Author's Notes: A little happy birthday gift for myself, presenting you guys this chapter.

I'm gonna try putting review replies down below so that you can get straight into the chapter with less interference. If you're used to my previous style, just holler with a review or PM.

Anyway, before I begin, I forgot to add this certain part to the previous chapter. Though I already declared that said chapter was long enough as it is. And so here. A scene involving Eina and her new thoughts.

Hope you stick around!

6 - Mean New World, Part 2

It was 11 in the evening. And still, the Guild wasn't closed yet.

New members can ask to stay for the night in the Guild. It was common among the newbies. In fact, some were already sleeping soundly in the Guild's personal lounge. Others did have places of their own to sleep in, and with it, they would've left the Guild by now and went home.

Others who didn't need to sleep can sometimes insist on staying up late to continue their work. Such was that for Eina Tulle. A 19-year-old half-elf who was on the table. Running the last of the required files that her superior needs. She insisted on staying up late, seeing as how she realized she won't become sleepy sometime soon.

Her spot had been crowded with stacks of folders, clipboards, and notebooks. Most of them were already stacked in an orderly manner. Right now, there was one file she needed to review right before she can take a break or call it off.

Running the numbers in her head, she tapped the table with a dry quill. Mentally talking to herself and wondering from time to time if she were correct or not.

Just as she was about to scrunch up her face in irritation, a metaphorical magic stone light bulb lit above her head. Realizing the answer, she gently jotted down the result onto the paper. With proper penmanship and wording, the last file in front of her was finally done.

With a heavy sigh, she put the paper on top of the stack. Closing the folder and making sure there wasn't any extra mess right near her.

'I just had to insist on working on the extra files.' Eina rubbed her face in annoyance. Now regretting her decision to stay and help. She sent a glance towards the stack of files. Realizing that she had her own personal documents to review over. Sighing once more, she began to stand. Where was Misha when you needed her?

'I should get this to Rehmer. Do it sooner than later so I won't have to put up with the additional workload.' She decided. Beginning to carry the fairly sized stack of files and going to where her superior was at.

Leaving behind only a single folder on the table. Labeled: Courier Six.

...

Returning with tea on her hands, she sat back down again on her previous spot and held the folder up to eye level. She sipped at her tea while scanning the front page.

"Courier Six. What a weird name." Eina mumbled. Seriously, did he forget his name or something? Is that why he stuck with an alias?

Setting down the mug, she opened the file. On it are fastened forms and papers. There were some notes underneath, though it wasn't properly developed yet. She should get on that soon. In fact, she might as well do it right now.

"But before that.." Her eyes went to the basic information of Six.

Name: Courier Six

Age: 39

Race: Human

Alias: N/A

Registered to a Familia?: No

She reminisced her lengthy session with said person.

The half-elf chuckled lightly. 'I'm surprised he survived the first period.. no, scratch that. He took that with ease.'

She remembered how he followed through the lessons Eina taught him. He wasn't just mindlessly nodding or getting bored, she can feel the listening intent the Courier had. Not only that, he asked questions that weren't common to those she was advising and even asked to stop for a second just so he could get a recap on what they had just talked about.

And when their meeting ended, she was a bit disappointed. Because it felt fun to actually teach a person who wanted to learn about what she had to teach. Despite the annoying personality that person has.

Yes, she's very irritated about Six's manners. Going on and on about 'being able to handle himself' and such.

Yet as he kept repeating that, she really couldn't help but slowly believe him.

'Those questions he asked... I don't think I'll hear them from any other adventurer.' Eina remarked.

Can magic stones be used in weapon customization?

What's the limit of Valis the Guild can trade with?

Are there any reports or books or any research theories that talks about disabling monster spawns within one area of the Floor?

Are there any written methods about easily grinding monsters?

Is it possible for someone with breakneck agility to just speed through Dungeon Floors?

She can go on and on about his questions. What made him ask them? He sounded like someone who has fought for so long, that any challenge of the sort is basically a walk in the park for him. So instead of worrying about himself, he wanted to experiment around so he could enhance Dungeon grinding efficiency.

While the thought of that ambition is insane, she reminded herself that while Six did ask very complex questions, he didn't ask too much that even Eina couldn't bear with. In fact, putting aside her worrying features, it was a bit fun theorizing with him. Even if he hasn't explored the Dungeon.

'Courier Six, hm? You might as well be a teacher in the Education District.' She giggled to herself. Taking another sip from her tea.

"Oh! Is that a new adventurer under your tutelage?" A voice shook her out of her own world. Eina looked towards the speaker, seeing pink hair and pink eyes by a bookshelf.

"Misha? Aren't you supposed to be home by now?" Eina asked.

"I could ask the same thing about you. But Rehmer asked me to compile some quests that could be used for leftovers and stuff." Misha explained. "Anyway, who're you reading about?"

"Don't you remember? You were even the one who came to me saying he chose me as an advisor!" Eina replied.

"Ohh! So it's Courier Six!" Misha finally remembered. "I wanna hear your thoughts on him!"

"Well.. I'll admit. He's very smart." Eina brushed some of her hair out of the way.

"Oh, what gives?"

"He asked me these questions that sounds like an insane person would say."

"Like?"

"He asked me if letting a monster eat another monster. And said monster who was enhanced by that gets eaten by another. And so on and so on, what would be the price of the magic stone and what the loot could be?"

"..wha?"

"He even did numbers on it!" Eina exclaimed. Pulling out a single paper from the folder, handing it to Misha who took it.

"What the, he thought it's worth 357 grand?"

"I know right? I told him it's likely not. Since we'll likely compare it to a different monster level and use that as a base."

"But still, imagine! We could issue a quest like that and get results!"

"Hoh? I didn't think Misha would get intrigued by numbers!" Eina teased.

"Hey, I'm only curious because this sounds interesting!" The other retorted.

"Yeah! I almost lost my composure when we debated on it!"

"Hey," A new voice entered the conversation. Revealing it to be a red-haired werewolf. Holding a mug of her own tea in her hands. "what's the commotion about?"

"Oh, Rose! You hear about Courier Six?" Misha asked.

Then the werewolf's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, the guy who wears that green combat armor with the mask?"

"Yup!"

"Huh. I guess those suspects were right."

"Huh?" Both girls wondered what their co-worker was saying.

Rose only sighed. "You remember those idiots that we busted yesterday morning, right?"

"You mean, those arrested for being in the Black Market?" Eina asked.

"Yeah. Most of the Cronos Familia squad leaders and Cronos himself keep saying the same thing: A green combat armored man with a red-eyed mask confronted them alone."

...

"...pardon me?" Eina managed to croak out.

"Also, what's that paper you're holding Misha?" The werewolf swiped said piece of paper from the pink-haired girl. Reading it's contents right after.

Rose's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Who wrote this in the ancient letters?"

...

"...excuse me?" Misha asked.

The Courier felt hands on his cheeks. Soft and warm. He didn't grasp back, but instead, looked at the girl who held him delicately.

"So. How are you?"

Six scoffed. Smiling negatively. "Oh. I dunno. Good, bad? Shit?"

Aina chuckled softly. Her hold on him still there. "There you are again. Brooding. Like last time."

"Pf. Like you've known me for ages."

"Hm, I wish I had."

Six sighed. Letting out a heaving breath. He finally raised his hands and clasped Aina's.

Though he didn't expect the girl to press his forehead against hers.

While also noticing the high-elf, frowning slightly.

Six smiled weakly. Knowing what it was. "So. I guess you missed me too."

Aina raised her head and met his eyes. Seeing a comforting smile rather than a disappointed one. She realized she was frowning. Squeaking in surprise, Six chuckled. He brushed some hair that was covering her eyes.

"You sure you're okay?" He asked.

She didn't answer the question.

"I did miss you."

Aina let go of her hands on Six's cheeks. Then she brought her face to his chest.

In this mindscape, they try and replicate a person's anatomy and appearance to the bone. Body structure. Scars. Proportions. Aging cells. Sounds of the body.

So when Aina pressed her ear to his chest, she could hear Six's faint and calm heartbeat.

It was rhythmical. Made her comfortable.

As the girl did this, Six was slowly forgetting his dreaded state earlier. Making him even wonder how he felt horrible in his earlier state.

'How?' He pondered. This girl's presence alone made him feel at bliss. Normal. Nothing right now made him be wary and on his guard. Even if he was reassured that he is currently in a safe state, Six knew better than to succumb to that tranquil atmosphere and let go of himself.

But when this girl appeared, none of that mattered.

'Do I trust her that much?'

He had never contemplated anything bad about Aina.

Though, he realized. That might be the best part.

Aina is so kind, he didn't bother doubting her. Rather, he chose to trust her like how he trusted his companions.

Except, his trust with her was beyond that.

Six scoffed a little. His hands caressing Aina's hair gently. His hold on her weakly tightening.

He didn't want this feeling to go. Peace. Tranquil. It's what anyone in the wasteland would ask for. Raider or not. Legion or NCR. Brotherhood or Remnant.

Even then, as everyone would wish for something like that to happen to them, how would one deserve this?

Heh. Six thought about it, he was too lucky to deserve this.

"Aina?"

"Yes..?"

Six asked, the girl acknowledging. Though didn't try looking at him.

"Do you think.. I deserve this affection?" He asked.

"What makes you say that?" Aina instead closed her eyes.

"A violent, war-torn guy like me. Doing nothing but going against morals. Using.. illegal substances. Casually making love with a stranger. Killing and stealing."

He tightened his hold on Aina. Scared that she'll separate.

"How. How would a person like me deserve something like this?"

Aina didn't answer. But all that was heard right after was their breathing.

...

"..really, Six?"

Said person raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Hm?"

Aina didn't move from her position. Rather, she smiled.

"You told me that you know who you are. So why are you making excuses that you don't deserve this?"

"!"

"Or maybe... you are trying to avoid this feeling. Happiness."

Six looked down to the girl, who replied by tightening her hold on the Courier.

She looked up to his eyes. "Stop thinking that you don't deserve it. Sometimes a man as complicated as you need some form of happiness."

"Aina, I've killed and had se—"

"Shush, that doesn't matter right now." She interrupted him. Gaining a surprised look from the Courier. "What does is you being happy. Because for someone like you, this feeling won't last long and probably won't come back anytime."

...

Six smiled. Both sadly and happily. He swore, he could cry at this rate.

Aina's hands returned to Six's face. A bright and comforting one featured on her face.

