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[Xx-Katherine-xX]

Saige grinned as she turned to see Richie's smiling face. His dark hair was a tosseled mess, although it looked like he had made an attempt to fix it. She was always happy to see him, they had been friends for as long as she could remember. No matter what, he could put a smile on her face. Even now, she felt herself relax a little more as she stopped and waited for him.


"So, how do you think you did?"


As he walked up beside her, Saige looped her arm through his and continued on her path. She wasn't quite sure where she was going but who cared at this point? Nothing else important was happening.


(@SaintRaven367 )

 

[Blarg222]

Max finally rose from her seat and approached the teacher, who gave her a discerning look. Though it was the duty of Vault teacher to be "beacons of knowledge for the future generations of America", he still did not appreciate a delinquent like her in the class. Hell, if it weren't for her Uncle she'd be in lower levels with her friends, smoking, drinking or shooting radroaches. Despite her hatred for school the test give her some anxiety, she had just taken the defining step to where she would have to spend the rest of her days. All she could do was pray that she didn't get put in electrical, last thing she needed was a reunion with her Father after 12 years of barely any contact. She walked out of the classroom and saw two other's, they looked like the average cheesy chumps from holotapes, all smiley and carefree. She decided it was best to slip by them unnoticed, she walked towards them, head down, trying to make it o the elevator at the other end.

 

[Supabad.45]

@SaintRaven367[/URL] )

*He began to blush as she turned around, but quickly regained himself. Richie cleared his throat and casually took her arm under his, continuing walking,*


"Well, if you ask me, i think the Overseer will be satisfied that 'ILA Fantoma' is his body guard."


*He chuckled and continued down the halls, passing the cigar lounge and soon the boiler room. He thought for a long moment and suddenly smiled, Richie grabbed her hand and twirled her around.*


"Say, i know you aren't doing nothing interesting later... so do something with me and take me to a movie."


*winks*


(If you don't know who ILA Fantoma is, she's a superhero in a comic in fallout, reading it increases your stealth.)

 

[kaito9049]

Did I pass? Terry wondered instinctively. Of course, he knew that the G.O.A.T. wasn't really a "graded" examination, but...certain jobs were undoubtedly more prestigious than others. Ma would be extremely disappointed if he came home as, say, a garbage burner, but maybe, just maybe, she would be proud of him if he was selected to be a shift supervisor or something of the sort. The young man laced his calloused fingers together, rough from a few too many late nights straining his body to just meet par in physical evaluations. Constant boxing exercises had made his hands tough, but he had always seemed to absorb practice; he was like a lump of clay was hardened by the potter rather than shaped.


Ah, but it was far too early to dwell on philosophical crap, as Terry's father would say. And he had other matters to attend to. Terry rubbed his tired green eyes as he walked away from the teacher. He had to go back to his room and practice his music...finish his studies...and then something else that he couldn't quite remember. Ah well. Hopefully it would come back to him later. Another boy, Richard, darted into the hall, presumably chasing after one of their classmates. The behavior had always seemed a little...unnerving to Terry, but a lot of things about the other boy did. Perhaps it was his natural intelligence that Terry's mother demanded from her own son. Maybe it was his emotional nature. Heck, it was possible that Terry was just paranoid.


But again, too early for this crap. Terry kept his head level, not really looking at the other students in the eye, but somehow projecting his presence. It was one of his few natural aptitudes, he supposed, but not necessarily one that he enjoyed employing.

 

[Supabad.45]

*He felt so fuzzy. Not many females have had such an effect on him, such of an effect to invade his thoughts. Instantly, Richie's eyes were broken onto the figure down the hall. No figure, Terry. This guy seemed to be such a bother for Richie. His atmosphere reeked of over confidence and misguided pride. These were only his thoughts, for he knew in overall the guy is decent. Regardless, he didn't like it. Terry turned his back, not hardly paying no mind to him. He glared for a hard second and turned his head also, Saige didn't pay no mind, Richie hoped.*


@Xx-Katherine-xX


@kaito9049

 

[Endless Winter]

David finished checking his exam and turned the paper in to teach.


