Veronica knew joining the courier was a good idea.
She was experiencing new worldviews and meeting so many interesting people. They were certainly a fascinating group of diverse backgrounds. She never knew she'd befriend people from factions she was raised to regard as dangerous and untrustworthy.
Arcade, despite his standoffish attitude, always had good taste in prewar books and the two of them bonded over maintaining their respective weapons of choice. His plasma pistol was well loved with its shiny appearance and his evening ritual of cleaning it while muttering old idioms in Latin, much to Boone's discomfort, was comforting. She had joined him, adjusting torque on her powerfist while exchanging old Roman poetry.
Boone was a bundle of nerves. She figured he needed a vacation. Maybe a bubble bath and a pedicure. He didn't seem interested when she suggested it, instead returning to sitting in the corner and just staring at everyone in between shots of whiskey and smoke.
Cass and Curry, though, had seemed quite interested so they all made a trip to the Ultra Luxe for a girl's day of pampering.
Cass was passed out by the mineral pool while Veronica savored the soak.
Everything had been pure bliss.
That is, until Curry got into the pool.
She knew a handful of people, from the Brotherhood. who had aquaphobia. It was partly because large bodies of water weren't common out in the desert.
But she had never seen someone simply jump into the pool to suddenly melt onto a frightful panic.
She didn't scream. But it was clear she forgot how to use her limbs and plummeted below, flailing and sputtering.
"CASS!" Veronica had dived below to hoist Curry back to the surface, the girl trembling and muttering nonsense in between coughs.
Cass appeared and grabbed the courier by the wrists, dragging her up and out of the pool.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. She jumped in and started freaking out."
The nearby staff had come with towels and posh masks, ceramic noses impressively upturned while simultaneously looking down at them. "Madame, forgive us for our bluntness but your friend's behavior is disturbing the other guests. Perhaps she should go seek medical attention off the premises?"
"Yeah, don't sweat it, Jarvis," Cass snapped before softening to their tremor-riddled companion. "Come on, let's have Gannon look you over."
"I don't know what happened," Curry was trying to laugh it all off later that evening, after Arcade had found her physically fine. They sat around the table, eating a meal of pork 'n beans and salisbury steak.
"It's strange, a subconscious phobia triggered by the stressor. I've never heard of it. But then again, not a lot of medical journals cover patients with previous gunshot trauma to the head." Arcade shook his head, bewildered. "I wonder how you'll travel to Fortification Hill in your condition. All forms of travel will be via the river."
Curry's spoon full of beans hovered in front of her open mouth as she connected the dots. "Fuck."
"Maybe it's contact? Still, it's too risky." Arcade spoke matter of factly but there was relief lacing his words. Everyone had argued against going to meet Caesar.
It seemed Curry was outvoted and vetoed.
"How am I going to explain this to House?" She let out an exaggerated whine, rubbing her scar while huffing to herself. "I think I could buy some time to figure it all out better. Work on building House's strength with alliances around the Strip."
"Yes, help the capitalist overlord maintain his strength and take the few available resources from those who need it most. By all means." Arcade was cranky, his opinions on their service under House loud and clear.
"Arcade," Curry tapped the table and darted her eyes around the ceiling corners as if paranoid they were being watched.
Which, to be fair, was totally likely.
Veronica didn't believe they were planning on sticking with House's plans forever. At least, she hoped not. But even if they did, Mr. House had a stellar record of rewarding those who served him well.
And punishing those who got in their way.
Compared to the Legion, who seemed to prefer stabbing people in the back just as much as they did stabbing every other orifice of their victims, he was still a better option.
Veronica wondered if they could just enjoy the sights a bit longer.
She still needed to find the perfect dress.
