MARCH TDM

[monstertruckers]

code

After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment, with all sorts of sharp edges to watch out for. Between that are strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside is cloudy weather and the beginnings of a storm flickering and rumbling.

Beyond the rundown garage is a rundown gas station surrounded by rolling, grassy hills. Close by is a Convoy of vehicles, either parked or driving up to station.

01: SUMMONING CIRCLE

This time the summoning circle and car garage is attached to retro diner, and an old wind turbine, barely still spinning and providing fading power. There’s also a broken radio playing a message about Nirvana and imploring people to head north. In fact, there’s a large amount of broken electric equipment in here and spitting sparks.

A fan circles overhead, stirring those sparks and creating a breeze. Trails of paper are attached to the fan, spinning lazily about. If Drifters choose, they can easily retrieve those paper talismans with little more than a slight static shock. While the paper is tattered and smeared with ink and blood, the following can be made out: “Broken in two […] Nothing to lose-“ “Moon mourns, call her down, ease her pain-“ “Need […] Better vessels from afar. Stronger souls-“ “Imbue with moon sigils, Give blessings of moon, share her pain. Put the ritual right.”

Hard to say what that all means, but it seems to have something to do with the summoning circle here. And there’s lingering power crackling through the building. The sort that makes the lights flash and flicker… And line up eerily with flashes of thunder on the horizon.

02: START UP

New arrivals will have a similar experience to before; a Convoy waiting outside for them, and a collection of vehicles, one of which feels like it belongs to them. The key to the vehicle may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters have the keys to the vehicle now.

…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.

03: STORM WARNING

There’s something odd in the sky; it shifts between a dark cloud, and a collection of birds. As the thing draws closer, it clearly becomes a mix of both. Car-sized, dark feathered birds and skeletal avians fly in a thundering flock, and turn the sky stormy in their wake. That alone is bad… But what’s worse is how the shiny chrome of the Convoy and vehicles draws the birds. As they dive towards the ground to snatch at the shiny metal, they pull the storm and bring a tornado with them. The Convoy does its best to anchor to the ground, but lighter vehicles and Drifters might not be so lucky.

The garage and diner takes it worst of all: the electric devices start spitting sparks and can even act as homing beacons for lightning strikes if a Drifter with electric abilities gets too close to them. Any remaining, intact windows shatter as the storm winds pick up, pelting Drifters with razor shards. And water starts pouring in, further shorting electric equipment and soaking anyone to the bone. There’s even a strange droning, siren like noise to warn about the storm and cut into one’s hearing. It’s difficult conditions for anyone caught up in the blow-out.

04: WEATHERING

Once the main force of the storm hits, the following happens:
Diversion: Those with Fast cars can drive away from the station and divert the birds. They’ll want a second Drifter to come along; either to snipe at the pursuing birds, or keep eyes on the terrain! Eventually the birds will tire or get culled enough that the storm disperses.
Updraft: There is the risk of getting swept up in the tornado winds. Damage, injuries… And a particular quirk this storm has. Drifters who spend more than a minute in the storm winds will find that they begin to take on traits from the Harpy monster. These traits increase in potency if the Drifter experiences hunger or violence. As the weather clears and days become calmer, the traits fade.
Downburst: If Drifters get slammed into the ground by the storm, or the dark birds flying about. They may also find themselves drenched with rain. Any injury they take mends quickly, but is replaced with scales, as the Drifters begin to resemble a Naga monster. These changes grow worse if they tell lies, but disperse with the storm.
BIRDS: The birds themselves are vicious: those afflicted with Naga traits are seen as prey, while Harpies are seen as rivals. The birds are deadly, but also clumsy if forced to the ground. The screens on the Convoy recommend crippling the wings before finishing the bird off on the ground.

04: MONSTER SHIFT, NAGA

This month, Drifters will have access to the serpentine Naga. On top of all Naga species traits being available, the following occurs:
+Cold Blooded: the rain and storms can potentially make Naga slow and sluggish, or inclined to sleep or seek out other heat sources to gain energy; this includes basking in body heat from others!
+Water Divert: With their water shaping, Naga can divert falling rain and even ground saturation to make the area or other Drifters more dry. They can also concentrate water into different areas, and can also change water into mist or ice.
+Blue shift: the scales of Naga become more vibrantly blue, or a strange mottled combination of blue and stormy gray, the more intense the rains become. These scale colors can also reflect their moods.
+Extra arms that are painful and disorienting to grow, and can result in coordination issues.
+Scale Pains: Pain and discomfort when scales grow in, as well as fangs or talons!
+Water glide: during floods from the rains, Naga find they can easily traverse deep water as though they were simply walking (or slithering) across it.
+Thermal vision, making it easy to track others in the middle of storms. Vision may also become disorienting, and eyes become slitted.

