[IC] Fallout: The Outer Banks (Always Open)

[CloseEnough]

@Crossfire@Sohtem

Aurora found herself up early, asking her sister to move so she could get out of bed she wheeled out to the streets, Eden following her like a shadow no matter how many times the red head has asked her to get her wounds treated.
Instead she found herself useful, a turret gun looking to have taken far too much damage was being taken apart, the owner thanking her over and over yet Aurora was just doing something to keep her occupied. "Don't mention it, should be finished soon, lucky that the barrel didn’t over heat and cause the core to melt, he was going for a while." Taking the wiring she split the ends, gaining a few laughs when she brought out a roll of duct tape to fix it with a new coil. "There, he should have some life in him"

Chase was packing, him and Eden helped out with he clean up last night, his joints sore from labour yet he still put his cases on the back of his Brahman. "Guess we'll have to head out soon" seeing Brick walk out of the back of the shop he raised a brow. "Word on the street is your going the extra mile to help out Aurora and Eden, if thats true than thanks, they need all the help they can get. Girl is fixing the turrets right now, if you need anything packed just put it up here."

[Sohtem]

@Crossfire @CloseEnough

Reese awoke the next morning at the inn, feeling how sore his shoulder was, though it did appear to be bandaged, guess someone had patched him up a little as he rested, “Well at least I'm not dead, guess I should see how everyone else is.” He spoke to himself, standing up, wincing a little as he put pressure on his ankle, that was going to be sore for a while, but at least he was okay.

He soon exited the inn, noticing some people starting to clean up the streets a little, some of them looked a bit injured still and told them that if they needed any kind of medical attention, he would help them. Didn't take long for people to start coming to him, they were mostly just cuts and scratches, but at least they were alive, he was glad about that, though he couldn't help but feel guilty on his own part, the other group of raiders that were here was because of him, sure it was justified in defending himself, but he had started to regret not killing the ones he had let live, if so maybe the damage wouldn't have been so severe.

It took him about an hour to finish treating the people that had approached him, he was glad no one was harmed more seriously, though he couldn't help but look regretfully at some of the bodies that had been placed near one another as the town continued to be cleaned up, well as best they could anyways. He glanced over when he saw Aurora and her sister as well as Chase and Brick on the streets and walked best he could, though it was still a limp, no doubt he'd need to clean his wounds later, but for now, he felt that they were alright.

“Hey, how are you guys? If anyone needs their wounds looked at, I can take a look and see how they are.” He was sure a lot of them were still sore and even if they weren't that injured, it was still best to look them over, just to make sure that they didn't get an infection, he may not have had a lot of medical supplies, but he could make do with what little he had in his bag.

[Crossfire]

@Sohtem @CloseEnough

"Yeah, I'll grab some tools, in case we need to do any field repairs to Fuago. I'll need an hour or two to get some things straightened away here, then we can head out" Brick told Chase as he walked by "Reese, can I have a word up at the shop in about 20 minutes? You'll see me heading back up there"

He proceeded on to the tavern, and began to scan the faces of the patrons. He spotted the men he was looking for and walked over.
"Mr. Dante Bullock, Mr. Victor Starr" he said in greeting "Can I sit with you?"
"Hullo Brick, pull up a chair" Starr said. The pair were merchants and handymen who had set up shop about a month ago. Theirs was one of the structures destroyed in the previous nights attacks.
"Sorry to hear about the shop" Brick said as he slid into a chair "But, I come with good news. My boss wants to make you both an offer"
"You can stop with that story" Bullock said "Everyone in town knows you're Forge"
"Well as long as the story sticks, I guess. Lasted longer than I thought. Regardless, I've got an offer. I'm looking to expand, you guys are in need, so how about coming to work for the Gun Runners?"

The next 10 minutes were spent explaining who the Gun Runners were and how they operated, as well as negotiating terms of employment for Bullock and Starr's contract. By the end of his speech, he had the two convinced.
"Well boys, glad to be in business with you both, why don't you come by the shop at noon. Like I said, I'll be gone for a week or so, and I wanna give you a quick overview of the place before I head out"
"Sounds good Forge" Bullock said, taking another drink from his mug.

