that. That's not how a believer lives. He's a bad man, yes, but God'll cut him down, and when he does, Joe's gonna be havin' a bad day.

Harlen continued on to the diner, hoping to find some relief from his hunger.

[Wanda Maximoff]

FRIEDA ~~ her house ~~ Morning

She straightened and turned at the sound of Pawnee sitting himself into a chair. "Bounty hunter with a heart? Did you hear that one Frieda? I wonder if they sent him here to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't run. Don't tell him about the gold. He may say he don't value caps, but I'd bet all of them, that given the chance, he'd steal them."

"I'm more confused about him now than I was before he demanded he come in and yell at us...honey," she added, shuddering. Frieda reached into her fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, and realized it wasn't cold. Just one more thing to deal with...if I survive, I guess. She cracked it open and handed it to his outstretched hand, before stepping back and leaning against the counter.

"Frieda," Pawnee looked down at the floor, suddenly, "Bittercup's not dead. At least not for sure. This isn't related to the bounty on me, but I lied to you about it. She left me. Said that 'spark' was gone, and like you, she was tired of me talking up other girls and flirting. I don't know why I lied about it. . .I lie all the time. Its just. . .easier. But with you - with you I want it to be different. I want to stay honest. Even if its only for the next two days. . .until that guy with the scythe kills both of us," he grinned, but added quickly, "just kidding."

Frieda took a deep breath. She recalled what Brandy had said just a half hour or so before. "Pawnee, I suppose you don't realize that what you think is harmless, actually...hmm..." She paused, trying to frame her thought correctly. "Well, I guess if we're being honest, here goes: the other night, you made me feel really...special. I always attract attention to myself, but you actually talked to me. ...among other things." She blushed but pressed on. "Then you, you know, said a bunch of stuff, and turned around and blew me off to talk to Brandy."

You're rambling.

"It's just hard to feel like you were genuine with me, when you pull the same tricks with other girls the next moment you get. That's all." She smiled again. "Sorry that she broke up with you, though. I...I didn't mean to be insensitive. The other day. In front of Brandy." She toed the floor awkwardly.

Before either of them could say anything else, there was a frantic knocking at the door. Oh, [censored] hell! She sighed, feeling thoroughly exhausted, despite the fact she'd only been awake for an hour and a half or so. "What is it now?" she breathed. Frieda held her hand out and Pawnee placed her plasma pistol into it, still ready and humming. She swept to the door and forcefully yanked it open.

"Frieda is Pawnee still here?" Joe asked in a panic. "Can I talk to him please? I think I may be involved with what happened to him. That trader, the one who was here when the bounty hunter came to town. I think he set me up. Can I please come inside to explain?"

"Wh-what?" she stammered, completely caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the head of Town Security. Pawnee said the man with the scythe gave him a bag of caps to pass on to Joe. What could the trader have to do with it? Frieda reached up and put her hand on her forehead, feeling confused. She sighed. Wonders never cease. She opened the door slightly and motioned him in with her plasma. "Pawnee!" she called over her shoulder. "You might want to hear this." She lowered her gaze back to Joe.

"I'll give you the same luxury as I did that man, Jake. You have two minutes. Start talking."


CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Morning

"He looks terrible, yes he spoke to me, albeit not what I wanted hear." A saddened look washed across Brandy's face. "He's real sore, but he will be ok. I'm sure Frieda's taking good care of him, she even has the door blocked with a chair." She opened her snack cakes. "Frieda even apologized for the other day, and asked if we could be civil, maybe friends even." Shrugging her shoulders. "So, about that Superduper Mart, you hear of it?"

"Hmm, yeah, I think so," Celeste murmured, filling a coffee cup each for Sue and James. "It's sorta east of here..."

Brandy ate the snack cakes "Thanks Celeste, these hit the spot." She grinned. "Anyways Celeste, Frieda is pretty frazzled with all the people stopping by, she may end up shooting somebody." she laughed "I have to run some moonshine back over there later for Pawnee, I can tell him you said hello."

"Oh," Celeste began, "I'd like that. I'll...I'll go see him again tonight."

Rusty turned his attention back to her after having exchanged a few words with James. "Celeste, you said that your father wasn't around for most of your life. How was it without him?"

Celeste gave a sarcastic smirk. "That's a little bit...personal, wouldn't you say?" She smiled and answered anyways. "It was the way it was, I guess. Just me and my mum. She sometimes screamed nasty things about him when she was drunk, but I think that's because she missed him," she winked. "You just make do, you know? Can't change the cards you're dealt, might as well make lemonade."*

(*OOC: this was intentional.)

