POV Rio
After dealing with the battle at Vault 88, I get a message from Hancock asking if I would drop by to visit him. I agree, and we left for Goodneighbor. As I arrived at Goodnieghbor, I felt like I had forgotten something.
'Well, if I can't remember it, then it probably wasn't important.'
POV Cait
"I'm gonna kill him!" I say while staring at the several-story drop.
POV Rio
'Eh, I'm sure I'll remember later.'
On my way to Goodneighbor, I think about what power to take from the Radscorpion Empress. Honestly, the choice of powers was not the greatest. I could choose between the following abilities: to be immune to all poisons/venoms. The ability to control my descendants. The ability to produce venom that is quite lethal. The ability to heal from radiation and be immune to it as well. And lastly, the ability to see even in complete darkness.
Honestly, none of the abilities were all that interesting. Descendant control was useless unless I made a lot of babies, and even then would be morally dubious. The Venom was just a copy of the Radcorpion Empress' venom, which was decent, but it didn't scale with me, and her venom was not her main ability, so it was only a bit stronger than a normal radscorpion. I was already immune to Radiation, and healing from it was too niche, especially given I intended on cleaning up all radiation on the planet. Night Vision was decent, but nothing that crazy. This only left the Poison/Venom Immunity, which was okay. I took it, but I figured I would get rid of it as soon as I fill up all the slots.
I arrive at Hancock's office and find him actually doing work.
"Wow, I don't know what to tease you for more. The fact you missed me already, or the fact John Hancock is doing Homework," I jest.
"Hah, if it isn't my favorite blue friend," Hancock says with a smile.
"How many blue friends do you have?" I ask while hugging him.
"Just you, but hey, maybe you will have some little foals someday, and I can downgrade you to second place," Hancock jests.
"Ouch. I'm hurt. Only second place. I thought we were friends. I was almost considering you for my best man," I joke right back.
"Hahaha! It's good to see you, Rio," Hancock says with a smile.
"You as well, Hancock. So why did you call for me, not that I mind visiting, as I was in the area," I ask.
"Well, a few things. Charlie asked me to see when you would be visiting. Magnolia has been waiting for you to sing again. And... I guess I do have a job. It's... Well, it's a bit out there, but I thought you might want to try it out," Hancock says.
"I guess it's been a while. I don't mind singing a few songs for the Third Rail, but what's the job?" I ask.
"There's a prewar ghoul. A nice guy, really. He runs the Silver Shroud Radio. He's been looking for some collectables. I thought you might be able to help him track down those items for him. I already tried, but the comic store was empty," Hancock says.
"It wasn't Hubris Comics, was it?" I ask.
"Huh, yeah, that was the place. I suppose you've been there before. If you have the items he is looking for, I would greatly appreciate helping him out. The guys have gone through a lot," Hancock says.
"No problem, I think I have what he wants anyway," I reply.
"Thanks again. And let me know when you will be at the Third Rail, I want to hear that Siren Voice of yours," Hancock says with a smile.
"Sure thing, Hancock," I say.
As I stand up, I get a notification that Cait was unconscious.
"Oh, that's what I forgot. Oops," I say aloud.
"Huh? What did you do now?" Hancock asks.
I explain the situation, and Hancock just bursts into laughter.
"HAHAHA! She is totally gonna be p*ssed when she finds you," Hancock says with a wide smile.
"Eh, it's fine. I may die, but then I'll live," I joke.
We laugh a bit more, but then I head over to the Memory Den. Irma just gave me a single look and pointed to the side room. I go into the room and see a ghoul sitting near a radio. When he sees me, he stands up and greets me.
"Wow, y-you must be Rio, I heard so much about you. My name's Kent Connolly, but you can just call me Kent," Kent said happily.
"Nice to meet you, Kent. Hancock told me you needed some help," I reply kindly while shaking his hand.
"O-oh, yeah, sorry, I can get sidetracked. You ever listen to the Silver Shroud? That's who we need. No matter how bleak things got, he'd save the day. I got a plan to bring him to life. So he can fight bad guys and give the rest of us a symbol of something better," Kent says.
"Hmm, what kind of plan?" I ask.
"To make this work, I still need the most important piece. The genuine Silver Shroud costume herself. And they actually got one, here in Boston. They made it for the TV show. Will you help?" Kent asks.
"Sure, in fact, I have all that already," I say while handing over all the items I found at Hubris Comics.
"W-Wow, you have it all. I... I almost feared I wouldn't get this far. There's one problem left. I'm just not Silver Shroud material. I could be Rhett Reinhart or-or his butler Jarvey Blake. But the Shroud is strong, capable. Unless... You up for being the Silver Shroud? You're just like him! Except you probably haven't been in a blimp shot down by mobsters," Kent offers.
