betterthangarlond

[Well, that's still strange, but Thancred's glad he seems to enjoy it! He strokes the fur a little, which feels nice, before starting- turning back to the Courier.]

I'm not asking for anything- I rather like them, in fact. I wanted to see what you were like.

...You... have to be lying.

[ Though their voice seems so calm, the Courier is in a panic. ]

There has to be something you want.

[he shakes his head.]

I'm not. I…well, of course there are things I want. But… they're things I can aim for myself.

[ There's a pause. The Courier is overwhelmed, their hands trembling. No. They're just words, Perrin realises. Even if it takes a look from Ulysses, and a beep from their Pip-Boy. ]

...Thanks. [ They whisper, before deciding to remove their mask again. Showing their face again. ] I mean - it's strange to have people curious about the who. Isn't the why more important? Or the... what?

[Just words, but he means them. To care for the others- really, that's something he has to actively do.]

Ah? You're quite welcome. [he gives them a gentle smile- it's nice to see their face. Hopefully it means there's some trust there.]. It is important- but knowing who you are can help us understand those, too.

[ They did have a smile, but shook their head. They weren't thanking Thancred, but... if this strange winged man thought it was for him, it might help. ] I suppose. To know what can be done, you should know who is behind things. Who your enemies are - and what makes 'em tick.

[it is nice to feel thanks!] Just so. It means you can appeal to them a little better- find ways to get to them, if need be.

And so that you can find ways to let them survive. Not needing to make them suffer dying. Not that death'd work on me.

Of course. Ways to encourage them to improve and be better! [he gives a little wry grin.]. Not that I was going totry, but- I suppose it's good to know that.

...It's up to the strong to protect the weak - even if those strong are your enemy. Do you agree?

[another thought exercise? Thancred hums for a moment, and then nods.] Yes. The strengths we have should be used to benefit others. If those strong people are enemies, then… it's better to try to protect more from them, surely.

[ It's what they learned from the Absol - who seems to be relaxed now, resting like an animal. Perrin frowns a little, adjusting their sit. Slumping a little. ]

...And to try and show them that their way will only hurt more. You're a kind person, Thancred.

[ but, huh. perrin can't remember if thancred had given his name to him or his robot. ]

[Thancred settles again, going back to patting the Absol, happy. Hopefully they're all comfortable.]

Just like that. I try to be!

[he tilts his head- huh.] Well! You have my name, it seems. How fortuitous. What would you like me to call you?

[ There's a long pause, as the Courier considers their options. But... they decide to tell the truth. ]

...Perrin. M'names Perrin Anderson. [ The last bit is mumbled. Yeah, Hank and them got married before they vanished. ] But lots of people know me as th'Courier. Or Six.

[He's just going to pat the Absol while he waits, it's nice. And he gives the Courier a smile when he speaks.]

Perrin- Anderson? It's got a nice sound to it. [a nod.] Those are good, too- should I call you one of those outside of here? Is there a story behind them?

Who would I be, if I did not know my past? [ Perrin laughs, as the Absol seems to give a little nod. ] It's a long story - didn't tell anybody my name in the Old World. It was-- safety, simply put. Nobody'd be able to track down my Tribe if they didn't know who I was. [ tribe?? ] But I'm a Courier, so it stuck.

That's a hard one to answer. [and maybe rhetorical? he'll expand if Perrin asks.] Oh- I see. Names are powerful things…. [he tilts his head.] Your family? Hah- so anyone knew how they were talking about, then!

...It is, isn't it. Ulysses tended t'ask it of people. Fucked with me when I got my brain damage. [ oh... ] Not just family. We were all close, blood or not... until th'storms. Storms of glass and metal. [ perrin doesn't know how to explain a tornado, okay. ] I still love 'em, but with the world reborn - well, better they'd be happy then have t'worry about old groups who want revenge on me.

It helps you learn about them, doesn't it? A friend of yours? [he hisses.] That's… you seem well enough. [they're okay, right?] Of course- not just family of blood, but of choice. [he puffs up, feathers fluffing out.] That's terrible- how much did they destroy? [he softens- reaching out to Perrin.] …they might still want to see you.

The one I turned into an Absol, by accident. But we-- weren't really friends, at first. We all make mistakes. All we can do is own up to 'em, right? Try and make it better. [ Perrin looks to their hands again. ] And y'really think I seem fine? I-- was shot in the head. Two bullets to the head, point blank. If Gods exist, Lady Luck was watchin' over me that day.

[ there's a lot of sadness in their tone. ] Th'storm made the water undrinkable. The animals we farmed died off. Many of us went our separate ways, across the country.

Oh- here? [some more patting!!] Right. We've made them, and… we have to make the best of what we've left ourselves with. [he fluffs again.] That's- someone must have been, I'm sure. I… no, I wouldn't have thought if you hadn't told me.

[He's going to shift a little closer.] …everything changed for the worse. To different places- to see what you could find?

[ those are some nice pats, as the too-serious absol nods. and flops down, keeping eyes on the world. ] I think we made up - even if it nearly unleashed another end of t'world. Or end of t'Mojave, at least. [ its time to laugh at trauma right??? ] Really, it was because of a delivery I was makin'. That guy wanted it for 'imself. I... don't blame him. [ oh. oh perrin. this is something you should be angry about, but... perrin suddenly looks so tired. ] Even if I 'ave trouble rememberin' things, and sometimes I-- fuck up more.

[ but then, a soft snort. ] To survive. Th'world after the bombs was fucked up. Took up bein' a Courier to roam and continue t'survive. Nearly found another home, but... hah.

If you hadn't, I'm sure you'd know. Especially if it was that powerful. [it helpsa little!] Ah… something powerful? [he reaches out- to put his arm around perrin now, and pull him closer.]

[softly:] Everything ended up fucked up again. What was it like there?

A platinum computer chip. To upgrade the Securitrons - ah, like the Gatekeeper. Whoever had 'em at their back - well, they'd become th'new ruler of New Vegas. [ There's a soft smile on Perrins' lips.

Until they lean back a little. ] I'd found a new route though the wastes. A small community sprung up around there - protected from th'elements, and barely irradiated. The Divide, and Hopesville. But one delivery I made, I passed though there - well, sleeping weapons woke. Due to proximity to the package - th'place was an old world War Bunker, y'know? They... exploded out, the weapons that hadn't been used in th'Great War. Leavin' those who'd made homes there as monsters. Mindless and only feelin' rage. But before that - it was good. We could survive-- no. They built lives.

[he whistles.] That's a lot of power and control to have. The sort some people would object to, certainly.

That sounds like good territory. Somewhere quiet, and nice. [he smiles, a little- but it drops.]. …they recognised it? Though that- someone had come for them- and made that of the people who'd lived there? [he hisses.] Good lives, right? And then- the loss would be- terrible.

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