04: MONSTER SHIFT, HARPY

The storm will bring a second monster this month, in the form of Harpy. On top of all Harpy species traits being active, the following occurs:
+Storm Rider: high agility and capable of flying through the storm winds without hindrance. Even tornadoes can be mastered!
+Feather pains: itching, or full pain when growing feathers or wings. Talons may also be painful when growing from fingers or from feet.
+Wind Affinity: able to shape wind, including diverting the worst of the storm winds, or summon and focus wind into razors.
+Warbling Voice: words may waver and slip into something more songlike, or even a damaging sonic scream if emotions are heightened.
+Height Call: a need to get higher into the air, whether through perching on buildings or the convoy, or through flight. A sense of euphoria as they go higher.
+Nest Building: a compulsion to create a nest out of spare and soft objects, and feeling more safe inside that space.
+Heightened vision like a bird of prey, able to pick out details even at great distance. This may be disorienting at first, as vision becomes telescopic.

05: RAIN, SHINE, OR SALVAGE

Upon culling enough birds, the storm disperses. The monster avians dissolve as they drop into streams of energy, feeding into Drifter Sigils and providing limited healing. And handful remain intact when they hit the ground and can be harvested for meat, feathers, and possibly even talons.

There is one extra problem, in the form of falling debris. After being pulled up into the sky, wreckage (and possibly stray Drifters) are going to drop back down. It’s advised to look out for falling objects and people. It might be possible to salvage something in the form of scrap metal for any vehicle repairs, but such a task requires two.

06: STORM SHOT

The storm can be dispersed in one of two ways. One is waiting the storm out. The second is a battered collection of machines melted into the roof of the garage and gas station. When touched they burn the hands of Drifters, but also fire a jolt of lightning into the storm. One shot lessens the effects of the storm, repeated shots completely disperses the weather.

In the aftermath of the storm, something different rains from the sky in the form of glowing, quicksilver feathers. These feathers can suppress one avian or serpentine trait for a month, and can also drain away any Naga or Harpy changes from the event completely.

Alternately, the feathers will allow Drifters to temporarily access flight for one day. Doing so completely robs the feather of its magic: only one effect can be chosen from a feather.

MICRO ENCOUNTERS:

PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.

Windy Days: Preceding the storm are gales of strong winds, enough to stagger Drifters or send them staggering into other people or other vehicles.

Diner Is Served: While the retro diner attached to the garage has only limited food stores, curiously there is a respectable amount of cooking equipment that can be plundered. Portable stoves, pots and pans, spoons, and the like are all available for the taking.

Fading Storm: In the aftermath of the storm, the garage and diner look like they’re on their last legs, barely held up by their shelving. Anyone who wants to try salvaging had better move fast and carefully, before the entire thing comes crashing down.


NAVIGATION || RESERVES || APPLICATIONS

Comments

Benny | Fallout: New Vegas | New character

[x2bet]

001. scavenging

[Around and abouts, there's a man in a checkered suit jacket and a set of spiffy leather shoes, the ornately-decorated handle of a pistol peeking out from where it’s discretely tucked into his waist if attentive enough to notice the outline. But it's luxury that's been strangely well-worn - dust and dry dirt at his heels, and slightly frayed threads peeking out from the seams. A new arrival who doesn't look terribly happy with either his circumstances or potential company as he sifts through junk in the garage and diner, casting aside whatever doesn't seem useful. At the latest discovery of yet more useless crap, he gives up for now.]

What a crock of shit.

[He pulls a battered, engraved cigarette case from his pocket, snaps it open and fishes one out.]

Scavengin' for parts again - thought I'd left all that behind.

002. start up

[Benny whistles at seeing the red car that definitely doesn't resemble the car driven by the geico auto insurance lizard calling to him.]

Now this is a sweet little beaut.

[He runs a hand over the bright red roadster, all shiny and waxed to a gleam.]

Just the thing for a Chairman, huh? Not like any other rusty pile of junk in this scrapyard.

[Said with a little judgemental side glance at your aforementioned hunk of junk near his. However, the sweet little beaut is actually missing several components and sitting pretty with plenty of damaged more under the hood, which Benny will shortly find out when he tries to start the car. It backfires. Loudly.]

003. when the storm calms down.

