Chapter Seven
The rain of mid-May pattered down on the broken cement in Goodneighbor; few patrons huddled under the roofs of the two shops while others dashed from cover to cover in hope of trying to stay somewhat dry before reaching their destinations. The junkies who sat out on the streets didn't seem to mind the rain as they puffed away on whatever drug they were taking.
Paladin Danse stood under the overhang of K-L-E-O'S shop, browsing the Assault-Tron's stock. He was indeed surprised at the selection the robot had, though he wished he could have found these items at a less, unsavory store. The robot, while not being a ghoul, nor a junkie was still something he didn't want to deal with.
He purchased his items quickly in hopes to avoid another conversation with it. But as luck would have it, the abhorrent machine spoke, "Come back anytime handsome," It said as if it was winking -which would be absurd since robots can't wink, "I'll give you a special discount." Danse felt a shutter pass through his body. It was revolting that the robot tried to flirt with him, even more so when it used that voice. As if a machine could feel. It probably only said those things as a way to catch him off guard or confuse him. Well the machine would be sadly disappointed because that was not going to happen. There was no way he would lower his guard in a dive like this one, especially without his armor.
Being out of it make him feel too exposed, too naked, too vulnerable. He didn't like it. Why Emery insisted he leave his armor he wouldn't understand. Why did it matter that the populace feared him. They'd be foolish to attack a Brotherhood operative.
And speaking of Emery it was about time for her to be back, hopefully with good news. He didn't want their efforts to be in vain, especially after the events of the previous night.
He didn't know what had come over him, one minute he had seen those Holotags digging into that abominations neck, then the next h saw a pungent mutant looming over the crumpled form of Emery. He couldn't explain what had washed over him. Things like that happened to green initiates and Minutemen Privates, but not to him. He was a Paladin of the Brotherhood, he was more in control than that.
If he hadn't snapped out of it when he did-
Danse's heart gave a painful lurch at the thought. If he hadn't snapped out of it when he did-no. He couldn't finish that. He felt helpless at the thought of not being there to protect her. Though Emery had only been in his life a short while, he couldn't think of his life without her in it. And that confused the hell out of him. He knew friends could be close to one another, he had been that close to Culter. But with Emery, it felt different, and he wasn't sure why.
It couldn't be because of her attitude. She reminded him of Cutler in a way-albeit more reckless than Culter-with each passing day. Their curiousness, quick wit and the fierce drive to help people. So if it wasn't that than what could this feeling be? She was close, but not like friend close, something more and unfamiliar.
He wondered if she felt this way too, but then he thought she was more in tuned to her emotions than he was. She probably knew exactly what she was feeling. He dimly thought to ask her, but then a crawling awkward feeling buried itself in his gut with the thought. He for some reason didn't like the idea of telling her and it caused him that much more confusion. He would much rather figure it out on his own first, instead of bothering her. She had too much on her mind anyway. Even though he didn't think this Doctor Amari was anything great-if she was, the Brotherhood might have already recruited her-he hoped she at least had been able to help Emery.
As he walked towards the Memory Den, his thoughts had drifted towards Emery's discussing with Piper and the Synth. He felt the ghost of his irritation spike with the Memory of Emery jumping in-between him and the synth; the barrel of his gun pointed right at her chest. When she had jumped in the way like that he had been filled with unbridled terror of staring down at her from the barrel of his gun. She would really protect that synth, that machine? How could she come to care about a pile of walking bolts and scrap? Did she know how dangerous and unpredictable machines were? Obviously this synth Detective was only fooling her. Sent by the Institute to keep an eye on her. But why her? Did she had some other connections to the Institute other than the kidnapping of her son? And why did they steal an infant anyway? What's the point of replacing a baby? So what were their intentions for the child?
The drizzle now had become a downpour. Thick droplets of water fell and Danse found himself wishing he had his armor instead of his bomber jacket.
His clothes were soaked through when the Memory Den came into view. He had been about to sprint there when he saw Emery emerge from the building. She didn't hold the look of someone who had received good news. Quite the opposite. She held herself in a strange manner, her shoulders sagged unlike her usual laid back casual one. It reminded him of when she had cremated those ferals, but much worse. She looked defeated; tired and empty.
He took a tentative step forward, but stopped when the freak rushed to her. He felt a spike of irritation when the Ghoul placed a hand on her Shoulder, "Slow down there, Sunshine." The freak said, "you outta take it easy."
The synth had then joined the two and moved to stand beside Emery. "You alright there kid?" Danse narrowed his eyes at the façade the synth was using. As if a machine could show empathy, or concern. But why did the old synth even ask that, did something happen? Danse had begun to walk over as the synth continued, "You saw some pretty heavy stuff in there, if you need to talk-"
"I'm fine!" Emery bit back, surprising not only Danse, but the other two as well. "I'm fine," she repeated a bit calmer this time, turning her face away while shrugging off the Ghouls hand. She had then taken a step away from the freak and synth.
"You sure don't seem fine to me." The Ghoul threw back, folding his arms over his chest. "Come on there Sunshine, you don't have to put on a brave face for us."
Danse had had enough of eavesdropping. He needed to find out exactly what had transpired in there. It wasn't like Emery to act like this, and clearly the Ghoul and Synth picked up on that. "What's going on?" He asked surprising the three of them.
"Oh great it's crew cut," the Ghoul grumbled with what Danse thought was a roll of his eyes. The freak had the darkest eyes he had ever seen on a Ghoul. It unsettled him, but he wouldn't show it. "Just who we didn't need."
He shot the Ghoul a look and turned his focus back to Emery, who's focus had turned away from the group. Instead she was gazing down the street with a distant look in her eyes that unnerve him. He opened his mouth to speak but she had cut in, "I'll meet you at the hotel."And without another word, she turned on her heels and walked towards the hotel. Not bothered by the heavy downpour around her.
"Now look what you've gone a done!" Th freak said with a sneer. "We were just about to get her to open up when you came and ruined it.
His brow crease with agitation towards the Ghoul. How dare he accuse him ruining it. Clearly Emery didn't want to talk with the Freak any longer. He didn't give the Ghoul a reply, instead he brushed past the pair and began to follow after Emery.
That was until the synth called out to him. The use of his name from that mechanical voice box caused a wave of disgust to rush over Danse. "Listen Paladin," the synth said in a calm tone. "I ain't gonna go into detail here, the Miss call tell you that herself. But I am gonna say she saw something she shouldn't have had to witness again."
Danse felt his eyes narrow at the synth, "and what exactly happened in there." He said darkly. He was going to give the two the benefit of doubt-against his better judgment-and say that they didn't do anything to harm Emery-intentionally-.
The old synth brushed off Danse's look with a shrug. "I'll let her tell you in her own words." He said as he lit his cigarette. "So be gentle with her…she went through a lot." The mechanical man said, his expression softening a bit as he stared at the direction Emery left in.
Danse scoffed, he knew what he had to do. He didn't need a synth telling him how to cheer someone up. Danse then turned away, but right before he was about to leave he heard the Ghoul scoff behind him. "Are we really gonna let crew cut be the one to cheer up Em?" He said with a sneer towards Danse. "Have you forgotten that he's emotionally constipated, Valentine? Or did the good doctor get your wires crossed back there?"
Danse turned his back, he knew the old synth had made some sort of reply, but paid it no mind. His jaw tightened. It was clear that Emery wanted to get away from those two, so obviously they had made it worse.
Walking back to the hotel he couldn't push aside the sense of dread billowing in his chest. Emery was normally overflowing with emotions, whether it stemmed from happiness or anger; she would always express what she was feeling. It was unlike her to suppress her emotions the way she had.
