Kirk listened to Vance's story of his life and how he created the Family. Kirk asked questions when he thought it was appropriate as well. To be honest, Kirk was intrigued. He has never met a cannibal or understood their ways until now. It's like an addiction, it seems. A craving for flesh. Vance explained how he was never accepted anywhere and knew he had to make a change. He explained that he found out that ingesting blood will sate the cravings of flesh. He continued on about the Five Laws they follow. Essentially, they can only ingest blood for nourishment, not pleasure. They can not reproduce, only kill as necessary, and stay in the shadows. He is now teaching this to the members of his flock. A set of rules that they have to abide by or be banished from the Family. "I have a few more questions, if you don't mind?" Kirk asked. Vance motioned him to continue. "What about the raiders? We...questioned one about you guys, and he was terrified. Says you guys hunted them and ate them." Kirk asked. Vance laughed, "A scare tactic we implemented when we first got here. Three raider gangs were around, and we had to ensure our safety. We killed a raider and tore off bits of him and displayed him where they could find him." he explained. "Three?" Kirk asked. "Two now." Vance answered quickly with a smile. "One, actually." Kirk added with a grimace. Vance simply nodded. "The brahmin? We found a herd outside of Arefu butchered." Kirk asked. Vance sighed, looking ashamed. "Yes, an unfortunate event. We conducted a raid on Arefu, and my members got carried away when on the herd when I left them. I have reprimanded them appropriately since." Vance answered. "Why did you leave them?" Kirk asked. "I believe my answer will tie in with your next question." Vance said. Kirk pondered for a moment and realized what he meant. "The West family." Kirk said, crossing his arms. Vance nodded, "Yes, I left the group to act on a feeling. That feeling led me to their home. Where I found Ian consuming his parents flesh." Vance said.
James was glad he started exercising a few months prior to his departure from the vault. The wasteland was hard on the body, and remembered his journey to get to the vault twenty years ago was hard. They were resting at a gas station on their way to Rivet City. James felt his age in his back and knees. Even with the exercising, it was hell on his aging body. They have made slow progress to Rivet city since he was hesitant to use the metro tunnels because of the ghoul horde they ran into near GNR. So they stayed on the surface and did their best to avoid the Super Mutants. Thankfully, the BoS marked James' PIPBOY map with areas to avoid, which made travel easier and safer. However, they have had to make many detours already because of this. "I reckon we will get to the city at this rate tomorrow." Jax said, looking around. "Good, it has been a rough three days already." James said, taking a sip of water. After a few more minutes, they continued on. About a half day later, they heard gunfire nearby. They both took cover and looked around for the source. "What do you think?" James asked, pulling out his gun. "I'm not sure yet. It ain't the Brotherhood. Could be a merc group, there is a few active in the D.C. area." Jax answered, his rifle at the ready. The gunfire was not letting up, and it was getting closer to them. "Should we hide until it is over?" James asked nervously. He didn't want to get caught up in a battle if he could help it. "We could -" Jax was cut short when a group of green armored mercs came running around a corner firing behind them. Soon after, a group of Super Mutants came running after them. Both groups were firing at each other in the square near Jax and James. "What do we do?" James asked. He had started shaking at this point. "Well, between humans and mutants, I'd say we help the humans." Jax said, readying his gun. James started panicking. He had never needed to shoot at anything. He knew how to shoot but never needed to kill anyone or anything. Jax noticed James panic and grabbed his shoulder. "I got this boss, you stay here in cover. I am gonna go flank them and take em out." he told him and left. The mercs had taken a defensive position and were laying down fire at the mutants, slowly taking them out. Jax found a flank and threw a grenade right in the middle of the group of mutants. The explosion took out one mutant and crippled two other by blowing away their legs. The confusion of Jax's flank gave the mercs the advantage to quickly focus fire on the rest of the mutants. Shortly after all, mutants were dead. Jax approached the mercs with a hand raised, to signal he was friendly. "Thanks for the assist!" a woman said, holding out her hand to Jax. Jax shook it and turned over to where James was taking cover. "Come on out, boss!" Jax yelled. James came out of the cover and walked over to them, trying to settle his nerves. "Do you have any wounded? He is a doctor." Jax asked. "We are good, and we have a medic, thanks. The name is Reilly, and these are my rangers." she said.
Kirk was stunned for a moment at Vance's words. 'Ian ate his parents? Impossible, Lucy would've-' Kirk's thoughts halted when he started putting the pieces together. The way she acted about her family was off, and she was elusive about her brother. "You were the one who wrote the message on their wall to protect him. You are trying to bring him into your Family." Kirk said. Vance smiled, "I knew you were the right man to talk to. Yes, all correct. Ian is now in the meditation chamber, deciding on his future." Kirk nodded and took a moment to process. "I need to speak with my group. Before I do, I need to ask one more question." Kirk said. Vance gave him a nod. "Would you allow him to see his sister? This is the only reason why we are here." Kirk asked. "No, he is in a critical state right now and should not be bothered. Besides, I do not think his sister will view him the same once she learns what he is and what he did." he answered. "I have a feeling she always knew what he was." Kirk said. "Is that so? If that is the case, then I would like to speak to her with you. But please leave the brute outside." he said, standing up. Kirk nodded and stood up to leave but looked at Vance. "For the record, I understand what you are doing and why. However, I do not agree with certain things. But, we will discuss that later if you wish." Kirk said boldly. Vance smiled, "I will always entertain a discussion with you, good man. There is more I want to know about you too." he said, leaving to his flock. Kirk went to his group.
