div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 8px 0px 15px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Occasionally, The Third Rail became so lively that you could easily delude yourself into believing that the bombs had never plummeted from the skies all those years ago. It is only when you're completely sober that you can discern that virtually every person in the vicinity disfigured by the enduring effects of radiation./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Nevertheless, the bustling crowds of sweaty bodies (dancing, laughing, and clinking their glasses without a care in the world) were surely reminiscent of what it was like pre-war. I couldn't be sure. I was born into this shithole of a world. What would I know about living pre-bombs? /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"I grunt a sarcastic chuckle into my pint glass, fogging the edges with my breath. I'm sure it was warmer in pre-war bars than it is here. Being underground in an old railway tunnel helps retain some heat, but there's a subtle yet constant breeze coming from somewhere./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Still, the alcohol helps. As do the masses of bodies. Alcohol helps with a lot of things. Even now, many still use it as a respite from the horrors of daily life. A beautiful dissociative escape, where the only thing that matters is the moment./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Unfortunately, I'm the only sober one tonight. Well, almost. I've managed to get one mixer deep, tucked in tight against the bar, waiting for Hancock to join me for a celebration. Today ended much later than we anticipated when a large group of Supermutants seeking revolution entered Boston Common. We dealt with them, of course, but it significantly cut into our relaxation time - something both Hancock and I equally hated. /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"The dancing crowd swells behind me, swaying in time to Magnolia's silky voice. Occasionally, someone brushes against my back. I'm desperate to feel more drunk. I tend to get irritable far more quickly when I'm sober, much like Hancock... maybe that's one of the reasons we've always gotten along. Feeling overstimulated, I swill back the ends of my glass and signal Charlie for another./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Lucky for me, no human could possibly serve booze as fast as that robot. It's mere seconds before another full pint glass is in my hand and I greedily neck it back. I smile to myself, sensing the warmth in my belly spread into a pleasant haziness behind my eyes. These quadruple shots are certainly doing the trick./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"An immense wave of gratitude washes over me as I perceive a hand between my shoulder blades. It unmistakably belongs to someone familiar, amidst the numerous inebriated strangers who have been using me as a prop for the last thirty minutes./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Hey, dollface… how you holding up?"/p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"He angles his head downwards, drawing himself nearer to me, enabling me to still take in his words amongst the competing sounds of music. In response, I offer a smile, albeit tinged with irony, and he promptly detects the subtle distress reflected in my eyes./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Oh… well, why the hell are you sitting up here then?" /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"With a light-hearted chuckle, he shifts his focus from me to locate Charlie. His hand instinctively wraps around the nape of my neck and delivers a playful squeeze, firm enough to hurt, yet, ultimately, conveying a sense of comfort and protection./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Charlie - do this ol' ghoul a favor and hand me that great, big bottle of whiskey - oh - and two glasses, if you'd be so kind?"/p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"I can't help but watch him adoringly as he swoops in to solve all of my problems, like always. I've only spent a little over four months working alongside him, but I'm pretty sure that I'm falling for him. He's courageous yet gentle, sweet yet just, violent yet empathetic. I've come to realize that he's a very intricate person... well, ghoul. And, boy, does he know how to make me feel good./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Ignoring our rather large age gap - human/ghoul relationships aren't uncommon in the wasteland, although they are generally disapproved of in most settlements. Except here. Here, in Goodneighbor, things are different. Here, Hancock and I can openly celebrate our relationship and relax in public without any judgment. As the Mayor, Hancock receives special privileges that he graciously extends to me. Moreover, the majority of the residents in Goodneighbor are ghouls themselves, and those who are human are generally open-minded outcasts who have found a welcoming home here. It's an ideal situation./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Follow me…" He murmurs intimately next to my ear. With his palm placed reassuringly on the small of my back, he guides me smoothly through the mass of people - most of whom acknowledge their mayor with a rowdy toast of their glasses./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Once we're out of the thickest part of the crowd, he grabs hold of my hand and leads me to a dimly lit table for two at the very back of the room. Both the noise level and the number of people are much more bearable here. I plonk myself down on the torn couch - enjoying the coolness of the leather seat against the back of my tired thighs./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Jesus… thanks for rescuing me, yet again…" I snigger, holding my glass in place while Hancock pours a generous serving of whiskey. The liquid fills the vessel with a rich, golden hue./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Why the hell is it so busy in here tonight!?"/p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Hancock puts the whiskey bottle back on the metal table between us with a thud, causing several small white flecks of paint to flutter to the ground. He leans back comfortably against the sofa, draping his spare arm around my shoulder while he surveys the room./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""You tell me, sunshine! Could be since we cleared up those raider gangs last week? Could just be a few more people traveling through." /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"His black eyes glisten and gleam like polished onyx under the sporadic beams of the spotlights that intermittently flash across his face. The aura of pride he exudes is palpable, adding even more charm to his demeanor. Seeking refuge in his presence, I nuzzle closer to the comforting warmth emanating from his body, finding solace as I press my cheek against his faded scarlet duster coat. Meanwhile, I continue to take measured sips from my glass of whiskey, relishing its smooth taste./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"The mist brought on by alcohol is steadily encroaching upon my senses. I have firm intentions of becoming extremely drunk, and with Hancock already pouring himself another drink, it seems obvious that he shares that inclination./p
/div