In their time together he had grown quite proficient at reading her. He could tell when she was happy, sad or even lying-and she was a pretty good liar. When she had walked out of the memory den, it was as if she came out wearing a mask, or had emerged a different person. So closed off, so distant. He didn't like it. Maybe the presence of the Ghoul and Synth had caused her to close herself off, to not show her weakness in front of them.
He shook his head, they were her friends why wouldn't she tell them. Hopefully-no he knew she wouldn't do that with him. They were partners after all, and he had told her she could trust him with anything. And he wanted to help her, after all she had helped him many a time when he was battling with his emotions. What could she had seen in there that caused this emotional switch? It might have been caused by this Doctor Amari, maybe she hadn't been able to help after all.
Danse felt a sense of foreboding as he entered the wing where their shared hotel room was. Whatever caused her sudden change in disposition couldn't be good, and he hoped he would be able to help her. He knew he wasn't the best at these sort of things, emotions never came easy to him. But by steel he wasn't as bad as that Freak made him out to be.
But what could he do to? He wondered, what would help?
Well for starters, finding out what caused this might help. Then maybe he could form a plan. He pushed open the door to their hotel room half expecting Emery to be pacing with anger, shouting and breaking things. Instead she was quietly sitting at the window sill, her hands folded in her lap. She was staring out the window with unfocused eyes, as if her mind had wandered to another place. Her face was blank and even her eyes-which tended to reveal her emotions, held nothing in them as she just sat there, staring.
He felt his heart clench in his chest at the sight. This wasn't like her, this silent unfeeling attitude.
She hadn't even notice him walk in, she just remained where she was. He had began to walk towards her when she shifted, as if a key had been unlocked on her emotions, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She didn't make a sound, nor did she move to wipe them away. She just cried in silent grief. "Oh Nate…" She whispered closing her eyes, and causing more tears to fall.
Nate. That was her husband. Was he somehow involved with this? Was there new information on his murder? But how would she even find out, unless the Doctor had been able to get the device working. He wouldn't know until he asked. But should he disturb her now? He felt like an intruder, barging in on a delicate private moment. But he needed to find out what happened, "Emery?" He called out softly as he hesitantly took a step closer to her.
She turned her head slowly toward him, her eyes held tears in them but they did not fall. She quickly swatted at her eyes and said, "Danse…" She trailed off, "I didn't hear you come in."
His eyebrows knitted together. If this had been another time he would have scolded her about paying attention to her soundings, but now was not the time for that. "Emery, do you want to inform me on what happened at the Memory Den?" This had to be handled delicately, he knew. Hopefully instincts would work because he had no experience with comforting people, well there was that time with Scribe Hayden, but he doubted he helped all that much. After all what could holding someone do?
"Oh," she said with no real emotion. "We have a lead."
He felt this mood lighten, "Really?" He questioned as if not believing her. It was hard to, given her current mood. "What did you find?"
She turned her gaze back towards the window and stared out at it with unfocused, unblinking eyes. "There's an ex-Institute scientist who escaped and is potentially hiding out in the Glowing Sea."She deadpanned. "He might be able to tell us how we can teleport into the Institute."
Teleport into the Institute? Was teleportation even possible? He was inclined to believe so. The Brotherhood, nor anyone for that matter had yet to find a way into the Institute. It made sense. Just one more reason to take them down. They shouldn't be allowed to use that kind of technology, since they clearly were misusing. If they truly did have the ability and the machinery necessary to teleport, it only made him wonder what else the Institute was hiding. "How did you find all that out?" He asked taking another step closer. "Was it that chip you had found? Did the Doctor really get it to work?"
Emery leaned forward in her chair and rested her chin on her hands while still staring out the window, "Yes, we were able to see Kellogg's memories." She said casually. "I saw a synth teleport with my son back to the Institute."
She saw Kellogg's memories? Maybe this Amari had known what she was doing after all, yet why wasn't she happy? She just figured out how to get into the Institute, granted they didn't have a way in, but they now knew how they did it. He looked at her hunched form and let out a sigh, she didn't even seem to notice when he slid down into the seat next to her. "This is outstanding news!" He said with a smile, "not only did you discover a way into the Institute but you got to see your son alive and well." He then hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder. He felt uneasiness and a wash of awkwardness creep down his spine. But underneath all that he couldn't help but feel a jolt of excitement being this close to her. He didn't know what that meant, it was all new to him, but what he did know was that Emery wouldn't hesitate to reach out to someone. So if she could reach out to him, he could do the same for her. He had been surprised-albeit a trifle disappointed when she didn't respond to his gesture. She just raised her head and looked from his hand to his face blankly.
"Why aren't you celebrating?"
"I just don't think I have it in me." She said, her voice lacking her usual strength and vitality. She then stood up, his arm dropping from her shoulder. Emery walked over to her pack which had been placed neatly on the bed-another out of character thing for her to do. She kept her back to him when she added, "He's ten now. I've lost ten years of his life that I'll never get back." Her shoulders sagged as she loosely gripped the fabric of her backpack.
So this was about her son Shaun, not her husband. He couldn't imagine the pain she must feel. Loosing those years with her son… He stood up and had walked over to her before he even realized it. "Emery." He said gently as he once again reached out to her. Though this time he reached for her hand, which he held in his. Her hand was much smaller then his. He also noticed how soft and delicate her hands were, though he could feel callouses underneath his own. "I promise you, well get Shaun back, and you won't have to miss out on the other years."
She looked up to his eyes, her own were still hallow as she searched his face. She then closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I know. " She said with a tiredness to her tone. "But enough about me…we should be getting back to the Brotherhood."
He didn't want it to be 'enough about her', he wanted to get to the source of her troubles. He wanted to know exactly what had happened when she saw Kellogg's memories, what she could have seen that caused her to bottle her emotions and put on this mask of unfeeling. And why was she so ready to return to the brotherhood when earlier she had been so adamant against it. He wanted to return to the Prydwen but not now. Emery had been right earlier when she said they both needed the rest, and by the look of her now she really needed it. "We'll leave in the morning." He said giving her hand a squeeze."We both haven't slept that much in the last few days."
Se pulled her hand from his grasp and stepped away from him. He couldn't explain why this action had caused him so much disappointment in him. "We've pulled all nighters before." She said with a shrug and looking away from him. "What's one more?"
Danse pressed his lips into a firm line. If she wasn't responding to his gentle pushes, maybe she'd listen to his rank. That normally got her angry, but he would take that over this. "You're getting sleep tonight solider." He said sternly, folding his arms over his chest, "well leave first thing in the morning, that's an order."
He waited for her to shout back at him, calling him out on the use of his rank. It never came.
Instead she hung her head in silent defeat, "alright." She said as she placed her pack down on the ground and turned for the washroom. "I'll just…clean up before bed then."
He said nothing, lost for words he just stared at her retreating back as she closed the door behind her. He felt a rise of different emotions that he couldn't quite place. Alarm, concern, worry? Fear? Was it even possible to feel all those at once.
This wasn't like her, she wouldn't brush him aside the way she had. She would have shouted back at him for pulling his rank, she might have even possibly…blushed, when he held her hand. But she did nothing. Not only her attitude had taken a turn but her physical appearance as well, she looked like hell, haggard, with eyes that were deeply haunted. He hadn't the faintest idea how to comfort someone in so much pain. He ignored the voice that called out saying the Ghoul had been right but Danse shook that off. Even if he hadn't been able to help yet, didn't mean that the Ghoul was any better at this.