"Whaddya think teach, am I the new vault Overseer?" He said as the teacher rolled his eyes. David grinned and gave the vault educator a finger gun and walked out into the corridor. He saw Saige and ol' Dickie arm in arm headed off somewhere. Max was behind them headed for the elevator as quietly as possible, and Terry was a few steps in front of David. He wondered where everyone was headed for a moment before checking his pip-boy. Glancing at the daily tasks assignments it looked like the Overseer had given them a break from chores after the G.O.A.T. to relieve stress from the exam. Well, no need to look a gift horse in the mouth. He headed for the diner, determined to find a nuka-cola and something to eat. Maybe he could find someone to gamble with, or catch up on the latest vault gossip.

 

[Blarg222]

Max continued to b-line towards the elevator, the pair still talking away. She could never understand how the two could be so peachy in a world where we live in an underground bunker, with the whole Earth scorched in fire. For all they knew, aliens had descended and colonized the damn place, though maybe it was comic books talking. She knew that there was no way to get to the eleavator quickly, and even so a ding on her Pip-boy confirmed that her Uncle was montiering her. One of her many burdens was the fact that her Uncle was on the Vault Security team, and monitored the various cameras and alarms. Knowing she'd only be getting herself a one-way ticket to boring speech land, she shifted movements joining the only person who seemed tolerable. She walked over to him, as he head in the direction of the cafeteria,


"Hey...um....Damian..no..Daniel...um..Derek? Anyway, mind if I tag along? I got nothing much else to do" She said, pushing her brain to remember who he was though she could tell this impression was going badly already.


@Endless Winter

 

[Endless Winter]

"Hey there!" David waved in greeting to the red head. "Name's David. You're more than welcome to come with. He didn't remember ever talking to her a whole lot outside of class, but he had a good memory. He remembered hearing something about her hanging out with some of the Overseers less desirables, although David knew better than to believe gossip at face value. Not that it mattered, it's not like he hadn't bummed a few cigarettes from the guys in maintenance before. The thing about life in the vault was the constant threat of boredom. Pool and television could only go so far; gossip was everyone's favorite pass time. Anything more than mildly interesting would be common knowledge within 24 hours. David grabbed two bottles of Nuka-Cola and sat down at a booth near the back of the diner, offering one to Max.


"Well that was fun. How do you think you did?" He asked Max, twisting the cap from the bottle and taking a sip.


@Blarg222

 

[Blarg222]

Max took the Nuka-Cola he offered, twisting off its cap and taking a sip. She'd never really been a huge fan of cola, mainly cause of its slight irradiation. However she was willing to make an exception today, after the most boring test of the year she could at least enjoy a treat. Max was pleasantly surprised by David's hospitality, mainly due to the little knowledge they held of each other. He seemed cheery but in a condescending way, which she appreciated, there were already to many saps in the vault. At his question Max raised her brow a bit,


"You serious? That was dumbest test I've ever taken, I don't know whether I passed or just set myself up for exile." Max, taking another sip of her Nuka-Cola.


@Endless Winter

 

[Xx-Katherine-xX]

"Who says I don't have plans?" Saige frowned. She was just playing with him but it was always fun to remain as serious as possible about it. She glanced around and noticed Terry a little further down.


"Maybe I've got a date with Terry for all you know."


She walked over and smiled at the other boy, leaning against him comfortably. "You're not my only friend, you know, Richie."


@kaito9049 @SaintRaven367

 

[kaito9049]

Terry flinched at the mention of his name. Though he preferred to be by himself, away from the orders and the voices, Saige was one of the few vault-dwellers that he got along fairly well with. Most likely, this was because she was a hard worker. Strong, smart, efficient. All qualities that indicated a contributor to their little society. Furthermore, she seemed very direct, which meant that she was less likely to be plotting something.


One never could truly knew a person's inner thoughts, however. Everyone had something to hide. And Terry would be lying if he said he wasn't a little bit envious of Saige's natural athletic talent. At times, it seemed that the kind of person that his mother wanted him to be was in someone else.


Realizing that he had yet to speak, the young man replied with natural ease, "Good day, Saige. You look quite well today. I hope that the G.O.A.T. didn't give you too much trouble." Terry found that people responded better when he started a conversation with a complement, but he had to be careful about his tone; he didn't want to come off as a serpent. "Richard," he greeted plainly, nodding to the other boy.


