the story in which Alex Seattle Geer is right for hating enclosed spaces,

[doubletap]

and Neil Park is blamed for his knowledge of vaults.

---

Terminal Entries:

1st Floor, Vault Entry-Room Computer:
- Data Entry 1: Year 20XX, Month XX; There's no escape.
- Holotape Entry 1: Y#4@ SDhig^8705 H98 [data corrupted]; This is hell and I want out of it.

1st Floor, Cafeteria Luncheon:
- Holotape Entry 2: Private Recording; I've had better?

1st Floor, Cafeteria Supply Room:
- Inventory List: Inventory List; A list of food....
- Data Entry 2: Shift Notes; Maybe I should tear the walls down.

1st Floor, Broken Cave:
- Data Entry 3: Preparations; Everything's fine.
- Data Entry 4: Near the End; I'll tell you the truth, but I won't give up my soul.
- Data Entry 5: Finally, the End is at Hand.; This is far enough.

1st Floor, Office:
- Data Entry 6: Vault-Wide Public Service Announcement; Get back to work everyone.
- Data Entry 7: Locked Administrative Reply; You're reaching for straws.

1st Floor, Administrative Secretary's Office:
- Data Entry 8: Drama Hoes; It is sort of funny that people aren't able to lie, though.
- Holotape Entry 3: Bill Self-Log; Byron's access still works everywhere.

Comments

[goodfight]

[Having successfully opened the cabinet, he idly glosses over its contents, stopping once to pick up a couple of bobby pins and some scrap metal. Meanwhile, his ears are trained on the other man's voice. They perk up at the mention of "stupid" and "clean".

Something stupid denotes a risky venture. Neil turns his head to seriously consider Alex.]

I hope you're not gonna leave me out of that.

[And leave him to paranoia regarding the outcome.

To Neil's pleasant surprise, Alex tosses him a box of Dandy Apples, which the younger man quietly catches. This he stashes quietly into his pack as his countenance lightens at the other conversation.]

Thanks. How did he take being told he was human?

[Because very few would take an existential shift with grace and dignity. Neil moves onto the next cabinet.]

You have me. Hell, underground, above ground, across the continent-- I'm staying with you no matter where you go.

[doubletap]

[ If Neil's watching, when he offers a thanks, Alex makes a strange face, not expecting the gratitude. He takes a moment to shift some things around on the desk. ]

As much as you would expect. He wanted to get revenge on them for using him, but it really was a mutual thing going on. They cared for him, even if they couldn't explain to him in a way he could believe that he was human. I think he's doing better now. Maybe.

[ Manny might be helping. Somewhat awkward, that. Alex spends a protective moment thinking about Boone.

Then stops the pretense of scavenging and watches Neil. ]

...I thought I'm the one that's supposed to be at your side.

[goodfight]

[Unfortunately, the look is missed in favor of the lock, which is picked easily. Neil peeks into the cabinet, again finding only miscellaneous objects.]

Vault 34 really brought out the strange in people, huh?

[From explosive enthusiasts to a man who once thought he was a ghoul.]

Who are these ghouls, by the way? I've seen pretty compassionate ghouls in my life, but even they would have laughed at the guy.

[The statement posed has Neil feeling the pricks of something, and he stares at a particularly dull wrench harder than he should.]

Well, I am usually the one chasing people around. 'Sides, this area's not my home.

[A slip. He had meant territory. Oh, well.]

Where else would I be?

[doubletap]

You can choose your own home, you know. Find the place you want to be. You don't have to tag along with me and go on my suicide missions to clean up the West. I know it's not really something you would choose to do, given the choice.

[ But let him talk about ghouls instead. Alex touches the next drawer and finds it locked. Lockpicking is a fine enough distraction. ]

It's less the ghouls and more Jason Bright. If there was ever a person that was touched by a creator, it was probably that guy. I haven't ever met a glowing one that wasn't feral, and probably won't again. That much radiation in a body, and you're probably toeing that fine line--how's it go--between insanity and enlightenment.

Whatever it was, it was genuine. The guy had a religious following behind him, the Bright Brotherhood. Legion liked to pick them off because they didn't fight much, Brotherhood of Steel liked to kill them because they used post-war tech. Novac hated them because a bunch of ghouls had taken up residence in REPCONN... and I was their garbageman.

But the cool thing--and you'll like this one, Neil--was that Bright didn't just lead the normal ghouls, the guys like you and me. He led the ferals, too. He inspired an entire race, sane and not, with his prophecy of the Far Beyond, and wherever they went, they succeeded in taking off. Now, that, is some kind of motivational story.

[goodfight]

[Finding his own home sounds closer to a pipe dream, much like the story of Jason Bright and his Bright Brotherhood. Neil cannot yet talk about the suggestion, except to mutter--]

It's not a place I'm looking for...

[But that is neither here nor there. What is here is a story, one that draws Neil away from the cabinets and the locks. He stands to fully regard the other man and leans against a wall.

By the end, his eyes are shining, much like that of a child's.]

You said once that the Far Beyond sounded a lot like the Capital Wasteland. I fucking hope they found a much better than that shithole.

[doubletap]

[ He knows this answer. He wants to ask regardless. ]

Then what are you looking for, Wanderer?

[ The drawer pops open with a click, and under prewar books and a Grognak comic--also tossed to Neil--is a holotape. Alex holds it up with a tight smile. ]

Yeah, me, too, but the Capital's more likely than the other theory. A body in Novac said the Far Beyond was the moon. But let's see what this sucker has to say.

