Disclaimer – I don't own Fallout 3 or any of it's extensive insane, or confusing content.

Chapter Four
Underworld

Marisa shuffled her feet. "I guess not." She murmured. She started walking again, but her way was blocked by Kylar's outstretched arm. "Welcome." He said, sweeping his other hand out in front of him. "To Underworld."

Marisa looked up and down, taking in the front of the Museum. "So the city's in there?" She asked dubiously.

Kylar nodded, obviously happy. "Yup. This place is like a home away from home for me." He sighed happily, and started towards the doors. "C'mon. I'll introduce you to Willow."

"Willow?" Marisa asked. They neared the escalators, and she could make out a figure in the darkness.

"Yeah. She's the city guard most of the time. She stays out here, waiting and watching for travelers and troublemakers respectively. She's a nice girl, maybe a little rough around the edges, but who isn't?"

Closer and closer, the two finally reached the escalators. "Stop!" A gravely voice from the darkness commanded. "Who's there?"

Kylar walked around the sides, and held out his arms, as if to hug somebody. "Hey Willow!" He called. "Got a guest with me. We need to stay the night."

"Waaitaminit. That better not be who I think it is…" Came the voice again.

"It's me! Kylar! Nice to see me again, right?" He asked, still walking forwards, a cocky grin on his face. Marisa just sighed. She'd heard that tone of voice before, even if it was a little hard to make out from the accent.

She was pissed.

And, accurate enough to Marisa's thoughts, a resounding THWACK!! echoed out in the darkness. "Oww!! What was that for?!" Kylar exclaimed.

"Shut up and get inside." Willow growled. "Yeah, yeah. I'm going." Kylar grumbled. "Ya see an old friend, and you assault him. Nice to see you too."

Marisa closed the distance to Kylar's side, nodding at Willow as she went by. "I didn't deserve that." Kylar stated.

Marisa rolled her eyes. "Of course you didn't." She said sarcastically.

"But I didn't!" He protested. He really didn't know why Willow was mad at him, and that just confused him even more. Hmph. Women.

"Anyways. See, this is Underworld." Kylar explained as they walked inside the front doors. "There's a couple other places in the Museum, but if you just go straight forwards, you get into the city."

The couple reached the doors to the city, and walked in. Some passing ghouls looked them over, cautious of what they may or may not start. Marisa shuddered, and took a deep breath.

"What's the matter?" Kylar asked. "Oh, right. You're not used to ghouls. These are probably the first you've ever seen, huh?"

She shook her head. "No. There was a ghoul, Gob, in Megaton. But I didn't ask what he was. I thought he didn't want to talk about it."

Kylar chuckled, leading her upstairs. "Still, I'm sorry for bringing you here, and not somewhere else. You're probably not used to th-" Kylar stopped walking, and smacked himself(Facepalm). "Damnit! I should've taken you to the Hole. Now we have to smell ghoul and pay for room and board." He groaned.

Obviously in a bad mood, he kicked at a laughing ghoul in a wig and red pajamas on the floor. "Move it Snowflake." He growled.

Snowflake started laughing uncontrollably, but rolled to the left slightly. The two walked by. "What's wrong with him?" Marisa wondered.

"Pfft. He's tweaking out on Jet. Now I don't blame him, there's nothing to do in Underworld for him. He's a barber, you see. And there's no hair. So he got himself addicted to jet. Baa--ad habit, let me tell you. And recovering's no picnic either." Kylar advised.

Marisa raised both eyebrows, and shot him a glance. "You speak from experience, don't you." She said.

Kylar nodded. "Yup. Most wonderful stuff in the world, but I don't think you should take any. You're fresh from a Vault, and your body's not as strong as anybody else's." He sighed. "Come. We'll rent a room from Carol."

"Carol?" She asked, walking through a doorway. "Yes?" A raspy voice asked. "How can I help you? Oh, Kylar! It's soo good to see you again!"

"Hey Carol." He answered. "How's it goin'?" he asked. "Ooh," She said, waving her hand dismissively, "I'm fine. Who's this?"

Marisa stuck her hand out, which Carol took, somewhat surprised. "I'm Marisa. Nice to meet you." She said sweetly. "So polite!" Carol gasped. She turned her head to the ghouls eating in the next room. "You could learn a lesson from her!" She turned back to the two.

"Anything to eat?" She asked casually. In truth, she was rather curious about the relationship between the two. And by rather, I mean insanely.

"No, thank you." Kylar said. "Just a room for the night." Marisa's and Carol's eyebrows raised at the same time.

"We're sharing a bed?" Marisa asked.

"You're sharing a bed?" Carol asked.

Kylar laughed. "Aah. Perfect timing. No, no. Just a room for her. I'll be sleeping over there." He gestured to the row of beds against the wall.

Marisa didn't show any reaction, but Carol's shoulders visibly relaxed upon hearing this. "All right then. A hundred and twenty caps for the night." Kylar nodded, and paid her. "We'll be back later." Kylar said, taking Marisa's arm, and leading her back out the door.

"Where're we going?" Marisa asked.

"For drinks." Kylar answered. "More specifically, I want the details on your pre-wasteland life."

Marisa winced. "Ah."

Kylar walked inside another door, and waved to a ghoul standing behind a counter. "Ahzrukhal."

"Aah, Kylar. Welcome back my friend. May I interest you in a drink? Something…stronger?" Ahzrukhal asked.

Kylar, in response, walked around the counter, gripped the ghoul by the collar, lifted him off his feet, and slammed him into the wall. "Shut your mouth."

A ghoul in the corner drew a shotgun, and walked over to Kylar. "Remove yourself from him." He said tiredly.

"Don't worry Charon, I just want to talk with him." Kylar growled. "Isn't that right, Ahz?"

Ahzrukhal grimaced, but played along. "It's quite alright Charon." The ghoul with the shotgun-Charon, walked back to his spot against the wall.

Marisa just walked up to a stool and sat down, watching the scene with interest. She turned to Charon, looking over her shoulder. "So, who're you?" She asked.

"No. Talk to Ahzrukhal." Charon growled.

Marisa gestured to the two, having a heated discussion in whispered tones. "He's a bit occupied right now, so talk to me." She reasoned.

Charon sighed. Why, oh why, did the attractive smoothskins always have to talk to me? "I am Charon. Ahzrukhal's employee."

"Ahuh. I'm Marisa. So, do you have any idea on why Kylar's, eh, talking, with Ahzrukhal?"

Charon sighed again. Ahzrukhal never said I couldn't talk to anybody about that, or even not to talk to whatsername. Marisa. "My employer got Kylar addicted to Jet."

"Aaah. I see. Thank you Charon." She smiled at him. He redirected his attention back to Ahzrukhal, who was now free of Kylar's clutches. "Very well. Drinks on me." Ahzruhkal said through gritted teeth. "Enjoy your stay."

Kylar grabbed a few bottles of whiskey, and walked over to the corner table, out of earshot of everyone, if they were careful. "What was that about?" Marisa asked.

"Oh," Kylar started, "Just ensuring our privacy." He pured himself and her a drink. "Now." He said, taking a sip. "Kindly tell me why you're here, and how you got here."

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Alright! Chapter Four.2. Yeah. Read and Review, please. Takes very little time.

Q & A/Responses -- --

Apathyninja – The Wanderer mentioned in Ch. 4.1 is not The Lone Wanderer. He is an important character though, and eventually, The Lone Wanderer's path and his will meet someday.

Zellojello – I'm happy that you like the new perspective.

Peace!

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Th. Mint