It was clear to him now that she would continue close up into herself and he couldn't let that happen. He needed to get her to open up to him, but how? His first attempt did nothing, what could he possible do next? He wasn't the best, hell he was probably the worse-besides the ghoul and the synth-at trying to help people with emotions. Maybe he could get advice from Hayley, or convince Emery to visit Cade when they got back to the Prydwen.
What would Emery do if the situation was reversed? She would be stubborn about it, and keep pushing until the other person pushed back.
So thats what he had to do.
The air was thick with moisture as he watched the ceiling fan twirl like the blades of a Vertibird. Slowly the ceiling blades speed increased until the room around him melted into a beach and he was no longer laying down in a bed, but rather standing with the roar of Vertibird propellers overhead.
Danse then found himself running ahead and the beach morphed into a hallway thick with the pungent smell of mold and decay. The sides littered with mutilated corpses and bones.
A scream echoed around him and he felt a sense of urgency swell within him. He ran faster. Faster. His footfalls vibrated in his ears.
The darkness around him faded and he then realized he was standing in a room filled with dead mangled bodies, rotting corpses and piles of gnawed on bones. He stood with his rifled held out in front of a large half human mutant. One side larger, greyer and more grotesque. Holotapes dug into the neck of the malformed creature, "where were you?" The monster screamed in agony, its voice thick with it.
Frozen, Danse found himself unable to answer, the words on the tip of his tongue, yet nothing came out. "You were too late!" The beast roared as it charged.
Danse panicked.
Gunfire and a monster's scream of pain.
"Culter-"
"Danse!" Called out a soft voice, echoing around him.
"Danse…"
Danse's eyes snapped open, alertness flooded his senses as a clouded panic gripped him mind. Someone was holding him down, but he couldn't see, all around him was blurry figures. He lashed out and gripped whoever was holding him, the figure let out a small squeak.
"Danse." The figure spoke with a hauntingly familiar voice. "I need you to wake up, you w-were dreaming, it wasn't real." The voice struggled with pain. "P-please Danse, your hurting me."
Clarity washed through him like the opening of a dam. His vision returned as he gasped in belated horror as he released his grip on Emery's upper arms. "I…I…" He stuttered out, he had no words. But his mind raced with them. How, why? He had never lashed out at someone before, never tried to attack when he came out of one of his nightmares. Granted no one had been witness to him having one before but... "You shouldn't have woken me up…I could have-"
"You were tossing and turning so much." She cut in. "I was worried…"
He stared at her as she sat there on the edge of his bed, her eyes casted downward. "I'm fine." He said in hopes of her believing it. She clearly had a lot on her mind, he didn't want to worry her.
She looked up at him with troubled knowing eyes, he knew just by looking at her face, she didn't believe him. He thought for sure she had been about to approach the topic-he even prepared for it. But instead she stood up, "Alright." She said softly. She then crawled back into her bed, and turned her back to him, "goodnight."
"Goodnight." He said slowly, while easing himself down on the bed. While he was glad she didn't push him to tell her, he was also troubled that she didn't. His own troubles aside he needed to figure out how to help her before she completely shut him out.
He missed the old Emery, even if she was hotheaded and reckless. He was even beginning to miss her pushiness. It proved that she cared. Now it seemed she was trying to suppress her emotions.
He glanced over at her back. Her breathing was shallow which meant she was still awake, was she having trouble sleeping as well? If only he could get her to open up.
It was then that he had came up with a plan. If talking about it didn't help, maybe distracting her would.
"So what type of music do you like?" Danse asked as they walked down the beat up old road that led out of the city. Just as planned the two had left early that morning and they had made good time. It was near sundown and the Prydwen was already in sight. Not long now till they'd be on a Vertibird up there.
They had left quietly without running into the old synth and the Freak. If Emery had been disappointed with that she didn't show it. She had remained silent for most of the trip, though on occasion she would reply with a few short words when asked a direct question. Normally by now she'd try and strike up a conversation. So if she wasn't going to it, than it was up to him. "I only ask because you hum to yourself a lot."
She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. That had probably been the most emotion she had shown in the last day. Maybe this distraction plan would work. She then turned to face forward, her expression slowly faded into a blank distant stare. "A little of everything."
Danse's forehead creased. He would just have to push it. Think like how she would. "What about a personal preference?" He said, "you listen to that radio of yours a lot so I thought you liked music."
She didn't turn her head to him, but looked through the corner of her eye, "why the sudden curiousity?"
Danse cleared his throat, "Just making conversation." He said slowly. "I pegged you as a sort of person who likes that really catchy upbeat music, where they have a group of men dancing and singing together."
That seemed to have gotten a reaction out of her. She turned towards him with her lip twisted into a sort of disgusted sneer. "What, a boy band?" She said with a snort, "hardly. I'm more of a rock, classical type." She finished crossing her arms and giving him a hard look.
He smiles, keep it up. "Classical and rock?" He said with a hum to his tone. "Seems like a contradiction to me.
She blew air out of her nose and shot him a look, "I'm a contradicting person."
He wanted to agree out loud, but something told him she might slip back into herself again. "Which song do you like the most?" He asked trying to keep the conversation going. It was clear to him that she was passionate about music.
She shook her head turning back ahead of her. "You wouldn't have heard any of the songs I like." She said half-heartily.
"Try me." He said quickly. "You said you like classical, well Cutler used to listen to a some so I might know of a few."
She looked back up at him quizzically. "Well, I used to listen to a lot of Johann Strauss II and some waltzes." She said with a shrug of her shoulders, "I have a few more, but, those aren't really classical, so you probably haven't heard any. I do like other types of music, but it really depends on the mood I'm in."
"What about Country and Blue Grass?"
She pulled a face, "Sorry Danse. Not a big fan of either." She said with a shake of her head. "But my father was. He used to play a lot of it in his shop. Used to drive my brothers and me crazy."
"Well you father sounds like a sensible man. "Danse said puffing his chest out a bit. He knew his taste in music wasn't common, but he had been surprised that she didn't like it. "Was your father a merchant in the Vault?" He knew little of the inner workings of the Vaults, but he did know that each Vault Dweller were assigned to different task based on test they took.
That distant far off look returned, but a slight smile accompanied it. "A mechanic." She said closing her eyes, "he taught me everything I know about fixing, building and tuning things. He was one of the best."
Was? Did she have any family left? Maybe her Brothers. "What about your brothers?" He said. "You had mentioned them earlier.
She let out a solemn chuckle as she opened her eyes. "I had three older brothers. Triplets in fact." She said as she looked away from him. "Lionel, Lance and Lawrence. All wise asses. You would have liked Lionel. He was always by the books kind of person, and he loved to tinker. Him and Nate-"Her voice suddenly caught in her throat and he caught a glimpse of her eyes misting up before she promptly closed them. "Nate used to tinker at gun mods for hours when they were together."
She tried to fake a strong voice, but Danse could still hear the sorrow in her tone. He felt his brow furrow, why wasn't she allowing him in? Didn't she know she could trust him, that that was what he was there for? As her sponsor and her friend he was there to support her, to look out for her and to just be there for her.
But at last she had been sharing some of her past with him. He wondered dimply if he could asked what happened to her father and brothers, but decided against choked up when she had mentioned Nate. "So music." He said deciding to change the topic back. "I've caught you humming a lot, got a reason for it?"
"I had liked to sing." She said with a shrug, "I used to do a lot of singing a long time ago."