[Cccurly]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Morning

Celeste gave a sarcastic smirk. "That's a little bit...personal, wouldn't you say?" She smiled and answered anyways. "It was the way it was, I guess. Just me and my mum. She sometimes screamed nasty things about him when she was drunk, but I think that's because she missed him," she winked. "You just make do, you know? Can't change the cards you're dealt, might as well make lemonade."

"I hear that Celeste. I made lemonade, probably strawberry lemonade..." At this thought he thought about all the marks he'd killed over the last 15 years. He snapped out of his trance, "You said your mother yelled at you? That's terrible, I lost my mother when I was 16. It was sometime after that he got that job..." Rusty shook his head, I should just forgive, but I don't even know if that'll help.

-

Harlen Jake

Harlen stepped into the diner. He glided on over to the booth and collapsed. "It's been a full day so far, and it's only mornin'. Lord help me survive this day." He sat there in the booth and started too snooze off.

His head jerked and he awoke, "My goodness, I'm fallin' asleep at the table. Oh goodness." He lazily picked his arms up onto the table and held them like he was trying to hold a knife and form.

Be looked to his left. He saw James; Sue; Brandy; his son; and Celeste. "Celeste, could I get some bacon, eggs, and coffee, please." He picked 15 caps out of his sack and threw them on the table. "This is gonna be a long day."

[Ria dell]

Joe Rennie. Frieda's house. Morning

"I'll give you the same luxury as I did that man, Jake. You have two minutes. Start talking."

Two minutes Joe. Better talk fast here.

"Thank yoe Frieda," Joe exclaimed, stepping into the room with Harold behind him. "I won't keep you, I just need to speak to..." He stopped mid sentace as he spotted Pawnee. The boy's face was a swollen mess, his nose sitting at the wrong angle.

"Jeez, they really did a number on you didn't they. Listen, I've been going over what happened the other day. Replaying it in my mind. I think that trader was involved. He gave me that story about the pip-boy after all." Joe paused for a moment and sighed.

"I'll start over. That big blond guy came in to town and was asking around after you. I talked to him, told him you lived in town. I didn't really think it'd matter, I'd already heard a couple of other people say as much. So, I told him that and he went on his way. Later on I wandered over to talk with the trader. I got talking to him about his stock and I made a joke about how I need a Pip-boy to make my job easier. So he tells me his story about how he knows where one is."

Joe paused agian, looking between Pawnee and Frieda.

"So I say to him, "Well that's all well and good, but I just told you how busy I am, when am I going to have a chance to go fetch it?" and he say's why don't I have someone go get it for me. Head of security, I must know somebody who can scavenge things up for me, That made me think of you."

He turned back to Pawnee and looked the young man in the eye. "I'm guessing that the red house I sent you to is the place where this happened? That [censored] trader! He put the idea of sending you into my head! But one of those little gadgets would have really been handy for me and you had made me that offer. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I thought I was doing you a favor. Pip-boy for me, whatever else was there for you. Instead i send you to, well to this." He raised his hand, indicating Pawnee's face.

"I'm real sorry Pawnee. I want to help, try to make it up to you somehow. Do you know anything about the people who did this to you? Where they are? Anything that can help?"

Hopefully that will at least get him to talk to me. Let's see what Scythe has said to him.

[Nick Tyler]

Brandy - Celestes Diner - morning


"Hmm, yeah, I think so," Celeste murmured, filling a coffee cup each for Sue and James. "It's sorta east of here..."

"I can tell him you said hello"


"Oh," Celeste began, "I'd like that. I'll...I'll go see him again tonight."


Brandy put 10 caps on the counter "Okay, well I need to get going, I'll see ya later" she gave a waive as she walked out. Heading to her house, Brandy ran through a list in her head, gun, water, knife, satchel, canvas and rope, that should do it. Gathering her gear, she hurried out of town. Passing the half barrel of moonshine she had given up on bringing with her "I can't believe its still here, I'll grab some on my way back" talking to herself.

Ricky always said,"its kill or be killed out there, and I doubt you could kill anybody." remembering the words of her brother, she switched the satchel to her left hand and pulled out the pistol with her right. Looking around at, well, not much.


Super Duper Mart

After a fairly uneventful walk through the wastes, the words Pawnee had spoke still brewing within, Brandy could see the rundown building ahead, a shell of what it used to be. Her pistol drawn, sweeping the area, she snuck across the desolate parking lot. Out in front, a rotting, dismembered corpse hang from chains, tag signs sprayed onto the walls. The closer she got, the faster heart beat, her hands clammy, eyes wide open, as she placed her hand on the door.

Brandy pushed on the door, nothing, pushed again, it didn't budge. Examining the frame there was a dust covered sign EXIT, looking at the push bar PLEASE PULL, she glanced around to make sure noone noticed her ignorance. Giving the door a tug, it screeched in protest as it swung back.

