//------------------------------//
// Article 5: Dealing with the Past 
// Story: Fallout: Equestria – Wasted Miracles 
// by MuseoSansPony 
//------------------------------//

“Hold on.” I spat, attaching a bottle cap to the bottle full of Snaggletooth’s ashes with my magic.  I tilted my head and looked the griffon in the eyes. As I did, I noticed the glint of metal reflecting the light of the sunrise in the sky behind him. “You left me for dead and now you suddenly want me?”

“Suah Shot did mention a frumpy maeh she killed...hmmm,” The griffon mused, “Well zeah hahs been a rahthah ahbrupt chahnge in leadehship. Ze new boss wants you, I don't ahsk questions. So, come along quietly.”

“And who is this leader?” I barked, not moving a muscle.

“You'll find out soon enough. No moah questions!” He spat back at me.

I had clearly struck a nerve.  I smirked and chanced asking one more question, “Let me guess, you were the boss until...well I killed you?  Right?”

“Bitch, I said no moah-” He began, but was cut off as a ball of rotting flesh and purple gothic armor slammed into him.

“HALT THY ATTACK AT ONCE!” Lionheart bellowed, his anger not hidden in the slightest.

I’d been the recipient of that anger before.  I’d feel sorry for this griffon had he not just killed a friend of mine.  Slipping Snag’s ashes into my saddlebag I scanned the sky again.  Sure enough there was Ditzy Doo and her trusty skycart.  She swooped overhead preparing for a landing, but some of the undead slavers – though I wasn’t quite sure they were still slavers under this ‘new boss’ – had realized the tide of the battle had changed, and tried to shoot her down.  This caused her to swerve abruptly to the left to avoid being hit.  The maneuver spilling some of her cart’s passengers: three power armor clad ponies.

They fell unceremoniously into the blood soaked dirt of the center plaza, the suits they wore absorbing the brunt of the fall damage.  I had to make a double take at the image on their flanks.  Any wasteland wise pony knows there are three primary groups of ponies who sport power armor: The Enclave – stuck up pegasi who got their flanks given to them many years ago – The Steel Rangers – Tech loving, raider, asshats – and the Applejack’s Rangers – slightly less asshattish spinoffs of the steelpricks that actually help the wasteland.

These ponies were none of those groups.  Their flanks sported a stylized picture of a Flaming Hoofprint and the words 'FHB - Semper Flagrans'.  A recent fourth group to sport power armor out in the wastes: The Flaming Hoof Brigade.  They started as a NCR military squad – and on paper they still are.  They were the first squad outfitted with newly minted power armor.  What started as ill-equipped ponies in mini-tanks grew into its own under the leadership of General Blaze.  Now they are elite members of the military.  Unlike most squads they are allowed to take on mercenary work.  More often than not, they act as NCR enforcers strong hoofing settlements into wanting to join the NCR – you know ‘for protection’.  Oh and of course NCR top brass would never admit to this use of the FHB, but I know and so now you do.

What the fuck is Blaze’s boys doing here? They never help non-NCR settlements.  How did they even know New Appleloosa was under attack?  I was shaken from my thoughts as one of the FHB members stood and pointed his very intimidating grenade machine gun at me.  Right, if they are here to ‘kill’ ponies and others who look dead, I fit the bill.

“I, um,” I gulped, trying to compose myself.  That griffon had been right, I couldn’t die at the moment, but I was not sure how I’d fair blown to smithereens.  Knowing the FHB, I'd be tiny flaming chunks thanks to incendiary grenades – what did you think the ‘Flaming’ part of their name was just to sound cool?

“Char Broil! No!” Abide shouted, popping in from out of nowhere to stand between me and the flaming death pony, Where did he come from? “Jot is not one of them! She is on our side.” He hesitated before adding, “At the moment.”

“Oh I know.” The armor intoned, “I was just getting revenge for what her article did to General Blaze.  Step aside, bro.”