Jericho and Lucy saw Kirk approached them with relief. "That was a long talk kid, hope you got news for us." Jericho said, putting out his cigarette. Kirk nodded and looked at Lucy. He didn't know how to say it in front of Jericho, so he just went for it. "Your brother is here, and I know... about him." he said. Lucy froze up and walked away, starting to pace. Jericho stayed quiet and watched the two of them. "You did know about him too, right?" Kirk asked. Lucy started tearing up and nodded. At this point, Jericho realized what he was talking about. "Fuckin hell, he is like them too." he said. Lucy whipped around on them. "No he isn't!" she yelled. Kirk decided not to bring up the parents yet. "They aren't cannibals either, well... they are, but they don't eat flesh." Kirk explained. "So what the fuck are they then?" Jericho asked. "...I guess like...vampires?" Kirk said, unsure if that was the right term. "What the fuck is a vampire?" Jericho asked, getting annoyed. Lucy and Kirk turn to look at him, confused. "Do you ever read?" Lucy asked. "Fuck you." Jericho replied. "Wait, do you-" Kirk stopped when he saw the look Jericho gave him. 'Guess not.' Kirk thought to himself and decided go leave it. Lucy picked up on it and decided the same. Kirk explained the conversation he had with Vance with them. "Blood, flesh, who gives a shit, they're still freaks." Jericho said. "Regardless, I think it best we leave you here Jericho. Let's stay in there good graces." Kirk said. "Whatever bitch, if you want to play there games so be it. You-..." Jericho stopped and took a breath. He thought back on his discussion with Simms and muttered fuck under his breath. "I'll be here, kid, just don't do anything stupid." he said walking away. "Are you ready to go back in there?" Kirk asked Lucy. "If you are there, I think I can handle anything." she said with a smile. Kirk smiled, and he suddenly realized it felt weird to. 'When was the last time I smiled? Megaton, with friends?' he thought. "You have a nice smile, you should do it more often." Lucy said, stepping up to him. She didnt realize how tall he was until now, she had to tilt her head just to look at his face. Kirk smiled again, and stepped toward her. "You make me smile, I guess." he told her, walking by her. She turned and followed him. As they entered the station again, she couldn't help but stare at his back. 'Has he always been this broad shouldered?' she wondered.Vance stared down at them as they approached. They sat at the same place Kirk and Vance used for their discussion. "Welcome back. I trust your talk was beneficial?" Vance asked, pouring himself some vodka. Kirk nodded and turned to Lucy, motioning her to go ahead. "Is my brother okay?" she asked. "In terms physically, yes. Everything else? Well... he is working through it now." Vance explained. "Can I see him, please?" she asked, tearing up, her voice shaking. "Before I answer that, may I ask you a question?" he asked. Lucy nodded, grabbing Kirks hand under the table. "Do you know of your brother's nature?" he asked, putting his fingertips together. Lucy squeezed Kirk's hand and said, "Yes, I know." Vance stared at her, studying her. "A man, trying to steal our towns livestock, knocked him down when he tried to stop him. He hit his head on a rock. Before I could help him, he just lunged at the man and tore his throat out with his teeth. H-he j- just kept biting and- chomping- and-" she stopped to control herself. Kirk squeezed her hand for reassurance. Vance stayed quiet and waited. "I helped him with the 'urges' from that point on. But I left for personal reasons, and he assured me that he had his urges under control." she finished, taking a deep breath. "Forgive me, but how did you control his urges?" he asked, leaning toward her. "I calmed him down by speaking to him and holding him." she said. Vance leaned back and put his fingers to his lips, thinking. "Did he ever go off by himself? Maybe to hunt or scavenge?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her. Lucy thought for a bit. "Well, yes, he went to hunt molerats often, but why is tha-" she froze, understanding what he was asking. "No, no, he always brought one back so we could grill it." she said, crossing her arms. Vance tapped the table gently. "Did he eat it with your family?" he asked. "Ye-..." she stopped and looked down. "He...um.. said he would eat later and go lay down cause he was... tired." she said, putting her head in her hands. "In my experience, there is no way to sate our urges. We must consume either flesh or blood. You are a wonderful sister. The fact that you accepted him and did what you could to help him speaks volumes. I wanted to tell you that you have my respect." Vance said, handing her a shot of vodka.She took the shot and took a deep breath. "So...can I see him, please?" she asked. Vance looked over at Kirk and then back to her. "No." he said plainly.