A whiff of musty, death filled air came from inside, as if she had just opened a tomb. Catching her breath, trying to keep from vomiting, she continued. Inside the entrance way, tin cans, empty Nuka Cola bottles and shopping carts lay strewn about. Tip toeing through the debris of the entrance way, the old store opened up. Rotting Raider corpses on floor, more dismembered bodies hanging from the ceiling. Brandy was barely past the entrance when, from out of nowhere.

"YOUR GONNA DIE [censored]"

[Krystal Wilson]

James Wilson – Celeste dinner – Morning

"Hmm, yeah, I think so," Celeste murmured, filling a coffee cup each for Sue and James. "It's sorta east of here..."

“thanks for the Coffee Celeste” James said and began drinking his coffee, Harlen had also entered the dinner and appeared to be sleeping in one of booths..

"I can tell him you said hello" Brandy replied "Oh," Celeste began, "I'd like that. I'll...I'll go see him again tonight."

Brandy put 10 caps on the counter "Okay, well I need to get going, I'll see ya later" she gave a waive as she walked out.

“ Celeste did you know the Super duper mart is a raider hideout, Brandy might get killed or worst… “Don’t worry I’ll go and warn her”

----

James walked to brandy house, to stop her from going to the super duper mart but she had already left…

[censored] I should have said something in the dinner god knows what she will find in the super duper mart, maybe I can stop her before she walks inside..

James walked inside the Grayditch arms and picked up a pair of binoculars and his 44 magnum afterwards he walked to the entrance of town and looked though the Binoculars…

James could not see Brandy...........

[koumba]

Brandy - Super Duper mart


"YOU'RE GONNA DIE [censored]"
Dropping her satchel and pistol as she jumped in pure fear, Brandy heard a whoosh followed by an excruciating pain on top of head.

"WHA...WAIT" Brandy screamed, as the female Raider swung the pool cue again, failing to block the strike, her glasses went flying as the cue struck for the second time against the side of head. She staggered, watching her attacker wind up for another swing. Managing to stop cue, her hands stinging intensely, the Raider lunged at her, knocking her flat on the ground. A fist met with her chin, causing Brandys teeth to penetrate her lower lip.

"THIS IS ALMOST TO EASY" yelled the Raider

"PLE...PLEA...STOP" Brandy pleaded as the Raider hands grasped her neck like a vice.

"[censored] YOU, IT'S TIME TO DIE" the Raider spat back

Brandy flailed about, trying to escape her clutch, to no avail. She shoved her left index finger all the way into the Raiders right eye socket. The Raider let out a shriek, cupping her eye. Brandy gnashed her teeth at the Raiders left arm, still holding her throat. Clenching her jaw down, and ripping a piece of flesh in the process. The Raiders elbow came smashing down onto Brandys left eye, her left hand grabbing her hair, in an attempt to bang Brandys head into the floor. Bringing up her knee, with everything she had, into the Raiders crotch knocking the Raider off balance. Brandy felt for her knife, pulling the knife out, Brandy sunk it into the Raiders side. The Raider stood up wincing, as she pulled the knife from her body. Brandy scrambled backwards "Look at the scared little [censored]" the Raider said with a sneer "Is that all you got, I've had Fancy Lads that were tougher than you.

Petrified, Brandy begged "Please, take all my stuff, le...let me go."

"Oh, I'm gonna take your stuff" the Raided huffed "and I'm gonna tie you up, gut you, and watch the life leave your eyes." She laughed, dropping the clump of hair, she had torn from Brandy.

A mouth full of blood from her lip, and blood running from her nose, and trickling down her neck. "PLEASE" she screamed as the Raider paced, like a predator stalking its prey. Brandy feeling her pistol as she slid backwards some more.

With a sinister smile on her face "Its time to die" she spoke sadistically.

Brandy raised the pistol, trembling with fear "nanananana NO...I..I'll shoot you." The Raider took a step towards her, Brandy closed her eyes and squeezed the trigger several times.

The Raider laughed hysterically.
"You don't even know how to use it" now the she was above Brandy beginning to kneel down, the expression changed instantly as she heard the safety click. Shoving the pistol under the Raiders chin, Brandy pulled the trigger. The bloodied flesh making a sickening slap as it hit the floor, the Raiders dead weight collapsing onto Brandys chest. She could feel the warm wetness of the Raiders blood soaking her shirt. Wiggling frantically, Brandy rolled the body off her and steadied herself against the wall.


Panning the store with frightened eyes, she saw no one else. Putting her hands to her chest, it seemed like her heart was trying to jump into them. Kill or be killed, that's what they say right? I did what I had to, it was either her or me, she was evil, inhumane and sick. Why, why, why did you come here? To impress Pawnee, you're so dumb, he has Frieda. For yourself? To prove a point? Why?, she sat quiet as a church mouse, ears ringing from the gunshot, but the thoughts screamed inside her head as she tried to rationalize what had just happened, she began to cry.