"Why don't you do it anymore?" Her voice was very pleasant when she spoke. Soft, gentle, and it could switch to fierce and harsh when she wanted to. He had been growing a little curious at the thought of her singing.
"I haven't felt like it." She said her eyes narrowing as she looked ahead. "That and there's not much use singing can do for me out here."
Danse paused in his walking as Emery continued on, without noticing his sudden halt.. He had realized that while she was still being distant, she was also subtly telling him-or at least he assumed-what was wrong. He continued walking, but walked at a slower pace so he stood behind her. If she had intended to do that, he wasn't sure. Whatever she had seen in Kellogg's mind had triggered other emotions, maybe caused emotions she had suppressed to resurface. And if that was the case, she clearly was proficient at hiding her emotions. Unless of course he just hadn't noticed.
That thought made Danse freeze instantly overcome with shame. He should have noticed something before this point. Maybe there had been signs, and if there was he had neglected them. Focusing instead on the mission or task at hand. While those were both extremely important, Emery's well being was too. He should have been paying more attention.
He caught up to her with ease. In his power armor, his strides were that much wider. She didn't so much as look at him as he rejoined her pace. Maybe she didn't notice him falling behind, he thought crescent fallen. He had to find some way to get her to open up to him. They were nearing the Prydwen now, and when they got there it would be a while before they could get a private moment to talk. It had to be now. "Emery." He said gently. "I uh, wanted to ask you something."
"Hm?" She hummed looking ahead. "What's that?"
"Will you tell me the cause to your sudden depression?"
She paused briefly in her footing, but picked up the pace. "Will you tell me why you try to avoid sleeping?" She asked abrasively, her eyes glared ahead of her.
"Ah." He had been thrown off by her question. Even though she was clearly depressed, she still wanted to find out what troubled him. But this wasn't about him-and he wasn't planning on making it about him either. This was about her. "I don't try to avoid sleep." He lied.
She looked up at him, her face blank, but her eyes had a certain knowing in them that made him feel a little uneasy. "Is it because of the night terrors?" She asked blatantly.
By steel, when did this discussion turn on him? "No." He said flatly. "And we are not discussing me. This is about you." He needed to be careful, she was catching on.
She shrugged and turned her head away from him. "I'm fine, so there isn't anything to discuss."
She was being stubborn, extremely stubborn. He could feel himself wanting to slip into his rank. He wanted to command her to tell him, order her to confess what she was holding back, but he knew that wouldn't work... She would just bottle it all in and never let him back in again. They'd just be Paladin and Knight again. Not friends, not what they were now.
He never fully realized how afraid he was at the thought of loosing her companionship. Be her friend not her commanding officer, that's what she wanted, and that's what she needed right now. "Emery, please talk to me." He urged gently. "Your recent behavior-it isn't like you."
She turned her head sharply toward him with wide troubled eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but then she bit down on her lip and turned her face away from him. "I don't want to talk about it." She said as she wrapped her arms around herself. "Please, just drop it."
He didn't want to drop it, but one look at her guarded expression told him any further attempts would only push her that much further away. He would do as she asked for now. But he wouldn't stop trying, because he knew she'd do the same to him.
The air base was just around the corner now, it wouldn't be long until he was back up in the skies. Maybe she would be ready to talk after a good nights rest on the Prydwen and a warm meal and hot shower.
Those all sounded outstanding to him.
There was nothing like flying. Feeling the wind around you, being high up in the air felt like all your problems were left on the ground. That was one of the many reason why Danse enjoyed being stationed aboard the Prydwen so much. That and the view was outstanding. From up on the flight deck, one had a spectacular view of the Commonwealth below. Even though it was a hollow shell of its former glory, it was still a sight to behold. He wondered vaguely what it had looked like before the greed of those that lived there destroyed it.
He looked to Emery in hopes that being up here had the same effect on her that it did on him. Unfortunately she still had that same far off look. She moved as if she were in a fog, like she walked the earth as if she were a ghost. There but not really there. He wanted to reach out to her and try to engage in a topic but that wouldn't be appropriate. They were on Brotherhood soil-figuratively speaking-they were back to being Paladin and Knight.
But that didn't mean he couldn't engage in Brotherhood related topics. It would keep her mind off whatever plaqued her. "We'll go see Elder Maxon and report in." He instructed with his usual military was still trying to be gentle while still retaining his rank. Couldn't show favoritism, especially in front of Captain Kells. "After why don't you get settled in?"
Emery gave a half shrug before turning the hatch to the Prydwen. "Sure." She said as she opened the door and walked through.
Danse watched her for a moment wondering if their conversation from earlier had only made things worse for her. She seemed more closed off and distant than she had before. Would leaving her alone for a while help? Or would that make it worse. Maybe-and he really didn't like the idea-he could ask Haylen for advice. She and Emery were friends after all. Haylen could have some insight that might be beneficial to him. He would seek her out after reporting in with Elder Maxon, and dropping off his Power Armor.
Elder Maxon greeted the two as they entered the meeting room. He gave them a nod and folded his hands behind his back. Though he was young in age, the Elder just by his mere stance alone could strike admiration in Danse. He was proud that the young boy he had befriended in the Citadel had grown into the Elder that stood before him today. "I see you both have returned." The young elder said with distinction. "Report."
Danse took a step forward, he was eager to tell their Elder their results. "We have news on an ex-operative that had worked for the Institute. We believe he is hiding out in the Glowing Sea." From what Emery had told him it had seemed like the Ex-operative, this Virgil had escaped there because he had known the Institute couldn't follow after him. But how Virgil had managed to get there and not get sick from radiation exposure was a mystery to them. He had informed the Elder as such.
The Elder arched his brow as he shifted his standing position and unfolded his arms, "That is interesting news." He said evenly. "May I asked how you received this information?"
Danse had opened his mouth to answer when Emery, who had been silent for the debriefing jumped in. "From a mercenary Named Kellogg." She said flatly. "He was a top operative for the Institute."
Danse realized she had intentionally omitted how exactly they got the information from Kellogg. He turned back to the young Elder fully ready to inform him on what she had left out when Elder Maxon spoke up, "I'm fully aware on who this Kellogg was." He said with a nod. "I assume you would like to be the one that finds this Virgil, am I correct Knight Gilmore?"
"Yes." She said monotone. "If possible I would like to depart as soon as I am allowed."
Danse did a double take. She was being so professional so out of character. He didn't know she had it in her.
It also increased his concern for her.
"You may after a quick mission I have for both you and Paladin Danse." Maxon said as he glanced between the two of them. "I will brief Paladin Danse in the morning. Rest up because I want you to go to the Glowing Sea as soon as you complete the mission I have in store for you. You are dismissed."
Danse issued the Brotherhood Salute and he glanced through the corner of his vision at Emery who merely nodded her head in acknowledgment at the Elder. If Maxon was insulted by her action he didn't express it. Instead he returned it with a nod of his own. Normally it was customary for a Brotherhood operative to salute their commanding officer if dismissed. If they failed to show their respect a reprimand was in order.
Maybe he wasn't the only one who was lenient with her. Danse vaguely wondered while he and Emery made their way to the living quarters. It made sense for himself, they were friends-close friends as Danse was inclined to believe. He pushed the thought from his mind, he was more than likely reading to much into it. Emery was still a new recruit, she didn't know the inner workings of the Brotherhood yet. Maxon was probably giving her a grace period.
He glanced at her, he wanted to try again to find out what had happened at the Memory Den. Some time had passed since he last tried, maybe she would be more inclined now that they were safety aboard the Prydwen. They were approaching his quarters, it would be the best spot to discuss sensitive private matters. "Knight Gilmore." He said formally. The use of her last name felt foreign to him after saying her first name for so long. "Might I have a word with you somewhere private?"
