"Let's play a game!" Nova's eyes twinkle. She's up to something and I don't like the sound of it.
Its been a week since Moritarty "passed." No one was particularly upset, most were elated. Luckily that led them to not ask too many questions. Since then Charon and I have been at the bar a lot more often. He sits beside me, working on his second glass of whiskey while Im still on my first. We're the only ones here today. Since Nova stopped "working" and started helping with the bar, that kind of business has slowed down. Things at the newly named "Gob's Saloon" are quiet during the day and busy at night.
I watch as Nova rounds the corner of the bar to stand by Gob. Bar ownership and freedom looks good on the both of them. "You've got to know some fun ones. What did you guys play in the Vault?" Her question directed towards me.
I take a big gulp of my whiskey and Charon smirks as I struggle to get it down. Drinking is still new to me, and sometimes makes me nervous. "I don't know, I don't really remember." Its not entirely a lie. A lot of the Vault kids used to play Spin the Bottle down in the lower levels. They got caught once and well, that was the end of that. I had never personally been invited, but Amata told me all about it.
Nova isn't having it. "Don't lie to me Kate," She says bluntly," You guys had to have something to do underground." I just shrug, hoping I can still get out of this. I appreciate Nova's efforts at fun, but they don't seem to be entirely pure. She's been trying her best to get inside my head lately, always asking me questions. A few weeks ago she had inquired as to what I thought of Charon. My blush and jumbled mess of an answer must have been enough to raise her suspicions. Since then she has been acting sneaky.
"Okay then," Nova sighs, "I guess we'll just have to play Strip Poker."
My nose scrunches up and I turn to Charon, "What's that?" He just took a big drink of Whiskey and looks like he's choking on it. "Hell no." Charon angrily spits back at Nova once he's recovered. I've rarely seen him so mad while inside Megaton's walls. This is our home, a safe place, how bad could this game be?
"Yeah, that doesn't sound like a good idea." Gob backs him up.
I shake Charon's arm, willing his attention back to me, "What the hell is Strip Poker?!" I know Im still kind of stupid to the ways of the Wasteland, but I hate being kept in the dark. With a painfully awkward look on his face Charon describes the basics of the game. The knowledge leaves my arms clinging to the thin T-shirt and shorts I chose to wear to the bar today.
"You ever played Poker?" He asks, that pained look still on his face.
I shake my head no and it seems to make him feel worse. "Then you don't wanna play Strip Poker."
Nova smirks, "Aw you guys are no fun! So what do you say Kate, wanna play?"
Briefly I wonder and my eyes wander over to Charon. He's barely ever out of his armor, even when we're home. Seeing him in a T-shirt is a rare treat, anything less...
The feeling of a deep blush creeping on my cheeks brings me back to my senses. This isn't about seeing Charon naked, this is about me being naked in front of all of my friends.
"Hell no!" I spit, copying Charon's remarks. He smirks in appreciation and it feels good to make him proud.
"Well then you better come up with something else, or Strip Poker it is."
I bite my lip and struggle to think. After hearing about this, "Strip Poker" I know that Spin the Bottle wouldn't be much better. But those had been the main aims of games played in the Vault, timid sexual exploration of any kind, swapping-spit with whoever your empty Nuka Cola happened to land on.
Finally it hits me.
"Truth or Dare!" I say excitedly. Once Spin the Bottle had been banned, Truth or Dare had become the new popular option. Even I had played with Amata and a few of the other girls once. It was harmless enough while still fun.
Nova nods in approval, "Okay, Truth or Dare it is."
Nova insits that all of us sit in a circle around one of the bar's tables. She places two big bottles of Whiskey in the middle and a glass for each of us. I smile when Gob brings me a Nuka Cola so I can mix mine. Gob takes the seat beside Nova, while Charon and I sit beside each other. He looks uneasy, but less than earlier. Sometimes I feel like Charon has trouble relaxing and having fun. Although thats something he desperately needs I know its hard for him. I give him a reassuring smile, which he tries his best to return.
"Does everyone know how to play?" Nova asks, and I can feel Charon uncomfortably flinch beside me. It occurs to me that while something like Strip Poker, which might have been commonly played in The Ninth Circle, Truth or Dare is kind of a kids game. "You should explain it, just so everyone's clear." I say, trying to save Charon some embarrassment. He may be experienced when in comes to combat, but Charon is still learning a lot about the world. We both have that in common. He was stuck in a bar for half a century, while I was trapped in a vault for most of my life. Its strange how sometimes without even vocalizing it, Charon knows how I feel.
Nova doesn't complain, she simply recites the rules, "Everyone takes a turn. When its your turn you choose someone else to answer either a truth or give them a dare. Once they answer the truth or complete the dare its their turn to ask someone." I look to Charon and he nods to show that he understands. Nova gives a soft smile and I relax. Maybe the four of us can really have fun tonight. Ive always considered all of them my closest friends. They've all been there for me since I stumbled out of the Vault almost a year ago. Without Moritarty around, we can finally all be ourselves and spend real down time together. They are the friends I always wished I had growing up.
