A slow grin spread across the reporter's face. She shifted her weight, cocking one hip. Threw a suspicious glance at the speaker. "Give me just a moment, Danny. My friend is here."
There was a pause. "Friend? Piper? Piper, what friend?"
Piper approached Verrah, still smiling from ear to ear. Took the other woman off to the side. "Look, I need to get back in the city. Obviously, you need in there, too. So let's work together. I'll tell them you're a trader with supplies. We'll both get in, and well, voila."
Verrah blinked a few times. In surprise at the other's boldness, even if she was in a red leather trench coat, and to get the rain off her eyelashes. "You…you want me to lie?"
"Ah, come on, Blue. Don't you have any supplies?"
"For myself—"
"There ya go, then." Linking arms with the Vault Dweller, Piper all but dragged her back to the speaker. "Danny, I'd like for you to meet my friend, Blue. She's a trader with some supplies. She wants to visit our little market. You wanna let her in?"
The voice cackled back on. "Piper, I swear. If this is another one of your nonexistent friends, Mayor McDonough will have my head."
Verrah slightly grunted when she received a nudge in the side. She inhaled sharply. While it may be okay for reporters to lie, the concept didn't sit well in her stomach. Especially to people she had never met before. "I am real. And I do…have supplies."
For myself, she mentally added.
More silence.
Piper nudged her again. Motioned with her head to the speaker.
"Blue" inwardly sighed. She hated doing this. She could get away with saying she had supplies, because, technically, she did. However, she wasn't too comfortable saying anything that would be a blatant lie. Her head suddenly titled. "I'm also skilled in mechanics, metal-working, and machinery."
There was a muffled voice in the background. Wherever Danny originated from. A hushed conversation ensued.
The gate guard's voice returned. "Very well. Mayor McDonough has allowed you both entrance. However, he wants to have a word with you, Piper."
The reporter rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"Thank you," Verrah chimed in. Not eager to get on anyone's bad side here. Lest she be thrown out as well.
After another moment of silence, a metallic crack echoed with the thunder. Followed by a low yet potent whir. The metal gate jerked out then lifted up and back.
Verrah watched with wide eyes, but she tried not to look too impressed. Though she was sure it was still obvious she was out of place. Her nostrils flared. A nudge from Dogmeat made her feel better. She subconsciously patted his head.
Two men waited just inside the stadium. One with gray hair and a brown suit and another with ginger hair and umpire gear. Various other armed guards milled about the entry corridor, only interested in potential threats.
The suited man stepped forward. "My name is Mayor McDonough. Welcome."
The sole survivor shook it. "Verrah." She studied the man. He didn't seem like an android. Or, Synth, rather. His skin felt like skin. His face looked normal. His eyes twinkled, despite his age. Sure, he held the expression of a politician, but he appeared normal, nonetheless.
"I apologize for the closed gate. We're normally open to visitors, but we've had some recent issues with our media outlet."
Crossing her arms, Piper shifted her weight. "Freedom of the press, McDonough. And you locking me out only further proves my theory."
The mayor looked exasperated. "How many times must we go through this? You wrote that article based off me eating a bowl of noodles at Takashi's. I know you're aware of Diamond City's history. And that's precisely why I was forced to shut you out. I don't need my city in a state of panic. It was nothing more than a simple show of force. That I can keep our people safe from any potential threats."
She stared long and hard at the mayor. However, no words escaped her lips.
Verrah glanced between the two. Turned to the guard who she assumed was Danny.
He merely shrugged and shook his head.
McDonough sighed. "I'll let you back in if you promise to drop this whole Synth business. All you're doing is scaring people, and they're already paranoid enough as it is."
Piper's stance only broadened. "You cannot stop me from digging up the truth."
"Fine, fine. Just return to your…establishment and find something else to occupy your time and articles."
She walked off to the side, but she didn't leave.
Verrah noticed. It was like the reporter lurked for anything that would give her a leak.
The mayor gave his attention back to the newcomer. "I see you're not actually a trader. I've never seen one wear a fancy Vault suit. However, I want you to know you're still welcome in Diamond City."