Did I forget to mention I’d written an article about General Blaze?  Because I did and it might have gotten General Blaze put on an ‘unpaid extended leave of absence from the military.’  Mind you it had nothing to do with the aforementioned accusations, it had to do with a scandal involving a hooker or two on the Dise strip and a lot of illicit drugs.

Hold on, did he say ‘bro’?

“Abide, you're related to this hot head?” I asked.

“Bro, you friends with this filth?” Char Broil added.

“Yes, by marriage.” Abide answered me, “It's complicated.” He said to his step-brother.

“Well this trash columnist’s slander got Gen. Blaze fired.” Char spat.

“Technically, if it's written it's libel.” I snarked, “but my story was 100% factual.”

“Every soldier deserves to let loose and relax from time to time!” Char yelled, the effect amplified by his armor’s speaker, “Though she is convicted of murder.  She killed your fiancé, Bro.  She–”

“Was executed.” Abide finished for him, “Or have you not been listening to the news?  She was killed, her sentence carried out. Just somehow she and everypony who has died since has come back.” Abide scowled as he was reminded about me cheating death, “You are here to help the town.  We’ll talk later.”

Char Broil seemed to accept the situation and charged off to ‘kill’ some monstrous slavers, leaving Abide and me in the blood spattered streets.


***  ***  ***


Before noon the remaining invaders had been ‘killed’ or chased off.  New Appleloosa had survived to live another day.  Though it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, 17 of the residents had perished in the fight including Snag and five other town guard members.  The FHB members were more than happy to take my suggestion to burn the dead attackers – at least any not already burnt to a crisp or splattered to bloody chunks.

They were less enthusiastic about doing the same to the dead residents.  Abide had to convince them and the town that in ten or so hours they would rise again.  It would only cause more pain for those still alive.  When all was said and done, I knew this was the last time I would set hoof in New Appleloosa.  Even if no pony openly blamed me, I was the only undead left to point a hoof at and I had suggested the desecration of the town’s dead.  What was a few more haters.  In my line of work, they are a badge of honor.  The only loss would be never seeing Ditzy’s hot flanks – I mean lovely spirit – again.  Well, at least in New Appleloosa.  I suppose I could try to catch her out on the road…

The mystery as to how Sargent Char Broil – yep that douche was a Sargent – found out about the impending attack was quickly solved.  While I had been attempting to drown my sorrows in apple whiskey – stupid lack of guts! I miss alcohol! – Abide had been far more proactive.  Apparently Ditzy has a shortwave radio Lionheart uses to notify Silver of when they were getting into town.  It has a pretty long range, capable of being picked up as far as the Canterlot hoofhills.

Ditzy had been in the settlement of Recurrence at the time – A Canterlot ghoul settlement in the ruins of Zebratown.  Conveniently, Asshat Char Spoiled was negotiating with Mayor Sundae to join the NCR.  He figured he could kill two raiders with one flamethrower – his words, not mine – by securing Recurrence for the NCR and cement New Appleloosa's official NCR status on his way back to Junction City.  Ditzy offered him a ride.

“This will probably earn me another metal.” Char boasted, as the dead burned in large pyres around us.  Out of his armor he was far less threatening.  He had a black coat and ash grey mane with piercing blue eyes.  Though the left side of his face had a grizzly burn scar and I could have sworn the eye on that side was cybernetic. “So, I suppose I won’t end you...today.”

Gee, I feel honored. “I’d just pop back up in an hour, anyways.” I retorted, “What do you want?”

“True enough,” He relented, “I did want to thank you for not letting my step-bro get sold into slavery.”

“Contrary to my stellar reputation, I’m not a bad pony.” I huffed. I hate his stupid grin. “I take down slavers, not contribute to their craft.  It was like Old Appleloosa, but with fewer civilian casualties.”

“Shit! That was you?” He asked in what might have been genuine shock.

My article was not mentioned in the official NCR report on the retaking of Old Appleloosa, but E told me the evidence was compelling enough to convince them to act.

“I don’t always write about corrupt, high ranking, military ponies.” I deadpanned, “Sometimes I take out trash everypony can agree is trash.” I paused and scowled, “I repeat: what do you want?”

