Go ahead and start writing the next day Martyr
Will do, boss. I'll get on it..er..shortly.
Kouropalates Member
A Man Denied His Scavenged Junk
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Will do, boss. I'll get on it..er..shortly.
Hey Sky, when's the next day gonna roll around? Don't want to get ahead of your perception of the days or anything.
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Lorelei's Porch
Lorelei called back to him in the night, “So… you’re Adam. Right.” Adam tilted his head, rubbing at his beard and feigning a look of worry. "I sure hope so. Otherwise I've spent almost forty-three years getting called by the wrong name." The two had fallen silent for a time as Lorelei quietly looked at her gun before she spoke, “Being a sole homeowner—especially pertaining to a gargantuan piece of real estate like this—it feels…odd. I haven’t lived in a house like this since my childhood. Feels too good to be true. Just like this town.”. Adam nodded slowly, understanding how she felt. Adam gave a short 'hpmph', "You and me both, kid. You and me both. I lived in a small town a few years back with my wife. Before that, I hadn't had a proper home since I was a kid. Even that was one of those small Great Depression homes. Thought about picking a place to shack up, but, eh, all that's not really 'me'. I've spent most of my life as a drifter, anything much more than this cottage is just too decadent for me." He pulled a cigar from his pocket, fidgeting with it as he looked out on the street and leaning over the porch. "Nah. My shack on the beach is more than enough home for me so long as I'm on my own." Adam put it back, deciding not to fall back into old habits.
After a while, Lorelei gazed out at the moonlit structures of Salem. She took a deep breath and leaned to her right, pressing her torso against the tall wooden support beam of the porch steps. Adam figured she might be getting tired so he took that as his cue to mosey on home too. As he got ready to step off the porch, he turned back. "Hey. I uh...I'm getting a little stiff sitting around town like this. Heard from a buddy of mine that came through earlier that there's someplace called 'Lexington' nearby that might have some good stuff to pick through. You seem like an action kinda girl and I could use a second with me. I know that might sound a little much to ask, but if you're interested, I'll be heading out tomorrow morning with Bessie. Sleep on it, you feel like partnering up, I live down on the waterfront. It's that Pre-War shed thing with the huge fishing boat out on the water and the brahmin, Bessie, out front. Ain't hard to miss." Adam slowly stepped down to the street, waving a hand over his head in silent farewell to catch some much needed sleep.
Lorelei called back to him in the night, “So… you’re Adam. Right.” Adam tilted his head, rubbing at his beard and feigning a look of worry. "I sure hope so. Otherwise I've spent almost forty-three years getting called by the wrong name." The two had fallen silent for a time as Lorelei quietly looked at her gun before she spoke, “Being a sole homeowner—especially pertaining to a gargantuan piece of real estate like this—it feels…odd. I haven’t lived in a house like this since my childhood. Feels too good to be true. Just like this town.”. Adam nodded slowly, understanding how she felt. Adam gave a short 'hpmph', "You and me both, kid. You and me both. I lived in a small town a few years back with my wife. Before that, I hadn't had a proper home since I was a kid. Even that was one of those small Great Depression homes. Thought about picking a place to shack up, but, eh, all that's not really 'me'. I've spent most of my life as a drifter, anything much more than this cottage is just too decadent for me." He pulled a cigar from his pocket, fidgeting with it as he looked out on the street and leaning over the porch. "Nah. My shack on the beach is more than enough home for me so long as I'm on my own." Adam put it back, deciding not to fall back into old habits.
After a while, Lorelei gazed out at the moonlit structures of Salem. She took a deep breath and leaned to her right, pressing her torso against the tall wooden support beam of the porch steps. Adam figured she might be getting tired so he took that as his cue to mosey on home too. As he got ready to step off the porch, he turned back. "Hey. I uh...I'm getting a little stiff sitting around town like this. Heard from a buddy of mine that came through earlier that there's someplace called 'Lexington' nearby that might have some good stuff to pick through. You seem like an action kinda girl and I could use a second with me. I know that might sound a little much to ask, but if you're interested, I'll be heading out tomorrow morning with Bessie. Sleep on it, you feel like partnering up, I live down on the waterfront. It's that Pre-War shed thing with the huge fishing boat out on the water and the brahmin, Bessie, out front. Ain't hard to miss." Adam slowly stepped down to the street, waving a hand over his head in silent farewell to catch some much needed sleep.