Emery paused and turned around to face him. She had the look of someone who was trying to be patient. "Paladin." She said plainly. Surprising him with the use of his rank. "If you don't mind I would like to get cleaned up and rest for a while. Can we talk later?"
He deflated. She didn't want to talk with him. "I uh… understand." He said slowly. He really didn't understand why she wouldn't talk with him. Had he said something that made her distrust him? Was she still angry that he had tried to kill and threaten the synth? He had thought they had made up. Unless she just didn't want to burden him with her problems. Danse had hoped that was the case and not the former. He didn't trust the synth and he'd shoot it if it did anything he didn't like, but he wouldn't lose his friendship with Emery over it. "I'll be here if you need me Emer-I mean Gilmore. I just want you to know that."
She bit the bottom of her lip and turned away. "Thank you Danse." She said barely above a whisper. Danse might not have heard it if they weren't standing as close as they were. "Goodnight." She said walking towards the sleeping quarters.
Lost in a sea of doubt and drowning concern, Danse stood still watching her retreating form until she was gone. That was when he decided he needed backup.
Time to find Haylen.
When the Prydwen had first arrived in the Commonwealth only a few operatives had been called back to be reassigned. Danse had been chosen from his recon squad, while Haylen and Rhys had been told to wait for orders.
In Danse's absence though-while he was off with Emery-both Haylen and Rhys had been reassigned to different post. Rhys had been issued a small squad of his own and had been deployed on a recon op, while Haylen reported back to the Prydwen. He was grateful for that. He hadn't thought of what he would do if she wasn't stationed aboard the Prydwen.
He found Haylen working with a few other scribes in the mess hall, which given that the hour was late, had very few people in it. They seemed to be working on a piece of circuit board. He approached the group who hadn't seemed to notice his presence, too caught up in their tinkering. Clearing his throat he startled the group of scribes who had jumped out of their seats. All except for Haylen who rolled her eyes and gave him an amused smile. "Paladin Danse." She greeted rising from her seat and issuing him a salute. "It's been a while. Good to see your well."
Danse returned her salute and gave her a smile, "like wise scribe." He said formally. "I was hoping to get a word with you, in private."
Haylen gave him a nod, "Of course sir." She then turned back to the other scribes, "nobody touch my tools."
They had walked in silence down below the sleeping quarters. It was when they reached the lower level storage that Danse realized he hadn't the faintest idea on how to ask for help. He didn't want to seem like he was showing favoritism towards Emery, and he didn't want to reveal anything Emery might want private. But he was out of options at this point.
He became aware that they stopped and Haylen was watching him. He cleared his throat, "Haylen I need your help with something." He paused, "off the record."
Haylen raised an eyebrow, "Off the record?" She repeated. Her expression soon drifted into realization, "this had to do with Knight Gilmore, am I correct?"
By steel was it that obvious he was concerned? "Uh, yes." He said as she rubbed at the back of his neck. "How did you know?"
Haylen smirked and crossed her arms, "because she's been acting very strange since the two of you returned. " She said. "And you've been watching her like she's about to make a run for it. So wanna tell me what's going on?"
He wasn't used to speaking with Haylen so informally. They were speaking off the record to one another, he had to remember that. "I uh well." He was at a loss for words. How does one ask for help, in order to help someone else?
Haylen grinned with a spark in her eyes, as if she knew what he wanted to ask. "Have you've tried to distract her?" She asked, "Keep her mind off whatever is troubling her?"
It would seem Haylen knew him better than he thought. "Yes but it didn't seem to help." He said, "Well it had, until I mentioned her family."
Haylen nodded her head and hummed, "What about doing something fun with her?"
"Something fun?"
"Yeah like playing those Holotape games she likes. Maybe read a book, listen to music or maybe swap stories?" She said uncrossing her arms, she stepped towards him. ."It's clear she doesn't want to talk about it, since if you knew what was troubling her, I think you'd know how to cheer her up. So just show her your there for her, and just distract her without pushing her to tell you her problems. She'll tell you when she's ready."
Danse mutely nodded his head. He'd have to have patience then. Somewhere in the back of his mind he had known that. "Thank you Haylen."
"Your welcome sir." She said with a smile "Now I better get back there before they cross the wrong wires on that motherboard we were working on." She gave him a parting salute before she climbed up the stairs.
Something fun. Well the two of them had the night off. If she didn't feel like talking hopefully she felt like being distracted.
I stirred in bed as I tried to get some sleep. Even though the pillow was lumpy with age and years of use it still felt cool against my cheek and relaxed me slightly. The sheets bristled against my skin as I turned onto my side a fifth time. I sighed and opened my eyes. The others slept peacefully around me, blissfully unaware of the bout of insomnia that plagued me.
Every time I closed my eyes, images flashed in my mind; Kellogg's sneer, Nate being shot, his blood spraying around him, and Shaun being ripped from his arms, screaming. Over and over the scene played on loop, haunting me with its daunting repetition. Even awake the memory still tormented me, threatening to drown me with the despair that followed in its wake.
The sheets felt constricting and a cold burn rushed through me. Suddenly I had that itch to run, to keep running until I outran those memories. I scrambled out of bed quietly, all the while resisting that urge to just bolt out of the room. I grabbed my jacket and silently made my way to the upstairs. I had no idea what my plan was exactly, but I knew I couldn't just lie in bed. Moving was the only thing that helped, the only way I knew how to keep those problems and images at bay.
I peered out into the corridor. Deserted. No noises either, I wondered whether everyone in the entire ship was asleep, but I knew that couldn't be true. As I walked down the corridor and through the workshop I began to take notice of a few signs of life. The workshops were vacant but a few of the Power Armor stations had work lamps still on, and scattered tools among had been working must have darted out of the room.
I had been tempted to find an odd piece of armor or weapon I could work on. Back before the war I used to tinker with engines or circuits in the house when I had been stressed. I had learned that from my father who, whenever he was depressed or had a lot of his mind, would go into his shop to work on cars. It was how our family project came to be. Before I married Nate and moved out, my father and my brothers had started working on an old junker my father had Found at Hub City Auto Wreckers. It was an old 1961 Jaguar E-Type that ran without the use of nuclear energy. It had taken us years just to get the wiring correct. We had just started working on the engine when I had gotten a lead roll in a musical. We hadn't gone back to working on it since Nate had been deployed the year after.
I wondered if its still there?
I pinched my eyes closed feeling them sting with tears at the mention of my father. I knew I couldn't tinker, it would just serve as another painful reminder that everyone I ever knew, everyone that I ever loved was dead. Killed by the actions of others that had no right to chose whether we went to war or not. Whose selfish deeds condemned the people who were just trying to live their life.
I darted out of the room while gaining control of my frantic pulse. Even in this floating fortress with unfamiliar people, I could still find some semblance of my former world. Before the torture of that memory of the day my life changed, I grasped at the familiarity, now I dreaded it. I had to find something…
Faces passed through my mind, friends, family, Nate…I felt my heart constrict and my breath caught in my throat. I would never see anyone I knew ever again. I would never see Nate, never hear his laugh. Oh god, he had a beautiful laugh. We'd never dance together again, I would never see him smile.
I gripped the bars of the stairs up to the command dec, to keep from falling over. My knees buckled but I remained upright with belated breaths. The walls felt suddenly closer and everything was spinning.
