Steve Cooper- Salem

Ace leaned over and looked out the window, seeing the creature outside, “That’s a horse. They are extremely rare… What is one doing out east? I only ever saw one out west and it was dying.”

“Horse... strange name anyway I Found it by that apartment block over there...” Steve replied as he pointed to the apartment block “The previous owner, A women from the looks of it got shot and crawled in there, Mostly likely dead...I’ll find her body tomorrow and give her a proper funeral, least I can do for the free and seemlying very rare "horse".”

Well maybe not tomorrow but eventually...

He squatted and grabbed a box of vegetables; he grabbed the carrots and handed them to the man, “Carrots ought to work, 5 caps each.”

“I’ll take five.” Steve said as he took out a bag of caps from the inside pocket of his leather jacket, taking 25 caps out of that he paid Ace and took the carrots. Walking back to the Horse however Steve overheard the trader "Thomas Beauregard Sykes the III” attempt to flirt with the Young lady Steve had nicknamed “overcoat” due to her large overcoat

Chuckling it appeared the pleasure den had found its first customer “whoa there Romeo if you’re looking for an good time may I suggest the pleasure Den, booze, drugs and women and best of the all caravan traders get a 10% Discount.”

Steve then turned to Tom’s Guards “That offer also applies for On-duty caravan Guards if Mister Tom here allows you to have a little break.”

Overcoat then she nodded in Dr. Feelgood's direction. "Our last talk was...interrupted. And I grew tired of waiting, so I left. My apologies."

"No problem" Steve nodded back

Heading out of the dinner Steve approached the “Horse” As Ace had called it and held out the carrot, a short distance away from its mouth. The Horse seemed to be unsure what the orange vegetable was sniffing it a few times before eventually giving it a bite

Apparently liking the orange vegetable alot the Horse quickly gobbled down the rest of the carrot before attempting to feast on the others carrots that Steve was holding in his other hand, almost biting his hand off in the process.

“Well it definitely seems to like carrots.” Steve chuckled

After feeding the Horse the carrots Steve looked up and noticed someone in a lab coat, presumably the Doctor Johnny had seen frozen on the spot, staring directly at the green super mutant Rook who was chatting to some new arrival

“Don’t worry Doc he’s a friendly super mutant.” Steve sarcastically shouted down the street towards him.

Whilst looking down the street Steve also noticed but decided to ignore (for now) hotshot having a little roof time adventure, did she want a smoke that badly? Deciding to head back into the dinner Steve walked in just as the jukebox gave a news report of the minutemen’s advance on the gunner’s Boston compound.

The radio then returned to playing music. Ace smiled, “Well seems like the Minutemen are keeping themselves busy.”

“Pttf...These Gunner morons have nothing compared to the Talon Company, Took all of the Brotherhood Tin-can forces, enclave tech and a surprise attack to take us out... these losers? Get beaten by a bunch of farmers playing dress up.”

And they are led by that guy who won't shut up about settlements needing help... Hope someone shot him.

Sitting down at the counter Steve ordered some food “I’ll have some of that Radstag and a Nuka cola, Dark if you have it.”

Double post.... can someone delete this?

Shelby glanced up, there were quite a few new faces in town, she sighed, there was one she still clung onto a strand of hope that would show up. Given how long it had been it was very unlikely that Emily would show. Out of the corner if her eye she saw Ace approaching, he sat down two glasses of water, “Well I see you’re back from your trip Shelby, I don’t see Brandy with you, what’d you do kill her and dump her body on the way?”

“ Nah, she is probably doing that all in her own with that mutant, “She tried to be her normal smartass self, but her lack of enthusiasm showed. Ace let out a laugh and went back into the kitchen returning moments later with two steaming bowls.

“Here ya go, some radstag stew, pretty good if I say so myself. Have other stuff, but I recommend this, maybe I’ll even let you have some pie, if you behave” Ace smirked as he said that.

Shelby finally grinned a little, “You mean you want some pie, “ she actually laughed, “Lot's of new folks huh?” Then an emergency bulletin put an abrupt halt to the music and informed of a battle occurring.

Ace smiled, “Well seems like the Minutemen are keeping themselves busy.”

“Yeah...it does,” Shelby brought a spoonful of stew to her mouth and sniffed, “Shit does smell good Ace.” She took the bite and savored the flavor of something she hadn't had in a long time, “It is really good Ace, thanks.”

“Real good,” commented Waylon while scooping yet another spoonful from his half full bowl, “Hits the spot man, I was starving.”

“Guess so, you keep eating like and you'll end up a fat ass,” Shelby replied before she took another bite.

"Hello Brandy. Rook is Rook. Rook is friendly. Rook is also attempting to make wall for town. Rook needs to get food for tonight however, so he needs to stop work for now." Rook pondered for a moment. "Unless you are helping Rook, then he can keep working for now."

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Rook, “She looked up at his eyes, “You…You have gentle eyes, they’re warm.” Brandy peered around Rook at the wall then back, “You moved all of this stuff by yourself?” She looked at the wall again, “HOLY CRAP, THAT IS AWESOME,” her last words filled with astonishment. She looked at her hand in his large green hand; her hand couldn’t even reach across his palm. “Thank you, what you have done already is AMAZING,” she reached as wide as she could and gave Rook a hug, “Ya know, I just got back into town from The Sanctuary, needed some supplies.” She looked up at Rook, “Some people will be scared of you, but I see the warmth in your eyes and I can tell…you won’t hurt anybody.” Brandy grinned ear to ear, “I know of one person we could prank, but we can wait on that. I’m kinda hungry myself. Why don’t we eat and work on the wall in the morning, we can call it Rook’s Wall.”

Brandy looked around the coast and saw a shack, “Do you have electricity? I mean, if that is your shack that is? If not, I have an extra generator and with the shack that close to the water I can give it to you to power your shack if you’d like? I have a couple extra desk fans too, might help ya sleep when it’s hot out.”