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Salem streets
Adam walked down the street, his shoes softly clicking on the asphalt as he strolled slowly, mumbling to himself as he passed derelict and unused old homes and businesses. "Never let it it end. The sunlit days, the moonlit nights...the sea...the sa-" and was cut off at the sight of something moving in the shadows ahead. He began to quietly walk closer. As he approached, he figured it to be a woman. Getting closer, it was the girl from earlier. "Hey, you're the kid from the gate, right? Uhhhh, Lorelei I think you'd said?" Adam put a foot on the step and looked out to the sky. "Nice night for stars, isn't it? It's something we often take for granted." He nodded his head to himself, "So many people struggling to make it day to day, but the stars are surest sign God left us something good in this harsh existence. We just need to find those things is all." Adam chuckled softly, "Sorry, I forgot my manners. May I sit up on the porch with you?"
Adam walked down the street, his shoes softly clicking on the asphalt as he strolled slowly, mumbling to himself as he passed derelict and unused old homes and businesses. "Never let it it end. The sunlit days, the moonlit nights...the sea...the sa-" and was cut off at the sight of something moving in the shadows ahead. He began to quietly walk closer. As he approached, he figured it to be a woman. Getting closer, it was the girl from earlier. "Hey, you're the kid from the gate, right? Uhhhh, Lorelei I think you'd said?" Adam put a foot on the step and looked out to the sky. "Nice night for stars, isn't it? It's something we often take for granted." He nodded his head to himself, "So many people struggling to make it day to day, but the stars are surest sign God left us something good in this harsh existence. We just need to find those things is all." Adam chuckled softly, "Sorry, I forgot my manners. May I sit up on the porch with you?"
Commander Fulman, Arctic Haven
John looked the soldiers over dressed in their Stealth Suits, armed with a mixture of night vision goggles and suppressed weapons. "Wolves, we've gotten the greenlight to commence Operation: Shadow Raid from the Brotherhood. You'll shortly be shipped out to Vegas, from there, you'll be making a HALO insertion into your target. That said, nom de guerre, names and ranks are forbidden on this op. You are assigned temporary names of apostles on this. John, Simon, James, Thaddeus, Phillip and Thomas." He pointed to each as he listed a name. "I don't need to say this, but as reinforcement of the gravity of the situation, if you fail this operation, you're being assigned deck cleaning duties until you quit or you die. This operation solidifies to the western US whether we're truly mercenaries or just a bunch of assclowns like the Snow Snakes are. Move out."
Fort Hope, New Vegas
The squad climbed aboard a somewhat small plane, the pilot already having the plane started up. As they took their seats, the pilot yelled to them through their pre-war communications equipment. "Right! Everyone ready? Here's the plan. We'll fly over NCR territory. We'll fly about 30 klicks in. When that light turns red, that's your cue to jump, got it? Good!". The plane began to slowly take off from the runway. When they were finally in the air, Simon, the team commander, looked out the window. He contemplated the point in any of this, it wasn't their fight. But then again, maybe a part of it was his guilt at sabotaging his former homeland. He sat quietly, sighing through his helmet as the setting sun began to go over the horizon, darkening the world. The room began to turn a dark red as if blood had exploded in the room. Simon slid open the door and got everyone in line, "Alright, you know the plan. Teams of two! Go! Go! Go!". They were all soon falling effortlessly to the earth. Fulman's voice came over their radio, "Alright men, we just got an update. We have a DNE warning by the Brotherhood on NCR and Legion. This op is currently restricted to scouting until we're given the go ahead to attack sites. The Legion does not know we're here, so they may see us as an NCR unit. That said, despite their warnings, if you should wind up with Legion and they pin you down, don't hesitate to kill them. I don't want a fight with the Legion, but this is NCR territory, it'll just be another poor raiding party gone missing, but try to avoid it where you can. We had one of the intel team sneak into the area, there should be a rusting truck nearby. Under a rock nearby will be retrofitted stealth boys with only one hour of power and a solar device that recharges it with six hours of sun. I don't need to point out the math, but that limits their use to need only, so don't go wild trying to play the Invisible Man. Good luck and god be with you all. Out."
When they were below Pre-War radar levels, their wristwatches gave a light and they pulled their parachute chords and landed softly into the sands of California. Simon pulled down his goggles and found the truck exactly as the commander described it and the rock nearby. He pried open a small toolbox that made the stealthboys nondescript in their hiding. "Commencing Operation: Shadow Raid. We rendevous five miles east of here near the border once demolitions have finished. Good luck." Simon and Thaddeus went their way and began searching for the key rail junctions to begin their part of the plan.
