[Jason White]

Jimmy Leggio - Celeste's Diner - Morning


"Try his house, or the security shack. I haven't seen him all morning," Celeste replied, before turning her attention elsewhere. Jimmy nodded, but wasn't in the mood to seek Rennie out. Jimmy had come all the way from Paradise Falls, and the little piece of [censored] Moriarty didn't even supply the slaves. Or the clothes, at that. Jimmy wasn't sure how he was supposed to pretend to be a clothes salesman without clothes to sell.

Jimmy walked to the corner of the diner and entered an abandoned booth. He sat back and began watching the locals beginning to congregate. The boy, Pawnee, was talking to the new girl, the one Jimmy didn't recognise. People are flowing into this hole, Jimmy thought as he watched Pawnee chat the girl up. Further towards the door of the diner Jimmy noticed the girl, the blonde attractive one, glaring towards Pawnee and the girl. She noticed Jimmy staring at her and shrugged, shaking her head. Jimmy simply winked at her and reached into his pocket, finding a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Jimmy lighted up and placed the old, torn package on the table before him. He shoved the lighter in and continued watching the show. The blonde woman eventually got pissed off and fled from the diner, angrily. Pawnee glanced back, seemingly uncaring, and continued talking up the new girl. Jimmy chuckled to himself. Perhaps I got the wrong impression of the boy, Jimmy thought. Celeste was behind the counter. Jimmy basically just thought of her as a part of the diner itself, he had never been in it and not seen her, cleaning or talking or serving drinks. She was talking to a man, wearing what seemed to be a fedora, a man Jimmy had also never seen before.

Jimmy began thinking about how difficult maintaining slaves would be in such a crowded environment when Joe and Harold entered through the door of the diner. Joe noticed Jimmy and began walking towards him, smiling at everyone else in the diner as he walked.

"Morning folks. Morning Celeste, how about a coffee for me and Harold please. We'll be sitting with Jimmy." Both Rennie and Harold sat opposite Jimmy.

"Mornin' fellas," Jimmy greeted cheerfully.

"Morning Jimmy. Did your stock arrive ok?"

Jimmy nodded and picked up his cigarette packet. He flicked open the top and offered it towards the two men sitting opposite him.

"No problems, from what I believe. My man says it went pretty much according to plan. Although I personally was a bit disappointed with the lack of a speech. However, I'm sure a dead slave is exciting around these parts." Jimmy placed the packet back in his pocket and leant in towards Joe and Harold.

"Look, Joe, I'm looking pretty out of place, wandering around with no job to do. No offence to the cheap [censored], but if you could ask Moriarty to hurry up with the clothes, it'd be best for everyone. And about the caps, I understand not paying me at once. But Christ, I've got a family and soldiers to feed, and I've to buy everything here,"

"Just tell him to get his [censored] together, you're running this place brilliantly, but sooner or later, cracks will begin to show."

[Auguste Bartholdi]

Duncan Talson - Celeste's Diner - Morning

Duncan saw Joe had finished up and made his way over to him. At that moment he caught sight of a hulking brute behind him, he started to wonder how he could have missed him, but shook it aside, after all he had a job to do.

"Morning Joe, I've got a proposition for you" Duncan didn't let the man reply it was the prime season for Brahmin and the longer he waited the less chance he had of getting decent stock. He'd already dawdled long enough in asking and knew the quality stock he saw before getting to Grayditch would be gone.

"I've been thinking to myself, why should we rely on caravans to supply us with food, we've already got veggies so why not meat and dairy products and what animal can provide that? Brahmin." Duncan took a breath but pressed on sticking to his philosophy of giving them more to process in one go and they're less inclined to mull it over and eventually deny you. "So what i'm thinking is, i'll head to Megaton check out the stock they have and buy about ten to fifteen of the best ones. I've already got a place I think will be suitable, I just need your okay."

He took a second to catch his breath while waiting for Joe's response.

[*Chloe*]

--Mid-Morning--
--Pawnee’s House--
--Pawnee--

Sure is hot in these helmets. How do the Brotherhood put up with wearing them all day? I wonder if Frieda every wore one of these. Not exactly flattering. . .hehe

Pawnee stared at himself in a bent piece of metal, jutting out from the wall in the rubble-strewn lower level of his house. His reflection came out distorted, like his helmeted head was three feet long.

He heard Buck whine and turned left, surprised to see Brandy standing in the doorway. She flashed him a melting smile and giggled at his appearance.

Works every time. . .works every time. [censored] I'm smooth.

Pawnee walked over to her, coolly leaning against the doorjamb, “back already, Brandy? What do you need?”

He realized he was still wearing his helmet and unsuccessfully tried to pull it off.

"I didn't get to thank you for breakfast and the kind words before you left." Brandy beamed. While Pawnee continued to struggle to undo the clasps, she approached him with a bottle of clear liquid "here's a bottle of moonshine I made, I call it Papas potion, my grandfathers recipe. I flavored it with some mutfruit.

Pawnee finally freed himself of the helmet and took the bottle, staring at it.

“Thanks,” he watched the liquid slosh inside, “mutfuit, eh? Never had flavored shine before. Good idea though. You should make em in a bunch of flavors. . .like punga and gumdrops.”

“You're a really sweet guy, Frieda is a lucky woman" Brandy seemed to purr, staring deeply into his eyes.

“Thanks. . .”

Pawnee felt an awkward pause.

What do I do? Is she really. . .? Nah. She’s just. . .just. . .really does seem like she’s coming on to me though. . .

Brandy took a step backwards, "I had better get going, my brother is probably going to be furious that I've been gone this long."

“Alright,” Pawnee grinned, “hope I see you again soon. Bring more shine my way. Tha’d be just swell.”

Brandy leaned in and kissed his cheek. She then walked off.

Whoa. . .for these past two days I’ve been invincible.

Pawnee suddenly felt a knot in his stomach.

I think I just jinxed my luck.

EDIT: invincible :facepalm:

[lolly13]

Joe Rennie. Celeste's diner. Morning.

"No problems, from what I believe. My man says it went pretty much according to plan. Although I personally was a bit disappointed with the lack of a speech. However, I'm sure a dead slave is exciting around these parts." Jimmy placed the packet back in his pocket and leant in towards Joe and Harold.

"Look, Joe, I'm looking pretty out of place, wandering around with no job to do. No offence to the cheap [censored], but if you could ask Moriarty to hurry up with the clothes, it'd be best for everyone. And about the caps, I understand not paying me at once. But Christ, I've got a family and soldiers to feed, and I've to buy everything here,"

"Just tell him to get his [censored] together, you're running this place brilliantly, but sooner or later, cracks will begin to show."

Pay, what can I pay him. I haven't even started collecting rent yet. The start up fund, that'll pay Jimmy's men. What about Nick though? I'll need to pay his crew too. Maybe I can get them out of the way for a while. I'll give them some kind of "away mission". Tell them they can keep whatever bounty they take along the way. But what the hell do I tell Jimmy about his clothes?