[After that whole mess, Benny's pretty damn content to duck and cover in the garage while the other suckers do the work, pelted by wind and creatures and god-knows-what. Not that he's not willing to get his hands dirty - he ain't a fink, after all. But he's not stupid, either. Gotta look out for number one, and after all the action dies down, number one's looking bedraggled and utterly soaked, a tie thrown over and limply draped over his shoulder while trying to wring out a checkered suit jacket. Damn it, that might be as good as it gets. Next on the laundry list is his tie as he makes a sound of annoyance.]

What a lousy, no-good-

[Benny hears a noise behind him. Out of wasteland habit, some vestige of the boot-rider in him, one hand reaches over his ol' beauty Maria tucked in his waist. But his other hand's occupied struggling with the knot at his neck, and he shortly brings up the other to get it undone. Annoyed, he turns his head slightly, not really paying attention.]

Hey, scram, wouldja? This ain't a free show.

wildcard

[Wildcard space! Feel free to bring your own if you’re feeling anything different or in-between, just drop it and I’ll roll with it.]

[003] 👀 🔪

[lonedanger]

[ Since his unceremonious arrival in this hellscape, Len has considered himself the recipient of some pretty bad luck. The return to form with regards to scrounging supplies is the only reassuring constant in the sea of new monsters, new people, and some new task they all apparently have to adhere to if they want to survive out here. Same shit, different day, with the more frustrating component being his removal from the Mojave and the subsequent hold placed on everything he was trying to accomplish there.

So when he catches sight of a familiar jacket in the periphery, situated inside the relative safety of the garage where he first woke up, the courier finally feels like something has turned around for him.

It isn't anger or even satisfaction that settles lowly in the pit of his stomach; a dull thrum of residual indignation from the circumstances that led to his death sits in his throat, eager to jump the gun but more so to make it count. Len isn't particularly coy about his approach, but neither is Benny Gecko watching that closely, and what solidifies his identity is the very pistol used to put a hole in Len's head. He rests the palm of one hand on the grip of his revolver, slowing to an easy halt a half-dozen feet away and considering what body parts he'll need to remove to make this checkered fuck sing. ]

That's rich comin' from you. [ He drawls, the friendliness in his voice a stark contrast to the flinty look in his eyes. ] Thought you were the theatrical type.

1/2

[x2bet]

WHAT in the 𝑔𝑜𝒹 𝒹𝒶𝓂𝓃-

2/2

[x2bet]

Hey, let’s keep this in the groove, alright...?

[Benny's eyes move from where they're locked onto the nasty scar at his right temple, drop to the other man's grip on his pistol, his own hands frozen at the knot. Ain't no way he can outdraw him on the quick with his piece at his waist, caught out like a sucker with his pants down.]

Smooth moves, like smooth little babies...

[The slim, cool Platinum Chip suddenly burning a hole in where it's been tucked away safely in his pocket and sitting pretty until now, Benny's rattled like twenty shakes of a rattlesnake's tail, but can you blame him? The last time he saw this guy, he was buried six feet under dirt, blood and bits of brains all over his face from getting shot in the head. Twice. Dead as dead can be, and dead men don't tend to tell any tales. And yet here he is, standing cool as a cucumber. Showing up as mysteriously as Benny had appeared here.

Well, maybe three feet at most. Graves are hard work to dig… or make a mailman-shaped hostage dig, and they didn’t have all night, capiche? He winces slightly at the memory as he stays exactly where he is. Here's hoping this courier standing way too close is feeling forgiving today. But as friendly as his tone is, the look in his eyes shows that it's about as friendly as a sleeping deathclaw.]

[lonedanger]

[ The only smooth move Len is executing is the way that he draws his revolver and lets it hang at his side for a long moment, the end of the barrel tapping against the side of his thigh. He's been a patient man for a long time now, the impulsivity of his youth an only slightly distant memory. It doesn't often resurface save for in rare occasions such as this: the urge walk this man a half mile out into the empty land around them and force him to dig his own grave is itching at the back of Len's head.

His concentration narrows to a sharp point and he takes a few steps closer, the space between them winnowing down to nothing. Len privately relishes the minor height advantage, the satisfaction of looking down on someone who once held him at gunpoint, on his knees. ]

What's that old saying?

[ The muzzle of Len's gun skims the damp placket of Benny's shirt, button by button, sliding thinly against his stomach until it taps the grip of the pistol hastily shoved into the waistband of his slacks. Len tips his head in predatory recognition; pearl handles and elegant script, exactly the sort of highbrow purchase one makes when one wants to fit in with a crowd where he doesn't belong. ]

Don't shoot the messenger?

