[casey macmillan]

Brandy - Emporium Clinic - afternoon


"Sore huh? You could always try asprin." Ryler pause, thinking for a second, " But you said she punched you in the mouth. Aspirin will make the mouth cut worse. Applying ice wrapped in a cloth will help greatly, and do not do any thing extreme. As for your mouth? There's a nasty gash there, but it should heal quickly. Eat foods that won't sting the small wound and expect about 5 days for it to heal. Me? I'm from Rivet City, a giant hulking boat...far from here."

"Ok, I will" taking in his advice, "Rivet City, I've heard of it, but never been there."

"Wait. Did you say he was almost out of them?"A serious expression, crossed his face, "Oh no. This is bad, bad, bad. The box clearly said to take 2 every day. They are 24 pills in there. Taking so many in a short period will destroy your circulatory system."

A frightened look shot onto Brandy's face as she began to jump up off the bed.

"It was a joke, I apologise." He said with remorse. Ryler reached into his medi-kit, "Here's another round of Pain-a-dol for Pawnee. And, I never asked where you were from? What's your story?"

Brandy, you are so gullible, is it written on your face, as she frowned at the joke. "That wasn't very funny." Feeling embarrassed "me, I'm from Michigan, my brother Ricky, his two friends and I were traveling south." Her heart sank "basically, I was too much of a burden to them I guess, and they left me here." She answered with a deep, depressing sigh, "anyways, what do I owe you? Frieda made it sound quite urgent that I get these back to Pawnee." As she shook the pills. "Maybe we could have a coffee and chat some more sometime, when I have more time."

[Nadia Nad]

James Wilson – Grayditch Arms – mid-afternoon

alking back into town, James could see Rusty leaving, walking into the wastes...

Wonder were he’s going?

Heading inside the Grayditch arms James sat down on couch and flipped open his 44. Magnum, it was empty…

When James had attacked the dogs he had used all of 44. Bullet he had on him (eight), so when he had threaten Scythe, his gun was actually empty.

“I can’t be believe that farm boy fell for that trick, although you can’t really tell if magnums are empty by looking at them. ”

Reloading his magnum; James walked over to the desk, picked up a pencil and some paper and began to draw a picture of the “ farm boy” (Scythe.) spending a good hour drawing him…

Not the best of pictures but Pawnee should be able recognize him..

Walked outside, James headed towards the dinner just as rusty had returned from the wasteland and was dragging a dead Yao Guai bear along….

Rusty had stopped in front of the diner and jokingly yelled "Honey, I'm home. I brought dinner!

Heading into the dinner James sat down next to Sue and contiuned working on the picture, drawing a crude picture of the scythe on the farm boys back...

OOC: anyone in the dinner can walk over and comment on the picture of scythe , In a while James will show it to Pawnee

OOCmk2 : for those of you that do not know James calls Scythe " farm boy"

[Crystal Clear]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Mid-afternoon

"Hey, don't worry about me. Whoever beat up Pawnee hasn't fought someone like me. Besides, I got 14 years on the boy. I'll bring you back something and we can work on it together, sound good?" Celeste heard Rusty reply. He picked up his coat and paused by the door. "I'll see you in a quick while, sweet thing."

He was off.

Celeste reflexively reached up to touch her mother's cross, again catching her breath into her throat. He's definitely...different than Joe. She looked around and blushed, hoping no one noticed she had watched Rusty leave. She began to gather dishes left on the tables.

As she returned behind the bar, Frank came in and offered her what he must have thought was a smile. ''Hi there,'' he began,''I realize I haven't spoke to much folk around here so far. So what has been occurring? Anything I could aid with at all?''

"Nothing you need to help with in here, I guess -- let me get you a cup of coffee." Celeste offered a small smile and filled a mug.

Then he added, "any chance there could be anyone who needs a scrubup?''

"You mean, a haircut, and a shave?" Celeste wracked her brain. "You know what, I bet Harold would love a bit of primping. You should go see him this afternoon. See that metal shack over there?" Celeste leaned right over the bar to point out the door, behind Frank. "That's the security office. Harold spends most of his time in there, if he's not patrolling with Joe."

Celeste retreated to other tasks, such as re-stocking the fridge, while ruminating on how she hadn't seen a number of people that day. Rusty's voice startled her as the man had suddenly reappeared. "Honey, I'm home. I brought dinner!"

"Wha...?" She turned around and screamed. Rusty was brandishing a dead Yao Guai, the ugly beast's dead eyes still wide open, it's head split open and covered in blood. "Oh my God! Don't bring that in here, you'll get blood everywhere." She recoiled into herself. "C-could you...cut it up, maybe? I really don't want to touch it." Why couldn't he have just brought back a Mirelurk or something?

[Dewayne Quattlebaum]

Brandy - Friedas - mid-afternoon

"Thanks Ryler, maybe I'll see you later." Brandy said after paying him the caps for her treatment, and Pawnee's meds. Slowly, she made her way back Friedas, for the third time today. Recalling a pre-war romance novel she had read, she thought of a way, she hoped, to make Pawnee feel the way she did.

Brandy found herself standing in front of Friedas house, waiting for a minute, trying to figure out how to approach Frieda, so she could talk to Pawnee, alone. Brandy quietly knocked on the door, "I have the medicine for Pawnee and I would like to ask you something." If Frieda let's you upstairs by yourself, you better follow through with your plan. Otherwise you will look even more like an idiot. she scolded herself.

[Lucy]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Late Afternoon

"Wha...?" She turned around and screamed. Rusty was brandishing a dead Yao Guai, the ugly beast's dead eyes still wide open, it's head split open and covered in blood. "Oh my God! Don't bring that in here, you'll get blood everywhere." She recoiled into herself. "C-could you...cut it up, maybe? I really don't want to touch it."

It broke Rusty's heart to hear her scream. He wanted to get a good supper, and he felt as though he failed her by bringing back bear. He spoke with a but of attitude, "Oh I'll cut it up, but I'm gonna need a few bottles of water to clean it off so you can cook it. Get some plates to while your at it, or somethin' to put the steaks on!" The man was now a but upset, frustrated. I try to do something nice, and I get booed, typical.