“Am I that obvious?” He asked, sporting a very punchable grin.

“Noooo, you drop from the sky and aim grenades at me while accusing me of slander, and now you are shooting the shit with me like we're old pals.” I said, not hiding the sarcasm, “You either want to fuck me, or you want me to do something for you.  I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last buck in Equestria, so you must want something from me.  Spit it out!”

“Abide says you are heading east.  I need you to deliver a letter to the CO over at Camp Forlorn Hope.”  He explained, “Since you have to stop there anyways you can–”

“If you say that stupid flamethrower line again, I’ll toss you in the fire.” I spat.

“Fine, deliver the letter.  The CO should pay you. Deal?” He asked.

“It doesn’t say ‘shoot the pony delivering this letter’, does it?” I asked flatly, levitating off my fedora.  I took a small amount of glee in seeing him puke in his mouth at the sight of my bullet hole, “Because, been there, done that, didn't get a t-shirt.”

“If you must know, it is about securing Recurrence and New Appleloosa.” He said, taking out a cigarette and lighting it with a flip lighter, “We were supposed to report in, but ya know Slavers were attacking.”

“If you're gonna pawn your work off on me, at least give me a light?” I said.

He chuckled and offered me a cigarette.  Feeling like showing off, I lit it with my magic.  I floated the cancer stick to my lips and took a breath.  It was at that moment I remembered I didn’t have any lungs. Celestia dammit!


***  ***  ***


I had my eyes closed and was trying to catch some Z’s I knew would never come as we flew over the wasteland.  Ditzy had offered to fly us to Forlorn Hope as she was set to make a delivery there and to Tenpony Tower.  I’d always found flying relaxing.  Abide on the other hoof had his head in a provided puke bucket since we first took off.  Ralphing Lawboy was not the worst white noise I’d tried to fall asleep to.  That would be Lawboy Snoring.

I sighed and opened my eyes, “Try picturing your happy place.” I suggested.

“My happy place is on the ground!” Abide said between gags.

“This saves us days of trotting.” I explained, “If any of those slavers are still after us, this will give us a very large lead.”  I paused as I thought back to tallying the ‘dead’ back in New Appleloosa, there was no griffon body.  We would encounter that guy again, I just knew it, “Try not to think about it.”

“I can’t!” he yelled, “Play something on your pipbuck to distract me.”

How about you try adding a ‘please’? I thought, but turned it on anyway.  I wanted to know what was going on in the wasteland too.  At the very least the music will cover up Abide’s puke symphony.

“–ime for the segment that rhymes with shoes and gives you the blues, that’s right 'The Cashews'.  Just kidding, it's time for the news.  In light of the lack of death out there in the wastes, renowned ghoul hating, hoity toity, Tenpony Tower has kicked out any resident over the age of 65. Forcing the elderly, former residents to live out with the rest of us in the wastes.  It is believed that this was to cut down on undead if ponies were to die of old age.  If only other settlements in the NCR and the Lunar Commonwealth could have such trivial worries about ponies dying from long lives.” DJ Pon3 explained bitterly.

I had never heard the DJ sound this bitter before, granted I never had such easy access to his broadcasts.  I was pretty sure he broadcasted from the very tower he was disparaging.  If he didn’t watch his mouth, he might get kicked out too.  I laughed to myself at the thought. Would definitely help E with her business if DJ Pon3 was deposed.

“The Twilight Society declined to comment on the matter.  In other news, there appears to be a growing group of individuals calling themselves the ‘Undeaded’ attacking settlements across central Equestria.  They all appear to be of the recently deceased, the attacks used to add to their numbers.” he went on.

So that’s who those guys were. ‘Undeaded’ is such a stupid name.  Guess it makes it easy to hate.

“I think that was the group that attacked New Appleloosa.” Abide pointed out the conclusion I had already made.  I was about to tell him I'd made the same connection when he burst into a new bout of vomiting.