@Xx-Katherine-xX @SaintRaven367

 

[Endless Winter]

"You and me both! How does my favorite position on the baseball team tell anyone if I should be the next Overseer or not? It's insane..." David paused a second to take a drink before continuing, "Although it does explain a lot about why things are the way they are down here. Hundreds of people and that's the best they could come up with? No wonder the bombs fell." The lady working at the counter glared at him, probably for speaking so casually about the nuclear exchange whose effects were only just beginning to end. No matter, that world was gone now and had never been real to him in the first place.


"I don't think we've ever hung out before, why is that?" David asked, trying to not sound awkward. She seemed nice enough, but it wouldn't be the first time David's tongue had tripped up his good intentions.


@Blarg222

 

[Blarg222]

At that moment Max did a strange thing, something she hadn't done since she was placed in school, she laughed. Max laughed at David's joke, not heavily but enough to get her slightly embarrassed afterwards. He seemed like a good friend to have in this god forsaken place. However the next question cauight her a bit by surprise,


"Um...I don't know. Guess we just never got the perfect chance until now." She said giving a smile, hoping she didn't sound as awkward as he did, "So what job you hoping for?" Max said hoping to change the subject before her face looked like a tomato from embarrassment.


She could not believe how far she had fallen in this brief encounter, last year she was downing stolen beer and shooting radroaches. Now she was getting embarrassed over someone in her class. Whatever the case she needed to snap out of it, she took another swig of the cola as she looked around the room. No matter how spacious the rooms were this place still felt so claustrophobic, as if the walls were slowly receding inward.


@Endless Winter

 

[Supabad.45]

*

@kaito9049[/URL]

 

[Starfleet]

Benjamin left the class later than others. He figured the reason was because he never liked sports, and picking that question could land him a job where he could write or a job where he couldn't. He wanted one where he could. He saw figures receding down the hall, and he didn't know if he should go there. They were going into a claustrophobic place. Is his irrational phobia more important then talking with people? He knew some of them, but never really full conversed. He decided to slowly head towards them.


Benjamin thought over the quote again, his personal social motto. "I expected to meet a brutal soldier or a murderous revolutionary maniac, and found neither one nor the other. It's good when a man deceives your expectations, when he doesn't correspond to the preconceived notion of him. TO belong to a type is the end of a man, his condemnation... He's free of himself, he has achieved a grain of immortality." (Doctor Zhivago, 352) Ben thought that if he was able to get rid of the preconceived notion, he might have a shot. Maybe he'll last.

 

[Endless Winter]

David smiled when the girl laughed. Even in this grim place laughter could light up any room and it certainly made his day brighter.


"Well, I think being the overseer would be great and all that, but I don't like leading people." It was true, when he was younger he had wanted to be Overseer. But when the boldness of being a child wore off he realized the Overseer was never allowed to be unsure. Everyone looked to the Overseer for solutions, direction, guidance...it was a lot of pressure. "I've got a good understanding of anatomy and biology, and I know my way around a computer, so I think I'd do pretty well working in the clinic. It's definitely more my speed. What about you? What do you want to do?" He liked her, she was friendly enough from what he could tell and not as uptight as others in his class could be. A lot of people were still trying to figure out the new social norms of living in a small space with limited resources and roles and had passed on a sense of competitiveness in their children. He was one of a few who hadn't been as focused on being superior as he had been on enjoying what passed for life down here.


@Blarg222

 

[Blarg222]

Max took a moment to think about her future, what did she want to be? She'd spent so much of her life her just messing around in the underdecks with the other low level kids that she'd never had time to think about it. However her optimism on the subject wasn't high, without the full education or favor that most kids got from the teacher she was sure to get some backwater job. She opened her mind to the slight possibility of getting a mechanic role, something she supposed might suit her.


"Umm...I don't really know. Maybe something with machines? oh, or maybe I could do something around the Vault door, I guess that'd be cool" Max said, her cola now finished as she put it in the recycling and pocketed the bottle cap for later.


She could almost physically feel that her hopes were folly. It was more than likely she'd get some ditzy job like waitress or something. If there was still a god she hoped he was merciful enough to not make her do that. However another interesting thought crossed her mind, she leaned in close to David as it was controversial in nature especially for the Overseer,


"What do you think the outside would be like? I mean obviously its a wasteland but I mean what if we went out there, maybe there still people or at least more irratiad abominations to kill. Hell, I'd go for anything that don't mean sitting in this metal tomb" She said in a hushed voice, its sound clouded by surrounding noise which avoided the nearby people and guards from hearing it.