Inquisitor Carver - Kingsport Lighthouse

Inquisitor Carver listened carefully to Brother Quaid's response, weighing every word.

“My congregation suffers from a constant lack of supplies, a problem we must address ourselves and solve to our own satisfaction. “ Quaid broke eye contact with the Inquisitor for a moment, “Though it is not a major issue and certainly not one the High Confessor need concern himself with.”

A potentially suspicious answer, one bearing further investigation...

“Our main issue is the one of our defense, the Commonwealth is a violent place, unlike the Capital Wasteland it has not been swept clean of its raider clans and mutant dens. We must defend ourselves.” Quaid nodded as if to himself, “And it is for this reason that we have sometimes taken to arms against the unbelievers. Faith alone cannot protect you here, you must have firepower.” Quaid spoke while now looking Carver straight in the eyes.

He's not wrong, the Inquisitor mused as he briefly thought of the Island, and the myriad dangers that he served to protect his brothers and sisters from.

“As far as our relationship with the locals I can say it is strained at best, they may not look it, but every settler in the region is a raider when food gets scarce. Our retaliation against them is no doubt the source of these rumors. They have suffered Atom’s justice and though complain that the judgement was unfair or too harsh.” Quaid continued, leaning forward.

“Who are they to judge our God? And our vengeance?” Quaid asked.

Carver paused for a few moments, considering his words. Again, a sentiment that isn't wholly untrue. Raiders were, after all, merely simply confused people trying to survive, and even seemingly normal settlers can do terrible things when confused or angered. The Inquisitor had witnessed this firsthand, and could vividly remember the turmoil that gripped his congregation when Brother Andrews was murdered by the settlers of Far Harbor.

"I assure you, brother," he began, "We are all too familiar with such things. Fear and desperation has a way of pushing even normal men and women into doing terrible things, and we must always be vigilant lest we become their prey." He paused for a second, then stood up. "I thank you, brother, for enlightening me of the challenges your congregation faces. This is all I require from you at this moment."

He stepped out of the lighthouse and turned his gaze towards the crater to the north, where many of the congregation resided, including Abraham. It would be a good location to continue his investigation. While Carver had some suspicions about Brother Quaid, he could not jump to conclusions- it was his duty to investigate this matter thoroughly, all while concealing his own thoughts of the matter behind a physical mask of cloth and metal and a mental mask of detached professionalism.

On the other hand, Abraham's presence presented a unique opportunity. If Carver approached him as a brother and associate and not as an Inquisitor, he could perhaps learn more than approaching him as a cold authority figure. Additionally, Carver wasn't perfect- this duty could be spiritually taxing, and simply speaking to a brother as a fellow child of Atom could prove a welcome relief.

Dr. Arthur West - Outside Salem Church

"Rook is not here for fighting, Rook is here for living and trading. And Rook is building things. Doctor man has no need to check on Rook. Rook is more healthy than... ummm... very healthy humans!"

A mixture of complete confusion and surprise struck Arthur the moment the mutant spoke to him. The tone of the creature was...friendly, even warm. It was fascinating. With all his work on the FEV project, he knew that such a mutant that exhibited decreased aggression levels of this sort was a statistical outlier and an anomaly to be sure. Interestingly, the intelligence of the mutant seemed consistent with usual post-injection results. Were he back in the lab, he'd have isolated the subject and started running a battery of cognitive tests on him to test his mental acuity while also taking regular blood and tissue samples to try and isolate the cause of the passivity.

Thinking quickly, Arthur pulled out a small notepad and pen he kept in his labcoat and jotted down a few shorthand notes. He couldn't help it, it was instinctual at this point. He knew there would be no point in keeping notes or records of any sort regarding a project that he'd long since been removed from by choice and by necessity, but he was still thinking of the science of it all.

Arthur then watched the mutant lumber away and even shake hands with another human. He rapidly wrote down a few more notes and stuffed the notepad back into his labcoat. He'd have to keep his eye on this 'Rook'. He wanted to know what exactly made him so friendly to humans that the vast majority of his kind would have absolutely no qualms about attacking and consuming on the spot.

With his thoughts still abuzz with questions, Arthur made his way over to the diner and took a seat at one of the stools at the counter, one which was the furthest away from the other patrons. Not necessarily because he disliked them, but because he always preferred to stay out of the way whenever possible.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Makovich?" He said politely, talking to the man he'd treated only hours, if not minutes, before, "Could I just get a regular Nuka Cola? If its not too much trouble."

Arthur could barely stomach most of the surface food he'd encountered. A life living off Institute food packets didn't exactly prepare his stomach, or his tastebuds, for wasteland cuisine. Nuka Cola at least, they'd had at The Institute. A favorite for the children. Although what they'd manufactured there tended to have quite a different taste from the 200 year old lukewarm beverages that surface dwellers consumed. Arthur wasn't quite sure if Bioscience had been following the old formula for the drink, but he guessed that they weren't.

As he sat waiting, he heard the radio report about the Minutemen and their battle with a group called 'The Gunners'. He was intimately familar with The Minutemen, and only familiar with the Gunners insofar as he knew their reputation. He didn't comment on the news himself, but did listen in to some of the talk he heard from the wastelanders about it.

“Pttf...These Gunner morons have nothing compared to the Talon Company, Took all of the Brotherhood Tin-can forces, enclave tech and a surprise attack to take us out... these losers? Get beaten by a bunch of farmers playing dress up.”

Arthur wasn't exactly sure who or what exactly Talon Company was, but he wasn't about to underestimate The Minutemen. Not again, at least. Not when they were being led by...well...him.

He grimaced slightly, at the thought of the man who'd betrayed The Institute, and his own child. Then again, the man could have quite easily executed Arthur. He could have slaughtered everyone in The Institute if he'd wanted, but he hadn't. He'd displayed a remarkable amount of diplomacy and compromise there.

Pity, Arthur thought, He might have made an excellent Director.