“NCR troops have been deployed to fight the problem, but if I were you, I’d keep a gun at hoof’s reach and the chamber loaded.  However, its best to aim to injure and not kill.  No word on how the Lunar Commonwealth is handling this new threat, but when I know, so too will you.  That’s all I have for you right now, here is a fan favorite song by Velvet Remedy.” He finished, I barely noticed the sigh he made before the music faded in.

As the music filled the skycart, we began to dip downward towards our destination.  The shift of supplies sent me falling face first into Abide’s bucket of vomit. Lovely, as if this couldn’t get worse.

Once we were on the ground, I opened a bottle of  Aqua Cura to wash the vomit from my coat, the irradiated water causing my pipbuck to click.  I was unconcerned about the ‘dry clean only’ tag that was on my wool coat when I found it.  Only places like Tenpony had a business like that and I’m banned from that settlement – long story.

“Ok, we just need to find the CO and then we can head into–” I began, but looked to where Abide had just been to find an empty pile of crates. Where did– I looked around and saw the idiot literally kissing the ground. He thought that ride was bad, try clinging to the back of an alicorn during a blizzard – another long story.  I exited the wagon and began again, “We just need to find the CO and then–”

“Well, if it isn’t Jibbly Jot.” a gruff sounding voice interrupted.

I bristled at the use of my full name, but followed the sound of the voice to a ghoul I never thought I’d see this far north of the Caldonian border.  His flayed looking face with blotches of red and grey was unmistakable.  As the wind blew the last strand of his mane, it could be no other pony.  Just my luck.  “General Lucky?”

Lucky was a ghoul that has been around since long before the founding of the NCR.  He was part of another group that spawned from the Caldonian Military – Equestria’s neighboring non-zebra empire country.  When the group he was a part of joined the NCR.  I’d grown curious about the legendary Major – which had been his rank when he became a ghoul – and opted to write a piece about him.  I called into question how a supposed Major could have the acting powers of or equal to a general.  Somepony in NCR command must have agreed with me because he now officially held the rank he had pretty much held for 200 years.  Now, Lucky was not mad at me – at least openly – in fact he tried to poach me from the Tribune to be his personal publicist.  When I declined, he offered me an all expense paid trip to Dise to try to butter me up.  I took the free trip, but never took his offer.  I liked working for the Tribune.  That isn’t the only reason, but I’d rather keep my other reasons off the record.

“In the rottin’ flesh.” he said, giving me a long, hard look, “You look like shit.”

“Eh, I don’t get by on my looks.” I called back, ignoring the vomit that still matted my coat, “I’m guessing you’re the CO of this camp?”

“Interim, but yeah.” he answered, “Let’s talk in my tent.”

At that, Abide and I left Ditzy to do her delivery.  We were led through the ramshackle ‘settlement’ of Camp Forlorn Hope.  It was actually a military encampment that marked the border between NCR controlled land and land controlled by Tenpony Tower, called The Sovereign Twilight Society Zone. It was separated by a ‘free’ series of city blocks, known as Freeside.

Many years ago when some big shot, slaver, cyborg was taken down, Tenpony had been instrumental.  Though in the process they revealed that they had a Megaspell in the tower – something that utilizes the power of the sun.  At first, they were part of the NCR.  It was like that for years, but after the NCR merged with the ponies from Caldonia, tensions got strained.  The group Lucky was from had their biggest territory in a place called Eye Glow.  It was the center of a Megaspell detonation meaning it had a large population of ghouls.  Any wastelander would know Tenpony has a strict no ghouls policy.  So when the NCR insisted on letting their ghoulified citizens into the tower, relations collapsed.  It almost came to an all out war, but the Twilight Society threatened to use their Megaspell.  It's been a stalemate ever since.  It's also a pain in the butt to go through customs every time one travels into the inner Manehattan ruins.

The Camp was built into one of the many ruins on the Manehatten outskirts.  The tents were either pushed against secure walls of collapsed buildings or reinforced by metal scrap and rubble chunks.  Lucky’s tent was situated on the remains of  some kind of garage.  I only knew this due to the half burned sign leaning on some cleared rubble near the tent flap.  It read 'Sunshine Garage.'  I was unsure if the garage had been destroyed in the Megaspell that ended the old world or some forgotten tragedy of the wasteland.  Though I suppose it didn’t matter, it still ended up a ruin repurposed as the Camp leader’s housing.

