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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:24:36 GMT
After achieving consensus, the group settles down for the night in one of the cleared out truck trailers. The space is cramped and dirty, though surprisingly dry. The pokemon you let out seem content to forage for their own meals among the berries and other plantlife, while the more carnivorous entities return with jaws smeared with ichor, likely from large insects near at hand. Compared to their meals, your own of seem more like chewing clay. The Chingling hops around the entrance to the truck bed, jingling softly as it moves, while the Pichu nestles back into Amber's lap, letting out a yawn that seems to be far too big for such a tiny creature, eyes closing as its little paws stretch in an all-too-human gesture. Despite everything, the atmosphere is actually starting to feel cozy. The group, exhausted by the day's events and shocks, finally falls asleep, with Cecil standing watch as long as he can, before waking one of the others. All of you manage to get enough sleep in the end, though there are the occasional strange sounds, nothing comes too close to where you all sleep. You emerge into a dew-covered green paradise. It apparently rained during the night, leaving everything smelling strangely cleansed. The signs of the battle from yesterday have vanished... including the Sneasel that had been knocked out. Either it dragged itself off to lick its wounds when it finally came round, or something else did the dragging, there are no ways to tell. The air is fresh and vibrant, and the sun is beginning to shine through the leaves, refracting off the dew into a thousand miniscule rainbows and arcs of light. As you all complete whatever morning ablutions you can, there's a minor commotion. Cecil returns from, as he so eloquently put it "taking a wicked piss", looking pale, and tight-lipped. When pressed about the high-pitched scream, he insists that he simply scared something away and that it was what had made the sound. He does however, pull Christine into a muttered conference before looking slightly relieved. Christine just looks exasperated, but any attempts to find out what she talked with Cecil about are met with "doctor/patient confidentiality, sorry". After another breakfast of rations and purified water, the group reorients on the Purewater signal, and begins making their way towards the source. The journey is a bit easier now, as the remnants of the road you'd found seem to be leading you in the same general direction. Occasionally you'll spot the rusted hulk of an ancient car, sitting abandoned, but this area wasn't apparently very well traveled when the Cataclysym happened. Letting out some of the friendlier mon, Miss Maples once again surprises Bunnie with a gift pulled from the wreackage of a vehicle, an ancient and rusted out ambulance, though there's no sign of any other salvage to be had. This time it's a headband with intricately woven metal designs and tiny electrodes on the inside. Edu Medicine/Tech 8 A Focus Band, these devices administer a carefully calibrated shock to someone or something in danger of fainting, though it only has a one in five chance of succeeding. Finally, after a couple hours of walking, the group tops a rise, and spots what can charitably be called a ramshackle collection of buildings, surrounded by a crude stone and steel wall, with steel gates made of metal stand open. Rising above the place though at the very center is a four-story building with a faded but still legible water-droplet marking adorning the smokestack at the center. Secured above the gates are a series of large pale blue letters, spelling out a haphazard "PUREWATER" in a shaky arch. You can all see humanoid figures standing at the gates from this distance, but two of them look off. You'll need to get closer to get any better details though.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:25:26 GMT
Bunnie
"Can we hurry up and get in there? I'd like to not sleep on the ground again if it can be helped." Bunnie is looking haggard from her first night out of the Vault. Clearly not used to not having t he comforts of her own bed, her hair is a bit tussled and her clothes are less than perfect. She isn't even attempting to hide her displeasure.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:25:51 GMT
"Are those... people?" Christine asks tentatively. "I don't want to get any hopes up... but where there's people not killing each other, that probably means they might have what we need." Maybe. I hope.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:26:16 GMT
Amber woke nearly with the sun itself that morning, used to working the morning shifts. There's a soft, wheezing snore from the weight on her chest, and when she lifts her head, she can see the small animal..the Pichu. She smiles, relaxing backwards on the ground, and doesn't rise until the others start moving around her and the critter finally struggles up from the noise.
