Fallout: Lavender Wastelander

"So let me get this straight," Daniel said with outright skepticism, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leaned against the filing cabinet beside his bed. He couldn't believe the story he had just heard. It was so consistent that Princess Twilight was either telling the truth, or the best liar ever. Either one was just as unbelievable as the other. "You're supposed to be a Human right now, but that mirror-portal-thing you kept mentioning only did its job halfway?"

"That’s exactly what happened,” Twilight responded as she sat on the bed, nodding as if she were agreeing with herself. “I tried to fix the portal without proper knowledge of it using a simple magic spell. The damaged mirror must have reacted badly to my attempt and just blew up on me." She punctuated her sentence with a large shrug, throwing her hands to an even level with her shoulders.

Moira giggled from the entrance of the room as she stood in the doorway, “Ooh, Magic.” Her bubbly, naive smile was almost infectious. “I can’t believe she’s a princess from another world. This is so much better than trying to study mirelurks. Can you do some of it for us? Magic, I mean.”

Daniel was about to object, but considered otherwise. If there was any weight to Twilight’s claim, a little bit of magic could prove it. Watching with his arms crossed, Princess Twilight grunted and strained. Her horn made a sizzling sound as a few sparks flew off in every direction, causing Daniel to jump away from the bed. “Ouch!” Her yell was pained and she clutched her head at the base of her horn, “I’m sorry, but I can’t. My horn is still too damaged.”

“Oh no!” Moira cried, approaching the bed and offering a comforting a hug, which Twilight awkwardly accepted, “You poor, poor thing. It must be awful if it hurts. Is there anything I can do to help? A friend of Daniel’s is a friend to me.”

Twilight shook her head slowly as she gazed at their feet, an expression of grief across her face. “N-no… horns take time to r-regrow.” There was a sharp sniffle, followed by a low sob.

She’s crying. Daniel observed. So... comfort her, you idiot. But how am I supposed to do that? I don’t know the first thing about her. And magic, that could just be radiation she’s shooting off like a Glowing One? My Pip-boy would’ve been clicking like mad if it was, though.

He was too late to comfort Twilight. Plus there wasn’t much more he could do other than hug her, which Moira was already doing. Twilight quickly stopped crying and wiped away her few tears with the back of her furry hand, saying as she did, “I-I’m okay now.” Moira broke the hug and continued to sit beside Twilight. “I’m just tired, weak, and hungry, but okay. I mean, I’ll live, it’ll just be a while before I’m back to full strength.” She looked at Moira with her sad, purple eyes, “It’s just that… my horn. It’s how I can use magic, it acts as a focus. With it damaged like this…” She grunted and sparks flew in every direction again. “Ouch.” She muttered lamely.

“I’m so sorry, Dearie,” Moira said in a kind voice, “I would help if I could.” Standing back up from the bed, Moira stretched her arms as she yawned. “I’d also stay longer, but I really have to go back to bed. I have a long day of running my store in a few hours. Maybe come by and see me, Daniel knows the way. Hopefully you’re feeling better by then.” After a quick goodbye and a friendly hug with Twilight -- punctuated with many get well soons -- Moira left the small room out the door. At the bottom of the stairs Daniel heard her say goodbye to Wadsworth.

Daniel nodded towards Twilight, leaning back against his filing cabinet, “So, what do you think of Moira?”

Twilight gave Daniel a small smile, “I like her. She reminds me a little bit of my friend, Pinkie Pie…” Twilight trailed off and her expression grew solemn.

I better change subject really quick. She’s having a very bad day. “I’m hungry. How about you?”

<>~<>~<>

Downstairs, Daniel was busying himself with cooking a meal in the tiny kitchen offshooting from the main room. The wait gave Twilight enough time to have a look around from her uncomfortable seat at the picnic table in the center of the room. Daniel had cleared the table of old plates and tin cans for her. She didn’t mind the clutter, but he was so insistent on tidying up for a guest.