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Occasionally, The Third Rail became so lively that you could easily delude yourself into believing that the bombs had never plummeted from the skies all those years ago. It is only when you're completely sober that you can discern that virtually every person in the vicinity disfigured by the enduring effects of radiation./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Nevertheless, the bustling crowds of sweaty bodies (dancing, laughing, and clinking their glasses without a care in the world) were surely reminiscent of what it was like pre-war. I couldn't be sure. I was born into this shithole of a world. What would I know about living pre-bombs? /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"I grunt a sarcastic chuckle into my pint glass, fogging the edges with my breath. I'm sure it was warmer in pre-war bars than it is here. Being underground in an old railway tunnel helps retain some heat, but there's a subtle yet constant breeze coming from somewhere./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Still, the alcohol helps. As do the masses of bodies. Alcohol helps with a lot of things. Even now, many still use it as a respite from the horrors of daily life. A beautiful dissociative escape, where the only thing that matters is the moment./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Unfortunately, I'm the only sober one tonight. Well, almost. I've managed to get one mixer deep, tucked in tight against the bar, waiting for Hancock to join me for a celebration. Today ended much later than we anticipated when a large group of Supermutants seeking revolution entered Boston Common. We dealt with them, of course, but it significantly cut into our relaxation time - something both Hancock and I equally hated. /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"The dancing crowd swells behind me, swaying in time to Magnolia's silky voice. Occasionally, someone brushes against my back. I'm desperate to feel more drunk. I tend to get irritable far more quickly when I'm sober, much like Hancock... maybe that's one of the reasons we've always gotten along. Feeling overstimulated, I swill back the ends of my glass and signal Charlie for another./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Lucky for me, no human could possibly serve booze as fast as that robot. It's mere seconds before another full pint glass is in my hand and I greedily neck it back. I smile to myself, sensing the warmth in my belly spread into a pleasant haziness behind my eyes. These quadruple shots are certainly doing the trick./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"An immense wave of gratitude washes over me as I perceive a hand between my shoulder blades. It unmistakably belongs to someone familiar, amidst the numerous inebriated strangers who have been using me as a prop for the last thirty minutes./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Hey, dollface… how you holding up?"/p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"He angles his head downwards, drawing himself nearer to me, enabling me to still take in his words amongst the competing sounds of music. In response, I offer a smile, albeit tinged with irony, and he promptly detects the subtle distress reflected in my eyes./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Oh… well, why the hell are you sitting up here then?" /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"With a light-hearted chuckle, he shifts his focus from me to locate Charlie. His hand instinctively wraps around the nape of my neck and delivers a playful squeeze, firm enough to hurt, yet, ultimately, conveying a sense of comfort and protection./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Charlie - do this ol' ghoul a favor and hand me that great, big bottle of whiskey - oh - and two glasses, if you'd be so kind?"/p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"I can't help but watch him adoringly as he swoops in to solve all of my problems, like always. I've only spent a little over four months working alongside him, but I'm pretty sure that I'm falling for him. He's courageous yet gentle, sweet yet just, violent yet empathetic. I've come to realize that he's a very intricate person... well, ghoul. And, boy, does he know how to make me feel good./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Ignoring our rather large age gap - human/ghoul relationships aren't uncommon in the wasteland, although they are generally disapproved of in most settlements. Except here. Here, in Goodneighbor, things are different. Here, Hancock and I can openly celebrate our relationship and relax in public without any judgment. As the Mayor, Hancock receives special privileges that he graciously extends to me. Moreover, the majority of the residents in Goodneighbor are ghouls themselves, and those who are human are generally open-minded outcasts who have found a welcoming home here. It's an ideal situation./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Follow me…" He murmurs intimately next to my ear. With his palm placed reassuringly on the small of my back, he guides me smoothly through the mass of people - most of whom acknowledge their mayor with a rowdy toast of their glasses./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Once we're out of the thickest part of the crowd, he grabs hold of my hand and leads me to a dimly lit table for two at the very back of the room. Both the noise level and the number of people are much more bearable here. I plonk myself down on the torn couch - enjoying the coolness of the leather seat against the back of my tired thighs./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Jesus… thanks for rescuing me, yet again…" I snigger, holding my glass in place while Hancock pours a generous serving of whiskey. The liquid fills the vessel with a rich, golden hue./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""Why the hell is it so busy in here tonight!?"/p
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div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"Hancock puts the whiskey bottle back on the metal table between us with a thud, causing several small white flecks of paint to flutter to the ground. He leans back comfortably against the sofa, draping his spare arm around my shoulder while he surveys the room./p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;""You tell me, sunshine! Could be since we cleared up those raider gangs last week? Could just be a few more people traveling through." /p
/div
div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"His black eyes glisten and gleam like polished onyx under the sporadic beams of the spotlights that intermittently flash across his face. The aura of pride he exudes is palpable, adding even more charm to his demeanor. Seeking refuge in his presence, I nuzzle closer to the comforting warmth emanating from his body, finding solace as I press my cheek against his faded scarlet duster coat. Meanwhile, I continue to take measured sips from my glass of whiskey, relishing its smooth taste./p
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div class="k31gt" style="font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Favorit, 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 15px 0px; font-size: 16px; scrollbar-width: thin; scrollbar-color: rgba(var(-black),.4)rgba(var(-white),.1); white-space-collapse: preserve; word-break: break-word; box-sizing: border-box; width: 540px; min-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px var(-post-padding) 0px var(-post-padding);"
p style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; padding: 0px;"The mist brought on by alcohol is steadily encroaching upon my senses. I have firm intentions of becoming extremely drunk, and with Hancock already pouring himself another drink, it seems obvious that he shares that inclination./p
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