"Who should go first?" Gob asks. Before anyone else can answer Nova's already talking.
"Truth or Dare!" She directs towards Gob. He looks a bit shocked. I am too, I figured given the perfect opportunity Nova would question me right off the bat.
"M-Me?!" He stutters, "Why?!" Nova smiles devilishly. "You're who I wanted to pick. Just choose one Gob."
He looks uncertainly at me and says, "Truth."
Nova rolls her eyes, "Cop-out. Okay, are you happy that Moriarty died of "natural causes"?" She uses a sarcastic tone towards the end.
"Of course! You know I hated him, so did you." Nova smiles and swallows down more whiskey. "You're damn right about that." No one really liked Moriarity, even if they pretended to get along with him. Nova and Gob had especially hated him. He had made their lives living hell.
"That was too easy of a question." Gob says, to which Nova just shrugs. "Its your turn, so pick somebody."
I feel Gob's eyes fall on me. It doesn't make me the least bit nervous. Gob is a good guy, ever since I met him he's been kind to me. There isn't a malicious bone in his body.
"Kate, Truth or Dare." Im surprised when I see Gob's eyes go to Charon, as if he's looking for permission to ask me. Gob and Charon get along about as well as Charon can get along with most people. They didn't have any real previous relationship from Gob's time in Underworld, although they knew each other. I know Gob feels sort of scared of Charon, but most people do. Despite that I still catch them talking every once in a while.
"Truth" I say like the scaredy cat that I am. When we played in the Vault I had always been way too scared to do any Dares. Maybe among friends and with enough alcohol that will change.
"Were...were you really not afraid when you first saw me? I know you said I was the first ghoul you had ever seen." His question surprises me. It seems like Gob's been wondering about this for a while and I feel bad that I haven't given him the opportunity to ask me before now.
"Honest." I say, "I was just a little surprised." I remember the exact moment I saw Gob. He didn't look like anyone I had ever seen in the Vault. I figured there was something wrong with him, but I was never afraid. It made me upset when I saw how people treated ghouls, even more so after Charon and I started traveling together. In Megaton Moritarity had been the main one to put Gob down, out in the Wastes almost everyone said some shit about Charon. Once I had stopped a wandering trader, after we worked out some pretty fair prices for the junk I had and the Stimpaks I needed he turned his gaze on Charon. "You need someone to take care of that shuffler following you around?" he had said. Nothing could have made me madder. I promptly told him that Charon was my companion and to shove the Stimpaks up his ass. We had to scavenge for our medical supplies, but I think Charon was happy I defended him.
"What about with Charon?" Nova asks and I feel the nerves set in.
"Uh...I don't know..." I stutter, curious to see what he will say, "What do you think, did I look scared when I met you?" His eyes finally meet mine. That strangely empty blue that seems so secretive. Charon has told me more about his life than he has anyone else, yet I always feel like he's holding a lot back.
He smiles softly, just the slight turn of the corners of his mouth. Its the most of a smile you can usually get out of Charon. "You...you seemed more of confused." He's right, but I think intrigued is a better word. Charon didn't make much sense until I learned he was a slave. After that I felt completely determined to free him. It's still the best choice I have ever made out in the Wastes. I was never scared of Charon, intimidated by his size and vast skill set, but never scared.
I smile back at him, its good to hear him speak, especially around others.
"It's your turn Kate." Nova reminds me and Im brought back out of my head.
"Oh, right." I say planning my choice. It would be easy to pick any of them, but I want Charon to feel included since social events aren't exactly comfortable for him.
"Charon!" I turn to him with excitement, "Truth or Dare?" I prepare the perfect Truth in my mind. I want to ask him what he thought of me when he first saw me. Its been nagging at me for a while. When we first started traveling together Charon seemed to think of me as just a kid. I've always wondered if he really had considered me so inexperienced. I'm hopeful that it will also give me more of an insight as to how he feels about me, maybe then I won't feel like such an idiot.
"Dare." He says simply, taking another sip of Whiskey. Im completely floored.
"You can't pick dare." I say without thinking. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
He gives me the most incredulous look, "I thought that was one of the main points of the game. Am I wrong?"
I shake my head, "No, you're right...I mean you can pick whatever you want, but I had a really cool Truth question!" I try to play up the excitement of this unknown question, but Charon simply shakes his head. "I still pick dare." I guess I should be happy he's utilizing the free-will I gave him, but why choose to at this moment?!
He smirks as he watches me struggle to come up with a Dare.
"I...I dare you, as long as its okay with Gob and Nova because its their's, to chug one full bottle of Whiskey."
Charon rolls his eyes and mutters something about how Im always concerned about being polite and grabs the closest bottle. Within minutes he's drained it. I watch completely amazed. He can do so much. When he's finished he gives a small accomplished smile and I stupidly clap for him.
"That was incredible!" I say, "I didn't know you could do that." Charon just shrugs and sits the empty bottle on the table. "Your turn Smoothskin," He says.
I point to myself, "But Ive already gone. Pick Nova, she hasn't gone yet. You should pick her then me." Im flustered and unsure of what Charon could want to ask or dare me to do. The idea of things I wish he'd dare me make me feel even worse.