[x2bet]

[Benny swallows hard as he feels the muzzle gently pressing against his stomach. Hardly any better than the feeling of cold steel going tap-tap on his skin, slow and deliberate. One wrong step and his guts are painting the filthy walls. Betrayed by the beautiful Maria at his waist then and now; what a goddamn hell of a position to be in. What kinda world is it coming to when a man can't even trust his own gun?]

Baby, come on! It was nothing personal.

[It bursts out of him, an indignity. What's that other old saying - let bygones be bygones? Just an 18-karat run of bad luck, nothing more, nothing less. But realizing rather abruptly that maybe that isn't the best tack to try right now, Benny tries to keep eye contact with the courier... shit, what was his name? Leo? Theodore? as he tries to smooth it over like buttered bread, keeping the shakes out of his voice at least. Time to do what he does best: talk fast.]

Let's all take a deep breath and a step back, hey? Figure all this out. [His eyes glance down to his pistol despite himself.] Let’s not ah… pull the trigger on any decisions we’d regret now.

[lonedanger]

[ Baby, he says, like they're lovers. It would make Len laugh if Benny Gecko didn't look like the straightest man this side of Vegas, probably dick-deep in Gomorrah's working girls on the regular. It's a nice strategy - might even work for him, sometimes - if not for the very specific, very special history they have together. ]

Nothing personal?

[ Len's teeth flash in a sharp smile, his free hand slipping between them and settling comfortably around the grip of Benny's gun. He holsters his own in the same motion that he draws the other, the weight of it warm and heavy, some Old World design on the pearl grips. Incredibly gaudy and particularly on-brand.

He glances down at it between them, popping the magazine free and counting the bullets. Len tucks the barrel up under his arm, meticulously popping each round out into his hand until the clip is empty, hefting them with a dull jingle for a moment in his palm. ]

Doc pulled two of these outta my skull.

[x2bet]

Fit in your head with room to spare, did it?

[If Benny's sounding particularly catty as he watches Maria get emptied out against his will, a put out expression starting to replace the shock, well... that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Bullets spill into his palm like he's shaking out mentats from the tin, taking some of his hopes of turning the tables with it. Just one should've scrambled his brains like eggs, two clicks of the trigger was to be safe - what rotten damn luck. A little too rotten, and something stinks to high heaven about that whole situation.]

You've got luck like some kinda devil, pal. [It's something Benny wouldn't even believe could happen, if it weren't for the proof in front of his eyes. He can't help but glance up at the scar again, like making sure it's still there. There isn't much room between them in this dark shelter, and Benny swears he can hear every droplet of water dripping at their feet.] How'd some backwater doc even sniff you out under six feet of dirt? Something's not adding up.

[lonedanger]

[ All 9mm, nothing that he can use in the immediate future with the weapons he has at his disposal, but he'd rather have the monopoly on them than let Benny Gecko run around flailing a flashy piece like he owns the place. Len pockets the bullets before sliding the clip into the gun, deftly snapping the slide back to glance down at the single round left in the chamber. One is more than enough. If he gets desperate, maybe he'll use it to off himself. ]

You ever think you just have shit aim?

[ Len quips dryly, pulling the waist of Benny's trousers out with two fingers - just enough space to tuck the pistol back into his pants. He pats the grip for emphasis, relishing the irritation spreading across Benny's face like a bad rash. A sobering thing it must be, confronting the person you thought you'd killed. ]

You didn't bury me deep enough. Weren't the doc that found me, neither. It was a Securitron.

[x2bet]

A securi- of course. How'd I even miss a scrapheap like that on my tail...

[House was onto him from the word go, and the dismay is perceptible. Maybe he'd been too occupied with looking ahead of him for the Courier and managing the frustrations of his little posse dragging on behind him. The whole mess with the Fiends, the Khans bitching and moaning about their washed-out carry-on friend. But growing more confident now that he has Maria tucked tenderly back behind his belt, some of the tension in Benny's shoulders relaxes; prematurely or not, who's to tell? The guy must've taken his gun as a show of force, just to make a statement, but now they're talking. Some people's bark is worse than their bite, am I right? ]

Baby, you got a crazy drop on me. I'll admit it. But listen - with all this?

[He gestures with his chin around them, to their surroundings. But Maria's the only thing on his mind, his eyes calculating. When you're down to your last card, you don't just fold and whimper like a dog. That's when you bet big. Sure, the first and second bullets didn't stick, but maybe third time'll be the charm. He just needs to wait for the right moment, and his awkward little problem goes away.]