John looked the soldiers over dressed in their Stealth Suits, armed with a mixture of night vision goggles and suppressed weapons. "Wolves, we've gotten the greenlight to commence Operation: Shadow Raid from the Brotherhood. You'll shortly be shipped out to Vegas, from there, you'll be making a HALO insertion into your target. That said, nom de guerre, names and ranks are forbidden on this op. You are assigned temporary names of apostles on this. John, Simon, James, Thaddeus, Phillip and Thomas." He pointed to each as he listed a name. "I don't need to say this, but as reinforcement of the gravity of the situation, if you fail this operation, you're being assigned deck cleaning duties until you quit or you die. This operation solidifies to the western US whether we're truly mercenaries or just a bunch of assclowns like the Snow Snakes are. Move out."
Fort Hope, New Vegas
The squad climbed aboard a somewhat small plane, the pilot already having the plane started up. As they took their seats, the pilot yelled to them through their pre-war communications equipment. "Right! Everyone ready? Here's the plan. We'll fly over NCR territory. We'll fly about 30 klicks in. When that light turns red, that's your cue to jump, got it? Good!". The plane began to slowly take off from the runway. When they were finally in the air, Simon, the team commander, looked out the window. He contemplated the point in any of this, it wasn't their fight. But then again, maybe a part of it was his guilt at sabotaging his former homeland. He sat quietly, sighing through his helmet as the setting sun began to go over the horizon, darkening the world. The room began to turn a dark red as if blood had exploded in the room. Simon slid open the door and got everyone in line, "Alright, you know the plan. Teams of two! Go! Go! Go!". They were all soon falling effortlessly to the earth. Fulman's voice came over their radio, "Alright men, we just got an update. We have a DNE warning by the Brotherhood on NCR and Legion. This op is currently restricted to scouting until we're given the go ahead to attack sites. The Legion does not know we're here, so they may see us as an NCR unit. That said, despite their warnings, if you should wind up with Legion and they pin you down, don't hesitate to kill them. I don't want a fight with the Legion, but this is NCR territory, it'll just be another poor raiding party gone missing, but try to avoid it where you can. We had one of the intel team sneak into the area, there should be a rusting truck nearby. Under a rock nearby will be retrofitted stealth boys with only one hour of power and a solar device that recharges it with six hours of sun. I don't need to point out the math, but that limits their use to need only, so don't go wild trying to play the Invisible Man. Good luck and god be with you all. Out."
When they were below Pre-War radar levels, their wristwatches gave a light and they pulled their parachute chords and landed softly into the sands of California. Simon pulled down his goggles and found the truck exactly as the commander described it and the rock nearby. He pried open a small toolbox that made the stealthboys nondescript in their hiding. "Commencing Operation: Shadow Raid. We rendevous five miles east of here near the border once demolitions have finished. Good luck." Simon and Thaddeus went their way and began searching for the key rail junctions to begin their part of the plan.
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Salem Streets
Adam felt the warmth of Celeste's body as she leaned in close, holding his arm just a little tighter. "Well, I suppose it's pretty similar to life anywhere, if I think about the stories I used to hear all the time. My parents had a diner and trading stand, so we met pretty much everyone who came through. I grew up listening to all the things people went through as they travelled through the wasteland, the people, and tribes they met." She sighed, wistfully. "It made me think I had to see the world for myself, you know? To stake out on my own and find my own place. It sounded just so...wonderful."
Adam listened quietly to Celeste telling her life story, each footstep a soft padding on the asphalt of the ancient streets. "I saved up my caps and paid a caravan to let me join them from Niagara to Diamond City, but even halfway to Salem, I just...well..." Celeste had suddenly begun trailing off. "Oh, Adam, you're such a seasoned traveller, I just know you'll think the next part is just silly, but, I...I couldn't take it. All those stories, all those amazing places that are out there, no one really told me about the violence, and how loud a gun is, or how much blood a feral hound can really spill." She shuddered. "It was just too much, for me. I...well, I just couldn't stomach it." Celeste drooped. "You must think me pathetic, huh?". Adam stopped in the street, his stomach in knots. It was as if Celeste had been reading his mind from over the years. Adam's throat was tight before he finely whispered a hoarse "No". He licked his lips and swallowed before he spoke, "Celeste, I...I've done some awful things out there. I've robbed enough people at gunpoint I've probably heard every possible kind of scream or curse. Truth is, it never gets any easier. You just find new ways to cope." The wind blew gently threw his hair as he looked blankly down the street. "Celeste, I sold out my old gang to try and go straight. Nineteen lives for the price of one. Was it worth it? I never think so. I try to be a good man, but sometimes you need to be a harsh man. After I met Ellia down south, I swore I'd never fall back into that life. Truth is, killing is easy. It's living with it that gets harder, it's like with every life you take, you kill a piece of your own soul all so you can make a little money. So, no. I'd say you're better person than me. You rejected that life and I took it up. I took the easy road while you helped try to scratch and scrape a life for others." Adam looked over to Celeste beside him, "I don't even deserve to spend time with such a nice soul like you. But I'm glad you think I'm worth it." He smirked, "Maybe there's some hope for this old warhorse yet." He extended his arm to Celeste once more, relieved to tell someone what it felt like to live with such guilt for once, continuing the stroll to the inn.