Running her hand through her hair, her fingers went across the gashes in her head from the pool cue turned melee weapon. Pulling her hand away, covered in blood, she could now feel it running down her neck. She reached for her satchel, taking out her water and rinsing her wounds, and applying pressure in hopes they would stop bleeding so profusely. Crawling in between two register counters, she laid her head on her satchel, as the adrenaline wore off, she became dizzy. I'm out of immediate sight here, she thought as she placed her hand back over her wounds to rest for a bit.

[Andrew Perry]

OOC: Found a public computer. . .eww. . .I'll just post now Cobra, catch up whenever your ready

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch Outskirts--
-- Scythe--


Scythe yawned. He was tired of guarding the exterior of the house. He went to the door, to walk back in, but heard the grunts and groans of Elektra and Temujin having a good time with one another. He puckered his face at the repulsive mental image of the two of them making love, and walked towards the road, staking out a post on a nearby rocky outcrop that overlooked the road.

To Scythe, the world was just a dog-eat-dog kind of place. There was no point in denying it – the strong survived and got rich. The weak were enslaved, abused, and trampled. To really rise up in the wasteland you had to deal out a certain amount of death and pain, and Scythe was willing and able to do just that.

However, Scythe didn’t enjoy doing it. Some faces still haunted him. His earliest contracts in particular. Petty contracts. People with high bounties almost always had it coming, for some reason, but having to murder an eighteen-year-old runaway, prosttute, over a fifty cap debt would make a lasting impression on anyone.

Almost anyone.

Scythe thought back on Elektra and Temujin. They were the best backup Scythe could ever have wished for in a fight, but the joy they took in causing pain nagged at him.

Nasty business. Just evil. I need new backup.

Scythe saw a girl begin to walk down the road, out of Greyditch, a young brunette. He hid as she passed by, and he realized that she was the girl he'd seen earlier in the diner - Pawnee's possible 'side' squeeze. Something about her gave him pause. It was rare to see a girl looking like her walking out alone in the wastes. She was a mutant snack. Slaver bait.

Scythe frowned thinking about it. He watched her pass and an image came to his mind of old story his mother used to read to him. Little Red Riding Hood. The girl walking down the road had that same innocence, that same air about her. It facinated him.

Guess that makes me the Big Bad Wolf. . .How can anyone in the wasteland be that naive?

Scythe followed the girl all the way down the road to the Super Duper Mart, out of morbid interest. When he saw her go in, he pressed himself up against the outer wall near the door. He finished an entire cigarette before he heard the door open once again, and he immediately popped up in front of her.

The girl almost jumped out of her skin. She quivered fearfully.

Scythe pulled the reaper from his back, and leaned on the blade like it was a staff. He stared out at the wasteland and began to speak, slowly and calmly.

“My pa used this blade to harvest maize. Way out west in Iowa. Can make quite an impression on a man, when words alone don’t do enough talking.”

The girl’s eyes glazed over. She looked like she might pass out.

“I saw you coming. One girl all alone in the middle of the desert,” Scythe squinted at her, “you’re really green, honey. Seems like no one’s ever given you real life advice.”

Scythe reached into his belt and pulled out a sawn-off shotgun. He nonchalantly handed it to the girl with the barrel facing the ground.

“Use this – not a pistol. You won’t have to bother aiming. I bet you can’t aim anyway,” Scythe chuckled.

The girl fumbled awkwardly with the shotgun. Scythe winced at her lack of skill.

“Stay off the roads, stay low, and stay hidden. Keep to settlements like Greyditch and Megaton - places where there are other women,” Scythe svcked his cheek in. He thought back on Pawnee for a moment, “Don’t fall for boys like Pawnee. Don’t fall for any boy unless he’s willing to give up his life for you – because around here, odds are, he’ll have to. Out here, mostly everyone’s only in it for themselves. Make people earn your trust – don’t just give it.”

Scythe reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigarettes. He kept an eye on the girl, and after taking a puff, he motioned to pass one to her.

“And if you ever run into another man that looks like me, you can bet it’s going to end up bad. Real bad for you, honey.”

[Adrian Morales]

Brandy - Super Duper Mart - early afternoon


Brandy awoke, her head relentlessly pounding, her satchel soaked with blood. The smell of the dried blood from her nose, and the taste in her mouth, combined with the essence of corpses caused her to gag. Her vision blurry, she felt her body I'm still alive, as she peeked around the cash register counter she saw the Raiders body. "I'm so sorry, you left me no choice." She murmured softly, even though she had been forced, she still felt guilty, having taken someone's life. Slowly she stood up, her body aching from the confrontation. Squinting, she looked for her glasses, almost stepping on them in the process. Luckily, they were only bent a little, putting them on after she straightened them, she took in the ghastly site, left in the Raiders quake. It was enough to make her sick, what would make them do such dastardly things? she wondered.

