Moriarty's Saloon (Megaton)

Calvin enjoyed the short silence, letting his mind wander a little. All at once he sat up, a fragment of their earlier conversation popping into his mind, and turned to Jarek.

"Did you mention somethin' about a job a while back, or is my brain just pickled?"

Jarek turned to Calvin and gave him a small smile.
"Yeah, i have a job i need a bit of a hand with, if anyone's interested. It's kind of a personal thing."
He looked around at the strange group, and his eyes lingered on Calico. He figured she would go for it from the way her eyes lit up at the previous mention, but he hoped the other two might be willing to come along too.
Extra fire power would be advantageous to say the least, especially from what he had seen and heard. It wasn't going to be easy.

"Obviously there's caps up for anyone who wants to do it, although I'm figuring there will be plenty of stuff to loot anyway."
He paused briefly to take a mouthful from his drink and then continued.
"I'm guessing some of you have come across a place called Evergreen Mills?"

Calico beamed down the counter at Calvin's inquiry, watching Jarek expectantly. Now we're talking.

Her eyes lit up at the settlement name. Oh she'd heard of it all right... It'd always been a dream of hers to engage the raider settlement for as long as she could remember. Not out of any previous grudge or misbegotten idea of justice, but for the sheer fact that those crazy fuckers would put up one hell of a fight. She pointed at Jarek, a giddy laugh bubbling up in her throat, "If you're suggesting what I think you are... You sir, are crazy as hell... and I fuckin' love you for it. Count me in. Whatever it is, count me in."

Jarek grinned at Calico and laughed softly.

He was crazy, he knew that much for sure. He had almost gone guns blazing into the place on his own when he first came across it, but he wasn't stupid. He didn't really care if he got blown to pieces or some other untimely end, but he did care about taking Evergreen Mills and those pieces of shit out. Jarek often wondered if the only thing that stopped him from going completely insane was his driving need for closure. That and his slowly dwindling hopes. Still, he figured he most definatly wasn't as crazy as she was, he saw the look in her eyes again and he knew she would be absolutely perfect for the job.
The alcohol and her reaction to his proposal was making him warm to her slightly more, and he had to admit he was damn fucking glad she wanted to do it. He was letting his guard down with these guys but at this point, he didn't care. He was close to his goal now.

Still grinning he looked directly at her.
"Damn good to hear it Calico. I might be crazy, but i need to take those fuckers down and you have to admit, it will be a shit load of fun. We might need more firepower though."
He glanced at the others hopefully.

Calvin blinked in surprise. Evergreen Mills? That little corner of paradise was bursting with raiders, all crazier than shithouse rats. You'd have to be crazy yourself to want to take them on. Or maybe just too old and too glad to have finally found a decent group of people not to get swept up in the fun.

"Well, shit. Count me in, kid." He chuckled and shook his head. "But I hope you got a better plan than just bargin' in with our guns in our hands and our pants around our ankles."

OOC: looks like we may be moving again! (the name mentioned at the end of my post is pronounced DEER-mid, and his part will be explained eventually.)

Well shit, If Calvin was in, that "I'm getting too old for this shit" excuse forming in Lex's mind sure as hell wasn't going to fly now! Then again, she'd been working the Scavenger trade for almost ten years now, and was actually beginning to miss the rush of mercing. But Lex wasn't one to get caught up in the spur of the moment. Running the numbers through her mind, three people, fuckload of raiders, only so much ammo... the only way it would work was if there was an element of stealth in it. Judging from her prior experience with the place though, her knowledge could prove invaluable. Leaning heavily on the bar she gave Jerek a hard look. Kid better know what the hell he's doing...

"Assuming you've got some sort of plan, I'm in, if not; I'm sure we can work something up. You need to have a plan with these raider settlements, because even the bat-shit crazy bastards they are; damned if they're not organized. Now I've gone and butchered the bastard what done this to me-" she gestured to the scar "-but it never hurts to rid the world of just a little more of that scum from time to time." Lex knew better than to blame all raiders for destroying her home, killing her family, and sending her to fend for herself in the Olympic Rain Forest; but there were some, especially in the settlements, that had that same glint to their eye. Some that dreamed of raiding a major settlement and using it's people as playthings. It was that type of debauchery that Lex wanted to rid the world of, those were the raiders that she'd shoot on sight.

There was a good chance that she'd be taking a few more of those sick fucks out of the world soon. And, if not for her own reasons, she'd join the kid for his sake, and for Diarmuid...anything for him.