Rusty ripped his tomahawk out of it's sheath and got to work. He grabbed a multi-tool from his satchel and picked out the six bullets he fired into the beast. The bounty hunter then got to work on cutting fresh meat from the beast and put it on whatever Celeste got him. When he was done he took the carcass out to the back and put it in the dumpster. He went back to the diner only to be met by Celeste.

[Samantha hulme]

(OOC: romance fangirl will let Brandy get her wish...)

FRIEDA ~~ Her house ~~ Late afternoon

Frieda had curled up next to Pawnee while he slept but couldn't fall asleep herself. His broken nose resulted in endless snoring and she just wasn't tired enough to tune it out and catch a nap before the evening. Instead, she laid with her eyes wide open, internalizing everything that had occurred that morning and trying to figure it all out.

She hated the thought of relying on strangers. She hated the thought of recruiting strangers to help solve problems. She hated that Pawnee didn't seem to think she should accompany him to pay off his bounty and bring Buck home.

Home, is it, now? How domestic, Frieda.

Her stomach growled. At some point she'd have to pick up some dinner from Celeste for both her and Pawnee. She wondered if he'd be able to chew, or if his jaw was still too bruised. Frieda leaned over and kissed Pawnee behind his ear but he didn't flinch. Still so tired.

She left the bedroom and closed the door softly behind her, electing to at least freshen up for the day. She smirked at the irony of that thought while she washed her face and freshened her ponytail. Feeling a bit better, she made her way downstairs, having decided she could at least do some kind of resistance exercises. In the middle of her set of sit-ups, there was a knock at the door.

For the first time that day, she opened the door gently and peeked out. Brandy had returned, looking tidier and wearing camo pants and a t-shirt. "I have the medicine for Pawnee and I would like to ask you something," she said.

Frieda blinked. What could she want to talk to me about? "Okay, come in." Brandy stepped inside. Frieda closed the door and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. "What do you need?"



CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Late afternoon

"Oh I'll cut it up, but I'm gonna need a few bottles of water to clean it off so you can cook it. Get some plates to while your at it, or somethin' to put the steaks on!" With that, Rusty trudged off around the side of the diner.

Golly, I've hurt his feelings. He sure seems sensitive... Celeste gathered a bunch of plates into her arms, a couple bottles of water, and ambled outside the diner to meet him. Rusty was hacking the gigantic beast to pieces with a very sharp axe. "Rusty," she called to him. He was hunched over the beast, pulling out bullets and brooding.

"Aw, come on, Rusty, don't be sore." She smiled at him and placed the plates down next to him. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just...um, wasn't expecting...well, I don't know what I was expecting. Meat usually shows up as meat, for me, not as the whole beast." Celeste reached out and softly touched his shoulder. "I really appreciate you having caught this for me. I'll make sure you get a cut of what I make off it, okay? When you're done, come inside, and there'll be a cold beer with your name on it." She winked and glanced down at the hacked up corpse. Stifling a shudder, she all but ran back into the diner.

[Greg Swan]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Late Afternoon

"Rusty," she called to him. He was hunched over the beast, pulling out bullets and brooding.

Her voice was like sweet music to his ears. It calmed his nerves.

"Aw, come on, Rusty, don't be sore." She smiled at him and placed the plates down next to him. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just...um, wasn't expecting...well, I don't know what I was expecting. Meat usually shows up as meat, for me, not as the whole beast." Celeste reached out and softly touched his shoulder. "I really appreciate you having caught this for me. I'll make sure you get a cut of what I make off it, okay? When you're done, come inside, and there'll be a cold beer with your name on it." She winked and glanced down at the hacked up corpse. Stifling a shudder, she all but ran back into the diner.

Her couldn't help but watch her walking away. He felt strings being plucked in his heart, Ok Cupid, you like her, don't [censored] it up.

He continued to clean the beast. And before he puts each steak on the plate he cleaned it off thoroughly with water. When done he brought all the plates of steak inside and set them on the oven for her. He had to make a couple trips to get all the plates, but they were all inside ready to be cooked.

He couldn't help but smile on the inside when with her. He sat down at the diner across from her. Rusty uncapped the bottle of beer Celeste had rewarded him. He purred, "Celeste, if you want me to help you, be of assistance here in your diner, you say the word and I'm there for you."

[Lewis Morel]

OOC: This post is just to make Skirt sad. :sadvaultboy: hehe . I will not post again today, but if approached, I’ll respond first thing tomorrow morning.

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

Pawnee fell asleep with Frieda lying next to him in bed, curling his hair, as he tried to drift off.

In his dreams, Pawnee was walking through a town named Mine Field. He stopped to examine the remnants of a prewar motor bike. There were unexploded mines scattered around the town and hidden in the scrub everywhere. Although it was rather dangerous, he knew that saluaging them could make good caps.

Pawnee stood up from the rusted motorcycle and spotted a mine near a house to the west. He approached it quietly, on his hands and knees, pulling a knife out of his belt. The mine had a small pressure plate on the bottom, which he’d have to disarm in order to take it, without it blowing him up.

He grabbed the exterior of the mine, gently, and began to turn it so he could see its underside.

At that moment, he heard a voice just behind him.

“Pawnee. . .”

It was a familiar voice.

Bittercup. . .

“Bittercup?”

Pawnee carefully put the mine back in place and wiggled backwards, shooting up to his feet once it was safe.

“Bittercup!”

There was a ghostly giggle from one of the houses to the north.

Pawnee remembered a time when the two of them were together, and they went on a walk to Jury Street. When his back was turned, Bittercup hid from him in an playful match of hide and seek. He followed her laugher on a wild goose chase around the ruins of the metro station without finding her little hiding place for almost half an hour.

“Bittercup!” Pawnee began to sprint up the street towards the voice. He heard it echo again, off to his right. It was coming from a red house with white shutters. The curtains in the living room window fluttered.

Pawnee charged towards the house. He was sure he’d caught a glimpse of Bittercup in the window, smiling at him. A brief flicker.

Pawnee was sprinting at full speed now. Just as he reached the front door, he stepped on a hidden landmine.

The resulting explosion jolted him awake. He was lying in bed, covered in sweat, alone in Frieda’s bedroom.

[Nany Smith]

Brandy - Friedas house - mid afternoon


"Okay, come in." Brandy stepped inside. Frieda closed the door and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. "What do you need?"