We’re in a new place, with a bunch of freaks and flying monkeys. Let’s leave the Mojave problems in the Mojave. Let bygones be bygones, right? I mean, look at you - you're walkin' and talkin' just fine, it barely even touched your good looks. No harm, no foul. Whadya say to that?

[Benny gives his best, earnest, rube-charming smile.]

003 | Yo, what are those?

[bigplace]

[ After the battle dies down Kaidan does what any good soldier would do—he checks the perimeter, making sure no stragglers remain. He isn't sure what the medical supply situation looks like. Better safe than sorry.

This guy's quick on the draw. But so is Kaidan. ] Mine's bigger. [ He taunts dryly, lowering his Mattock just a bit to convey start none won't be none.

Lots of people showing up in what would be period clothes in Kaidan's universe. The urge to crack a joke on whether this guy is lost for his audition dances at the tip of Kaidan's tongue, then dies down once he reminds himself that to these people it's their reality. The checkered suit is striking, which makes it all the more imperative Kaidan persuades this guy into the buddy system before he attracts the birds. ] If you need help I promise I won't peek. But if not, I recommend sticking with the herd, at least. You're a sitting duck out here with that outfit and that cute timepiece of yours. [ That pistol belongs in a museum, not being wasted in this dystopian realm. ] 9mm? Haven't seen one since I was a kid.

[x2bet]

Baby, what you’re toting is a dime-a-dozen!

[Big boy over here over here's got what, some kind of crummy energy weapon? It's larger than his piece, yeah, but who's bragging. Benny takes his sweet time to work at his tie now, turning slightly to keep the other man in his sight. He wears the chairmen confidence on his shoulders as omnipresently as the suit jacket, and it's just as much a statement. All part of the outfit, you dig?]

This lady’s a work of art, so put some respect in your mouth when you say Maria’s name.

[He pats the inlaid mother-of-pearl grips on the handle, raising an eyebrow.]

Or I’ll do it for you, capiche? I’m not some lost little lamb.

[bigplace]

[ Eyebrow raised, Kaidan snorts in amusement, laughter catching on his throat. ] Oh, you're one of those guys who thinks flash beats substance. Got it.

[ And that sounds passive aggressive as hell. They both started on the wrong foot, but getting a gun—no matter how dinky—pulled on you does nothing for good will. Regardless, someone here has to be an adult. ] Yeah, not the best way to phrase myself there. Listen, I said it because I respect the gun. Where I'm from she'd be a museum piece—one of a kind—or owned by some tycoon with more money than sense.

[ High strung and smug. Lovely combination. The theatrical performance is somewhat endearing, but also grating during a situation where either of them could've blown each other's brains. Perhaps Kaidan should be wearing his helmet. ] If you shoot me you're just wasting both of our time. [ And to drive the point home blue light kicks on, shimmering as it travels Kaidan's body in a wave. ] Ammo's a commodity out here. You really want to shoot the messenger? Harpies were trying to rip people apart less than an hour ago. I don't think it's a good idea to wander by yourself.

But hey? [ He shrugs. ] You're a grown man. I can't stop you. Would suck getting me as your med-tech though. [ I want trying to make sure you don't die. ]

[x2bet]

[The guy flickers like the wave of lights outside the Tops, and Benny knows what a warning looks like. He’s never seen anyone do that before… but new place, new rules, and he’s not interested in finding out what it can do to him, cause he has a gut feeling it might light him up like a Christmas tree. And hey - Benny's always been quick to get with the program. He’s a quick learner, and he knows an opportunity when he sees it.

As evidenced when his expression soon changes from surprise to interest on hearing the words med-tech.]

That's some light show. Maybe we got off the wrong foot, hey?

He raises his hands in mock-surrender, with begrudging respect. Maybe more begrudging than he lets on. Evaluative, he gives the other man a quick look of an up-down as he grins.]

No need to tango if there’s no competition. And I’m not in the habit of shootin’ any messengers

Laughed so loud at that last sentence I startled my pet

[bigplace]

[ Always nice when people get the memo. He dispels the biotics, the discharge of static electricity crackling towards his rifle, the closest bit of metal nearby. ] Yeah, we did. Let's try again. [ A faint-but-sincere smile.

Being sized up doesn't bother Kaidan. Prefers it if the outcome leads to someone choosing to be smart and not picking a fight. ] Name's Kaidan. Yours? [ He'd like to keep track of people, figure out this logistics stuff. Can't know how dire the situation is without knowing how many people might need your help.