Calico pumped her fist into the air with a whoop and gestured to Gob, "Another round for me an' my associates!"

She snatched up the shot glass when it was placed in front of her and almost had it to her lips when he stopped, groaning angrily, "Uh, Jarek babe, when were you plannin' on heading out? Just remembered I got a fuckin' job tomorrow morning. Should only take me a few days mind you..." She let herself drift off, frustration welling up inside her.

Great job or no, she was going to make a fair bit of caps on that escort to Arefu, and she hated backing out of a deal unless she knew her prior employers wouldn't be around to tell of her treachery. Her eyes slid across her companions and she felt herself wondering mildly if she could turn on this group for the right price. There was something about each of them that made her hesitant of the thought. For the first time in a long while, she genuinely didn't want to stab her allies in the back. Not that I ever particularly wanted to in the past... but you do what you have to.

Jarek's grin widened as the others showed their agreement to the proposal. This was turning out to be a much better day than he could ever have hoped for.
"Don't worry, i have a good idea of what we need to do. I've had a chance to scout around and besides, i have the unfortunate knowledge of how these bastards work. But fuck, i never said it was going to be easy. Still, i don't have a plan set in stone, so if anyone has any suggestions feel free. It's been a while since i was there for one thing, but we're going to have to go about this using the element of surprise and I'm not so bad with a sniper rifle."

He studied Lex as she mentioned her scar. A creeping feeling came over him.
Me and you seem to have a similar story, he thought to himself. Perhaps Lex could understand his motivations more than the others.

"I know where you're coming from Lex," he said, "you don't think this came from any normal childhood accident I'm sure." He gestured to his scars, a more serious expression crossing his face.

Turning his attention to Calico, he wondered what the job was she had mentioned. Still, he was pretty sure his years of saving caps for such a time would prove to sway her priorities. Bloody mercs, he thought to himself with a small smile.
"Well, the sooner the better if I'm honest Calico. How much is this job paying you exactly?"

(OOC: She sort of needs to go on this job to get her companion. If Jarek wants to wait "two days" in game then she'll be back and ready to go. If he wants to set out anyway she can head directly to Evergreen Mills from the point she meets Four (see my Wasteland companion post) and will probably get there a "day" after them. If she does that, I'll just have them run into a Wasteland Doctor en route that heals Four and gives him something for his addiction. Or not, and he could be going through Psycho withdrawal during the fight... which could be fun.)

She smiled knowingly and opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the slam of the main door. A disheveled Wasteland Doctor stood at the threshold, scanning the bar until his eyes fell on Calico. He approached her with haste. "Thank God I found you! We have to..." he trailed off, giving her a look of distain, "Have you been drinking?"

She huffed at him, slouching against the bar, "What the hell is it to you?"

"Well, as your employer I expect--"

She cut him off, raising her hand for silence, "Chill bud, you're not my employer yet. You can't say shit to me until 7 am tomorrow morning." She turned in her seat, grinning down the bar to Jarek again, "So as I was saying..."

The Doctor stepped forward, his brow knit together in fury, "Now see here! I've already paid half of your fee to get you to agree to this damn job and as far as I'm concerned that makes me your employer. I've just heard from some travelers that some sort of gang or cult has been attacking the residents of Arefu. We must leave immediately! I'll not chance any innocent victims dying because you're getting drunk off your ass in some seedy bar!" His eyes flicked to Gob who glared at him reproachfully from across the counter, "Uh... no offense."

Calico glared daggers at the man at her side, and leaned past him to give Jarek an apologetic smile, "Not nearly enough."

Lex glared at the Doctor, young, brash, and a God complex apparently. With a mighty flash of inspiration a deep, dark, genuinely scary smile crossed her features for a moment before she composed herself.

"Sir-" she said in her kindest voice, hoping to draw his attention. "-I've been with this young lady the entire time, she hasn't been drinking that much to tell the truth. If you're planning to travel to Arefu, I would suggest you get your effects in order and rest up. You'll probably need to get to work immediately once you get there and no good can come from a tired doctor. After all, when tired, people tend to make mistakes." she could care less if the upstart heard her, at worst he would insult her -he didn't look the type to brawl- and that was a fight she would win.

(OOC: Sorry about that, your companion kind of slipped my mind last night with too much alcohol! Didn't mean to make it awkward, apologies! I was thinking perhaps to close it up in the Saloon and arrange to meet back up in there (or somewhere else in Megaton perhaps) in a couple of days. I guess it depends on what everyone wants to do in the meantime, I'd probably just do 2 days without incident for Jarek.)