Looking around, there were two lockers in the room with her, one to the side of the exit, and one next to the entrance of the kitchen. Behind where she sat was a bookshelf, on top of which were skulls that looked suspiciously cow-like. Twilight didn’t feel like getting up to have a closer look, it was almost like every ounce of energy was leeched out of her. Plus knowing the answer would probably make her sick. For once in her life Twilight wanted the comfort of ignorance.

Sitting with her elbow on the table, chin resting in her hand, Twilight gazed longingly through the darkened window on the front door.

“What is it?” Daniel asked her. The rattle of a plate being placed in front of Twilight told her she had food. Looking at her plate, she studied the slab of thick reddish meat beside two wrinkly bluish-purple fruits.

“I wanted to go outside,” She responded weakly, “Stretch my wings and get some fresh air.” It was a half truth. Sure, she wanted to go outside and stretch her wings, but if those skulls on the bookshelf belonged to cows… well, the last place she wanted to be was in his presence.

“It’s a bit too late to go outside,” Daniel said. There was a long pause as Twilight looked up from her plate to stare at Daniel quietly. He took the seat across from her, setting down his own plate of meat and fruit. Just sitting near someone who ate meat like it was nothing put Twilight on edge. He doesn't seem like he’d hurt me, and he seems honest so far. And he did save my life. But, can I trust him?

Giving Daniel the benefit of the doubt, Twilight stabbed the meat on her plate with her fork. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but if squirrel didn’t hurt me neither should this, and I really need to eat. She began to cut it with the knife Daniel had laid beside her plate, a large black knife with a metal handle. The front of the blade was razor sharp, and the back was serrated close to the base of the blade.

This is an odd kitchen knife, Twilight thought, but quickly let it pass. “Thank you,” she muttered, lifting the first piece of meat off her plate to her lips. “I mean for everything. You saved me after I spent so long in that house.” I was nearly killed the first time I stepped out that door. Twilight remembered the loud bang and the wood of the door splintering beside her head.

“How long were you in that house?”

Twilight thought hard, trying to remember how many days had actually passed. “Six days… maybe. It’s hard to tell.” Her voice came out in a low whisper, “I was so scared, I couldn’t keep track of time.”

Daniel shook his head, “My guess is that you’ve been in there well over a week, maybe even two. You’re way too thin. But I’m just guessing, I have no idea how your biology works.”

Taking her first bite of the food, Twilight tried to forget the near-death experience. Swallowing nervously, she gave a halfhearted laugh to try and ease her own mood. “I skipped more meals than I should have back home. Whenever I’m studying something or working, I get so wrapped up in it that I shut out the world and often forget to eat. If it wasn’t for Spike, my assistant, forcing me to stop to eat, I’d probably weigh even less than I do now.” Picking up a chunk of the meat she had cut off with a fork, Twilight took a bite. Slowly chewing it as she looked at Daniel’s own plate of meat and fruit.

It was Daniel’s turn to speak, according to “Proper Conversations” by Silver Tongue, so Twilight continued to eat. Waiting for Daniel to say something as he ate his own meal, Twilight thought of the meal itself. The meat tasted okay, maybe even better than the squirrel. She wondered with a shudder what animal it came from. Looking back to the slab of cooked meat, Twilight gave a near-silent groan as she realized there was fruit on the plate the entire time. I could have been eating whatever fruit this is, instead of chomping down on poor squirrels and whatever animal this is. How could I forget there was fruit there?

After a minute or two of awkward silence that only seemed to amplify the background noise of Daniel’s knife occasionally scraping on his plate -- Twilight was busily eating her fruit -- Daniel asked, “So, if I’m not prying too much, tell me more about yourself, Princess?”

Twilight swallowed a mouthful of fruit. “Just call me Twilight. I don’t like my friends calling me by my title. It makes me feel a bit too pompous and bigheaded,” she gave a weak, friendly chuckle, “I guess I can start off by telling you that I’m twenty-three years old, and I used to be a herbivore. I could only eat plants, but in this new body it seems I can consume and digest meat just fine. But I still prefer fruits and vegetables. Even if this fruit is leaving a bad aftertaste in my mouth.” Whatever the fruit was, it tasted sweet at first, but left the horrid bitter aftertaste. However, it was better than meat in Twilight’s opinion.

