. . .

It was sometime around late afternoon when Nora exited the Memory Den with Piper, and the first thing she did was light up a cigarette, feeling strangely numb as she mulled over all the new information she had assimilated in the memory lounger, while standing in the pink light of a neon sign- since leaving her cryo pod, her hatred for the man who had destroyed her family, and her burning need for revenge had been the fuel driving her onward in her search- and now that she had finally gotten it, she found that it brought her no satisfaction, knowing what she did now...

Concerned, the raven haired reporter looked after her new friend carefully, worried about her mental state after the ordeal- if delving into Conrad kellogg's mind had wrought lasting affects on Nick Valentine, she wondered what kind of negative impressions the old merc's memories could leave on Nora's psyche as well...Not to mention the emotional stress she had endured, being forced to relive her husbands murder, and the kidnapping of their infant son for a second time...

"Hey everyone, gather round!" A familiar, textured voice called out from the statehouse balcony above, demanding their attention- The sound carried easily across the closed off remains of old Scollay square, bouncing off the brick walls and pavers, amplified in the empty, open space. "Lets kick the breeze back, and shoot the fat..."

Interest piqued, Nora exhaled a cloud of minty smoke and watched the colorful citizens of Goodneighbor congregate below him at a leisurely pace, curious to hear what their esteemed leader had to say- patience limited, he shifted uncomfortably in his mud caked work boots, waiting for them to come together around the single, rickety old bench that still obstructed the alleyway before the entry to the subway tunnel built directly below his chosen stage...

"Thats right, everyone just take your time...No rush..." He grumbled passively, holding his piece until he had everyone's attention. "...Now- I know ya'll are doing your own thing out here, but I dont want anyone to forget what matters- Hey Daisy, glad you could make it! Hows my favorite girl? Didnt i see you on a date with Marowski the other day?" He teased the local shopkeeper affectionately, becoming distracted as she joined the gathering. Flattered, the ghoul woman laughed out loud- a hoarse, nasal sound that somehow managed to sound indignant.

"Ha- he wishes!" She deflected haughtily, drawing a chorus of laughter from the surrounding audience at Marowski's expense- whoever that was. Appreciating her quick wit and sense of self confidence, Hancock joined in, adding his own husky chuckle to the mix before appearing to remember himself.

"Alright alright, we're getting off track- what was i saying? Oh- right. What matters...we freaks gotta stick together, and the best way to stick together, is to keep an eye out for what drives us apart, ya feel me?" He asked seriously, adopting an air of casual confidence that captured Nora's attention as she watched from the back of the crowd- even with the gaudy colonial get up, and ghoulish features, there was no denying the mans charisma.

"Yeah! You tell it like it is Hancock!" Someone called out approvingly from the throng, encouraging him further. Pleased by the positive response to his words, Hancock continued, beginning to pace slowly back and forth across the length of the narrow balcony as he spoke out.

"Now, that being said- what out there in our big friendly commonwealth, would want to drive us apart?" He asked rhetorically, broaching the subject that seemed to be on everyone's mind. "What kind of twisted, un-neighborly boogieman, would want to hurt our peaceful community?" Beside her, Piper snorted ironically at his choice of adjectives, but no one else seemed to notice- Nora gave the reporter a quick nudge, reminding her not to draw attention to them, before continuing to listen to the Mayors speech.

"The institute and their synths!" Someone answered boldly, calling the mysterious organization out by name- something Diamond City residents wouldnt dare do. Grudgingly, Piper had to admit she was impressed by the way the mayor of Goodneighbor operated; somehow, he had managed to do what she herself had failed to do in her own home- getting people to stand up, and to stop fearing the institute...

"Thats right- who said that? Come on up to my office later, you've earned yourself some Jet." Elated by the praise, the man in question beamed as he looked up to their fearless leader with obvious adulation. "-The Institute. Their the real enemy- not the raiders, not the super mutants- not even those tools over there in Diamond city..." He continued seriously, enlightening the crowd with his own vulgar idiom.

"I dont know Hancock, I'd sure love to give McDonough a kick in the ass!" Another man interjected humorously, causing another raucous chorus of laughter and approval to erupt from the small gathering, interrupting the mayor's speech once more.

"Hey- we all know i have my own personal beef with that lard head- but stay focused!" He chastised lightly, before they could veer off topic again. " Now, i want everyone to keep the Institute in mind. When someone starts acting funny, or people start doing things they dont normally do- when family starts pushing you away for no reason... we all know whose behind that kinda shit, and the only way to stop it, is by sticking together- They cant control us, if were not afraid...So now, whose scared of the institute?"

confidently, the silver tongued ghoul raised a hand to cup his ear, encouraging his audience to speak up.

"Not us!" They answered defiantly together, instigated by his rebellious energy. Feeling the charge in the atmosphere, Hancock challenged them again, expertly building up the hype as if he were fanning the flames of a revolution.

"And Which town in the commonwealth should the institute not fuck with?" he asked, egging them on.

"Goodneighbor!" They cheered even louder, pumping their fists in the air enthusiastically, demonstrating a sense of solidarity that took Piper and Nora both by surprise. Proudly, the esteemed mayor faced the crowd, voice lowering as he made his last, most important inquiry...

"And whose in charge of Goodneighbor?" Deliberately, Hancock's stark black eyes found Nora's as he spoke, capturing her hazel grey gaze as they waited for the crowd to cheer once more...

"Hancock!" They praised supportively in unison. "Of the people, for the people!"

"Huh." Piper exclaimed thoughtfully as they chanted the mayors mantra, looking around her at the dirt stricken faces of the ghouls and various other low lives that made the settlement their home. Even if she didnt want to admit it, the stubborn reporter found she admired the sense of unity she was witnessing there, despite the towns unwelcoming reputation- The residents of Diamond city could learn a thing or two from these people, she thought wryly, looking over to gauge Nora's reaction.

Cigarette almost spent, the vault dweller continued to look up toward the wooden balcony, held hostage by the ghouls intense, scorching stare for the span of several moments as the gathering began to disperse around them.

"You good blue?" Piper asked carefully, interrupting their starring contest and reminding Nora to breath.

"...Yeah." She answered strangely, eyes shifting away from the balcony dreamily as the mayor turned away, disappearing back inside his home. "You uh, wanna get a drink?"

. . .