You…You have gentle eyes, they’re warm.” Brandy peered around Rook at the wall then back, “You moved all of this stuff by yourself?” She looked at the wall again, “HOLY CRAP, THAT IS AWESOME,” her last words filled with astonishment. She looked at her hand in his large green hand; her hand couldn’t even reach across his palm. “Thank you, what you have done already is AMAZING,” she reached as wide as she could and gave Rook a hug.

The hug caught him off guard. That was not something he used to at all. Most people tended to avoid physical contact with a Super Mutant unless they gave a handshake or took caps from them. That was how it came to like... 99% of the normal human population. Sure, the odd ghoul or two didn't seem to care, but beyond that, it was the whole 'keep yer distance mutie!' relationship.

“Ya know, I just got back into town from The Sanctuary, needed some supplies.” She looked up at Rook, “Some people will be scared of you, but I see the warmth in your eyes and I can tell…you won’t hurt anybody.” Brandy grinned ear to ear, “I know of one person we could prank, but we can wait on that. I’m kinda hungry myself. Why don’t we eat and work on the wall in the morning, we can call it Rook’s Wall.”

“Rook doesn't like to hurt people. Rook will defend friends, defend home, but he doesn't like hurting unless he has no choice.” He responded, pondering a moment. “Rook like the idea of Rook's Wall being the name. We can build up wall a lot, make it hard to break through. Rook has ideas, but Rook has no way to getting them set up. Rook not good with machines to be able to get wall set up super well.”

Brandy looked around the coast and saw a shack, “Do you have electricity? I mean, if that is your shack that is? If not, I have an extra generator and with the shack that close to the water I can give it to you to power your shack if you’d like? I have a couple extra desk fans too, might help ya sleep when it’s hot out.”

“Rook has shack where Mirelurk King used to live. Rook killed Mirelurk so it was no threat to town. Took shack to make it better. Rook can swim when it gets hot, keep fans for people in big buildings. Generator for making opening and closing of gate easier. Rook wants to make town safe before Rook gets comfortable himself. Rook wants to see town grow, town prosper.” He nodded once, the flag still moving in the wind as he looked to the diner. “We should get food before man closes doors for night.”

Lorelei Jones - Ace's Diner

Tom turned to Lorelei and sat down next to her once the radio had finished, “Well, this other Tom fella sounds like quite a specimen. We Toms do tend to be charming and rugged.”

Lorelei gave a slight frown. "Was quite a specimen." She took a sip of her otherworldly-looking milkshake and crossed her legs atop her barstool. Her large overcoat hung over the edges of her seat. She eavesdropped on the ruckus around her, but kept her gaze fixed at the bar to avoid making strange eye contact with anyone.

"Whoa there, Romeo. If you’re looking for an good time may I suggest the pleasure Den, booze, drugs and women and best of the all caravan traders get a 10% discount.”

Lorelei hadn't a clue whether or not she should be offended that Steve had used her brief interaction with Tom as a gateway into promoting his imaginary empire, or if she should be grateful that he had attempted to ward off this haggard flirt of a man. Still, she nodded in Dr. Feelgood's direction. "Our last talk was...interrupted. And I grew tired of waiting, so I left. My apologies."

She then took another sip and smiled, a milkshake mustache sitting above her lips. She wiped it off with her finger and licked it off. She narrowed her eyes at Ace with a curious spark in her expression. "So -- let's say, hypothetically, that a girl like me wanted to lend her talents to the town's militia. Would Barney be the guy to chat with?"

Lorelei finished her milkshake. "That...was...surprisingly...perfect? I'll want another, next time I come round." She pushed her glass to the edge of the counter and turned to face the other tenants, watching all of the others speak and making awkward eye contact with anyone looking in her direction.

“Rook has shack where Mirelurk King used to live. Rook killed Mirelurk so it was no threat to town. Took shack to make it better. Rook can swim when it gets hot, keep fans for people in big buildings. Generator for making opening and closing of gate easier. Rook wants to make town safe before Rook gets comfortable himself. Rook wants to see town grow, town prosper.” He nodded once as he looked to the diner. “We should get food before man closes doors for night.”

“Good idea, but you need to make sure that you have what you need too,” Brandy smiled, she looked down at her sweaty t-shirt, “Would you mind if I ran home and changed?” She lifted and smelled under her arm, “I’m kinda stinky from sweating all day on our way back. I will be quick, I promise, and I’ll meet you close to the diner.” She took a deep breath, the long day had worn on her, and she knew there would certainly be less understanding folks in town, “I will protect you, I won’t let anybody try to hurt you.” She stood on her toes and held up her hand to whisper, “I have a .22 pistol to scare them if we need too.”

Brandy grabbed her knapsack and jogged back into town, further drenching her t-shirt in sweat, running past the diner and into her house at the end of town. She dropped her tools in the foyer and scurried upstairs. ”Gotta be quick so Rook doesn’t have to wait,” she told herself. She quickly took a cool shower and pulled on a yellow sundress. She ran a brush through her hair really quick and let her hair remain down, but made sure to slide a hair tie on her wrist so she could pull it up later and dropped a brush into her small purse. “Where are those?” she whipped around and shot downstairs to the living room, “There you nasty things are,” she scooped up two cartons of cigarettes she had found while cleaning her house. She hoped that Ace would trade her dinner for the cartons; she had spent all of her caps on supplies upon leaving The Sanctuary. She took her pistol from her knapsack of tools and put the beat up gun into her purse and made for the door, locking it behind her.

I need to oil the turret when I get home. Brandy hustled down the beaten street in her canvas tennis shoes to wait for Rook, she popped into the diner real quick, "Ace, Rook is coming for dinner, do you have enough food for him? I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to go and wait for him to get here. OH, and I have a .22 pistol and aren't afraid to use it if anybody tries to hurt him. You need to look into his eyes, then you will see he really is friendly."