She gave a sheepish grin. "I really do have skills in mechanics and metal-working. And robotics. If there's any way I can help, let me know." She wondered if she should throw in a detail about the return of the Minutemen, but she decided to leave it alone for now.
He smiled. "That's greatly appreciated. And I'm sorry you had to be caught up in all of this. Please make yourself at home. If you need anything, you can always contact me or my secretary. I hope you find Diamond City to your liking."
The Vault Dweller inclined her head. "Thank you. Your kindness is greatly appreciated."
This seemed to please the mayor as he straightened his suit jacket and escorted Danny back to the gate guard office.
Verrah gave a nod. Deftly avoided eye contact with the still-loitering reporter. She patted Dogmeat so he knew to follow her. Pretending not to realize Piper was still there. Strode toward the baseball field's entrance tunnel and—
"Wait up, Blue." Piper linked arms with the other woman again. "I think you need to stop by my office. I have an idea for an article that I think you would be perfect for."
It took everything she had not to let out a groan. She hated being interviewed. Every single time she had done something nice for the community before the war, they wanted to write an article on her. Why they kept making her the local hero, she had no idea. People were just supposed to be nice to other people, weren't they? There was no need to put her on a pedestal for it.
"What do you say, Blue?"
Verrah finally sighed. "Fine. But no lies, got it? I cannot stand lying nor do I appreciate others lying about me behind my back. I broke a girl's arm for doing that when I was in middle school."
Piper waved a hand. "No need to worry. Publick Occurrences only publishes the truth. I'll prove McDonough is a Synth yet. You'll see." She led her new subject and muse up the ramp leading to concrete stairs.
The sole survivor couldn't help but hold her breath as they ascended. Sure, baseball hadn't been her sport, but she attended a couple of games with her father. She knew what this placed looked like in its prime. Not to mention the shock of her old world plunged in fallout hadn't worn off yet.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Piper paused. Glancing at her companion to gauge her reaction.
Verrah's ice blue eyes widened.
The stadium had been turned into what she could only describe as a shanty town. Metal and wood structures were stacked on top of each other. Stringed lights and neon shone brightly in the rain, which had slowed to a drizzle. In the center of the diamond rose a huge tower pouring out thick smoke. She assumed it was a generator of some kind with all the wires running to it.
Piper pulled her down the added metal stairs and ramp. "The office awaits."
Verrah dumbly allowed herself to be dragged along, taking in the sites of the hand-built city. Her gaze followed the arrows next to the sign painted with "Mayor." It appeared additional housing had been constructed in the upper stands, and the mayor resided in the box office suites.
"Well, come on, Blue. You can explore later. Paper first."
The Vault Dweller followed to the first building on the left. Which was obviously home for the paper, as "Publick Occurrences" was a large, proud sign. The green letters resembling an Irish pub font. Her eyebrows slightly lifted when they entered.
Inside was as bland as the makeshift town outside. No drywall, no paint. Sheets of corrugated metal served as the walls. There was no décor. Hardly any insulation.
Piper held out her arms before spinning and plopping herself on a deteriorated, yellow sofa. "Welcome to our home, sweet home."
One of her white brows fully rose. "Our?"
"Yeah. My little sister, Nat, lives with me. She's a good kid, and she helps with the paper. I have her interrogating residents right now."
Verrah shook her head. "You have your younger sister interrogating people?"
Piper grinned. "Of course. Who's gonna lie to a kid? But let's get down to business, shall we?"
"First off, I have a question. What's with calling me 'Blue'?"
"Isn't it obvious? Your Vault suit. I don't think I've ever seen one that pristine. Between that, your Pip-Boy, and that 'fish out of water' look, I'd say you're fresh out of whatever Vault you climbed out of, too."
Dogmeat shook the water off himself and yawned. He found a place next to an old newspaper stand, circled multiple times. Finally plopped himself next to it with a sigh.
Verrah sighed and sat on the edge of a short side table with a single drawer, keeping her eyes on the ground. "That bad, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, Blue. So. What's it like after emerging from 200 years?"