Amber is growing...alarmingly fond of it. Of, uh. Him. The totodile is cute in a terrifying, jaws of death sort of way, but this is...not quite what she imagined a pet as, but it's probably something similar. It would have been a pretty awesome morning, all things considered, if it weren't for Cecil's shriek breaking the peace of it. Although that was better than being attacked, at least?
As the group travels on, she trails behind, looking around curiously. The Pichu alternates between scurrying around them, occasionally darting off to sniff at things in the grass or trees, and tugging at the leg of her vault suit until she scoops him up and lets him ride on her shoulder or in the crook of her arm. When they finally come within view of the target, he's clinging to the back of her suit, peeking up over her shoulder and occasionally sparking excitedly.
Amber slows down, looking and frowning at what looks like humanoid figures. Is that...could those be... Survivors? She swallows, a swell of excitement and fear rising in her chest. With even the cutest animals having turned into...
A spark flares as the Pichu notices the settlement ahead and makes a high pitched squeak, reminding her exactly what even the cutest animals turned into.
What might have happened to the humans who survived? She bites her lip nervously, letting the others decide.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:26:40 GMT
Second day in the wastes, and I've only got three butts left.
Cecil grumbled inwardly, even the nicotine hadn't done much to even him out. The trucks had been safe enough, though Bunnie took the only available cot. Nothing had come after them in the night, and he rested well enough wedged into a corner of the truck with cloth scraps jammed in behind him for what little comfort they provided. Boneyard ran the security he thought would be needed while his eyes were shut. Sure as hell wasn't going to trust his neck to an ambush predator, or that little shit Cable who seemed to understand more of what he was saying then Cecil would have liked.
Woke late, messed around with the critters a little bit to really get a feel for what they were about. Fink really had a thing for charging down anything that presented it's back to him. Under any other circumstance, he could only get the little sand-gator to go so far. Fink would waddle along on his belly like some sort of fat, reptilian dog that had been fed too much. Show it a clean pair of heels and it was just on you. Belly off the ground, charging along on all fours with an excited bellow. Put a bit of fear in Cecil over provoking it, or others of it's kind.
Slick was pretty content to fling mud and water all over the place. Where the Barboach got the water from was anyone's guess, but Cecil had accepted it as just another weird fact about the rubbery fish. It didn't seem particularly useful. Moved at a fraction of the speed any of his others did. In a few ways, the boy regretted his choice to capture it. At least until he tried to pick it up and got a zap for his troubles. Dropping Slick, Cecil scrambled away as lighting arced along the wet landscape the fish had left behind.
Boneyard was reliable at least. The dog looked to him as pack leader and arbiter. Just the way it squared it's shoulders when he addressed it really stroked Cecil's ego. The Greaser had tried to get a gang going back home, but as Skrub got a hold of his gang members they all turned out to be flakes or pantywastes. Boneyard wasn't like that at all, they were going to be close, Cecil could feel it.
The Elekid scared him worse then Fink did. The squat humanoid could shatter rocks with it's thick forearms, and launch an arc of electricity a solid four meters. Christ. It was really no wonder the vaults were developed with these kinds of weapons just roaming the landscape in packs. Worst part was, while he was working with the others, he'd catch it observing him with far too much awareness to be comfortable. He'd keep it balled, for now.
The scare the boy got mid-morning he could've really done without. Initially concerned he'd caught something, what Christine had to say about it was enough to set him at ease. There really wasn't much saving face, at least not with her. The others were easily enough lied to about it, but the whole event had left a sour taste in his mouth. Now standing before Purewater, he was awestruck. Yeah, it wasn't the polished hallways and well maintained but degrading walks of the vault. This was a harder looking life. Cecil liked the cut of the place, and started for the front gate.
"Bunnie, you wanna come with so I'm not completely boned if the locals decide they don't like us? Rest of you should probably hang back as a just-in-case. Can't have them getting all fidgety, big group with bioweapons walking up."