Shelby slid the bowl towards the edge of the table and dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, “Thanks Ace, I really needed that.” She noticed Waylon call for another bowl, “Damn fatty.” She was finally able to relax a little as she leaned back and took a sip of water when Brandy popped in shortly after I man who sat at the end of the bar.

"Ace, Rook is coming for dinner, do you have enough food for him? I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to go and wait for him to get here. OH, and I have a .22 pistol and aren't afraid to use it if anybody tries to hurt him. You need to look into his eyes, and then you will see he really is friendly."

Shelby slammed her hands on the table, “WHAT THE FUCK?” She slid from the booth and grabbed her hair, “IS SHE REALLY BRINGING THAT MUTIE HERE?”

“Shelby, relax dammit, it’ll be alright,” Waylon jumped up and put his hands on her shoulders, which she shrugged off.

“No, screw that, I’m going home. Not to mention if that twit actually tries to use that pistol of hers,” Shelby bit her lip and clenched her fist, “Ace, I think I’m gonna beat her ass, like I should’ve on our trip.”

Waylon snatched her up, “Calm. The. Fuck. Down. Shelby.” He spoke sternly, “She is as harmless as a dead radroach. Everyone here who has actually met him said that mutie is alright.”

“Ya’ll just wait, when you look into his eyes like the twit said, it’ll be as he’s about to use you as a chew toy,” Shelby struggled free of Waylon’s grip, “I’m out, thanks again Ace, the stew was great Waylon will pay for mine.” She stormed out of the diner and back to S&W to her place upstairs. She sat on the edge of her bed for a moment before falling, “Why?” A few minutes later she decided to take a hot shower and calm down. Looking into the mirror, “Why? Why did you leave me? You leveled me out. You were something good in a world of shit, then you up and vanished.” She closed her eyes leaned against the sink and sighed, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold it altogether waiting for you, maybe it’s time to move on?” Pulling off her tank top and wiggling out of her cutoff shorts she turned on the shower. It didn’t take it long to steam up the mirror as she watched her reflection slowly being engulfed into a haze. The hot water felt good against her skin, cascading down to her toes she ran her hands in her hair and closed her eyes, relishing in the often overlooked sensation of functional plumbing. As she let the water hit her face visions of Emily and the time they shared in New Vegas led her body to burn with anticipation. Slowly, her right hand caressed her own skin over her breasts and down her stomach, “Ahhhh,” her legs shook slightly. She licked her lips, the water beating from the showerhead onto her chest; she pinched herself with her left hand and allowed herself to back against the steamy wall of the shower. Her heart raced as her hand moved faster, rubbing against her. Gasping, she ever so slowly succumbed to the burning from deep within until she was on the tubs floor. Throwing her head back she moaned loudly, her body buckled, knees shook, and she curled her toes about to explode.

PPFFFFFTTTT, SPLASH.

Shelby’s eyes shot open and she tore back the shower curtain, “WHAT THE FUCK? WAYLON!!!”

“Sorry, my shitter is broke. You sounded like you were enjoying yourself, I had gut rot,” Waylon smiled.

“WERE is right ASSHOLE!!!” Shelby turned off the shower and yanked a towel off the counter, “I can’t fucking believe you Waylon.”

“Hey, I couldn’t wait Shelby,” Waylon said while Shelby went out into the bedroom. He finished up and walked out to see Shelby standing with her back towards him still wrapped in her towel. He walked up and turned her around, placing his hands on her waist he picked her up and stared into her eyes, “I can help you with that you know?”

“Bu…” Waylon hushed her, “I…” Waylon smiled, “You’re right,” Shelby finally choked out, her heart had nearly skipped a beat. She pulled the back of Waylon’s head to her and they engaged in a long, passionate kiss. Waylon carried it to her over to the bed, laying her down with ease. She opened up the towel exposing herself, Waylon eased down on top of her and they kissed again. He kissed her neck causing her to tilt back her head and breathed deeply. Waylon peeled off his shirt and unbuckled his jeans; Shelby wrapped her legs around him. When she opened her eyes, they were filled with tears; she closed her arms around him, “Waylon…”

“I know, you can’t…yet,” Waylon managed a smile, “I do get it Shelby, I really do. I know we’ve been here before she ever came around. You are my friend,” he pushed her hair from her face, “I know the real you, and I know I can be an asshole. I want you to finally be happy, isn’t that why we left Calypso?” She nodded and wiped her nose with the corner of the towel. He stood back up and redid his pants and picked up his shirt, “You know you can always come to me, and I don’t mean just for sex either.”

“I know,” sniffed Shelby, ‘I’m sorry.”

“No worries, this is the furthest you’ve been, just try to get a good night’s sleep for once,” Waylon leaned down and kissed her cheek, “I’m going to bed, goodnight.”

“Thank you,” she sighed, “g’night.” She tossed the towel and got under the covers, tossing and turning until she was able to reach comfort before falling asleep with her torn heart.

Ace Makovich - Diner

Ace was cleaning one of the empty tables when the doctor walked in. He took a seat on the far corner stool, "Um, excuse me, Mr. Makovich? Could I just get a regular Nuka Cola? If its not too much trouble."

Ace smiled, "Mr Makovich was my dad, just call me Ace." Ace headed over to the fridge and picked up a cold Nuka Cola bottle and placed it in front of the doctor along with a clean cup, "It's on the house doc. You sure you don't want anything else? We have radstag stew, noodles, and um... freshly baked Mutfruit Pie? It's all pretty good."

The doctor looked deep in thought, so Ace stepped away, so as to not disturb him. Steve was talking to Tom and his group, “Pttf...These Gunner morons have nothing compared to the Talon Company, Took all of the Brotherhood Tin-can forces, enclave tech and a surprise attack to take us out... these losers? Get beaten by a bunch of farmers playing dress up.”

