Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-5543592-20200102024533/@comment-3293219-20200106015749

The wait had been even longer and arduous than Kayleigh had imagined. Fate itself had taken a step out and left them all in limbo. To think that Tanner was ignorant of all of this, she wouldn’t remember it and this whole waiting period will be summed up in a single sentence, should she tell anyone about it some day. Yet it felt like she was being slowly eaten, from the inside. She opted to get up and head to the water fountain, getting a small mug of cool water from it. Though she tried to hide her emotions, she’d clearly caught Denis’ eye, who appeared behind her. “I know you’re worried.” He whispered, glancing back over. “You don’t have to hide it, y’know?” “It’s kind of my job.” The Redhead pointed out, taking a sip as she turned to him. “Got to stay calm through as many situations as I can.” Denis looked her over, having doubts as to whether or not this was true or just an excuse for closing off her emotions. “I won’t tell anyone.” The Wanderer admitted, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I’ve read your file, smooth talker. For all I know, you could be gaining leverage on me.” The Yeoman pointed out, taking a sip. “If you’ve read my file, you’d know that I don’t take advantage of vulnerable young women.” “Except Morgan.” Kayleigh muttered, into her cup, getting his gaze in return. He went a little small at that, clearly not expecting anyone to know. “I’m... Keeping my distance.” “Why? I mean, she’s basically widowed.” “She doesn’t see it that way. It’s more like Rook’s Comatose to her and that anything with someone else is straight up adultery.” Kayleigh shook her head, taking a swig. “If she was serious about having him rebuilt, she’d have just taken Naomi’s offer of letting her do it. She could do it in literal seconds but instead she’s choosing to do it slowly, over the space of ten years. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s dragging her feet.” “Yeah, Naomi’s so trustworthy!” Denis agreed, with a sarcastic affliction, it gave Kayleigh a chance to anticipate the negative. “As Doctor Li found out.” “I’m not saying she’s ‘trustworthy’ but if Naomi could remake someone, that you loved, as a synth, you wouldn’t take that opportunity? Someone like your Dad?” Denis paused, not exactly liking where this was going. Even if it was all hypotheticals... Men like James Callaghan weren’t stitched together on a table, no matter how badly Naomi wants that. Even synths have to earn who they are, not just get it on day one. Rook wasn’t Rook, the day that he met Morgan. Not the same one, anyway. He probably identified as his serial number, back then and Morgan made him the man that he was. “If I wanted my Dad to be a sleeper agent or a walking bomb, I’d definitely give Naomi a call.” Kayleigh paused, taking a deep breath before looking away. She forgot how much Denis had to overlook to get along with that woman, so this wasn’t exactly a healthy line of conversation. The Redhead took a breath, taking a sip of water before looking back to the others. “We should get you away from here.” Denis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Believe me, the only thing that you can do is wait. Nothing you can say or do is going to change the outcome of Tanner’s treatment.” “Not sure where else to go...” Kayleigh murmured, absent-mindedly. “You can give me a hand actually, was hoping to do a little... solo mission, today and I’ll need someone with your negotiating skills.” Denis admitted, lowering his voice as he spoke. “Why? I mean... You’re pretty damn good, from what I’ve read about you.” Kayleigh pointed out, taking the hint and also lowering her voice. “Yeah but erm... No matter how good I am? It doesn’t make much difference if the person I’m negotiating with wants me dead.” As he finished, Kayleigh put the mug aside, feeling as if she wanted this. Getting away from this emotional weight and going back to what she does best, no personal stake in it, no hopelessness or waiting. “Alright, where are we headed?” She asked, forcing herself to look like she had some energy again. “The Pitt.” Denis answered, briefly before stepping off. With an intense ‘zap’ the two of them arrived, stepping away from the freshly crashed beacon. It amazed Kayleigh how Denis just found this so... normal. They had gone from San Diego, to a satellite, that was literally out of this world, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Just the differing odours in such a short time span would send a head spinning. Burning sand, to the odourless space ship to this smoggy train yard. It was from normal... “Ah... Train yard hasn’t changed a jot.” Denis observed, noticing that the bodies that he left here were gone. More likely eaten by troggs than actually cleaned up. That was something worth checking... Whether or not the troggs still existed, though there was more of a question as to whether the Pitt still existed at all. “I was just here... Hours ago.” Kayleigh observed, examining the trainyards. “This