"So next time this opportunity happens with a person you like, don't let it go. Okay?"

Six couldn't believe it. As all those words had hit him hard. Every one of it, making sense and providing meaning to those questions. His view on morality and life, gaining some positive form in that dark abyss inside the shroud of his heart.

He wasn't lying when he thought he could cry at any moment.

But he didn't do that. Instead, he let his head fall to Aina's shoulders. His face buried in as he weakly sniffled. As Aina saw this, she did nothing but smile and comfort him.

In the midst of that moment, Aina heard something muffled from her shoulder.

"You mean a lot to me Aina. Please don't leave me."

The girl when she understood, simply giggled.

"Of course I won't. Six."

"Anything new happen?" Aina asked. Currently sitting on the surface of the white plane. Six mirroring her though posed differently.

"I uh.. met your daughter, Eina." Six answered.

"Oh? How did it go?" She asked, curiosity was on her mind. Wanting to know what the Courier thought of her daughter.

"She's... very professional. I'm pretty sure she has a good life going with her."

That answer made the high-elf laugh lightly.

"Even the traits of my family were carried onto her," Aina said amused.

"She didn't let down on her level when she quizzed me. Told me that I had to perfect it or else we would've started over." Six added.

"Hee hee, how many times did you fail?"

"None." Six smirked. "Perfect in one try. Pretty easy, well, easy for me so to speak."

"Now, now. Just because you're better doesn't mean—"

"I'm not stroking my ego, Aina. Calm down." Six said with a lighthearted laugh. Knowing that she would say something along the lines of that.

Aina herself chuckled. Enjoying this playful exchange so far.

"So yeah. Met your daughter and.." Six's faces softened. A memory resurfacing. "Ah yeah, I also saw your high-elf friend."

"R-Riveria?" Aina's expression changed and so did her tone. Wanting to be sure that he wasn't joking.

"Yeah. You were right about her... motherly aura. I witnessed that personally." Six answered.

"Oh? What happened?"

"Eh. Some guy badmouthed a teenage adventurer. I wanted to kick that guy's ass back then, but they had at it before I did."

Remembering that moment. He was surely in a sour mood right then. Badmouthing an adventurer that's no older than 14?

'I get it, it's a tough job. Meant for the strong, not the weak. I also get that you were drunk. That of which, made shit worse.' Six's hand scrunched into a fist. His expression hardening. 'But don't tell me that that asshole hasn't experienced some form of pain and moment of weakness back in his young days.'

Six heaved a tired and heavy sigh. 'Then again. I shouldn't interfere too deep anyway. Makes me look like some tough main character that's pretty annoying.'

"Oi."

A single voice shook Six out of his thoughts. His eyes wandered to Aina. Who had a firm expression on her.

"Um... what did I do—?"

"You're brooding again. Calm down." She interrupted. The girl scooted closer to the Courier. Making her way to his side. Her hands grabbed his shoulders, and squeezed it. "Six. Breath."

"Wh—, why—"

"Breath." Aina repeated. Six didn't say anything. Until he finally breathed in. Inhaling air. And breathed out, exhaling.

"Now. Do you feel better?" She asked.

Six stared at her.

Before his head fell to his knee. A smile appearing on his features.

"Thank you." Six said.

It made Aina smile and lose her firm grip. With a giggle, she spoke. "Anytime."

The Courier's head rose back up and his eyes met hers once more.

"So. Can we talk again?"

"Aren't we doing that now?"

Aina just sighed disappointingly.

"Okay, okay." Six raised his hands. "You want to know what's up with Riveria, right?"

The high-elf looked at him. Her head nodding.

"Too bad. Only saw her and that's it." Six chuckled.

Aina stared at him as if he were joking. Then as Six laughed weakly, she slugged him weakly on his shoulder. Eliciting a weak sound of pain from him.

"Here I thought you formally met her." Aina pouted.

"I wish. I didn't know how to approach her without looking that intruding." Six replied as he massaged his shoulder.

"What are you, a teenage shut-in?" Aina retorted. Six answered with a light laugh.

"Um.. what else." Six muttered. Trying to recount stuff that happened the past days.

Then that matter of the Black Market came.

"Oh. Uh." Six began, looking unsure.

"What's wrong?" Aina asked with concern.

"Ugh..."

The Courier right now was unsure. Very unsure. While Aina waited and anticipated what sort of mess he could be in right now.

Then he answered.

"What would you say if I said that I might've taken down the entire Black Market district in Orario?" He answered honestly.

...

The silence was discomforting the Courier. Because his Perception can't get a read on Aina's expression right now.

All of a sudden, the high-elf laughed.

Which took the Courier by surprise.

Aina laughed. Her voice sounded golden. It was a pleasure to hear for Six, at the same time, it confused and scared him. Well, more so on the confusion part.

She continued to let out her giggles, while Six was confused with what she's going for right now.

"Oh, Six." She began as if the line came from some sitcom. "Should I be really surprised that you might pull off something like this?"

"W-what?" Six stuttered. On the verge of getting confused and worried for the sake of Aina.

The high-elf elaborated. "I mean, you said that you handled those Rakian soldiers back in the village. Right?"

The Courier can remember that. Where his palm easily pierced through metal armor. He can only imagine what he could accomplish with a bottlecap-reinforced Deathclaw Gauntlet. Let alone Rawr's Fist of the North.

Six nodded. Allowing Aina to continue. "So.. yes. I do not know how to react properly to this. I can only laugh at how I guessed this could happen."

The Courier, on the other hand, was surprised. It never seemed to end. With a raised eyebrow, he asked. "You're not mad? Worried that I did something pretty rash for someone so careful as I am?"

The green-haired girl giggled cutely in response. "I am a bit worried, but I do know how capable you are of taking care of yourself."

Her hands met his cheeks again. Putting his attention solely on her. "You looked accomplished when you talked about this Black Market raid. I would love to see more of that."

Six silently gasped. Her words having meaning. It made the Courier smile genuinely once more, as he pushed his forehead to hers once again.

"I'm really happy that a war-hungry person like you is getting better from your previous experience." Aina muttered.

"Okay. That's that." Six disconnected with Aina. Leading the girl to chuckle.

For the rest of that meeting, they continued talking. Aina telling Six that the village had changed a lot just as he left. When he asked why, it was all because of his deed. The Rakian soldiers returned the money they extorted from the masses, which got the village booming with different businesses. And with it, made the village self-sufficient. It made Six feel good for a little bit. Good to know his actions still have an effect on what he does. Or else he'd feel his touch is fading away.

But the duo didn't stop talking about what happened to them the past days, they bantered playfully. Going off-topic, it made their conversations all the more fun. They both exchanged their own stories once more, just like that time they were drinking cocoa in the middle of the night.

As they kept at it, Six had remembered a thought he had a while ago. So without pause, he asked.

"Aina, is the thing you gave me a one-time use?" He asked, referring to the black plate.

"Ah yes, the Plane Sleek." She remembered.

"Plane... Sleek? What kinda name is that?"

"I don't really know, a team of experimenting elves made it. Some kind of magical bunker in case the king or queen were to be under attack and have no means of escaping."

"Well. That sounds ambitious."

"Yep. Guess what happened to them?"

"They were disavowed."

Aina only nodded.

"But we didn't scrap the idea. Instead, we turned it into some form of long-distance communications device. The one I gave you is an early version of the device."

"Wait, they completed the reinvention?"

"I would likely assume they have. Since before I left, they progressed tremendously."

"Oh."

"They had a lot of problems in the early stages. Some had degraded their mental stability, some had accidents with their body. Even some had their magical power changed. But it's not to say they didn't learn anything from it. It's why they gave me a pair of safe versions."

"Huh."

"Going to your question, however, no. The Sleek is not a one-time-use object."

Six raised his eyebrows. Before chuckling to himself. "Heh, guess all that worrying was for nothing."

"Hm? Why? Were you scared that it could've broken as soon as you pressed it?" Aina smirked.

"Hey, that's on you. You didn't even tell me about it. Just the fact that I can visit you with it." Six retorted.

And from there, the two bickered playfully. And at the end, both laughed it off. Like old-time pals.

It was pleasant for both of them.

They both wished it wouldn't end.

Sadly, it has to. As all good things do.

When they calmed down, the plane of white blinked. The color of the landscape darkening as it let out beeps. Resembling an alarm clock of sorts. Both of them looked at their surroundings, wondering what it was. Six was getting confused and worried, while Aina remembered what it was.

"Ah. It's time." She said.

"Time? For what?" Six asked.

"What I mean is, it's times up. The Sleek is going to cut our connection off and we'll be back to the real world." Aina explained to him.

"Oh. I see." He nodded.

Aina giggled. "As much as I would love it for us to continue, I'm afraid we don't have time."

Six only smiled warmly. "Not to worry. Tonight was... perfect, I don't need to ruin it more by having to stop this."

"A little more there Courier, and you're going to make me blush." Aina said, smiling.

"You say that as if I haven't done that to you."

They both laughed lightly. When they calmed themselves down, they stood to their feet. As they did, Aina clenched Six's hands.

"So, do you have time to do this again?" She asked.

"Want me to send a letter and a postcard?" Six joked, making Aina chuckle.

She exhaled, before continuing. "I hope this really helped you Six."

"I already told you, didn't I? This night is perfect as it is." The Courier replied.

"I know it is."

The plane blinked faster.

She placed her hands on his face once more.

"See you Six."

"You too Aina. Goodnight." The Courier smiled. Making the girl's heart flutter.

The high-elf replied by pressing her lips onto his cheek for a second.

When she let go, she giggled in response.

That golden sound was the last that Six heard as white overtook him.

The whites in his vision began to fade. As the darkness of the room settled back into his eyes. It was a bit difficult to adjust, given how he was in a plane of bright white light. Which if it were anyone else, would probably become blind. But that aside, his vision was settled. Difficulty no longer there.

Blinking twice, he looked around. Yup, he was still in the same room he had slept in. He noticed the dim light of his Pip-Boy right beside him. It drew him in, and his thoughts made him check what time it was.

11:44.

'Really?' Six thought with surprise. Widening his eyes, making sure he wasn't still in a dream, he checked back at the clock. It was still the same.

A minute had passed here in real-time? While God knows how long he'd been there inside the place?

Actually, throughout his time in that plane, he just now contemplated on why such a thing existed.

In a second or so, those curious thoughts were gone because he felt lazy to think about it right now. His mind is exhausted as it is.

