nobody said it was easy

“The last time I saw a pipboy, I was bidding my own vault a not-so-fond farewell.”  There’s a lot to be said there, that he doesn’t.  What vault and the circumstances of his departure of it are certainly not a stranger’s business.  “You’ve been out long enough to know to ditch the suit, at least.”

It’s a gamble, she could just be particularly healthy, or a synth.  But it’s one he’s willing to make.

The way she tenses when he says vault is as tangible as it is visible, affecting even the air around her. It’s not that she stopped what she’s doing, because she hasn’t, she’s still trying to wring her hair out using the towel. But his statement has slammed the brakes on her thoughts, and as she’s starting to pick up speed again, she’s scowling.

“It’s a good way to get yourself shot.”  He gives the pistol a little waggle, so that it catches what light there is, before lowering it to his side.  "You’ll have to forgive me, I wasn’t expecting company-“ There’s a heavy edge of sarcasm in his voice at that.  "But if you’re going to make yourself at home, there are towels behind the bar.  Don’t drip on my floor.”

“Uh, yeah. I was totally gonna knock on the door of a building that had raiders in it last I saw.” This little shit doesn’t matter. But he’s obviously not actually going to shoot her, or else he’d done it already, and he’s giving her something to butt up against, so she’s taking it.