part of the world at least.” “Could’ve fired you all here, if you’d have asked.” Denis observed, examining the trains before turning his way back to the Bridge, the only entrance to the Foundry... “Well, you were too busy with Morgan, so...” “Well, to be honest... I almost didn’t do this, seemed like a waste of time and resources but given how little has happened over the past few days? I figured I might as well get some thermite for my bullets.” “Wait, that’s what we’re here for?” “Thermite! Nothing worse than having the Goldschmidt Process burn right through your spine!” The Wanderer said, with a little too much glee. “Just a counter, in case she finds a way to resist the Nitrogen.” “So erm... Why do the people of the Pitt want you dead? Didn’t you liberate them or something? I’d be amazed if they didn’t make a statue of your incredibly punchable face, somewhere in their city square.” “I read Miller’s information and your information and from what I can tell, Marie Kundanika-Ashur is running the place... Which is a problem, given that she’s thirteen.” “They let a kid run a factory?” Kayleigh asked, running past Denis as he held the gate open for her, like a true gent, he then let it go and kicked off of it, to help it close behind him as they moved across the bridge. “Watch for traps.” Denis said, hopping onto a car to get a good look around. “She runs the place but only as a figurehead, she’s like... Ghandi here, nobody who lives here has a bad thing to say about her. To the slaves, she’s the life blood and to any former raiders, she’s Asher’s bundle of joy. Given that she’s seemingly got her mother’s brains, she’s probably found a way to keep both sides happy for now and is probably playing Wuhrner like a fiddle.” Denis hopped from car to car, like a kid playing hopscotch. Kayleigh found it somewhat infuriating that he could so confidently do such a thing, she’d have to calculate every jump and then build up the courage to throw herself forward. Maybe that’s the difference between them, don’t need to worry, if you just throw yourself around, like an idiot. “You worked all of this out, based on what Miller wrote? What if you’re wrong?” “Then I’ll adjust but if I’m right and I usually am, we’ll be greeted with a bouquet of gun barrels. Probably Operators.” Denis scoffed at that idea, such horrific vandalism of a Chinese Assault Rifle. He understood that they wanted to be different but the thing had few, if any advantages at all. “What if the sniper on the bridge just shoots you before you get there?” Kayleigh pointed out, nodding up to the crow’s nest, up on the framework. There, a man with a welded mask was keeping his scope fixated on them, waiting for an excuse to fire. “Nah, he’s up there for wildmen and troggs. We’re potential business partners, so he won’t shoot us. If he’s wrong, the guys at the gate can correct his mistake.” “I hope they don’t.” Kayleigh sighed, glancing around. “Starting to think that this was a really dumb idea...” “My opening pitch was ‘we’re going to a place, where the person running it wants me dead’ and you’ve only just realised that it’s a bad idea? Jesus Kayleigh, I thought you were smart.” “Y’know, Callaghan, you could very easily slip off of one of those cars and end up in the river and nobody would ever suspect foul play.” “I should hope they do, Naomi would give you a pay rise, if you found a way to bump me off.” Denis shrugged as he hopped off of the end, at which point there were a small choir of rifle clicks as several barrels were shoved into his face. It seemed to be the case, that the men on the gate were waiting for him and had their orders. “I take it that Miss Kundanika-Ashur has been expecting me?”

The place had changed but Denis still saw it as it was, blood stained streets, the groaning homunculus, that was left suspended, outside of Ashur’s Palace and endless beating of steel against steel. Denis was somewhat glad to see that the Pitt’s people were doing a lot better. The few passers by he’d seen looked healthy and he could swear that some of its residents were too young to have been alive, during his last visit. They also no longer dressed like biblical Egyptian slaves, which was another step up for them. Kayleigh didn’t look as impressed as her Regulator companion, not that he expected her to for multiple reasons. First and foremost was them both being escorted, under armed guard, like a pair of traitors. The people whispered but due to the hissing and groaning of machinery, it wasn’t possible for anyone to make out what they were saying. They seemed to be awestruck or close to it, from the Lone Wanderer’s return or maybe they were simply wondering who the two prisoners were. To her, this place looked like hell. Like, aesthetically... Everything was glowing red, it was hot and noisy and everyone looked miserable. She honestly couldn’t tell what was in that horrid metalic giant in the courtyard, prostrating itself at the base of the twisted citadel, that served as some sort of palace. If she was looking for the devil, she’d bet to find him there...