He went to the bodies, neatly arranged down around the side of Angie's inn. He wanted to remember their faces, and honor their sacrifice for the town.
"Thank you all, thank you for..." he stopped as his eyes locked on a familiar face. His customer from a few days ago. George Cantwell. Brick was speechless as he saw the young would-be soldier lying dead in front of him.
'No. This isn't right. I fixed your gun, I gave you a way to survive. You were supposed to survive this. Continue the Legacy! No! It's not right!

Tears began to form into his eyes. He didn't notice Travis walk around the corner.
"Boss, you ok?"
He choked back his tears and spoke in an uneven voice "Where's his gun? Did he kill any?"
Travis tugged at his holster "I picked it up last night, was gonna carry it up to the shop for you"
"Did he kill any?" Brick repeated
"Mags empty, but theres no real way to know for sure"
"No! Thats not how it works! Its not right. It's not right"
An idea swam into clear view in his head.
"Listen to me Travis. Go to the raiders, and look them over, any of them tagged with roughly 9mm sized shots, you make a note of it. I'm leaving for a while, Joe's in charge, he's gonna have a job for you, send you out on a supply run. When he does, you need to bring this pistol to the Cantwell family in Elizabeth City. Do you understand me?"
Travis knew better than to question his employer's apparent madness "Yeah, absolutely boss"

Brick wiped his face and walked back to the street, he began to make his way up to the shop, nodding at Reese as he passed by.

[CloseEnough]

@Crossfire@Sohtem

"Sounds like a plan, don't need to be forgetting something that could be keepen us alive." Giving the Brhaman a pat he was standing watch as he let the cow feed, his own bags packed he noticed the sisters making their way back, conversation between them while Aurora had a bag of tools laying on her lap.

Hearing the offer from Reese caused the red head to speak up first. "Eden was shot in the leg" earning a glare from the older sister she shook her head. "I'm fine"
"Where leaving in a few hours, you should at least get checked out by an actual doctor." The two looked at each other for a moment, yet the younger began to have a triumphant smirk when Eden stayed silent for a few more moments. "Told ya"

Time passing though Aurora found Brick in the distance, unmoving and shoulder's shaking she began to feel worried for the fellow weapon's smith. "You holding up aright?" They all been through so much together it was the least she could do. She didn't know them well but at least the woman can figure out when something is wrong.

[Sohtem]

@CloseEnough

Reese couldn't help but smirk a little as the two sisters bantered with one another, seemingly having permission to examine the injury, he went over to take a look at the wound, depending on what hit her, it'd probably just need to be disinfected at the very least and then bandaged, worse case scenario if it wasn't a laser weapon wound and a bullet was lodged in there, he'd have to pull it out, but from what he saw of Eden, it didn't seem like the injury was causing her that much pain.

“Oh, you're leaving? Where to?” Reese couldn't help but be a little curious as he dug into his bag, some of his 'medical' items being substitutes for the real thing, like alcohol for instances, it had been a while since he had seen any proper disinfectant and a large amount at that. He paused for a moment, glancing at the destroyed town again, “Still hard to believe all this happened, probably should have kept moving, then this town might've not been hit as hard as it was.” He spoke to himself though it would be audible to them, still feeling guilty of adding to the mess.

[CloseEnough]

@Sohtem

Sitting on the steps Eden did not seem to pay much attention, more she thought about her wounds the more of a pain in the ass they would be for her. Pulling her leg to her chest she rested her elbow on her knee, her gaze on Aurora the entire time while the red head kept looking at the carnage around her.
The questions passing over her head Eden stayed silent, Aurora having to be the one to speak for both of them half the time. "Theres a vault that was sealed shut, I was making something to fix it and so we're all heading back. Can't wait to find out what's in there, hope everyone is okay inside though."

