Author Notes: Hello, apologies for not getting this chapter out sooner, I've been ill with the flu or whatever it is that is currently going around. Thank you for the support and please leave a review.
Approaching the common house, or the neighborhood nook as she liked to call it, Cadence's eyes diligently swept the road for any signs of life. A nasty fog had settled in overnight and failed to to dissipate by the time she'd drug herself from another restless sleep, much to her chagrin. It was unusual not seeing anyone already moving about in these wee hours of the day, though she doubted right now she'd be able to make anyone out, she could barely see her hand in front of her face. The deafening quiet, while a tad unnerving was just what she needed to get her thoughts in order.
Rubbing tender circles over her temples she ventured to jump start her fried brain, the wheels and cogs remained resting in protest. Her mind was all kinds of unorganized lately and she knew if she didn't do something soon she'd likely go full psycho on everyone. She made a mental note not to sleep on the ground after today, she had enough issues without adding lower pack spasms to the list. Nimbly she bent over, her hands sliding over her lower back and squeezing at the aching muscles, she sighed.
"Well boy...looks like we'll have the workshop to ourselves for a bit." Her eyes wandered back to Dogmeat, who had paused mid trot to arch his back.
His lofty yawn turned to high pitched whine as he completed his stretch, claws scraping against the asphalt before returning to her side. As if on Que she could hear the hoarse hacking of the old seer coming from the nearest bedroom window as the closed the distance to the house. Of all the people in their little community, Mama Murphy, aside from Dogmeat of course, was her favorite person to be around. The woman was strong and witty, even in her old age, things Cadence admired greatly.
It never made a bit of difference that she was an addict, to each their own. In her opinion all that really mattered was that the lady was a genuinely good person, something the Commonwealth was seriously lacking in. Soundlessly she made her way over to the power armor station, arms crossing her eyes fixed on the helmet, the large bug like ovals glaring back menacingly. They fascinated her with their ability to strike fear into a person all while concealing just how scared shitless you actually were on the inside.
"Ya know kid, one of these days you won't need that hunk of scrap...you'll be stronger than you ever imagined." The soft spoken voice startled her, hand reaching intuitively for the ten millimeter holstered snugly on her hip.
Face flushed she turned, seeing the old woman smirking at her and carefully she released the death grip she'd had on the stock. With lips pursed she rested a hand on the shoulder of the metal man. She pondered the woman's words skeptically, knowing all too well how exceedingly vague her predictions were. Still, the fact remained that no matter how pointless it seemed to give anything she said any real weight, it made Cadence worry all the more.
"Geez lady, you tryin to give me a heart attack?"
Mama chuckled wryly, the creases nestled by her tired eyes crinkling with mirth. "I'm sorry, guess I still got a bit of Mad Murphy in me yet."
Shuffling over to the toolbox, Cadence began rummaging around, a feeble attempt at refraining from anymore talks of the future, which were easily dismantled by a short cough from the Seer's direction. Pooching her lips out, she turned slowly, her eyes furrowing as they met the slate blue of the old woman's. An eerie shiver ran down her spine.
"If you say so Mama..."
Murphy nodded dully before disappearing back into the house, slippers scuffing as she went.
Readily Cadence returned her attention to the task at hand, tongue poking out in concentration as she searched for the tools she needed and retreating only when they'd be acquired. Kneeling she slid the welding goggles she'd snatched from the workshop surface carefully over her face and set to work repairing the armor. Dogmeat flopped down on the cold concrete across from her, huffing with apparent boredom.
The swollen sun was high in the sky by the time she finished with all the repairs and upgrades, though it had only been an hour when the first settlers had stirred from slumber. They'd gone about their usual routines of small talk over meager helpings of what was barely considered a breakfast before wandering her way. One by one they wasted no time in expressing concerns to her about the settlement, all while she nodded absentmindedly in response. Already she had a full days work ahead of her and she hadn't even had the pleasure of seeing Preston yet.