"Me?" I ask.
As I say this, time freezes, and I am given a prompt.
[The Silver Shroud Returns
You have been offered the chance to become the Silver Shroud. Will you accept this mantle?
If you accept, whenever you put on the costume, everyone will perceive you as the Silver Shroud and only the Silver Shroud.* The costume and weapon will also receive extensive upgrades, but can only be used with the entire set. Close friends or Companions will know the player is the Silver Shroud, but any attempt to disclose this will either fail or cause the person who hears/sees this to forget they were told.
If you refuse, you must find someone to take on the mantle of the Silver Shroud. The person who takes on the mantle will be erased from history but will gain many benefits, allowing them to live until a new Shroud is chosen. ]
*(AN: For those of you who have played The Elder Scrolls Oblivion, this will have very similar effects to the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal. )
I think for a moment but decide to accept it.
"Of course, I think you are the best fit," Kent says.
"Okay, Kent, I accept," I reply.
"Great, but I'll need a day to get everything ready. Come see me tomorrow morning, I should also have the info on who are first target will be," Kent says with a wide smile.
I leave, and Irma thanks me for helping out Kent. I told them it was no problem and that I would be heading to the Third Rail to perform.
"Hah, then I will let Dr. Amari. We aren't busy right now, and I don't want to miss your performance this time," Irma says with a smile.
I walk over to the Third Rail, but I make sure to let Hancock know I am. As I make my way down the stairs, White Chapel Charlie sees me a jeers at me.
"Hah, bout time you showed up, I almost thought I scared you off," Charlie jokes.
"You! Never! Where would I get my water?" I joke right back.
"Most of my water is now from the Minutemen, so I think we both know that's nonsense, but I will pretend otherwise. Now, I presume you came here to sing us a song?" Charlie suggests.
"Yep, Hancock told me you went crying to him to beg me to come here," I joke.
"Hah, as if! Don't listen to this jester, Charlie," Hancock says while sitting at the bar.
We chat for a bit while everyone slowly makes their way into the Third Rail, and Magnolia ends her song. When she finishes, she walks over and winks at me. I get up to the stage and get ready for a classic song.
"This song is one I remember from a long time ago. It's called Hotel California," I say into the microphone.
(AN: Play Eagles - Hotel California (Official Audio) from YouTube. )
The instrumental starts playing, and everyone quiets down to pay attention. I cast some illusion spells to enhance the atmosphere and create a greater spectacle.
"On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A visual of a car racing down the highway is shown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinkin' to myself
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle
And she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them say
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A relaxing feeling falls over everyone in the audience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Her mind is Tiffany-twisted
She got the Mercedes-Benz, uh
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys
That she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forget
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I called up the Captain
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since 1969'
And still those voices are callin'
From far awaaaaaaay
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say Eh!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (What a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The tone of the music drops a bit and becomes darker in theme.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mirrors on the ceiling
The pink champagne on ice, and she said
'We are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives
But they just can't kill the beast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man
'We are programmed to receive'
You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The music goes into the guitar instrumental. The visuals show me running through the maze-like labyrinth of the hotel and how all the staff seem like fake human creatures. Eventually, my illusion escapes the Hotel and drives away with their car, but every time they get away, they find themselves back at the Hotel. They only manage to escape when a friend grabs them and they leave together.
After the music fades out, the illusion bursts apart, and everyone starts clapping.
"Thank you, thank you. We will have a short break before the next song, so use this chance to get your drinks!" I say to the crowd.
I wait for a few minutes and start the song right as I notice Cait entering the Third Rail.
"The next song is called Apologize," I say.
(AN: Play Timbaland - Apologize (Lyrics) Feat. OneRepublic on YouTube. )
The instrumental kicks in and the light dims as the Illusion starts.
"I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The visual shows me in a relationship with a friend, maybe more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It shows me clearly wanting to speak, but the person never lets me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late, Oooooooh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next visual shows me unhappy in the relationship, but still staying when I shouldn't.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This visual shows me realizing I was in a bad relationship and trying to break it off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it's nothing new, yeah, yeah
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue
And you say sorry like the angel
Heaven let me think it was you
But I'm afraid
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late, whoa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next illusion shows me running away, hurt yet again, but this time feels more final.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The music fades, and everyone takes a moment before they start clapping. It seems my song also did what I hoped it would do and distract Cait so she wouldn't be too mad.
Cait still chewed me out, but with an apology and some tasty food, she was willing to forgive me. As for the rest of the night, I sang a few more songs, and it was quite the swell party.
----------------
Author's Note:
Another musical chapter. The Silver Shroud idea came to me, and I realized it would be pretty interesting. Perhaps it makes less sense given the very non-human looks of Rio, but it's better than some glasses and a meek personality. Until next time, Ciao.