“Didn’t think I’d ever see you this far north.” I said, as we settled into the tent.

“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t be.” Lucky complained, levitating a bottle of Aqua Cura and taking a sip before muttering, “Friggen Gardens, I miss the ambient rads.”

“Why not ask for a transfer?” Abide asked stupidly.

“Jot, I would like the followin’ conversation to be off the record.” He replied flatly, ignoring Abide’s question.

“I'm not an employee of the Tribune anymore,” I lied – I mean it is technically true, freelance is different than being an employee, “Everything’s off the record.”

“But didn’t E–mmmmmh!” Abide began, before I subtly kicked him in the leg.

“Good.” Lucky replied, if he knew I was lying, he didn’t show it, “Major Lily went AWOL a few days ago. I happened to be headin’ to a settlement known as Recurrence, but was ordered to take control of this camp until a new pony can be sent. With this new 'Undeaded' group suddenly causing problems, the replacement could take months to get here.”

“And you don’t want to wait?” I inferred.

“Intuitive as always.” Lucky chuckled, “They were last seen at a Freeside settlement called Fair Flats.  It's in some old apartment building.  You can start there.”

I gave the ghoul a flat look of my own, “I never said I was gonna take the job.”

“Besides, she can’t.” Abide piped up, “she lost her NCR citizenship and she’s a convicted criminal.”

Lucky just laughed at his outburst.  “I know, I listen to the news.  I’m hirin’ her for a personal job.  It won’t carry that technical citizenship crap an official NCA job would. The NCA has denied my request to look for her in any official capacity.”

“How many caps is finding her worth to you?” I asked.

“480 Caps.” He offered.

“560 Caps.” I countered, “You want back to Caldonia, you're desperate.”

“500 caps and supplies for your trip.” Lucky answered.

“550 caps, supplies for the trip, and we don’t need to get searched by the customs agents going into Freeside and returning.” I said.

“530 caps, supplies, and no customs search.  Final offer.” Lucky huffed.

“Deal.” I said, putting out a hoof and we shook on it.

“I’ll let the quartermaster know you're coming.” He said, as we stood to leave, “Oh and if you're looking for more work, my offer still stands.”

“You know she was convicted of murder, right?” Abide deadpanned.

“That means she has killer instincts.” Lucky nickered.

I left, not even acknowledging his offer.  If I accepted it, it would mean going to Caldonia and I really didn’t want to go there.  It brought up bad memories.


***  ***  ***


The sun was beginning to set as we arrived at Fair Flats. ‘A Fair sized apartment, at a Flat rate’ proclaimed a billboard that hung precariously over the edge of the roof.  It was accompanied by the picture of a yellow stallion with a red and white striped mane.  He had a really punchable face, too bad he was likely long dead.  The rest of the building was nothing to write home about.  The brick facade was crumbling in places, a rusted fire escape barely clung to the side, ending two floors too early, and not a single solid window in sight – all shattered and boarded up.  Though I swore I could see one near the top that may have had no boards over it.

“What are you doing?” Abide asked, as I craned my neck to see the top most floor.

I ignored the question and entered the lobby.  In the corner of my vision I saw a notification that said ‘Veil Anomaly Detected’.  I was about to check my pipbuck to see what the popup meant, when I heard yelling.  Well no so much heard with my ears, but directly into my brain.

“Are my caps not good here or something?” a voice shouted again in my head.  I recognized the voice as Triple E’s wife Compass Rose.  When she gets flustered or angry, her thought speaking is beamed into the brains of everypony in the room.

“I told you all our rentable rooms are full.” A ghoul rasped back.  His coat and mane were all gone leaving the pink skin that was missing sections revealing the muscles beneath.

“The other guy said he'd reserve me a room!” She countered.

“Sorry, miss, but we don’t reserve our rented rooms.” The ghoul explained, “First come, first serve.”