Ace nodded his head in disagreement, "Don't underestimate these Minutemen. Don't forget whom their leader is, he along with those farmers took down the Institute. Plus, have you been to the Red Rocket Outpost outside Sanctuary? damn place looks like a fortress, tall concrete walls, ton of turrets. That shows they are serious now on their goal to protect Commonwealth. by expanding away from The Castle"

Ace walked back to the stew, which was simmering, and lowered the heat a bit more. After all he didn't want it to burn. The smell that rose from stew wafted across the diner and it was quite pleasant. Steve asked for a bowl and Nuka cola dark. Ace handed him a bowl, and then went down into the cellar. He rummaged through one of the crates downstairs and found a bottle. While he was downstairs, he headed over to his closet a grabbed a bag, and headed upstairs.

He handed Steve the bottle, and told him it was 50 caps. After all, Nuka Cola Dark was not easy to find. He was about to walk over to the doctor, when Lorelei asked him a question, "So -- let's say, hypothetically, that a girl like me wanted to lend her talents to the town's militia. Would Barney be the guy to chat with?"

Ace nodded, "As long as you can shoot a gun, that old codger will take on anyone."

Lorelei finished her milkshake. "That...was...surprisingly...perfect? I'll want another, next time I come round." She pushed her glass to the edge of the counter, and Ace grabbed it an put it in a sink.

As he was to walk over to the doctor again, Brandy stepped into the diner a made a rather brash announcement, "Ace, Rook is coming for dinner, do you have enough food for him? I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to go and wait for him to get here. OH, and I have a .22 pistol and aren't afraid to use it if anybody tries to hurt him. You need to look into his eyes, then you will see he really is friendly."

Before he could answer, it seemed to have thrown Shelby into a fit as she was saying pretty much what he was thinking or pretty much everyone was thinking. Waylon tried to calm Shelby to no avail and she left. Ace turned to Brandy, "You can't just go announcing something like so brashly Brandy. I have food, if he needs it, but I'm only letting him in because Barney said he we should give him a chance."

Ace reached toward his holster, and turned the safety off on his pistol. He wanted to be ready just in case, and he was sure pretty much everyone else in the room did the same. He stood in front of the doctor and placed the bag he had brought up from downstairs on the side not visible from the rest of the diners. He leaned in, tapped the bag and whispered to the doctor, "I'm hoping we can keep what you saw on my arm to yourself."

OOC: I assume since SS is Minuteman he killed the raiders at Nuka world and traders took back control?

Steve cooper- Salem Dinner

“That shows they are serious now on their goal to protect Commonwealth. by expanding away from The Castle"

“Yeah I heard about Ice cube and I’ll admit they have a decent strike team but what about the regular grunts? Ice cube can’t be everywhere at once and if they are legit with their goal of defending commonwealth then they are gonna get stretched thin guarding the commonwealth... “

If the brotherhood was smart they’d use this attack to raid some settlements whilst they are going to lightly guarded.. even if they don't gain much, delegitimize the MM

A few minutes later Ace returned from the cellar with a Bottle of Nuka cola dark and told him the price was 50 caps..... Supposedly because it was hard to find in this part of the commonwealth

Have to find one of those Nuka world traders....One of few good things Ice cube was get rid of disciple freaks and crazy Pack fuckers.... shame about the operators though

“Fine.” Steve muttered to himself, paying Ace before tucking in to the Radstag streak just as Overcoat asked him a question, "So -- let's say, hypothetically, that a girl like me wanted to lend her talents to the town's militia. Would Barney be the guy to chat with?"

Ace nodded, "As long as you can shoot a gun, that old codger will take on anyone."

“I need to ask him about that.” Steve added on as he savoured the favour of the meat and licked his lips “and dam this tastes good... Good Job Acey”

That was when “Brandy” the country mouse looking girl who had arrived in town with sherbet and Waylon stepped into the dinner, seemlying having changed into an colourful dress she made an rather Naive or outright stupid statement "Ace, Rook is coming for dinner, do you have enough food for him? I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to go and wait for him to get here. OH, and I have a .22 pistol and aren't afraid to use it if anybody tries to hurt him. You need to look into his eyes, then you will see he really is friendly."

Upon hearing this Steve busted into Laughter, almost spilling his expensive Nuka dark in the process “Kěxiào if you think that Pea-shooter is gonna stop any of us you have another thing coming.”

and it won't even brother the mutant.

Steve was about to follow up and ask the serious question of what a super mutant... who from Steve’s experience only ate humans would eat but before he could Shelby or Sherbet as Steve had nicknamed her threw into a fit “WHAT THE FUCK?” She slid from the booth and grabbed her hair, “IS SHE REALLY BRINGING THAT MUTIE HERE?”

“I don’t like the idea of a mutant living here either but no need to go kaylied about it, mutant will fuck up soon enough and then Hotshot will shoot it... With some luck no-one will get hurt, well apart from the mutant. ”

Just need to make I’m not the one he attacks.

Waylon.... Steve would have to think of a nickname for him failed miserably to claim sherbet down who stormed off back home, once she was gone Ace turned to Brandy, "You can't just go announcing something like so brashly Brandy. I have food, if he needs it, but I'm only letting him in because Barney said he we should give him a chance."

“May I ask what you plan on feeding him? From my experience fighting super mutants In DC they seemed to only eat one thing...humans and unless we have volunteers.” Steve said as he looked around at the people in the dinner “I think he’s gonna go hungry.”

“He’s not having the Horse either....”

Dr. Arthur West- Salem Diner
Ace smiled, "Mr Makovich was my dad, just call me Ace." Ace headed over to the fridge and picked up a cold Nuka Cola bottle and placed it in front of the doctor along with a clean cup, "It's on the house doc. You sure you don't want anything else? We have radstag stew, noodles, and um... freshly baked Mutfruit Pie? It's all pretty good."

"Ah well...." Arthur thought about it for a moment. The 'radstag stew' didn't sound appealing at all, but perhaps he could try the mutfruit pie. He'd have to get his stomach to tolerate surface food at some point, otherwise he'd starve once he ran out of nutritional supplements, or at least he'd be forced to return to Vault 88 for more, "I'll try a slice of the mutfruit pie as well I suppose. A small one though, I don't want to waste your food if I can't eat it."

