A/N: Despite some issues with COVID, I am still attempting to write as many chapters as possible. But it's not easy when I feel like I'm going to implode every moment I try to get some sleep. Still, I love you all, that's enough.
Cultural Exchange:
"Ha, man, I love this guy." Six, with one arm wrapping across Lucius' waist, was laughing like a maniac. Not wanting to start a shootout, Six, even though she was still a little angry about nearly losing Velvet, chose to quickly make peace as soon as possible. There were simply no positives that came with fighting. Now, already considering everyone friends, Six, Lucius, along with all the companions following them, were now peacefully conversing. "Tell me one more, will ya'?"
Lucius' companions were enjoying this nice change in pace. Unlike Six's companions, who were slowly adjusting to non-engaging nights, Lucius' were regularly fighting Darkspawn every single passing night. The two companion sets were able to share one experience at least. Getting to enjoy the various liquors inside the Pip-Boy & Vigil's stocks. There were so many options, with everyone able to give them all a few swigs.
While Six was waiting on a new joke, she was also unable to resist admiring Lucius' impressive Blood Dragon suit. She wasn't so sure why the suit appearance was so... recognizable. She was certain there were no others like it in the Mojave. If there were, Six would've taken them a long time ago. "Okay, okay." Lucius was struggling to avoid stammering, the wine continuing to take its toll on his social skills. "What is a Darkspawn's favorite-" Loghain slammed his sword onto the table where the Courier and the Warden sat.
For some reason, Loghain looked frustrated and annoyed. The Warden nor the Courier could think of any reason as to why. "Warden." He said, looking at the man who at one point was his greatest enemy. "Do you not think we should ask them where exactly we have found ourselves, instead of socializing with a potential enemy?" Classic Loghain. It was clear that the Courier was no enemy. Even more clear was that the Courier and the other Companions were vastly more powerful than anyone inside of Vigil's Keep. So there was in fact a good reason to socialize and keep on their good side.
All the same, the Warden gave a nod to Loghain then got up from his seat. "You are right, I'm sorry." He looked to the Courier. "Miss Courier..." He made sure to use a formal tongue. The Warden also continued to wonder why someone's last name was Courier. "Could you tell us where Vigil's Keep has found itself?"
Six was relieved that was the question they were more interested in. How did we arrive? That one she wasn't prepared for. And it wasn't like she could just tell them the truth, that she was the one to force them into the Mojave, and more specifically into a spot where she knew they would get attacked.
Pulling up the Pip-Boy's map and zooming all the way out, Six showed everyone the map. "You guys are in the Mojave. Specifically, this spot." She looked to Joshua and the other Companions and gave them a look that told them to remain quiet. "I wish I could tell you guys what stole you away and made you pay a visit to us..." She looked the floor whilst sipping some Nuka Cola. "But some things aren't explainable, right?"
Loghain's eyes narrowed. The Warden was too occupied with looking at the Pip-Boy's map and its many locations. "Look at all these places!" He shouted with excitement in his voice, grabbing the Courier's arm in order to get a closer look. "Loghain, Anders, look at all these. Looks like we've got more exploring ahead of us after all."
The Courier smirked while the Warden continued to look through the vast map. Just like Six was when she first arrived in the Emerald Forest on Remnant, the Warden was excited to know that there was even more territory out there for him to explore.
Anders arrived at the table. "Did you say more exploring?" He said, a tired look across his face. The Warden nodded. "Lucius, we are friends and all, and don't get me wrong, I would follow you to the worst parts of the world, even though I'm positive I already did." The Warden awaited the additional excuse. "But... eh, you know what? I am far too tired to come up with any excuses. Just imagine I said something that makes me sound smart, will you?"
Taking a seat next to Velvet and Joshua, Anders introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Anders. Fellow Grey Warden to our friend Lucius and the greatest Mage in..." He stopped, realizing that the girl sitting next to him possessed rabbit ears. "Huh, you really know where to find all the interesting people, don't you Lucy?"
Lucius chuckled and nodded while accepting the claim. "You could say that again." He said, looking to his other companions that were in Vigil's Keep when it was taken all the way from Amaranthine. "First all of you, now our new friends." He looked to Six once more. "Let us cut to the chase. Eventually, I am going to need to figure out what brought us to this Mojave, so we can return to Amaranthine." Six couldn't allow that, at least not so soon. Not when the Warden and his people still potentially had something to offer in the war against the Legion. "But in the meantime, I would appreciate it if you would tell me about and eventually show me all of this... land." Once finished, Lucius refilled his cup.