Six realized there was still something in his hand. Looking at it, it was the small plate that he used to get in that dream. It was in the same state as it was when deactivated. His finger was tempted to press down the button on the side once more, but luckily he persevered and decided not to.

'Lucky that this thing isn't a one-use object.' Six thought, a dry smile over his face. He sighed in exhaustion, pocketing the small plate right after.

He was about to lie back down again when his eyes caught over his armor on top of the table. Oh yeah, that.

If he were to look at it again, it would remind him of how weak he was. And thus, making Six dreaded.

Except for this time, that wasn't the case.

The armor in the darkness as the yellow light bounced off of it. Despite it's broken features, it had that shine. One that made him think that there was still something he can do, rather than just give up right here and there. The damage looked inspiring, making Six lighthearted about it.

He remembered that he passed by an alley of blacksmiths somewhere near this area. But there is that one particular shop that's a bit further away than what he thought of.

Maybe he'll visit it.

The thoughts made Six hopeful. With a smile, he lied back down again and went back to sleep. Having no dreams nor a nightmare. Just a pleasant deep sleep.

The one and only Courier Six being 'hopeful', huh?

The world would might as well get thrown into nuclear war.

Six looked at the door before him. His eyes going from the door and onto the building itself. He could see a chimney puffing out black smoke, and it didn't seem to have signs of stopping anytime. He looked at the sign at the side of the door, he couldn't read what it was, but he could certainly guess this was a blacksmith's workshop. I mean, all the signs were there. Plus, it's just right near the main workshop where he met Hephaestus with Hermes accompanying him.

Like the wastelander Six is, he didn't bother knocking on the door. He simply opened it and saw a smith hammering away on a piece of metal. He didn't bother getting the details. So he passed through the door and closed it behind him. The smith didn't look from her work, but it seemed the person already acknowledged his presence.

"Don't suppose you're here for a chat?" A female voice asked.

"Repairs. Actually." Six replied.

The black-haired smith placed her hammer down and turned from her stool. Looking at the man before her. Six stared back, analyzing her person. She had a black eye patch over her left eye and her chest was wrapped in a band. She only wore that wrap and those long red Japanese skirts that reach up to her ankles. He didn't bother informing himself of far eastern culture, not unless there were Japanese suddenly appearing around the Mojave.

Well.. there was that Shogo Industry guy.

'He had awesome weapons. Despite how expensive they were.' Six mused, a smile forming behind the helmet. He then returned his focus to the smith in front of him, who was just staring at his chest. Or better yet, his armor.

"That's a fine piece of armor right there." The smith complimented.

"Yeah. This baby can hold a lot." Six knocked on his torso, a slight banging sound if someone were closer to his armor. "Sadly, my gear needs repairs. And if I can't even repair it, that's saying a lot."

"Really now?" She smirked.

"[Jury Rigging] Lady, it may not look like it, but I can fix a sword using a rolling pin."

"[SUCCESS] Bullcrap." The smith remarked, before pushing her stool closer to the table the newcomer was just in front of. "Alright, let me see your piece."

Six (somehow) pulled out his overcoat, to which the lady did not bother commenting about. He placed it right on the table, proceeding to then unfasten his Riot Gear. Putting the main torso and pieces of his armor onto the table. He considered adding his trousers that were paired for his Elite Riot Gear set, but he can sew that himself. Finally, he began taking off his helmet. The pressurized air again fizzing out. When it loosened, he pulled it over his head and revealed his face. He placed the helmet on the table, and there, his entire set was shown to the smith. From the armored shin guards up to his LAPD chest plate. Leaving Six in his long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

The smith didn't seem impressed with his gear. Until she held a piece for his shoulder and realized how light it was. She gave it a knock, and with her abilities, she knew how durable and dense it was.

"What's this made from?" She asked with an amazed voice.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Six chuckled with his regular voice. He went on to pull something out from his side, a pouch. "So this is just between you and me, but can you use these as a reinforcement shard?"

"What's that?" The smith asked when Six then dipped his hand into the pouch. And pulled out a single bottlecap out of it. Making the smith's eyes widen.

"I know this doesn't seem much, but—"

"So you're that guy!" The smith interjected. Standing from the stool with a smile.

"I'm sorry, what?" Six said, very confused.

"Some Guild guy approached my Welfie and handed him some reinforcement shard. They came to me and said that it was bullshittingly overpowered." The smith swiped the cap from Six, and he was too late to realize. "It even had this effect where it leaked this deadly substance. It was pretty subtle, I'd tell you that. Had difficulty identifying it even."

Then the explanation clicked in Six. Realizing what it meant.

"That means.." He pointed a finger at her. "..you're one of the smiths then? Who knew about this?"

"Doy." She extended her hand. "Name's Tsubaki Collbrande. Pleased to meet ya."

Six took it and shook it vigorously. "Six. Courier Six."

"Weird name." Then Tsubaki chuckled. "I like it!"

"So.." Six began. Going straight back to business. "..you can repair my armor with this, right?"

The smith now named Tsubaki eyed his Riot Gear. She held up the torso with two hands and inspected it carefully. After moments of waiting and watching, she lowered the armor and gave her answer.

"Yup. I can put this back into shape," She then held up the bottlecap. "but with this? This thing is more preferable for weapons."

Six knew what she was getting at. The radiation effect it holds, even though it should be nonexistent. He didn't think there was a risk to it, after all, he had gone through Dry Wells and the Long 15 outpost just fine.

"It's alright. I can make do with it."

"You sure? It's not on me if something happens to you." Tsubaki warned.

"No, I'm fine. How soon can you finish this?" Six asked.

"A rush order? Hmm.." She mused. "I can finish in two or three days. But I need down payment."

"What's your price?"

"With the bottlecaps, it's 500,000 Valis." Tsubaki replied.

"I expected a higher price considering the caps." Six commented.

"If it was a custom weapon or armor, I would've charged higher. Besides, it's just the down payment. You'll pay me the other half when you fetch your gear."

Six sighed. "Yeah, I can make do."

The Courier then placed a pouch of Valis down on the table. Jingling as it did. Tsubaki eyed it suspiciously, before grabbing the pouch and inspecting the contents it held. She did see Valis, but she doesn't know if it's the right amount.

"Are you sure this is—"

"[CHARISMA 7] If I put down a pouch of Valis. That means it's the right amount. I don't put money down without the right price." Six just crossed his arms.

Tsubaki hummed positively. A small smile on her face. "[SUCCESS] Alright, fine. I'll believe you. You look like a guy with conviction."

"Appreciate it." Six nodded.

"Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but.." Tsubaki looked unsure, as Six just waited for her to continue.

"What is it?"

"Can you.. by any chance, take a personal contract with me?" She asked.

"...what?" Six said confused. 'Contract?'

"Contract. As in, an agreement where I become your personal smith and I'll make stuff for you. You'll just be another personal customer of mine and everything goes as usual." Tsubaki explained.

Six paused. Thinking about this decision. "Hm.. does it cost me?"

"No." Tsubaki answered. "It's all for free. The only thing is that you use my products and only mine."

"Huh. I'll consider it." Six said. "I'll get back to you on that."

"Will do." The smith nodded as she began gathering his armor pieces.

"See ya Tsubaki." Six waved goodbye as he walked out the door. He heard her say her goodbyes as well, but he didn't need to look back. Continuing his way home.

And the days went on by. As Six returned to the orphanage and basically never left it. He spent his days mostly assembling and fixing up his stuff. From the set of workbenches he had to set up, up to restoring his Power Armor and trying to see what parts of the satellite probe could he fix. There were only some people that went and visited him, the only ones being Maria and Rye. Though it was mostly separate. Rye secretly visits the Courier and would sometimes join Maria herself down into his room.

They check up on him, come and interact with him. Hell, Maria was surely surprised when Six showed how he fixed up the sink and the bathroom. Christ, the thing that was actually spewing out of the faucet in the bathroom was damn sewage. SEWAGE. Well, not that it mattered. Despite smelling like shit and basically being gross, he's experienced more gross shit than that.

God, when he checked out Fort Daggerpoint one time, he found a room that was covered in flesh. There were faces, body organs, hell, he even saw dead eyeballs in the wall itself.

Jesus Christ that was gross.

Putting that aside, the days went on by. Maria seemed to be getting along with Six, Rye's enjoying his time with the Courier, and everything else seemed to be fine. Sure, he wasn't talking to Aina at some nights, but that was fine.

Then, the day for Monsterphilia came.

Six yawned right after he walked up the stairs. The sun basking in his tired figure. He squinted and shielded his eyes from the direct sunlight leaking through the windows. Groaning as even the morning heat was telling him to wake the fuck up.

"Christ... I'm awake.. I'm awake." He kept mumbling to himself.

Fortunately, his blurry eyesight saw the dining hall just to his right. So he made his way to it. As he did, he tried to get a sense of where the faucet was. He was squinting and his eyes were half-lid for all that time. As the morning was still taking some getting used to. Usually, he'd be fine and dandy for this kind of shit, but right now, he isn't feeling it for today. He went on into the hall, the voices of kids getting louder. Ignoring the voices and possibly the attention that the kids were giving him. When he got a hold of where the sink was, he walked to where it was. Stepping and stubbing his foot along obstacles that were in his way.

He finally touched the sink, he opened up the faucet and washed up his face. He kept on rubbing his eyes multiple times. There wasn't a mirror however, so he just had to tell himself when his face was clean. When he thought it was enough, he closed the faucet and gave his eyes one last rub. Feeling satisfied, he turned tail to see the kids and Mother Maria eating on the large dining table.

They were eating breakfast that involved mostly sandwiches and bread. In the middle, there were two baskets. There were some spreads that were present on the table, jams, peanut butter, and even cheese. Damn, that made him hungry. After last night, he didn't eat nor drink anything right after. So with this, he could really use a meal right now.

As he walked closer to the table, Maria noticed how awake he was now. "Ah, Six. Glad to see you up here with us."

"I'm hungry. I only needed food." Six answered back. Taking a free plate and stuffing it with five pieces of bread and one sandwich.

"Nonetheless. We appreciate your presence here." Maria said as Six nodded before heading to the end of the table on his own chair.

There wasn't anyone near him, so luckily no one would get to experience his morning grumpiness. Except for Rye, he could probably handle how old, stupid and sad he was. He sat down and reached for a spread. 'Peanut butter.'