The wound seemed to have just been from a laser rifle, though a direct hit, her skin singed around began to grow around in violets and stick to the inside of her pant leg. Keeping quiet the only indication of pain given from the woman was Eden biting her lip, tasting the iron on her toung in the process.
Yet something caught the woman's ears, what did he mean he should have kept moving. For once a golden eye went back to the doctor, studying as though she were on a hunt to find the meaning behind those words. Her sister noticing first was behind the older woman, shaking her head franticly at Reese.

[Sohtem]

@CloseEnough

Reese recognized the wound's traits as being that of a laser weapon, which didn't really matter, but he could at least treat it properly, “Oh, well that sounds very interesting, maybe I'll tag along for the ride.” He lightly joked for a second before pulling out a small bottle of vodka and then his medical tools.

Unrolling it and then pulled out a scalpel, “”I'm going to need to cut away some of your pant leg there to properly clean it, I hope that's alright.” He added to her, glancing up at Aurora when she started to shake her head, no doubt in regards to his comment he made, giving a subtle nod to her, he figured it probably wasn't the time to discuss the raiders that followed him, regardless of how much he felt it was his fault.

[CloseEnough]

@Sohtem

"Well having a doctor is beyond useful," a smile on the red head she held a playful smirk to her sister who stayed silent through the entire thing. "Its a bit of a ways away, we're heading out soon as Brick comes back. But I don't see anything wrong with it."

"You fall behind and we're leaving you." A sigh escaping from the red head she gave Reese a look of apology, they were as close as can be yet they were as different as night and day. A look of surprise began to take her features though when the woman nodded her head at the question. When the fabric was cut it began to show that Eden was three shades lighter under her armour than she appeared to be.

Even when there was three people it seemed that it was a two person conversation. "So Reese, you feeling any better? I heard you took a bit of a beating."

[Sohtem]

@CloseEnough

Reese gently smiled back to Aurora as he tended to her sister's wound, seeing how her skin was much lighter than it appeared, he got a clean rag out, pouring a bit of the liquor onto it before going to apply it to Eden's wound, “This might sting a little.” He warned as he started to apply it to the injury, making gentle wipes as she did so so as to not aggravate it any further.

He glanced up at her when she he'd be left if he fell behind, “Well don't worry, I won't, trekked a long ways to travel through here, so I should be up for the task.” He lightly smiled to her, he didn't really have a problem with her brash attitude, or at least what it appeared to look like to him anyways. He was used to people being like that in the wastes, but he made sure to never let himself be like that, there was already enough negativity in this mostly barren land, no need to add fuel to the fire so to speak.

“Yeah, I'm feeling fine, just a couple of gunshots, nothing that won't heal with time.” He responded back to Aurora as he was near finishing up cleaning her sister's injury, “How about you? Are you alright, I know this whole ordeal was pretty intense,” He added, starting to wrap a bandage around the wound after cleaning it up, “There, that should be good for a bit, wound's been cleaned, it'll just be sore for a bit.” He spoke to Eden once more, a friendly smile on his face, his cheerful attitude not being a very common one in the wastes which usually made it stand out more.

[CloseEnough]

@Sohtem

"You could be stabbing her and she won't bitch, shes more stubborn than a deathclaw." True to the red head's words Eden simply kept biting her lip, her tooth causing it to start to stain in red. "See, told ya"
All that Eden done was turn her gaze to Aurora yet the girl kept up her little grin. "What? Its true, your worse than dad was." Again she began to laugh slightly yet Eden seemed to change at the mention of their father, simply closing her eyes as she cupped her face in her hand, seeming to start to grow slightly board to anyone who didn't know her.
"Good" It was her only reply to Reese, least it was something different from her usual silence.

Aurora simply shrugged her shoulders at the answer. "I was lucky, moment everything happened Brick hid me in the back and gave me a shot gun and 10mm, came out unscathed aside from a bit tired out for it all." Eyes lighting up from the words though she quickly rummaged through her pockets only to hold out a steampack. "Here, you might need this more than I do."

