Title: A Woman's Touch
Synopsis: Aurelia of Phoenix had a tough childhood— she did, after all, grow up in the Legion. Unlike most women, however, Aurelia grew up in luxury with everything, men included, at her disposal. When the Courier begins leaving a mark, Caesar decides the situation needs a woman's touch. He sends Vulpes Inculta and Aurelia to the Strip to persuade Courier Six to join the Legion's side in the upcoming second battle for Hoover Dam. Will they succeed, or will the Legion fall to another flag?
Pairings: OC (Aurelia) x Vulpes Inculta (I couldn't resist, I love him too much), slight OC (Aurelia) x M!Courier
Rating: M for violence, drugs, drinking, sex (not sure if I'm brave enough to write a detailed scene though), rape, language, sexual and physical abuse, slavery, and anything else I forgot. Read at your own discretion.
Side notes: 1) I plan on having this be third person, but I may switch depending on the circumstances. 2) When a member of the Legion, Aurelia or other, says "Mojave" during dialogue, it will be spelt "Mohave" because in Arizona that's how they pronounce it (according to some random site containing Arizona facts). Kind of like Caesar with the soft 'c' and hard 'k', Mohave is said with a silent 'h', I believe. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Just wanted to clear that up right away. Any other time it will be spelt "Mojave".
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Aurelia and any other OCs in this story.
The wind blows gently, ruffling her golden hair. She stands on the top of the cliff just outside Caesar's tent, staring longingly at the welcoming water below. It had been ages since she last swam in the waters of the Colorado. Slowly, the magnificent sun rises to the right, signalling the start of another day in the Mojave Desert.
"Aurelia," A familiar voice calls, disturbing the peace of the morning. The woman, Aurelia, turns her head slightly to see Vulpes Inculta a few feet away. He always had a knack for stealth, even when he wasn't out on a mission. She nods once, giving the leader of the Frumentarii both a greeting and permission to continue. Vulpes steps closer, fully dressed in his shiny armor, dog hat and all, with his long pale arms behind his back. The sun casts shadows across what little of his face can be seen. Aurelia turns back to the view, admiring the beauty of the destroyed landscape. Her thoughts wander to what she would see if she were standing in this very spot 200 or maybe 300 years earlier.
"You know what Lucius says about your daydreaming," the fox beside her scolds when he notices her far off look. Still, he can't help but admire the way her face changes when her mind gets the best of her.
"Forgive me," Aurelia murmurs smoothly, not tearing her eyes from the glistening water below, "I did not realize you were my new tutor."
Vulpes barks a laugh at her sly remark, his lips curled into a smirk. "If you did not try to seduce the previous one, perhaps you would not require another."
That makes her head turn, her eyes narrowed playfully. "With that in mind, who's to say I won't seduce you?" She inquires, dark blue eyes studying her friend in a way that makes him both proud and slightly fearful. He had, after all, taught her how to read people without giving anything away. Perhaps she has a little too much Frumentarii in her bones, his training and guidance aside.
"You can try," he croons in a childlike way, "but it will not work."
Aurelia blushes slightly, covering it up by clearing her throat. "So is there a reason you've disturbed my peaceful morning, or have you just sought me out to nag me?"
Vulpes rolls his eyes, thankful for his concealing sunglasses. "Your father has requested your presence in Caesar's tent," he says with his ever-present know-it-all tone. Aurelia scoffs slightly, something that does not go unnoticed by Vulpes. He tilts his head slightly, and even though his sunglasses cover his eyes, she knows he's giving her his "suck it up and deal with it" face.
Walking the short distance back to the tent, Aurelia and Vulpes remain silent. As they reach the entrance, Gregorius eyes her greedily. "Any concealable weapons I should know about?" He questions with a smirk.
"Perhaps," the woman replies with a shrug. Gregorius steps forward to search her when Vulpes slides gracefully in front of Aurelia to push him forcefully back. The desert fox gives the Praetorian guard his signature glare, causing the weaker man to slightly shrink back.
"That will not be necessary," Vulpes says calmly, more towards Aurelia than the guard. Gregorius nods and opens the flap, holding it open for the woman and the fox. When the flap falls shut and the pair are inside the first tent, Vulpes sighs, rubbing his temples. "Must you do that?" He asks in an irritated tone.
The woman merely shrugs again, giving him a sly smile before skipping forward into the next tent. Vulpes ignores the stares of the curious guards and straightens his dog hat, taking a deep breath before following after her. When he reaches Caesar's throne, Aurelia is already sitting at Caesar's feet, eagerly listening to their leader's story. Vulpes suppresses the urge to chuckle at his friend's childlike attitude that appears only in the presence of Caesar or her father. Continuing the rest of the way, the fox takes up his normal place a little ways away from the throne, face expressionless.
Aurelia rests her elbows on her crossed legs with her jaw propped up on her fists as she listens to Caesar explain why alcohol is prohibited. Vulpes himself had heard the lesson many times, choosing to focus on the activity around them. Lucius, the head of the Praetorian guards, leans over a table across the makeshift courtyard, eyebrows furrowed. A few guards stand beside him with similar expressions, quietly discussing their thoughts about the most recent attack on an NCR outpost.
"Lucius," Caesar smiles when his friend approaches, "your daughter listens well! You could learn a thing or two from her," he says with a laugh. Lucius smiles before excusing himself and Aurelia, leading her into the empty tent to the right of Vulpes. As she passes, Aurelia makes a face at her friend, eyes crossed and tongue sticking out, to which Vulpes merely raises an eyebrow. The woman who soon will be turning 23 has the maturity of a recruit, Vulpes thinks to himself, smirking slightly.
"Vulpes said you wanted to see me, father?" Aurelia asks, sitting down at the table inside the tent that serves as a kitchen of sorts.
"That's correct," the man replies, sifting through the refrigerator in search of some breakfast. "Caesar has Frumentarii across the Mohave tracking the dissolute Courier that was carrying the platinum chip. You know who I'm speaking about, I presume?"
Aurelia nods. "I do."
"Good. Then you'll know the Courier was recently shot in the head by Benny, leader of the Chairman-"
"at the Tops hotel and casino on the Strip, I know," Aurelia cuts in. "Father, you're rambling again."
Lucius nods distractedly, sitting down beside Aurelia with a plate of fresh fruit. "Forgive me, you know how busy it can get," he says with a wave of his hand. The woman nods, gesturing for him to continue. "Ah yes, well, the Courier awoke this morning."
"What?" Aurelia exclaims, blinking in disbelief.
Lucius nods. "He is recovering in Goodsprings as we speak. It is likely he will meet Inculta on his way to the Strip."
The woman furrows her thin brows in confusion. "How do you know he's heading toward New Vegas?"
"Dear girl, have faith in your elders!" Lucius says with a chuckle. "That civilized tribal shot the Courier in the head. If that is not enough reason for revenge, I don't know what is."
Aurelia bites her lip before speaking. "You said the Courier will meet Vulpes?"
Her father nods. "Yes, didn't the boy tell you? With all the time you two spend together I figured you'd know each other inside and out. I remember the day we took his tribe-"
"Father."
The man winces as he realizes he's begun to ramble again. "Caesar is sending Inculta out to the town of Nipton, our eager partners from months ago, if you recall. He's going to send a message to the NCR."
Aurelia shifts her gaze to her friend, who kneels in front of Caesar, no doubt talking about the very same thing. "What is he planning to do?" She asks curiously.
Lucius shrugs. "He's a smart boy, I'm sure he'll figure something out."