Fallout New Values [Fallout New Vegas OCs]

[NicTheDjinn]

Previous posts: docs.google.com/document/d/1pKXM9GiNEBwKwV7f2PfXyBY1ub1aML3ybZ0b7k-ugyE/edit?usp=sharing

"I'm a soldier." Caecilius repeated again, this time with a stressed tone, as if those three words held all the answers that the other man could want. "There isn't much more to say about me than that. Ask, if you want, and I will answer any questions I can." He shifted his weight back and forth a couple of times while trying to get comfortable. He didn't spend much of his time sitting or lying down, and he was finding being down for so long to be uncomfortable.



Then, thinking about it for seemingly the first time in seriousness, he asked, "Did you pick up my gun?" He didn't know if it would have been buried under the sands or not.

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Ah. So he was one of those. To be fair, his own life could be narrowed down to engineering and the many-legged beasts pulling them along so he supposed he could understand. "Just trying to make conversation, is all. I don't often have traveling companions. Well... Other than my Kasumi and Hirochika. They're good companions and great listeners, but not much for conversation as you might imagine." He smiled fondly down at the loyal animals pulling everything along. They were so dear to him... He was always so afraid they would get hurt while traveling out here. Sure, he'd fashioned them armor and installed protective shielding around them, but that only helped so much.

"Hm? I'm sorry to say I didn't see one there with you. I have a few I've been sold broken and fixed up, if you'd like to look at my stock. Nothing of particular quality though, just cheap stuff people didn't think was worth fixing that I sell off when I make a stop or two." He'd actually been tempted to loot the bodies of the raiders he'd just fought off, but didn't trust the Legioneer enough to leave him alone in his home that long. "You can have a look when I stop at the next town, but same rule as before applies. If you get down, I'm not letting you back in. I'm not going to let you arm yourself in here either. I'm sure you understand... I can't imagine that you trust me very much, but for what it's worth, I don't intend on hurting you. I'd like to think that much was obvious by now."

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Caecilius admitted to himself that this was probably the most sensible outsider that he had yet to come across. He hadn't talked to many, admittedly, and he had never really had such a long conversation with one, but he felt an almost comradery in the caution. If their positions were reversed, he wouldn't be handing the man a gun, either.

"You said we are heading to New Vegas, correct?" He asked, thinking his next words over as he took a sip of water, "I have few denarii on me, and even fewer caps, but I would ask for a machete if you have it. Guns have proven... less than reliable as of late." Even if the gun had been retrieved, the thing was packed full of sand and already jammed. It would take more cleaning and repair than it was actually worth to him. Half of him wanted to acknowledge that he knew that Daiki wasn't going to hurt him, but the more suspicious part of him knew that looks could be very deceiving. He didn't wait for Daiki to answer his question before plowing on. "You know, I once knew someone with the sweetest face, voice like a bell. He had a gentle touch and was often mocked for it. He also liked the cut the faces off of runaways.

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The fact his refusal to offer him a weapon now hadn't garnered a negative response brought him a measure of comfort. So he was the practical sort and understood the logic behind not wanting to arm a stranger in a world like their own. As if to further confirm, the subject was changed without the awkwardness that may have formed between them. "Eventually. Vegas is my next big stop. I've got a couple more smaller stops along the way. Usually, stay at these places for a couple of days each. New Vegas is a big place though with lots to do so I usually stay there a week or two."

He blinked lightly at the requested weapon, but figured it was the anti-tech thing. "I don't, but I'm sure you can find one easily enough at one of these places. Like I said though, if you get down, I'm not letting you back inside. I like to show strangers kindness so I'm willing to let you stay on till New Vegas, but you understand why I can't let you be armed and stay with me. I'm kind, not stupid." He chuckled softly at the story with a nod. "I don't expect you to trust me, but it's up to you to do it. I can assure you that I only ever defend myself, but you've little reason to believe that. Stay and find out I'm telling the truth or I can stop whenever you'd like and you can get out. And, uh, don't go trying to come after me in my sleep... There are lasers inside too."

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Caecilius was already forming a tentative plan in his mind. There were plants and informants in New Vegas. He was sure that he could find someone to get a message back to the Hill, or to arrange him some passage. He might be able to even join up with a scouting team and get right back to serving. The possibilities swarmed, and he felt an almost anxiety carding through them all and had to pull back to the first step. Nothing was going to happen unless he got to New Vegas first.

"I'm in no condition to make my way alone in the desert, and I couldn't drive this thing alone, lasers or no. I have no reason to hurt you. You're far more useful to me alive and on my side." For now, at least. The Legion didn't like to admit any weaknesses, but Caecilius knew very few men who could truly survive on their own, himself included. Sure, he might survive a day or two, but they were trained to look for other Legionaries first, and a settlement that they could shelter in second. This was his settlement.

He shifted, hid a wince so that it was just a twitch in his eye, and then went for more water. He glanced Daiki over again, really trying to take in his looks, even with his poor eyesight. "You look sick." He commented.