[Sohtem]

@CloseEnough

When Reese had finished with treating her, he started to put away the supplies he got out, making sure to put his scalpel back with the other equipment and then rolled it up, stuffing it back into his bag. Listening to Aurora talk about her sister and couldn't help but chuckle at the comment. He wish he had that, well more of knowing if he had any other family, something he had been trying to find out for a while now ever since he became and amnesiac.

He merely glanced at Eden when she gave a one word response to his condition, “Nice to know you care.” He responded back genuinely, he looked to Aurora when she told him that she wasn't harmed, “Well that's good, I'm glad you weren't hurt,” Pausing for a moment when she held out the item to him, “No thanks, you should hold onto it, I'm not so banged up that I can't move, besides it may be needed down the line and I rather not have it wasted on me.” He smiled as he spoke.

[Crossfire]

@Sohtem @CloseEnough

Brick had just finished showing Dante and Vic around the shop and finalizing a few details with Joe. As they spoke, Brick packed up the tools he'd need if Fuago was to break down, a few boxes of ammo for his weapons, and a small supply of food from his personal stores.

"Well gentlemen" he said as he emerged from the workshop and extended a hand "the floor is yours. Treat her well"
"We will" Bullock said, taking the handshake. Brick and Joe exchanged nods, and the weaponsmith headed out.

"Hey everybody" he said, walking up to load his gear onto the brahmin "About ready to go are we?"
"Aurora, sorry for ignoring you back there, my head was a million miles away. Just hit me all at once, people died last night. People I used to see everyday"
"Reese, can I talk to you before we take off? Wanted to ask you about your rifle, and maybe you could take a look at my injuries?"

[CloseEnough]

@Crossfire@Sohtem

Taking the steampack she put it in her pocket, Eden standing back up the woman extended her leg in a straight high kick, nodding to herself at the feeling.
"Well than Reese if you do need it tell me okay?" Just as the words were spoken Brick came out of the shop, packing up he actually thought he had to apologize causing the woman to shake her head. "You have no reason to apologize for that, you going to be holding up aright?" She knew that feeling, to wake up and find that people who you knew were gone, that people you trusted were killed. It messed you up, and you never really get over it.

[Sohtem]

@Crossfire @CloseEnough

Reese had been enjoying the conversation with Aurora and Eden, well if it could even be considered that, but he genuinely didn't mind their company, it was nice talking to people, especially after what had happened in the town, he could tell that it would be a little while before all the shops and streets were cleaned up and repaired, the raiders and beast really did a number to it, but people in the wastes were resilient, they endured because they had too, no doubt the human spirit being that which refuses to let it's light go out.

“Yes, I'll let you know if I change my mind.” He lightly smiled to the red haired girl, finding it strange he was going to be traveling with them, but it's not like he really had any other plans, aside from traveling to OBR, though if this current trip was along the way, he didn't see why he shouldn't go.

He looked over when he saw Brick emerge, someone he also found to be pretty okay, though he tended to like everyone and tried to get along with everyone, even if they had a bit of a sour attitude, “Uh, yeah, sure I'd be happy to take a look at any injuries you have and what do you wish to know about it?” He was actually a little surprised about both requests, but he had no objections to either of them, so he'd gladly help in any way possible.

[Crossfire]

@Sohtem

"Yeah, I'll be ok, just feel a little responsible for everything is all" he said to Aurora "I actually have something I want to ask you and I guess, your sister. I mean, we got a long trip ahead, so we can talk about it on the road"

Brick turned his attention back to the doctor "Short and sweet question bud: How was the new barrel? She feel ok? Too short or too long? And how was she treatin you overall? I'd hate to have you going around with inferior work, I want everyone who comes to the Forge to leave satisfied, know what I mean?"
He stopped to roll back his shirt sleeves to reveal the four-inch long tear in his shoulder "As for this, that thing got its claw into my shoulder, that's the major one. I might've made it a bit worse, I jammed the butt of my gun into the gash for an adrenaline burst, keep myself from passing out. It seems clotted up, I don't know if it needs to be patched up or anything. Apart from that, I had a bullet graze my head, just above my right ear, and one of those raiders caught me with a knife, across the back of both forearms" he lifted his arms up to show the cuts "It's skin deep at worst, but I guess its better to get it checked out, than run the risk of infection or something right?"