They drew up to the double doors of the inn. "The caravan stopped here for some lunch, yesterday, and I decided to stay. I suppose that the water being nearby was just comforting, or familiar, and I ditched the caravan right then and there. I told myself that this place was where I could really make a name for myself, but truthfully, I didn't care about Diamond City, anymore." She looked up to Adam's face and smiled. "Well, maybe you and I can visit there sometime, together, hmm? If you'd like.". Adam laughed, "I've never been much of a city man, Salem's big enough for me. But, what the hell? If it'd mean I get to see more of you smiling, how can I every sensibly say no to that?" Celeste's eyes danced as she craned her neck up once more. Adam looked up, "What's so interesting up there? That's just the Big Dipper." He chuckled, "I'm just playing." Smiling, he took Celeste's chin into his hand, her soft skin contrasting with his rougher hands, as he leaned in and gave her a long, gentle kiss. Adam smiled, his breath wafting in the streetlight, "Thank you for a wonderful night, Celeste. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."
Adam watched Celeste walk inside, admiring her figure as she went in. When the door shut, Adam put the duster on and pulled out a cigar and a match, striking it on his shoe. He hadn't smoked in years, but tonight was a good night and he almost felt like he had in his younger years. He exhaled, the puff flowing like a small chimney as the flavor delighted his mouth. When he was finished, he flicked it to the ground and began the trek back to the beach, taking one last look at the inn with a happy smile over the night they'd just shared.
Adam felt the warmth of Celeste's body as she leaned in close, holding his arm just a little tighter. "Well, I suppose it's pretty similar to life anywhere, if I think about the stories I used to hear all the time. My parents had a diner and trading stand, so we met pretty much everyone who came through. I grew up listening to all the things people went through as they travelled through the wasteland, the people, and tribes they met." She sighed, wistfully. "It made me think I had to see the world for myself, you know? To stake out on my own and find my own place. It sounded just so...wonderful."
Adam listened quietly to Celeste telling her life story, each footstep a soft padding on the asphalt of the ancient streets. "I saved up my caps and paid a caravan to let me join them from Niagara to Diamond City, but even halfway to Salem, I just...well..." Celeste had suddenly begun trailing off. "Oh, Adam, you're such a seasoned traveller, I just know you'll think the next part is just silly, but, I...I couldn't take it. All those stories, all those amazing places that are out there, no one really told me about the violence, and how loud a gun is, or how much blood a feral hound can really spill." She shuddered. "It was just too much, for me. I...well, I just couldn't stomach it." Celeste drooped. "You must think me pathetic, huh?". Adam stopped in the street, his stomach in knots. It was as if Celeste had been reading his mind from over the years. Adam's throat was tight before he finely whispered a hoarse "No". He licked his lips and swallowed before he spoke, "Celeste, I...I've done some awful things out there. I've robbed enough people at gunpoint I've probably heard every possible kind of scream or curse. Truth is, it never gets any easier. You just find new ways to cope." The wind blew gently threw his hair as he looked blankly down the street. "Celeste, I sold out my old gang to try and go straight. Nineteen lives for the price of one. Was it worth it? I never think so. I try to be a good man, but sometimes you need to be a harsh man. After I met Ellia down south, I swore I'd never fall back into that life. Truth is, killing is easy. It's living with it that gets harder, it's like with every life you take, you kill a piece of your own soul all so you can make a little money. So, no. I'd say you're better person than me. You rejected that life and I took it up. I took the easy road while you helped try to scratch and scrape a life for others." Adam looked over to Celeste beside him, "I don't even deserve to spend time with such a nice soul like you. But I'm glad you think I'm worth it." He smirked, "Maybe there's some hope for this old warhorse yet." He extended his arm to Celeste once more, relieved to tell someone what it felt like to live with such guilt for once, continuing the stroll to the inn.