Brandy looked at her blood soaked t-shirt, then eyed the raiders armor. One time, they had met a caravan who had some for sale pain spike she recollected. "Hmm, it is kinda sixy and cool looking." She smirked "bet Pawnee would piss himself if I walked in wearing it." She took off her shirt, covering the dead girls head "pardon me, I'll take this" she said to the body, carefully removing the armor. Now clad in Raider garb, she took the last drink of her water. She looked like a little warrior, with her blood stained stomach, arms, mouth and neck. She proceeded to look around the old store these shelves could be used as walls, look at all of them, too bad I can't get them back to Grayditch.

In the old, would be pharmacy she found a medical box, inside were some Med-X, gauze, pain killers, and a bobby pin. On the counter were a couple of frag grenades oh, always to try one of these, almost dismissing her pounding head. In the bathroom she found some Jet. Figuring no one would know, she inhaled it, a sudden rush fell over her. The place was picked pretty clean, but she was still more than happy with her haul.

Amidst her rummaging through the store, she caught a blue glow in a corner behind an empty crate "Quantum" she got excited as she picked up the glowing bottle "always wanted to put some in the shine." As she pushed it into her bag. Up front she found some pre-war money, she had a fondness for anything pre-war. Last but not least, she removed the Nuka Cola plaques from atop both machines in the entrances. Carefully laying the items on her canvas, she tied up the corners, and exited the store.

As soon as Brandy went out the door, the giant, blonde haired man with the sickle popped up, from out of nowhere. She jumped, dropping her bags, quivering at the sight of him oh [censored], nowhere to go, I'm dead"you gonna kill me?"

The huge man pulled the reaper from his back, and leaned on the blade like it was a staff. He stared out at the wasteland and began to speak, slowly and calmly.

“My pa used this blade to harvest maize. Way out west in Iowa. Can make quite an impression on a man, when words alone don’t do enough talking.”

Brandys eyes glazed over, her head started spinning, she stumbled on her bags as she went to step back.

“I saw you coming. One girl all alone in the middle of the desert,” he squinted at her, “you’re really green, honey. Seems like no one’s ever given you real life advice.”

"I..I saw you in town" she said nervously "no, never been on my own"

The man reached into his belt and pulled out a sawn-off shotgun. He nonchalantly handed it to the girl with the barrel facing the ground.

“Use this – not a pistol. You won’t have to bother aiming. I bet you can’t aim anyway,” Scythe chuckled.

Brandy fumbled awkwardly with the shotgun. He winced at her lack of skill.

“Stay off the roads, stay low, and stay hidden. Keep to settlements like Greyditch and Megaton - places where there are other women,” he svcked his cheek in. “Don’t fall for boys like Pawnee. Don’t fall for any boy unless he’s willing to give up his life for you – because around here, odds are, he’ll have to. Out here, mostly everyone’s only in it for themselves. Make people earn your trust – don’t just give it.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigarettes. He kept an eye on the girl, and after taking a puff, he motioned to pass one to her. Brandy shook her head no, trying to smile.

“And if you ever run into another man that looks like me, you can bet it’s going to end up bad. Real bad for you, honey.”


"You're not going hurt me?" She asked "h...how do you know Pawnee? What's your name, mine is Brandy."

[Matt Terry]

Harlen Jake

Celeste's Diner - Morning

Harlen thought back on his past while he sat. He got lost in the mud of time...

Jameson sat across from Harlen, who was 22 years old today. The mentor had auburn hair, he had a beard beard and mustache, the beard had a slightly rounded.He stoked the fire in front of them. Kent Jameson was known as a master bounty hunter, respected much more than feared, though none tried him. If anyone knew anything about the bounty business, they knew of him. He was 38 at this time.

Kent's signature outfit consisted of a dark brown poncho with simple Indian designs. Along with this he wore brown pointed cowboy boots; Rawhide cowboy hat; He had short auburn hair covered by the rawhide hat. He worn tan pantaloons held up by a simple belt, and tucked into his boots professionally, not messy. Under his dark brown poncho was a tan shirt. At his right side he wore a long barrel .44 magnum. He'd given it the reputation of the most powerful handgun in the world.

He spoke with the smooth voice of a mentor mentor, and smiled, "Happy birthday. You did a good job today, handling that caravan job."

Harlen shook his head, "I'm not so sure. I don't know how you do it Kent. How do you balance good with this career choice of your's?"

Kent looked into the fire and smirked, "That's the question of my life. How do you do it... I'll tell you Harlen, I don't balance it. I always do the right thing because honestly, it feels much better than doing the wrong thing. Like is it better to see a person scream till they cry, or laugh until they cry?"