Telling someone the legacy of the Mojave, and more importantly, the ones who fought to shape it into its current form, was one the Courier's favorite things when it came to meeting up with outsiders from other parts of the New World and newcomers who were looking to see what the Mojave had in store for them.
"I'd love too!" The Courier said, jumping away and moving over the a more open area in the Keep. Knights took quick notice of Six, which was good, they might need to know about the Mojave in the event of another invasion. Ruby and Velvet sighed, remembering when they received an explanation of every single event, important or minuscule, that transpired in the Mojave. The Warden and his companions watched with great curiosity.
Wanting the lighting perfect, Six put out a few of the torches that were making the area too intense with light. "Okay..." She said with all events in chronological order at the ready. There was never a single point in Six's life when she forgot something. Her life anyway, she was someone else at another point. "It all started, for me anyway, in Goodsprings, a town not too far from where we are now."
Before Six arrived, Goodsprings was your average town that didn't mean all that much to people like Mr. House, General Lee Oliver, and Caesar. But it was also the town where the people that showed Six the way to survive the Mojave lived. Before she found the Pip-Boy that's able to stop time, instantly transport its owner to wherever they want, act as a container that is never full, and so much more, Six was just another traveler.
The training and supplies she received from the people of Goodsprings were not forgotten when Six gained control over the Mojave and a few surrounding area with a little assistance from the NCR and the upgraded Securitron army she stole from Mr. House.
Not only had Six gifted them with enough supplies and caps as proper thanks, she also sent a lot of the Securitrons, including Victor, whom she revived shortly after the Dam was rid of all Legion. No more Powder Gangers, not that there were anymore of them, would ever tackle Goodsprings again.
Once told about this, the Warden admired Six for not forgetting about the people who made it so she could get to where she is today. He liked to think that keeping the Dagger that once was Duncan's around was similar in some way. Especially when the Warden used it to kill the Archdemon with Loghain.
Hours passed, and the Courier wasn't even close to finishing. Most of the Knights were already gone, a couple of them remaining as they were unable to retreat to sleep until they received every pint of the story. Joshua was off spreading the word of God to whomever would listen to him. Ulysses remained to listen to the story that was already engraved in his mind. Velvet was trying to get some level of sleep on a makeshift mattress made out of some cloth placed on a couple of chairs. Ruby was using another chair and Velvet's lap to try the same. As for the Warden and his companions, only Lucius and Anders chose to sit through the entire story.
Mimicking a Saturnite Fist, Six punched at the air while screaming. "I keep hitting them as much as I can with a shattered arm. But nothing will work, and so I retreat into the Followers Outpost." Disappointment was spread across Lucius' face, imagining that the encounter with the Legion would end with Six killing them all within seconds rather than running away. "And as soon as they follow me in... BAM! Plasma Mines. They're equipment starts to melt and their skin quickly followed." Ah, there it was.
"Okay, this is enough." Loghain said, reentering the room after seeing to important fortification plans. "You were suppose to take us out... Oh, look outside. Night is already upon us." He was right. They'd sat in the same positions for a while, the lack of feeling in the Warden's legs making that clear.
A few chuckles left Six. "Huh, so it is." She turned on the Pip-Boy's light, nearly lighting up the entire room, thanks to a few upgrades. "I'll tell you all the rest later." She walked over to the Warden, Loghain, and Anders. She spent a second going through the Pip-Boy's inventory until she pulled out a few yellow colored pills. "Swallow these." Six told them, getting them to look confused. "Just trust me." She advised. "Well get there even faster."
The three Wardens looked at the yellow containers, then at each other. It didn't make any sense. How would swallowing them get them anywhere any faster? Lucius wanted to find out first. He swallowed his container with a cup of water. Anders soon followed, and then Loghain.
None of them were able to sense any immediate change. But that wasn't the point. After waiting a few extra seconds just to make sure the pills would work, Six grabbed on to each of the men. Loghain, thinking it was an attack, went for his sword. Luckily, the Courier already has the fast travel menu open. She set a course for the Lucky 38, and with a few more clicks, they were sent out of Vigil's Keep and to the Mojave's main attraction.