“Oh? A herbivore?” Daniel asked with genuine curiosity in his tone.

“Yes,” Twilight said, taking another bitter-sweet bite of her fruit, “I used to be a Pony. Since the portal only halfway turned me Human, I still have my fur, horn, and wings. Actually, this is the first time I’ve been on two legs in a while. We don’t eat meat, but Humans do. I guess I changed just enough to eat meat, but I really don’t want to.”

“Ah,” Daniel sighed, “Guess I won’t be cooking brahmin steak again.”

“Is that what animal the meat is from?” Twilight asked with trepidation, “I never heard of it.”

“Never?” Daniel asked with surprise. “Well, I guess that is forgivable, since you’re from another world and all that. They're pretty common and easy to identify. They have two heads and a red hide covered in thick coarse hair. Apparently they are the descendants of cows. I don’t know if you have cows in your world but- hey you alright?”

Twilight didn’t hear the last part of Daniel’s sentence. Her whole body felt clammy, and her hands trembled to the point she dropped the purple fruit. It felt like an entire ton of rocks had fallen into her stomach, then turned into writhing snakes. With each passing second, the urge to puke grew and grew. Cows… I ate some Cow meat? Nonononononononono… I can’t eat Cows, that is… that is...

Twilight had to vomit. Rushing for the door, the cold air of the outside greeted her as she bent over to hurl the contents of her stomach onto the rusty metal walkway. Bent over with her hands on her knees, Twilight shook and heaved.

A few moments later there was nothing to come up. It left Twilight dry-heaving towards the puddle of half-digested gunk on the ground. Each heave seemed to suck more and more energy out of her, leaving Twilight feeling drained of all life.

Twilight barely had time to wipe her mouth with her dress sleeve before gasping as a hand touched her shoulder. The mere touch sent a jolt of energy through her and she slapped it away, spinning around to face Daniel. She hadn’t heard him follow her out the door.

The moon overhead was creeping towards the horizon, showing morning was coming. But even then the low-hanging moon shed enough light for Twilight to see Daniel’s face. She hoped it was enough to show him her full rage. Bared teeth and eyes glaring daggers. “Why did you kill a Cow?!” Twilight seethed. Not even after Tirek destroyed her home had she felt so much boiling anger.

He better have a good explanation, because magic or no magic, I’m going to send him to Tartarus! Killing Cows for food, then offering me some. I-I don’t even want to think about it!

“Whoa, easy,” Daniel said, raising his hands waist level as if they would shield him from Twilight’s wrath. “The dumb things make good beasts of burden and steaks. They can’t think for themselves or anything like that.”

“Maybe in this world, but where I come from, Cows are just as intelligent as Ponies!” Twilight literally hissed through her bared teeth.

“But you aren’t back in your world!” Daniel yelled defensively, “You said yourself you come from a land where you’re a four-legged herbivore. You know, I could somewhat believe your story up until the part about intelligent brahmin, but the more I think about it, the more I see you're just a very convincing loon.”

Daniel jumped back as Twilight took a swing at him. Backing through the open doorway, he slammed it in Twilight’s face.

Taken aback by both of their outbursts, Twilight just stood in front of the door, staring at it. Soon, realization came to her. I know nothing about this world. At least in Canterlot High I had girls who were almost exactly like my friends. And I just attacked the one person who was helping me.

<>~<>~<>

Just what the hell is her problem! Daniel screamed in his head as he rammed the door closed, locking it. I offer her a steak and she looks like she wants to rip me apart and shove me in a bag. The mental image of Twilight doing such a thing made him shudder.

She may not look like a mutie, but that doesn't change what she is: Not Human.

Taking a deep breath, Daniel tried to calm himself, but fear began to worm its way into him. He knew he couldn’t just leave her out there. What if she was dangerous? Daniel slapped his palm against his face. You freaking idiot! You bring a mutant inside the walls while everyone else is asleep! A moment of sheer panic raced through Daniel, visions of everyone in town cut down in their sleep by a psychopathic mutant he let into town danced around in his mind.

Placing his ear against the door to listen and see if she had left, Daniel swore he could hear… crying?

