Fallout New Vegas AU

[aeons_crackshot]

3 years, 2 months and 10 days.

That's how long it's been since Annabelle came home to find the ruins of her family's caravan and her mother's body.

Long years, hard years, but she's managed to survive. She's running low on ammunition and lower still on food, which is why she's hunting geckos in the fading light of the evening.

Her trusty cowboy repeater is aimed at a very nice specimen. If it just comes a little closer......

Comments

[aeons_crackshot]

"That way," she says, gesturing with one hand. "I've got a few days left to go, provided I don't get stuck waiting out another sandstorm."

[mojavex6]

Leander gives a nod. "Hm. I'm going that way too, then left to the river then back north. You're going to... whats the name... Nelson?"

[aeons_crackshot]

"Good guess," Annabelle says with a grin. "You know the area really well."

"Papers of one kind or another for the NCR folks in Nelson," Annabelle elaborates with a shrug.

[mojavex6]

"Hm." Leander nods, pondering. "Hm, would... well, would you mind company? I'm in no hurry to go back home."

[aeons_crackshot]

"Not at all!" Annabelle replies with a grin. "It gets lonely on the road, and you'd be good company."

Not to mention that there aren't many things in the Wasteland willing to go near a deathclaw, which cuts down on unpleasant encounters.

[mojavex6]

"Yeah, scouting is boring, without someone to talk to." Leander rubs his nose again, shifting position to upwind from the fire. "The Wasteland can be way too quiet sometimes."

Like the times when nothing's trying to kill you.

[aeons_crackshot]

Which is usually at least half the time, right?

Annabelle nods in agreement. "It can get to you, after a while. The...loneliness of if."

[mojavex6]

"Hm, yeah. The Pack can be right annoying, but it beats being alone by a lot." Leander shifts position again, laying down on his side.

[aeons_crackshot]

"I'll take first watch," Annabelle offers. Not that she thinks there's much out there in the Mojave that's going to willingly come anywhere near a deathclaw, but you never know.

[mojavex6]

Leander just mumbles a thanks, before drifting to sleep, glad to get to rest first.

Funny, how the fiercest predator of the wasteland can be much less scary after a bit of chat, right?

[aeons_crackshot]

It is a bit peculiar. Maybe there's some truth to the old saw that the scariest thing is the unknown. Annabelle feels like she knows Leander a little by now, after all.

Unsurprisingly, nothing bothers them during the night. Annabelle wakes up when the sky is turning the eerie gray of pre-dawn.