Tellings

I Need a Bad Girl

Butch Deloria and Kaylie the lone wanderer. 

Kaylie stretched her arms over her head as she walked into the Muddy Rudder. The smell of rust and booze filled her nose. She had been on the move, hunting down rouge Enclave troops with Star Paladin Cross, and hadn't slept in a real bed in close to three weeks, and a stiff drink was exactly what she needed. Her friend stood by the door, shaking her head as Kaylie made her way to the bar.

She slid onto the stool and Belle Bonny set a bottle of whiskey down in front of her. Kaylie smiled at her, tossing her a few caps for the drink. She nodded and went to scrub the rusting tables. Kaylie took a long drink from the bottle, the alcohol burning her throat as it went down. She paused as a tall handsome man sat next to her, one she hadn't seen in close to six months. He looked at her and flashed a wide smile.

"Well if it isn't my best gal, the one who sprung me from the Vault! I think I owe this lovely lady a drink." Kaylie blushed and held up her bottle of whiskey.

"You're a little late there Butch," she chuckled, taking another drink from her bottle. Belle handed Butch a bottle as he shrugged.

"Well, then, here's to raising hell and living the good life out here. Cheers!" They both drank from their bottles, and Kaylie winced, as her now empty bottle clinked against the metal table. Butch laughed and took another drink before turning back to her. "Now all we need is a gang, and we could take over this whole wasteland." It was Kaylie's turn to laugh, but all she could muster was a half hearted chuckle.

"You still want to start that gang?" She played with her empty bottle, knowing she shouldn't ask for another but wanting one anyway. She flagged Belle down as Butch spoke.

"Hell yeah I do, I could be out there and kicking butt in my own gang." He spoke with an excitement that told Kaylie he had been in the bar for a while, and that wasn't his first whiskey. "The Tunnel snakes could ride again! Or y'know, slither again. Whatever!" Kaylie laughed sincerely this time, surprising both her and Butch. She hadn't laughed like that since before she left the vault.

"How 'bout you come with me then?" Kaylie was slurring, leaning against the bar for support.

"What? A goodie two shoes like you? Could never make it in a real gang. You wanna hang with a Tunnel Snake like me, you gotta be hard." He took another drink from his bottle and Kaylie glanced down at his lap, grinning in a sultry manner.

"It seems you're hard enough for the both of us." She was blushing from the booze and her boldness. She had always had somewhat of a crush on him, even as much of an asshole he had been, she had always felt drawn to him. He raised his eyebrows at her, surprised by her boldness as much she was. He shifted on his stool, his cheeks turning a bright pink.

"You're drunk," he coughed. She nodded and stood from her seat, turning to rejoin Cross.

"Yeah," she agreed, "I should go." She took half a step and stumbled, feeling Butches hand catch her arm to stop her from falling.

"Do you need help." She turned back to him and shook her head, glancing back to Cross. The Paladin chuckled and shook her head.

"My friend can carry me," Kaylie assured as Butch pulled her closer to him. She rested her hands on his chest and smiled up at him.

"You take care of yourself out there," Butch said, grinning at Cross.

"I'm staying at the Weatherly tonight, if you need to find me." Kaylie grinned and leaned into Cross as she wrapped an arm around her back, propping her up.

"Come on Knight," the Paladin chuckled, "time to get you to bed." She nodded at Butch before she carried Kaylie out of the bar. Kaylie drunkenly sang along to the radio as Star Paladin carried her to the room they had rented for the evening. She tucked the Knight in and set her lazer rifle on the desk, sitting to face the door.