Shuddering a bit with fear, Daniel asked, “Are y-you still out there?”

“Please, Daniel,” Twilight’s low, tear-strained voice was made even harder to hear by the door separating them, “Let me back in, please. I’m sorry. I’m lost in a world I know nothing about. I’m sorry for acting all crazy, I’m just so confused... I don’t know where to go. P-please, I have nowhere else to go.”

Not too long ago you were in the same boat as her, Daniel thought to himself, staring out the window and into the darkened town, trying to see where Twilight was. As he did, he recalled some of his first experiences outside of Vault 101. The fear he felt wandering the ruins of Springvale, then getting too close to the school and being chased by Raiders to Megaton. His first time being shot, how scared he felt before Deputy Weld let him through the gate, Stockholm keeping the Raiders at bay. I can see why she’s so frightened. Straight from whatever world she came from and into the maws of hell itself. God, I’m being melodramatic.

Opening the door, albeit slowly to see if Twilight would try to pounce through, he saw Twilight on her knees, looking solemn and downtrodden. Tears streamed down her face, and her hair had slumped back against her face in a tangled mess. The sight gripped at Daniel’s heart. It was almost the same look she had when he found her. “Alright,” he said, though somewhat reluctantly, “Come on.”

Twilight calmly rose to her hooves, hugging Daniel as she smiled, “Thank you, thank you,” she repeated a few times between happy sobs, “I’m so sorry for what I did.”

Daniel gently pushed Twilight away with an annoyed grunt and rolled his eyes. She had taken a swing at him. That didn’t sit well with Daniel.

“I forgive you,” Daniel said coldly, “But from now on I’m going to have some rules for you to follow. You are my guest after all.” He waited for Twilight to agree. Which Twilight just nodded while drying tears out of her eyes.

“First rule: no more attacking me for eating meat, okay?” Twilight nodded again. “Second rule: I know how confused you are right now. I’m new to the Capital Wasteland myself, but just talk to me before going ballistic like that again. Taking a swing at Humans is a fast way to get killed. Other than that, you’re welcome to stay with me until you figure things out.”

Twilight grimaced in fear. “D-did you say Capital Wasteland?”

Daniel was still angry with her, his voice coming in a low, annoyed rumble, punctuated by wild hand gestures. “I know you have lots of questions, but right now I’m running on a short fuse.” Daniel ran his hand down his face, letting out a stressed-out sounding-sigh, “Let's just get some sleep and I promise I’ll answer as many questions as you want.”

<>~<>~<>

The yellow bedroll Twilight lay upon was stiff and lumpy, but was a lot better than the metal floor. Daniel had taken the bed, leaving Twilight with little choice in sleeping arrangements. The events of the day played out in Twilight’s head one by one.

Daniel finding her, waking up in safety, then nearly throwing it all away.

Twilight closed her eyes, frowning in shame as she rolled to her side, trying to get some comfort out of the lumpy bedroll. It didn’t help the dress she wore bound her wings and added to her discomfort. How was I supposed to know brahmin were unintelligent? I’ve held conversations with Cows before, and just eating a cut of meat off one is… Twilight shuddered, her stomach lurching again.

And then I tried to punch him. Guilt flooded through Twilight like a river overflowing its banks. It was so unlike her that even she couldn’t believe she tried to do it. Sitting up, she squinted her eyes in the dark to focus on the skulls. No matter how hard she stared, it wouldn’t change the fact they were still there. If I had just talked with him I would have known brahmin aren’t like the Cows back home. Maybe… maybe he can help me find the other girls, and Spike. Maybe they can convince him I really am from another world.

Laying back down, Twilight tossed and turned some more, thinking to herself the entire time. I need to fix this. I want Daniel to know I really am sorry. Like he said, I just need to talk to him before going off like I did. I know nothing about this world’s customs, or anything outside of that ghost town.

Finally Twilight rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. Maybe I can get comfortable if I take off my- no. I have to stay modest in this new world. Drowsiness soon flooded her frantic mind. I’ll talk… with Daniel… later.

<>~<>~<>

“Hey, Twilight.” Twilight felt something hard nudge her shoulder. She could feel the floor beneath her back.