They drew up to the double doors of the inn. "The caravan stopped here for some lunch, yesterday, and I decided to stay. I suppose that the water being nearby was just comforting, or familiar, and I ditched the caravan right then and there. I told myself that this place was where I could really make a name for myself, but truthfully, I didn't care about Diamond City, anymore." She looked up to Adam's face and smiled. "Well, maybe you and I can visit there sometime, together, hmm? If you'd like.". Adam laughed, "I've never been much of a city man, Salem's big enough for me. But, what the hell? If it'd mean I get to see more of you smiling, how can I every sensibly say no to that?" Celeste's eyes danced as she craned her neck up once more. Adam looked up, "What's so interesting up there? That's just the Big Dipper." He chuckled, "I'm just playing." Smiling, he took Celeste's chin into his hand, her soft skin contrasting with his rougher hands, as he leaned in and gave her a long, gentle kiss. Adam smiled, his breath wafting in the streetlight, "Thank you for a wonderful night, Celeste. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."
Adam watched Celeste walk inside, admiring her figure as she went in. When the door shut, Adam put the duster on and pulled out a cigar and a match, striking it on his shoe. He hadn't smoked in years, but tonight was a good night and he almost felt like he had in his younger years. He exhaled, the puff flowing like a small chimney as the flavor delighted his mouth. When he was finished, he flicked it to the ground and began the trek back to the beach, taking one last look at the inn with a happy smile over the night they'd just shared.
(OOC: I didn't want to dictate the weather in case anyone's worried. I asked Sky beforehand so we could all be on the same page on seasons and such and Sky said it's about fall season wise.)
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Adam's shack
Adam came down off the clouds as the song ended, suddenly remembering the world around them as Celeste clutched Adam's hands in hers. "This has been a wonderful evening, Adam. It's getting a little late. Will you walk me back home?" Adam smirked, "Sure thing. Let me get my coat, gets chilly at night this time of year." He brought up a duster he normally used for traveling and cloaked it over Celeste, "Don't worry about me. I got this monkey suit to keep me warm." He said in an amused tone, waving his hands up and down over the sweater vest and dress shirt he'd found for this night. He opened the door and exhaled a little faint breath in the night air, a faint cloud of mist as he exhaled into the night air. He put his arm through Celeste's after he shut the door and they slowly strolled from the beach to the streets on the way to the retirement home. Adam enjoyed it all, the gentle quiet of the night, Celeste, the beauty of the stars above. He then spoke up to her, "So, you said 'Niagra Falls? I heard about that. Somewhere up yonder Canada ways, right? How's a maple leaf float so far south on the wind like that? You must have quite a story on getting here. What was life up there like?"
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Adam's shack
Adam came down off the clouds as the song ended, suddenly remembering the world around them as Celeste clutched Adam's hands in hers. "This has been a wonderful evening, Adam. It's getting a little late. Will you walk me back home?" Adam smirked, "Sure thing. Let me get my coat, gets chilly at night this time of year." He brought up a duster he normally used for traveling and cloaked it over Celeste, "Don't worry about me. I got this monkey suit to keep me warm." He said in an amused tone, waving his hands up and down over the sweater vest and dress shirt he'd found for this night. He opened the door and exhaled a little faint breath in the night air, a faint cloud of mist as he exhaled into the night air. He put his arm through Celeste's after he shut the door and they slowly strolled from the beach to the streets on the way to the retirement home. Adam enjoyed it all, the gentle quiet of the night, Celeste, the beauty of the stars above. He then spoke up to her, "So, you said 'Niagra Falls? I heard about that. Somewhere up yonder Canada ways, right? How's a maple leaf float so far south on the wind like that? You must have quite a story on getting here. What was life up there like?"
@SkrtWithAWeaponSounds good to me! I'll get a post in in a little bit.
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Adam's shack
Adam smiled when Celeste realized he was asking her a direct question. "I...oh! Yes, definitely," she said as she'd reached for her glass, swirling the wine around inside. His cheeks flushed a deep almost burgundy when Celeste complimented him, "You're an excellent host, Adam, to be sure." Adam watched Celeste with appreciation, forgetting how wonderful romantic interaction's like these felt. She lifted the glass up to her nose and sniffed the wine before sipping it and spoke with a happy reaction to the taste. "You weren't kidding," she smiled again, "this tastes like nothing I've ever had before." She rose the glass and said "Cheers!" Adam in turn raised his, the glasses clinking softly, "Cheers!"
