"I survived because the fire inside me burned brighter than the fire around me." - Joshua Graham, Fallout: New Vegas
.
.
.
Once again waking from her fruitless slumber, Alexandra compels her body to awaken, getting up from the frail bed. Vigorously scratching her head, she goes to get dressed, her sluggish mind slowly thinking of her goals for the day.
"If I'm gonna be working again, I'll need to be thorough in my actions. No more uncertainties. I don't know how far technology has gotten, my biggest blunder in being careless of my life. I'll need to find someone that know something about computers."
I can help you in that regard.
"Oh? Is that so? How will you be able to help me as a soul?"
...I didn't want to reveal this, but if the girl's gonna be risking her life, might as well.
We're bonded souls. I'm fused with you like welded metal. Through this connection, I should be able to transfer certain memories and knowledge to you.
"Then let's do that now."
Alexandra goes to sit on her bed, waiting for further communication from Nick.
Alright. A warning before we go through with this; it's going to hurt.
"Pain is temporary. Life is short. A little pain in exchange for a wealth of knowledge is an adequate trade."
A couple seconds after her statement, an overwhelming pain overtook her senses, brain feeling as if frying in hot oil. Every fiber of her being was screaming in agony, her mouth releasing whines like that of a dying dog. She was unable to form a single thought as her brain was being rewired, instinctually refusing to scream in distraught helplessness. Eventually the overwhelming pain stopped, leaving in its wake a throbbing ache. Instead of attempting to sort out her mind, Alexandra curled into herself, finally allowing herself to pass out.
.
I need to be more careful next time I do this
.
Eventually finding consciousness, the throbbing in her brain reduced to an ache, Alexandra pushes herself out of the bed, skimming through the new information as if this wasn't the first time this has happened.
"Strange how this works. It feels like the information has always been there, out of reach."
The brain is the hardest organ to study for a reason
Looking down at herself, Alexandra notices the sheer amount of sweat caked on her body.
"I'm gonna need more than a bath. I may have to break into Chastity's for a bit."
Lifting herself off of the bed, she feels appalled at the sticky feeling overwhelming her senses.
"...That 'may' I said a second ago has turned into a 'definitely'."
Walking out of the place she calls shelter, Alexandra starts heading towards Chastity's house.
.
Couldn't you just go to a communal bathhouse?
.
Opening the window after climbing up, Alexandra clambers into Chastity's bathroom, shutting the entrance behind her. She immediately undresses, clothes thudding onto the ground below, before reaching for the knob, intent on starting the water for her imminent shower.
Suddenly, the door opens, a gun pointing towards her.
Without caring about the weapon that could easily end her life, Alexandra turns the shower on, making sure the water stays cold.
"You know, you could've knocked" Alexandra says, pointing the gun down.
"I thought you were at work" Alexandra says, sitting down on the side of the bath.
"You leave at eight and come home at eight, and since it's currently noon, I thought you wouldn't be home."
"How do you know that? I've never told you my work hours" Chastity said, hoping Alexandra doesn't notice the way her eyes roam her currently sweat-soaked body.
"It's easy to make an educated guess when there's a rotation of strippers that come around at only certain times" Alexandra responds.
"Also helps that I've stalked you a bit, but that's besides the point" she continues, dragging her legs into the shower. After consideration, she looks away from Chastity and turns the lever below the knob, intent on taking a bath.
Chastity looks at her warily, a slight chill going up her spine at the near obsessive glance Alexandra gives her.
"No need to be afraid of me, Chastity. You may not know my past very well, but you should at least understand what kind of person I am. I don't do it out of malice or any selfish intent. At least, not fully selfish."
With the bath full, Alexandra lays in the water, a sense of tranquility dampening her brain.
"At the end of the day, it is my own insecurity driving me to action."
At that, Chastity's face slightly softens. Alexandra takes a bottle of shampoo and presents it to Chasity.
"Can you wash my hair? It's always been a bitch to clean."
Chastity smiles, taking the bottle in her hand, intent on following through with the request.
Sitting down on the edge of the bath, Chastity runs her hands through Alexandra's rough hair, shampoo spread throughout. Alexandra lets out a soft sigh of pleasure, leaning into Chastity's touch, causing the woman in question to take a deep breath.
"It's been a long while since I've taken an actual bath. One not filled with others. One where I can actually relax."
Alexandra lets her arms sink under the water.
"Life can be difficult without privacy. Luckily I have my own shelter, but others aren't so fortunate."
Alexandra's hands keep moving downwards, forcing one to stop right above her-
"Privacy doesn't always mean myself only, though. I'm thankful I met you, honestly. I feel like I don't have to hide everything around you. Peace and quiet is better with you around."
She smiles up at Chastity.
"Thank you for allowing me into your life."