[goodfight]

[This question has an answer that leaves a bitter taste in Neil's mouth. It prompts frustration to bubble up in his brain from the lack of eloquence. Compulsion, however, dictates its utterance, but how can he begin to form the words?

Then he remembers that dream. That mother-of-all-punga-induced dream where he had picked up "Schmault-Tec Bubbleheads" and read their inscriptions.

This is really embarrassing, and his face shows.]

I'm...looking for a...friend.

[A friend who might be standing across the way, speaking of insane plans and tossing a Grognak comic his way. With images of Bubbleheads and ghouls on the moon dancing in his mindscape, Neil catches the comic and notes the issue number on its cover.]

Oh, man! I have been looking forever for this-- I mean.

[He clears his throat.]

I'm listening.

[doubletap]

[ A smirk grows across his face, and he slips the Holotape into a pocket instead. ]

No, no--I'm listening. Tell me more about this friend you want. Then we can listen to the killer Vault.

[ =))) ]

[goodfight]

[To save himself from embarrassment, his instinct is to unleash a series of sardonic descriptors, and of course, this damn vault causes him to choke on his tongue. Neil recovers long enough to glare at the picture of Grognak like he is to blame.]

A friend I can get close to without them up and leaving me.

[Another inscription. Damn his hallucinations.]

[doubletap]

[ To allow Neil some privacy from Alex's questions, he goes back to his pretend scavenging--then realizes the computer on the desk isn't broken. Eyebrows raised, he starts typing in the start-up prompts. ]

So just a body that won't leave you alone?

[goodfight]

[Glaring at the half-naked barbarian does nothing for Neil Park, who stows away the comic for later enjoyment. Of the story, duh.]

If I had analyzed myself at the time, I would have assumed as much. But right now...

[Here, he eyes Alex.]

I mean, it can't just be anybody. I have to see them as someone to get close to, and I can't stand most people.

[A sigh.]

I just don't want another person I love disappear from my life, as selfish as that is.

[doubletap]

[ Locked, but an admin secretary terminal shows promise, and Alex begins a simple hack program.

While mindlessly going through options, he glances up, and catches Neil looking at him. For a moment, Alex pauses. ]

You're saying that's me. I'm your person. The friend that won't leave you or stop loving you.

[goodfight]

[Ah, shit, but what else is there to do? Neil continues his watch.]

...Yeah. You are.

[As stated previously, with much greater emotion.]

[doubletap]

[ They're supposed to stay on task, and he swears he is, honestly, but he can't just leave the kid hanging when he's forced to say something like that.

Alex moves around the desk, larger frame a little out of place in the office, and moves to stand in front of Neil. Lifts a hand to the other's shoulder. ]

All right. I am. I'm not going anywhere without you. Legionaires or dumb shit or anything that comes up. You're stuck with me, understood?

[goodfight]

[Strange. He expected a lecture, in a tone that continues to haunt him. To a lesser extent now, at least.

At the query, the pressure on his shoulder, Neil tips his head upward, catching the other's blue-grey eyes. He thinks to protest, to call to question. Instead, he--]

...Understood.

[doubletap]

[ Alex smiles without meaning to, something small and genuine and completely spontaneous. He squeezes Neil's shoulder once, then turns to head back to the computer. ]

A partner, huh? It's really different to think of something hanging out with me through thick and thin like that.

[goodfight]

[The curve of lips disarms Neil, who find himself drawn to the other's visage, his dark eyes watching Alex return to the terminal.]

Wouldn't ED-E count with that definition?

[He finds himself questioning aloud.]

[doubletap]

ED-E is my other kid.

[ He says with a laugh. ]

No person would hang out with me so much. Even with the Vegas crew I accumulated, I had to make sure not to take them places where they would...hm. Get violent over my choices. No one can accept a person completely.

[goodfight]

[He believes he understands, but parts are not sinking in.]

Other kid?

[There is a short pause.]

You're willing to take that chance with me?

[doubletap]

[ He smiles. ]

You've called him that yourself. My "robot child." And anyway, I'm not the one taking the chance. You are.

[goodfight]

[Yes, he had, and yes, he supposes he is.]

Fair enough.

[Neil scratches the back of his head.]

I guess it's good I'm asking about your history now. Will actually have context when you do...whatever it is you do.

[doubletap]

[ He doesn't touch the keys. He only watches for the moment. ]

Do you think there is something I could do that would cause you to stop accepting me?

[goodfight]

Shoot my dog?

[He forces a chuckle before ending on a sigh.]

Given that I nearly killed myself over Dad, no. Probably not.

[doubletap]

[ The terminal screen shows the hacking worked, and Alex takes the moment to look down, fingers moving over the keys. ]

How about you tell me in advance, if there's anything that I'm doing that you don't like. We can talk it over and find the best way to proceed. Don't just...

[ His hands pause. ]

Don't just decide it's done or that I'm worthless without talking to me first.

[goodfight]

[There is a new feeling, and Neil recognizes it as guilt. Guilt that registers much differently than when it's evoked by James Park.

It is no surprise, therefore, when the young man remembers the night outside of the Republic of Dave. The argument that ensued.

Sadness creeps into his eyes as Neil looks away in discomfort.]

I won't decide things on my own.