Return

Marie is twenty, but she has spent the last ten years of her life on her own. She has always been smart, strong, and strangely aware of what she is and what she could be. She is fearless, the only thing that really gets to her are small spaces, and considering her past, that is understandable. She is one of the few people left in the world who isn't at least a little crazy, and that fact alone makes her an anomaly. She is the way forward. She is the cure.

She has always been completely resistant to radiation, always. Since she arrived in a sealed cryogenic crib in the the arms of a grizzled and bloodstained mercenary, she has been immune. Aside from the description of the man who brought her to Megaton, and the actual crib she arrived in, there are no details on her past or where she came from. All she knows is that the merc was a ruthless killer, and was part of a group of three who would do any job for any price. The place she came from was bad. It had to be if such hardhearted killers would take her away from there and carry her all the way to Megaton.

In her memories, she can see his face. For some reason, it is always shrouded by sand, like there is a storm going on around them. The man is holding her tight, but not painfully so. He keeps humming a tune until the memories fade out. She likes to think he was singing her to sleep. Her adopted mother, she has somehow always known Lucy isn't her real mom, insists that the mercenary didn't care about her. That he was happy to hand her away. Marie isn't sold. Far as she is concerned, that man is the closest thing to a Father that she will ever accept. Lucy has been with some other men while Marie grew up, none of them ever stuck around, but they were all nice to her. Still, none are her Father.

In her heart, she knows that the mercenary isn't her real dad, her real dad is dead, but she knows that he cared for her more than anyone else ever has. Lucy has been nice, but she tries too hard to be a mother when Marie doesn't need a mom. The doting was okay when she was little, but it became unnecessary. When Marie decided to leave Megaton, she known it would break Lucy's heart, but she had to leave.

Lucy would never have been okay with it, so Marie snuck away in the middle of the night. The town sheriff, Lucas Simms caught her, and started to take her back to Lucy, only she escaped from him as well. She was a child in years and body, but an adult in mind. It has been ten years now. Ten years since Marie left Megaton, and here she is again. Home. The cure is back.

When she left, she had never been out in the wasteland on her own for very long. She had accompanied Billy Creel out to trade with the caravans, but he had always kept her out of the actual negotiations. All the same she had learned from the experiences. She learned what weapons were the best, and what ammo to use for each. She learned what medicines were the most valuable and how to use them. She learned which types of junk had the highest selling prices, and she learned which types of armor were best for which situations. When she finally left, she thought she was ready for anything. She was wrong.

No more than a day out of Megaton she encountered a small band of raiders. The men were high off of jet and attacked her on sight. The fight was brutal. It was lucky that none of the raiders that day had any guns, or she would diffidently be dead. After what felt like hours of running, being caught, scrabbling to get free again, and finally getting the upper hand, she had killed three raiders and covered a distance far greater than she would have otherwise. Her body was scratched, bruised, and broken in ways she hadn't known it could be. That was just the damage that could be seen on the outside. On the inside, she was even more hurt. The fighting, so brutal, so savage. It struck her in a way she hadn't know it could.

It was from that fight that she discovered her remarkable healing abilities. Wounds that would have taken days to close now sealed up in a matter of hours. Not enough for her to completely shirk avoiding damage, but enough for her to have slightly added confidence. If she can run from her enemies long enough, then she will heal and be able to resume the fight.

She thought about going back to Megaton, to Lucy, but the idea of slinking back with her tail between her legs did not appeal to her. Instead she pressed onward. Somehow she survived, becoming more and more adept at either avoiding combat, or dispatching her enemies before they even know she is there. She got good with long range rifles, and knifes. She found that using knives to be far more effective than guns. With a knife, you have to be precise and quick. A gun can be those things, but only if you hit your target in specific places. There are many more options for knives. Using stealth is a bigger challenge as well. Moving behind your enemies without them knowing. There is something extremely satisfying about that.

Having spent a solid decade outside of any major settlements, she has racked up her far share of scars and wounds. She has also become accustomed to the isolation. Being back here, it feels like there are too many variables. Too many people who could potentially be a threat. She keeps reminding herself that none of the people around here are a danger to her. Most probably don't even remember her, or would recognize her.

She has shaved half of her hair and swept the rest over to the side. Long ago she dyed it bright red with a mixture she had to make herself. She is equipped in simple leathers studded with some metal. The leather is good for deflecting energy weapons, but the man reason for her using it is how quite and light it is. Aside from her hair and gear, she imagines that her face and body also look very different.