Harlen nodded, "It's much better to see someone crying with laughter, than fear."

"Exactly. That's what many hunters don't get. They also, those who don't really know if bounty hunters, think we don't have a heart. When I move on from this life Harlen, my works will be that of a campfire story." He continued to stoke the fire.

Jake shook his head with frustration, "What? Why? Why can't bounty hunters be good and not bad?"

Kent glew with wisdom, "Because, that's what the general idea of a bounty hunter. "in it for the money and glory, doesn't matter how you get it."

The young man wore a scowl, "Well I'd rather be a good bounty hunter then a bad one."

"That's how I've been training you Harlen. There is sacrifice however," Kent looked down to the popping fire.

Harlen cocked his head like a confused dog, "Sacrifice? Like what? Been doing this for a few years and not much sacrifice has been felt."

"That's because I give you an amount if the cut, and I don't let you know how much it originally was, training, see? If you truly want to be good, you must put yourself second, and do things out of the goodness of your heart, truly." Jameson set the fire poker next to him.

"Whoah, people wouldn't expect that, they'd doubt it even." Harlen looked up to his mentor who gave a knowledgable nod-

Harlen awoke from hid daydream to the present to see the breakfast sitting in front of him, and the fifteen caps gone.

[Alex Blacke]

ooc- hi sorry for the long post, once i got started on a bit of frank's background i cudnt seem to stop.
And i have posted this without readin much of thread 4, but i am catching up after ive made this post. i will try to get him involved once ive read it all.

FRANK-diner

Frank, nodded to Celeste. Not too used to complements. He mused.

He stared absently mindedly into the coffee Celeste had placed in front of him. He found his thoughts going back to earlier days.

He surprisingly grew up within a regular family, good mother and hard working father. Two sisters. They worked within a brahmin and crops farm his mother looked after them all in the tiny but nice home, father worked the fields to earn their keep. Sister's became milking maids. But the young man's role was to tend to the animals, feeding, cleaning, shearing. And when they felt he was ready, within the slaughter house.

He always felt different to his family. While they were all playing happy families, he always felt disconnected from people, like he was suppressing some very dark feelings. In time the future assassin’s cracks started to show.
Whether it be the few beheaded rats his mother found, or the dog with the snapped neck she found at the back of the house, she always discovered some sort of disfigured dead animal hidden about. But she just assumed could be a pack of molerats, as they're always hanging around. Or rather she didn't want to admit the ugly truth, that her precious child could be doing something so morally and visually disgusting.

But he felt he had to commit these things,even though he knew these acts were wrong, but he couldn't feel the guilt that should come with it. He was not completely emotionless though. He still cared deeply for his family.

He looked forward to the slaughter house, disturbingly enough. At the age of only 15, he could finally let his urges out in a constructive way. He learnt all the best ways to kill the brahmin, not necessarily painless, but quick. Whether it be hanging the beasts upside down and slitting their throats. Or slicing their carotid arteries, but this could cause the animal to suffer more than it needed to. He did not enjoy seeing them in pain, just that they were dead. But at the same time did not like using the bolt ''pistol'' (a ''pistol'' which sends a metal rod through their brain) either, he found it inaccurate. Guns all together he didn't bother with, he relished on using his hands.

So he stopped with the petty killings of small animals and just stuck with the slaughter house.

Until one unfortunate day, him and his family just sat down for evening dinner, when all of a sudden he could hear a heavy uproar in the fields.

He peered out the window to witness the brutal execution of the brahmin, and burning of his father's crops. Raiders had savagely attacked their farm, leaving nothing alive. He hid himself and his family inside the loft. By morning the dreadful raiders had fled the ghastly scene. The family realized they had not even entered the house. They must have destroyed the farm for fun.

The owner of the farm tore down on his mother and father. Saying it was their fault this occurred as they were responsible for the running of the farm. And when the raiders came, all they did was conceal themselves. He ordered them that when he gets more brahmin and the crop take life once more. They will be working to repay for the destruction of the farm..He would no longer pay for their work.

Panic set in with his family, they would starve if the landlord really did this.

The boy took it upon himself to end this problem. With his father comforting the family, he snuck out the house later that night. He quietly forced his way into the owner's home, not to far from his house. He crept into the living area and found him drunk unconscious with his back to him in a armchair. The boy crept up to him and ruptured his neck with his father's straight razor. The blood satisfyingly descended down the victim’s chest.

He hands began to shake, he was now a murderer.

A small smile curled on his face, he never felt more alive!

He returned running to the family home, burst through the door waking them up. They stared at him drenched in fresh blood.

''I did it,'' he grinned.

''What son?'' His father inquired.

''He won't ruin this family,'' he said as he handed his father the straight razor oozing in blood.

