Escort Mission, Pt. 2
Oct. 24th, 2011 09:55 amIt takes a while, but Ellen's fire eventually does its work. When William finally wakes, there's a distinct smell of roasted meat in the air- and a distinct tension on Ellen and Dogmeat's part. "William," Ellen murmurs, "don't move."
A gaunt, haggard, human... oid... figure is staring at them from the gaping dark of a half-collapsed building's doorway.
"I think there are ghouls here. Feral ones. They used to be people. They might attack, or they might not- but don't startle them."
A gaunt, haggard, human... oid... figure is staring at them from the gaping dark of a half-collapsed building's doorway.
"I think there are ghouls here. Feral ones. They used to be people. They might attack, or they might not- but don't startle them."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-24 11:32 pm (UTC)And eventually, the lumpy brownish scrub of the Wasteland gives way to the remains of an ancient road, wending its way up a steep hillside over which can just be seen an old pre-War water tower.
"Almost there," Ellen calls. "Canterbury's at the top."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-24 11:34 pm (UTC)"Good."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-24 11:38 pm (UTC)"Looks like Doc Hoff's in town," Ellen says. "That's his Brahmin. If you need any chems or some of the local food or an exam or anything, he's good for it."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-24 11:39 pm (UTC)"Always good when a town has a doctor."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-24 11:46 pm (UTC)She turns Shiphrah and Puah's heads towards the cluster of buildings that lie beyond the tree. There's a small boy there of perhaps nine or ten waving excitedly. "Hi, Derek," she calls. "Go tell Uncle Roe the water's here."
"Okay!" chirps the boy, and dashes off down the ruined street. Ellen glances back at William. "That's Derek Pacion," she says, "the mayor's nephew."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:11 am (UTC)"We get circuit judges and doctors out in Arizona too."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:25 am (UTC)"Except," says a male voice, "in a few places where someone's got things organized. Hello, Ellen."
The voice belongs to a man in his mid-thirties, balding, in a blue shirt and worn brown trousers. Ellen smiles and says to William, "This is Mayor Ernest Roe."
"Please," says Roe, "call me Uncle. Everyone does. Welcome to Canterbury Commons, young man."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:27 am (UTC)He tips his hat and smiles because he sounds friendly and the longer William's in this world, the rarer that seems.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:54 am (UTC)"Well, Doc Hoff's taken the spare room in the city hall for the night," says Roe, "but if you don't mind the smell of cooking, Joe Porter has a spare room behind the diner that he'd probably be willing to rent out. It's not much, but he keeps the mattresses as clean as his kitchen."
"I'm good with that if you are, William," Ellen says. "Or we can stop at Joe's first, if you'd rather have a look at the place."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 01:02 am (UTC)About then a woman somewhat older than Ellen passes by. She has tan skin and dark hair, wears leather armor, and is leading a large robot which appears to be carrying one of the full drums of water in its arms without slowing in the slightest.
"Mr. Wollinski's got some new machines, I see," Ellen says. "I hope he's not, um-"
"No, no, he hasn't been backsliding," says Roe, and adds, "at least, not that I know of. Derek keeps slipping up to the repair center and coming back all secretive, though, so you may want to pay him a visit if you get the chance."
Ellen nods. "Maybe later," she says. "We should go talk to Joe about that room first. Ready, William?"
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 01:15 am (UTC)The robots never look anything like what he expects but it's reassuring how most people seem to act normal.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:37 am (UTC)"If things were made out of wood, it'd sort of feel like home."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:41 am (UTC)Ellen steps through the doorway- there's no actual door at the moment- into what's actually a pretty clean place of business, considering the circumstances. A dark-skinned, pale-clad man looks up from the stove he's working at and waves. "Hey there," he says. "Looking for a late lunch, or an early dinner?"
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:50 am (UTC)William asks and looks at Ellen, some of those he knows about but not all of them.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:52 am (UTC)"Sure thing," says Joe. "Anything to drink?"
"Beer, if you've got it?" Ellen says. "The water's for the town, not for me..."
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 03:59 am (UTC)Ellen indicates the nearby booths and stools. "Take your pick," she says. "We can sit wherever you'd like."
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: