Fallout, Second Life

When Adam was done at Olivia's shop he decided to try to track down one more person he wanted to see for a specific request. Mary. It took some time but eventually he found her working on some papers in a communal sitting area. By now he and his friends had split up, they would meet back up again later but there was no reason to stick together all the time.

"Hey, Mary." Adam said with a smile as he walked over to her. Mary was actually so invested in working that she did not see Adam approach. So when Adam spoke up, now next to her, she nearly jumped out of her seat.

"Adam?" She said, shocked and surprised to see him sneak up on her, which Adam was very much not doing. "Oh! Adam!" She smiled as she placed a hand on her chest as she sighed in relief.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Adam chuckled.

"Oh no, I just get invested in my work sometimes I just…" She said, her hand making a fluttering motion next to her head as she offered an embarrassed smile.

"I am not interrupting am I?"

"Not at all. Please." She said as she gestured to the chair opposite to her. "But are you okay being here? I've heard a lot of rumors floating around recently and…" She began, nervous. Adam waved her off.

"I've heard people warn me already, but really, I can handle a few jeers. Besides, it seems most people are on my side." Adam said as he waved to a passerby who noticed him and was staring at him awestruck. He may not enjoy being famous but it's better than being infamous. In his short stint trying to find Mary he had encountered a handful of these people already. So while it did seem like there were bad rumors circulating about him and there were people who hated him for it, it seemed that just like Olivia said there were more people who were still on his side than against him. It really did help to make him feel more welcome in Midway.

"Thats good." Mary sighed in relief. "But I was worried, I heard you went and fought again! Really this is why I always say that scavers are so…"

"Talented?" Adam asked with a cocky grin. Mary frowned and rolled her eyes.

"Irresponsible." She said with a deadpan tone before she then smiled again and giggled. "But no, I am glad you are okay." Adam smiled back.

"It was a tough situation but I made it through okay. The Cult and War are gone from Chicago, and the Duke is back in power in the Dukedom, Chicago is healing." Adam laughed a bit. "And how have you been?"

"Oh you know, living a modest life. The kids make everyday a hassle but I love my job so I can't complain." She smiled warmly.

"I actually came to see you about that very thing." Adam said back.

"Oh? About teaching?" She then paused and laughed softly into her hand as she added: "What, do you want to become a teacher?"

"Me? No." Adam chuckled and waved her off. "But I am looking for one. If you are interested."

"You are looking for a… teacher?" She asked, confused but clearly interested.

"I am!" Adam said with a bright smile before tempering his expression a bit. "Well, sort of, first I think it needs to be a daycare, later it can become a school."

"Adam, has anyone told you that you are prone to burying the lede?" Mary asked back with a small shake of her head but smiling nonetheless.

"I'll explain then. I have reopened the Vault where I was… born…" Adam said, slowly at the end. "And in it we have a number of children we recently rescued from the cult, of course they have all mostly been adopted by some of the refugees but eventually they will need a teacher to help them grow into the kind of adults they want to be, and more in the immediate term they are all very young and their parents might be appreciative of someone helping take the kids off their hands for an afternoon or something." Mary nodded.

"I see. Well I'm sorry to say since you came all this way to find me, but Midway is my home. I don't intend to move. And I have no intention to leave my students behind." She said with a wistful smile. It was Adam's turn to nod now.

"I suppose that's fair. I have no intention to force you, I just figured I knew someone perfect for the job so I would try and go ask."

"Im flattered you thought of me." Mary said with a light blush in her cheeks. "I do admit I have always wanted to see a functioning Vault, but I can't leave Midway, I'm sorry."

"No need for apologies. It was a long shot, I admit."

"But…" She began, sensing Adam's intent to leave after her refusal. "I may have someone else in mind, if you are interested…"

The two of them left shortly after to head deeper into the West wing of Midway, where most of the more normal houses were and ended up knocking on a door in one corner of a street. After a few moments a man, around Adam's size, but with a slightly more muscular build, a scar that cut across his entire face and missing a pinkie finger on his left hand opened the door. He looked like a very rough type, the sort he might have expected in Hell, not Midway. He even had a 5.56 bullet hanging from a necklace that was tied around his neck. Of course all of this was immediately diffused by a very bright pink and yellow apron he was wearing over his clothing, completely clashing with his aesthetic.

"Mary?" he asked, confused. He then turned and saw Adam, studied him for a moment and then went back to regarding Mary.

"Hello, Mr. Peleton."

The man sighed softly.

"I told you, just call me Jim." He offered a soft smile, though as he did he was very obviously missing a few teeth.

"This here is Mr. Baxter." Mary said as she made introductions. Adam, in response, confused but more than happy to be polite, offered his hand. Jim shook it a moment later. "And he is looking for a caretaker and teacher."