Before Joe could say anything, the giant beside him rumbled, "Clothes arrive today."

"Ah. Well that appears to have that covered then. And as for the guard's pay, I'll drop it by your house later today, how does that sound?"

A short while later, his business with Jimmy completed, Joe was approached by Duncan. "Morning Joe, I've got a proposition for you" The man said in a hurry, not pausing for a response.

"I've been thinking to myself, why should we rely on caravans to supply us with food, we've already got veggies so why not meat and dairy products and what animal can provide that? Brahmin." Duncan paused and took a breath. Joe opened his mouth to ask a question, but the rough looking man cut him off.

"So what i'm thinking is, i'll head to Megaton check out the stock they have and buy about ten to fifteen of the best ones. I've already got a place I think will be suitable, I just need your okay."

How can you use this Joe. Brahmin are worth a lot of caps. Milk, hell cheese even. Duncan could make a lot of money from this. Moriarty wants fifteen percent of takings. I'll take twenty, it's still fair. Moriarty gets his and I get something for a rainy day. Hell, that's a fair deal for all the businesses in town. But in that case this needs to work, he'll need guards.

Joe smiled at Duncan and sat back in his chair. "That is a fantastic idea friend. Drifter's veggies are great, but I think we all need a steady supply of steak. If you are going to do this though, I think it should be a town effort, ask around, get a few other people to go with you too. Safety in numbers after all. Maybe ask Jesse to recommend some locals who can handle themselves. When would you want this expedition to set off?"

[gary lee]

Rusty Valentine

Celeste's Diner - Morning

Rusty was painfully exuberant. He eat down in the booth with a smile. He slowly moved over in the booth to let his father in. Every muscle in his body ached. It hurt to talk, but this happiness helped. It was like a warm embrace on a cold winter day. Loneliness slowly lifted from him. He had not talked to another person in days.

"Good morning, gents." She gave a warm grin to Rusty, the colour having returned to his face, slightly. "You're looking a little better. I'm Celeste Brown, welcome to Grayditch, welcome to my diner!" She leaned forwards and placed the biscuits in the middle of the table and a cup of coffee in front of each of the three men. "I have some sausages left over from yesterday, but other than that, nothing fresh," she directed at them, generally. "If only there were some way to have fresh meat without worrying about a caravan coming by..." she mused out loud.

Rusty amused her, "Well, you get yourself some breedin' bhramin and I'm sure someone'll cut them up for a good lookin' woman like yourself. He tried not to smile as he hadn't brushed his teeth in days. The last place he did brush them in was the Pitt.

She looked beautiful. In her mid twenties probably, and with lean curves. He did notice her chest, but he dared not look out of disrespect. He may not like his father, be knows he raised him right. Sometimes he thinks he never came back as a "reversal" on the leaving the nest tradition.

"Anyways." She looked at Jesse with a glimmer in her eye. "Found out this morning, the man from last night? He killed himself! Pawnee found his gun and took it -- which sounds gross, it must have been covered in blood -- but that's a relief, huh?" Celeste looked to Harlen and blushed slightly.

Harlen exclaimed, "See! I knew it, goodness, poor happenin' though, I tell you what."

Rusty did not like the sound of his fathers voice, he did his best to ignore it.

"Oh, Mr. Jake, I was ... a little rude last night. I became defensive of Joe, but, um, you understand, I hope." She reached behind her and picked up a small glass of the fresh milk and placed it onto the table. "Coffee and biscuits on the house."

He watched his father tip his hat to Celeste, "Well thank you lil' sister, I'm much obliged. Rusty, you have this milk, it'll help your throat." He pushed it over to his son, and took a bite out of a biscuit.

Rusty slowly reached up to the milk with a scorn on his face. He took a sip and it ran smoothly his throat and slowly started to re-coat it. He smiled at the refreshing substance. Rusty didn't realize he had a milk mustache going on.

Harlen chuckled at the sight of his sons milk mustache. He could tell just by looking at him he was physically, and mentally exhausted.

Rusty was annoyed at his father's chuckle. He turned his attention to Jesse, "So how have the years treated you, old friend?"

[Bird]

Duncan Talson - Celeste's Diner - Morning

Duncan watched Joe, it looked as though he was in deep thought then all of sudden he gave Duncan a smile "That is a fantastic idea friend. Drifter's veggies are great, but I think we all need a steady supply of steak. If you are going to do this though, I think it should be a town effort, ask around, get a few other people to go with you too. Safety in numbers after all. Maybe ask Jesse to recommend some locals who can handle themselves. When would you want this expedition to set off?"

Jesse? Who on earth is that?More than likely is one of the three fellas sitting at the table Celeste just served. "Well Joe, I was hoping to set out late this afternoon at the latest, longer we wait the less chance we have of getting decent stock. Oh and thanks for the opportunity Joe." Duncan's spirits soared, he had waited years to get back to doing what he loved and now he finally had a chance. He made his way over to the three gruff men and cleared his throat "Howdy Gents, was wondering which one of you might be Jesse. I've got some things to discuss with him."

[Sammi Jones]

FRIEDA ~~ Grayditch ~~ Mid-morning

"Thanks, Cris," Frieda said, leaving the Pharmacy. She had arranged to discuss her amnesia with him the next day, but at the moment, she was going to take her ibuprofen, have some water, and go to bed for a while. She rounded the block at the southern end of the settlement, unaware she would pass Pawnee's house until she was practically out front. The girl with the dark hair and glasses from before was standing with Pawnee, wearing bits and pieces of his power armour, on his threshold, and from where Frieda was standing, appeared to be kissing. The girl then stepped back, and both of them were blushing.

Frieda immediately felt annoyed, hurt, and embarrassed. I get your game, now, Pawnee, but you couldn't have waited at least a day? Half a day?

...I could have some fun with this.

"Hey!" she called. She watched with a smirk as the girl appeared to jump ten feet in the air, and both she and Pawnee looked at her. Frieda walked towards them. "You should ask him to show you the stars. Maybe he'll even tell you about his dead girlfriend."

The girl was speechless. Pawnee looked hurt, and Frieda briefly regretted her words, but pressed on. She plucked the pistol out of the girl's pocket and clicked on its safety lock. "There you go, wouldn't want to be shooting Pawnee here by accident while you're cuddling up in his loft, later tonight." The girl recoiled, nodding, but saying nothing.

Frieda rounded on Pawnee. No going back, now. "You won, Pawnee," she said, spreading her hands, her mouth pulled into a fake smile. "I fell for it. All of it. 'I don't care about your past,' 'I like you,' 'stick with me?' --" She interrupted her rant to look again at the girl, her mouth now gaping open. "That was a good one, watch out for it, and make him look you in the eyes when he says it." Those beautiful brown eyes -- oh [censored], stop that.

She took a breath. Wrap it up, he's already wasted enough of your time. Frieda took a step towards Pawnee so that her face was very close to his and spoke in a very cool, but very serious voice. "The only thing I have to say is, you're not the only one who's got a little bit of...leverage. I don't care if you want to play the town hussy, and I guess I'd have rather had more reason to deserve everyone judging me to be some kind of cradle robber, rather than one drunken night out, I'll admit, but the blame is on me for not having seen the real you sooner."