Her eyes shot up. "How do you know about that?"
"Word travels fast in the Commonwealth."
Verrah gave a glare off to the side. "Codsworth…."
Piper procured a pen and miniature notepad from inside her coat pocket. "Seriously, though, I need a statement for the piece. What's your first impression of the new world?"
She offered a smile. "It's great."
"Come on. You're the one that emphasized telling the truth."
The Vault Dweller's gaze returned to the floor. Which was made out of pallets, now that she really looked at it. At least, this particular section. "Honestly? Well...everything and everyone is so different. You're all living in rusty shacks, killing each other, and my gosh, the smell is terrible." She sighed. "I know it's because I'm not used to it. It's something I'm struggling with."
The reporter jotted down some notes. "No, I understand. We come from two different worlds. How did you manage to stay alive for 200 years without turning into a ghoul?"
She assumed a ghoul was a form of ghost or spirit. "Cryogenic freezing." The fire returned to her eyes. "I was part of an experiment. The whole Vault was. They promised us a home, a new life. They gave us death. I was the only one to survive the Vault. I'm not sure why. But when I woke up, everyone I knew was dead. Save for me."
Piper lifted her stare from more scribbling. "Geez, Bl—Verrah, I'm sorry."
Verrah shrugged. "Can't change the past."
"What brought you to Diamond City?"
"I'm looking for people who were taken from me. I have no proof they're alive, but I also don't have evidence they're dead. They're missing; I intend to find some trace of them."
Piper paused. "You know, the people of Diamond City have a lot of missing people. From what I've heard, this place used to be flooded with imposters. Now, no one bats an eye."
Verrah tilted her head. "What changed?"
"People's attitudes, I guess. Everyone knows the Institute is behind all the disappearances. They love to come in the night, snatching people. Sometimes replacing them with Synths. No one knows why. Experiments, maybe? Kicks and giggles. Someone's sick form of entertainment. Who knows?"
"Geez, indeed. I've never heard of the Institute, though. I don't think they were around before the Great War, and if they were, they were good at hiding."
It was Piper's turn to shrug. "Regardless, it's a real threat. Many have come to terms with the fact they'll never see their family again. That's why they've given up." Rising, she stretched. "I guess that's all for now. Don't want to bombard you too much."
Which Verrah was immensely thankful for. She pushed herself off the end table.
"Oh, can I get one last statement from you? One for Diamond City? I want them to have an outsider's perspective on what it means to have a loved one go missing."
The Sole Survivor took a deep breath. Subconsciously stood with the determination she wanted to get across. "No matter how much you want to give up, don't. You have to have hope. That you'll see them again. Or, at least, that you'll know the truth."
Piper smiled as she scribbled the sentences down. "Thanks. I think the people will really enjoy this. You'll be an inspiration to them all."
She laughed. "Right. Oh, hey, random question. Does a Nick Valentine live in this town?"
"Nicky? Yeah. His office isn't too far from here. Go out my main door, turn to your immediate left. There's a path that will take you behind all the vendors, if you want to avoid them. You'll come to a path turning right, and his place is on the left. Hard to miss the neon."
Verrah woke Dogmeat up from his nap on the floor. "Thanks."
Piper shifted her weight. "You, uh, want some company? Human company, that is? I can document your travels for all the Commonwealth to read."
She chuckled as she opened the door. "I appreciate your offer, but I think Diamond City needs you more. You gotta prove Mayor McDonough is a Synth." A thought crossed her mind, and she stopped. "Actually, if you want a story, travel to Sanctuary. The Minutemen are reforming. I kinda happen to be their general."
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. "Wow. Not out for that long and already getting involved in the factions. But yeah, I'll go check it out."
"Cool. So I guess I'll see you around, Red."
"Red?"
Verrah paused again. "Your coat. It's red. And it suits your passion for truth. I do expect an article when I get back." Grinning, she stepped out.
Piper blinked. "Huh." Then the same smile overcame her as when she first met the Sole Survivor. "Good luck, Blue."