[ They've seen the results of radiation sickness, the way most ghouls will be flayed alive by the rads, losing their hair and skin, melted to scar tissue. Even the ones that still retain their sanity, like Raul, have pains associated with the transformation. At least once in every wastelander's life they're subjected to that level of sick, nauseated by drinking the wrong water and having to sit with a heavy dose of Radaway until they feel normal again. What Arcade seems to be describing is permanent.
When he moves for his arm a second time, Len is ready for it - or thinks he is, anticipating something grisly. With the fabric rolled up, he's treated to a series of slightly raised scales growing up out of his skin, blending seamlessly into the flesh around it. More out of fascination than disgust Len reaches out to touch them without asking first, smoothing the pads of his fingers over them. Warm and layered so tightly that the lines where they overlap cannot be felt, it's like handling a particularly large rattlesnake. ]
Does this happen to everybody? [ He lifts his gaze to meet Arcade's again. ] Is it gonna happen to me?
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When he moves for his arm a second time, Len is ready for it - or thinks he is, anticipating something grisly. With the fabric rolled up, he's treated to a series of slightly raised scales growing up out of his skin, blending seamlessly into the flesh around it. More out of fascination than disgust Len reaches out to touch them without asking first, smoothing the pads of his fingers over them. Warm and layered so tightly that the lines where they overlap cannot be felt, it's like handling a particularly large rattlesnake. ]
Does this happen to everybody? [ He lifts his gaze to meet Arcade's again. ] Is it gonna happen to me?