Get a grip Gilmore! My singing coach used to tell me. Get a grip! I tried to tell myself now. I had to reel my emotions in, I had to put that mask of 'I'm okay' back on before anyone saw.
God I wish I was anywhere but here. The Prydwen wasn't on my list of favorite places to be, and being here felt like I had to prove myself to everyone one. To keep up the façade that I was a solider, that I was strong and could face anything that crossed my path. Danse felt safe and at home here, while I on the other hand felt more alone and isolated. These people hated the misuse of technology and those who committed the act, while I was born into an era where that was all too common.
I glanced to my left towards Danse's quarters. My eyebrows knitted together as I swallowed my breaths. I knew I hadn't been treating him the best lately, but I knew if I had forced a smile or tried to act happy he would see right though me like he always did. I just hadn't the energy to keep up a mask for him if he'd just see though it. It warmed my heart that Danse was trying to reach out, yet it made me feel that much guilt. How could I be happy that Danse was trying to reach out to me when in my mind Nate had-had just died again.
He was concerned, and trying his best to cheer me up, yet I pushed him away. God I was being such a damn hypocrite! I knew I would have to tell him the cause of my misery, but that would also reveal the truth about me. That I was out of date, out of time pre war relic that didn't belong in this world. I wonder which he'll hate more, me being from a time where the misuse of technology caused his world to happen, or me hiding it from him for so long.
Turning my gaze from his door I somberly climbed up the ladder to the main level of the ship. I had to find something to keep my mind from my thoughts, I needed a distraction.
The upper level was as abandoned as the living quarters. No soul in sight. It was strange to see the Prydwen so quiet. But then again it was late, and even Brotherhood soldiers had to sleep. As I glanced around I noticed that there were sounds coming from the communications deck. It would seem that I wasn't the only one that was restless.
I peeked down into the room to see a lone scribe leaning against his mop. The gentle rise and fall of his chest told me he was sleeping. And if I hadn't noticed that, I would have certainly noticed his snoring. One would have to be bone tired to fall asleep standing up. As I approached the young scribe I noticed his facial expression was one of exhaustion. He had a deep purplish-blue hue to his eyes and he looked ragged. Poor boy, I thought. Not wanting to spook him, I gently gave his shoulder a shake.
His eyes sluggishly opened and he let out a wide yawn. Alertness seemed to have awaken him and he quickly scanned the room in a panic. His gaze fell onto me and he dropped his broom and gave me a shaky Brotherhood Salute. "Ma'am. " He said his tone uneven and musky with sleep.
I placed a hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh, "Uh, at ease." I told him, and the young boy relaxed slightly, his eye lids drooping a little. "What are you doing awake at this hour?"
"It was my turn to sweep the Prydwen." The young scribe said with a nod.
"This late though." I would have thought there'd be a curfew in place for all the junior members of the the Brotherhood.
The boy blushed, "well you see..." He began to fidget with the seams of his shirt. "I had forgotten and I only just remembered that I hadn't done it yet."
It was a good thing I had found him and not Captain-stick up his ass- Kells. The boy probably would have gotten a harsh reprimand. I bent down picked up the broom and gave the scribe a smile. "Why don't you head off to bed?" I said, "I'll take it from here."
The boy shook his head, his curls bouncing back and forth with the motion. "Oh no ma'am I couldn't let you do that." He said nervously, "It's my respo-"
"It's also your responsibility to get a good nights rest so you can properly do the things you need to do." I scolded, "Your falling asleep as you work and it clearly shows." I didn't wasn't to be harsh with the kid, but he needed to know that he had to sleep. What was with Brotherhood soldiers and not sleeping?
The young scribe looked down to his toes, "but Captain Kells…"He whispered.
"Won't hear of it." I grinned when the boy snapped his head back up at me, eyes wide with surprise. "I won't tell him if you won't."
A wide grin slithered up the boy's face, "I won't ma'am!" He said with an enthusiastic nod, "and thank you!"
I smiled, "your welcome, now head off to bed."
The boy didn't waste another second, he scrambled his way hastily and clumsily up the stairs and was out of my sight within seconds.
My smile didn't fade, thinking back the young scribe was about Shaun's age, if Kellogg's memory was anything to go by. It got me thinking that when I did get Shaun back, I definitely was not bringing him here. While military life was just dandy for Nate and I, I didn't quite care for the idea of Shaun being around all this.
I felt a stab of pain in my chest at the thought of my boys, and images soon floated in my mind.
I shook my head, I then tied my hair back into a high ponytail. If I was cleaning I didn't want my unruly mop getting in the way. As I was tying it back my gaze caught my pipboy and I remember that I had found an old mixed Holotapes while looting through some junk the other day. I had put it in my pipboy, but I hadn't a chance to play it. Hopefully whatever was on the tap could give me a break from the same songs that played on the Diamond City radio.
*I pulled out the small beat up pair of headphones plugged them into the pipboy and hit the play button. Static crinkled in my ears then slowly a tune floated, drums and synthesizers formed into an upbeat tune. The tempo quicken and familiarity floated into my senses. I felt my foot tap with the rhythm.
'We are young...heartache to heartache we stand…'
I felt myself grin as I began to sweep the floor, in tune to the beat of the song. 80's music, I missed the sound. It had been too long since I heard anything other than classical or 50's music. While the two styles were perfectly fine and enjoyable, I had grown tired of hearing them and longed for a new tune.
'We are strong, no one can tell us were wrong…'
I could slowly feel myself fall under the familiar trance music had over me. The world around me melted away as I became absorbed in the music and the simple task of cleaning. This felt right. I thought to myself, this is what I need.
Sweeping the floor I felt my feet and body move with the beat. I hadn't danced in forever, not since Shaun's birth.
I lost track of time as I continued up the stairs to start on the upper floor, enjoying each song that played. Each cord drifted into my ears, causing me to drift that much farther from my mind. I felt my muscle slacked as I twisted with familiar motions.
It brought me back to a time before I had to learn how to fire a gun, scavenged and fight to survive. A time that was peaceful carefree. A time where I could be myself, a time I could sing or act on stage. It was a life that was familiar, it was a life that was mine.
'Just a steel town girl on a Saturday night, looking for the fight of her life of her life...'
I could feel my voice singing along as I swayed my hips to the rhythm. I just let the music take over, drowning out everything physical around me and focused on the beat.
I soon forgot I was sweeping and instead of using the broom as its intended purpose I found myself using it as a prop. Spinning it over my head, dancing with it.
'She's maniac, maniac on the floor and she's dancing like she never dance before…'
I swung my head back and forth. My ponytail had came loose somewhere between the second and forth head swing. My hair was now flowing madly around but I didn't care. For the first time in forever I felt like I had no problems, no troubles. I can't remember a time when I felt this free.
'Struggling stretching for the peek, never stopping with her head against the wind.'
I missed music like this, I missed dancing and singing and all of this! This just felt right.
"What are you doing?
And I instantly froze.
The hour was late when Danse had begun his search for Emery. After his discussion with Haylen and a shower he felt like he was ready to tackle the situation with distracting Emery. He had grabbed a few books from his own library, a Holotape game he had confiscated from a curly haired scribe who had played it too much and had been neglecting his assignments. He had also managed to grab a few snacks from the mess hall before it closed up for the night. He had an assortment of fancy lad snacks, potato crisp, and gum drops and to wash it all down with, some Nuka-Cola. He knew Emery had a sweet tooth and would enjoy all of them. While he didn't have much of a sweet tooth, he did enjoy the fancy Lad Snacks. He didn't know why the confectionary good never hurt his teeth like all other types of sugary treats did.