Frieda stepped back and shrugged, spreading her hands again. "You won. Congrats." As she turned to leave, she looked one last time at the girl, who seemed to have frozen in her spot. "See you later," she smiled.

Frieda walked all the way back to her house, her head pounding quite loudly by then, and nearly kicked the door open. She stomped all the way upstairs and into her bedroom, where she promptly fell forwards onto the bed and let out a groan. I am so stupid. Oh well...this is how you learn which ones to avoid, isn't it? She rolled onto her back, popped the ibuprofen tablets she had purchased from Doctor Ramesh, and swallowed them dry. Her bedroom was brightly lit, since her window faced due east, and the sunshine pounding in just made her headache worse. She decided to push the ruined armoire in front of it, which cut out the majority of the sunlight.

Her headache now a pulsating menace echoing through her head, she drank the rest of the water in the bottom of her bottle, flopped onto her bed, kicked off her boots, and tried to rest.

(edit for continuity...half-assed.)

[Carolyne Bolt]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Mid-morning

Celeste poured three cups of coffee from the freshly-brewed pot and ambled over towards Jimmy, Joe, and Harold. Joe gave her a small smile but continued in his conversation with Duncan. I really need to talk to you, Joe, she thought towards him, thinking she could will him to hear it.

Her attention, however, turned solely to Harold. She hadn't seen the man for an entire day, and though she had offered to visit him the day before, Joe assured her that he simply needed to rest. She placed the coffees down, went behind the bar, put two biscuits onto one plate, and another four onto a second, then put the plate with two biscuits in front of James before smiling and placing the second plate in front of Harold.

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Harold," she said softly. The man with the scarred face twitched an eyebrow but didn't verbally reply. Celeste was not deterred. "Too bad you missed the party last night -- you would have loved to see Joe dance."

She turned to Jimmy. "I can send some warm biscuits with you for Laura and Lucille, just let me know before you are ready to go, I'll pack them up."

Lastly, she addressed Joe. "Good morning," was all she said. She gave a slight nod, turned, and went back behind the bar.

"Mr. Scalatti, how are you faring with that meal of yours? Let me refill your coffee cup."

[benjamin corsini]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Therealwolfman you completely ignored James twice! I’m not complaining (you may have been busy or something) but still…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James Wilson – Celeste dinner - morning

James had walked over to Harlen booth but he was too busy talking to Jesse and the young man that had collapsed outside, to even notice James was behind him and had said hello to him.

He’s busy; I’ll talk to him later…

Walking back to his booth Harold and Joe walked back into the dinner and began talking to Jimmy and then Duncan afterwards overhearing he wanted to go to megaton.I need to go to megaton go and see Moria soon..

Sitting back in his booth Celeste put a plate with two biscuits in front of James before smiling and then placing another plate in front of Harold "thanks Celeste" and began eating...

Whilst eating his biscuits, James looked outside the window, James could hear Pawnee shouting at Friedas's houses for doing somthing with the new girl , brandy something,

you can't have them all Pawnee

[FITTAS]

--Afternoon--
--Pawnee's House--
--Pawnee--

Pawnee watched Brandy step away and then looked over towards the rest of Greyditch.

Frieda was staring at the both of them. She looked like she was about to rip his head off.

OH [CENSORED]!

"Hey!" Frieda shouted. She trudged towards Pawnee and Brandy with her eyes ablaze. She made a vindictive grin at Brandy, "you should ask him to show you the stars. Maybe he'll even tell you about his dead girlfriend."

"Freida, come on," Pawnee tried to approach her, "Its not what it-"

Frieda didn't pay Pawnee any attention. She plucked the pistol out of Brandy's pocket and began to brandish it wildly.

Is she going to [censored] shoot me?

"Whoa, whoa! Frieda!" Pawnee took a step back into his house, stunned.

"There you go," Frieda clicked on the safety and handed the gun back to Brandy, who now looked like a deer in the headlights, "wouldn't want to be shooting Pawnee here by accident while you're cuddling up in his loft, later tonight."

Frieda brought her wrath back to Pawnee, "you won, Pawnee. I fell for it. All of it. 'I don't care about your past,' 'I like you,' 'stick with me?" She glanced over at Brandy who was now visibly shaking, "That was a good one, watch out for it, and make him look you in the eyes when he says it."

"Frieda," Pawnee pleaded, "she was just paying me back for me buying her a meal. The kiss - it was just-"

Frieda took a step towards Pawnee so their noses were almost touching, "The only thing I have to say is, you're not the only one who's got a little bit of...leverage. I don't care if you want to play the town hussy, and I guess I'd have rather had more reason to deserve everyone judging me to be some kind of cradle robber, rather than one drunken night out, I'll admit, but the blame is on me for not having seen the real you sooner."

Frieda began to storm off. "You won. Congrats." She muttered.

Leverage? The. . .the coins? How did everything go to hell in five seconds?

"Freida, come on," Pawnee walked after her like a puppy, "I swear to God that wasn't what it looked like. I mean. . .I know that sounds like a load of Brahmin [censored], but its true."

Freida entered her house and slammed the door shut. Pawnee could hear her walk upstairs. He shouted at her bedroom window.

"Freida! I ain't lying! Everything I said was the truth!"

Pawnee saw Freida shove something large in front of the window, barricading it off from the outside.

"At least listen to me! Let me explain! Will you listen?"

There was no answer.

Great. . .I pissed off a [censored] enclave trooper. Next thing I know they'll be a verti-bird hovering above my place, with a hellfire squad dropping down from it, ready to incinerate me.

"I know you can hear me!" Pawnee shouted, now conspicuously aware that the whole town of Greyditch could hear his groveling, "I - I'm sorry Freida. I ain't done nothing wrong, but I'm sorry you're hurt. I'll. . .I'll make this up to. I promise. I never lied. I ain't lying!"

Pawnee stared up at the barricaded window for another minute and then left, going back to his house. He moped for less than an hour, trying to think of how he was going to explain what had happened to Freida, or how he could make it up to her. An apology and a present wouldn't do the trick - Freida seemed to have no interest in material things and wouldn't buy an apology anyway.

I - I need to do something for her. Something really meaningful. Show I care about her. Really care.

Pawnee racked his brain for an idea. Finally one hit him.

The enclave. . .

Pawnee had heard rumors that there was an old, abandoned enclave roadblock setup between Greyditch and Canterbury Commons, about five miles north. It was likely picked clean of scavenge, but there could still be a few scraps of enclave gear there.

I could find some enclave things for her. Tell her I'm trying to help jog her memory. It least it would show I care. I think she'd like that. At least its a start.

Pawnee decided to act on the plan, before noon, as he wanted to get back before sunset. He gathered up his gear and called for Buck. Frieda's 'leverage' comment made him feel a little uneasy about the safety of his coin stash, so before making his way out of town he hid them in two separate stashes, buried under the rubble and bricks inside of his house. He held onto one singular coin just in case he had to wind up staying a night in Canterburry.