Here goes, if you can get her to let you see Pawnee alone, then you can deal with him. "Do you remember saying to me this morning, 'you really care about him?" Frieda nodded


"Yes I do." Brandy took a breath, "But, I care about everyone in general, its just the way I am." She toed the floor, "Honestly, I wish I had your confidence, and self security." She looked into Friedas eyes, "I was hoping that you would be willing to let me speak to Pawnee...privately. I lost my nerve earlier when I stopped by. My offer still, and will stand about giving you a hand with anything, not just helping with Pawnee."

Brandy took a step back and looked at the chair, now turned door stop. "I can even make you a door bar." She said motioning to the door, "Lifting a small board up and dropping into some brackets would be a lot easier than sliding that chair under the door handle." She gave Frieda a big smile. "So, can I see him, to set things straight, and let him know NOT, to play the Romeo [censored] with me anymore? You had every right to be upset with me...and him, I wouldve been upset too."

[Cody Banks]

FRIEDA ~~ her house ~~ Late Afternoon

Frieda stood and watched as Brandy gestured towards the door, describing how she'd construct a door stop. I'm actually impressed.

"So, can I see him, to set things straight, and let him know NOT, to play the Romeo with me anymore? You had every right to be upset with me...and him, I would've been upset too." Brandy was smiling sheepishly.

Frieda took a breath in and out. Well, this could be good. Pawnee promised me he'd quit it with the philandering, but it would make me feel good to know Brandy's told him she won't put up with it, either.

"Okay," she answered. Brandy looked surprised. "You can go upstairs and see him. He was sleeping last I left him but that was maybe half an hour ago. I need to step out and get some fresh air, anyways, and stop by the diner." Frieda glanced at the shotgun Brandy was carrying. "Be careful with that, but shoot anyone who comes in here that you don't like, okay?"

"Thanks, Frieda! See you soon," the girl gushed, nearly tripping over herself to get up the stairs.

Frieda raised an eyebrow and stepped into the late day sun. The air was dry but felt good on her skin. It's not good to just stay inside all day. I wonder if Pawnee would like to look at the stars with me later tonight. She made her way to the diner, her hands in her pockets, her plasma bouncing lightly at her side.


CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Late Afternoon

Celeste had begun to busy herself with assembling side dishes to serve with the yao guai meat that night. Rusty came back in, looking satisfied with himself, and smelling a little bit like blood, sweat, and desert. He sat down on the stool across from her. Rusty uncapped the bottle of beer Celeste had rewarded him. "Celeste, if you want me to help you, be of assistance here in your diner, you say the word and I'm there for you."

She returned his smile. "Why thank you, Rusty. It'll be nice to have a helping hand around here." She crossed her arms on the bar and bobbed her head from side to side to the music. Celeste glanced up at some movement at the door and watched Frieda walk in. The blonde looked a little pale, and her eyelids sagged with tiredness. Poor woman. I wonder if she stayed up all night at Pawnee's side. "Let me know when you need another beer," she directed to Rusty, and stepped aside from him.

"Hi, Frieda," she greeted the blonde.

"Hey, Celeste," Frieda replied. She approached the bar but did not sit down. "What have you got for dinner? I'll take something back for Pawnee and I, if you don't mind."

"Not at all," Celeste replied, eying Frieda carefully. "Is everything all right? How's Pawnee doing?"

Frieda rubbed her cheek, appearing to stifle a yawn. "He's recovering. His face looks better. He's slept most of the day." She looked Celeste in the eye, something that was rare for the blonde. "Did...did you want to see him, later?" she asked softly.

Celeste blinked. She's...being nice to me? "I would, if that's okay. Will he be awake?"

Frieda shrugged. "So...about dinner...?"

(OCC: "He was sleeping last I let him", Frieda? Geeeeez...Nice Freudian slip there, haha. Corrected )

[Soph]

James Wilson - Celeste dinner – late afternoon

Whilst Rusty had been cutting up the Yao quai outside, James had finished the picture of farm boy, whilst not the best drawer James had done a fairly accurately job and You could clearly tell it was farm boy (scythe), if you saw him after looking at the picture….

Suddenly Frieda walked in and began talking to Celeste about dinner and how Pawnee was doing …

"He's recovering. His face looks better. He's slept most of the day." She looked Celeste in the eye "Did...did you want to see him, later?" she asked softly.

Hmm I better apologize if I want to show Pawnee this picture, or I might end up a a pile of goo….

Once Frieda had finished speaking him Celeste james waited until she was free and approached her “ hello Frieda I’ll would like to Apologize for eariler , I shouldn’t of lost my temper nor should I rushed up to help Pawnee he need his rest first... "

“Anway whilst out waste ealier today I ran into a rather nice [censored], I think he may be one that attacked Pawnee eariler..”

“ I drew this picture of the “farm boy” James said whilst passing Frieda the picture.

"do you know who he is?" James asked...

[Kyra]

Brandy - Friedas house late afternoon


Frieda took a deep breath "Okay," she answered. Brandy looked surprised. "You can go upstairs and see him. He was sleeping last I left him but that was maybe half an hour ago. I need to step out and get some fresh air, anyways, and stop by the diner." Frieda glanced at the shotgun Brandy was carrying. "Be careful with that, but shoot anyone who comes in here that you don't like, okay?"

"Thanks, Frieda! See you soon," Brandy gushed and nearly tripped going up the stairs. She paused, ran her fingers through her hair, adjusted herself, Okay, don't fail, you can't fail, this is your one shot.

Gently, she opened the door, there was Pawnee, fast asleep on the bed. Quietly, Brandy walked over to him, putting her glasses on the chair and carefully putting her left leg on the bed, and gracefully swinging her right leg over straddling Pawnee. He stirred a little as she eased down until she could feel him underneath her.

"Bittercup" he murmured, eyes still closed.

"No, its your other angel, your desert rose" Brandy whispered, as his eyes opened. She postured up, removing her t-shirt, revealing her lacy black bra, she flipped her hair back over her shoulders. Pawnee's jaw hit his chest, as she eased down on him once again. "Shh...shh...shh, don't say a word." She whispered, barely touching his lips with her finger.

