Lucy did her best to stay calm, but her emotions were getting the best of her. "Not yet, I mean." Vance said with a smile. "I'm curious as to why you haven't asked about your parents? Your rugged friend said we killed them, yet you haven't even mentioned them in this conversation. Which could only mean either Kirk told you who did it, or you already knew." Vance said, lighting a cigarette. Lucy looked down at her hands. "I had a feeling Ian did it, and maybe had run away in shame. It was just a gamble to see if he was actually with you. Your message in my house was all I had to go on, so I knew it was the best option." she said, wiping her tears away. "What are your intentions with him?"Vance asked. "I am angry at him, but more angry at myself. I left them for selfish reasons. They relied on me heavily, and I wanted out. I just assumed he had his urges under control since he was older." she said and paused for a bit. "I want to talk to him to let him know, despite what he did...I still love him and forgive him." she said, taking a deep breath. Vance nodded, putting out his cigarette. "You have compassion, a rarity in these times." he said, standing up. "Follow me." he said, walking away. Kirk and Lucy got up quickly and followed him to a door. Vance went up to a nearby terminal and typed into it. The door pulled open, and Vance turned to Lucy and put his hands on her arms. "I told you earlier that you have my respect. I would like to emphasize that statement. You see, I have a few in my flock that were abandoned by their loved ones, even attacked. You are now proof that we can be at least tolerated. That could even lead to acceptance one day, even if that day is out of reach at this time. Thank you, Lucy West." he finished, motioning her to walk through the door he opened. Before she went through, he held up his arm in front of her. "Be warned. I found him in a very unstable state of mind. I'm hoping seeing you will help him." he said, lowering his arm. "Thank you for this." she said and went through.
Kirk watched her go with a smile and then turned to Vance. "I would like to discuss Arefu and your Family with you, Vance. Do you have time?" he asked. Vance smiled, "I do, this way." Vance led him into an office. As they sat down, Kirk noticed a collection of blades adorning the office. "Do you like them? I started collecting years ago. A hobby of mine, I developed." he said, pouring drinks for them. "A nice collection. What got you into collecting?" Kirk asked, taking a drink. "After killing my first man with that blade, I found a thrill or satisfaction that guns did not provide. From there, I would collect and use every blade I'd come across." Vance answered after pointing at one blade. "So, every blade in here?" Kirk asked. "Has drawn blood and life, yes." Vance said. Kirk looked around the room one more time. Every blade was different. Some curved, some straight, some with a beautiful design, all different lengths, and designs. Kirk pondered on the knife he had and then turned to Vance. "Then I have a favor to ask, later." he said, touching the broken knife in his belt.
Lucy walked into a room and saw her brother sitting at a table. He turned and shot up when he saw her. "Lucy?!" he exclaimed in surprise, running to her. They both embraced and held each other for a while. They both started sobbing, gripping each other, as if they would fall from a great height if they let go. Ian started apologizing over and over. They both lowered themselves to their knees, and Lucy put her forehead against his. "No, I am sorry Ian, for leaving you guys." she said, shushing him gently. "I-I- ate -" he started, but Lucy cut him short. "I know, it's okay." she said and hugged him tighter. Ian heard these words and cried harder into her shoulder. They held each other for a while until the tears stopped. They got up and sat down at the table. "So, you know what I did?" Ian asked. Lucy nodded. "I thought you had it under control? Or gone cause you showed no signs as you got older." she said, grabbing his hands. "I'm sorry, but I thought I could control it if I ate Mole Rats fresh." he said, ashamed. "I only had to eat two a week to keep the urge down... or so, I thought." he said. "Tell me what happened." she said, looking into his eyes. Ian took a deep breath to control his tears. "It had been two days since I last 'ate' and we were at the dinner table eating, but my urges were coming back. I tried eating and forcing it down, but my body just rejected it. I NEEDED flesh and...Mom... she touched my arm and her...hand...smelled...so good..." Ian stopped, trying to get the tears under control. Lucy started crying with him for a while. "I forgive you, Ian." she said. Ian stared at her, shocked. "B-but I-I..." he started, but Lucy interrupted. "I left you guys because I was selfish. I am as much to blame for their deaths." she said, wiping her face. "No, no, no, I lied to you. I made you think I was fine. I-I kil-ate them!" he responded, standing up, running his hands over his face. "How can I go on? Be a part of a group of other cannibals?! Just go on with my life, acting like it never happened?! I want to die! I AM A FREAK!" he yelled, hitting himself on the head over and over. Lucy ran up to him and held him. "You are not a freak. You are my brother." she said.
