High Enough

Welcome to Goodneighbor

Chapter song: Little Drop of Poison by Tom Waits

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    "This should be the place," Ivy said, looking to Dogmeat and giving a smirk of uncertainty and shrugging her shoulders. "Let's meet the Silver Shroud."

    Ivy pulled open the large double-gated junk doors and casually walked into Goodneighbor. It smelled of soot, old tobacco, and steam. The brick was weathered from centuries of abuse from the elements. A man stood in the way, arms crossed, body crooked to compliment the crooked community he was a part of.

    "Hold up there. First time in Goodneighbor? Can't go walking around without insurance."

    Ivy wasn't too taken aback. This wasn't her first run-in with some asshole wanting to "protect" her or offer her "insurance" for the Commonwealth.

    The Silver Shroud radio show continued to play through her PipBoy.

    "Fuck off," she says, starting to walk off.

    "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't think you'll be too happy going through here alone. Goodneighbor can be.. uh... Unpredictable... heh," he smiled, showing a few of his yellowed teeth.

          "Screw this." Ivy pulled a small dagger from her boot and nonchalantly stabbed the man in the neck. "Sorry, mate."

          She watched on with the citizens of Goodneighbor as the man bled out and collapsed, gurgling and gasping for air the whole time.

          From the corner of her eye Ivy spotted a red frock. A ghoul, tall and cocky-looking, peeked down at the dead body lying on the ground. He smiled. "Whoa ho ho, I like you already! Walk into a new place, make a show of dominance. Nice."

          "I'm sorry for this. That's the way the Commonwealth is, right? Always need to be on guard. I hope Goodneighbor is the same way." Ivy places her dagger back into her boot and pats Dogmeat's head along the way.

          "Goodneighbor's of the people, for the people. You feel me? Everyone's welcome." The ghoul took a drag from his cigarette.

          Ivy smirked. "Thank you, er..."

          "Hancock. I like to think I take after John Hancock, true American troublemaker."

          "That explains the get up. I visited this place with my family in the past. I recognize your hat as Major Thomas Melville's."

          "I see we have a history buff on our hands," Hancock snickered. "How would you know about Melville?"

          Ivy waved it off. "Long story."

          "Maybe another time, then. Anyways, welcome to the neighborhood."

          "Thanks. I'll see you around, Hancock." Ivy extended her arm to shake Hancock's hand.

          He was surprised. Most people wouldn't even look at a ghoul, nevermind touch them. He awkwardly shook her hand. "Yeah, I guess you will see me around."

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          Ivy tried wandering the community but was becoming easily distracted by the colorful characters she passed by. She wandered into a small shop to the right of the entrance and smiled as she made eye contact with the ghoul running the register.

          "Oh. A new face walks into my store. And you're not even screaming, yet. Very polite. You let me know if anything catches your fancy."