A normal day.
We moved from Heather's place to Railroad HQ, grabbed lunch, and then made a beeline for DC. I agreed to help them out with the understanding that they were going to be helping me out as well. I'd clear shit out, and they would try to find a way in to the institute.
There is an odd sense of normalcy that settled in today. Watching both Heather and Glory interact outside of privacy, no one would have a clue that they shared anything deeper than a sense of mission. I appreciate that. There is still far too much to accomplish to let the frivolity of emotion attachment sway us. I think the greatest growth I have seen since I defrosted has been in Heather. She has gone from an "All synths must die!" mindset to something that is more or less Institute specific and geared towards Gen1 and Gen2 synths. I knew Nick was part of that, but I also learned on the walk home that Glory spilled the beans.
I was glad to hear that. I don't want there to be secrets between the three of us. I was also relieved when I started to pack to leave Railroad HQ that there was no hesitation from Heather. She packed up things and was ready faster than I was. We all said our goodbyes and we headed out. Desdemona had asked us if we could make a run through Cambridge to see if we could find a suitable spot for a safe house. Before I could say anything, she sweetened the deal by offering 600 caps for the job. I would have done it for free, but I am also not going to say no to 600 caps.
Arturo was happy to see us and almost immediately started telling me about all of the ammunition that he had coming in for the RSh. He also had a real gem to show me as well. He plopped the odd looking rifle onto the table as we were unpacking.
"You know.. when you have a chance, you might want to take a look at that juicy morsel I just put on your table..." Arturo was not good at subtlety. I glanced at the table and stopped what I was doing. I found myself staring at the weapon that laid there.
"Is that an M2045?" I had heard about these. Magnum revolver rifles used as portable anti-power armor artillery. I understood why, now that I was able to actually see one.
"Yes.. this one special as well... It has been re-chambered to use the .50 caliber round."
"You have got to be shitting me..." I picked the rifle up. It had some heft to it, but then again it had to. The receiver was designed as a revolver that housed 10 .50 caliber rounds. I didn't even start to think twice. "How much?"
"You do realize that this is the only one like it in the commonwealth. Completely custom..."
"Arturo, cut the shit." I knew he was just being Arturo, but I wanted this rifle.
"For you, 2500 caps." I saw him raise an eyebrow. Too high.
"How about 1500?"
"I couldn't sell it to myself at that price... 2k, no less." He crossed his arms and leaned back.
"Ok... 2k it is... Why can't you ever find me any "special" inexpensive guns?" I tossed four bags onto the table.
"Because, my friend, you have, shall we say, "habits" that preclude you from ever needing or wanting an inexpensive gun..." He has such a way with words. I told him I would pick up 250 rounds on my way out of town in the morning.
We made plans to head up to the Cabot house via a sweep of Cambridge. What I remember of Cambridge is that it was a kind of cute college town... I am pretty sure it is probably full of things, or people, that would love nothing better than to kill me at this point. I am appreciating Xao's dry sense of humor more and more. After Heather told us that the last thing that she had heard about Cambridge was that it was over run with feral ghouls, he shot a simple one liner that about made me piss myself.
"Feral ghouls? I am fine with that... We go way back."
Everyone is crashed and it is barely 10pm. Dogmeat is curled up on the bed. I think he appreciates not having to worry about anything and just being able to be a damn dog. Dog bed, dog bowl, dog treats, and any other dog things I can find. That reminds me - mental note - dog armor.
Shit.
Mental Note #2 - I need to figure out what to do about getting armor for Xao. Well, different armor at least. I have him all geared up in a good set of medium combat armor, but I get it. Me - Black Leather kick-ass NCR coat and Headgear. Heather - Black shrouded kick-ass Widow armor. Xao - medium combat armor.
If Heather is my closest friend from the Commonwealth, I guess Xao is, literally, my oldest friend in the world and I really want to hook him up with something good... I am having Arturo look into acquiring a Gauss rifle for him. He is a hell of a shot, and the thought of him with a gauss rifle just warms my heart.