Placing a hand down on the bed on either side of him, she slowly slid them up the mattress, gazing into his eyes the entire time, her hands stopped up by his head. Leaning forward even more, her chest inches from his face, she backed up slightly, arching her back like a fine feline. Brandy lowered her face down to his until their noses were practically touching. "Not a word" she whispered.

Tilting her face to his neck, her lips, warm and luscious, gently caressed his skin until they met the edge of his ear, her hair falling like a curtain around their heads. "I'm not as innocent as you think I am, sometimes its good to be bad, and I can be very...very bad." in the most seductive of voices. Inching her way back up to his face. "It really is a shame, you know it really is." Whispering still, while staring deep into his eyes. Posturing back up, her hands very lightly running down his chest to his waist. "What a shame" shaking her head "you told me to stay away from you, that you were poison." Placing her finger across his lips again, "you may have been the poison that I've been looking for."

Gingerly, she swung her right leg back over and stood up. "Aaa...aaa...aaa" she shook her finger, "not a word." Picking up her glasses, putting them on top of her head, and flinging the shirt over her shoulder she stepped towards the door, stopping before turning the knob, and looking back whilst raising an eyebrow , "arrivederci little Romeo" blowing him a kiss before opening the door.

Standing on the top step God, I hope Frieda isn't back yet pulling her shirt back on. Slipping on the second step she took, she slipped down three more steps before bracing herself with the walls, "I'm OK" she called out. Once downstairs, Frieda had not returned yet. She sat silently,on the chair used as a door stop waiting you did it, that should teach him, it was hard for Brandy to keep seated as she very much wanted to jump in her own little victory. The big smile on her didn't feel to good with a split lip, but it was more than worth it.


OOC: Toushay little Romeo lol

[Hot]

Duncan Talson - Megaton - Late Afternoon (the day before)

Duncan leaned on the fence of Brahmin pen rubbing his temples, the smell of excrement mixed with his tiredness was beginning to give him a headache. It had been a long day of looking at cattle and he came away very disappointed he was only able to find four quality brahmin and six extremely ordinary ones. He'd wished the figures were the other way round but had to make the best of the situation and took what he could get.

Now he waited for the head rancher to tally up his bill and at that moment a short, rotund man with sweat slicked hair came up to him "Mr. Talson?" he said in a professional manner "Yes?" Duncan replied

"The bill for your purchases works out to be roughly 4000 caps."

Duncan looked incredulous 4000 for them! Sure the quality ones would be worth 500 a piece but those mangy ones are barely worth 100 caps. Duncan put a smile back on his face and spoke levelly "Surely there is some mistake, sir. Although you have high quality pens here, these Brahmin i have chosen wouldn't be worth more than 3200 caps collectively."

Anger seemed to flair up in the rancher "Speak plainly man! If you think my stock are [censored] say so! I will not take less than 4000 for them, consider it a bargain for yourself! If this does not please you, kindly take a long walk of an extremely short bridge!"

The rancher had turned red during his little rant and looked like a child pouting, Duncan knew haggling with this man was a lost cause and decided to cut his losses and pay the 4000 caps, he flung the pouch full of caps into the dust, taking whatever victory he could get, even if it was childish and stalked away, leaving the ranch hands to herd his new Brahmin into the pen he had hired, after today he needed a drink and badly

Megaton - Late evening (the day before)

Duncan could feel the whiskey going to his head, he'd lost count of how many shots he had done after that drinking contest with the man Jericho. He knew he was going to pay for it tomorrow but decided it couldn't be helped and heaved himself off the stool to make his way to his room. After a wave of vertigo passed through him he gave a curt "g'night" to Gob and Nova then staggered his way upstairs before flopping onto the greasy mattress and falling into a deep slumber.

Megaton - Crack of Dawn

The hammering at his door was amplified by the hammering in his head, which felt like a super mutant had taken a sledge hammer and beat his skull in. He stood and wobbled a bit before croaking "I'm coming, I'm coming don't get your knickers in a knot." he unlatched the door and was greeted by the smiling face of Moriarty. "It's your 4:30 wake up" the Irishman said to him.

"I said six you bastard" Duncan replied groggily.

"Aye you did, but best to get back to Grayditch as soon as possible, no?" the man gave out a little laugh, he seemed to be amused at Duncan's state while he waited for a reply.

"I...I guess" Duncan wanted nothing more than for the man to leave so he could wash his face and hopefully relieve some pain.

"That's a good lad, while your at it take these letter and give this one to the owner of the diner and this one to the head of security, run along now"

Duncan snatched the letters then slammed the door in Moriarty's face, but before he realised it was a bad idea the door and slammed shut and the bang made his head thrum with pain again.

He stumbled over to the basin and began washing his face while muttering, as he usually did when he had a hangover "Stupid Moriarty and his stupid smugness, waking me up at 4:30 in the morning who does he think he is? and he then has the nerve to ask me to be a courier."

When he was finished complaining he pulled on his leather armour shoved the letters in his pocket and made his way to the Brahmin pens for the short ride back to Grayditch. When he was satisfied with everything he mounted Jane and gave a loud whoop to get the herd moving.

Grayditch - Late afternoon

The ride home was uneventful at best, he had no trouble what so ever the only things he took note of where a freshly slaughtered pack of dogs and car that looked like it was recently destroyed by some raiders having fun. He dismissed both events and rode on for Grayditch with a happy demeanor. It had been barely two days since he'd left the town but it felt like a week and boy was he glad to be home. For the first time in a long time it seemed, after all he had never felt like this when he resided at Canterbury Commons but he'd never taken time to get to know people that well because a traders life always had them out on the road.

He saw the wall of the town and made the herd pick up speed by whooping loudly, he then veered them down towards the diner before continuing straight past it and up the hill. Although he wanted to see everyone again, to catch up on what had happened, his first order of business was to get the Brahmin settled up here, unfortunately he hadn't had time to move the rusted out cars and decided that would be the first thing he did tomorrow. He herded them into the 'yard' and dismounted. Looking around he found a decent place for his tent, after all he'd have to move up here to keep an eye on them. When he was sure they weren't going to go anywhere he mounted Jane and rode back down to the diner.