He grabbed a spare butter knife and spread it across the piece of bread. When it was to his liking, he gave the sandwich a bite. Feeling a bit woke and refreshed from the food. He hummed in delight, right after, he continued eating his simple sandwich. Swallowing the last portion down his throat, he seemed to have finally awakened properly. The fatigue he got from last night seemingly fading away slowly. He didn't know why he was like this, as he hadn't felt like this since then. The closest feeling he had with this was back in Vegas, where a slight accident happened.

Actually, what was ever an accident in the Mojave?

He continued eating alone. The voices of children tuning out as he was left in his own world. Staring blankly at the wall while continuing to munch down his breakfast. Spreading peanut butter on his remaining bread slices absentmindedly. Then eating it again, as if everything he was doing was like procedural and muscle memory.

He would've been stuck like that for the rest of breakfast, had it not been for some curious kids that were sneaking up to him from behind.

When instinct told him that something was coming up from behind him, he sensed that it was the kids. Trying to play around with the Courier's presence. He didn't know if Maria allowed them or was doing nothing about it since she knew how it was around Six now, but it wouldn't hurt to play with some kids. Would it? Even if he wasn't a Child At Heart.

"Hee hee, come on Rye.."

"Shush Fina!"

"Boo."

A single voice startled the kids behind him. Six turned his chair around, looking calm and nonchalant about the whole ordeal. As he faced them, the kids stopped in their tracks. The brown-haired boy of the trio looked at awe.

"Wow.." He uttered. "..you knew we were there? Is that how cool adventurers are?"

That made Six snort. "Rye, you three were still noisy even if I was dozing off."

The three orphans laughed nervously and looked a bit embarrassed. Speechless and not knowing what to say.

Six chuckled weakly. Leaning closer to them on his chair. "Ah, you three. So these are your friends Rye?"

"Y-yeah." Rye stuttered, but still smiled.

"My name is Fina." The cream-haired Chienthrope girl stepped up and introduced herself.

"Lovely meeting you." Six nodded as the girl smiled bashfully.

"I'm Roux." The blonde-ish half-elf said, his voice a bit spaced out.

"I can't tell— are you a guy or a girl?" Six asked. The kid's features were surely confusing him.

That somewhat set off Roux. Fumbling with his hand. "U-um.. it's nice meeting you!"

Six saw the disturbance in his eyes, and decided to leave the topic alone for now. "Right.. sorry about that."

Roux walked closer to the Courier, staring at his entire figure. "So you're big bro Six?"

Six raised his eyebrows at that. Quite impressed at the name. "That's a great name to call me. No one has actually called me that before."

"Wow.. you look strong." Roux remarked, his voice still spaced out.

"Six is an adventurer outside of the city! He has some cool stories to tell, don't you?" Rye chimed, looking quite happy about it.

"Huh, do you brother Six?" Fina asked, a bit amazed about the fact. Well, half-fact.

Six looked around, and saw Maria watching them. She seemed to have noticed him looking at her, and so she only sent a nod and a smile towards his way. Approving of him telling them filtered stories about his adventures.

'I guess a story or two wouldn't hurt.'

"Woah! What happened after?" Fina asked.

"Well. I fought. Even though I had almost nothing with me, a dog and a kid by my side, I fought the monsters." Six stated.

"And..?" Rye inched on.

"Obvious, ain't it? I won. With a bad looking sword and my armor about to fall apart, I fought the dangerous Deathclaws and saved my group from the dangerous place. My dog Rex fought like crazy and the kid even tried to help. Heheh." Six smiled.

"Was there treasure?" Roux asked.

"Oh there was. Awesome armor and a giant sword was left behind, so I took them for myself. Even my people were surprised about the whole situation, they wouldn't believe me that I saved a kid." Six chuckled.

"Wow.. that's so cool." Rye muttered. "One day, I'll be as strong as you are, Six!"

Six laughed weakly. He told them a story about the Deathclaw Promontory and his experience there. He was actually running from the common Legion hit squad that they sent after him. And accidentally, he and Rex stumbled upon the Deathclaw nest with a kid somehow taking refuge there. He almost thought he was going to get stuck there and it would've taken Caesar's army to fight through the Deathclaw family housed in that place. But then he decided to screw it, and fight through the nest with nothing but a weapon he was practicing with and the stuff he got from the corpses in that place.

He did have to reword the story to them. Trying to use words that seemed relatable in this time period. Such as replacing guns with swords and not bothering to explain what the Legion does. Rather telling them that he pissed them off because he didn't like them. He did explain what a Deathclaw is, that seemed to have shaken them to their core. But it did hype up his story.

'Was this how that Storyteller felt?' Six wondered.

He went back and focused on the current situation. The three were talking amongst themselves, he could make out that they were imagining their future selves. Rye was talking about his plans to become an adventurer, but he also added how he could try other interests in life. So Six's words had gotten into his skull after all. Fina was mentioning something about sticking with Mother Maria to the end, which would sound commendable had Six only shared her same perspective in the world. Then Roux was still unsure about his purpose, sounding quite normal for a boy his age.

The four just sat there, as the kids rambled on and on. While Six only watched them and listened to what they had to say. Sometimes taking part of their conversation and adding in words of his own. He only wished that life was as simple as this back in the wasteland. No fighting, no raping, no stealing. He admired the Followers, thinking that they can help rehab the Fiends and bring them back into society. Though, the only issue is if society would accept them back.

But he killed any negative thought he had in mind. For now, he just enjoyed the kids talk with their mighty ass imagination that the Think Tank could probably use them for ideas.

Huh. He should arrange a field trip for the Boomer kids to go to the Big MT.

'Wait, nevermind. God knows what those idiots can do to them.' Six shook his head.

"Hey kids." A voice woke them from their own world. They looked at who it was, Mother Maria. "Why don't you play outside and let Six here have his alone time?"

"Okay!" The kids immediately responded. As they got off their chairs and headed for the inner yard while waving goodbye at Six.

"See you Six!"

"Bye brother Six!"

Six lightly smiled in their direction. And when they disappeared, his stoic and somber expression came back to life. Maria noticed this, and gave her take on it.

"And there he comes, the real Courier Six."

The Courier smiled disappointingly. Mostly at himself but some was directed towards Maria's way. He wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything in mind. So he just shook his head and let out a sigh. Not knowing if it was meant to be sad or tired.

He began to stand from his seat. Gathering his plate and his utensils. "Can I help clean up?"

"You may, of course. The old lady needs her help after all." Six snickered at that. It was obvious that he should help.

Manners. Christ.

Just as he was about to continue stacking up plates, someone young as 18 yelled from the hall.

"Maria-san! I helped with the kids!" A silver-haired girl walked out of the hall that Six entered earlier. She wore that uniform from the Hostess of Fertility. And she had that sweet smile where—

'Oh.'

"Oh?" She stopped in her tracks. Staring at the Courier with curious eyes. Six stared back, though his held surprise. Wondering why she was here.

'Though judging from her previous statement, she must stop by around here sometimes.' Six thought. Thinking it was the most reasonable and likely story.

Maria began speaking. "O-oh, Syr-san. I haven't really told you about our new guest."

"Um.. guest?" She asked.

Maria stepped beside Six. A hand gestured towards the silver-haired waitress. "Courier Six. This is Ms. Syr Flova."

Six blinked and lightly shook his head. "Uh, we've— I've.. uh.."

"We've met." The girl completed Six's unfinished sentence.

"Oh, did you now?"

"Um.. we've met at the Hostess. I uh..." Six snickered. "I yelled at her. Because she was thinking."

That leads the girl to giggle. A hand covering her mouth as Maria looked surprised.

"I'm uh.." Six looked at the girl. "I apologize for that, again."

"Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have disturbed you." She smiled. "I should introduce myself again, please call me Syr."

"Courier Six. Or Six for short." Six shrugged.

"Well then, Six. Thank you for the tip." Syr smiled.

"Hm?" Six raised an eyebrow.

"You handed me a hundred Valis, remember? I used that to actually buy breakfast for the kids here." Syr explained. Making the Courier remember as he let out a noise of remembrance.

"Ah. Right. Yeah, you're welcome." Six nodded.

"You know what," Maria interrupted as the two looked at her. "why don't you two talk? I'll just head on out and wash these."

Six shifted from his position. "Oh, no no. I can help—"

"It's alright, Six." Maria insisted. Gesturing to where Syr was, who was going on and gathering her baskets. "Go on."

Six would've stubbornly gotten some of the plates from her, though he knew she wouldn't like any of it. If Maria insists, Six should desist.

He let out a sigh, as he saw Maria walking out of the cafeteria before turning to where the waitress was. Busy fixing her stuff. When she noticed Six's eyes on him, she looked back at him and sent another smile his way. Which Six did not care about. Smiling normally was sometimes weird.

Six took a seat in front of him as Syr took the chair opposite of him. Settling her baskets down in front of her.

"So. You help around here?" Six asked.

"Sometimes. I take days off and help Maria-san and play with the kids." Syr answered. As she turned from Six and watched the window. Where she could see the kids playing. Six followed her eyes, seeing the children play as well.

"I knew what it felt like at their age, so I come here every now and then," Syr added. Before looking back at Six. Who raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why are you openly telling me this?" Six asked. Eliciting a gasp from her.

"Oh, goodness! That was so sloppy of me." Syr pretended to look hurt while her voice sounded so convincing. "For a scary stranger that yelled at me, you look very trustworthy!"

"Heh. That's what people say about me." Six scoffed.

"If you come by the Hostess later, maybe I'll forget about you yelling at me and I won't tell Mama Mia about it." Syr then smiled sweetly at him. As if she was baiting him into—

"Wow. For a highly paid waitress, you stoop to a down low." Six deadpanned.

"'Highly paid'? I do not know what you're going on about." Syr said like she really didn't know. Trying to play innocent all over it.

Six shifted in his chair. Preparing his voice as he finished his deduction.

"[PERCEPTION 10+] The smell and tidiness of your dress suggest you've had a lot of spare time to do laundry recently. That means less time from work and more money gained from work. The orderly fashion your hair is presenting is telling how much you've been in a good mood lately. Then the slight dirt on your fingers looks like markings you'd get from a coin. Coin that's most likely Valis. The wallet hidden on your person looks used and wrinkled too much. Implying that you have much more money than an average person would have and thus allows you to spend anything you'd want for a while. The part where you told me that you used my tip to pay for food means that you either saved up money just so you can purchase breakfast or you buy cheap breakfast. I doubt it's the former and neither is the latter. Which exactly means that you are exactly what I say you are, a highly paid waitress."

