AMW Riptide: Thank you very much my good Man and/or Woman. I'm saying that because you truly can never be too careful with Genders in the days we live in. Especially sense there are apparently millions of them as of now.
Instead of just making Flashbacks into their own separate Chapters, I've decided I'll just put one in the beginning of each new Chapter I make. This way I can keep things from coming to a slow pace. Because if you think about it, time is truly one of our most precious resources. That and I can be a very lazy person when push comes to shove.
Chapter 8: Some Needed and Deserved Rest
Location: Lucky 38
Game week was still far from being over. And with another day, came yet another thrilling game of Caravan. Sadly, Cass was absent from today's game. In fact no one had seen her at all since last night when she stormed out on everyone for no good reason.
Six couldn't help but start wondering if she might have said something that was somewhat offensive to Cass when she began to walk out on them. She hoped that Cass wasn't in any kind of trouble, or maybe even something worse.
Her Companions, much like they always do, made sure to comfort her as best as they could. Except Boone, who wasn't all that good at comforting. They reminded her how Cass could always handle herself when in a bad situation when and if she had to, and she was probably just going through some more personal things.
That's all she ever seems to go through. Six recollected. First it was learning that her entire Caravan had been wiped out by the Van Graffs and Crimson Caravan Company, which were both now being blackmailed by the NCR thanks to Six, then it was her past coming back to haunt her. She didn't deserve anything else.
Day two of playing Caravan began fairly similar as the first day did. Arcade was the one to steal the victory on the first round. It was unfortunately followed by him missing his chance to talk about his true feelings with Boone. Speaking of Boone, he and Dean then got into another one of their famous scuffles.
This time it ended with both men having some serous bruises all across their bodies. Eventually there were only a few people still standing in the extreme game of Caravan. This time those members of the Companions were Veronica, the Courier, Chalk, Dean, and Arcade.
To everyone's surprise Chalk seemed to be in the lead of the game, despite the fact that he had never won even a single game or round of Caravan before. The sudden change in his skill was most likely due to how much he, along with everyone else wanted what was up for bet this time around.
As the game entered its final round Dean used an opportunity to taunt Chalk, trying to get into his head in order to secure his own victory, ''The final round, truly the most important of rounds, wouldn't you agree? You've been doing great so far, would be a real tragedy for you to lose your grip and mess up now.''
Chalk chuckled softly, threw his cards on the table, took a cigar, and made a response to Dean, ''You're right that it would be. I guess I'm some kind of lucky since I've already won the game, huh?'' Everyone at the table examined Chalk's cards. Sure enough he had just kicked all of their asses.
Dean attempted to flip the table, forgetting that it was recently bolted to the ground in order to prevent such childish acts in the first place. The Courier alone clapped her hands together, congratulating Chalk on his very first victory, ''I have to say I'm really impressed Chalk. And please don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't really think you had it in you. Good on you for telling me and everyone else here that we were wrong.''
It was hard for everyone to fork over their valuables, especially given the fact that Chalk explained to all of them earlier that he had no intent on keeping any of the items, and instead he would be selling them for more Bottlecaps. Both Veronica and Arcade figured the Tribal would have enough to last him for quite some time.
Slamming his fists repeatedly in an aggressive manner on the table, Dean shouted, ''This isn't right, not at all! Anyone else, and I'd eventually get over losing to them, but him, a fucking Tribal?! I demand another round right now! And I will not take no for an answer.''
The Courier shrugged, ''I'm really sorry buddy, but if I do remember correctly we all agreed on only one full game Per-Day. Maybe you'll have yourself a victory tomorrow night, but for now I'd like to catch up on some more Z's.'' Dean considered on arguing further, but then settled on heading to the Cocktail lounge for a few bottles of Tequila.
''Dont you worry about him.'' The Courier said to Calk. ''He'll get over it eventually. But just in case you might want to head out for awhile. Maybe go to the Gun Runners to get your caps, they restock practically everyday.''
The Tribal nodded and picked up all of his gear. For a split second The Courier thought about pick pocketing her items back, but refrained from doing so after sharing a look with Veronica. After giving them some encouraging words, in a language only The Courier understood, Chalk made his way out into the Strip.
Boone stood out of his own chair, with his rifle in hand, ''Seeing as I need to go out for awhile on business anyway, I figure it wouldn't hurt to go look for Cass on the way. I'll be heading through some Raider territory, Any of you interested in coming along with me?''
After Boone made his offer both Veronica and The Courier looked to him, encouraging him to go off with Boone. Arcade hesitated for a second but eventually stood up along with Boone, ''I think I left my Power Armour in one of the lockers on the Casino floor. Just let me grab it and I'll accompany you.''
After saying goodbye to everyone, excluding Dean for obvious reasons, Boone left with Arcade in the elevator. Veronica shared a victory filled high five with The Courier. After he let out a loud bark, Rex jumped onto The Courier's lap. Her favorite cyborg dog then received a small pat on the head. Picking up a chewed up baseball, The Courier threw it to the other side of the room, causing Rex to chase after it.
Veronica giggled when she noticed that the ball was stuck under a couch and Rex was trying desperately to get under it. ''Is it just me or has he been acting a lot different lately? Maybe it wasn't very smart of you to give him a brain that once belonged to a Legion Mongrel.''
''Well if I'm being honest,'' The Courier started after throwing the ball for a second time. ''I only gave him Lupa's brain because I didn't really have any problems with killing anything associated with the Legion. Plus I really didn't want to see Ray die, and the thought of putting a brain that belonged to a Fiend hound in Rex's head worried me. Besides, he looks perfectly healthy to me.''