[Jennifer Munroe]

Frank-diner




"You mean, a haircut, and a shave?" Celeste wracked her brain. "You know what, I bet Harold would love a bit of primping. You should go see him this afternoon. See that metal shack over there?" Celeste leaned right over the bar to point out the door, behind Frank. "That's the security office. Harold spends most of his time in there, if he's not patrolling with Joe."

Frank was about to ask who the hell was Joe but was interrupted by a loud voice saying, "Honey, I'm home. I brought dinner!"

A large entered tossing in a dead Yao Guai, the girl seemed very disgusted at the creature, with good reason, he thought.
''how [censored] undignified, for him and the beast.'' He thought aloud.

Frank stared at Rusty as he took it outback, looks damn tasty though, he thought hungryly as he sipped his coffee.

Soon a striking tall blond entered the diner, saying something about a man name Pawnee.I should really know who that is he frowned.

Frank was about to inquire about him, when a man holding a drawn picture approached her, saying,

“Anway whilst out waste ealier today I ran into a rather nice [censored], I think he may be one that attacked Pawnee eariler..”

speaks with such class, Frank thought as he peered at the picture.

“ I drew this picture of the “farm boy” James said whilst passing Frieda the picture.

"do you know who he is?" James asked.

The farm boy comment bothered him. ''Why do you call him farm boy with such hostility?''

[Louise]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Late Afternoon

Rusty continued to sit there. The beer was satisfying, it hit the spot. Celeste was looking wonderful making steaks for the town. Almost as if she was the mother of Greyditch. If this goes anywhere, it'll be a heckuva ride.

The diner was starting to fill up, Duncan was back. Frank was in, Harlen, Joe, Harold were out doing something back that was ok. Nothing could really upset him right now. A beautiful woman was making him a hand cooked steak, the whole town was gathering for supper, and the radio was rockin' Orange Colored Sky by Nat "King" Cole.

I was walking along, minding my business,
When out of an orange-colored sky,
Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
Wonderful you came by.

I was humming a tune, drinking in sunshine,
When out of that orange-colored view
Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
I got a look at you.

One look and I yelled "Timber"
"Watch out for flying glass"
Cause the ceiling fell in and the bottom fell out,
I went into a spin and I started to shout,
"I've been hit, This is it, This is it!"

I was walking along, minding my business,
When love came and hit me in the eye,
Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
Out of an orange-colored sky.

Celeste was still bobbin' her head to the tune. Rusty could only smile at his life before him.

[James Shaw]

OOC: Cobra, I get the impression that you want Frieda to wind up murdering Pawnee. Sadly, he’ll probably fall right into your schemes. :blush: Schmuty, avert your eyes!

--Late Afternoon--
--Frieda’s House--
--Little Romeo (Pawnee)--

After waking up from his dream, Pawnee laid back to try and get more rest. His body was still store, but all of the pain killers and care Frieda had given him made it feel much better. He shifted in bed and closed his eyes, coming in and out of flashes of dreaming.

Pawnee was in one of those micro dreams when he felt a weight on top of him. Only half awake, he mumbled aloud.

“Bittercup?”

"No, its your other angel, your desert rose,” Pawnee heard a girl whisper. He opened his eyes.

Brandy was straddling his chest. She was grinning – beaming – her face flush and hot. She reached down and began to pull up her shirt, tightening her thighs around his chest and wiggling a little.

It took several seconds for Pawnee to figure out if he was still dreaming.

Is this for real?

Brandy pulled off her top. She was wearing a PreWar black bra, covered in lace. She flicked her hair back and sat down firmly on his waist.

“Brandy,” Pawnee stammered.

Brandy leaned forward and pressed two fingers to his lips, “shhh. . .don’t say a word,” she purred.

Oh my GOD! Where’s Frieda!?!?!

Pawnee began to whip his head around to try and scan the room for the woman who was going to bludgeon him to death with the butt of an enclave pistol at any moment.

Brandy smacked her hands down on the bed on either side of Pawnee’s head, startling him, and regaining his attention. She leaned forward, her bra almost brushing against his nose. Her feminine scent filled his nostrils and made him involuntarily close his eyes.

“Brandy,” Pawnee repeated with the widest of smiles. He slowly raised his hands and grabbed her by the waist as she gently rocked back and forth on top of him, “what are you-?”

Brandy arched her back like a cat, so her chest was on full display. A slight trickle of sweat ran down from her neck and glistened in the sunlight that managed to poke its way through the window curtains. Before Pawnee could finish his question, she lowered her face down to his until their noses were touching.

"Not a word," Brandy firmly repeated in a whisper.

This – this – uh. This is heaven.

Brandy rested her face against Pawnee’s neck and slowly rubbed her soft cheek against his skin, all the way up to his ear.

The contact made Pawnee curl his toes. He lowered his grip on Brandy’s waist and squeezed her butt tightly with both hands.

Brandy gave his ear a gentle bite, "I'm not as innocent as you think I am. Sometimes it’s good to be bad, and I can be very...very bad.”

“I bet you can,” Pawnee turned his head so he could kiss her, but she playfully pulled away. She rested both hands on his chest and slowly ran them down towards his waist. Every time she grazed over a bump or a bruise he’d wince, but his body only half felt the pain, tensing in anticipation as her hands went lower and lower.

"It really is a shame, you know? It really is." Brandy pouted, staring deep into Pawnee’s eyes. She shook her head, "What a shame. You told me to stay away from you. That you were poison."

“I meant that-”

Brandy touched her fingers to his lips once more, "you may have been the poison that I've been looking for."

“Okay,” Pawnee grinned, “okay.”

Brandy gingerly swung her right leg back over Pawnee and stood up next to the bed. She picked up her glasses and began to get dressed.

“Huh?” Pawnee sat up slightly, reeling, “why – why are you leaving? After that?”

"Ah, ah, ah," Brandy teasingly shook her finger at him, "not a word."

Is this a game? Is she just worried about Frieda? Does she want me to come after her?

Brandy casually tossed her shirt over her shoulder and stepped towards the door, stopping before turning the knob. She was still topless and Pawnee studied the back straps on her bra. He wanted to bolt out of bed and peel it off of her.

"Arrivederci little Romeo,” Brandy blew him a kiss and walked out of the room.