Pawnee then cocked his rifle, bought a water bottle off the caravaner in town, and headed out into the wastes.

[Jack Moves]

Harlen Jake

Amidst all the happenings of the morning, Harlen had ignored a newcomer. James his name was. Seemed the guy was wanting to talk to them, but Harlen was too focused on his som to give attention to anything else. Harlen didn't know whatthe guy wanted, but if he was planning on leaving town Harlen wouldn't be able to. He had his son to take care of, and something else he had forgotten that he would had to try and remember.

He sat there with his son, and Jesse. He watched as Rusty looked over to Jesse, like an older brother. Harlen couldn't help but smile at this. It made him think about what if, what if he'd given Rusty another brother, or sister. How different would that have made things? Would it make Rusty hate his father any less? Probably more if anything.

Harlen looked over to his son. He knew he wouldn't listen to him, but he had to say it anyway, "Son, I'm sorry about what I did. I'm not going anywhere. I want you to know that."

Rusty tried to ignore this, by it struck a chord inside him. He felt a tinge of love for his father, something he hadnt felt in a very long time.

[Darren]

OOC: What are you talking about Skirt? I read every single post!

BIC:

Jesse Christophe - Celeste's Diner - Mid-Morning

"Good morning, gents." Celeste gave a warm grin to Rusty, the colour having returned to his face, slightly. "You're looking a little better. I'm Celeste Brown, welcome to Grayditch, welcome to my diner!" She leaned forwards and placed the biscuits in the middle of the table and a cup of coffee in front of each of the three men. "I have some sausages left over from yesterday, but other than that, nothing fresh," she directed at them, generally. "If only there were some way to have fresh meat without worrying about a caravan coming by..." she mused out loud.

"Anyways." She looked at Jesse with a glimmer in her eye. "Found out this morning, the man from last night? He killed himself! Pawnee found his gun and took it -- which sounds gross, it must have been covered in blood -- but that's a relief, huh?" Celeste looked to Harlen and blushed slightly.

"Well that's a relief." he mumbled back, nodding.

Rusty drank up some Brahmin milk and asked how the years had treated the old veteran to which he replied. "Not too well, kiddo. I'm not in the business anymore. Too much excitement for this old body." he smiled grimly.

A balding man then approached them, asking for Jesse. "Howdy Gents, was wondering which one of you might be Jesse. I've got some things to discuss with him." he said.

"Jesse Christophe's the name." the old man said. "What's on your mind, friend?"

OOC: Sorry for gaps between posts guys. I only come on at night.

[joseluis perez]

Frank- Diner -evening

Frank nodded to fellow and said, ''Fair enough, I will be leaving as I need to find a home myself to dwell within.''

He swung to door open, and slowly started walking (if you can call it that down the street). He tripped and landed with a thud, crippling pain soared through his back.

''How [censored] undiginfied,'' he breathed and as hauled himself up with a bench.

He noticed a few houses still boarded up, he wandered over to one, none really stood out, so he just went up to the one closest and commenced ripping the planks of wood nailed over the door. He legs may be a useless, but he was still strong. He entered the house, he whipped out his lighter and had a good look around. Seemed okay, he glanced into the living area to discover a sofa, in not terrible condition.
Thank the skys, He thought. And collasped weakly onto the seat.

-Morning

He awoke with a terrible fright as a molerat was sat on his chest by the morning. He weakly pushed into the floor, the molerat looked very argry from being woken and began chewing at his legs. Frank kicked it hard in the head and whipped out his straightrazer and stuck it in the creatures neck.

OOC-ooc- sorry im late with it, short again cuz im at work, but i will finish/edit later

[Marguerite Dabrin]

Joe Rennie. Celeste's diner. Mid-morning.

Joe watched as Duncan walked away from him and approached Jesse, the two men began talking and Joe looked away. Celeste was approaching the table, she had already served up their coffees, but she was returning with a plate.

Hell! No Celeste, I don't have time to chat. What if she says something to Harold? Mentions last night? If she does then I'm sunk. Please Celeste, please keep your mouth shut this time. Just for a moment, keep quiet.

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Harold," she said to the brute softly. "Too bad you missed the party last night -- you would have loved to see Joe dance."

She turned to Jimmy. "I can send some warm biscuits with you for Laura and Lucille, just let me know before you are ready to go, I'll pack them up."

Lastly, she addressed Joe. "Good morning," was all she said. She gave a slight nod, turned, and went back behind the bar where she resumed speaking with the man in the fedora.

Well, that was a suprise. I was expecting her to.... Wait a minute. She just pretty much ignored me? What the hell? After last night I'd have thought she'd be falling overherself for round two. I was worried she say too much, but she just blanked me. Why's she pissed at me? I'll have to get some answers soon. But how to talk to her without Harold looming over my shoulder?

In the street Joe could hear Pawnee, he was yelling in the street. Judging from the pleading in his voice, the young man had clearly managed to upset Frieda somehow and was now trying to win her forgiveness. "Ha, good luck kid. Looks like her's, she could do far better than you." Joe mumbled into his coffee, talking to no-one in particular.
"Don't be too mad if she realises it as well."

At a bit of a loose end now Joe. I was going to disappear, so I've got no plans for today. I suppose tht I should get on with letting people know about Moriarty's rent. I suppose I should start with Celeste. Show everyone there are no favorites in town, plus you can find out why she's giving you the cold shoulder. Damn those biscuits smell good.

Joe started to reach for the plate, but a warning glance from Harold stopped his hand in mid air. "Actually, you have them. You probably need to eat after being out for more than a day." Joe said, hoping Jimmy would miss Harold's glance.

"Tell you what," Joe said, standing up from the table, "why don't you finish up your coffee and food Harold. I'll go and discuss some business with Celeste. No no, don't get up. I'll only be over there with her." The brute had leaned forward to stand, but at Joe's word's had settled himself back again.

Joe quickly crossed to Celeste. "Ok, I can tell I've done something. What is it Celeste? What have I done?"

[Erin S]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ mid-morning

Celeste topped up Alex's coffee and returned to her oven. The biscuits were all distributed, but there was still some batter left. She busied herself with slapping biscuit mix onto the baking sheet, brooding.

Suddenly, Joe was in her line of vision. He looked nonplussed. "Ok, I can tell I've done something. What is it Celeste? What have I done?"

She slid the baking sheet into the oven and took a drink of her coffee before replying. Where do I start? You flat out lied to me, Joe! Then you let me carry on for hours thinking someone had killed the poor man.

Finally, she offered him a very small smile. "Pawnee told me all about how he found Weird Kid, and how he told you about it! Why didn't you say something? Why...why did you lie to me?" Her voice had become a little shrill but she didn't really care if anyone took notice.

As if on cue, Pawnee's voice could be heard from a distance, crooning at Frieda. Celeste could vaguely make out the words "sorry" and "let me explain." She better not have upset him.

Celeste huffed. "Well, Joe?" she prompted.

