Chapter 8: A Hunt for Sorries

I sat on the boat to Cottonwood Cove with Lucullus. He shifted around every once in a while. Maybe he was nervous.

"What is wrong with you? You're acting like I have chickenpox."

"What happened between you two? It sounded pretty angry."

"She's pissed off at me for no reason. She thinks I was just telling her what she wanted to hear."

"You guys were doing so well though. Do you ever see how she looks at you?"

"No, she always looks away."

"She gets this look in her eyes like she's going to lose you in a matter of minutes."

I thought about her all the time, but never once did I think she thought of me like I do her. "She really does?"

"Of course. She's crazy for you. I think you should get her something to make it up for her."

"What do you suggest?"

"Flowers wilt. Candy doesn't last long and it typically makes women think you believe that you're over-reacting. I would say something she could wear. Maybe in her hair."

I sat dumbfounded. I never had to think about gifts. They were meaningless. Material objects hold no emotion. Then again, I gave her my Mark. I gave her my history.

"What about a dress?"

"I don't know. You risk getting a size too small, which makes women believe that they're either fat, or that you want them to lose weight." Lucullus looked out into the water, "you also risk getting a size too big, which always results in the idea that you think she's fat."

"Why are women so fucking hard to please?"

"Don't ask me, you're the one with the maybe fiance."

"Maybe, just maybe, I can find a wedding dress that can be adjusted. That could solve two problems: she won't be mad anymore, and she'll believe my intentions."

"Why don't you just get her a ring? They aren't hard to find and you could just get a bunch of different sizes. Slip each one on and find one that fits while she's asleep and leave it on for her to wake up to."

"I might just get her a whole damn jewelry box."

"Don't do that, you'll belittle the ring. Maybe get her the ring and a necklace."

"That doesn't seem hard. I could manage. I don't know what her taste in style is like though. I'll just have to find out. I still want to get her that dress."

"Why find one if you plan to move to Flagstaff with her. Just have one made for her. They have plenty of tailors."

"I hadn't thought about that."

"I see the lights to the cove. We'll be there shortly."

We stepped off of the raft and I set off to find the Courier. I stopped for the night in Novac. I had changed out of my armor because I wasn't a fucking idiot. I rented a room from a man named Cliff and when I awoke in the morning, I felt cold. Sennia was not by my side. Her hair wasn't in my mouth. She was at home, angry with me.

I got dressed in my leather armor and left without looking back. I passed several abandoned houses before I reminded myself to look for a ring.

I opened the ancient door to a small shack. It was a modest house. I rummaged through the drawers and came up short. I looked around for any safes hidden but there was still nothing. A skeleton lay on a bed. I looked at the fingers and found a small, rusted ring.

I held it in my hand. I would have to find a way to remove the grime. The blanket didn't do much for old world dirt.

I pocketed the ring and checked the other houses only to find a small necklace with no hook and a broken watch.

I had to remind myself that these people were common peasants. They didn't have much to begin with.

I made it to Freeside by the time the sun was setting. I checked old abandoned buildings and came out with several rings and earrings and one functioning necklace. Maybe someone on the Strip could clean jewelry. If anywhere could, it would be the Ultra- Luxe.

I stayed the night in the Atomic Wrangler, waking up again with no Sennia. My stomach ached for her presence. My hands clenched the sheets to forget about her. I couldn't no matter how hard I tried. I missed her so much.

I got dressed in my suit and put my hat on before leaving the room. I walked out of the piss pool of a bar and down the street to present the robots guarding the gate with my false passport. The Strip had major security issues that would be dealt with when the Legion wins the war.

My first stop was the Ultra- Luxe to clean the jewelry. I entered through the door and walked to the back where Marjorie would be waiting.

"Hello, welcome to the Ultra- Luxe. I hope it has surpassed all your expectations." She was so insufferably snide. I can't even imagine how she'd react to seeing a slave.

"It has. I would like to ask a favor. You see, my love is quite angry with me. I would like to get her jewelry cleaned. Of course, I would pay handsomely."

"The Ultra- Luxe does not provide such services to the public. No matter how much money you offer." She said with visible disgust.

"Why not, my money is good and I thought this would exceed expectations. It's nothing but lights and costumes on tacky pre- war objects and children who want nothing more than to satisfy their selfish thirst for making others envious when really, you're just going to die like the rest of us and no amount of what you consider 'luxury' will change that. Now, again, will you please clean my love's jewelry."

She stood with large eyes and a mouth wide open. She was hit by reality.

"Close your mouth, you'll catch bugs flying around in your kitchens. No amount of chemicals can get rid of the sins on your plates. Humans really are filthy. Why would someone think to eat one."

She was seething by now. I'd definitely struck a nerve.

"Keep that information to yourself... and we'll have a deal."

"Deal? What happened to having to be apart of your childish club just to get some jewelry cleaned?"

"We have a changed in plans. I'll clean the jewelry if you be quiet. It'll be done in half an hour."

"Here you go, I'll be back when they're cleaned." I put the jewelry on the counter and she pulled them towards her with shaky hands.

"Ave."

"Goodb... Oh my god."

I walked out before she could retort. I felt accomplished while I exited the casino and walked deeper into the Strip.

A familiar woman was exiting the Tops casino, covered in blood. I ran over to her.

"Are you the Courier?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"I was sent by Caesar to give you his Mark."

"What does this mean?"

"It will grant you safe passage to Cottonwood Cove and then to Fortification Hill. He would like to speak to you formally on his behalf."

She took the Mark out of my hand. "Alright. I'll go. Tell him I'll be there next week."

"Ave."

"Goodbye."

Having completing my objective put an extra spring in my step. I walked back to the Ultra- Luxe in time to find Marjorie with the pile of jewelry already cleaned.

"What happened to 'half an hour'?"

"Are you complaining that we exceeded expectations?" She replied through a tight smile.

"Nope. I'm not surprised to be given exaggerations and be met with a disappointment yet again. These are still dirty."

"It's as clean as I could get it. You try, asshole."

"What language from someone as 'pristine' as yourself."

"Just leave, or I'll report you to the authorities Legion spy."

I leaned on the counter to get closer to her face. "Do you really believe that's a good idea? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I expected better. But then again, I always do."

I turned around with the jewelry while she was too busy fuming over being put in her place. I left the casino and the Strip behind me as I started my trip home. To Sennia.

The jewelry jingled in my pocket. I was so lonely and tired. I wasn't stopping for the night. I had to kept going. I walked for a full day and a half before I made it to Cottonwood Cove. I sat on the raft exhausted.

"You made it back quicker than I thought you could. Did you walk back the whole way." Lucullus always showed concern over everyone.

"Yes, now please let me rest."

"Did you at least find a ring?"

I jingled the heavy pocket to answer for me.

"Nice."

I closed my eyes and as soon as I closed them, I opened them to see the Fort. Time went by too fast and I was so tired. It was late so Sennia should be home.

I walked up the hill and to the gate. My legs ached from exhaustion but I was so close to home. I saw the tent and walked faster. I opened the flap.

"I'm home, love."

"Come see. You look tired." She was bed.

I kicked off my shoes and shed my armor. She lifted the blanket and I crawled under. I rested my head on her chest as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.

"I missed you. I'm sorry for the way I acted."

"I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. Oh Mars, I've missed you so much." I nestled into her bosom.

"Goodnight. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Goodnight."