The two of them were pushed through the door, unlike previously, the lobby of this hotel had been converted into a rather crude throne room. Not exactly what Denis was expecting but he appreciated it, seeing it for what it was. Or his closest approximation to it... Sat upon the throne was a young girl, seemingly of Indian descent. She wore a rather simple robe, along with a crown, forged from Pitt Steel. Like the place it served, it was twisted, rustic, blood stained but strong. The Girl looked a little nervous, from Denis’ estimation given what she was facing... who she was facing. As they came to a stop, Marie was already to speak. Midea stood by her side, the soft spoken slave girl, who was the first friendly face that Denis found in this hell hole. Rags to riches, it would seem... well, not that this place flaunted wealth. She too wore a practical robe, of a darker colour, though she was clean, she wasn’t exactly groomed. The Robe’s stitchings gave it a type of pattern, across her chest, a sort of triangle. Aside from this and some dust from the Pitt’s smoggy atmosphere, there were no remarkable details. “Denis Callaghan?” Marie began, looking him over. “I wasn’t expecting you to return, so you’ll have to forgive how hasty this trial is.” Denis gave a respectful nod as she spoke, opting to fold his arms, rather than keep them in his pockets. “I was told what you did to my biological parents, to me... Merely two years ago. Yet I feel like I’ve been waiting for this moment, my whole life. You are charged with murdering my father, Ashur and my Mother, Doctor Kundanika and kidnapping me. Your purpose to do this was to give me to revolutionaries, who performed medical experiments on me for years. Your actions sparked said revolution, resulting in mass slaughter of those loyal to my Father. I would like to know what you say, in your defence.” Denis paused, scratching his beard, of course this was how it was from her perspective. Nothing she’d said was wrong... Yet he knew better. “That you are correct but don’t understand why those things happened. Your Father enslaved hundreds of people and your mother was more than complicit. Your blood contained the key to curing a horrific virus, affecting the health of everyone in the Pitt and the revolutionaries sought only to abolish the former Slaver administration and put your immunity to use. For the record, I tried to leave your mother alive. Tried to spare as many as I could but your mother, foolishly, drew a gun and began firing at me, with you in your arms. Had I not fired and done so quickly, she would’ve riddled us both with bullets or possibly had killed me and had my corpse fall on you. Regardless, neither of us would be stood here now. I shot her through the forehead, quick, painless. I had no desire for it to be any other way for either of your parents. I protected you during the riots, carried you in my coat through a biblical nightmare and brought you to Midea. I knew that she would not bring harm to you, I was given assurances that any medical procedures done on you would be done with your wellbeing in mind. I’m a Doctor myself, Marie, so I have a strong stance on such things. I left the Pitt liberated and working towards a brighter future, fully believing that you were to be a part of that future and here you are. Here you all are. My defence is simply thus: Everything that I did, good or ill, was to ensure that you and your people were free of your Father’s tyranny.” Marie said nothing as he spoke, showing no emotion, showing little by way of a reaction. Even after he had finished speaking, she remained silent, as if she was waiting for more. However, she eventually stood up, looking over to Midea and giving he a nod. “Okay.” Was all that she said before turning back to Denis. “You chose your words well and I accept your reasons. I have decided to drop any charges, that I would leverage against you.” Denis nodded, sniffing and itching his nose, he seemed more than a little put out. Kayleigh was simply frozen, feeling almost clammy. This craziness was too much, too fast for her and she was simply glad that Denis had somehow talked his way out of it. “Thanks.” He said, glancing around as everyone began stepping away, returning to their other duties. They weren’t exactly told to but Marie had seemingly dropped the court charade and had simply stepped down, approaching the Wanderer. “May I ask what... Any of this was about?” Denis asked, seeming confused and concerned at this whole pantomime. “Clarification. Checking for discrepancies between Mother Midea’s story and yours. There didn’t seem to be any.” “You... Thought there would be?” Marie paused, thinking on it a little before taking a hold of Denis’ arm, pulling him to the throne and taking a seat. “Living in this gilded cage, it’s not insane to believe that my entire life is a lie, right? I live with those who orchestrated my