“Ugh, wha?” Twilight muttered, opening her eyes to see Daniel standing over her, his expression was a look of worry.

“Get up, it’s half-past ten,” Daniel said somewhat frantically, “Someone outside wants to meet you.”

Blinking a few times to clear her drowsiness, Twilight leaned up on her bedroll, balling her fist to wipe her eyes, “Who is it? Moira?”

“No, it’s the town sheriff. Lucas Simms. You better get up quick because he was very enthusiastic about meeting you.”

The way Daniel worded his sentence gave Twilight a jolt. The emphasis he put on enthusiastic meant this ‘Lucas Simms’ was far from happy to be meeting her. Getting up, Twilight stretched and nodded, “Okay, let’s get this over with.” The sheriff of the town wanted to see her? Great. Please tell me I haven’t broken any laws or anything like that.

Following behind Daniel the duo were quickly out the door. A man with dark skin and a long duster coat and hat stood waiting. From the tin star on his breast Twilight could tell the person must be Lucas Simms. He was holding some metal and wooden contraption in his arms Twilight had never seen before.

Lucas shook his head, “Well I’ll be damned, you did bring a mutant inside the walls.”

His comment took her off guard. “I’m sorry, but… what?” Twilight looked to Daniel as if he had an answer. He only offered a sigh and a shake of his head.

Meanwhile, Lucas began a small rant, “I walk into Craterside Supply, and what do you know? Moira is blabbering on about Daniel bringing a mutant to town. Saying it was supposedly a lot friendlier than the others.” Lucas glared at Twilight with such contempt she stepped back, “You have exactly five seconds to get the hell out of my town before I shoot you.”

Twilight stared dumbfounded at him in shock. She did nothing wrong to Lucas but he was so hostile. She tried to speak, but her words caught in her throat.

Daniel stepped in for her, “Lucas, she’s with me. She’s no trouble.”

Lucas almost snarled at Daniel, “That’s for me to decide. You may have defused the bomb in the center of town and saved my ass from Burke, but that’s what you’ve done,” he pointed a finger at Twilight. “Not that mutant. I have half a mind to kick you out for bringing it inside the walls without my permission.”

Daniel took a defensive tone, “Lucas, I know you, you’re a nice guy. Give her a chance. I found her half dead in Minefield. She asked for me to help her.”

“Yeah and you bring it inside the walls. You’ve seen what things like her do to Humans.”

Mutant... it; he’s not even referring to me as a person… and I’ve done nothing to him. Twilight thought. Balling her fists in anger, Twilight finally she found her voice, “I have a name you know,” She said lowly, taking a stand for herself. “It’s Twilight Sparkle, and I am not an it. I have done nothing wrong to you, so why are you treating me like this?”

“The last outsider, other than Daniel here, nearly shot me in my back after his plans to blow up the town were ruined.”

“I would never do such a thing!” Twilight exclaimed. “I don’t know anything about this world, please, stop, I did nothing wrong to you.”

Lucas grumbled, “Well, at least you have manners. If you try anything I’ll be the first one there to send what little brains you have flying out of your skull, mutie.” Lucas stormed off, leaving Twilight staring at the ground, clutching her arms as she trembled in fear.

She felt Daniel's hand on her shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze, “I’m sorry about that. Even after that swing you took at me, you didn’t deserve to be treated that way. I have no idea what’s gotten into him. I never seen Lucas so hateful before.”

Twilight’s words were just as shaky as her body. “He-he threatened to kill me. Just b-because I’m not a Human.”

Daniel looked around, his mind seemingly occupied for a few seconds before he said to Twilight. “I know just the person you need to meet,” Daniel suggested in a cheerful tone, as if those few words would help Twilight, “I know he feels just as alienated as you do right now. Just ignore the people on the way there.”

Twilight let Daniel guide her around. She felt even more lost than when Daniel had shut her out of the house. No one had threatened her like that before. Make what little brains I have fly out of my skull. The gory depiction nearly made Twilight collapse, but Daniel grabbed her before she fell, holding her steady.

“Easy now,” Daniel said, “All we have to do is walk a little ways. Megaton isn’t very large. I know Moriarty and Gob will be pleased to meet you. Just don’t trust a word Moriarty says.”

Twilight heard Daniel say things, but nothing really stuck in her mind. Her thoughts were too jumbled by Lucas’ threat. I’ve handled villains who wanted me out of the picture, sure. But not one of them has worded their hatred of me that strongly before.

<>~<>~<>

Moriarty’s was a bar. Twilight could tell the moment Daniel guided her through the door. The smell of alcohol greeted her nose, and the people who occupied the tables were drinking from brown bottles or tiny glasses full of amber liquid.

The din of talking cut instantly as all eyes set upon her. Twilight started shaking again, feeling a lot like Fluttershy and wanting to hide behind Daniel. That was until Daniel yelled out, “Alright, stop your staring and go back to your drinks. She’s with me.” And like magic, everyone went back to their conversations and drinking. Twilight let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, and it felt like a weight was suddenly lifted off her chest. It’s okay, Twilight, Lucas isn’t here.

Twilight winced as someone drunkenly slurred, “What in the fuck is she?” He was leaning his back against the bar. Daring to look at him, Twilight noticed that he was bald, sporting very tan skin, and he wore what looked like a leather jacket with metal shoulder pads connected with leather straps. He wore more leather than Daniel, and the sight made Twilight grimace.

Daniel gave the person a sour look, “I said get back to your drinks. That means you too, Jericho.”

Jericho spat on the floor, “Who made you the boss of me, you goody two-shoe little prick? I asked what the fuck is she?”

Great. More people who hate me. Twilight thought. She looked to the floor dejectedly, Please don’t threaten to kill me too.

“In all honesty, I don’t have a clue,” Daniel responded with a smug grin and a heap of bravado, “But I do know what I am. About to kick some old Raider’s ass out the front door.”

“Why, you little shit,” Jericho charged forward, raising his fist like he was about to punch Daniel, causing Twilight to shrink back and hide her face with her hands. Twilight watched through a gap in her overlapping fingers as Daniel stepped out Jericho’s way, sticking a leg out and tripping him.

The ground shook as Jericho fell flat on his face with a hearty ‘oomph’ and didn’t get back up. There was a shuffle of feet as someone ran up to them. Twilight dropped her hands to get a good look at the newest person to arrive on scene.

He was a tall man with white skin, and messy snow white hair and goatee. He pushed himself between Daniel and Jericho; Twilight shied back a few steps as he bellowed with an odd accent. “Just what in the heck is going on here!? Daniel, I thought you were out huntin’ yer father, not harassing my worst paying customer.”

“Worst paying?” Twilight asked, tilting her head towards Jericho, who was groaning on the floor.

“His bar tab is a mile long, Lass,” The man replied, who she figured was the owner, Moriarty. “Alright, Jericho, I’ve had enough of ye. Get out.”

Jericho stumbled to his feet, wiping his bloody nose. Twilight guessed he broke it when he slammed onto the floor, “I’ll get you, Daniel, and that mutie bitch.” He flicked his hand, a few drops of blood spattering on Twilight’s dress before he walked out, scowling.

“No threatening my customers, Jericho, it’s bad fer business,” Moriarty declared, shooing him out the door. He turned to face Twilight and Daniel, bowing slightly, “Colin Moriarty at yer service. I see Daniel has brought me an interesting new lass to gab about. Tell me, my Bonnie gal, what’s yer name?”

He was cheery enough and acted like she wasn’t a freak, so Twilight answered him kindly, “Twilight Sparkle,” and returned with her own courteous bow, “Do you have any water?”

Colin bellowed a hearty laugh, causing Twilight to give him a curious look as he put his hands on his knees, doubled over and still laughing. “Water!?” He laughed some more. “This is a bar, I’ve got no use fer that stuff!” He sniggered a few times, before calming down, all the patrons of his bar nosily looking in their direction. “All joking aside, talk to Gob, Miss Sparkle, he should have a few bottles.”

“Thank you,” Twilight said, making her way to an empty stool at the counter. It was difficult to sit in her dress, but once she sat down, the people to either side of her got out of their seats and walked away, grumbling. Daniel took a seat beside her, resting his arms on the counter.