[Sohtem]

@Crossfire

“Oh, yeah the barrel was fine, felt just right, you did a really good job on it, so no need to worry about that.” He smiled to the man as he took off his bag for a moment, getting out what looked like a magnifying glass to get a closer inspection of the wounds. “Wow and I thought my wounds were bad.” He joked as he continued to inspect the man's injures, seeing how some would heal over time without any real fuss, though he was a little concerned about the shoulder.

“Well from what I can tell, I can disinfect them all and bandage them properly, however I am a little concerned about that shoulders of yours, it doesn't look like it will need stitches, but if too much stress is put on it, it could tear further and then it will need stitches.” He spoke as he then put away the magnifier and then pulled out the vodka bottle once more along with some more bandages, luckily still having spares left, though he'd need to restock or else he'd not be much use to anyone.

He soon started to pour the alcohol onto a fresh rag, going to apply it to his wounds, “Have to say, you're pretty tough, if this was me, don't think I'd be moving too much, I mean I passed out from a graze and two measly wounds.” He joked, trying not to make the whole thing serious as he went about treating Brick.

[Crossfire]

Brick gasped as the rag was pressed against his wounds and winced at the burning sensation.
"Don't be so hard on yourself man, you were shot twice, that's way worse than a couple of scrapes and, well yeah, this is pretty bad" he nodded down towards his shoulder "Honestly, I think it was just shock that kept me going, and then that adrenaline rush from pushing into it. I thought I was gonna pass out from all of it.... Did afterwards. I hardly remember getting home last night"

[Sohtem]

@Crossfire

Reese nodded as he focused on patching the man up, it's not like he was really holding it against the man, just that he hoped Brick wouldn't push that injury any further in the next few days, otherwise the wound would tear more and required to be sewn shut which Reese didn't know if he had those supplies in his bag.

“Right, I get it, that creature was attacking and you were doing everything you could to stop it, we all were, just make sure you take it easy with your shoulder and don't over strain.” He added, unable to help himself be worried about the man, though he was like that with most of his patients if they had an injury that wasn't severe but could be depending on the circumstances.

[CloseEnough]

The group waited patiently outside, Aurora sitting on the steps, her chair already strapped to the Brhaman's back with her sister reading the same book that she has yet to give up, leather covers that were so faded the burned image could never be seen only felt, moth eaten pages turned over with care as golden eyes trailed through line by line.

The red head herself was looking at the town, a heaviness in her chest from the sight. Coming here everything was well, active, happy even, as well off as one could be in the wasteland, now it held shadows walking across the roads, growing smaller and smaller the more the sun rose for the start of their day.

Chase was by the cows, giving them a bag of feed he looked at the sisters who sat in silence, Aurora leaning ever so slightly to rest her head on Eden's shoulder yet even with the huntress’s beast like attitude, she did not move away from her sister. Listening to the steps around him, his caps low from the exchanges he made, yet he done some good trading with others for things they were going to need in supplies.
"Aright girls, next stop, vault 13"

[Crossfire]

@CloseEnough @Sohtem

Brick nodded at the doctor "I'll keep from overusing it the next few days. Brace my shotgun on the other shoulder if I have to use her. Thanks doc"
His mind wandered as Reese continued working. He thought about the question he had to ask Aurora, and how he was going to word it. This was gonna take some time.

"Alright girls, next stop, Vault 13"
Chase's voice snapped Brick back to attention. He looked up at the others.
"I guess we're all ready to go?" he asked the group "Just as soon as you're finished Reese"