"Arefu." Kirk said, crossing his arms. "You want us to leave them alone, I assume? A bold ask." Vance said, crossing his arms as well. "No, I want you to join their settlement." Kirk said. Vance stared at Kirk, his eyes piercing him, but Kirk gave the same stare. "I told you our way of life, that would contradict them." he answered. "Yes, however, Lucy has shown it's possible for your kind to be accepted." Kirk replied. "One person. In all my years, she has been the only one. She does not represent the rest of humanity." he said sourly. "If you continue to live in the dark, then you will forever live in the dark. You have to take the chance that cohabitation is possible. Arefu will be a great opportunity to see if it does." Kirk explained. Vance thought for a while. "How would you propose it?" he asked. "We get Evan King to agree with your Family moving in. In exchange, you protect them. Their scavengers and hunters provide you guys the blood you need. That way, it shows what you are and leads to hopefully acceptance." Kirk explained. "You thought of all this in a span of a couple hours?" Vance asked. Kirk nodded. "Why do you care?" Vance asked. "You could've just left after Lucy got to see her brother." he said. Kirk pondered this for a bit and chuckled. "I have seen a lot of horrible things since I left my Vault. It can't be the only thing in this hellhole. Their has to be some good." Kirk answered. Vance smiled. "You are a good man, Kirk. Let me ponder on this, give me two days. During which you can propose it to Arefu's mayor. Now, what was the favor you wanted?" Vance asked. Kirk took a deep breath, pulled out the knife from the raider school, and set it on the table.
Lucy let go of her brother, and they both stood up. As they did, Ian grabbed Lucy's handgun out of her holster and held it against his head. "IAN NO!" she cried, holding her hands out to him. "STAY BACK!" he yelled, taking a few steps back. "Please, Ian, don't do this, you still have me, I still love you." she said. "I can't live with...this GUILT! I-I don't want to eat you or... ANYONE ELSE!" he yelled, the gun shaking against his head. "You won't, Vance can help you. They don't eat flesh, only blood." she explained, trying to step closer to him. "He told me that, but what happens when it doesn't sate the urge? What happens if we don't have blood available?! How can he keep us all in check constantly?! It will fail!" he yelled, stepping away from her. "This is the only option for people like us!" he said and then took a deep breath. He stared at Lucy with sadness in his eyes. "I love you, sister." he said, closing his eyes. "NO!" she yelled, running toward him.
"May I?" Vance asked, motioning toward the knife. Kirk nodded. Vance reached out and took the knife and unsheathed it. He ran his fingers across the blade, closing his eyes. He then smelled it and continued touching the blade delicately. After a moment, he put it down, "This knife has such malice in it. I sense screams of torture, death, and... sex." Vance said, looking up at Kirk. Kirk shuddered at the words. "Why would you have a knife like this in your possession?" Vance asked, touching the blade again. Kirk didn't answer. He couldn't. "Ah, I see. You were a victim of this blade. I can smell you on it now. Are you trying to conquer it?" he asked, pushing the knife toward Kirk. "I'm not sure why I still have it, to be honest. But maybe." Kirk answered, staring at it. "Can you fix it?" Kirk asked, looking up at him. Vance grabbed it and examined it one more time. "Not to the extent you would like. I can make it useable, but not for long. You are better off finding a proper blacksmith. I only know how to keep blades maintained, not fully repair them." Vance explained, giving Kirk the knife. Kirk put it away with a sigh. "Do you know of any around?" Kirk asked. Vance pondered for a moment. "Your best bet would be Rivet City. You can find almost anything there." he answered. "Come. Let us check on the West's." Vance said, turning toward the door. As they walked out, they heard a gunshot echoe across the station. Vance and Kirk looked at each other and then took off running toward the siblings.
Vance and Kirk ran into the room to see Lucy sobbing, holding her brother limp in her arms. They say the blood and brain matter on the floor and wall. Kirk walked up to Lucy and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I-I...I tri-tried to stop him!" she cried, holding Ian tighter. Kirk examined the scene and realized it was suicide. Then, other members of the Family showed up with guns raised. "Murderer! Killed her own brother!" one yelled. The rest joined in, "Kill her! She killed one of us, Vance!" "SILENCE!" Vance yelled. The members went quiet. "Everyone out, NOW!" he ordered. They obeyed immediately and left. Kirk left Lucy, who was still wailing, and walked up to Vance. "I think he killed himself." Kirk told him, crossing his arms. Vance nodded. "He was distraught when I found him. With a shotgun in his mouth. I took it away and talked to him for a bit. When I brought him here, I taught him about my group and rules. He did not take my lessons well. I had hoped with time in the meditation chamber that he could sort out his emotions. This is my fault, I should've held off on Lucy seeing him." he said, sitting down and staring at Ian. Kirk looked back at the lifeless body and felt his chest tighten. 'Damn, she just found him and lost him. She has nobody now. What a cruel world this is.' Kirk thought and walked over to Lucy. "Take all the time you need, and then whatever you decide, I will be here to help." he said and sat down next to Vance. "I need to talk to my people about this. Two days, Kirk, but know that Ian's suicide may change things. I will send your friend in." he said and walked out.
Soon after, Jericho walked in and saw the scene. Kirk explained everything that happened from his side. Jericho nodded and walked over to Lucy. He scratched his head and cleared his throat. "Gir- uh- Lucy, just give the word and... uh, well... yeah." he fumbled and walked over to Kirk. They all sat there for a while, waiting for Lucy to process everything. After an hour or so, she finally laid Ian down gently and walked over to the men. "I know a place I want to bury him with my parents. Will you two help me?" she asked, exhausted. Both men stood up and simply said, "Yes."