He had hoped this would be enough to take her mind off whatever plagued her, and maybe open up to him. He had to prove to her that she could trust him.
He quietly made his way into the sleeping quarters to find Emery's bed vacant with the sheets sprawled out on the floor as if thrown off in a hurry. A muted sense of panic nudged its way into his stomach. In her depression she was unpredictable, what if she decided to go AWOL?
He briskly began searching, he checked the workshop, the mess hall, even Cade's office with no sign of her. Maybe she went out onto the flight deck. He thought feeling a sliver of hope.
As he made his way his thoughts drifted towards the idea of her going AWOL. Would she? He thought she wouldn't especially not after why she had joined. But given her current disposition he didn't know for sure.
He reached the command deck when he heard singing towards the entrance of the Prydwen. The mysterious voice was singing a song he had never heard, not to mention it was an entirely different beat that anything he had ever heard. And in tuned with the song he could hear movement, like dancing?
The singer had an outstanding voice. Smooth, silky and in tune. Curious he peeked and was stunned to see Emery Dancing and swinging while she waved a broom around her. He watch with astonishment as she swayed with grace he hadn't seen her use. And her voice, he knew she like music and had quite frequently hummed to herself but he had no idea she could sing.
He watched as she twirled her head, her copper hair flying around her that it reminded him of a fire. He watched in awe as she moved, swaying her hips in a slow yet upbeat fashion. It was memorizing to watch. It was almost as if he was watching a different person.
"Struggling stretching for the peek, never stopping with her head against the wind..." She sang as she twirled around, pushing her hair from her face. He blinked to break the trance he was caught in and found his cheeks burning. So fluid, unlike any dancer he had ever seen. He had never seen such confident bold moves before. It was as if she had danced her entire her voice sounded like she was one of those singers on the radio.
He watched her turn towards him, eyes closed with an expression he had never seen on her face. Peace. The woman before him looked like a stranger to him.
Emery twirled to face towards the door still absorbed into her music. Danse wondered if it would be alright if he interrupted her. Clearly the music was helping her, but he wanted the chance to talk with her before it was too late. Well he would have to control the blush that overcame his face first.
But right as he took a step forward the hatch opened and Elder Maxon stepped in, surprise was evident on his hardened expression and Danse felt a seed of worry bloom in his chest. The way Emery was behaving-even though the dancing helped-was not Brotherhood appropriate. And Danse worried she would be reprimanded. Why didn't he stop her sooner! "What are you doing?" The younger Elder asked his voice booming with authority.
Emery froze and turned towards the elder while pulling her headphones off. Danse could hear the beat of the tune before she switched her pipboy off. "Cleaning." She said sheepishly.
Elder Maxon crossed his arms over his chest, "what a strange method you have there." He said with his brow raised ever so slightly. If one didn't know the elder, one would think his expression stern. But not Danse, the expression the Elder wore was a mocking, teasing one. Danse felt his own brow narrow, it had been a while since Danse had seen that kind of expression on the young elder's face. "And with your method, does it actually involve using the broom as it should, or is it merely for show?"
Emery looked just as surprised as Danse. She hesitated before answering, clearly still shocked. "Ah well, I was but uh, then I just." She glanced down and around before her eyes settled on the Elder. "Lost myself to the music."
Maxon smirked, "I can clearly tell." His tone was light. A contrast to his otherwise stern tone. "You have a pleasant voice, and I don't think I have ever hear that song before. What is it?"
The tips of Emery's ears turned red, and Danse was sure her face was probably just as red, "Ah thank you." She said slowly. "It's called Maniac. It's from the 80's. Great time period for upbeat dance music."
Maxon unfolded his arms and took a step closer. The elder had the look of someone who was curious and for some reason unknown to Danse, it stirred something within him. He didn't have a name for the emotion, it was something he had never felt before. He knew he didn't like it though. "And I take it you like music?" The elder asked.
Emery nodded her head, "yeah I uh used to be really into it." She said and by her tone it sounded like she was smiling. Danse felt that same emotion cement in his chest again. "I used to do a lot more singing and dancing in the past."
Maxon was getting her to open up to him. But how? When Danse had approached the topic of music she had shut him down. Yet here she was freely engaging in conversation. He didn't know why he felt a sudden surge of anger. He should feel relieved that she seemed to be cheering up. "It shows." Maxon said, "You seem to be someone of hidden talents."
Emery let out an airy laugh, "I wouldn't say that." She said rubbing at her neck, "what about you Maxon?"
The elder didn't seem to be bothered by the missing use of his title. In fact his posture even relaxed slightly when she said his last name. "And what about me?" He asked inquisitively.
"Do you have a type of music you like to listen to?" She asked leaning against her broom.
Elder Maxon leaned against the wall, surprising Danse with his relaxed position. Even when it was just Danse and Maxon speaking alone about non-mission related topics, the Elder would still retain his authoritative disposition. But as he watched the two, the Elder didn't look like he was a man who held Power of Command, but instead he appeared to be an average man talking comfortable with a friend. "I myself enjoy a bit of classical music every now and again." Elder Maxon said prideful.
Emery let out a laugh which caused both Danse and Maxon to narrow their eyes at her. "You would." She grinned. "I can just picture you lounging in a beat up old arm chair with a cigar in one hand and a glass of brandy in the other."
Elder Maxon lifted his chin indignantly, "you make me sound like an old man." He said crossing his arms. "I happen to have refined taste."
Emery grinned and leaned against the wall, placing her broom next to her. "Well you certainly don't act your age." She said, "I was surprised to find out that your my age."
'My age?' Emery was Maxon's age? Danse thought. He had assumed she looked young for her age. But her behavior and hot headed attitude did reflect her youth. Danse made a mental note to ask her age later. He never heard Maxon's response, he had been too absorbed in his own thoughts. "So Maxon, which songs do you like?"
The Elder paused and thought it over for a moment before he answered "I would say the Flight of the Valkyries by Wilhelm Richard Wagner." He said with a nod.
"You would…"
The rest of their conversation fell onto deaf ears. Danse wasn't sure why he continued his vigil, but he found himself unable to pull away. They were chatting so casually to one another as if they were two old friends reuniting. Danse didn't know why it bothered him so much, he also wasn't sure why he didn't like the fact that Emery allowed Maxon in, when Danse himself had tried and failed. Weren't Emery and himself close?
He felt another pang of that unfamiliar emotion strike his chest like a bolt of lightening. What was this feeling? And why did he feel it? He shouldn't, he should feel relieved that Emery was cheering up, even if he wasn't the one that caused her to smile and laugh again.
"And what of the music of Swan Lake?" Maxon said breaking Danse from his inner monologue like a crowbar to a door.
Emery snorted. "Of course I like Tchaikovsky's work." She said indignantly. "One of these days I plan on going down to Swan Pond and blasting that song while I fight Swan. That mutant's been plaguing too many settlers..."
Maxon did something next that surprised Danse. He let out a chuckle, something he hadn't done since he was a boy, before he had ever stepped into his role as elder. "You must have a death wish."
She most certainly did. Danse thought with a start. He wouldn't allow it to happen though. While he had full confidence that she could handle raiders, ghouls and to some extent Super Mutants. Swan was out of the question. She wasn't ready for a fight like that. It would over power her within seconds like it had when Maxon had sent a group of Brotherhood soliders down to deal with the abominations. If they had failed then he wasn't about to let her try.
Emery shrugged, "Just living up to my title as impulsive reckless hothead I suppose." She said with a smirk. "So since you're into classical, do you read anything while listening to it?"