Flinging the goggles across the room she stood, stretching her cramped legs out one at a time. There wasn't a chance to wipe the sweat from her forehead when Preston ambled up to her, tipping his hat in greeting. Habitually she ground her teeth at his presence. She knew she was too impatient with him sometimes, which made what she was about to do all the more worth it.
As he opened his mouth to speak, she stealthily popped a sweet roll in, the one she'd skipped over eating at breakfast. Inwardly she was dying with laughter. He instantly started choking on it, his hand snatching at the remaining chunk hanging out. Glaring he tossed it on the ground, to which the now lively pooch happily snapped up.
"General, what the hell was that for?"
"Oh nothing...just wanted to see what it'd be like with something nice coming out of your mouth for once." He straightened uncomfortably, slipping the strap of his gun over his shoulder.
"I know it's a lot to take on, but there isn't anyone else more capable or more qualified to be leader of the Minutemen, besides you've helped so many people already giving them homes, security,...a fighting chance. Surely you see how nice that is?"
Sighing grumpily she leaned back against the wall opposite him, one hand positioned on her hip. "Preston I have no plans to quit the Minutemen but it would be great if someone didn't need rescuing every five minutes...and in case you forgot I still have to find my son,"
Her words stung at his pride, deeply, and he solemnly hung his head, his fingers settling at the top of his worn leather belt. "I'm sorry...you're right, that's important too...but for what it's worth we just need to secure a workshop for a new settlement." Skin bristling she shifted her weight, biting back the rage building up in the pit of her stomach.
Not in any mood to argue further her disdain for being overburdened, she relented, flinging her arm out at him, eyes steadily rolling up to the ceiling. "Fine, mark it on my map and I'll head there after I take care of some things in Goodneighbor first..."
Pausing in thought, her head spun towards him, a stern glare boring into him. "Before you you say a word, I'm aware of your opinions on where I'm headed and I don't need to be refreshed or lectured about it."
Clearing his throat, he nodded in response, his finger clicking away impatiently. She watched a few settlers meander down the street, smiling, waving at her as they did. He was right and she knew it, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of rubbing it in her face. If nothing else came of her continued existence on this wretched earth she'd at least be able to die knowing how much she helped those in need and damn if it didn't feel good to be appreciated.
Finished, Preston re-positioned his laser musket securely in his arms, slightly tilting his head at her. "I don't expect you'll be back for a while, so I'll get with Ronnie if something comes up...good luck Mam."
"Thanks I guess."
Eyebrows raised quizzically she peered down at the bright green screen of her Pip-Boy, her other hand idly tugging the hair at the base of her skull. The new settlement would mean another safe haven and more Minutemen support in the future but already she wasn't thrilled for the journey there. It was off the coast, a few days east of County Crossing at best but she'd be coming up from the city which meant a week for sure, maybe more. Without further need for discussion she pushed away from the wall, purpose filling each step, she sent out a high pitched whistle for her companion.
It was midnight by the time they finally made it to the entrance, both covered in a rather offensive concoction of blood, sweat, and guts. Drowsily she stared down at her furry companion, who was anxiously pacing, seemingly ready for round two of their favorite traveling game, massacre the mutants. Clanking from the suit made her flinch beneath the claustrophobic mask, as she knelt carefully down to her friend and was met with excited tail wagging. A languid smile formed on her haggard face as he continued his infectious nuzzling against the cold metal of her arm.
"You are relentless, you know that?" Ears perking he gave a chipper bark.
She hastily dug an old rag out of the supply pack she'd rigged to the armor on his back. Returning to her aching feet, her face contorted in disgust as she wiped away the remaining bits of mutilated flesh still clinging to her. Tossing the soiled rag into the nearby barrel full of burning debris, she looked up into the cloudless pitch black sky, no stars were visible and she exhaled heavily from exhaustion. Noting the rare silence around her she gently pushed open the worn red door, her companion trotted past her, tongue lolling happily with drool as they crossed the threshold into Goodneighbor.