“What?” Pawnee said the word aloud even though he thought he had just thought it. His heart was still racing and his body tingled, ready for six, that apparently wasn’t in the cards.

Pawnee bit his lip. He’d made a promise to Frieda, and was surprised that he’d be willing to cheat on her so easily, but with Brandy straddling him, half naked, caressing him, it just seemed reflexive.

I can’t help myself. . .I’m like a dog chasing squirrels. . .

Bittercup and Pawnee had shared the deepest spiritual connection he’d ever felt. She was his soul mate – he knew it. Frieda and Pawnee shared a personal connection. He found her beautiful, intelligent, alluring, and dominating – a perfect match for him.

But Brandy. Physically, he felt like the two of them clicked on a level that he hadn’t had with anyone else before. He grabbed his hair and pulled on it in frustration.

What do I do? I want to stay with Frieda but another ten minutes in heaven with Brandy and I’ll melt for sure. What do I even say to Brandy when I see her next? I bet she’ll play it cool. Really, really cool. Like nothing happened.

I wonder if I can have my cake and eat it too. I only have two days to live, anyway.

Wow, the grim reaper was right. . .I’m a little Romeo.

OOC: Time for me to take a cold shower

[Doniesha World]

FRIEDA ~~ Diner/her house/Grayditch ~~ Early evening

Frieda drummed her fingers on the bar, watching Celeste lilt and sway to the music while she cooked some Yao Guai steak and Instamash. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Rusty sipping a beer and watching Celeste with a sort of lecherous expression.

James drew up next to her. “ I drew this picture of the “farm boy” James said whilst passing her some crude sketch. "Do you know who he is?"

Freida squinted at the drawing. It vaguely resembled the man with the scythe. "You met this man out in the wastes?" James nodded.

[censored]. That's him, for sure. He must be really close to the town. I don't really want to tell James that this is indeed the man after Pawnee, there's already far too many people involved.

She shrugged and passed the image back to James. "That drawing doesn't really match the description that Pawnee gave me. Thanks for your help, though," she gave James a smile.

James looked like he was about to say something else when Celeste started putting steaks onto some plates. "Frieda, how about I help you carry this over to your place? I'd really like to see Pawnee while he's awake."

"Whatever," she replied. "I left Brandy back there, she probably woke him up."

Celeste almost dropped her plate. "You left Brandy back there?" she parroted.

Frieda frowned. "Sure, why? I misjudged her. She's fairly kind. You don't find that to often in the wasteland."

"No," Celeste replied softly, "you don't." She picked up both plates. "Shall we?"

"I can take one of those --"

"Don't worry about it. Rusty, watch the shop for a sec," she winked at him, coming around the bar and exiting the diner, Frieda close behind. As they crossed the road, Duncan was coming up the street on his brahmin. Frieda raised her arm and gave him a friendly wave.

Celeste was pvssyring about some nonsense. Frieda tuned her out, not really thinking about more than having dinner and having a decent sleep that night. She opened the door and held it for Celeste, then shut it behind them.

Brandy was standing in the living room, her hair a little unkempt and grinning to herself. Frieda raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"Pawnee," Celeste was crooning up the stairs. "Are you awake?" The brunette began to climb the stairs with both steaks.

"Wait," Frieda stopped her, reaching up towards the stairs and taking the plates from Celeste. "When you're done, tell him to come down and eat." She walked into the kitchen and placed the plates onto the table.

She immediately thought of Brandy. Well this is rude... "Brandy, why don't you...go sit at the table. I should have brought a third plate. I'm sorry. I'll go back to the diner and ask Rusty for a third steak." Frieda smiled at the younger woman and left the house once again.

[Robert Jackson]

James Wilson – Celeste dinner – afternoon

Frieda shrugged and passed the image back to James. "That drawing doesn't really match the description that Pawnee gave me. Thanks for your help, though," she gave James a smile.

Something is not right….

James was about ask if he could ask Pawnee about "farm boy" when Celeste started putting steaks onto some plates. "Frieda, how about I help you carry this over to your place? I'd really like to see Pawnee while he's awake."

"Whatever," she replied. "I left Brandy back there, she probably woke him up."

“See you later” James replied as both of them walked out of door turning around James could see the barber, Frank was looking at the picture James had draw of "Farm boy"

''Why do you call him farm boy with such hostility?'' he asked James

why does he care?

“ I call him “ Farm boy” as he was using a sycthe, like one of those old-time farmers and he was an real [censored] , I say hello to him and he "rudely" tells me to go away and I think he was one that beat up Pawnee yesterday.

after speaking with Frank, James sat back down in his booth next to Sue and gave her the picture " have you seen this guy?" James asked

Sue nodded and open her note book and began wirting

-----------
yes, big blonde guy in blue armour was here yesterday asking for Pawnee began talking to Jimmy also talked to Frieda and Joe...

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

I knew it this son of [censored] was the one, but why did Frieda lie ? I need to ask Pawnee but to many people are at Frieda house right now , I'll go later...

[Marine Arrègle]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Late Afternoon

Celeste had left the diner in Rusty's care, but before she left she gave him a wink. So Rusty took charge and cooked steak accordingly. He flipped some of the steaks in the air, and caught them with the pain they were frying in. Some of the citizens in the diner let out a cheer at this.

Rusty wondered about his look that he had for Celeste. If someone were to see my face when looking at Celeste, they would probably easily mistake it as lust. I, however, do not lust after her. My deadbeat of a father taught me at a young age that love is much stronger then lust, and I do not lust for Celeste. I know this and it's only been a couple of days. She has that beauty that makes me unable to lust, but still be attracted to her just the same, if not more. Love is stronger than lust, as tears of laughter are better than tears of fear.

Rusty sautéd the steaks as he continued to watch over Celeste's diner. They had only been gone for a few minutes when Frieda came back asking for another steak. He put a dainty, almost pint size steak on a plate as well as mashed potatoes, and handed it to her with a chuckle. "See you later Frieda, tell Celeste her diner misses her. I can hear the walls groaning for her swift return, haha!"

[Jennifer Munroe]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Frieda's house ~~ Early evening

"Wait," Frieda called to her, when Celeste had gone up a few stairs, reaching up towards the her and taking the plates easily from where Frieda stood on the floor. "When you're done, tell him to come down and eat."