Once Ace had brought him his food and drink, Arthur took a sip of the Nuka Cola and cringed slightly. It was alright for 200 year old soda but the taste was...off. He also got the slight tinge of a metallic taste, indicating the radiation in the drink. He was now absolutely sure that Bioscience had completely change the formula back at The Institute, although he couldn't say exactly what the difference was.

He stared at the mutfruit pie for a little while, examining it and poking at it like a child who's mother was forcing him to eat vegetables. Arthur looked around and watched the other patrons at the diner gorging themselves on food, smacking their lips, and telling Ace how delicious it all was. The thought of eating mutated meat and fruit, however, made him gag a bit.

Hesitantly, he cut of a tiny slice of the pie with a spoon and brought it up to his mouth. He sniffed it slightly before taking a small taste with his tongue and finally putting it into his mouth. It was.....interesting. Not as bad as he was expecting, but he could already tell he was going to have stomach problems later if he ate the whole thing. He took another tiny bite and pushed the pie away for now to listen to the talk going around the diner. There was an argument going on about the mutant he'd seen earlier and some of the townsfolk obviously wanted to shoot it while some were asking to give the creature a chance. Then the topic of feeding 'Rook' had come up.

“May I ask what you plan on feeding him? From my experience fighting super mutants In DC they seemed to only eat one thing...humans and unless we have volunteers.” Steve said as he looked around at the people in the dinner “I think he’s gonna go hungry.”
“He’s not having the Horse either....”

"Oh well..." Arthur cleared his throat. He surprised himself with his own voice, as the patrons turned to him, "Actually...while the mutants might normally, um, prefer the taste of human meat. They certainly don't have to have it. They're quite happy with a variety of different meat types, animal or otherwise. I suspect the creature will be able to feed himself quite well given the variety of local fauna around here. 'Rad-stags' and 'Mirelurks' I think they're called, seem to be quite common around Salem."

Edit:

Ace had then come down and set a bag down in front of Arthur. He seemed to be wanting to whisper something to him,

"I'm hoping we can keep what you saw on my arm to yourself."

Arthur looked into the bag and saw it was full of caps. He pushed it back towards Ace,

"Keep it," he said, politely, "You won't have to worry about me. Doctor-patient confidentiality still applies out here and I have no intention of telling anyone about it. I understand the value of privacy, and of keeping things in the past, in the past."

“Go ahead. Rook understands that. Rook knows some times that long day makes people smell funny. Change as you need, but don't change into a ghoul, or you lose your hair.” He laughed, trying to make a joke as she smelled her armpit. “Rook will wait.”
When she sprinted off, Rook walked to his shack rather quickly, stripping out of his armor so he was in his normal pants again. He didn't want to scare anyone into thinking he was going to hurt them by wearing his armor. That was the last thing he wanted to do. In truth, he worried that someone might think it anyways because he was a Super Mutant after all, his... Kind, weren't exactly known for being kindhearted or pleasant.

Rook returned to his spot where he had been when she left only a few moments before Brandy returned with purse, yellow dress, and a smile. Rook grinned as best as he could at her and walked with her to the Diner. He could hear people inside talking, seeming to be full of life and happiness. It was a good thing, and when Brandy took his hand to lead him in, he accepted... At least to the door...

He was too big to fit through the door as she did. He laughed once, set his white flag inside of the door, hunched down and shifted through the door. Even in this place, he knew he had only so much room to move around. His eyes would scan the room for a moment, and he would lift his flag.

“Rook is here to buy meat. Does Cooker Man have radstag? Or maybe man has found something better? Bhamin meats?” He grinned a bit wider. “Rook has caps and small things to trade, if Cooker Man is open to that as well. Rook is hungry, and building wall takes so much energy.”

Part of him hoped no one would pull a gun on him. He knew people were trigger happy with most mutants, he only hoped that he was not going to have to nurse many wounds this time.

FRIEDA RICHTER - still Salem

Frieda had to all but dive into a shadow between some buildings when the young woman had charged down the lane and directly towards Rook. She squinted and could hardly believe her ears -- the young woman was, in fact, talking to the super mutant. Engaging him in a conversation as though he were like any other dirty tribal wastelander.

She clamped her eyes shut and gave her head a small shake. Don't ever let anyone hear you say that. You need these...people...if you have any hope of finding Brian, dead, or alive. Frieda took a breath. When she opened her eyes, the woman was gone, but Rook seemed to be waiting for her.

Instinctively, she searched her pockets for a cigarette and some matches, immediately remembering several hours of angst. "Ugh." She turned her attention back to the road. The young woman returned having changed clothes and toting --

...Frieda nearly rubbed her eyes. Her keen pilot's vision didn't lie: the woman was carrying cartons of cigarettes.

Time to make a new friend.

Be cool, Richter, just keep it cool.

Frieda smoothed a hand over her blonde bangs and stepped out from where she had stashed herself, only to see the two begin to walk away from her and directly towards the diner. She sighed, cursing her terrible timing, and simply followed.

The diner already had several people in it that Frieda hadn't yet encountered in town, plus Barney, and that creep Steve. She hung back in the doorway, behind Rook and the young woman. She glanced between all the faces gathered there, who had turned their attention to Rook. Her eyes rested just a little longer on the man at the bar with a slice of pie. There was something distinct, almost familiar about him, though she didn't flat out recognize him. His mannerisms were fluid, rather than edged and deliberate, causing Frieda to suspect he wasn't from some other unit of Enclave. Vault Dweller, perhaps?

Her thoughts were snapped back to the immediate company in front of her, and she realized she'd been staring. She hoped no one had noticed. “Rook is here to buy meat. Does Cooker Man have radstag? Or maybe man has found something better? Bhamin meats?” He paused. “Rook has caps and small things to trade, if Cooker Man is open to that as well. Rook is hungry, and building wall takes so much energy.”