“My good sir,” I said trotting over, “Do you know who this is?”

“Should I?” He asked dryly.

“Jot? What are you doing here?” Compass asked, shocked to see me, "How are you alive?"

“This is Compass Rose, esteemed travel writer for The Junction City Tribune.” I went on, ignoring Compass's questions, “If you let her stay the night, she might write a glowing review of your little town in the paper.  It could turn your little settlement into the next Tenpony Tower.”

The ghoul looked more confused than anything else at what I was saying, but after a moment sighed. “Look I really don’t have any rooms to rent, but there is a room on the 5th floor we can’t get open.  The locks must have been changed right at the end of the war, as we had no key for it when we found this place.  You get it open. The room is yours to own,” he rasped.

I smirked, “That'll do.”


***  ***  ***


Room 543’s lock was one of the most difficult locks I have ever had to pick.  I was on my 10th bobby pin – thank you NCR military for the resupply – when I was ready to give up and find another way into the room.  I’d even considered breaking down the door, but if I was to own this apartment, I didn’t want to have to fix the door.  I took out an 11th bobby pin and put it into the lock.

“How are you?” Compass asked in my mind, the sudden intrusion causing me to break the bobby pin, “You know considering...”

“What?” I asked, taking out another pin. Lucky number 12, I suppose. “Being undead?”

“No, since the death of Noted?” She asked bluntly.

The question made me break the 12th bobby pin.  I’d been avoiding thinking about her since it happened.  Only being forced to relive the day of her death when I’d watched Abide’s memory orb.

“I’m getting by.” I answered emotionlessly.

“I’m sorry I let you down.” She replied, sniffling.  Looking at her, I saw she was crying,  “I said I’d protect her with my life, but they caught me by surprise with an anesthetic spell. When I came to, the home was on fire and I was being dragged out.” she paused to sniffle again, “I couldn't protect her..”

“It's not your fault, you couldn’t have known.” I comforted, hugging her with my pipbucked hoof.

“When I found out, I–” she began, but stopped suddenly.

Taking it as a cue to stop the sappy moment, I took out lucky bobby pin number 13.  I looked back at the lock and sighed.  I brought up my pipbuck’s inventory to find the magazine on locks the ghoul in the lobby had given me.

I originally thought the magazine was useless, I’ve picked plenty of locks in my life.  I’d taken it to sell for caps later.  I knew The Followers of the Apocalypse have a standing reward for books and magazines.  Their closest chapter was in Friendship City in the STSZ.  However, it was the 345th edition of Locksmith Reader.  If the publish date was correct it was one of the last published before the old world ended.  The ghoul had said the lock was likely replaced near the end of the war, so it might have included info on the lock in question.  For the record it was a Maredeco V12 Lock.

As I found it in my bags and pulled it out I felt Compass’s eyes boring into me.  I’m not sure how to explain it, but Compass’s eyes can let you know she is looking at you.  Probably some side effect of the psychic talking she prefers to use.  I looked up to see what she wanted.

“Did you want–” I began, my question lost as her intense gaze was fixed on the device attached to my hoof.  Shit, this was Compass’s anniversary gift to Triple E.  I was told not to tell her I now had it. “Right...E gave it to me to make up for the freelance pay cut.” Best to tell the truth, she's already seen I have the device.

“Figures.” She said solemnly, “I’d planned on giving it to you for your birthday, but I’d forgotten a gift for E and my anniversary.  You were in jail, so I gave it to E.  I could tell she didn’t like it.”

Glancing at the arcanotech on my hoof a question came to the forefront of my mind, “Where did you find it anyways?”

She put her hoof to her chin and thought for a moment before answering, “A ministry hub in the Arimaspi. Why?”

“I’m pretty sure it was meant for Princess Luna.” I replied.

“Odd, Luna never wore a pipbuck.” She said, “As a true goddess of her time, I don't thinks he would have ever worn one."  She paused and changed the subject, "Want me to see if there is another way in?”