Jarek frowned as the doctor stalked towards Calico and watched their exchange with some irritation.
Just typical he thought to himself. And who the hell was this guy, her keeper or something? Still, he was in too much of a drunken good mood to get too riled up.
I guess i will just have to wait then, especially if this guy's helping Arefu out. He'd first come across the settlement as a caravan guard and he wouldn't wish any ill on the people there.

"No worries Calico, i guess i can wait a little while longer. Wouldn't want to keep Arefu from help after all."
Thinking on it, Jarek figured he would have to head back to Grayditch to equip himself better anyway. Damn wish I'd brought my sniper rifle with me.

Calvin raised the patch of skin where an eyebrow used to be at the doctor's flustered speech, but decided not to comment.

"Well, it may be still light outside, but it's been a long stretch since I got any shuteye. I walked through an abandoned stretch of town on the way here--probably shack up there for a bit." He knew from long experience that even if a settlement would let a ghoul spend his caps on some booze or supplies, it was usually a bad idea to let his guard down enough to actually sleep alongside humans. Too often he'd awakened to find his things stolen--or to a fist in the face, or something less pleasant. Megaton might not be that way, but he knew he wouldn't sleep easy until he was on his own again.

"Where did you all want to meet up for our little adventure?"

(OOC: It's okay, I'm flexible. Also, no idea if Florence Nightingale is canon to this universe... probably not.)

Calico shoved herself away from the bar with a growl. The Doctor was right, as were her companions. She gave the Doctor an appraising glare, towering over the young man, and scoffed. Turning to Calvin she nodded in her employers direction, making no effort to lower her voice as she spoke, "Well if I leave now and Florence Nightingale here can keep up I can be there and back in two days..."

The Doctor rolled his eyes at her but thankfully said nothing.

Jarek looked towards Calvin and stood up from his stool, giving Gob a quick grin as thanks, along with a few extra caps.
"Well, i guess it might be easier to all meet up in here in a couple of days then. If everyone is in agreement? I have to head off to Grayditch to gear up anyway."
He wasn't really looking forward to the trip back over there, but needs must. He wasn't going to stay in Moriarty's that was for sure, he'd made that mistake before and didn't want to repeat it.
Thinking of the task ahead he felt a sense of excitement mixed with fear well up inside him. This was where it all began. At last.

(OOC: Okay, so if anyone wants to get their goodbyes or any last minute comments in, I can start the "few days later" post in Megaton.)

Calico threw Jarek a salute, "I'll make the best time I can. See you kids in a few days!"

Placing a handful of caps on the counter she turned to her employer, favoring him with a sarcastic grin, "After you, jackass."

Jarek saluted Calico back with a smile, then turning to Calvin and Lex he said his goodbyes.
"Ok guys, see you all back here in a couple of days then. Time to get prepared."
And with a quick nod of the head to each, he strode over and opened the door, breathing in the fresh air as he ventured outside.
He hoped to hell they were going to be prepared enough.

Seeing as everyone was parting ways, lex waited for a moment and laid her hand gently on Calvin's arm.

"Mind If I follow you Pal? City walls suffocate me, and I was planning on staying in the same stretch of deserted town." she let out a light chuckle, hoping not to impose on her new acquaintance. She removed her hand with a kind pause, she didn't want to give the wrong impression; whatever it may be.

Calvin tensed a little under the feel of Lex's hand, but covered it with a smile.

"Don't mind at all. In fact, I'd be honored to have your company and conversation on the walk over." He hoped that wasn't too forward, but Lex seemed like a woman after his own heart, wanderlust and all, and he had enjoyed chatting with her so far.

"But we'd better get if we're gettin'. Not too fond of wanderin' around in the dusk after that one time I near blew my toes off on a live mine."

OOC: for the simple act of closure I'm going to slightly puppet your character, hope you don't mind Cal.

"Sounds good to me, I'm not one to stay past noon myself." she let out what was once a clear and pretty laugh, now raspy from years of smoking. with a theatrical sweep of her arm, Lex waited until Cal stepped through the door, turning then to the other two she nodded kindly.

"See you kids in a few days then." she said brightly in salutation, and followed Cal out. They made their way to Springvale and camped there for the night, talking about nothing in particular for several hours.

Lex was beginning to like the man, he seemed to have been through much, and probably more, of what she'd been through. But she couldn't help thinking of Styx as the conversation waned and they both eventually slept.