Six finished and said all of that in a single smooth sentence. Not bothering to pause and breath for a tiny second.

"Though, that aside. The way you were trying to bait me was pretty bad." Six added for an extra burn.

Syr on the other hand, looked flabbergasted.

Which lasted for a second right after she properly took in what Six had just said. She let out a soft giggle. Very entertained by Six's hypothesis.

"Well for one, you are somewhat right." Syr stated. Six didn't visibly react too much.

"Eh. That likely means I'm exactly correct." Six said with a soft smile.

"I'm wondering what other people say when they hear you talk like this." Syr wondered.

"You'd be surprised." Six scoffed. Making Syr chuckle lightly.

"You may have a keen eye Six-san." Syr then narrowed her eyes. Showing a bit of seriousness which would seem very out of character. "That's why I'll give you my own hypothesis about you."

Six raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Pray tell, what would you find in me?"

"Hee hee, you know, helmets speak in volumes."

"Said no one, ever."

"But I do. And that begins with my first thought."

Six was now curious. This girl sounded real serious. That or she's playing games with him.

'I doubt it.' Six thought.

Then she began.

"I know you're not from this place."

That elicited a scoff from Six. "Pf. Obviously—"

"Tutut." Syr raised a finger, stopping Six from speaking any further. "You didn't let me finish."

Six sat and looked at her with intent to listen.

"From what I've seen, what you bring with you is out of this place. I've heard even the Far Eastern people had not developed any sort of object or armor just like yours. And I hear from the foreign people in the Pub that they haven't seen the likes of your possessions anywhere at all."

Six contemplated her words. She's just basing this on what they heard. He can still play the secret kingdom/city act and prove Syr wrong.

"But that's not the reason I've suspected you with something as simple as foreign,"

"Oh?"

"In fact, you're not from this world at all. Are you?"

...

Six, in his mind, was surprised at her bold statement. Though he thought it was just her baiting him into taking it, he did think, maybe it wasn't. Maybe she knew because she has a keen eye of her own.

Which made him ask. "What makes you say that?"

Syr simply giggled again. "I'm glad you said that."

The girl leaned forward in her seat, and with a finger, booped Six on the nose before he even realized it.

"The reason is because of you, silly." She smiled sweetly at him. Right before putting herself back on her seat.

Six opened his mouth lightly. Showing a bit of expression through his face. It was pretty subtle. A subtle way of expressing surprise.

"From your straight and thick accent to your body language, it was all there. I saw that look in your eyes, one that had a look of being lost in a crowd. And the fact that you cannot read any of the words here properly, it made more sense when I thought of it."

Six was quick to wave it off. Shaking his head while chuckling to himself. "Whatever you're insinuating, I'm not buyin—"

"Ah ah ah, there's no point in denying it Six-san. I already see that look. You know I'm right." Syr just smiled at her answer.

Six flatly stared at the girl across from him. Trying to find a way to keep his origins safe (for now). His mind suddenly racked up an idea, and with it, put it to use.

"That's a bold statement you have there, Syr." He began with a small laugh. "But do you have actual hard proof to back up your claim?"

"I've mentioned some of them already. But if you want, I can elaborate." Syr still kept her smile.

"Amuse me."

"Very well then." She lightly laughed to herself. "For one, that device you have on your wrist."

When her finger pointed towards Six's left wrist, he immediately retracted it and hid it from view. Not wanting Syr to see any more of his Pip-Boy.

"There's no point in hiding it, Six-san. I've seen it already. And I can assume no other place here would have something so... complex as that." Syr said. "Plus, the way you hid that thing, it just reinforces my points a bit further."

"Not that I'm covering for myself, but it's the fact that I don't think you'd understand what my device does."

"Six-san. That is a bad excuse and you know it."

"Yeah, and I'm trying here." He and Syr chuckled weakly. "Either way, how would you know any other country in this place wouldn't have the same device as I have?"

"It's not about hard facts, it's about what makes sense and what doesn't. And right now, I don't think we'd be having something so advanced as yours for a long time." Syr retorted.

"Still, case in point. That doesn't change the fact that you don't have hard evidence to back up your answer."

"Oh? Is that so? Then would you like another example?"

"Feel free."

"Hmm.. let's see. I can go on and on. Though I'm sure you'd deny it like the rest of the others. Such as the armor you wore..."

"Anyone smart enough to balance defense and agility can make something like mine." Six replied.

"...the aura you can display..."

"The confident ones like me can do exactly that."

"...there's even rumors of you going about where you took down some corrupted Familia..."

"They're rumors. Either they're real or not, and I assure you, they're not." Six just kept his arms crossed. "You're not exactly putting up strong bases and evidences here—"

"..oh! But there is one." Syr suddenly spoke with a finger up.

"Really? What would that be?" The Courier asked.

Syr giggled. One that sounded cute and dark. "It's not really evidence. But it's one way of knowing."

"You're killing me here, Syr. What is it?" Six asked impatiently.

"Simple." Syr said as she pulled out a piece of old paper and one pair of an ink blot and quill.

'What the hell? Do people just carry those around their persons?' Six thought, eyeing the two objects.

"As I've said earlier; I can guess you can't read any of the words here." Syr recalled.

Six kept his expression up, but behind it, he knew he wouldn't get out of this. So he'll just have to drag this on until something else happens.

The Courier just kept silent and waited for Syr to continue. Though he knew the silence he's having right now is making his point worse.

Six shrugged. "So what, you want me to read a sentence?"

"Yes. It's that simple." Syr said as she wrote something on the parchment with her quill and ink. When she was done, she held it up for the Courier to see.

And when Six read it, he had no idea about what it said.

"So, what does it say?" Syr asked with a bit of smug.

Then Six realized something. One that made him grin in his thoughts.

Six reached his hand out. "May I borrow it?"

Unaware of Six's intentions, Syr willingly gave it to him. "Why yes, of course."

As soon as Six held it, he gained a new notification.

Syr's Note added.

He put the paper on his lap, hiding it from Syr's view. And with it, he checked his 'Data' and 'Misc' section. He scrolled over to the new file and read it's contents out loud.

"Six is mysteriously charming."

"E-eh?!" Syr stammered. Shocked at how Six read the message with ease, and flushed a bit at how he just read that sentence.

Six on the other hand, squinted at first. Then raised his eyebrows in realization. A small smile and a chuckle following right after.

'Well. That was unexpected.' He thought as he read over the message again.

"You-you read it?! But, how?" Syr asked, shock very audible in her voice. One that doesn't fit the likes of her.

"That was sweet of you, thanks." Six smiled at the waitress, who flushed a bit further when he mentioned it. "But yeah, I told you. I can understand it."

"So.. you weren't lying after all?" Syr asked. Her tone sounding a bit disappointed.

"No. Duh. I kept telling you, I'm not from another world." Six crossed his arms and looked at her bemusingly. Syr however, just lowered her head and huffed to herself disappointingly. Six had to admit, if Syr wasn't putting up an act, he'd pity her right now.

But just a scan over her current mood, Six can sense that she was indeed saddened at her failed guess.

Well, it wasn't a fail. She was almost close to busting him.

'Actually now that I think about it, if I lie more, it'll complicate things if I forget whatever detail I spout.' Six thought, a frown on his face.

He sighed at himself. A decision coming to mind and a choice made.

"Syr." He said unamusingly. The waitress looked up and faced the Courier. "I am from another world."

He weakly laughed at the end. His hand running through his scalp. Syr had to process what he said however, and when she finally got a grasp of it, she gasped.

"W-wait, you are being serious right now?" She asked with the confusion very much there.

Six just nodded and hummed in agreement.

"You're not joking, a-and being one-hundred percent serious. Right?"

"Totally being honest." Six said. "It may not sound like it, and the fact that I played you earlier.. well this time, I'm not lying."

"This is not funny Six-san, are you really telling the truth? I was only.. seventy-four percent sure that you are from a different world."

"Those odds are high. Yes I am—"

"So I guess I'm right then!" She suddenly stood from her seat, joy replacing confused sadness.

"Yes. That's what I'm trying to say—"

"I can't believe I figured it out." Syr gushed to herself. Slowly sitting back down. "So.. you're an alien?"

Six, in his thoughts, laughed at the sight. The recently composed and sly Syr suddenly fawned over the fact that he was an alien like some child.

I mean to be honest, who wouldn't be so surprised about finding out that there is life outside your planet?

The Courier returned to the situation at hand. His mind remembering the question being asked. "You could say that technically, but I am still human."

"Do you call yourself 'humans' back from your home?"

"Yes. I just said that."

"Okay, because it just sounds weird that a human from a different planet still calls themselves human. Even though the chance of them being called differently is highly likely."

"What, did you expect me to be called a Lobotomite?"

Syr giggled at his joke. Her interest and adrenaline from her findings were so high up right now, she wanted to ask everything about Six. How life was on his place, what are the different things there, the culture, the people. Oh, so many possibilities. She couldn't contain them all—

"Syr. Calm down." Six said, which shook the girl out of her thoughts. "You're being so giddy right now, you look more of a kid than an 18-year-old."

When she heard that, she forced herself to calm down. Her hand up into her mouth as she coughed. Slowly regaining composure and also shifting in her seat to sit properly. She straightened her form and moved her chair forward a bit. With it, she looked back at the Courier. Stars in her eyes.

She had so many questions, but of course, the most important right now is..

"Can you tell me all about yourself?"

Six's eyes widened slightly.

But then his expression turned from calm to withdrawn. He sighed deeply, as he placed his hands in front of him.

Six leaned forward a bit. "Do you want me to like, tell you a bit about my life?"

Sensing the change of atmosphere, Syr changed her tone and energy. One that befitted the current situation. She answered normally. "Yes."

"Are you really sure about it? My story ain't for the faint of heart." Six asked once more.

When she heard that warning, Syr might have to prepare herself. This might not be as great as she thought it would be.

So the girl huffed and nodded firmly. Her expression stern and ready.

"Final warning. Are you certain?"

The waitress nodded.

"So be it then."

And from there, Six told Syr about his life. From where Benny shot him to the end where he led and won the battle for Hoover Dam as the Independent Vegas. He didn't tell the entirety of it however, he just omitted it. Not in a short and confusing way, just shortened and revised to make the girl understand where he came from.