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:27:35 GMT
Bunnie
"Yeah I've got your back. You've had mine at least since leaving the vault. Just... Try not to say anything too difficult to get us out of. I'd hate to have to sell Amber to them or something." She tries to hold back a laugh, knowing her statement would get a rise out of the poor girl.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:27:59 GMT
Amber immediately stops walking in the middle of the path, staring at the older girl with wide eyes. For a few long moments, she just stares with a slack expression, the Pichu on her back looking around wildly to see the cause of the halt. Finally, her expression goes blank and she looks at the ground, starting to follow the group once more with her shoulders slumped.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:28:16 GMT
'Human trafficking.' Joe couldn't recall where he'd heard the term, but it seemed like the kind of thing desperate people might devolve to. He was a bit surprised Bunnie hadn't offered him up, even if he was... pretty sure she was joking? But then again, Joe was doing a fairly good job of keeping his head down while the others prodded and poked each other, building a group dynamic he knew he would never be a part of. He preferred it that way. Being ignored was much safer. Or at least less complicated.
Most everyone else had been happily socializing with their new Pokemon that morning - wasted a pretty good chunk of time doing it, too, but at least they'd still reached Purewater before nightfall. Some of them had even slept alongside the deceptively cute beasts. Joe didn't get it. They were all perfectly aware how dangerous these things were! Some of these monsters had been actively trying to kill them! He hadn't let any of his own out since he'd put the Grimer away, and he intended to keep it that way until they were inevitably attacked again. No one would've wanted the slime or the skunk around while they were trying to sleep, anyways... not that Joe got much sleep. He'd woken in silent terror over and over again throughout the night.
As the group paused to allow Bonnie and Cecil to make introductions alone - Joe cringed at the thought of his fate in the hands of those two, but it was better than being forced to approach himself - he hung behind he others, ready to dive for cover at the first sign of trouble.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:29:55 GMT
Closing in with the gate, while the rest of the group hangs back, you get a better view of the figures in front of the gate. Two of them are human, a rugged man and a muscular woman, wearing what appear to be scavenged and re-purposed armor consisting of hide and metal bits that have been reshaped to give protection to the most vital areas. What commands your attention though, are the two figures next to them. The woman has, what had looked like a small skinny child in flowing garb at a distance, but has resolved into a mustelid of some kind, it's pelt a calming mix of purple, violet and dull gold accents, with drooping whiskers that looks like a mustache, and draping tufts of fur covering its claws, giving it the appearance of long flowing sleeves. The other though is a hulking brute, with thick grotesquely bulging veins covering its tan hide, two swollen bands of muscle ringing its shoulders, and a fat bulbous red nose on its face. Its head is lumpy, like it was shaped from clay to approximate hair by a child, and it watches you approach through narrowed eyes, idly spinning a steel girder taller than it is on one stumpy-fingered hand. BunnieAs your gaze returns to the two guards, Bunnie you see the man forcing his face back to bored professionalism, but you saw enough of his expression beforehand to register the rather oily smirk on it as he'd assessed you, one you'd become familiar with from the male denizens of the vault after your dancing began to pay dividends. A pity too, he's rather handsome in a scruffy way. You also spot the woman looking both contemplative and resigned in turn as she looks Cecil and Joe over in the back, before turning her intense scrutiny to the other girls, and finally to you, before her own mask of professionalism slides into place. Cecilyou spot the man giving Bunnie a once-over as well, interest and anticipation lighting in his eyes, before you feel yourself being assessed, though when you look at the woman her expression is wary boredom. The man steps forward, smiling even as he keeps a hand close to the club at his waist. "Hello strangers, welcome to Purewater! One of the greatest trading hubs in this corner of the Olympic Range! You folks traders, or maybe... entertainers? If you're not here to cause trouble, then I'm sure that we can help you get settled in somewhere." He's still a few steps out of arms reach for either Cecil or Bunnie, and his partner has easy line of sight on all of you still. JoeJoe, you notice that the woman was giving you a very thoughtful and considering look after she glanced over Cecil with a quirk of disdain to her lips. She looks sort of resigned when she looks at the other members of your little party. The man... he's sizing the women in the group up with obvious intent and interest. Behind him and beside the woman, the two mon seem coiled, ready to move, but waiting for the word.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:31:32 GMT
Bunnie gives Cecil a bored look before rolling her eyes. She gives the man a rather sad look.