[ImmaTakeYour]

@Elvis: is jimmy's surname leggio or Johnson? ( if it's Leggio I'll edit this post)

James Wilson –Celeste dinner – morning

James had finished eating his biscuit and paid Celeste four caps for them. When Pawnee walked by the dinner, bought a water bottle from the caravaner that arrived in town and headed out into the wastes.

Wonder where he’s going today?

Walking outside the dinner one of the caravan’s guards walked up to James “ excuse me but is Mr Johnson in town today, his clothes delivery is here” “ sure I’ll tell him” James replied

Heading back to the Grayditch arms, Sue was awake drinking some water on the couch; by the look of her she had a killer hangover

“Morning Sue I’m heading off to megaton today, you can stay here and work of that hangover, get some of Celeste’s coffee, it got rid of mine Sue nodded and continued drinking her water.

Getting dressed in his Blue combat Armour, James picked up his backbag. filling it with several weapons around this shop. once James had finished packing he picked up the laser rifle and looked down the sights..

The laser rifle recoil was low enough for James to fire it with use both of his arms with James losing his left arm.

Afterwards James and Sue both left the Grayditch Arms and headed back to the dinner.
once inside James walked up to Jimmy, “ excuse me, Mr Johnson isn’t, the trader outside has a delivery for you”

James left the dinner and walked into the wasteland towards megaton…

Sue cooper- Grayditch dinner – morning

James and Sue had both left the Grayditch Arms and headed back to the dinner, James had walked over to jimmy whilst Sue had walked up Celeste, who was talking to Joe on the counter.

sitting down on a stool by the counter Sue pulled out a small notebook writing “ coffee please“ on an empty page whilst waiting for Celeste and Joe to finish talking.

[Enny Labinjo]

Joe Rennie. Celeste's diner. Mid-Morning.

"Well, Joe?" Celeste prompted, after telling him about Pawnee.

You useless little rat bastard. I try to do you a solid and you sell me out. I should've pointed you out to Jake and Jesse while Harlon was talking murder last night. How do I talk my way out of this? I mean, she has a point. I did try to keep a body from her. Well, here goes.

"Celeste, you're right. I'm truely sorry for lying to you. But I paniced. I'll be honest with you. Pawnee did tell me he'd found Wierd kid, told me it looked like suicide too. I didn't think he was worth ruining your night over, so I told Pawnee to keep it quiet. It's going to sound like a piss weak excuse, but I did it for you. You'd worked so hard to make the town work and I just wanted you to have the night you deserved. I was going to move him after and let everybody know he'd been found."

Joe paused for a moment before continuing. "Then you found him, which I never wanted to happen. You run in to me all upset, so I stopped to comfort you. Then the new guy, Harlon. He comes running up to me shouting how I must know what's going on and saying there's no weapon. So I start thinking, "Well what if Pawnee lied Joe? There's no gun, so suicide don't look likely." By now Joe was talking quite quickly, his face a mask of confused remorse.

"Well I couldn't say what I knew then could I? If Pawnee had killed Wierd kid and I knew he was dead, that'd make me an accessory wouldn't it? The head of security involved in a murder three days in. That would have killed the town, people would just pack up and leave. So I lied. I'm sorry Celeste, but I didn't know what else to do. You have to believe me."

[Niisha]

Spoiler

Name: Scythe (Nicholas Minett)

Age: 35

Physical Appearance: Six feet, seven inches tall. Two hundred and thirty pounds. Muscular. Black hair dyed blond. Green eyes that look like snakeskin. Carries a farming scythe on his back as his name suggests. http://www.celebrityring.info/zoom.php?pic=Dolph-Lundgren-4.jpg&celebrity=Dolph%20Lundgren .

Clothing / Weapons: Blue combat (Marauder) armor. Chinese assault rifle and a combat shotgun. Bandolier of grenades. Scythe. Binoculars. Combat knife. Military duffle bag.

Occupation: Norfolk Bounty Hunter

Faction: None. Minor Character.

Personality:

Cool and deliberating. He likes to use violence to inspire fear and respect but is not a sadist and can be reasoned with. He is literate, somewhat educated, and an expert at his craft of man-tracking.

Scythe was raised by nomadic tribals on the plains of Iowa. At the age of sixteen, a band of mercenaries named the Marauders came by his home town and he joined up with them, and was eventually given the name 'Akron.' Through his time with the Marauders, he learned how to use a variety of weapons, ambush tactics, and tracking from their charismatic leader, Wyoming.

After the Marauders disbanded, Scythe gave up his old name and drifted down to Virginia, where he met up with two lovers and fellow mercs - a sniper named http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hotflick.net/flicks/2008_Doomsday/008DMD_Lee_Anne_Liebenberg_003.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php%3Ftopic%3D15623.765&usg=__OmhSc6HHgrBa2FbBeYnl9uHOqxg=&h=480&w=852&sz=64&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=MS9JIdK3lUk-8M:&tbnh=105&tbnw=187&ei=MjV2TfD7A4GqsAPksK3HBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddoomsday%2Btattooed%2Bwoman%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1312%26bih%3D586%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=109&vpy=244&dur=2013&hovh=168&hovw=299&tx=153&ty=83&oei=MjV2TfD7A4GqsAPksK3HBA&page=1&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0 and an expert tracker and ghoulifying savage named http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ufodigest.com/sites/default/files/wes-studi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ufodigest.com/article/ufo-digest-spotlight-hollywood-comes-roswell-part-2&usg=__xOFug88sEvVshCi_Anq4jnWlENc=&h=245&w=400&sz=10&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=MeLjSJkKXcEXYM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=211&ei=lTV2TYX-MY76sAPGnZ3BBA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddances%2Bwith%2Bwolves%2Bmagua%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1312%26bih%3D586%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=671&oei=lTV2TYX-MY76sAPGnZ3BBA&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=177&ty=53. The three formed their own mercenary band named 'the Sandmen' and are widely feared around the Norfolk area.

The Chief Warlord of the newly formed Norfolk Confederacy, Cree, has hired the Sandmen to track down, and capture or kill, Pawnee.

Scythe is aware that a man named Harlan has also accepted the contract, but unlike Harlan, Scythe knows why Cree put the hit out on Pawnee, and he has met Cree personally.

OOC: I know that Celeste is talking to Joe. This occurs whenever she finishes.

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

Scythe motioned for Elektra and Temujin to stay where they were, out of view from the town. Their appearance was savage, and he didn't know how strong of a settlement Greyditch might be, so he thought it would be unwise to instantly terrorize it.

He eyed a crude metal wall the town's residents had erected at the head of the main road. It looked like at least one of the people that lived there had some metal-working skill, although the wall was a far cry from those that encircled Megaton.

"You want me to snipe?" Elektra cocked her head. Her face was a mess of metal piercings and tribal tattoos. She rubbed her sniper rifle like it was her pet. The studs that capped the ends of her dread locks clanked on her armored shoulders.