Aren't we pushy today? "Sure, that's fine." Celeste hurried up the stairs before Frieda could issue any more commands.

"Pawnee! It's Celeste!" she grinned, pushing the bedroom door open. "How are you feeling? Is Frieda taking good care of you?"

She took a good look at the young man. Frieda had told the truth about how the swelling had gone down, but his face still was covered in bruises -- Celeste couldn't tell where one ended and another one began -- and his nose was impossibly crooked. Poor guy. You'll never be able to avoid noticing that, now.

Celeste crinkled her nose. "It's kinda musty in here..." She immediately went to the window but a piece of furniture was in front of it. Frieda is one weird woman. The brunette put all her weight into moving the armoire. It scraqed along the floor and moved a few inches with an audible groan. She pushed again but didn't concentrate her force low enough and caused the whole thing to topple over with a huge thud.

"Aha...sorry," she apologized with a sheepish smile. "Uh, anyways, Frieda and I brought you some dinner, it's downstairs if you want it."

Frieda nearly dove right into the room. "What the hell happened in here?"

"I knocked over your dresser. Why was it in front of the window?"

"I put it there," Frieda replied curtly. "Why were you moving it?"

"I wanted to open the window..."

Frieda's brow flicked in irritation. "Scared the [censored] out of me..." She turned and went back downstairs.

Celeste sat next to Pawnee on the bed. "What happened to you? Who did this, and why?" She reached over and placed her hand over his. "Please tell me you weren't somewhere really dangerous trying to impress Frieda. I don't think it'll work on her. She's really hard to figure out."

She looked around. "Oh...and where's Buck?"

[Cccurly]

--Early Evening--
--Frieda’s House--
--Pawnee--

Celeste sat next to Pawnee on the bed. "What happened to you? Who did this, and why?" She reached over and placed her hand over his. "Please tell me you weren't somewhere really dangerous trying to impress Frieda. I don't think it'll work on her. She's really hard to figure out...and where's Buck?"

“Buck’s with a friend,” he said with a smile, “and I got busted up when I was out scavenging and an old wall fell on me. Messed me up pretty bad. Had nothing to do with Frieda.”

He smiled as Celeste continued to dote over him.

She’s always so nice. If I told her a word, she’d worry herself sick.

“If it’s okay, Celeste, I’d like to stay up here and get more rest. If you or Frieda could bring dinner up here for me after your done though, that’d be just swell. I don’t mind if it’s cold or anything, and I don’t want to waste anything you had to go to the trouble of making,” Pawnee gave her puppy dog eyes, “everyone here has just been the greatest. Ya’ll are the nicest folk I’ve ever met.

Celeste departed.

Pawnee laid back in bed and closed his eyes. He thought back on Brandy.

Women sure do funny things to a guy. Why can’t she just make things clear? Why does she have to mess with my head? She knows I'm with Frieda. . .

He bit his tongue.

Might as well not worry about it now. Focus on the bounty and Buck. I have the gold, but once I give it to them, they could easily double-cross me. . . . If they spot anyone else coming, me and Buck are dead for sure. . .I’ll need to go in alone and keep them occupied as the others move in. Do the smoothest smooth talking possible and just pray I have time to get out.

[JR Cash]

Joe Rennie. Celeste's diner. The day before.

"Joe, I hate to bug you about all these issues, but Moriarty isn't here." Jimmy paused and leaned in slightly closer towards Joe. "I have ten slaves in that metro. The caps you supplied are well appreciated, and will feed my men. But they won't cover cost for the slaves. Also, asking for ten molerat stews ain't exactly subtle."

He's got a point. We need to find some kind of cover to bring food in for those slaves. Maybe try to get some help from a trader. Or even find out where that tunnel goes to, if there is another station, maybe that could be used instead. It'd be better than risking them coming through town.

Joe sat and listened to Jimmy as the slaver continued.

"There's the business with suits but that's my issue as Harold had said they've already arrived. I'll probably pick them up tomorrow. Finally, I really need a list of who I need to sell to. How long I need to hold on to my current slaves, when I need to go out and get new ones. Joe, if I've to find my own buyers I swear that I walk right now. Maybe stop by Megaton and pick up some caps from that little [censored]... travel money."

Jimmy sighed. "Joe, I don't wish to be rude. I just need a little help here."

A little help! Yes that's right Jimmy, you just want a little help! You want me to find out where the potential slaves are, then pay your men to catch them. Find somewhere to keep them for you. Sneak their food in and now find you buyers. Of all the slavers you could hire Colin. Why this one? Not just some pissant wannabe, oh no, you send me Jimmy [censored] Leggio. Top man in paradise falls. Someone I will definately not be trying to play. No [censored] way I'm ever being a slave. I really would rather die. But, I can't let him leave, Moriarty will have me killed for that.

Joe leaned forward himself before replying. "Ok, I'll get on that list for you the first chance I get Jimmy. As for feeding them, I'll arrange the trader for you. But bringing them supplies through town... Well that's pretty risky. Can you spare a man to scout the tunnel? Find out if it comes out in another station? If I can get the trader to deliver there instead, then it'd certainly lower the risk. What do you think?"

Joe Rennie. Frieda's house. Late morning.

“Two hundred caps is a little small,” Pawnee began, still glaring at Joe, “they’re staying in the house you sent me to - three of them – about a mile away. Harlan told me about my bounty – if you knew that Harlan was here for it, and you’re looking out for me, then why didn’t you tell me, Joe?”

[censored]! Tripped yourself up there didn't you Joe. Why didn't you tell him?

"Well, you've got a point there Pawnee. I'm sorry, I guess I just plain forgot."

Pawnee bit his lip. He eyed Frieda and whispered to her, then turned and whispered to Frieda. Then looked back to Joe, his face almost unreadable.

He knows you're lying Joe. Or at least he thinks he knows, the boy's sharp. Shame this is going to end badly Pawnee, you've got real potential. This could've gone differently, if I'd have had time to teach you a few tricks, you'd make a hell of a conman.

“I have three days to pay off my bounty. if you’re head of security, then could you send Harold with me when I pay it off? They have my dog, and want to do an exchange. I think Harlan would come too – but just to make sure it goes down smooth. . .if they see me with a posse, Buck'll be killed, and I’ll probably go down second.”