"Please, you have to help us. We're from about a days travel South of here. We picked up a radio broadcast coming from here and thought we would find out what kind of assistance we might be able to find here. We need to find some equipment to fix our water purifier." She turns to the woman and gives her an even more pathetic look. "We only have a couple more days rations with us, and would greatly appreciate it if you would let us in so we could restock, and perhaps check out any stores you might have to see if there would be anything useful to us?" She gives one more look to the man. "Please sweety, it would be very, very appreciated if you could do that for us."
Charm Roll: 13
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:31:58 GMT
Amber finally looks up as she hears people talking--but her attention is almost immediately taken up by the horrifying monsters standing next to the people. She barely feels the burn of a spark against her neck as she stares at the...the monstrosity with its huge steel beam, and then...and then the other, which she can almost pretend is wearing a shirt, except that's /flesh/. Her eyes go wide as she pales, swallowing hard.
She's too afraid to open her mouth as the others talk. She...might actually vomit. She shifts, pulling until the Pichu is curled up in her arms and blinking up at her with confused eyes as she holds it tight, not unlike a stuffed bear.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:32:21 GMT
Huh? What are they talking about? Christine wonders. But then she realizes that she really shouldn't give anyone more reason to be suspicious of them. So she simply kept her mouth shut, and watched for trouble. And hopefully looked like she supported the nonsense they were coming up with. She hoped.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:33:01 GMT
Joe's face blanked at the woman's expression and her prolonged study of him; most people gave him a once-over and lost interest halfway through. She almost seemed to be studying him. Unaccustomed to such intent scrutiny, Joe was transfixed like a tunnel rat in floodlights, flinching as her gaze finally turned away. What was that all about? Maybe they really were into slavery, and she had decided he looked most suitable for the drudgery of manual labor. Guess they didn't need a fancy test to figure that out up here.
His expression didn't change as Bunnie put on her pleading act, but internally he was screaming. Why did she tell them home was within a day's travel!? Lying about the direction didn't matter. These people had probably searched the entire area around their settlement long ago and would know something was up with her story. If they hadn't before, they definitely would be looking now that they knew someone else was that close. It was certainly what Joe would do to keep himself safe in their situation. He doubted anyone survived out here for long if they weren't extremely cautious. She could've said ten days, or a month, or any arbitrary number bigger than one day away! But any protest on his part now would just look even more suspicious, and he wasn't confident in his ability to make Bunnie out to be some sort of airhead. Maybe Cecil could salvage things somehow.
Or at the very least he hoped the Purewater folk would be understanding about edging around the truth to keep their home safe. Maybe they didn't expect absolute honesty if they were a trading hub, as long as you didn't cause trouble...
Joe cleared his throat. His voice sounded completely different from his typical stammering, hesitant muttering. "Uh, while we're certainly a bit low on supplies ourselves since leaving home days ago, our entertainer Bunnie here's being a bit overdramatic. Drama's what she's good at, though, I guess. We're not quite so desperate, but we do need a water filter and maybe some other scrap. We did pick up your broadcast about a day ago, and it lead us here. If trading is what Purewater does, you're exactly what we were looking for."
Joe hoped his coverall was too grease-stained and timeworn for them to notice how badly he was sweating underneath.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:33:28 GMT
Maybe should have done the talking myself, Bunnie gave them too much... Gotta save face. Cecil thought to himself while Joe spoke. Subtly he eased his posture into a relaxed slouch, locking one knee while resting the other. Keeping hands in his pockets, Cecil strove for a bored mask to match the woman's and spoke up when Joe was done.
"We holed up in some pretty heavy duty trucks out that way for a day or two, did some salvaging, busted up some critters pretty bad to claim the spot. Be happy to trade the details, I imagine tons of heavy duty steel, plus whatever odds and ends you can pick from it is worth a fair bit to the right person. If you know a guy, I wouldn't mind meetin' him."
