Election Day

[goodfight]

[Once upon a time, blah, blah, blah, and thus, the Lone Wanderer brings a stray named the Courier from the not-so-radioactive Mojave Wasteland back into the highly radioactive Capital Wasteland.

It has proven to be the worst idea in the history of all ideas. A wanderer and his dog could go into a town and the town would live their silly lives without a care. Two wanderers, a dog, and an eyebot are, to say the least, a walking disaster. Neil really should have kept the tour restricted to Megaton. Neil, however, has been keeping his mouth shut on the matter because a part of him finds the venture very entertaining.

And so the duo are now on their way to the Republic of Dave, a settlement to the north of Washington, D.C. At nineteen, Neil had set foot in the place once and once only. Then, after speaking with its "citizens", he hightailed it out of there as soon as he got what he came for. The place is the headquarters of a cult in the guise of a democracy, the leader has as big of an ego as Eden, and Neil doesn't know why they're going back there.

He says as much to Alex.]

I still don't know why I'm going back there.

[A pointed look to the older man.]

And taking you with me.

Comments

[doubletap]

Ohh, so that's my power. I wonder why you're so immune then.

[ Whatever, Neil. He just talks to men people. Pssha. ]

[goodfight]

[It's a question that proves easy to answer. He shrugs.]

I'm Asian-American.

[doubletap]

[ It's too smart-assed to let slide. And so he actually turns his attention on said Asian-American, and when they past between two houses, Alex body-checks Neil into the gap. ]

[goodfight]

[He is used to this. Thus, when Neil's bumped into a gap, he only stumbles along, hands up as if surrender.]

Too race-specific for you?

[doubletap]

[ There's a witty remark in here somewhere.

Alex would rather lean Neil into a wall and stick his tongue down his throat, though. ]

[goodfight]

[In the most gentlemanly of ways, Neil gets to choke on Alex's tongue. Except rather than cough and sputter unattractively, the younger simply accepts the lips, the tongue in his mouth, and another's breath mingling with his own.

For a moment, at least. Until he pushes the guy back, enough for space. Enough to speak.]

What?

[doubletap]

[ Neil pushes him back, and Alex lets him, smiling. ]

Just checking. Wasn't sure if Asian-American meant female. You know. Since my charms don't work on you and all.

[goodfight]

[Well. He kinda expected that.

That's fine, however. It is what it is. Again, Neil shrugs.]

Asian-American, female... Some might say they're one and the same.

[He smirks.]

Or you're just not really trying.

[doubletap]

[ Alex raises his eyebrows once in a lazy shrug, then cocks his head. ]

Yep. I'm not trying. Not with you.

[goodfight]

Ha.

[Neil tilts his head back, to rest against the wall.]

That's because I have nothing you want, "Courier".

[doubletap]

[ There's some emotion here, but it's unspecific. Alex turns to the default instead.

And gives a downward glance as a reply. ]

[goodfight]

[Oh. Alex is trying. Something, at least.

Or perhaps there is something Neil has given away. It's dumb to think of, though, so he straightens, arms crossing his chest.]

Isn't the citizens of the Republic of Dave awaiting your ascent to executive power?

[doubletap]

[ Too obvious, kid. Alex meets the look. ]

What's wrong, Wanderer?

[goodfight]

[Aw, crap. Neil now has to deflect.]

What isn't wrong? That's a better question, isn't it?

[doubletap]

[ For a moment, Alex watches. Then shrugs, shifting away. ]

It's getting late. My dominion can start tomorrow. This place got a place to stay?

[goodfight]

[Somehow, Neil doesn't think he succeeded that deflection check. Still.]

The ground. I haven't established an embassy yet.

[doubletap]

Back out, it is.

[ And so they leave the territory. Establish a camp under an overhang. Alex makes a fire, and Neil sticks to irradiated food. Such is life. ]

...So.

[ He starts, like Neil should have known he would. ]

You want me to treat you like that retard?

[goodfight]

[Delicious irradiated food. Better than this campfire.

But of course, it is ruined mid-bite, InstaMash hovering near Neil's lips.]

What?

[He lowers the box, the incredulous look returning.]

No. It wouldn't work anyway.

[doubletap]

[ The class the savior of the wastes...radiates. Alex can hardly stand to be in his brilliance or something.

But the kid's being a little annoying. ]

..."I have nothing you want"?

[goodfight]

[Neil blinks.]

Well, yeah. You've got seven million presidential suites and a city that practically eats electricity 24/7. I have a dingy shack in the middle of Shackville. Of course, I've got nothing you want.

[Statement said, he proceeds to down the powder like one would drugs.]

[doubletap]

Trashville, actually. I would love to set that nuke off to clean it up.

[ That said... ]

But I'm still here. Instead of in my seven million presidential suites.

[goodfight]

[With the vigor of a brahmin, Neil chews his food thoroughly and swallows before he even attempts to address Alex.]

You can't nuke every piece of trash you come across, old man. You'd end up nuking all of D.C. Again.

[A sigh.]

You're here because you're bored. This--

[A hand gestures at their surroundings.]

--is slightly, just slightly, different.

[doubletap]

Ah, I see. I trekked across the country because I was bored. Because Vegas ever runs out of amusing things. Because I got tired of my seven million presidential suites with electricity and clean running water.

[ He's irritated. Irritated, annoyed, and angry. And he doesn't know why. ]

That's how simple I am to you.

[goodfight]

Geez Louise--

[Now he's beyond exasperated, and it's extremely annoying.]

That's not simple. That's baffling.

[doubletap]

It's baffling because you're wrong.

[ No, that's not the right way to say it. ]

And an idiot.

[ There we go. ]