As he explained his story, Six watched Syr's expressions differ all around. From shock to horror, to sometimes even being amused or solemn. She expressed the exact theme and aura whatever scenario was he talking about right then. Syr didn't ask questions. She just nodded and let out noises, whether agreement, confusion or disagreement, it was there. Six made sure to elaborate on some things—God he had to elaborate a lot—just so Syr won't be lagging behind at his stories.

"...so yeah, after that, I lead the Newly Independent Vegas. I made laws, handled politics. Economy, the society of the city. Hell, even the Mojave itself. I did some missions myself. I did have some semblance of help, but other than that, I had to negotiate and do a lot of those stuff all by himself. You know, you get the gist."

Six paused for a moment. Reflecting slowly on his life choices and actions. "So yeah, that's my entire story. Well, not the entirety of it though. Just the major parts."

When he finished. He expected the girl to be wary and disgusted of him. He wasn't a necessary good guy for God sake. He would kill innocents if he has to. He would work with the bad guys just so he can do the good thing. Six has a fucked-up moral fiber, so it should be expected to not like the man. Right?

Syr however, smiled. She smiled and giggled. Earning a surprised expression from Six.

"Thank you for telling me your story, Six-san." She smiled warmly towards the man. "You know, I'm glad. I'm glad that you were sent here instead of somewhere dangerous and worse than your world."

Six just stared at the girl. Truly, his face held surprise. When Syr said those words, it reminded him of something.. no, someone. Someone that he actually met days ago.

Right now, the silver-haired girl in front of him made him remember a certain green-haired elf he had spoken to. Hell, the waitress even said similar words to what Aina actually said. Not to mention that Syr does have resemblance with Aina's facial appearance. If the 18-year old in front of him had bright green hair and eyes, she would exactly look like the nun herself.

Six got out of his trance, and when he processed what Syr said, he smiled. A genuine one too.

That simple expression made Syr happy.

"You really remind me of a certain friend I met days ago." Six said.

"Oh, do I?" Syr tilted her head.

"She kinda looks like you if her hair wasn't green. And she's kind, really kind." Six chuckled. "I don't know if you're playing with me right now,"

"Eh~? That sounds mean, Six-san." Syr pouted.

"But from what I can tell from you, you mean well." Six smiled at the girl.

Syr just returned the expression. "Thank you, Six-san—"

"Despite how sly you are." Six added.

"Oh, is that how it is?"

"You know it is."

"Whatever you're going for Six-san, I don't—"

Six sighed, grinning to himself. "Here we go again."

And from there, the two began to talk to each other like friends. Exchanging stories, interests, hobbies. As they did, they didn't know how long they went at it, but they were certain that their conversations were pretty lengthy and always had one of them getting sidetracked. And despite the very action-y and violent stories Six had, Syr certainly was interested in it. After all, the girl worked in a pub where their customers were adventurers. Of course stories like Six's wouldn't be any different. Yet, because she knew of his alien nature, she learned a lot about the unknown and enjoyed it.

But of course, after God knows how long, it had to stop. When Syr checked on the time, she almost panicked. Saying that she had a festival to attend. Six didn't know about it and asked what it was. Syr was kind enough to elaborate on what it was about; Monsterphilia. Where an event in the colosseum of the city is celebrated. She told him that tamers go ahead and tame wild monsters from the Dungeon. And boy is it both entertaining and gritty.

Six however, thought it was plain stupid. Replying that it was risky to have caged and imprisoned monsters in a civilian-heavy area. Especially when the security for the holding cells are low and the integrity of said cells were at the verge of breaking. Just from one snap of fingers, any one of the cells inside the colosseum would likely break.

Syr on the other hand, just told Six to complain to Ganesha. Earning a witty retort from the Courier.

As Six escorted Syr to the front door of the orphanage, they both spoke to each other one last time.

"Can you by any chance stop by the Hostess tonight? We'll be filled and we'll have certain deals due to the festival." Syr said, advertising her work place.

"Maybe. I still have a lot to do so, yeah. Maybe I will, maybe I won't." Six replied.

"But still, can you go or not?"

"Probably not." Syr booed weakly at Six. "Again, we'll find out."

They both finally reached the front door. The girl turned to the Courier one last time.

"Thank you for talking to me Six-san. Even though we had just met for an hour or so." Syr bowed to the man.

"Eh, you were close on finding out anyway. If I had to lie, it might come and bite me in the ass in the future." Six shrugged.

'Plus, it'll be inevitable to not show my capabilities. So I might as well prepare for it.'

"But you just had to play me, mr. Courier." Syr teased. "Doing that to maidens like me is very bad, Six-san."

Six deadpanned at her, yet it remained playful. It made Syr giggle.

After the girl calmed down, she picked up her basket and bowed one last time.

"I'll see you next time, Six-san."

"You too Syr. Stay safe."

The girl nodded, and finally left the orphanage.

As she did, Six turned around and made way to his room.

'Now then, hopefully nothing much happens today.'

"Hey, Maria?" Six asked, buttoning his new polo shirt.

"Yes, Six?"

"Is this Syr's purse?" Six lifted the small object, making Maria see it clearly.

"Oh! It is! Did she leave it?"

"Guess so. She said she was going to a—"

Then Six remembered.

And he grit his teeth in annoyance.

"Dammit." He muttered, before pocketing the wallet and heading out of the cafeteria and the Orphanage. Leaving a baffled Maria behind.

"Hm.." Syr hummed.

She had just realized she forgot her wallet. Looking at the stall before her, it just made her feel guiltier. She promised the others to bring them a souvenir of sorts. But when she tried to check her money, she found out she left it somewhere.

And that was bad.

Because it was either at the Orphanage or at the Pub.

Which in both cases, was bad because of the large crowd to maneuver through.

'Seriously Syr, this is stupid of you! At the time where you're free from your shift?' She berated herself internally. Leading her to sigh. Well, she has to check. It was her money, and that's pretty important. Without it, she couldn't really do much in the festival other than look around.

'No other choice, it seems.'

As she was about to leave, a voice called out to her.

"Syr!"

"Huh?" Looking to the source, she found an Elite Riot Geared man running to her with a hand waving at her. Said hand held something, though she couldn't see it very clearly due to him waving said arm around.

"Six-san?" She said right as said person stopped before her. He didn't seem to look tired, and he didn't catch his breath. Huh, this man must be very vigorous for him to do that with not much of a problem.

"Thank God, I found you." He said with satisfaction. As he presented his hand forward to her.

Holding her purple wallet.

Syr gasped and was taken aback. She instinctively took a step back in pure surprise.

"You came this way, all to give me this?" She asked. Taking the wallet that Six was handing to her. She was touched, a person she had just made friends with and seemingly acted like long-time pals took time and effort just so he can give it to her in the midst of this large crowd?

The young waitress couldn't help but blush slightly.

"How did you find me in.. this?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Don't worry too much about it. It was pretty easy thanks to my tracking skills." Six answered. Waving off her question.

Syr smiled at him, one that would make any other person's heart flutter. "Well thank you very much, Six-san. It really does mean a lot."

She even grabbed his hands and giggled lightly. Some of the crowd spectated this spectacle. Their reactions mixed. Those who were just passersby found this scene heartwarming and cute. And those who knew Syr—either personally or generally—were jealous. Wishing it was them in Six's place.

Yet as how fluffing this scene would be, Six didn't feel anything in it. Other than being satisfied for doing his job.

So behind his helmet, he was looking at her blankly while ignoring the weak aura that was surrounding them.

"Yeah. Anyway," Six said as he let go of Syr's hold on him. The girl looking at him expectantly. Wondering what he'll do. "I gotta get back to work."

"W-wait, you're leaving? On a day like this?" Syr voiced her thoughts.

"Well. I've already been to a festival a week ago. Though it's not as humongous as this." Six replied. Gesturing to the whole event they were currently in.

Yet even with that, Syr felt that it was a very pathetic excuse.

She may have officially met him an hour or two ago, and knew a lot about him within a span of their meeting.

Yet, she saw a scar. Two healed holes on his forehead. Explaining that he was shot in the head. Once when he was bound. Another when he was knocked out.

Not only that. The way he made his stories sound like.

It felt like he was nothing but lonely.

Tired and lonely.

"Six." She began, dropping the honorific. Making the Courier put his entire attention at her.

"Be honest, aside from the festival you attended, when was the last time you enjoyed yourself?"

"Well, I've—"

"I don't mean those times where you, 'had fun' in New Vegas, I meant the time where you genuinely enjoyed life?"

...

"...enjoyed life?"

"Something along the lines of reading at your own leisure, doing a simple hobby of yours, stuff like those?"

From what she heard from Six's stories, he was a fighter. A busy one at that. One that did not stop and take a break for just a short moment. Because every second was him doing a certain job. Whether that'd be something like harvesting rare materials for a single person or settling a score with someone he indirectly affected in his early life. Either those or he was so busy managing an entire city of his own that he didn't stop and think to take a breather for one tiny second.

...

She could practically imagine him blinking behind the helmet.

"Uhh..."

She can basically feel the very awkward pause behind the mask.

Okay, that settled it.

"Alrighty, let's go big man." With a sigh, she grabbed his left hand and pulled him away. Dragging him into the festival.

"H-hey, Syr! What—let me go!"

For a 39-year-old, he sure sounded like a child.

"No. We're going to have fun." Syr said in a way that left Six no choice. "A person like you needs a break every one or two times. Let go of your responsibilities. Do what you haven't done in your old world, you know?"

Whatever Syr said, it changed something in Six. Noticing the difference in him, she pulled him beside her.

Looking up to his helmet, she continued. "Seriously, going to work on a festival day? You might as well give up on going home!" She said in a somewhat, serious and playful manner.

"Syr, I—but I—"

"Tutut! No buts!" She silenced him again with a finger. Similar to what she did a while ago. "We are going on a date and you will accompany me! You have to learn how to enjoy yourself like that festival you joined."

Looking at him again, she made contact with his red visors. Hoping to come with a response.

And he did.

"Okay.. fine."

Giggling cutely like she always does, Syr wrapped her arms around Six's right and dragged him to a stall just next to them. Ordering two crepes as Six was just about to object when she already paid.

Then she realized something.

'Wait, I said we were going on a date?'

'Why did I allow her to pull me into this?' Six asked himself.