parents murder. Given that you haven’t been here in over a decade, your words must be true or unscripted. This was my only chance.” Denis nodded, kind of getting that. The motive, not so much how a child of thirteen was basically commanding the Pitt... “I understood that you were in charge, the people... listen to you?” “Of course.” Marie nodded, crossing one leg over the other. It was almost creepy how intelligent, lady-like and adult she behaved, given her age. “I am the Child of the Pitt. The Daughter of Ashur but brought up by Midea and Wernher. As a result, those who were slaves or would be slaves see me as the future, untainted by the past. Ashur’s Raiders and those who allied themselves with them see me as Ashur’s daughter, hope that one day things could return to how they were. The Revolution created a division, between the two and I feel that I am the point that they meet. Both sides look to me as a symbol of hope, that’s just how it has always been, since my birth. They inject cures, made from my blood to keep themselves healthy, making me literally the life blood of the Pitt. My title ‘Child of the Pitt’ isn’t just something coined, to give prestige, like your title, Wanderer. I was born in the Pitt, my body brings life to the Pitt... I am the Pitt and the Pitt is me.” Denis nodded, doing his best to not take offense to the ‘Lone Wanderer’ title dis. Still, he understood, how she was more than a monarch or a leader as he expected her to be. She was almost a religious icon for the people of the Pitt, representing so much, carrying so many hopes and dreams and interpretations. “From the way that you describe it, you’re more of a Messiah than a monarch. The throne, the robes, they’re not just for show, they enable that belief.” Denis said, perceptive as always. “Hmm... They were right, when they said that you were sharp. Most of this is dress up, a show, pantomime... Designed to do little more than invoke whatever feelings the Workers and Guards need to be happy and productive but most importantly, unified. I realised this, when I was young. So, I paid close attention to history books, learned about great leaders and philosophers of the old world. John Locke, Ghandi, Washington, Hitler, Napoleon, Wilson. King Henry the Seventh of England was definitely a favourite of mine, were I an actual Queen, I would probably emulate him but sadly, I only have as much power and authority as the people give me. To Wernher and Midea, I’m little more than a figurehead to them. I see myself as more of a... spiritual leader. Somewhat like the Pope of the old world or the Monarchy in England, appealing to people’s faith to guide them into doing the right thing, whilst Mother Midea and Pappa Wernher work as actual administrators.” Denis nodded, hoping that some people on that list had no influence on young Marie at all as that would be very bad... “Well, I do love what you’re doing here, I’m not going to lie... It’s... Different. Possibly good, I’ll... have to keep an eye on things and see.” Denis admitted, glancing around. “As fascinating as this is... I’m afraid that I did come here to ask something of Wernher or Midea... not sure if I should ask them or you.” “What is it that you’ve come for?” She asked, seeming quite interested in this as Denis pulled a bullet from his pocket, holding it up. “Thermite or maybe some molten. You people should have a ready supply of the stuff and I need it to make bullets.” “Bullets?” Marie asked, clearly not appreciating the fact that she was being asked to provide ammunition for one of Denis’ wars. It wasn’t so much that she was against the Ammo press but she was aware of what Denis’ work left in its wake. “Special bullets, for a... special target. A woman by the name of Shrike.” “This name eludes me.” She admitted, having never heard of her. “Shrike has twisted her body into an undying, inhuman horror, so that she can hunt down and kill people like me. I suppose that she is like you... A victim of someone like me. She seeks to hunt down and kill as many of us as possible, siding with Thomas Hamilton and Randall Clark in order to do it. I’m sure you’ll have heard of one of those, if you have Slaves from DC here...” “Yes, I believe that my Father did business with him, indirectly. Or so the old ledgers say.” “Regardless, I discovered that her skeleton is made from titanium. Which will react to extreme temperatures, going brittle. It’s tried and tested with Liquid Nitrogen but I wanted to ensure that we had a backup in case she adapted against the Nitrogen or we simply ran out.” Marie nodded, trying to hide her excitement. She seemed to enjoy the thought that Denis had put into this, finding it very... compelling. It occurred to her, that all of this was to result in some woman’s death and thus doubled the efforts to contain herself. “Hmm... I could get you as much as you wanted, though I’d like something from you, if