Sighing, Twilight listened to the radio at the end of the counter play some dreary song about setting the world on fire through crackling static. The radio must of had bad reception where they were at. Looking for the bartender, Twilight couldn't see him or her. A small silver desk bell was right beside her hand. Well, I guess I should ring for service. Twilight pressed the little button on the top of the bell, producing a sharp ring.

“Just a second,” The bartender called from behind a door. His voice was dry and scratchy. Like the speaker had swallowed a lot of sand. There was a sharp rattling sound, like a load of glass bottles were shifting around suddenly, before the handle of the door began to turn.

“Now, don’t be rude to Gob,” Daniel warned drawing Twilight’s attention away from the door. “He’s... well, I’ll let him introduce himself.”

The bartender stepped out carrying a large tray full of beer bottles. “Yeah… whoa,” Gob croaked. He looked like a human, but that’s where his similarities with them ended. His yellowed skin was dry and peeling, revealing reddish splotches underneath. What little hair he had was thin brown wisps that looked ready to fall out. His nose was gone, his lips were drier than his skin and cracked, and his eyes… they scared Twilight. She could barely tell they were green under the milky-white film covering them.

“H-hello,” Twilight stuttered, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Gob placed the tray of beer under the counter and Twilight flinched. Daring to look, Gob was busy polishing a glass, “What, a gal like you never seen a Ghoul before?” He chuckled, “I don’t bite.” He rolled his glossy eyes, “Anyways, I heard the commotion Jericho caused, but I never expected to see someone like you sitting at the bar. No offense, but really, what are you?”

Twilight wanted to back away, but didn’t, her curiosity peaking as she continued to look at the corpse-like figure standing before her, “The same could be said about you. I’m a Pony.”

To her surprise, Gob began to laugh, “A pony you say? Well, who the hell says you aren’t? I’m Gob, a Ghoul. I take it from your horrified reaction to me that you haven’t seen someone like me.”

Twilight nodded.

“Well, look at that smoothskin there,” Gob pointed at Daniel, “Then blast him with a ton of radiation and pray he doesn't go insane. Wait a few days for his hair to fall out and his skin to peel away, and yeah, that, sister, is how Ghouls are made.”

“Radiation? You mean to say the unstable decay of periodic elements caused you to turn into a Ghoul.”

Gob chuckled, “Daniel, I see that you found yourself a smart one. Well furryskin, what can I get you? Don’t tell Moriarty, but it’ll be free of charge after that shit Jericho pulled.”

Wincing at his foul language, Twilight simply said, “Water.” Gob produced two bottles from under the counter, giving one to Twilight and the other to Daniel.

Gob put the now well-polished glass on the counter and moved over slightly, standing in front of Daniel. He leaned forward with his hands against the counter, his head tilted slightly forwards as he whispered, “So, Daniel, you get any closer to finishing what you started?”

Twilight’s ears swiveled in their direction as she listened in, sipping on her water. Daniel shook his head, “I tried to go through the Metro, but the ferals and Raiders chased me off again. It’s been nearly two weeks, Gob, I’m starting to lose faith I’ll ever get on his trail before it goes cold.”

A voice to Twilight's right caused her to swivel her ears in the opposite direction. It came from the radio, the song having ended and a different voice rang through, “Hellooooooooooooo- Capital Wasteland. It is I, Three Dog-” the man on the radio gave a loud wolfish-howl “-comin’ to you loud and proud from Galaxy News Radio. And do I have a special treat for you.”

Whatever Gob and Daniel were talking about fell on deaf ears as Twilight was captivated by the charismatic voice powering through the static on the radio, “We all know the Brotherhood of Steel accepts recruits from all walks of life across the Capital Wasteland, but I have a very special guest here in the studio today. She is the very first non-human accepted into the Brotherhood. Mind introducing yourself to our audience?”

Twilight’s heart nearly stopped as she recognised the voice. “H-hello Capital Wasteland, m-my name is,” and in the smallest voice possible, her lost friend meekly whimpered, “Fluttershy.”