It seemed most of the diner was fixated on the greenskin. Frieda leaned forward and gently tapped the young woman on the arm. "Psst. Hey." She motioned towards the cigarettes. "Are you selling those? I'll give you five caps for a pack."

Lorelei Jones - Ace's Diner

"As long as you can shoot a gun, that old codger will take on anyone."

Lorelei shrugged. "I can...I can shoot, all right." She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. "I suppose I should take him up on his offer, then." She gazed at the pie that Ace had set out. "If mutfruit is what made that drink so magical, then I must have more. How much for a slice?"

"Ace, Rook is coming for dinner, do you have enough food for him? I just wanted to let you know, I'm going to go and wait for him to get here. OH, and I have a .22 pistol and aren't afraid to use it if anybody tries to hurt him. You need to look into his eyes, then you will see he really is friendly."

Rook is coming?!

“Rook is here to buy meat. Does Cooker Man have radstag? Or maybe man has found something better? Brahmin meats? Rook has caps and small things to trade, if Cooker Man is open to that as well. Rook is hungry, and building wall takes so much energy.”

Lorelei swung around on her barstool. Her first friend in Salem had made it. "Rook!" Lorelei grinned from ear-to-ear and walked over to the large green man who had entered the building. "I see you've made a few friends! I told you the folks in this town would come around." She looked over at Ace and then back to rook. "I recommended that we craft you a flower-crown to ensure that you mean no harm." "How's the wall coming along?" She offered a gracious nod to Brandy, the woman seemingly accompanying Rook to the diner. "I am glad that you saw him for the big friendly giant that he is."

Much to her joy, Rook took her hand and allowed her to lead them to the diner where there seemed to be a buzz of activity inside. Brandy’s face was glowing; she wore a bright smile like a proud toddler showing their parent something they had accomplished. Brandy turned around when Rook let go of her hand, she cocked her head in wonder until Rook hunched down to go through the doorway, she tapped her forehead with a carton of cigarettes, “DUH,” she giggled. Rook began waving his white flag upon entering Ace’s Diner; Brandy held her hands out in front of her, “HE WILL NOT HURT YOU, DON’T FREAK OUT.”

“Rook is here to buy meat. Does Cooker Man have radstag? Or maybe man has found something better? Brahmin meats?” Rook grinned a bit wider. “Rook has caps and small things to trade, if Cooker Man is open to that as well. Rook is hungry, and building wall takes so much energy.”

“See, I told y’all so,” Brandy triumphantly folded her arms in front of her, even with the cartons of cigarettes, “He IS friendly,” she wore a shit eating grin. Taking her attention away from her personal victory, someone tapped Brandy’s shoulder.

"Psst. Hey." Said a tall blonde haired woman motioned towards the cigarettes. "Are you selling those? I'll give you five caps for a pack."

Brandy spun on her heal, “SURRREEEE AM,” Brandy juggled the cartons to offer her hand, dropping one on the floor it broke open spilling the ten packs of cigarettes, “Just a sec please.” She managed to gather up the dropped packs and clumsily held them in her left arm and extended her right, “You’re new in town, I’m Brandy Brooks, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” After the tall woman shook her hand, Brandy leaned her left shoulder towards her, “Take one, you can have it as a welcoming gift. I’d like to personally welcome you to Salem. A growing community of likeminded people looking to better the world we live in,” she smiled brightly, using her free hand to push her glasses up.

"Rook!" A woman with dark brown hair called out grinning from ear-to-ear and walking over to Rook. "I see you've made a few friends! I told you the folks in this town would come around." The woman looked over at Ace and then back to Rook. "I recommended that we craft you a flower-crown to ensure that you mean no harm. How's the wall coming along?" The woman offered a gracious nod to Brandy, “I am glad that you saw him for the big friendly giant that he is."

Brandy got a little jealous, putting her arm around Rook, at least the best she could, “Yes, he is a nice person, you can see it in his eyes,” she leaned and sat the cigarettes she had brought on the bar top, “Ace, I hope these will buy Rook and I dinner, if not I can do some work around the diner,” she blushed a bit, “I spent all of my caps on building supplies at The Sanctuary…sorry.” She took a breath and looked the woman up and down noticing that she was roughly the same height but slightly skinnier than she was, “I don’t think he needs a flower-crown,” Brandy looked up at Rook, “He moved things today that we couldn’t think of moving. I think he just needs OUR,” Brandy waved her hand around the diner, “Protection.”

Brandy let her eyes wander around the diner before focusing back on the similarly sized woman, “I’m Brandy Brooks, it is a pleasure to meet you…” she extended her hand.

Lorelei Jones - Ace's Diner

“I don’t think he needs a flower-crown,” Brandy looked up at Rook, “He moved things today that we couldn’t think of moving. I think he just needs OUR,” Brandy waved her hand around the diner, “Protection.”

Brandy let her eyes wander around the diner before focusing back on the similarly sized woman, “I’m Brandy Brooks, it is a pleasure to meet you…” she extended her hand.

Lorelei extended her arm and bowed her head. "Lorelei Jones. The pleasure is mine. I am glad that you have seemingly tried your best to make him feel at home. He's done more for the town than any of us so far. I'm sure of that."

After a few moments, Lorelei stood out of the way, allowing her to venture further into the diner, as she could clearly tell that Brandy and Rook had indulged in Ace's Diner for something specific.

She seems nice.

Lorelei smiled at Rook again. "Seems to me like you two are busy, so I'll leave you to it. Next you work on the wall, holler, and I'll see if I can round anyone else up to help."

At that, Lora returned to where Steve was standing at the bar. Despite that he had barely offered her more than a nod this evening -- probably warranted, considering that she had run off on him during their first meeting -- she needed to speak to him. She tapped Steve on the shoulder. She whispered in his ear.

"I need to speak to you in private."

"Sure, Overcoat," Steve replied as he finished off his Nuka-cola dark. "Let's head outside."