When she left she still had the baby fat of a teenager. Her body wasn't fully adjusted to itself due to an abnormal growth rate. Some parts of her looked like a teenagers, others like an adults. Many told her that it was just part of puberty, but she wasn't sold that her gift wasn't a part of it as well. Now she has lost all of that. The baby fat is gone. Muscles are hard and toned. Skin is tanned and scarred. Hands are calloused and rough. Having examined herself in mirrors on multiple occasions, she has come to the conclusion that she looks like a totally different person. In all honesty it scares her.

She left thinking that the horrors of the wasteland would not affect her as badly as they have others. She thought that her immunity would keep her safe from everything. Instead the wasteland did to her what it does to everyone. It wears on you. It becomes like a living thing. Always throwing something new at you. Always trying to trick you into letting your guard down. It feeds on the misery and despair it causes. It writhes and grows and becomes angry. For if a radiation storm where the lightning seems to follow you isn't anger, then She does not know what is.

Sitting outside the brass lantern on a bar stool, she can't help but start thinking about the mercenary who brought her hear again. He has been in her thoughts for some time now. The settlers here described him and the others he traveled with as bloodthirsty and savage. Looking around now, she wonders if that is what they think of her now just from how she looks. Watching the goings ons of the town, she can't help but notice how complacent they all seem. They think they are safe behind their walls, and that people from the outside are somehow automatically going to be the worst of the worst.

That mercenary could have been the okay sort, in fact, Marie is confident that he was. It is more than likely that he once did something the people around here look at as wrong and ever since he was seen as dirty or dangerous. Also, people don't just go out of their way for others. This mercenary carried her all the way to Megaton from who knows where. That shows a dedication and caring that a simpleton killer would not have.

"Hey," a woman's voice says from behind her, "are you going to actually order any food or are you just going to sit?" Marie turns to see Jenny Stahl standing there with her hands on her hips. Marie and her used to be something like friends. Marie would spend time at the Brass Lantern, doing small jobs, and Jenny would sneak her extra Fancy Lads snack cakes. The fact that Jenny does not recognize her makes her feel mixed emotions. Sadness that she has changed that much in such a short amount of time, and pride that she is able to go without recognition even in her home town.

Marie smiles and nods her head. "Yes, sorry, didn't want to bother you if you had other customers. May I have a Nuka-Cola as well as a box of Insta Mash?" Jenny nods and moves to get the food. Marie is a little disappointed. Anywhere else in the wasteland caps would have been demanded before service is given. It just goes to show that the people of Megaton have indeed become complacent. Jenny returns with the food and the drink. She sets them down on the counter and places her hands on her hips, waiting patiently for her caps. Marie decides to test the woman.

She starts to eat, slowly. Jenny stands there and watches her. Marie savors every bite. She does not look up, but keeps Jenny in her peripheral vision so as she can read the woman's body language. At first there is nothing. Then Jenny crosses her arms. She huffs once, perhaps in an attempt to get Marie's attention. Then she places her hands back on her hips and starts to tap her foot against the ground rapidly. She huffs again. Marie looks up this time and Jenny gives her a pointed look. "Yes," Marie asks in a neutral tone, "can I help you?"

Jenny appears very put off at having to explain herself. "That food and drink is not fee. You need to pay up. The total is twenty five caps." Jenny holds out a hand expectantly. Marie scoops another spoonful of the Insta Mash into her mouth, never breaking eye contact with Jenny. She then pops off the cap of the Nuka and takes a long slow sip. As she set the bottle down Jenny gives another huff. "If you do not pay up then I will be forced to get the sheriff."

Marie isn't looking for trouble, but she is on board the defiance train now, and there is no easy way to get off once on. "If you wanted caps," she keeps her tone as calm as she can manage, "then you should have asked for them up front. I don't have that much money on me. You running your shop foolishly is no concern of mine. Call the sheriff if you wish, I will be here, enjoying my meal."

Jenny appears shocked at Marie's words and even stumbles back a step. They stare at each other for a moment, and then Jenny runs off shouting for the sheriff. The commotion caused by the woman's hysteria draws a lot of attention. Marie suddenly wishes she hadn't started a scene. The feeling of all those eyes on her. It makes her skin crawl. Nothing would be better right then to curl up in some cave away from prying eyes. Slipping away into the shadows will be nearly impossible now that everyone is watching.