He offers his hand for a handshake. ]

🤭 just one time a habit does not make

[x2bet]

[Benny looks at the cackle-pop, camera-flash of electricity arcing into the rifle, and decides - mmm, yeah - he made the right choice. Especially with this wet little get-up, he'd rather not be in the metaphorical bathtub if this Kaiden decides to throw a metaphorical toaster in it. But something about the look of the thing strikes him as familiar... He takes the other man's hand and shakes it in a firm, confident grip. Practically worthy of a board meeting, there.]

Benny. Leader of the Chairmen - the coolest cats in Vegas, dig?

[Hopefully he's not holding a joy buzzer. Benny still tries to look as urbane as he can as he introduces himself, while being completely sopping wet. Then he realizes where he saw it, and a little lightbulb dings. The blue lightshow giving some of those overgrown turkeys the razzle dazzle during the storm - or what little Benny could glimpse between ducking for cover, anyway. His face changes a little - more friendly.]

Neat trick with the lights. I didn't think it was you up on that stage earlier. Now I've seen some shows in my time, but baby, your performance had me seeing stars!

[bigplace]

Nice to meet you, Benny. [ Vegas. Okay, everything makes sense now. Even in Kaidan's futuristic universe, Las Vegas is well known as an entertainment hub. Good to know some things never change regardless of space-time. Their handshake's firm, proper. Kaidan's willing to let bygones be bygones.

Kaidan can't help but blush a little bit at that compliment. No one's ever referred to his biotics so romantically before. Hard not to be charmed. ] It's pretty bright, isn't it? Not a trick, believe it or not—biotics. Lots of species in my world can do it, including humans. It's rare, but it does happen. Hope it helped. The birds were...annoying. [ To put it mildly. ]

[x2bet]

Annoying? They were vicious! They did everything short of taking a big, fat, flying crap on our faces.

[Big guy's humble, too. Guess he must not be used to hearing a lot of sweet-talk for a little flattery to get him all rosie posie like that. Benny smooths out the front of his shirt, fussing slightly over his appearance.]

Good thing there's big "biotic" fellas like you around to keep the normal people from gettin' snatched up by flying monkeys, huh? [He gives a wry smile as he wrings out his tie.] You're all that and a box of chocolates.

2 /arrives late with an empty Dr. Pepper bottle

[wasteland_101]

[And then there's this little shitformer vault dweller. Standing in the back of what looks like an old firetruck]

I'm no Brotherhood Scribe, but that didn't sound good.

[She looks like any other woman from the wasteland, save for the Pip-Boy on her left arm.]

🥂

[x2bet]

Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, pussycat.

[Benny grumbles. He's not a tin can, so what? He slings an arm over the car door and kicks back in his seat, and glances over at her.]

Are you from my neck of the woods, doll? That's a nice Vault-Tec bracelet you're wearing.

[wasteland_101]

[Benny was going to hate her. She could tell.]

That would depend on what part of the woods you're from.

[She's just gunna stay in her firetruck for the moment. She doesn't trust Benny just yet. There was something about the way he talked about her Pip-Boy that made her cautious. ]

[x2bet]

New Vegas, baby! Where else?

[Benny says it with a well-trodden showman's aplomb. He's not surprised that she's squirrelly, but he doesn't bite.]

The only part of the woods 'round anywhere that matters. And how's about you?

[wasteland_101]

[Courier 6 would disagree, Benny. She's quiet for a moment as she tries to figure out distances and then shrugs it off.]

A long way from New Vegas. I'm from the Capital Wasteland. East coast.

I've thought about getting the supplies and seeing if I could survive the trek to New California. Making a few stops along the way.

[x2bet]

[Benny whistles, low and slow.]

Now that's a trek and a half. Ain't an afternoon stroll, that's for sure.

[The East Coast, huh? Can't say Benny knows too much about it. Hell, he didn't even know there was anything at all over there. Sounds like crazy talk to him, risking all that for the sake of scratching an itch of curiosity.]

Call me a homebody, but I'm fond of home. You got any tourist-must-visits out in the Capital Wasteland?

[wasteland_101]

Well, we've got the cleanest water on the coast. Thanks to something my parents started and I helped finish.

[She's not going to give too many details on her parents' deaths, but she's willing to talk about Project Purity. Just don't mention the Enclave.]

Other than maybe the Citidel or Vault-Tec regional HQ there isn't a whole lot there.