Adjusting his jacket, and stretching his neck from side to side, Cecil waved Christine and Amber over. "Should be safe!"
Guile: 10
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:33:50 GMT
The guards' eyebrows had both raised when Bunnie had mentioned where you'd came from, and the man looked visibly disappointed for some reason. The woman steps up now and the other guard returns to his post, muttering something about getting his hopes up. "Ah, good to know that you're here on business then. If you're looking to trade scrap, Mahoney's General Supplies is the place to go. Right through the gate and straight on your left Other than that you might be able to find some traders that have what you want at The Big Drip. It's the tavern near the water plant, got a big fake faucet hanging on the front." She looks at Joe and gives a smile. "Maybe I'll see you folks there when i get off shift." She focuses more on Cecil next. "What, the old pileup? Yeah, we know about where it is, but there's too many mon out there and breaking down trucks like that would be more effort than it's worth. Last couple scavvers that tried to comb the place over never came back either, and most people just avoid it now. But if you cleared it out, then Scrimshaw might be interested in what you've got to tell about the wreck. He's kind of the town historian. You can find him in his cabin near the wall. Other than that, Mahoney might be interested in commissioning you to haul whatever is out there back here, if you've got the mon."
With a hand gesture behind her, the big muscular mon easily pulls one of the gates open, revealing a slightly cramped stone street leading towards the water purifier. You can see people going about their daily business, exchanging goods for goods, chatting with one another, or simply moving about from one place to the next. What strikes you however, is that nearly everyone appears to have a pokemon companion of some kind with them; mostly small mammals of various stripes, though you spot a strikingly white canine following at the heels of a haughty-looking woman, and even another of the strange tiger-striped Growlithe breathing fire into a forge manned by a red-haired young man.
Following the guards' directions towards the General store, you all spot the large sign with slightly faded painted letters, just as the door opens. A sharp bout of laughter spills forth from the doors of store, and two bizarrely-dressed, identical females stride outside, edgy grins on their matching faces. The one in front, whose eyes rapidly scan up and down the street, stuffs something deep into one of her front pockets before turning to her twin and chattering away wildly under her breath. The second made no verbal reply but held a devious look, upper lip curling back over her teeth in a somewhat intimidating manner.
After a moment, they both simultaneously stretch. Green-tinted (and oddly broken) goggles glint in the noonday sun, but their color is nothing compared to the hodge-podge assortment of greens, purples, reds, and pinks decorating their hair in the form of ropy fabric scraps and ribbons. Standing out against this riot of color is the dull brown casings on their wrists. Vault-Dexes!
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:37:39 GMT
Bunnie takes in the view with awe. A real city, of sorts. Its clearly not like the ones she read about in the Vault, but it was the next best thing. People living their lives, doing more than just fearing what may or may not be out there. It was refreshing to say the least.
As they walk through the town, she watches the people specifically. She knows its shallow, but she keeps an eye out for anyone that may be particularly attractive. Its not long before she, along with the rest of the group, spot someone who stands out quite a bit. Not just one person, two people that stand out. And better yet, they're wearing Vault-Dexes. There was a chance that these women might be able to help.
She steps up to the woman who had placed something into her pocket. As she gets closer she can make out just how attractive this woman really is.
"I see you've got a Vault Dex. My friends and I do to."
She shows her Dex, pointing over to the group. "Don't mess this up don't mess this up don't mess this up"
"I have to say, you are strikingly attractive. And I really, really like that. I was wondering if perhaps you wouldn't mind giving us a hand getting around this place? Its our first time here and quite frankly I'd be lying to you if I said I had any kind of an idea what it is we're looking for, or even what we'd have to trade or... Do to get it. I was thinking that if you helped us out that perhaps later on I could give you a hand with something else?"
"Don't mess this up oh lord you laid it on too thick don't mess this up don't mess this up"
She gives the woman a wink and a confident smile before waiting for her reaction.