Lorelei led Steve to the outside of the diner and behind before finally stopping and turning back to address him. "I heard you last night. In the lower levels of the apartment complex." She paused and folded her arms. "I was there. That 'unicorn' you found? It belongs to the woman living there, who was not in good enough shape to reply to your hollering."

At that, Lorelei paused and pursed her lips, thinking carefully to make sure that she wouldn't put Eliza in a compromising situation. "She is weary of strangers, so do be careful."

Ace Makovich - Diner

The doctor pushed the caps back towards Ace, and told him he had nothing to worry about. The demeanor on his face was serious, and Ace decided to accept him at his word so as not to offend him. This meant he would be able to use these caps for his project. He placed bag behind the counter and went about cleaning the top with a rag.

The patrons were talking about what Super Mutants ate. The doctor spoke up "Oh well… Actually...while the mutants might normally, um, prefer the taste of human meat. They certainly don't have to have it. They're quite happy with a variety of different meat types, animal or otherwise. I suspect the creature will be able to feed himself quite well given the variety of local fauna around here. 'Rad-stags' and 'Mirelurks' I think they're called seem to be quite common around Salem."

As he cleaned the counter, the room fell silent. Ace looked up and there stood the mutant in his diner. “Rook is here to buy meat. Does Cooker Man have radstag? Or maybe man has found something better? Brahmin meats?” The mutant grinned. “Rook has caps and small things to trade, if Cooker Man is open to that as well. Rook is hungry, and building wall takes so much energy.”

Ace was quiet for a bit as mutants just stood there. Brandy offered the cigarettes and other help in exchange for food. He was moving until Barney cleared his throat, “Yeah…Umm…that should be more than enough…” Ace cleared his throat, and opened the hatch to the cellar and headed down. He had always been taught in the brotherhood, to attack a super mutant on sight, yet here stood one before him and he did nothing.

He walked over to his bed and opened the drawer on the corner table. He looked at the plasma defender in the drawer, and hesitantly grabbed it, check to make sure it was loaded and tucked into his back side. His little 10mm pistol might not be enough if something went down.

He went over to the freezer and looked over the meat. He had chopped the second radstag into quarters. He figured a quarter ought to be enough, if not, he had molerat to offer. He wrapped the meat in some plastic and headed back upstairs.

“here’s some radstag, hope it’s enough for you… I also have some molerat, if you like.” Ace said to the mutant as he placed the meat on a table close to the mutant. He turned to Brandy with a smirk, “I’m sure I could find a task or two for you to do..”

Barney groaned, “Hey Romeo, another shot of whiskey over here.”

Ace winked at her as he turned, he walked back and poured Barney another drink. He grabbed an old suitcase that was sitting atop the fridge. It was bit heavy as it was partially filled with old military grade circuit boards. He placed the bag of caps inside it, sealed it and locked it with a key.

He motioned for Tom to come over, “Get this to your courier, I need this delivered to Vault 81 ASAP to you know who. It’s important it gets there as quickly as possible.”

Tom nodded, “I’ll make sure my courier at Finch Farm gets this on a direct barge at Bunker hill, and that it gets delivered to Mr. Grey. Don’t let me remind you that expedited delivery is pricey.”

Ace grabbed a wooden case and handed it to Tom, “12 quantum colas as agreed. Along with 12 bottles of vodka.”

Tom nodded happily and handed the suitcase to one of the guards. He immediately set off, "Don't worry he'll get it to the barge tonight."

FRIEDA RICHTER - Salem diner

The young woman spun on her heel, “SURRREEEE AM!” She juggled the cartons to offer her hand, dropping one on the floor it broke open spilling the ten packs of cigarettes, “Just a sec please.”

Frieda bit her lip to keep from chuckling. She glanced around the diner but saw that no one was paying attention. Suddenly, the younger woman was standing again and had thrust her hand out in front of her. “You’re new in town, I’m Brandy Brooks, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Frieda blinked. "Ah -- oh. Thanks. I'm Richter," she replied reflexively, before she could catch herself. "Frieda, I mean. Frieda Richter." Could I sound any more awkward? She took Brandy's offered hand and shook it.

Brandy leaned her left shoulder towards her, “Take one, you can have it as a welcoming gift. I’d like to personally welcome you to Salem. A growing community of likeminded people looking to better the world we live in,” she smiled brightly, using her free hand to push her glasses up.

It felt as though Frieda's heart had stopped. Brandy's generosity threw her for a loop. "Are you sure?" The look on Brandy's face showed she was serious. Frieda gently removed the top most pack and offered what she hoped was her warmest smile. "You're a lifesaver, Brandy." She stepped just outside the door and searched her pockets. It was with extreme relief that she found her lighter. Frieda wasted no time in lighting up her smoke, relishing everything about it. The crackle of the dry tobacco. The heat. The taste. She all but sighed in delight, though she restrained herself for fear of drawing any more attention.

Frieda watched as Brandy spoke with someone else, wearing an overcoat, who then left the diner with that creep Steve. She wondered that she should be suspicious, but then thought nothing of it. Let the others make their own decisions about prying weirdos.

Brandy and Rook were both at the bar. Frieda considered a second cigarette, but decided to save that until a bit later. Unsure of what else to do with herself, she looked back into the diner, her eyes falling again on the quiet man with familiar features. His softer-than-most complexion nagged at her.

She decided to sit down at the bar. Before the shop keep could even notice her, Barney cried out, "hey! Well if it isn't Little Miss Trigger Happy, huh?"

Oh, no. She didn't reply.

"Best you not shoot that gun in here, you're liable to hurt someone innocent," he continued. "Rook's a bonafide payin' customer."

Frieda quickly looked between Rook, Barney, then Brandy. "Look, I'm not going to apologize for earlier. Anyone --" she stopped herself, looking again at Brandy, "well, most anyone, would have done exactly what I did. White flag or otherwise. Besides, it was just a warning shot, too."