Soon Dean returned to the table, a little less angry now. Most likely due to the two half empty bottle of Tequila in his hands. He'd certainly have a large supply of the stuff all to himself, seeing as everyone else despised the drink, preferring Scotch or in Cass's case Whiskey.
''So,'' Dean started, but not before quickly taking another sip of his favorite alcoholic beverage. ''What exactly are our plans for the rest of the day? Because anything at all might cheer me up after the loss I just suffered.''
The Courier rubbed her hands together, excited. ''I'm glad you asked, my friend. I was thinking that for the rest of the day we could head down to The Gomorrah and lose all of our hard earned money. You know, more than we already have over these past few days. Any of you fine people care to join me?''
Veronica raised her hand, not wanting the Courier to go alone since she didn't expect anyone else to raise their hand. But to her surprise Dean raised his as well. ED-E made several beeps indicating that he would also like to come. But he was reminded that after last time's incident robots were no longer welcomed in Casinos.
Before she could even grab her Darklight Cowl, she felt the need to do so because it was especially Dark out at this time someone else opted to join Six on this Quest to lose all the caps they've earned. ''You guys mind if I come along for the ride?'' A familiar feminine voice asked.
Everyone present turned around to spot Cass, who appeared to be smirking. Before Cass could talk to her friends any further, the Courier ran up to one of her favorite Companions and wrapped her arms tight around her, bringing her in for a long and warm hug.
Cass attempted to break free of the hug, barely being able to breathe while wrapped in the Courier's arms. Finally seeing that Cass was trying not to die, the Courier released her. She began to gasp for some air. But the oxygen gathering was interrupted when the Courier surprised her with a kiss, with thankfully went unseen by the other members of the Companions. Cass was a little bit annoyed, as she had told Six on multiple occasions that she wasn't interested in women.
When she pulled away from the kiss, the Courier made a quick apology. ''I'm sorry.'' Cherchez La Femme ''It's just a force of habit when I'm around any pretty women. And you definitely fit that description.'' She laughed in an awkward fashion while scratching the back of her head.
Cass smiled then gifted the Courier with a passionate hug of her own. Only she didn't nearly suffocate the leader of the Companions to death. Eventually Veronica, and to just about everyone's surprise, even Dean joined in on the hugging.
Location: Dorm Halls
''Ouch!'' Six said, grabbing her cheek after being slapped in the face by Blake for her supposed offensive talk. ''What the Hell! I already said that I was sorry. I never realized that the word ''Fake'' could be used as an insult.''
''Blake, you have to stop.'' Weiss said, holding her Faunus team member back. Perhaps it would have been wise for the Courier to question Ozpin on the topic back when she had the chance to do so. After all she had seen plenty of Faunus in the streets.
Ruby made her own attempts to calm Blake down. ''Ozpin told us that she is a foreigner, right. Maybe there's a small chance that she comes from a place that doesn't have that many other Faunus. Or maybe even none at all. Am I right about that, Six?''
Courier Six answered, ''Yeah, that's right. You could say that I come from a place far from here. Most likely completely different country or even continent kind of far. And I am truly sorry if I offended you in any way. The idea of people with Cat ears is not something I am entirely used to. (Speech 35) Perhaps you and I could restart and be friends?''
Six extended her hand, hoping that Blake would accept it. She did shaking it slowly then making a smaller apology of her own. ''Sounds fine to me. And sorry for slapping you. I guess I did overreact a little bit.''
Weiss interrupted, ''I do hate to interrupt, but it is getting pretty late. Ruby, I think that Six can manage on her own from here. Well, that is unless you need some help opening the door to your own room?'' Six couldn't tell if that was supposed to be a joke, or if she just gave off a really stupid vibe.
Grabbing the door handle The Courier aid back to Weiss, ''Believe it or not I do in fact have the needed amount of brain capacity to know how to open doors. For example, you just grab the handle and twi- and twist, and twist. Twist Goddammit!''
Yang attempted to hold back her laughter, Blake wondered why Six couldn't open the door in the first place, Ruby tried explaining to The Courier that she needed to use the door's key to get in. And Weiss scolded Six for her vulgar language.
After taking the key, she made sure to announce to everyone present, ''I'd just like to clarify to everyone that I could have easily opened that door, had it been unlocked in the first place. Lockpick 100 And if it didn't require a key I could've definitely opened it anyway. I'm just saying.''
But as soon as the door opened Weiss clapped her hands together, and Six just barely managed to keep herself from turning around and Bitch-slapping her. After all, she'd have to make a decent impression on everyone if she was to complete her Quest. Which had recently given her the new objective to go to sleep in her room's bed. After Ruby said ''See you in the Morning.'' to her, she closed the door and examined her new room.
It's definitely no Lucky 38 Presidential Suite, but I guess it'll do for now. She took a seat in a chair situated close to her bed. Before she had taken the Airship, Ozpin had confiscated all of her weapons. Or more accurately the ones that Security manged to find on her person. She still had A Light Shining in Darkness as well as a few other small yet quite effective weapons.
After carefully placing them inside of a drawer, the Courier took two more items out. One, her Darklight Cowl, seeing as she was about to go to bed. The second being a photograph, one she always carried with her when she set out on especially dangerous Quests on her own. It was a picture of her with all of her Companions, each of them making a different pose. Aside from Boone, who was holding Caesar's head.
The Courier couldn't help but wonder what she would say to the Companions when she made her way back to the Mojave. She would have one hell of a story to tell, that much she was already aware of. But something told her that she would also have plenty of time to think on that.
For now though, she would need to catch up on a little bit of rest. Something she would always seem to neglect in the Mojave in order to get the most out of the day. But this new world wasn't the Mojave. In fact she could even say that Remnant, thus far anyway, was as divergent from the Mojave as you can get.