@wandercr said: shut up and help me.

        that's the trouble with centuries old infrastructure. there's only so much weathering a thing can take without regular maintenance. he'd sensed her hesitation in crossing the river at all even even using the bridge but hadn't thought much of it. and one way or the other, they needed to cross it.

        the thing looked sturdy enough considering it was still standing at all, though rust had clearly weakened it in spots. and she'd been unfortunate enough to step on just such a spot, falling through the metal, catching herself enough so only her torso and down dangle through the hole.

        turning as she yelps, he begins to scold her, standing over her disapprovingly until she shouts at him. now, he's been shouted at plenty to not give a single shit when it happens but there's a palpable fear in her tone and expression that clues him in enough to know she's not fucking around.

"listen -- i get it sounds stupid, it's just..." her eyes on the building before them. well, at least, what was left of it. crumbling, crawling with god knows what. she wondered if her laundry was still in the dryer all these years later, if maybe she would open it and find those clothes just the way she left them. doubtful. maybe even borderline impossible.

"logically, i know that there's nothing left for me there. that i should just chin up and keep moving and forget it all, but..." teeth biting into her bottom lip anxiously, the girl wringing her hands in front of her before offering somewhat of a sheepish shrug.

"I won't deny that, I've seen it happen." Rules are, unfortunately, for those who follow them, just like ethics. The thing is, when it comes to Vaults, rules and ethics are supposed to move everyone.

Ethics keep their civilization afloat. It is why they do what they do, it is why they have survived. And yet... when things went south, it didn't serve them. Hell, did anyone even think about it? Those people didn't seem to care at all, the world does not care.

"But it's part of what kept us functioning, I can't deny that, either." For better or worse, it was what worked, for a long time. It was what moved the Vault to continue, too. No one has to like it, it's simply the reality of it. He doesn't really know how to touch upon it in a way that is productive. In the end, speaking of hypocrisies was as beneficial as debating about the plot of one of those cowboy movies... But he chooses to push further, see where it goes, if anywhere.

"i'll worry about what i want!" whispered in hushed urgency. mccarthy would've preferred to speak with less distance but she couldn't bring herself to step further. superstition nearly paralyzed her body: already dismal luck would only be illuminated by the night's full moon. it was normally a bad tripwire, a jammed gun at the worst time. but as sure as the sun would rise, she knew that she was a jinx.

the mines surrounding them teased at fate & their existence begged for something to go wrong. "there better be some good loot in here. somethin' worth all this hassle."

"Eli, hi!" Reunited after Eliana had gone to deal with some personal business, Terra didn't think twice before jumping into hugging her friend. "Welcome back!" So happy to see her, so many questions to ask and tales to tell, Terra beamed as she took a step back to look at her. "Your friends Minutemen needed help, so I went and fought a gang of mutants for them."

She cants her head to the side, puffing out some air with discontent as she crosses her arms over her chest and eyes the other woman for a second.

"So you're my pop's friend from the Capital then? How's the entertainment scene out that way?"

It's a fair question. Neither of her parents had told her anything about the Capital Wastes. All she knew about it was basic stuff that Jamie would let pass, and any tidbits of information her brothers and sisters had. Nothing else though.

"Would you keep it the fuck down out there-?"

The tarp flap separating the Ghoul from the rest of the open air was pushed aside at the sound of gunfire, but it seemed like he'd slept through the party.

The caravan was in ruins. Raiders, maybe-- he really oughtn't to have trusted their two-bit yellow guards to do jack shit, but evidently the Raiders either bit it or turned tail before they thought to check the back of the covered wagon.

But he wasn't alone.

@wandercr / ❝ One year closer to granny panties ! ❞ (i couldn't resist jafkgadfgjk)

If looks could kill; Echo's sat at her table while the rest of the vault celebrates in her name. Truthfully? She dreads waking up to her birthday. Usually she got away with not having a slice of that damn jello cake, but on your birthday? You have to cut the first slice.

Twenty-something slices cut. Twenty-something reluctantly eaten. Can they stop playing music so loud?

Her only saving grace is when Eliana sits down beside her. As much as she won't admit it, the young woman feels instant peace in the other woman's presence. The glowering isn't so prominent. The lines in her scowl are softer. Anyone paying attention can figure out Echo's soft spot in seconds.

"Oh, wow, picturing me in granny panties. Real cute of you," Echo scowls, flicking some jello cake remnants at her friend. "Freak."