Right after he dashed out of the Orphanage, he made a beeline for Tsubaki's workshop. Fortunately, he didn't encounter any sort of traffic. Thus, making his business finish up faster. As he immediately asked Tsubaki the price and paid the exact amount while running out of the workshop. Equipping his newly repaired Elite Riot Gear.

Though, he didn't have time to take a look at his armor. He focused more on equipping the helmet and using the HUD to track down Syr's marker. Which luckily the Pip-Boy had marked her as a quest. Even though he had no other quests other than the last one he had back in the village.

Maneuvering through the crowd was pretty easy, though annoying with the never-ending amount of noise. If he had some sort of hearing aid, he'd silence almost everything right now.

And so his marker easily lead her to Syr. With her wallet on hand, he gave it to her. Gaining a very cute 'thank you' that he was not affected by.

When he announced what he will be doing next, she argued with him about joining her. Then she dragged him away. He could've pulled away anytime. But that'd be rude.

Other than that, something tugged at him when she convinced the Courier to accompany her.

Let go of your responsibilities. Do what you haven't done in your old world, you know?

...

'Was I really like that?' He asked himself.

He looked back. For years, even when he took the job as a courier, he never took a break for himself. He kept on delivering, fighting. It birthed Hopeville and the Divide while he did his job, and then it lead to that turning point in his life. That one job that told him to deliver a special package. And then, someone intervened.

Benny.

Two shots to the head, and he almost forgot everything. From there, he abandoned his job as a courier for the Mojave. Going on a quest around the Mojave instead to find out who shot him and so he can pay back what he had done to him. Meeting people that became his enemies or his companions, making allies with unlikely factions. Debating about the power between House, the NCR, and the Legion. Before ultimately deciding that he, Courier Six, should lead Vegas himself.

But even before the battle for the dam, he went to the Sierra Madre. Entranced by the very enticing radio signal which got him kidnapped towards something horrific. Turned into a prisoner and forced into doing things he had to do but didn't want to. Meeting Dog/God, the latter being the most reasonable. Meeting Dean Domino, one he could be okay with. Until which he had to put him down because he wasn't going to cooperate anytime soon. Which gave Six a massive void of regret. Then there's Christine. Working with her so that he can stop Elijah, the one that pulled him to do his bidding, once and for all.

Then he went on a journey to the Zion Canyons. Hoping to follow and do a simple job and maybe go sightseeing. But, like his luck, things took a quick turn into being wrong. And there, he met the White Legs, the Sorrows, and the Dead Horses. Forced into another job he didn't want to do, but had no choice and decided to comply anyway, feeling bad about the situation. Meeting and working with Joshua Graham, the rumored Burned Man himself, and Daniel. All the while, their beliefs in their religion clashed.

In the end, he decided to allow the tribes to stay and fight the White Legs instead. But with Joshua Graham, they weren't fighting. His tribesmen were massacring them. And so, he convinced Joshua to spare them. Thinking about it now, he should look at things differently.

Right after that, he found a broken satellite which brought him to Big Mountain. Or Big MT for short. A large scientific facility that is every nerd's major dream. Meeting the Think Tank and the scientists living within them. He saw them as lunatics, bearable and useful but still insane.

Then they told Six about his current predicament. Heartless, spineless, and brainless. While he did find the facts shocking for two seconds, he found them pretty useful right after. Except for the fact that he couldn't leave Big MT because he needed his live and original brain.

Again, with their combat capabilities, he did their quests and fought the products and inhabitants of Big Mountain all on his own. Encountering weird shit, cyberhounds, Robobrains, and fucking Roboscorpions. When he finally confronted Mobius, he was actually the most reasonable out of them. Telling them the true reason why he pretended to be the villain. And so he saw the real reason why the five stooges of the Think Tank wanted his brain.

So with a weird conversation with... himself, he finally convinced his smartass of a brain to come with him and get out of Big MT. With that, he went back to the Think Tank. Confronting the five scientists and managed to use his intellect to trick them and convince them to stop and collaborate with him. Thus, ending that conflict peacefully and with fewer complications.

Just as he thought he was done, there was something in common out of everything in he had encountered in his wacky adventures.

It mentioned a weird man who talked of history and the old world flag.

There, it lead him to his last major adventure.

The Divide.

Comparing that hellhole to the Sierra Madre, the latter makes itself look like Nuka-World. The settlement he once discovered as Hopeville, was ravaged by the sleeping giants of the Old World.

Which were nukes.

He met another ED-E, though this one was unique in a sense. He left the first missile silo, and then there came the man who talked of his roads.

Ulysses.

He commented on his stand in the Mojave. Remembering that he didn't care about his Independence for Vegas. He revealed Six's history. Piece by piece. Ones that he couldn't remember, likely because of the damage he got in his brain thanks to Benny. Time and time, they went forth on their adventures. ED-E and Courier Six. Fighting through irradiated people that were once Legion or NCR. Or maybe horrors that were born through radiation, like the Tunnelers. Annoying pieces of shit.

Then he came into a nuclear silo's control panel. Launching a live nuclear missile into God knows where. Birthing the Courier's Mile.

All of a sudden, Ulysses told him that it was his fault, when he himself was instructing him to launch the damn missile.

That aside, the rest of his history was shown. Instantly, memories flashed back to him. Remembering that he had a job to deliver a package to a place called Hopeville. Until the settlement was destroyed.

Then ED-E left him, overridden by Ulysses commands. He fought through another army of Marked Men, Deathclaws and killed Rawr. Piece of shit. Building after collapsed building, he reached Ulysses' Temple. Another missile silo. There, he saved ED-E. And then, he confronted the big man himself. Surprised at his appearance which lasted for two seconds.

He realized the fault that Six carried, and that Ulysses would carry the same burden too if he were to launch the missile behind his back.

So he told him. He'd repeat history's mistakes. Six's mistakes. The goal he was supposedly intending to avoid and stop.

He believed him.

They fought together, killing the Marked Men that were coming after Six. And averting the nuclear launch onto somewhere else.

At that time, he hated the NCR and despised the Legion. So he blew one of their outposts to sky-high. Creating the Long 15 Outpost and Dry Wells.

Then came the Battle for Hoover Dam. Winning the day and taking Vegas on his own. Without Mr. House's help but with Yes Man's assistance as he, Courier Six, lead the newly Independent Vegas into a bright future.

Which was true.

So his adventures continued. Decided to become a bounty hunter which lead to a few numerous things, one of which was a scarring moment for the Courier. Helping a weird faction of the Enclave because.. he wanted to.

He met the Lone Wanderer, the Sole Survivor. The Storyteller. Went on journeys. Collaborated with business, evolved his city, personally handled espionage missions and everything else.

...

...

But what did he gain from them?

Nothing. Even if he lead a city, it was a pain the ass to handle.

He never had a break. A true one. That time where he gambled in the Strip? That was just a mission. It was a headache to play Blackjack and always win in roulette or the slot machines.

Every time he wanted to have a hiatus, one thing lead to another and it brought him back to action.

Thus realizing, he can never have what he wants.

So the question is, was he tired of it all?

'Maybe the Sierra Madre was saying something after all.'

Six finally realized. Snapping himself out of his dream-like state, and returned to reality. Where he was in Orario and allowing himself to be on a date with Syr.

'Maybe she's right. I should probably do what I didn't do in the back-when.'

So here he was. Helmet off, eating a crepe with a girl he had just befriended. And shortly after, enjoyed the entertainment the festival had to offer. Playing some games with Syr, which made him think 'déjà vu'. Winning some prizes which they both used. Specifically speaking, coupons.

Doing all that, they were sitting on a bench. Both of them enjoying another crepe they had ordered.

"Thank you again for paying. Even though I should be the one doing that." He said with a bit of a grumble at the end.

Syr chuckled. "Think of it as thanks. For going so far to give me my wallet and for winning me lots of prizes. You did save me money after all."

Six looked at the small bag beside Syr. It was filled with prizes and trinkets he won from playing those festival games that look reminiscing of the games he played back in the village with Aina. It was pretty easy actually. It was all more or less accuracy games. They played darts, ring tosses, and some others. Maybe his skills paid off, being worth the XP he had worked hard for.

The Courier bit another chunk on his crepe. "So. Syr."

"Hm?" The girl looked at him, wondering what he has to say.

There had been a thought that ached at Six's mind. Right as soon as they began having their 'date', it came up within his thoughts. Right now was as good as any to voice said thought.

Six exhaled after gulping down his crepe. "Syr. Why did you help me?"

"Help..?" The girl asked. Confused for a slight bit.

"Why would you... allow me to have something as nice as this? Even though we had just met and me spilling out almost my entire biography to you, why did you do it?"

A part of Six thought that she was just too nice for her own good. The girl was kind enough to visit the Orphanage from time to time and she did it out of her own goodwill.

Syr was silent for a bit. Contemplating on how she would respond as Six waited patiently. Eating some of the delicacy in his hands.

"Because..." Her voice broke out, as Six looked at her anticipatingly. "..I wanted to repay you."

Six sat there silently and frozen. His eyes traced on Syr and his expression going 'are you joking me?'.

He was about to say something until Syr continued.

"That and because I felt bad for you."

"Wh..?"

Syr continued. Her expression changing into something solemn. "The thought of you working so hard that you just become tired and lonely came to mind. You doing good deeds while receiving and suffering in return, it sounds heroic and hopeful. But it sounds unfair."

"Syr. If you're doing this out of pity, you really don't—"

"Six-san. Please, let me finish."

He just replied with silence. Syr noticed and continued.

"I know we had just met for an hour or so, but I can't help but... help you. It sounds weird and silly, I know, but I just feel comfortable and better that I can try and help you at least." Syr's frown turned into a small smile. "There's something alluring about you. Not in a weird way of course, but it's just..."

When Syr trailed off, Six chuckled. "Heheh, don't worry I get it. There's something so weird about an alien that you're interested in getting to know them. Plus, with what you said about meeting new people?"

Syr just looked at him. Six's tone changed when his next sentence came.

"As for what you said.. well, I'm already used to feeling tired and lonely. It just became common that happiness is like the equivalent of depression now. When you experience it, you don't want it to return because you'll beg for it until you realize you can't."

"Still, Six-san.. it's just unfair." Syr muttered.

Six shrugged. "Well, the world's unfair. Might as well do the best I can to adapt to it."

"But what about now? You're in this world and not where you're from." Syr asked.

"Well. It's almost the opposite here in terms of societal matters. So that's good." Six answered, taking a bite of his crepe.