 

[Xx-Katherine-xX]

"I'm wonderful," Saige replied, a brilliant smile covering her face as her hand made its way around his waist. One hand resting just over his heart. It was funny how comfortable Saige was around everyone. She honestly had no boundaries. It might have had something to do with the fact that she had little handle on her emotions or actions. She was one of those people who did what they wanted, when they wanted to do it. Mostly because no one had ever been around to tell her no.


She chuckled at Richie's blatant disgust. She didn't mean any harm by what she was doing, she was just joking around after all. Both of the boys had been some of her close friends since they were born. Her mother and Terry's father had been close, due to ties outside of the Vault, and when Saige's mom had died, she had been practically adopted into his family since her dad didn't spend much time home. Meanwhile, her and Richie had just clicked when they met. He had always kind of been her person, she knew could always go to him.


Her feelings were torn, because, yes, they were friends but at the same time Saige felt something...more for the both of them. And she didn't know if she could choose. She knew at some point she would have to and that terrified her. She felt that if she chose one, the other would leave. And so she played it off, she flirted and teased and made sarcastic remarks, all to cover up the core feeling of fear.


"Richie, you know I love you both," she laughed as he walked over and wrapped his arm around her waist. She slipped her hand away from Terry's chest and around Richie's waist, leaving her between the two taller boys, her arms wrapped around them.


"Why don't we just all go do something together, hmm?"


@SaintRaven367


@kaito9049

 

[Supabad.45]

@SaintRaven367[/URL]


@kaito9049

*While in Saige's embrace, Terry was literally inches from him and it drove him almost mad. He knew the girl meant well, but that's like making two ends meet. He sighed and and grew bewildered at his awkward position. Richie faked a smile at Saige and Terry and nodded his head repeatedly. What dreadful mockery it was to feel threatened, the thought was excruciating. Still, he shook himself out his thoughts and smacked his gums.


"Yeah... 'together'" *Richie quietly said.*


*He glared at Terry, this problem wasn't no out-of-the-blue thing. Terry, like Richie, is a prodigy. They breathe knowledge and it's benefits, rather he was more skilled at socializing and himself, at knowing his surroundings. Maybe the paranoia toward Terry was mere superstition; it wasn't like he has the same intentions as RIchie.*

 

[Endless Winter]

Max had him stumped. What would the surface be like? He had read the fallout vault guide like everyone else, but that was all theory. No one knew what a real nuclear war would've done to the planet's atmosphere or geology, especially not the ecosystem.


"I honestly don't know. The vaults are the bastions of civilization. We have the majority of the world's clean food and water so we'd have something worth trading, and the vault itself is highly defensible for obvious reasons. We have the only education system in the world right now as well so we should have a clear technological advantage over the remnants of humanity out there." As he thought about the vault and it's many advantages and disadvantages, a vision of a castle like in the few children's books they had sprung to mind. Defensible, wealthy, and educated, they were the heart of the kingdoms they served. He pushed the thought from his mind, and the humming walls of the vault closed in. He knew what she was thinking. Everyone thought about it.


"It's not like what we think matters. The door's closed, and it'll stay that way until the Overseer decides to open it. Unless you happen to have a way past four feet of solid steel?" He asked with a grin. Life wasn't exactly fair down here, but maybe it was better to stick with the monster you know. Maybe you could find something to make it all a little easier.


@Blarg222

 

[kaito9049]

"I was going to go study," Terry said quietly, knowing full well that his objection was likely irrelevant. This was how it had been since he could remember: Terry tried to use his precious free time to strive for perfection, but would become derailed by the girl's free nature, and he would somehow come into silent conflict with Richard. It was like the two boys were in a war that no one else could see. Terry wasn't exactly sure what it was over--intellectual superiority, perhaps--but he couldn't back down. Richard was dangerous enough to have as a rival; as an enemy, he could make Terry's life a living hell.


And yet, the pride that Terry's mother had instilled in him made the idea of backing down bitter. So when Richard glared at him, Terry gazed right back unflinchingly, not letting a drop of malice or anger reach his eyes, for such feelings would suggest that the other boy was a worthy foe. No, even if Richard was more perceptive and slightly smarter than he, Terry was an efficient worker, unbound by the unreliable swings of emotion.