I may.” “Erm...” Denis paused, scratching his head. He hoped that he didn’t have to go back into that steelyard and look for any more fucking ingots. “Sure?” “I would like your hand in marriage, I could see it as rather beneficial, given that you liberated the Pitt and any children that we have would definitely benefit from our many positive attributes.” Denis’ hand froze, just behind his ear as his gaze was fixated on Marie. He practically looked like a crashed computer, frozen face, a brain that had ceased to function and vocals that couldn’t put out more than vowels. “I understand that you might be hesitant to the idea, because I’m so young but I’d be happy to wait until I am an adult before going through with...” “Look it’s... Not that that is the only problem.” Denis interrupted, nervously. “I mean, not only would it really piss off the raiders but it would be very awkward, given that I kind of... killed your parents and kidnapped you.” Or at least he hoped that would make it awkward for her, she could be complacent with that or even worse, excited by it... “That and... My DNA is a train wreck, I don’t think I could have kids and any attributes they have will most likely be overshadowed by the horrific mutations that they suffer.” Marie paused, falling silent and looking rather disappointed. She nodded before looking back to him. “I understand and appreciate your honesty. It just seemed like a mutually beneficial way to both benefit from this. That and having you by my side would make it much easier to convince the Capital Wasteland Settlements to serve under me.” “Yeah... It really wouldn’t.” Denis assured her, scratching his beard and hoping that this was just a pipe dream. “Given that you’ve given a lot to the Pitt, I will give you the Thermite as a token of our appreciation. I doubt there would be any objections.” “Thank you. I definitely appreciate it.” Denis assured her, giving a nod before looking back. “I have... People, waiting for me, back at our base. I’m sure Kayleigh, my companion, will be eager to get back as well.” Kayleigh was more than eager to get back, in the space of an hour, she’d gone from San Diego to Pennsylvania, gotten arrested, got put on trial and witnessed Denis be propositioned by a child! This sure as shit wasn’t what she signed up for. “I understand. I hope to see you again, in the coming years.” Marie nodded, giving him a slight smile, which looked somewhat forced. “As do I. Hoping to settle down, back in DC... Maybe New York, haven’t quite decided yet. Until then, I’ve been focussing on Shrike and the people, I’m with.” The Wanderer admitted as something occurred to him. “Say erm... Do you still collect Teddy Bears?” “Yes, I have a... Fondness for them. My heart brakes for the many that are abandoned, out in the world, destined to be trampled into the ground or torn apart for materials after. My Quarters are basically a sanctuary for the little darlings.” “Pretty sure I brought half of your ‘sanctuary’ to you.” Denis said, with a slight smirk. “Yes... Midea told me as such. Thank you, they’ve been beloved companions and I’ve kept them in perfect shape. Lil’ Tommy needed some repairs but he’s as strong as ever.” Denis was kind of uneasy, remembering that strange bear. He pried it from Evelyn’s cold dead hands and was pretty sure that its name and likeness were based on Hamilton. He opted to keep that information to himself. “I’ll erm... Keep an eye out for any, kind of miss finding them a home.” The Regulator admitted. “I’ll talk to Midea and Wernher about the logistics and go about my way.” “Thank you, you’ve... Answered a lot of questions and helped me understand a lot. I won’t forget this, Denis...” “Well, glad I could do something right today.” The Regulator nodded, scratching his beard as he walked out of the throne room, giving the would-be-Queen a light wave as he stepped out, looking for Midea. Kayleigh observed as Denis spoke to Midea, she seemed tired, exhausted and more than a little short in temper but apart from that she seemed reasonable. She was somewhat glad to see Denis or what was left of him. These people knew him as a liberator, a hero of sorts. To Kayleigh, he was a rather pitiable traveller, with no ties to this world. It’s amazing what two years did to him... What that day did to him. He asked about several people, names that Kayleigh had already forgotten... Millie and some others. He really seemed to care about these little people, from a time that had all but forgotten him. Kayleigh could relate, Tanner, Eva... They remembered her, what she was but they cared little to know her now. That was probably for the best, Kayleigh was but a shell of that girl now. All of that hope, that desire to see others smile and that deep caring for everyone was just... gone. Reduced to names and numbers and codes, none of which gave her any reason to care. None of which resonated with her