They both trailed into silence. For Syr, it felt uncomfortable. She just thinks that Six won't accept happiness because it would make him spiral into his own state of depression and insanity when that feeling is gone. 'It's just unfair. He's so friendly and yet behind that, it's just pain.'

"Hey, Syr?" Six suddenly asked. The girl turned to look at him.

A warm smile bore his face. He raised his crepe. "Thank you for trying to make me happy though. No one in my world would likely do the same. Especially if they just met me."

When Six said that, Syr felt her heart warm. Even if he wouldn't accept it, the fact that he acknowledges her attempt is enough to make her satisfied. 'There's some semblance of joy in you at least, Courier.'

Syr giggled and smiled in return.

"You're welcome Six-san."

"Haven't had a kebab this good since... forever." Six said as he bit into the meat. Moaning in satisfaction at the taste it delivered.

They had just played another game. And to nobody's surprise, Six won again. News spread fast about his skills. They made the other stands wary of his presence. Though some did try and challenge his prowess, boy were they humiliated.

He just won a doll (though to Six, it was more of a stuffed toy. And he was surprised when those existed here) of some kind as Syr said it would be given to Ryuu later.

Right after that, they stumbled onto a stand that sold campfire food. Six suggested to give it a try, as Syr finally succumbed to his idea.

To her surprise, she actually enjoyed it.

"Your suggestion was really good Six-san. Maybe I should buy some for the others later." Syr thought out loud. She elegantly ate the roasted vegetables on her kebab, humming in delight as well.

"I can tell when campfire food is good or not. It's practically all I've eaten." Six chuckled. "[Outdoorsman] I can make steaks from a campfire and not have it expire after all."

"[SUCCESS] I believe you. I mean, you did let me have some of that Brahmin you mentioned." Syr added.

"It was good right? I never got your opinion on that." Six asked.

"Yes it was, in fact. Can you even make sweet food over a campfire?"

"Perhaps. Give me some ingredients, and I could probably whip something up."

"Maybe another time then."

"Yeah, another time."

They fell into a comfortable silence as they both ate their kebabs. Six gently savoring the snack while Syr ate with elegance.

"Um Syr? There's a bit of uh.." Six gestured to a side of his mouth. Referring to the bit of a smudge on her side.

"Oh really?" Syr was about to wipe it off with her hand. Until she had a great idea to utilize upon the Courier.

She giggled and smiled sweetly at Six. She gestured a bit to the smudge on her face. "Oh Six~? Perhaps you could..?"

Six deadpanned. "I'm not going to do that romcom—no, that cliché thing where I wipe that dirt off your face."

"Ehhh~" Syr just smiled.

Six sighed. "You don't have a handkerchief or something?"

"I do but—" Six intervened by sending a hand to one of Syr's apron pockets. He felt her wallet, but then he felt something with fabric. Must be what it he might think it is. Pulling it out, he saw a glimpse of the handkerchief and used it on Syr's face. Gently wiping the dirt off the side as the Courier returned the folded piece of fabric back into her pocket.

"There. You happy?" Six asked as he bit into his kebab again.

Syr just shook her head. "Sometimes you kill the fun in it, Six."

As she said that, she began walking away. Leaving a confused Six behind. "Hey Syr, what does that mean hm? Hey! Syr!"

They continued on with their date and bantered. Until Six saw a glimpse of a familiar brown-haired half-elf he had met three days ago.

Six saw her from a distance, and with Syr by his side, he approached the person who seemed to be talking with another familiar figure he had interacted with. When he was in an audible distance, he called her out.

"Hey, Eina!"

The half-elf stopped and so did the pink-haired girl. They both turned towards the sound, only for emerald and pink eyes to meet black ones. The half-elf silently gasped while the pink-haired gaped.

"Six-kun?" Eina asked as the approaching duo was just before them.

"'Kun'?" Syr frowned and narrowed her eyes towards the Courier.

"Syr. Stop acting like what I think you're acting like."

The gray-haired waitress smiled in an instant and giggled to herself.

"Anyway yeah, how's it going Eina?" Six turned to the half-elf.

"Good." Eina answered with a hint of uncertainty. One that Six caught on with. "How are you, Six-kun? Glad to see you aren't fooling around like I thought you would."

"Seriously, who do you think I am?" He said. "And, I'm doing well."

He gestured to the girl beside him. Said girl noticed and took it as a sign to explain herself. "Oh, my name is Syr Flova. I work at the Hostess of Fertility."

"Ah yes, I can remember. I am Eina Tulle. Six's Guild advisor." She gestured to herself. "Might I ask what are you two doing?"

Syr grinned. And wrapped both arms around Six's right. "We're on a date."

The Courier narrowed his eyes at the waitress. While Eina seemed a bit flabbergasted.

"Oh really? I-I didn't realize." She smiled nervously.

"Don't really think about it, Eina. It's not what you think it is." Six waved her off and tried to flail his arm a bit to release the gray-haired girl latched onto it. Tried to. Because Syr was stuck as if she were glued. When he realized Syr won't be getting off anytime, he sighed.

"Anyway, I noticed you look a bit conflicted earlier. Is there a problem?" Six asked.

The surprise on both of the Guild members faces were quite visible. Some sweat dripped from Eina's cheek. "Um, n-nothing really. Just minor issues for the festival."

Six raised his eyebrow. Not impressed with her attempt to hide it. "If you can't conceal it, might as well tell me anyway. What's wrong?"

"Well..." Eina scanned over Six. Wondering if it was alright to trust him and tell what's wrong.

Her instinct told her to do so. And with it, she gestured the Courier to lean forward a bit. Six knew it must be important then, and so he followed.

"There's been reports that the west side of the arena had some monsters broken out. And we were trusted to maintain the peace." Eina whispered.

Six's eyebrows raised. His expression not changing however. "I see."

He returned from the lean and finished his kebab. Leaving him with a barbecue stick instead. When he swallowed down the food, his next words caught Eina and Syr off-guard.

"I'll go check it out then."

Eina gasped while Syr maintained her composure when she realized that Six would likely do just that.

"Syr, I'll go—"

CRASH!

Then in the gate nearby, it had just imploded with monsters all about. From Goblins to even the likes of Hard Armoreds had appeared. The horde of creatures roared as some began to leap for the citizens. Who began to flee when the monsters moved towards them.

One such monster, a Kobold, saw Eina. With it, the dog-creature lunged for the vulnerable half-elf. Who gasped and braced herself for the worst.

Yet nothing happened.

She opened her eyes, and was greeted with the sight of Six stabbing his barbecue stick onto the dog's head. He took off said stick as the body fell to the floor and dissolved in a puff of smoke.

The Courier turned to the three. "Misha, Eina, Syr. Get out of here. I'll get the monsters plaguing the town."

"Six!" Eina dropped the honorific. "You don't have a Falna! You will get—"

"Don't worry about it."

Eina turned beside her. Seeing Syr in a calmed state. "Six here can handle them all. He's faced worse than this. Trust me."

The conviction in Syr's words fought Eina's judgment. It wasn't long when she succumbed to the idea of Six being capable of taking them all.

After all, the aura he emitted right in front of her was so dangerous that all the monsters in front of him turned directly to the Elite Riot Geared man.

In one swift motion, Six requipped his helmet. And when it fitted in, he threw his barbecue stick onto a Killer Ant in front of the horde.

The Killer Ant disappeared in smoke right after.

The monsters stopped and looked at their dead comrade in the form of a magic stone. The weaker monsters had faces of fear and worry.

"Syr, Eina! Go!" Courier Six's distorted voice came through the helmet. He then took out a desert camoed sniper rifle from his back.

"You better stay safe, Six-kun!" Eina said before she and Misha fled from the area.

"You really had to play hero, Six." Syr sighed as she tightened the hold on her bag and kebab. "So, tonight at the Hostess?"

The Courier merely turned to her with a nod. Before facing the horde of monsters again.

Syr smiled to herself. Why did she feel so much like a princess being protected?

The waitress turned and left. The sound of gunfire ensuing, and monsters roaring.

...

Reply to doomqwer: Well, you got this chapter so... yeah. Just hope the next one comes soon.

Reply to T-B-R: *proceeds to singlehandedly break Orario's economy and stock market

Reply to SebjectCrimsonStorm: "No?" "Then.. die!"

Reply to gerome945: I went for Doc Brown from BTTF for a tiny bit. I should probably make a cameo where there's a dude named Marty in his Familia.

Reply to Unzealots: Yes, she is. Though whatever you're implying, she and Six are nothing more than good friends.

Reply to Malgrath: Confession; I thought Sweet Revenge was weak. I played on Very Hard. And when I fought Marko, the dude can easily two-shot or three-shot me. Though when I got Old Scratch, that thing was 2x stronger than Lucky. Sadly, these weapons ain't canon.

Reply to Ironically Challenged: I am glad you are pointing out my mistakes with my misuse of words. I should likely get someone to beta or reread through this thing on my own.

Reply to A fan: I'm not gonna make Six break Orario's economy with bottlecaps. That's too much. For the sword? It's likely subtle. As Tsubaki had pointed out, the rads were weak. Though I've yet to build on this idea properly. I might try and explore it.

Reply to UndeadLord22: Thanks. I think I needed that. As for melee, well, he could forge something and get it reinforced with a bottlecap or a couple. Though yes, the question is what would be the weapon?

Reply to HaMCRI: Um.. pardon me? Is that the other Fate crossover or the quest from the game...? I apologize for my retardation.

Reply to Hangzoed: Thank you. I wish you stick around.

...

Author's Notes: Forgive me for that cringey Sherlock part I wrote. Didn't know what was going through my head when I wrote it. But I still decided to keep it there because I'm going to write more stuff like that to show how perceptive Six is with just one glance. So yeah, basically Sherlock.

Note about Outdoorsman, it's a skill from Fallout 1 and 2. In New Vegas, it was replaced with Survival. I initially wrote Survival on the sentence but I didn't know what value to use. So I opted for an old classic and thought to use it as a perk.

The part where Six talks about the Deathclaw Promontory is my experience in the game. An actual child NPC spawned in the area (don't bother asking why), and Rex was with me. I challenged myself to not cheat out of the area so I actually beat the place with a cowboy repeater and that tesla cannon you get if your game has Project Nevada. It was quite fun to do.

Next chapter will have action and a major part for the story.

So see ya next chapter fellow readers.