We're making an exception for Mercer. Some of the new settlers there are talking about joining the Minutemen, which might be kind of inconvenient if we're running synths through there.
Yeah, alright. Greentop Nursery and Taffington Boathouse are the closest settlements. So unless you want to head over to the Slog, those are probably our best choices. Preferences?
I like the Slog. Those are cool ghouls. [Diamond City crapped on them and they thrived anyway, and didn't become bitter about smoothskins even though they had ever reason to.]
Greentop Nursery is okay, too. Taffington Boathouse has all that stagnant water that tends to attract bloodbugs, so I'm not so into the idea of bedding down there.
Let's hit the Nursery. The settlers don't use the Pre-War house, we can get more privacy there than at the Slog.
[And what Zetta wants most right now is to bed down with them and not have to deal with the outside world. That's not going to happen, not until they can go back to Spectacle Island, but she's going to try to get as close to that as she can.]
[Zetta grins slyly.] It's like you can read my mind. [Even though he didn't, not entirely. She'd been actively trying to not get her hopes up for that, since she knows how unlikely it is, but... christ. If only.
Riley's eyebrows shoot up his forehead in amusement -- and surprise is definitely there, too, since he knows how high of a statement that is coming from her.]
Yeah, I guess I should come clean. Back when I was eight, I was kidnapped by this weird shady group who implanted some experimental tech in my brain. Ever since then I can sort of read minds. Not, like, word for word, but I can pick up impressions. Totally useful in my line of work.
It... First it was just his voice -- your voice. It was the other you. And then... I guess he shared a memory? That must've been what it was. I saw where they live. And it was the three of us -- of them... just, being together. The way we used to be, before the war.
It was overwhelming, [he admits with a small laugh.]
It'd be nice, wouldn't it? Being able to share minds like that.
[Riley knows they should be vigilant right now, but he can't help himself from reaching out for Ferran's hand. He's smiling softly, unaware of Ferran's sudden concern.]
[He starts at Riley's touch, having been lost in his thoughts, but he quickly grips Riley's hand and squeezes, flicking him a small smile.]
I don't think you'd really want to see everything that's inside my mind.
[Or maybe Riley would, because Riley tends to think better of him than he probably deserves. But Ferran doesn't want Riley to know that he's actually a far worse person than Riley probably realizes. Riley knows about his old job, of course, but he doesn't know the details. And he doesn't know all the things Ferran got up to before that job either.]
[Riley is grinning, but the self-conscious feeling hasn't gone away. He kisses Ferran's cheek in return.] I don't get it.
[Zetta can pick out the undertone to his voice, can tell that he's taking it personally, so she takes mercy on him.] We're teasing, love, don't worry about it.
Teasing is my way of admiring. I think it's awesome, you and your youness.
[And he understands why Riley wasn't able to herd Zetta and Ferran, to be their moral compass. It takes an element of hard edges and ruthlessness to do it, and Riley just doesn't have ruthlessness in his nature.]
[And now Riley's going from "worried he actually did something that made them uncomfortable" to embarrassed.
But before he can respond -- and it'd likely be with an apology, for misunderstanding -- There's a quiet rumbling from the ground. The reason why becomes quickly obvious as a mole rat bursts out of the ground, then another.
Zetta is sighing and drawing Deliverer, but Riley throws his hand up.] Hang on -- Wait, wait. I want to try something.
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Greentop Nursery is okay, too. Taffington Boathouse has all that stagnant water that tends to attract bloodbugs, so I'm not so into the idea of bedding down there.
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[And what Zetta wants most right now is to bed down with them and not have to deal with the outside world. That's not going to happen, not until they can go back to Spectacle Island, but she's going to try to get as close to that as she can.]
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[...and stuff.
Okay, might not be enough privacy for "and stuff" but a guy can hope.]
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Riley's eyebrows shoot up his forehead in amusement -- and surprise is definitely there, too, since he knows how high of a statement that is coming from her.]
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Riley looks thoughtful.] You know, I think that might've been the weirdest part of that whole alien visit. The telepathy, I mean.
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Ferran gazes at Riley as they set out.]
What was it like?
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It... First it was just his voice -- your voice. It was the other you. And then... I guess he shared a memory? That must've been what it was. I saw where they live. And it was the three of us -- of them... just, being together. The way we used to be, before the war.
It was overwhelming, [he admits with a small laugh.]
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[Which suddenly makes him wonder if his alien self had abused his telepathy when they were together and Ferran never knew it. That's disquieting.]
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[Riley knows they should be vigilant right now, but he can't help himself from reaching out for Ferran's hand. He's smiling softly, unaware of Ferran's sudden concern.]
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I don't think you'd really want to see everything that's inside my mind.
[Or maybe Riley would, because Riley tends to think better of him than he probably deserves. But Ferran doesn't want Riley to know that he's actually a far worse person than Riley probably realizes. Riley knows about his old job, of course, but he doesn't know the details. And he doesn't know all the things Ferran got up to before that job either.]
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That's alright. Whatever you'd want to share would be enough.
You see what we have to live with? [Zetta stage whispers to Deacon up ahead of them.] He's such a fucking sap.
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[Deacon's never known anyone who was so consistently and perfectly decent and noble. It's almost freaky.]
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What? I'm just being honest.
"Just."
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"Honesty" is a naughty, naughty word, [Zetta clicks her tongue.]
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[Deacon jokes, while Ferran playfully nudges Riley with his shoulder.]
Don't mind them, love. I like you just the way you are.
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[Zetta can pick out the undertone to his voice, can tell that he's taking it personally, so she takes mercy on him.] We're teasing, love, don't worry about it.
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[And he understands why Riley wasn't able to herd Zetta and Ferran, to be their moral compass. It takes an element of hard edges and ruthlessness to do it, and Riley just doesn't have ruthlessness in his nature.]
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But before he can respond -- and it'd likely be with an apology, for misunderstanding -- There's a quiet rumbling from the ground. The reason why becomes quickly obvious as a mole rat bursts out of the ground, then another.
Zetta is sighing and drawing Deliverer, but Riley throws his hand up.] Hang on -- Wait, wait. I want to try something.
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[He has his laser pistol drawn, but is waiting to see what Riley's planning to do.]
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