in the same way as those two mutants would have, a decade ago. The sunshine that she knew, in New York was gone and not even the dark had come to claim her, just a bleak overcast that offered no ending to her story, no hope that there will even be a story. That’s where Denis was, she could see it in his eyes. Except when he looked at her, at Morgan. Morgan was to him, what Tanner was to her. Their introduction was just swapped, resulting in the joy coming later, rather than sooner. In a way that was part of it, how he was lucky enough to bounce back into her arms, into this new world that Miller had exposed them to. She just wished that she had that now, right now it’s Shanks, breathing down her neck. Not that she felt it anymore... Where was that even going? Was she expected to love him? To sleep with him? He was more Dog on the outside and the ghost of a man on the in, he made the effort but it was for naught really, because his appearance horrified her. Not the half dog exterior, she was never that selective. She looked for the good in people, whatever virtue she found attractive about them and in Shanks, she struggled to find very little off it. It wasn’t his fault, he too had been walking in limbo, sleep walking through this bleak overcast into the inevitability of an unmarked grave full of tears. Shanks was mere what Kayleigh was, were she able to live long enough, without being saved. It’s what scared her, more than the breath or the fleas or the temper. Was it fair to drag Shanks down with her or vice versa? Maybe it was for the best, like sharing a good bottle of rum as you go down with the ship. Somehow, despite the drabness of her existence, Kayleigh couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a way out. There was hope... Hopefully time would fix that.

Denis was finally done with Midea, waving her off as he stepped back over to Kayleigh, looking her over with a broad grin. “Alright, Thermite will be delivered to the beacon, some time this week. In the mean time? I reckon that we head back and check on Tanner.” “Yeah...” Kayleigh sighed, looking a little out of it. “Sounds good.” “Everything okay?” Denis asked, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Hmm?” Kayleigh asked, as if caught off guard. “No, just... Had a lot think about, while you were talking.” “Anything that you want to... Share?” “Yes... Just don’t know how.” Kayleigh admitted, looking away. “I’d rather not do it here, either.” “I’ll count this as a rain check, given that you’ve been through a lot today, it’s probably not the best idea to open any doors.” “Mrgh... Look at me, I’m supposed to be the one looking out for your mental health and here I am being all... mopey.” “Well, to be fair, being responsible for my mental health is a tall order. In the old world, you’d probably get a book deal for that kind of feat.” Denis pointed out, getting a stifled laugh from Kayleigh as he paced away. “Mind if I... Ask you something? Just... The one thing?” The Redhead asked, stepping up behind him as they made their way back towards the bridge. “How do you stay true to yourself? Remember who you are and just... hold onto it? You do it so well, even when things were just the absolute worst for you.” “Well, I have an easier time remembering the people, who made me want to be this way. My Dad, Jonas, Amata, Star Paladin Cross, Hannibal, the Lyons family... Even Hamilton. Remembering those people, just reminds me of what they stood for, what I admired about them or despised or... whatever I took from them back then. I guess I just put it to what I’m doing now, keeps them alive and with me, whilst also keeping me motivated.” “What if you couldn’t remember any of that? You remembered... feeling that way but couldn’t relate to it anymore?” “Then I’d find something new, to care about and apply myself to that. Maybe an injustice that needs fixing or a skill that I haven’t learned? Although, with you... I think it could be your job. It doesn’t leave much room for compassion.” Kayleigh paused, having not really considered that before... Was it the job? Was it... Her? “I... Thank you, you’ve given me something to think about.” “That I’m glad of, because I’m grasping at straws.” Denis admitted, glancing around the place. “Only you know you, Kayleigh... Still, we could try to get to know eachother, over a few hours? Figure out how to get out of this... purgatory.” “If you could manage that? It’d be... Good, to finally clear the air. Until then? I’d... Rather stick with Tanner, until he wakes up.”

The journey back was a lot simpler than the journey there and they were back in Tanner’s room in virtually no time. It probably looked odd, to anyone who was paying attention, that they were covered in dirt and soot, with a gentle thin layer on their exposed skin. The two of them took a seat and a deep breath, opposite Eva, looking rather exhausted after their long outing.