Celeste had begun to tell Adam about her day, although Adam smiled, at times he was lost in watching her talking about herself and her day, her beauty enchanting him in the soft lantern light, each giggle a song all its own to his ears. "My day was just super, thank you. And thanks to you!" she giggled. "I'm really happy I met you." Celeste helped herself to her dinner, chewing into the steak before continuing the story. "Actually, I only got into town yesterday morning. It feels like months ago, though..." She took another sip of wine. "Archie -- my robot -- uh, I mean, the robot -- took out all the skeletons and broken furniture and whathot out, changed most of the beds, all that sort of thing. It's no wonder people seemed to love them before the war, they're just so helpful, you know? Must be why there are so many still around."
"I have my first customer, too. Her name is Sara. She came in -- oh!! After the first gunfight! Jeepers," she carried on, having another bite of steak and vegetable, "there was some kind of fight out on the edge of town. Then later, just before I was getting ready to come and see you, there was another fight." Celeste shuddered, shaking her curls down to her bosom and hips. Adam couldn't help but try to subtly follow the curls to her chest, taking in a gentle gaze as she was in her story, clutching her glass, "It was really close, too. Almost like it was right outside the inn, itself."
Celeste had paused. "Well. We don't need to talk about that, hmm? Nothing new in the wasteland, as they say." She reached out and placed her hand over his, her soft smooth hands like silk gloves over his coarse hands. She looked Adam in the eyes, and smiled. "Tell me, what brought you to town? A new treasure? Ooh! What all was in that chest you took from the inn? What do you like so much about old world treasures? I mean, I've seen my share of this and that, but I am always so fascinated by what other people see in them. They don't have hardly any trade value, but so many folks collect them!". Adam paused in thought and said seriously, "The hope of striking love with cute innkeepers." He couldn't keep a straight face for long and gave a short laugh, "No. Uhh, truth is, I came here for a new beginning. Considering a date's about exposing ourselves to a prospective other, wouldn't feel right to lie or hold back. I came here as a trader, but long before that in my twenties, I was an outlaw. A bandit. But after that life came to an end, I became a trader around twenty-eight because I felt guilty for all those times I'd stolen from others, so I remade myself as an honest trader. Fastforward twenty years and here I am. I came here looking to trade, but this place is homey. I took to settling here, but I've always been a drifter, so a proper house didn't really suit me, you know?"
Adam sighed, thinking about his place in town and Celeste's questions. Adam had gotten up, picking up the picture on the small shrine of Pre-War American things and brought it over. "See that woman? According to the writing on the back of it her name was Gladys. She fought for this country, back when it was still whole." He gently took it up and placed it back on the small memorial of Old World things. "It doesn't matter in the long run on the grand scheme of things, but the point I'm getting at it is everything we find has a story. Stories of heroes like hers should be preserved, so we can remember the good of those who came before us. Too many people think like nihilists in this war ravaged world, but I think people like her are reminders we can be good people and make the world better.". Adam laughed, "That's probably a little more philosophical an answer than you were expecting. But come on, we don't need such heavy thoughts tonight. I have a better idea." Adam stood up, straightening the sweatervest he was wearing, trying to emulate pre-war fashion, and changed the song playing, waiting for the soft music to play before he turned back to Celeste. As Peggy Lee began to sing softly in the background Adam smiled, aware of how clumsy he looked trying to imitate those Old World graces as he half bowed with an extended hand to Celeste, "May I have your hand for this dance, Miss?". Adam took Celeste by the hand and escorted her to the middle of the room and they slowly began to dance under the light. Adam cleared his throat, his heart racing as the scent of Celeste so close filled his nostrils. "Celeste, I...I've been looking forward to this since you first hit on me, but I was scared to move. You're the first woman to spark desire in my heart for the longest time." Adam leaned his head into her fragrant curls, shyly and giving a long, gentle kiss to the top of her forehead.
Adam smiled when Celeste realized he was asking her a direct question. "I...oh! Yes, definitely," she said as she'd reached for her glass, swirling the wine around inside. His cheeks flushed a deep almost burgundy when Celeste complimented him, "You're an excellent host, Adam, to be sure." Adam watched Celeste with appreciation, forgetting how wonderful romantic interaction's like these felt. She lifted the glass up to her nose and sniffed the wine before sipping it and spoke with a happy reaction to the taste. "You weren't kidding," she smiled again, "this tastes like nothing I've ever had before." She rose the glass and said "Cheers!" Adam in turn raised his, the glasses clinking softly, "Cheers!"