His father dropped it to the floor in disbelieve.

''Son!'' He shouted,''you didn't?!''

The smile grew further across his face.

''I did it for us Father, he won't be a problem any longer.''

His sisters began screaming in horror, his father commenced sobbing. His mother ran up to him in tears, begging for him to left them. She always knew there was something no quite right about him, but never dreamt it could be something so unforgivable.

''Yes mother, but you must realize that I am not even sorry for my acts. I will leave, but bare this in mind, you will not have to suffer because of me any longer.''

He fled the farm. Knowing he would never see his family again. To some boys it would be a great hardship to bare. But he was overjoyed at the prospect, for the first time it his life, he felt truly content in himself.

Frank suddenly found himself sitting in the diner once more. He gave a gratified look, at the memory of the day he became himself.

[Ilona Neumann]

(OOC: weak post is weak. :sadvaultboy: )

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Late morning ~~ Diner

"You said your mother yelled at you? That's terrible, I lost my mother when I was 16. It was sometime after that he got that job..." Rusty shook his head.

Celeste shrugged. "She was just human. She took care of me the best she could. I was an...accidental pregnancy." She felt like she were bringing the mood in the diner down with such negative talk. Celeste didn't hate her mother. She didn't even resent her. Especially since her mother died, she really didn't think it appropriate to harbour ill feelings.

Harlen ambled in to the diner and carefully lowered himself into a booth. "Celeste, could I get some bacon, eggs, and coffee, please."

"Okay, well I need to get going, I'll see ya later," Brandy chirped from her left. The girl with the glasses slipped off her stool and was off.

"Bye..." Celeste called after her, wondering what got her into such a hurry out of nowhere. She had begun to assemble Harlen's breakfast into a pan. She turned her attention to Rusty once more.

"Anyways," she smiled, "you should tell me more about yourself, like how you came to stop by our little town."

[Devin Sluis]

OOC: There you go Kettle.

--Late Morning--
--Frieda’s House--
--Pawnee--

"Jeez, they really did a number on you didn't they. Listen, I've been going over what happened the other day. Replaying it in my mind. I think that trader was involved. He gave me that story about the pip-boy after all." Joe paused.

IT WAS BULL [censored]

"I'll start over.” Joe said sheepishly, as if he’d heard Pawnee’s thoughts, “That big blond guy came in to town and was asking around after you. I talked to him, told him you lived in town. I didn't really think it'd matter, I'd already heard a couple of other people say as much. So, I told him that and he went on his way. Later on I wandered over to talk with the trader. I got talking to him about his stock and I made a joke about how I need a Pip-boy to make my job easier. So he tells me his story about how he knows where one is."

Get to the point.

"So I say to him, "Well that's all well and good, but I just told you how busy I am, when am I going to have a chance to go fetch it?" and he say's why don't I have someone go get it for me. Head of security, I must know somebody who can scavenge things up for me, That made me think of you. I'm guessing that the red house I sent you to is the place where this happened?

That [censored] trader! He put the idea of sending you into my head! But one of those little gadgets would have really been handy for me and you had made me that offer. I didn't think anything of it at the time. I thought I was doing you a favor.

A favor?

Pip-boy for me, whatever else was there for you. Instead i send you to, well to this." Joe pointed to Pawnee’s beaten body.

"I'm real sorry Pawnee. I want to help, try to make it up to you somehow. Do you know anything about the people who did this to you? Where they are? Anything that can help?"

“I don’t believe you,” Pawnee mumbled. He studied Joe’s face and mulled over his silver-tongue “two hundred caps. He gave me two hundred caps to give to you. He said that you’d know what it’s for. . . ,” Pawnee clenched his teeth, “you knew you were turning me in. Why else would he pay you?”


--Afternoon--
--Super Duper Mart--
--Scythe--

“And if you ever run into another man that looks like me, you can bet it’s going to end up bad,” Scythe smiled, “real bad for you, honey.”

"You're not going hurt me?" The girl seemed to whimper, "ha - how do you know Pawnee? What's your name, mine is Brandy."

Isn't she just precious?

“Brandy,” Scythe studied her up and down, “cute name. Nice drink too, but I like bourbon better.”

Brandy had changed clothes and was now wearing raider sadist-style armor. She looked ridiculous as she didn’t have the proper tan lines. Her pale skin looked almost florescent, soft, smooth, and un-weathered. Bits of the armor were blood splattered. Her head had large, fresh, gash on it, and her glasses looked crooked.

“My name’s. . .Nicholas,” Scythe said it slowly. He hadn’t told anyone his real name in so long it sounded foreign to him, “but everyone calls me Scythe. Guess it’s obvious why,” he grinned, “I know Pawnee from Virginia. He’s a bad seed. A flatterer and a smooth talker, but in his heart, he's a thief and a coward. If you fall for him, he’ll leave you for the next pretty face that walks into town. Stay away from him.”