"Just keep an eye on me," Scythe glanced back at her and Temujin. Skin flakes sloughed off the old Indian's face. He looked grim as always, "both of you - keep out of sight. I'm going to try acting friendly."

The pair melted away behind a jumble of rocks. After they disappeared, Scythe walked up the road, into town.

There was a caravaner in Greyditch, hawking his scavenge. From what Scythe could see, most of it were weapons and armor. He passed the man at a slogging pace, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

Greyditch looked dilapidated. Several large blood stains pop marked the street - it looked like several bodies had been dragged across it. The buildings were blasted-out and crumbling under the sun. Skeletons with shaky foundations.

The only structure with any semblance of activity in it was a large building with a hand painted sign draqed over the door.

Scythe squinted at the text.

WELCUMMING CUMMITTEE

What is this place? A cat house?

He glanced through the dirty windows. The inside looked like a diner. A matronly woman was standing behind the front counter, and a few men and women were sitting in booths, talking to one another, eating biscuits and sipping on coffee.

Scythe sized them up from afar. Only one of the men inside looked like a match for him, physically - the man near the back of the joint - a big bruiser with an oversized head and meaty fists.

Scythe scoffed at him.

Bet he's got the brain of a bloatfly.

Scythe walked through the front door of the diner, the long sickle strapped to his back clanked with each of his steps, like the stirrups of an old cowboy. He surveyed the inside of the restaurant with a calculating stare and then coolly walked up to the front counter.

The matronly woman peered up at him with a grin, but her true emotions an enigma.

"Howdy there," Scythe leaned against the counter. He cracked the slightest of smiles, "I've been on the road for a while. I'm looking for a boy named Pawnee. Anyone by that name ever come by here?"

[Alex [AK]]

@ Paladin: Jimmy runs a slaver business called Leggio & Associates, that's why he goes under the name Johnson, so no need to edit

Jimmy Leggio - Celeste's Diner - Afternoon

"Clothes arrive today," Harold boomed from next to Joe.

"Ah. Well that appears to have that covered then. And as for the guard's pay, I'll drop it by your house later today, how does that sound?"

"Sure, Joe. I assume you're a busy man, I'll leave you to it. Thanks for the help."

Rennie got up from the booth. Rennie approached the man who had helped the slave and Harlen, Duncan was his name. Jimmy contemplated leaving his booth and going back to Laura and Lucille, he had no other work to do until the clothes arrived, but he just wanted a rest. He never smoked around his family, so Jimmy just relaxed in the corner of the diner, inhaling and exhaling the smoke. Jimmy looked opposite him at Harold, who was silently staring at him.

"So, Harold," Jimmy leaned in towards the huge man," if you don't me asking, what are you currently addicted to? I overheard a while age, I mean look at you. It's hardly too secret, I'd just like to know. I had a friend, well between you and I, a slaver, who had an addiction to psycho. Horrible. horrible stuff. One day he began stealing slaves to sell personally and make drug money. I had him macheted in front of everyone in Falls, had his body strung up on the wall for a while," Jimmy chuckled, "good times."

Before Harold could reply, Celeste interrupted them.

"I can send some warm biscuits with you for Laura and Lucille, just let me know before you are ready to go, I'll pack them up." Jimmy beamed at her.

"Thank you so much, Celeste. You really are a sweetheart."

Once Celeste left, Jimmy turned back to the huge brute opposite him.

"Well old boy, I best be off. Take care, now."

Jimmy got up from the booth. He lit up another cigarette and walked towards the new guy, the man with the fedora. So many new faces, I'm getting left behind. As Jimmy was walking towards the man, he heard something from outside. It sounded like Pawnee. Jimmy figured he may as well see what the fuss was about, and walked to the door, sticking his head out. Jimmy only caught the end of what the boy was saying, but even that was enough for him to lose the respect he gained that morning.

"I - I'm sorry Freida. I ain't done nothing wrong, but I'm sorry you're hurt. I'll. . .I'll make this up to. I promise. I never lied. I ain't lying!" the boy apologised, pathetically. Jimmy shook his head, and returned to the diner. Just as soon as he entered, another man came in. Another new face. This one was quite tall and muscular. You could tell just be looking at him that he's seen and done a thing or two in his day.

The man sauntered over to Celeste.

"Howdy there. I've been on the road for a while. I'm looking for a boy named Pawnee. Anyone by that name ever come by here?"

Jimmy leaned in next to the man, taking a drag of the cigarette currently in his mouth.

"Jimmy Johnson, a pleasure to meet you, son," Jimmy said, winking at the man. "What do you want with that moron? I mean, I'm always up to being a helpful and obliging member of the town."

OOC: Sorry if the post isn't great, I'm quite sick.. :sadvaultboy:

Edited.

[Astargoth Rockin' Design]

Duncan Talson - Celeste's Diner - Late morning/Early afternoon

"Jesse Christophe's the name." the old man said. "What's on your mind, friend?" said the gruff looking man with several scars across his face.

"Well Jesse, I've just been speaking to Joe about Brahmin ranching and he thought it was a good idea, except for one little detail, I've got no security." Duncan paused for a second then continued. "He mentioned your name however and that you fit the bill perfectly and might know of a few reliable people to help out. So what do you say Jesse?"

Before Jesse could reply a commotion out on the street caught his attention and he spotted Pawnee yelling at one of the houses with a pleading tone must be trying to win Frieda back, Girl's not stupid, so I don't like his chances.

At that moment another stranger entered the bar and he was tall, one of the tallest men Duncan had seen. doesn't look to friendly either, might be a friend of that Brute behind Joe

Duncan turned back to Jesse remembering his business with the man "Sorry about that Jesse, I don't mean to be rude, but if you are interested, I want to be out of here by dusk and I've got to work out some logistics right now for that to happen, come find me in my tent in the playground with your decision" With Duncan Shook the gruff man's hand and made his way to his tent.

[Andrea P]

@Elvis: Okay I'll leave it.

James Wilson – The Road to megaton – morning

James had begun his trip to megaton, it would take 2 or 3 hours and James wanted to be back before sunset. Ahead of him a guy in blue combat armour walked past James and into town.I though I had the only blue combat armour around here

James was outside the old super-duper mart, for a while it was a raider stronghold, raiding caravans on their way to Rivet city but then one day a couple of months ago they were all killed by unknown person/group…

There was a half-rotten corpse by the door jugging by its armour they were (or was) a raider “ severs you right you [censored] up junkie”

James continued walking towards megaton and over a small hill, there was a ruined house in front of James; that had be looted, burned, looted again and burned again and that was over only in the few years James had been in the Capital Wasteland

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

After a few hours James made it to the gate of megaton. A voice shouted out from above the gate, it was Stockholm “ hello James, long time no seen.” “Hello Stockholm, you gotta let me in “ James replied

“ Okay, just don’t shoot anyone”

Megaton’s metal door slowly open and James walked inside the busy Town of megaton and walked towards the market…

[Nany Smith]

OOC: Cheers to a speedy recovery Elvis.

--Afternoon--
--Celeste’s Diner--
--Scythe--


"Howdy there. I've been on the road for a while. I'm looking for a boy named Pawnee. Anyone by that name ever come by here?"