The door to the Brass Lantern opens and out steps Leo Stahl. The last time Marie saw him, she could sense a sickness clinging to him. He did very well hiding it, but she once followed him up to the old water treatment plant where his sickness really showed through. Now he looks better. He looks much older and far more weary, but also better. He looks around at the people standing and staring at Marie before approaching her with a warm smile. "Hi there," his voice is soft and happy, "I saw what happened from the window. You will have to be patient with Jenny, she can be eccentric at times. That said, I still do need you to pay for that food. Nothing is fee after all."

Marie lowers the spoonful of mas she was about to shove into her mouth and gives Leo a critical gaze. The key here will be keeping up the act. If she can establish herself as someone who does not mess around, then she will be able to move around relatively freely in town. Not as good as her original idea of just staying off the radar, but that is no longer an option now thanks to her stupid little game. "You saw what happened?" Leo nods his head yes and smiles a little more. "Then you know that she did not tell me how much before serving me." His smile falters a bit. "Nor did she ask for caps up front. Any actual establishment this large should know to operate like that."

Behind her there is a short bark of laughter. "Oh, I like this girl!" She turns in her seat to see a childhood tormentor standing in the gathering crowd of people. Collin Moriarty, the owner of the Moriarty's Saloon. The saloon and the Lantern have been in competition ever since the Stahls showed up and established themselves. The Irishman walks up and claps Marie on the shoulder. "If you tried something like that in my place, I would have you hung, only you would never have had this problem. We always demand payment up front."

Marie is slightly disgusted that the man who used to throw his cigarette buts at her while she played is now supporting her, but it fits into the persona she is slowly building right now. She looks him up and down. "You own the place up the hill?"

Colin nods. "That I do Lass. You ever need a stiffer drink than what these three idiots can give you, you come see me." Colin looks at something over Marie's shoulder. "Pucker up, looks like the Sheriff himself is coming to greet you. Give him a good walloping for me eh?" Colin nudges her with his elbow before slipping back into the crowd. Marie turns and sees that he spoke true.

Lucas Simms is being dragged towards the Lantern by a frantic Jenny Stahl. From where she is sitting Marie can hear Jenny rambling all sorts of thing about having been threatened by a dangerous outsider. Marie takes a deep breath to relax and again starts to eat her food. The key here is to remain calm and seem reasonable. Lucas steps up to her, "I hear that you are giving Ms. Stahl here a hard time stranger. Might I ask your name?" Marie looks up at him. She blinks once, and then goes back to eating. Lucas sighs. "Look, I am not interested in making any trouble for you and I am sure you don't mean to cause trouble. Can we at least talk about this?"

"Nothing to talk about." Marie speaks through a mouthful of food. She grabs the Nuka and washes it down with a loud gulp. She can all but feel the tension growing in the crowd all around her. On the inside she is ready to crack and make a run for it. On the outside she appears as calm and uninterested as ever before.

"Surely you understand that by not paying for this food you are stealing?" Marie shakes her head and takes another swallow of the Nuka. "How can you not understand that?"

Marie stops half swallow and places the bottle of soda down on the counter. Now is when her ploy has to be paid off. If she does not get this right, she could be facing a lot of very bad consequences. She stands slowly and looks Simms in the eyes. She has always been tall, and her bare arms show the strength she has gained after years in the wastes. "Listen," her voice is till calm, but with a biting undertone, "I asked for food, and she brought me food. Never was a price discussed. You are all only lucky that I am not the sort to get violent easily. I will pay for other meals, as long as a price is out there. This one is free."

Lucas appears surprised that a woman, a young woman at that, has the nerve to speak to him like that. As a fully grown and hardened man, he has likely become used to a certain amount of respect from everyone. His cowboy look certainly helps, with the regulator jacket and the wide brim hat. Not to mention the assault rifle he carries with him. "If you don't pay, then what is to stop everyone else from refusing to pay?"

Marie sits back down. "Not really my problem now is it? You are the Sheriff here, not me." She takes three more bites of the food while everyone looks on in silence, waiting for Simms to do something. Before he can, Marie finishes off the soda and stands up. She fishes in her pocket and leaves a few caps on the counter. "I always tip pretty waitresses." She gives Jenny a wink and turns. "Hey you," she shouts at Colin, "you said something about a stiff drink?"

A wicked smile plays across Colin's face. "That's right, and long as you pay up front I won't hassle you." Marie nods and indicates for him to lead the way. The small crowd that had gathered parts as she walks. Seems her game has paid off. Now she wont have to skulk around. Now she can walk about freely and everyone else will avoid her. Not the way she had imagined the cure's glorious return would play out, but this works. Yes, this will work out just fine.