Nonetheless, Terry did feel slightly annoyed at their proximity, with one of his few friends between them. He had always known that Saige was attractive, but the fact had apparently never registered with him until recently. It wasn't simply her appearance; her strength of character was something to be admired, if not envied. Terry had often attempted to strive for her level of athletic ability, but no amount of training could stand against such talent.


Terry's mother had once suggested that, if he could not become a "perfect" individual, he could at least, with his natural ability of speech, successfully court a young woman with political ties. The idea had crossed his mind once or twice, but his father had pulled him aside to disagree, saying that therein was a line that should not be crossed.


Very confusing indeed. In any case, Terry had become somewhat used to Saige's behavior, and though he'd never admit it, he enjoyed occasional times of unpredictability and even danger. "As you wish," Terry agreed, a little louder, smiling a thin, practiced grin. "I suppose you already have an idea?"


@Xx\-Katherine\-xX

 

[Supabad.45]

*All Richie wanted in life, in the vault; was to rise in a good position of the Vault ladder, studying his passions, and being with a swell girl. Mom always said, to look for love into the girl that makes you feel more then you are. The thought of 'love' was a subject that sent butterflies throughout Richie, maybe he shouldn't be so bold. He could be positive that he hoped Saige was in his future, with or without him, as long as she was in it he wouldn't complain. It came to Richie's thoughts, when he went home he would be stuck in his room, reading, while Dad sits in the living room with Whiskey clutched in his fist. Mom would be not even there, but in the labs below my feet. With a heavy groan, he removed his black-rimmed glasses and tucked em in his jumpsuit pocket*


"I sure do, how about we discuss without..."


*Richie's voice trails off, he matched Terry's tone. Him and Terry's eyes lock, his smug grin spread on his face like The Overseer's on the wall in the Main room. He knew good and well that Terry was thinking similar thoughts, if not the same ones. He looked down at Saige, hoping that this tension wasn't as obvious as it seemed between them two.*

 

[Starfleet]

Benjamin was entering into the cafeteria, near the atrium. He sat down at a table, seeing some people who took their G.O.A.T. there as well. He debated about sitting with him, but he had such a great idea for a novel. A man leaves the vault, looking for his father, exploring the unknown... yeah, yeah it's a great idea! This would sell like hotcakes if, y'know, there was more than a hundred people at best. He didn't even know if there was that many. He always seems to meet he same people.


Meeting the same people sickened him to an extent. Not only do the spaces affect him, but the lack of individuality. He knows almost everyone's name here, he always see the people doing the same boring things. He hated to see this. He absolutely hated it. The lack of individuality sickened him. Shit, I'm repeating myself. Though that's what were all doing, aren't we? Ben thought.

 

[Xx-Katherine-xX]

Saige's smile dropped a little at the idea that maybe Terry wouldn't be able to join them after all, but was quickly recovered as he agreed. She noticed a slight tension in the air but brushed it off and began walking, leaving the two boys behind her.


"Well, I was thinking we could go down-"


She turned, brow furrowed.


"Are you coming or not?"


Saige had always known the two boys didn't see eye to eye but that didn't derail her from trying to force them together often. What was it they always said? Opposites attract, but if they were too similar they would repel. She found it strange how something to do with magnets could apply to people as well.


She had never really been one for school, although she did enjoy it. She had just never really found much need to be there. For her, it was easy. She had always been smart but her efforts were more focused on her physical needs rather than her mental ones. Yet she knew both boys were brilliant, and she couldn't lie, she did cheat off of them every once and a while. And it was rare that they ever said no to her either. She supposed eventually she'd have to start doing her own work, but who knew when that would happen.


@kaito9049 @SaintRaven367

 

[Blarg222]

Max looked at her empty bottle and then back at David. She knew that their stay at the diner had passed, though she didn't want to just leave David. She searched her mind for someplace to go, almost immediately an answer crossed her mind. She looked over to David,


"Hey wanna see something cool I got stashed in the basement sector? I'll give you a hint, its a hell of a lot more potent than Nuka-Cola" Max said, giving a sly smile as she got up, waiting on David's answer