Before the woman could answer, a man leaned onto the bar next to Scythe, grinning like the Cheshire cat. He took a long a drag on a cigar, and then cut in, "Jimmy Johnson, a pleasure to meet you, son. What do you want with that moron? I mean, I'm always up to being a helpful and obliging member of the town."

Scythe stared blankly at Johnson, studying him. He sounded a bit seedy, but Scythe got the impression that he carried a lot of sway in town.

Doesn’t like Pawnee I take it. No surprise. They boy's always running his mouth off.

“I take it he lives in Greyditch?” Scythe did a quick scan of the room to gauge everyone's reaction to what Johnson had said, “where could I find him around town? We need to talk.”

[stevie critchley]

Brandy - Pawnees hous late morning



"Hey" a womans voice called out causing Brandy to pratically jump out of her skin, it was Frieda. Frieda walked towards the two of them "You should ask him to show you the stars. Maybe he'll even tell you about his dead girlfriend."

"Frieda, come on," Pawnee tried to approach her, "Its not what it-"

Frieda walked up and plucked the pistol from Brandy's pocket flipping the safety on.

"Whoa, whoa! Frieda!" Pawnee said nervously as he stepped back

"There you go, wouldn't want to be shooting Pawnee here by accident while you're cuddling up in his loft, later tonight." Frieda looked at Brandy as she shuddered still unable to speak. Frieda then walked around Pawnee "You won, Pawnee," she said, spreading her hands, as she smiled "I fell for it. All of it. 'I don't care about your past,' 'I like you,' 'stick with me?' --" Frieda turned her gaze to Brandy for a second "That was a good one, watch out for it, and make him look you in the eyes when he says it."

"Frieda," Pawnee pleaded, "she was just paying me back for me buying her a meal. The kiss - it was just-"

Then Frieda leaned towards Pawnee, their noses almost touching "The only thing I have to say is, you're not the only one who's got a little bit of...leverage. I don't care if you want to play the town hussy, and I guess I'd have rather had more reason to deserve everyone judging me to be some kind of cradle robber, rather than one drunken night out, I'll admit, but the blame is on me for not having seen the real you sooner."

Frieda stepped back and shrugged, looking at Pawnee, spreading her hands again. "You won. Congrats." As she turned to leave, she looked one last time at Brandy, as she stood frozen "See you later," Frieda smiled.

"Freida, come on," said Pawnee, as he walked after her like a puppy, "I swear to God that wasn't what it looked like. I mean. . .I know that sounds like a load of Brahmin [censored], but its true." Frieda disappeared into her house as Pawnee groveled

Brandy awkwardly raised her voice "Pawnee, I'm real sorry, I...I never meant to....I'm sorry." She took off heading back to her camp outside of town. stupid, Stupid, STUPID she screamed inside her head should've just went straight back to camp, but nooooo, you just had to stop and ogle over over him



Grayditch outskirts a little later morning


As Brandy approached where her brother had told her to set up camp, there were only two suitcases, her toolbox, her shining equipment, and a barrel. No tent, no brahmin, nothing oh what in the hell she looked around "THIS REALLY IS NOT THE TIME TO [censored] AROUND GUYS" she yelled "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU???" She walked over to a large rock and climbed up, tears welling up in her eyes yet again as she peered out over the desolate wasteland. Nothing. "No, they have to be around here somewhere" she whispered. After searching the horizon, still nothing but dust blew around. Brandy climbed back down off the rock and slowly walked back to her things. There was a piece of paper held down by a small rock, sitting atop one of her suitcases. Snatching up the piece of paper, a note from her brother

Brandy,
Hope all went well in Grayditch, as you can see we left. Where we are heading we will need to move rather quickly, as it going to test the boys and I. We don't have time for you to stop and observe every little thing that you see, like you've done since we left home. We needed somewhere to leave you, and Kevin found this letter about Grayditch. They are re-establishing the town, and you can help them. You worked with papa for years building things, and it looks like they could use someone like you, because we don't to be honest. It's time you start to be on your own! I left your shining equipment, in your suitcase are 200 caps and half barrel of shine for you to sell. Or drink since you've taken that up lately, but you should be able to find a place to stay between them. Whatever you do, you hadn't better sit there banging rocks together, waiting for us to come back.
Best of luck
Ricky

Tears were streaming down her dusty face, her heart was in her throat. She took one last look around, still nothing, taking the pistol out of her pocket, she stared at it for a moment. Flipping the safety back as Frieda had so convienantly showed her not long ago, she stood up. Her hand clenched the gun raising it up I can not believe this Thrusting the gun up towards the sky, she fired off the remaining five rounds in rapid succesion "WHY....[censored], WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU" screaming at the top of her lungs until her throat hurt "RICKY YOU [censored] SON OF A [censored]" click click click click as she continued sqeezing the trigger. "GOD DAMMIT"

Looking at the pile of things next to her she plopped down to the ground, brushing her forehead with the back of her hand as she held the pistol. Tossing the pistol down, she reached over and opened her suitcase pulling out a pre-war book. She flipped it open and pulled out a picture of her grandparents with Ricky and her from her childhood. I never should have left, never
Brandy clutched the picture in her hands and pulled it to her chest, laying back staring in to the bright sky. A few minutes later she slowly stood up and rummaged through the second suitcase for her usual clothes. Taking in the surroundings, making sure noone could see her, she changed. Gathering up the dress, she wadded it up and threw it in the suitcase closing it and toting to the large rock. After she had everything but the barrel by the rock, she sat down in he shade of the rock as the sun beat down around her. The thoughts of the last 24 hours were racing throught her mind, her nerves were shot, exhausted from the emotional roller coaster, Brandy dozed off.

[Kelvin]

(OOC: why are you all so fast when I'm trying to post? Hahahaha... <3 )

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Late morning/noon

"Celeste, you're right. I'm truly sorry for lying to you. But I paniced. I'll be honest with you. Pawnee did tell me he'd found Wierd kid, told me it looked like suicide too. I didn't think he was worth ruining your night over, so I told Pawnee to keep it quiet. It's going to sound like a piss weak excuse, but I did it for you. You'd worked so hard to make the town work and I just wanted you to have the night you deserved. I was going to move him after and let everybody know he'd been found."

Celeste sniffed. Well, that does sound like a sweet thing to do...

Joe paused for a moment before continuing. "Then you found him, which I never wanted to happen. You run in to me all upset, so I stopped to comfort you. Then the new guy, Harlon. He comes running up to me shouting how I must know what's going on and saying there's no weapon. So I start thinking, "Well what if Pawnee lied Joe? There's no gun, so suicide don't look likely."

Joe reached forward and gently placed his hand over hers. "Well I couldn't say what I knew then could I? If Pawnee had killed Wierd kid and I knew he was dead, that'd make me an accessory wouldn't it? The head of security involved in a murder three days in. That would have killed the town, people would just pack up and leave. So I lied. I'm sorry Celeste, but I didn't know what else to do. You have to believe me."