"Kill your dog?" Joe exclaimed. "The sick bastards. You just let me know when you need him and I'll send Harold right along."

Pawnee winced a little and clutched at his side. He turned to Frieda. "I - I need to lay down. I'm tired."

"You go do that Pawnee, sorry to take up your time. But I'm glad we got a chance to talk. You take care now. Bye Frieda." Joe waved to her as he left her house,

Harold out of my way and Harlan too. That could be the best chance you get to run Joe. Pawnee will be with them, he's bound to mention something to Harlan about the pipboy story. Once he does that, it's only a matter of time before he figures that I'm involved and comes after me, probably with Junior and Jesse in tow. Worse still, Harlan saw you with Celeste in the diner. If he says anything about that to Harold, then you are a dead man. But with all three of them out of the way, there is nothing to stop you slipping away, never mind stopping to make some money here. I'll slip away, head on over to girdershade and get a job headed west. Set up again a couple of dozen towns along the way. Hell if they move quick I can be in business again in a fortnight.

Joe wandered along, lost in thought and almost didn't notice when Harlan walked right up to him.

"Joe, you stirrin' up trouble with Frieda? You got no need to, I mean, you bein' head of security and all. Shouldn't you be doing something along the lines of protecting this town..."

"Well Harlan, as head of security I'm doing my job talking to Frieda. How else am I going to find out who is responsable for this? Why don't you want me talking to Frieda and Pawnee anyway?"

It seemed that the ageing bounty hunter had forgotten that he'd spoken to Joe, because he ignored Joe's response and instead turned to Harold and extended his hand. He spoke with a friendly smile, "Hello big man, name's Harlen Jake. You know you look like the type of guy that's got a better handle on Joe than most."

The brute looked Harlan up and down, then slowly turned and glared at Joe. Silently he turned back to Jake and nodded.

[vanuza]

Harlen Jake

Greyditch - Late Afternoon

"Well Harlan, as head of security I'm doing my job talking to Frieda. How else am I going to find out who is responsable for this? Why don't you want me talking to Frieda and Pawnee anyway?"

It seemed that the ageing bounty hunter had forgotten that he'd spoken to Joe, because he ignored Joe's response and instead turned to Harold and extended his hand. He spoke with a friendly smile, "Hello big man, name's Harlen Jake. You know you look like the type of guy that's got a better handle on Joe than most."

The brute looked Harlan up and down, then slowly turned and glared at Joe. Silently he turned back to Jake and nodded.

Jake nodded back, then turned his attention to Joe. He grinned, "Joe, I kinda pegged you for a ladies man when we met. You bein' extremely close with Celeste and all. If I was a bettin man, and I'm not, I'd guess you were defilin' her in the wee hours of the night, like she's your lover or somethin'. Then again though I wouldn't know, wouldn't put it past you though. Who knows, you two might not be somethin' soon enough. My son'll probably swoop her off her feet and hold her with love and respect, something you probably don't do."

Harlen nodded and went on his way, "Well you have a good night big man, keep the street safe."

He laughed to himself as he left Joe wide eyed and sweating like he just got out of a sweat lodge.

[Erin S]

Brandy - Friedas - early evening


"Thanks for dinner Frieda, Celeste, it was delicious." Brandy thanked the two of them, she finished her small steak first, "just gonna say bye to Pawnee real quick. Before I go see Nicholas." Brandy casually walked upstairs, "Hope you feel better Pawnee, you should try that steak." She glanced over her shoulder, making sure noone followed "my place is around the corner, next to Celeste's if you need anything. Sweet dreams" Giving him a quick wink. She walked back downstairs, "Bye Frieda, bye Celeste, goodnight."

Back home, she grabbed a beer and sat down on the couch. Pulling out her knife, she scratched her name onto the stock of her sawn-off, just as James had done with her pistol. Fetching another beer, she opened it up, and strolled off to see Nicholas.

Dammit Brandy, what do you still see in him, you know how he is, thinking about Pawnee. As soon as she could see the red house, see cautiously proceeded, eyes wandering looking to for the sniper. Once at the door, she felt nervous as she knocked, "hello, I'm here to see Nicholas."

[rheanna bruining]

Ryler North--Emporium--late afternoon

"That wasn't very funny." Brandy blushed, "me, I'm from Michigan, my brother Ricky, his two friends and I were traveling south. Basically, I was too much of a burden to them I guess, and they left me here." She answered with a deep, depressing sigh, "anyways, what do I owe you? Frieda made it sound quite urgent that I get these back to Pawnee." As she shook the pills. "Maybe we could have a coffee and chat some more sometime, when I have more time."

"Five caps, ma'am."

She handed Ryler the money and left with a thankyou.

Ryler North--Emporium--early evening

Ryler had a deep wound. A deep wound in his heart that could not be healed. A wound no one saw. From the moment his dad passed, to the deaths of friends. His father had not the money for treatment. The doctors let him die. Ryler had sworn that he would be the best medic out there. No pay needed. He would save lives while others wouldn't. But he couldn't save his fellow friends. Guilt a misery tormented him.

"You let them die, you fool. You didn't help them. You couldn't save your dad, your friends. Heck, you even killed your mum." Guilt mocked him.

"Death, death, death. Wherever you go, someone dies!" Misery sneered.

Crap, what's wrong with me? Ryler sat with his head buried in his hands. This wasn't normal. Voices shouldn't be heard. Unless it was his own guilt, that caused him to do so. Needing something to take his mind off...everything, he reached down and opened the cabinet to find documents in files. Grabbing a folder, he placed it on the desk and flipped through it. It was caked in dirt, and the words and printing were faded against the white.

He brushed off the dust with the back of his hand, took out a black pen and began writing. He wrote the names of every resident he knew thus far; Pawnee, Brandy, Frieda, Joe, Celeste, Drifter and Duncan. Each name had their own paper, and under it, Ryler wrote their physical health, the medication he gave them, their sickness'. Though, only Pawnee and Brandy's sheet could be filled out.

Frusrated, he slammed the folder shut violently, dust particles dancing under the lamplight.

I need a drink... He thought, as he got up from the leather seat to the paint-peeling door.