Celeste had begun to tell Adam about her day, although Adam smiled, at times he was lost in watching her talking about herself and her day, her beauty enchanting him in the soft lantern light, each giggle a song all its own to his ears. "My day was just super, thank you. And thanks to you!" she giggled. "I'm really happy I met you." Celeste helped herself to her dinner, chewing into the steak before continuing the story. "Actually, I only got into town yesterday morning. It feels like months ago, though..." She took another sip of wine. "Archie -- my robot -- uh, I mean, the robot -- took out all the skeletons and broken furniture and whathot out, changed most of the beds, all that sort of thing. It's no wonder people seemed to love them before the war, they're just so helpful, you know? Must be why there are so many still around."
"I have my first customer, too. Her name is Sara. She came in -- oh!! After the first gunfight! Jeepers," she carried on, having another bite of steak and vegetable, "there was some kind of fight out on the edge of town. Then later, just before I was getting ready to come and see you, there was another fight." Celeste shuddered, shaking her curls down to her bosom and hips. Adam couldn't help but try to subtly follow the curls to her chest, taking in a gentle gaze as she was in her story, clutching her glass, "It was really close, too. Almost like it was right outside the inn, itself."
Celeste had paused. "Well. We don't need to talk about that, hmm? Nothing new in the wasteland, as they say." She reached out and placed her hand over his, her soft smooth hands like silk gloves over his coarse hands. She looked Adam in the eyes, and smiled. "Tell me, what brought you to town? A new treasure? Ooh! What all was in that chest you took from the inn? What do you like so much about old world treasures? I mean, I've seen my share of this and that, but I am always so fascinated by what other people see in them. They don't have hardly any trade value, but so many folks collect them!". Adam paused in thought and said seriously, "The hope of striking love with cute innkeepers." He couldn't keep a straight face for long and gave a short laugh, "No. Uhh, truth is, I came here for a new beginning. Considering a date's about exposing ourselves to a prospective other, wouldn't feel right to lie or hold back. I came here as a trader, but long before that in my twenties, I was an outlaw. A bandit. But after that life came to an end, I became a trader around twenty-eight because I felt guilty for all those times I'd stolen from others, so I remade myself as an honest trader. Fastforward twenty years and here I am. I came here looking to trade, but this place is homey. I took to settling here, but I've always been a drifter, so a proper house didn't really suit me, you know?"
Adam sighed, thinking about his place in town and Celeste's questions. Adam had gotten up, picking up the picture on the small shrine of Pre-War American things and brought it over. "See that woman? According to the writing on the back of it her name was Gladys. She fought for this country, back when it was still whole." He gently took it up and placed it back on the small memorial of Old World things. "It doesn't matter in the long run on the grand scheme of things, but the point I'm getting at it is everything we find has a story. Stories of heroes like hers should be preserved, so we can remember the good of those who came before us. Too many people think like nihilists in this war ravaged world, but I think people like her are reminders we can be good people and make the world better.". Adam laughed, "That's probably a little more philosophical an answer than you were expecting. But come on, we don't need such heavy thoughts tonight. I have a better idea." Adam stood up, straightening the sweatervest he was wearing, trying to emulate pre-war fashion, and changed the song playing, waiting for the soft music to play before he turned back to Celeste. As Peggy Lee began to sing softly in the background Adam smiled, aware of how clumsy he looked trying to imitate those Old World graces as he half bowed with an extended hand to Celeste, "May I have your hand for this dance, Miss?". Adam took Celeste by the hand and escorted her to the middle of the room and they slowly began to dance under the light. Adam cleared his throat, his heart racing as the scent of Celeste so close filled his nostrils. "Celeste, I...I've been looking forward to this since you first hit on me, but I was scared to move. You're the first woman to spark desire in my heart for the longest time." Adam leaned his head into her fragrant curls, shyly and giving a long, gentle kiss to the top of her forehead.
Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Adam's shack
Adam listened to the gulls overhead as he quietly cleaned a small case containing a Pre-War American flag. Smiling at its cleanliness, he put it on the shelf over his cot when a soft knock hit his door and he contemplated reaching for his 10mm but the voice on the other side of his spoke a little anxiously, "Adam, it's me, Celeste!". He fumbled at the Radiation King across the room, reaching for the Holotape labeled 'Ellia's favorites' and inserted the tape inside. Celeste's voice on the other side continued as he tried to get the damn tape to play, "Sorry if I'm late. There was a little bit of...ah...unpleasantness outside the inn." Celeste spoke up again. There was silence before another knock emanated on the door, "Adam? Are...are you there?". Finally, the music playing and Adam exhaled with relief, despite the heart in his chest beating as fast as one of those tiny 'bumblingbirds' he'd heard used to exist before the Bombs. Adam put his hair back in a knot and he opened the door as music invisibly wafted the room to the soft lantern light overhead. "Ah.." Adam shyly cleared his throat at the sight of Celeste and her beauty, like a woman from those old Pre-War films. "C-Celeste, you look beautiful. I love the way you've done your hair and the dress, it compliments you too." He remembered where he was and realized she was still standing outside. "I'm sorry! Here." He stepped aside and let her in and shut the door behind her. "I'm sorry, but I fear my home ain't exactly as nice as yours, but I did make you dinner." He went over to the hotplate setup and brought two warm plates of steak and a mixed array of vegetables. "I've also...uh..." Adam looked around, his heart fluttering trying not to look like a doof as he looked for his prize. "Ah!" He knelt down on the floor, digging in boxes under his cot. "I have a vintage bottle of the good stuff." He produced dark sealed bottle. "Can't read the brand, but it's Franciacorta wine. Good stuff, found it at some ritzy golf course down the coast."
Adam uncorked the bottle and poured Celeste a whiskey glass of the wine, its clearish-yellow streaming with a soft hiss into the glass and he placed it beside her at the table before pouring himself a glass and seating himself at the table with the bottle between them. Adam spoke up and blushed, "Sorry I took so long, Celeste. See, ahem, I was trying to get the music player to start and it likes to be a pain in the ass but I wanted to surprise you, give you a special night and all." He chuckled softly, "I'm sure running an inn with a few Handys can't exactly be easy." Adam smiled once more, "So. How was your day, Celeste? I reckon you must have quite a tale to share running that place."
Adam listened to the gulls overhead as he quietly cleaned a small case containing a Pre-War American flag. Smiling at its cleanliness, he put it on the shelf over his cot when a soft knock hit his door and he contemplated reaching for his 10mm but the voice on the other side of his spoke a little anxiously, "Adam, it's me, Celeste!". He fumbled at the Radiation King across the room, reaching for the Holotape labeled 'Ellia's favorites' and inserted the tape inside. Celeste's voice on the other side continued as he tried to get the damn tape to play, "Sorry if I'm late. There was a little bit of...ah...unpleasantness outside the inn." Celeste spoke up again. There was silence before another knock emanated on the door, "Adam? Are...are you there?". Finally, the music playing and Adam exhaled with relief, despite the heart in his chest beating as fast as one of those tiny 'bumblingbirds' he'd heard used to exist before the Bombs. Adam put his hair back in a knot and he opened the door as music invisibly wafted the room to the soft lantern light overhead. "Ah.." Adam shyly cleared his throat at the sight of Celeste and her beauty, like a woman from those old Pre-War films. "C-Celeste, you look beautiful. I love the way you've done your hair and the dress, it compliments you too." He remembered where he was and realized she was still standing outside. "I'm sorry! Here." He stepped aside and let her in and shut the door behind her. "I'm sorry, but I fear my home ain't exactly as nice as yours, but I did make you dinner." He went over to the hotplate setup and brought two warm plates of steak and a mixed array of vegetables. "I've also...uh..." Adam looked around, his heart fluttering trying not to look like a doof as he looked for his prize. "Ah!" He knelt down on the floor, digging in boxes under his cot. "I have a vintage bottle of the good stuff." He produced dark sealed bottle. "Can't read the brand, but it's Franciacorta wine. Good stuff, found it at some ritzy golf course down the coast."
Adam uncorked the bottle and poured Celeste a whiskey glass of the wine, its clearish-yellow streaming with a soft hiss into the glass and he placed it beside her at the table before pouring himself a glass and seating himself at the table with the bottle between them. Adam spoke up and blushed, "Sorry I took so long, Celeste. See, ahem, I was trying to get the music player to start and it likes to be a pain in the ass but I wanted to surprise you, give you a special night and all." He chuckled softly, "I'm sure running an inn with a few Handys can't exactly be easy." Adam smiled once more, "So. How was your day, Celeste? I reckon you must have quite a tale to share running that place."
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