Fallout 4: AR

71. Lessons in Bargaining

We rolled into Goodneighbor that afternoon with bursting packs and good spirits. The short nap in the raider's bunker had done my partner good, and he was able to carry the bulk of the loot in his pack. I had the rest, carefully stowed so as not to damage my newfound treasures in the form of the magazines. A strange, but welcome sense of homecoming washed over me as I stepped inside the gate, a feeling of safety and belonging at odds with the rough nature of the town itself. I smiled at MacCready, who gave me a wink and looked startled when I reached out to hold his hand. The moment of surprise faded into a tiny, smug twinkle in his eyes as we stepped forward, fingers interlaced.

The square had its usual idle residents, and a laden pack brahmin stood placidly outside Daisy's Discounts. Daisy herself was chatting with the trader when we approached the shops, but gave us a friendly wave before turning back to her client.

"Guess we'll hit KL-E-0's first," MacCready suggested.

"That should help with most of the weight in our packs," I agreed. "We can also sell that smelly armored jacket of yours. We're going to have to find Hancock pretty quickly, though. I got the impression that Nick's information is time sensitive."

"Gotcha, Boss."

KL-E-0 was more than agreeable to bargain for the weapons and armor in our packs. Based off my brief scan of "Guns and Bullets", I held back one of the 10mm pistols, and traded for a couple of spare magazines and other "junk" that the robotic shopkeeper had on the shelves. At MacCready's inquiring look, I explained, "I don't want to practice on your backup weapon. If I mess things up, let it be with a pistol that we're not planning to use." He nodded, a pleased smile quirking the corners of his mouth.

Daisy was still deep in trading negotiations when we finished with KL-E-0, so we decided to return after delivering Nick's data file to Hancock. The Old State House still looked the same, brick exterior showing the ravages of time and nuclear holocaust, but still mostly intact. Just like the Commonwealth, I mused as we ascended the stairs to the mayor's office, the room I had stayed in my very first night in this world.

Fahrenheit met us just inside the double doors, a passively stern expression on her face. "Hancock is currently indisposed," she announced. "Whatever you want to say will have to wait."

I fished the data file out of my jacket. "We're fine holding off on our news, but I have a message from Nick Valentine in Diamond City that I think Hancock wanted."

For just a moment, the placid veneer cracked. "Nick sent a message with you two? Huh. Okay, little pawn, wait here." She snagged the file out of my hand and disappeared into a side room I didn't even realize was there. After a few minutes, she returned with a jingling bag of caps and the message to "stay here, I'll be out as soon as I can".

"For your prompt delivery." Fahrenheit handed me the bag.

MacCready whistled very quietly in admiration at the size of the bag. "Hancock must've really wanted to hear what Nick had to say," he murmured in my ear, recapturing my hand in his. "Let's grab a seat on the couch."

Fahrenheit sat down on the couch opposite ours. "He might be a while." On the low table in front of her sat a chessboard, pieces set up for a game. They were old and worn, and obviously made up from scrounged-up toy robot models, but lovingly polished and cared for. I picked up the knight piece closest to me, a model matching Charlie the bartending robot and admired the dedication it must have taken to piece together a complete set out of the rubble of society.

Observing my interest, the normally apathetic woman sat up a little. "Do you play?" Her voice held a spark of excitement, and her fingers twitched towards the pieces.