Celeste frowned, trying to stay mad. "You were just trying to protect me?" she murmured. Yes, that's it, he was just trying to keep my party from being ruined. I went and yelled at him for no reason. I better apologize. "Oh Joe, I had no idea. I just gave you a hard time for no reason. I'm sorry."

A shadow seemed to fall over Celeste as a gigantic man stepped into the diner and came up to the counter. He seemed to be nearly seven feet tall and offered the smallest of smiles. All Celeste could do was grin, feeling like an ant.

"Howdy there, I've been on the road for a while. I'm looking for a boy named Pawnee. Anyone by that name ever come by here?"

Pawnee sure is popular. Well, except maybe not with Frieda. Celeste's throat felt very dry.

Jimmy spoke first. He had appeared from outside and smelled like tobacco. "Jimmy Johnson, a pleasure to meet you, son," Jimmy said, winking at the man. "What do you want with that moron? I mean, I'm always up to being a helpful and obliging member of the town."

“I take it he lives in Greyditch?” The man looked around, then said, “where could I find him around town? We need to talk.”

Celeste frowned at Jimmy's use of the word "moron" and spoke before the large newcomer could reply to him. "Pawnee's one of our residents, yes. Are you a...friend of his? He was in early this morning but I haven't seen him since."



FRIEDA ~~ her house/Grayditch ~~ Noon/afternoon

Frieda woke from a dreamless sleep. Her headache had subsided substantially but she felt ravenous. Her first thought was to go to the diner, but she really didn't want to face Celeste, or the possibility that Pawnee was there with his new fling.

He apologized, though. The whole town heard him. Hell, they probably heard him way down in the ruins of DC.

Frieda shook her head, as if that would shut up the voice inside her head. Probably should just forget about him. You don't want to be part of some harem. He'll just have to respect that. She rummaged through her things before remembering she had absolutely no food. Sighing, she pulled on her boots and made her way down the stairs into the ruined kitchen of her house. After rummaging through the cupboards, she came up with a packet of dried soup mix and a box of crackers. She salvaged a pot from the rubble, rinsed it out in her sink, and got the soup going, though she was using the irradiated water from the tap. She hungrily busted open the box of crackers to discover they had, in fact, turned to sawdust.

The soup was enough to help her feel better and get her blood sugar up. Frieda stepped out of her house and decided to cut through the alley to cross to the other side of town, in order to explicitly avoid Pawnee's house. She was surprised, and happy, to see a caravan had arrived in town. Frieda took off down the street, burst into Spark and Flame, picked up two lamps and a lantern she'd refurbished, and returned to the caravan.

"Hi!" she greeted him warmly.

"Hello," he replied, nodding. "Looking to trade?"

"Yes sir," Frieda answered, brandishing the lamps and the lantern. "I am looking for a motor and some caps."

"A motor, huh?" The trader regarded her strangely for a moment. "How big?"

"About...yay big," she replied, spreading her hands slightly. The fan head wasn't too large but it was made of scrap metal and was not what could be considered lightweight.

"I might be able to help you, there, but for a couple lousy lights, I won't be able to make a fair trade."

Frieda frowned, feeling a little disappointed. "I'm an electrician," she began. "I fixed this lantern so it has an internal battery, like it was meant to. Look." She flicked it on and the lantern began to glow, though its power was underwhelming in the bright daylight. "You can use it on your brahmin for nighttime, no wires, no external battery or generator. That's gotta be worth more than you thought."

"Maybe, but it's not worth a motor that large."

"I'm an electrician," she repeated. "Maybe you've got some things I could fix, then, for a fair trade, that you could let me have the motor."

The trader was quiet for a minute. Frieda stood patiently and waited for his response.

"I do have something, a bit of an enigma, some...esoteric technology. How are you with robots?"

"Let me see it."

The man shrugged and rummaged through his cargo for a moment or two. He retrieved a piece of rounded metal with long, metallic spikes -- identical to the floating robot she had seen a couple days ago. He smiled smugly. "Think you can fix this? It's an old Enclave eyebot, used to fly around the wastes playing the Enclave radio signal before Raven Rock became Crater Hill." He passed it to Frieda.

"Why do the men get to break them, and then we get to fix them? Doesn't seem like there's much in the way of 'fun' equality with that."

She was holding an eyebot, about to dismantle it to rewire its insides. "It's because they know we're the best at fixing them, Mandy."

"I need my tools," she muttered, feeling the wave of dizziness that always seemed to accompany her flashbacks. Frieda went back to her shop once more, picked up her bag, and returned, wondering if she could actually fix it.

"Welcome back," the man smirked, clearly doubting that Frieda could fix the robot. "Good luck."

Frieda took hold of the robot and paused. I must be really stupid. I can't fix this. ...I'll open it and see, but I wish it was a Protectron. She closed her eyes as she took a quick breath, then turned the eyebot over and began to remove its casing.

The rest was a blur. As if it were fully automatic, her hands disassembled the robot's casing, and had it wide open. She scanned its insides and noticed the wire connecting its power source to its anti-gravity hydraulics* had snapped. Common issue, she thought, before she really knew that she had any idea what her own mind was talking about. She yanked out the dead wire, measured and soldered in a new one, and then popped out its energy cell for one in her bag she knew worked just for good measure. Within minutes she had finished, and the Eyebot was reassembled and floating beside the trader's head.

The man was speechless. "How...how did you...?"

"Thirty caps, plus the motor," Frieda replied.

"No way. A few lamps, a repair, and a motor aren't worth more than an extra ten caps on top."

"Twenty-seven for the labour, two for the solder, and one for the wire. You said yourself it was esoteric -- or do you not know what that means...?" Frieda smiled. She knew the man didn't think she'd have fixed the robot at all and that alone was worth fifty caps, at best.

"It means that you have a freakish knowledge of Enclave robotics." He had retrieved the motor she asked for and thrust it and a pack of caps into her hands. "Now [censored] off."

Frieda didn't bother asking if the motor worked -- she could fix it, but constructing a motor was out of her knowledge -- or how many caps he was giving her. She turned and went back to her shop.

(*OOC2: excuse my jargon. Do not try this at home )

[joseluis perez]

OOC: Thanks, mate

Jimmy Leggio - Celeste's Diner - Afternoon


The man studied Jimmy for a moment before replying. "I take it he lives in Greyditch?” The man's eyes darted around the room before he continued. “Where could I find him around town? We need to talk.” Celeste muttered something. Jimmy ignored it.

"Well friend, I saw him outside his girlfriend's house not two, three minutes ago, just down the road . He may be there, I can point it out if you like. If not I assume his home." Jimmy thought for a moment. "I believe his job in this town is a scavenger, usually he's here or as I say, at his girlfriend's house. If not either, I suppose you could try the Wasteland." Jimmy chuckled for a moment, before returning his attention to the man.

"If you don't me asking, what exactly do you two wish to talk about? Then I'll point you, and get out of your way." Jimmy stubbed the cigarette against the counter and waited for the man's response.