Charon looks a bit confused, but he does what I ask. "Truth or Dare."
"Dare." Nova says with a devious smile, she's never afraid of anything.
He scans the room for ideas, "Go get a beer." Nova does as asked.
"Now what?"
"Drink it."
She looks at him completely unimpressed, "Thats it?"
Charon nods and urges her to drink.
Nova flops back into her chair and sips at her beer.
"Now I get to ask you, right?" Charon says, looking at me.
"Oh no, Im sorry, did I explain it wrong? You get to ask me on your next turn." I smile apologetically at him, poor thing. He looks disappointed and a bit angry as he drinks more and grumbles about how dumb this game is.
"Im picking you again Kate!" Nova says, obviously over how lackluster her dare was. Why does everyone want to pick me?
Nova having this power over me suddenly scares me. Either way she's going to do her best to get some kind of secret out of me.
"Truth." I breath, taking a drink of Whiskey for luck.
"Did you kill Moriarity?"
"Why do you think that?!"
"Just answer the question." Nova says with a smirk.
"No."
She stares at me for a long moment then seems to decide that she doesn't care if Im lying. Im not. I knew that a lot of people would suspect me once he passed, but I didn't do it. I never laid a hand on Moriarity, it was him that touched me. You'd think if you saw someone when they were just a baby you wouldn't try anything with them. Charon says a sleazy old man like him shouldn't have "complemented" me the way he did. I don't have a problem with older guys, but he's right.
Moriarity had been too stupid and the bar had been too quiet the night Charon and I came back because I forgot to pay Gob. He thought I was alone and that is what killed him. I give Charon a knowing look and try not to break out into a huge grin as I watch him struggle to do the same. It had been all too convenient that Mr. Moriarity had a heart condition and was easily spooked by a certain large ghoul.
We go back and fourth, each of us taking our own turns, drinking as we do so. Eventually its hard to remember whose turn it actually is, so we just start assigning dares and asking questions to whoever we please.
Nova is the most drunk and the loudest, so her questions are heard more easily, "Kate I want you to tell me who killed that bastard because...because I want to shake the hand of that person who did." She may be loud, but her sentences are a jumbled mess.
"Look, all Im saying is he deserved to have that heart attack. He shouldn't have been so creepy to me. and then he said that thing about-"
Charon who is the least drunk of us all gives me a warning look. "Be quiet." He instructs. Charon's had probably twice the amount of alcohol I have and could probably take on a pack of Super Mutants just fine.
"What?!" Nova says,
I pretend there is a zipper over my mouth and zip it shut. Charon gives an approving nod and I beam. I know it wouldn't hurt to tell Gob and Nova, but Charon said we shouldn't say anything to anyone. He's right though, this is home and we'd both be completely fucked if Simms kicked us out.
"You've been so secretive lately!" Nova accuses. My cheeks flush and terror runs through my veins. This better not be going where I think it is.
"Just let her be Nova." Gob tries to speak on my behalf but he gets sleepy and even more weak-willed. I love him, but he can be a push-over.
"No!" Nova retorts, standing on her chair with as much balance as she can manage. "I wanna pick you for Truth or Dare and I want to know why you wouldn't tell me the other day what you thought of Charon!"
Im completely frozen. Its strange, but I suddenly feel fully sobered up and aware of my surroundings. I don't have to look to see that all three sets of eyes are on me, I can feel them. I knew she would do this. She just can't keep her mouth shut or her mind from wandering. She's going to mess everything up.
Once the embarrassment has settled in, I become angry.
"Shut up Nova!" I scream before I can stop myself. I feel my cheeks get hotter as my eyes are clouded by emerging tears. I do my best to hold them back. I know crying will only make things worse, but its always been my natural instinct. If Im upset, angry, embarrassed, or sad I cry.
Nova must not see the emerging tears or she's too drunk to care, " Why?! So you don't have to be honest. Got something to hide?"
I'm too choked up to say anything. If I open my mouth the tears will come flooding out. I can't see Charon's face beside me but Im sure he's completely confused, maybe even angry that Nova and I were talking about him.
"Nova cut it out..." Gob tries, but this whole thing has already gone too far.
"You want to know what I think?" Nova says smirking, "I think you're too scared to say that you wish you could have your first kiss with tall, deadly, and silent."
I feel my face go pale as I spiral between feeling like Im going to pass out and feeling like Im going to throw up. This is not how it was supposed to go at all. We were all supposed to have fun tonight. Charon was supposed to have fun instead of being completely embarrassed by me, Nova was supposed to keep her stupid trap shut, and I was supposed to be able to tell him when I was ready. This can't happen like this.
Nova's face changes from pride to complete guilt when she notices that Im crying. I barely hear her apology and another deep raspy voice that calls out my name. Im too busy running out the bar door towards my home.
AN: Sooooo this is the unofficial/official sequel to Drinking Whiskey and Nuka Cola! I like to think that eventually this fic follows that one. I threw in some tie-ins to that story and this one.
I just love writing friendship funtime stories about these four.
And yes there will be more chapters to this!