Brandy seemed to frown.

Scythe got a tingle in his spine. The feeling of being watched from afar. He scanned the horizon and thought he heard a dog bark.

Better get back to the house. I’m on watch. They'll think I ditched them.

I like this though. . .haven't had a pleasant conversation with. . . .with anyone in a long, long time. . .and she's mighty pleasant.

“Pleasure meeting you, Brandy,” Scythe shouldered his reaper, “remember my advice. I hear a pack of feral dogs coming and suggest you run along home, now,” he paused, “wouldn’t mind meeting you again though. . .sometime. There’s a red house down the road from Greyditch. Go there and ask for me if you ever want to do more talking. Don't come with anyone else though or they'll wind up getting a sniper's bullet.”

The barks grew closer and Scythe began to walk away. He pulled the scythe from his back, keen on cutting up something.

OOC: Edited in changes to reflect Brandy's "roughed up" appearance oops.

[Ana Torrecilla Cabeza]

James Wilson – Grayditch wall/ entrance – early afternoon

James had been looking though he binoculars for a while now but could not see Brandy. However a rather tall guy had been standing outside the super duper mart, smoking a cigarette for the last 10 minutes and had a large scythe on his back…

Who the [censored] is this guy, he looks like a bounty hunter but what [censored] bounty hunter uses framing equipment

Suddenly a female walked out of the super duper mart, it was brandy...

she had changed clothes and was now wearing raider sadist armour, but lacked the tan/marks to look like a raider, she also appeared to have a gash on her head. Brandy and tall guy had begun talking; James was too far away to hear anything but could see that the guy had given Brandy a sawn-off shotgun.

This guy looks like trouble; need to get a closer look at him.

James slowly walking down the hill and hid behind a destroy highwayman car. In the distance James could hear a pack of dog barking, The tall guy must of also heard the braking as he had pulled the scythe of his back and walked away from Brandy...

Now where are you going now? Farmer boy.....

[Stephy Beck]

Joe Rennie. Frieda's house. Late morning.

“I don’t believe you,” Pawnee mumbled. He studied Joe’s face and mulled over his silver-tongue “two hundred caps. He gave me two hundred caps to give to you. He said that you’d know what it’s for. . . ,” Pawnee clenched his teeth, “you knew you were turning me in. Why else would he pay you?”

"Caps? What caps?" Joe exclaimed, his voice shocked and surprised.

The caps. Joe thought to himself, his face immediately falling into a mask of puzzled confusion. You bastard Scythe. But I can use this.

"Makes sense I suppose." Joe said, mulling over his idea. He turned to face Pawnee. "Him telling you I'm involved I mean. After all I am the head of security. I can help you. I can understand why you don't believe me, I did send you out there. But I didn't sell you out. This sack of caps isn't really for me, it's a ruse. If you don't trust the head of security then you don't trust any security. He's trying to keep you scared, keep you on edge. And most importantly, stop you seeking help."

Joe paused for a moment before continuing.

"I know it sounds like brahmin [censored] Pawnee. But if I'm lying, then why the hell am I here? I have come to you to tell you what happened. If I wanted to sell you out then why haven't I said anything to Harlen about you? That big blond told me he had a bounty on you and that Harlen did too. Surely if I wanted to sell you out, I would have approached him too. Offered him a way to take you in with my help."

He crossed the room and stood by Harold. "And if I wanted you dead, why have I come here to talk? I could have come in shooting. Me and Harold against you and Frieda. But as you can see, I'm unarmed. All I told that big guy was that you lived in town. Same thing that both Celeste and Jimmy told him. I'm telling you the truth Pawnee. I had no idea what I was sending you in to there. Two hundred caps, I run this town for Moriarty Pawnee. Do you really think that two hundred caps is enough for me to sell you out for? Why the hell would I jeapordise my job here for two hundred? I make that in a week. This guy is just [censored] with you. messing with your head. Let me help you."

[Czar Kahchi]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Late Morning

"Anyways," she smiled, "you should tell me more about yourself, like how you came to stop by our little town."

She doesn't resent her mother... She could teach me a thing or two...

Rusty had to think about this question. What did bring him here? "Not sure yet, I don't know if it was fate; coincidence; destiny. I was working up in the Pitt, doing odd jobs up there. Some were on the road, some were in the vicinity. Came down here and was lookin' to maybe settle down really, nit sure yet what actually brought me here, still waiting to see."

Rusty threw five caps on the counter, "Could I get some water, please?"

He spoke about his past some more, "I worked in the Pitt for some time. Many odd jobs over the years, I enjoyed it for the most part, some parts I didn't. There was a thrill to it that couldn't be matched, I'm thinking something, or someone here will."