Charm: 17
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:38:15 GMT
Kat
Grinning absently, she’d only just had time to put away the score when some chick she’d never seen in her life got up in her face. Roz froze beside her. Neither had been expecting to be jumped this early in the day—but there was no knife in her gut, so she did a quick re-eval.
This chick was fine.
When the praise finally registered, Kat found herself a bit off-tilt. The bird didn’t look like much of a scavver garb-wise, that was for sure. But… she did have a Vault Dex. And it seemed like it was actually functional. She gave passing glances at the others, who looked far more cautious than this bouncing beauty. All the Vault Dexes appeared functional. She licked her green-painted lips nervously, eyebrows shooting up into a bright blonde mess of a fringe.
”First time? Y’don’t say.” Her voice came out with its usual sarcastic edge—no, no, that wouldn’t do. Maybe they’d just gotten lucky with a good haul. Maybe they were just new around here. And maybe this little birdy’s suggestive words would lead to nice things. She gave a quick sideways glance to Roz, who still was watching the other blonde warily. ”I get your meaning. But we ain’t walkin’ off alone with no strange folk til we get their names—perhaps that’ll be our first trade of the night. Sound fair? Yours first, lovey,” she all but purred, matching the wink with a sly grin.
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:38:42 GMT
Bunnie smiles.
"That could have gone much worse."
"Of course, forgive my manners. My name's Bunnie. My friends can give you their names, they have the ability to speak I promise. Except for Cecil though they tend to be a bit nervous around people I think."
She looks over at Amber.
"We probably wont have to sell you after all sweetie!"
She looks back to her new potential friend, clearly holding back a laugh before whispering "Just go with it. Poor girl is nervous as a mouse."
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:39:26 GMT
The relief Christine felt at seeing that...so far...Bunnie hadn't seemed to have gotten suspicion cast on them gives way to panic when she just decides to saunter up to the first people they see. Sure, those people each have a Vault Dex, and that might mean something... But there are still relics of past times out here. Those girls just might have found some. Dammit, Deloria. You're starting to rub off on me a little bit. But I'm not going to give you the satisfaction in knowing that.
But, instead of paying attention to the conversation like she probably should, she looks closely at the strange garb of the newcomers, and then her attention wanders to look at the rest of the town, seeing if there's anything interesting. But she does avoid looking up.
Perception: 11
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Post by Lockdown on Dec 29, 2015 18:39:42 GMT
"Thanks for the tip on this Scrimshaw guy, history's somethin' I could really use a bit of brushing up on." Cecil gave the female guard a half-smirk, that wry grin putting a bit of a sparkle in his eyes. "When'd you say you get off? Maybe we can hook up for a bit?" After some light conversation with the doorwoman, Cecil sized up the door-mon on the way in. Thing was jacked in ways he couldn't have ever imagined, for sure.
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Christ, that's twice in less then ten minutes Bunnie's started flapping at the mouth to a stranger. Cecil thought to himself. Gettin' way too cozy Bun. Twins though, not bad. Cecil had never seen such a thing before, but he definitely appreciated it with a nod to himself. Feeling pretty relaxed about the whole thing, he was altruistic until he was awakened from whatever perverse reverie had taken him. He'd been name dropped.
"It. Ain't. Nerves." The greaser snapped irritably at Bunnie for the first time since they'd left the vault. "Just cause I ain't throwin' myself on whatever pretty face walks by don't mean I can't handle myself. This one-eighty is pretty rich." Cecil didn't elaborate on the statement, the habit called, and he answered. It hadn't even been three days yet and Cecil was nearly out of smokes, but the fix was what he needed. Least that's what he told himself.
Taking a few drags while conversation carried on around him, Cecil finally registered the girl's /color/. It was so bright. Not painfully so either, it caught the eye, and really shouted that she was different. Girl had style, He could dig that. "Yeah, I'm Cecil DeLoria." He admitted finally, with a sigh that was accompanied by a thin stream of gray smoke from his mouth.
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