I shook my head as I leafed through the magazine.  Turns out it had a few tricks I’d not thought of before.  Putting the 13th bobby pin into the lock I turned it along with the screwdriver the door finally clicked open.

Smiling, I entered and looked around.  It became clear that no pony had entered the apartment since the megaspells destroyed the old world.  A thick layer of dust coated the myriad of glass shards that littered the moldy carpet.  The air smelled of decay.  Propped up on a couch was the skeleton of the last occupant, the skull glancing out the window in the direction of the Manehatten megaspell crater.  On the floor next to the couch was a collapse box and a pile of empty dash inhalers.  Whomever this pony was he died high as a kite.

Next to the living room was a small kitchen, equally unused since the megaspells fell.  The last meal’s plates were still soaking in murky water.  Down the hall, off the living room was a bathroom, master bedroom, and a guest room.  Based on my experience staying at Fair Flat’s before, this apartment was far bigger than many of the other apartments in the settlement.  As a cool night breeze wafted in the window, I realized it was the one I’d noticed with no boards on it at street level.  I facehoofed.  I could have saved 12 bobby pins had I known there was another way in!

“I’ll take the couch.” I said flatly, moving the skeleton aside.

“Wouldn’t you want the master bedroom?” Abide asked, appearing behind me.  He had gone to the market on the third floor while I was busy breaking into Apartment 543.  I'd almost forgotten he was my forced travel companion.

“No.” I said with a sigh, “bad memories.”

“Bad memories?” Abide asked dumbly.

I rounded on him, “It's where Noted was found.” I shouted, the anger of the ordeal coming back. “She went to my room because she felt safe in there.  Her body was found in my bed.”

“Oh…” was Abide's only response, as he headed off to the guest bed room without another word.

Had I not been reminded of his relation to my daughter’s killer, I may have gone after him to apologize.  I didn’t care.  Why did I ever consider him worthy of a contact? Fuck Abide and his stupid feelings!

“I’ll, um, leave you be.” Compass piped up awkwardly, before heading to the master bedroom, the larger bed more fitting of her larger frame.

Finally alone, I slammed the front door and out came my combat knife.  In the absence of an outlet for sadness, I had once again taken to anger.  The couch was my target as I tore it to pieces.

“Is this a bad time?” a familiar voice asked, interrupting my temper tantrum.

Turning to the voice I beheld the skeleton I’d met in the Afterlife, his shadow cloak shifting and swaying, and suddenly my anger had an outlet.

“You!” I seethed, “You sent me back to the goddesses damned wastes instead of letting me be at peace with my daughter!”

“I did,” he said flatly, “I had my reasons. This is bigger than you know.”


***  ***  ***


Footnotes:

Jibbly Jot: Level Up! Level -3

New Perk Added:

Your Mother Was a Hamster! – Through some great insult or rude gesture, you draw an enemy’s attention to you. Once per turn, you may make a CHA test to force a single enemy to attack you instead of another party member. May only be done on [CHA/2] enemies per combat and only against ‘intelligent’ enemies.

Abide: Level Up! Level 5

New Perk Added:

Rule One: Cardio – Gain +1 to all movement speed.

New Companion: Compass Rose - Level 6

Strength - 7

Perception - 7

Endurance - 7

Charisma - 5

Intelligence - 6

Agility - 6

Luck - 2

Traits:

Alicorn, Dipped – You are a Goddess Alicorn, made in the image of the Royal Pony Sisters. You get +15 Arcane Magic, +15 Academics & Lore, +15 Unarmed, +5 Negotiation & Seduction, +5 Bluff & Intimidation, and -5 to ALL other skills.

Mute – You cannot talk and must communicate by other means. (in this case talking in ponies minds)

Quests Started:

Burn After Reading – Deliver Char Broil’s letter to the CO of Camp Forlorn Hope

Lily Livered – Ask around Fair Flats for the whereabouts of Major Lily.

Home, Sweet Home – √ Find a way into Room 543 in Fair Flats.
(optional) Locate the Key to Room 543.
(optional) Find alternative way into Room 543

Quests Completed:

No Rest for the Wicked

Home, Sweet Home