While Six managed to land on two feet, the Wardens all fell to the ground once they were on the other side and standing in front of the Lucky 38. Despite consuming the pills, which were designed to keep anyone from ever needing to witness the awful sights that came with fast traveling, they were still greatly unprepared for the process as a whole. At least they hadn't suffered from strokes like the NCR Soldier who asked Six for an easy way to get to the Tops.
Loghain was the first to truly show his reaction. After realizing that they were nowhere near Vigil's Keep, his attention turned towards the Courier. "Blood Magic!" He shouted, pulling out his sword and equipping Maric's Shield. "There is no other way you could possibly..."
"Drop the sword, unless you want me to shoot your skull into pieces." Everyone turned to look at the entrance to the Lucky 38. Cass was standing on its stairs, Hunting Shotgun pointing straight at Loghain and the other men she didn't recognize in the slightest.
Six quickly jumped in front of Loghain. "Cass, no." Cass's eyes widened as she lowered the gun, pointing it towards the ground and away from a friend. "They're just a little confused, that's all." Lucius and Anders finally made it off the ground. "This is Lucius, Anders, and Loghain. Believe it or not, they're the ones who...'' She ceased any vocal movements, realizing she was a few words away from exposing herself. "Well... you know."
No longer concerned about a fight erupting, Cass looked over the men who were, as the Courier and Mobius put it anyway, from a completely opposite Universe. Even though she didn't agree with the Multiverse theory, unlike Ruby and Velvet who mistook the illusions as another reality, Cass could clearly see that the three men were not from the Mojave.
"Are they now?" She said whilst putting the Shotgun away and pulling out some whiskey. "Does that mean they're also gonna get that special tour of New Vegas, the same one you gave everyone from Remnant, even though they refused it multiple times and just wanted some sleep?" Her question was met with enthusiastic confirmation. "Cool, good luck with that." She rushed back inside the 38, not eager to assist with the tour.
Six frowned upon seeing Cass run away. "Traitor!" She shouted, upset she wasn't going to get any assistance, at least not from Cass. She turned back to the three Wardens, all of whom were still stunned while looking around the Strip. Their reactions were just like everyone else's when they first entered the Strip. Lucius' in particular was an almost perfect copy of the Courier's own reaction. "Fast travel, takes me to certain places on my map in only a few seconds." No one responded to the explanation. "As for where we are, welcome to the Strip. That right there is the Lucky 38, where I live." She exclusively looked at Loghain. "And no Blood Magic was involved." She looked at the Pip-Boy for a few seconds. "Well, I don't think so. There's no telling what gave this thing its abilities."
Lucius was the first to share his thoughts. "This place is... magnificent." Quite the excellent observation. "Forget about visiting Orlais." He spoke while turning to face Loghain, who was closely watching Six. "Forget about returning to Amaranthine, we are going to see every last sight in the Mojave." He spoke in Loghain's voice. "How long is that going to take? Not something to concern ourselves with." Loghain suddenly felt like ripping Lucius in two. "Before you say anything else, this land is clearly superior than our own, in many ways. Perhaps when we eventually find a way to return to Amaranthine, we can take some of this technology with us."
Just then, a new idea came to Six. She went to Lucius with a new proposition. "Sounds like we've got a few common interests." She spoke carefully, making sure not to reveal all possible information concerning confidential operations. "You were saying Thedas needs people like us?" Thinking about Lucius' words made Six realize the ole "You scratch me, I'll scratch you" scenario was still on the table. Lucius spoke no words, only nodding to confirm Thedas' situation. "Well... there's a nation close to the Mojave the also needs some strong warriors to save it." Technically Thedas wasn't currently enduring imminent threats. Still, Lucius was certain the Darkspawn, without the Architect to guide them, were only going to continue to attack the surface. Which meant some extra soldiers with skills like those from the Mojave were useful in the event the Darkspawn launch even more raids. "And when I say warriors, well, I mean you guys."
To Loghain it was ridiculous Six was now casually asking them to engage with neighboring nations, meanwhile the trio's meeting was less than a night ago. But then, like always, Lucius' own mindset was opposing Loghain's. "I assist those that require assistance. So... tell me more."