"Yes in fact I do. While my collection is limited I have found that Shakespeare was quite talented-"
Danse had heard enough at his point. He pushed himself off the wall he had been camped behind and silently made his way back to his quarters. As he pushed open the door to his room he dropped the bag of goods he had been carrying on his workbench. The Nuka-Colas clanking against the bench. He was too distracted to sort through the contents and return them to their proper places. He also couldn't shake the faint burning feeling of anger that boiled within him. Why should it matter who cheered her up? What was important was that she was feeling better.
Right?
The sun was out, a rare event for mid-May and Danse was planning to make the most of it. They needed to get to their destination quickly so they could move onto more important matters. The Glowing Sea and what awaited them in it. They also had to acquire a protective shielding for Emery, who had ignored his demands that she should use the Power Armor the Brotherhood assigned her. Her response was 'We can make a quick pit stop at my home base. I have something there I can use." Whatever that meant.
He regarded Emery though the corner of his vision. She had been very quiet since they had departed the Prydwen that morning. He had also taken note she had developed dark blue circles under her eyes. Danse felt a gnawing suspicion bite at his shoulder. Elder Maxon couldn't have kept her up all night talking. And she should have been more responsible and had gone to bed when she should have. Well if Maxon wasn't going to drill in how irresponsible that was, well Danse would have too.
Just when he opened his mouth, Emery turned to him and said, "Did you sleep well?"
Danse spluttered and quickly covered it up with a cough in his hand. "Yes." He lied. He had ended up laying awake thinking back on Maxon and Emery's conversation and when he had been able to fall asleep he had another one of his nightmares.
Maybe he should stop lecturing her about staying awake and take his own advice.
Emery gave him a look, "Sure doesn't look it to me,"
Danse felt slightly relieved to see bits of the old Emery peeking out. Even though it hurt a little that he couldn't be the one to help her. He was glad she was cheering up. Maybe if he continued with the light banter maybe that would help. "Same could be said about you." He quipped feeling a tug on the corners of his lips.
She blinked at him and then rubbed at her eye, "do I really look that bad?" She muttered.
His smirk quickly faded into concern. Why was it so hard for him to keep the conversation light? "You look exhausted." He said gently, "did you get any sleep last night?" He was beginning to feel as if their roles had reversed.
She glanced away from him briefly, "Some." She said in a whisper. She was closing up again. Have to change topic and fast, he thought to himself, but right when he opened his mouth, Emery like before turned to him stopping in his tracks. Though this time he didn't sputter. "I took over the cleaning job a young squire had been assigned too. The poor boy was practically sleeping while standing."
So that explained why she had a broom. "You should have been sleeping yourself." He hadn't meant it to come out as harsh as it sounded. He then added in a much softer tone, "We both haven't gotten that much sleep in the last few days."
Emery shrugged, "well it's not for a lack of trying." She said casually. "I did and when I couldn't I roamed around, saw the boy and took over. I needed the distraction anyway."
Did she mean cleaning or talking with the Elder. He didn't want to reveal he had been listening in, but for some reason he wanted to hear her opinion on her conversation with Elder Maxon. "You couldn't have been cleaning the entire night."
"No." She said with a shake of her head. "Maxon had interrupted me half way through."
Danse felt his eyes narrow. She still wasn't using his title. He told her as much.
She gave him a shrug, "He said I could call him Arthur if I wanted to." She said. "But that would feel weird so I'll stick with calling him Maxon. He's not that bad of a guy, you know once you look past all his anti-ghoul anti-nonhuman bigotry-"
Maxon had given her permission to call him by his first name? Even Danse himself didn't call the Elder by his first name. He hadn't since the young Elder was granted his title. Just how close had the two become?
"And what did Maxon want?" He asked. His tone slightly tense. He could feel the ghost of the anger he had felt last night build in his stomach. Though now that he thought about it, he couldn't say it was necessarily anger he had felt. But it was the only emotion he could use that felt like what he was feeling.
"We just talked about music and books." She said. If she noticed his tense behavior she didn't voice it. "I was surprised to find that he liked to read. I would think that a guy like him would be all work and no play. But it's nice that he does non-Brotherhood related things."
Danse felt his eyebrow twitch and suddenly he wanted very much to be off the topic of Elder Maxon. It was strange that Danse felt irritation towards the man he looked up to. The man who he respected and felt such overwhelming pride towards. It made him wonder why. It should be a good thing that Emery and Maxon were getting along. But still, Danse wanted to find another topic. "How are you feeling today?" He said cautiously. "I know the last couple of days you uh, haven't been yourself."
Emery physically flinched and Danse feared that he had done something stupid, again. "About that." She glanced down at her feet, her bangs obscuring whatever expression she was making. "I'm sorry for the way I had treated you these last couple of days. I wasn't myself." She finished and turned towards him. She had a smile on her face, but Danse knew that it wasn't a real one. When she smiled her whole face lit up and she had a certain spark in her eye. This smile however, looked as though she were wearing a mask. "But I'm better now."
Her nose crinkled, she was lying. "Will you tell me what happened?"
The smile faded and she turned her head, "I will. I'm just not ready yet." She said somberly. "But I will. I promise."
Danse felt himself relax slightly, it wasn't what he wanted her to say, but it wasn't a refusal. For now it would do. He could be patient and hopefully it would show her he was there for her. He smiled, feeling some of his anxiousness flow out of him. They were fine, he hadn't jeopardized their friendship by being inadequate at social connections. He have to continue what Haylen said though. Emery wasn't quite up to her normal behavior yet, so he would still need to keep her mind off of it. "So did Elder Maxon brief you on the mission?
"No he said you would prep me on the way. Said that it wasn't too major of a mission, just a quick recon."
He was surprised that the Elder wouldn't tell her. Well maybe it was the nature of the mission might hit close to home for her. "Well, we'll be investigating a Vault that had become a curious issue recently."
"Oh?" She said her tone inquiring. "Well be Vault diving? That sounds interesting. Much better than Ghoul exterminating."
Danse chuckled slightly. He knew all about the task that Knight Rhys had assigned her during her time as an Initiate. She had disliked the task greatly. But they had been good training exercises for her so Danse hadn't put a stop to them. "The Vault is located to the northwest of here, near a small Settlement called Sanctuary. Its Minutemen territory, but we shouldn't be bothered by them-Emery?" Danse stopped when he realized Emery was no longer walking beside him. She froze completely with an expression of almost horror, maybe even fear on her face. "Emery, is everything alright?"
"Vault 111?" She asked quietly, her voice wavering.
"Yes but how did you know?"
Her expression twisted, guarding whatever feeling she felt. "Why are we going there?" She demanded. "Theres nothing there that the Brotherhood would want or could use!" She still didn't move, but she was getting angry.
He was thrown off by her sudden shift in attitude. Did she have knowledge about this Vault that the Brotherhood wasn't aware of? "And how would you know that? Did you come across it during your wandering?"
"No" She said as she started walking ahead, once past him she said in a tone so grim, concern gripped him. "It's my Vault."
-Chapter Seven-
-End-
* I thought I add in the fact that she used headphopnes because it never made much sense to me that when your sneaking, you can you pipboy blare music and no one catches you. So I thought it would be a neat idea if the sole had a pair of heaphones.
Also sorry for the late update, work got the better of me. I also wanted to get a head start on chapter eight and while i was writing it, i realized i never made a decent time line for the actual story, so to save myself some confusion i made one.
I will try to get the chapter done as soon as possible. My friend who reads the story and helps me out is moving to Japan in July so i would like to get up to Blind Betrayal before she leaves...