[b]Hoover Wasteland[/b]

“Why were you even there?” Rusted questioned with a bitter cynical breath. He rose a brow as the wobbling, mud-covered foal crawled out from under the sink space. A messy mane fell in chaotic twisted locks down the side of his face, barely hiding the small blunt horn on the top of his head. He gave a crooked yellow smile as he pulled himself out of the dingy mold of the cabinet space.

“I-I was hiding...” she said ruefully, “I-I tried to do something to save them, I could have. But I didn't. I just ran. I swear, I didn't do anything!” she shouted guiltily. Rusted looked over to the quizzically unaware Brahmin and let out a long dry sigh. The walls of the ruined house rumbled as a bolt of lightning shook the overhead skies.

“Who?” Rusted asked.

“M-my aunt, and my uncle.” the small unicorn groaned, kicking nervously at the linoleum with a weakened hoof. “Or, I don't think they are at least. One's a Pegasi no older than my sister last I saw her and the other's a grumpy earth pony twice her age. They're certainly loud together, but I don't understand how they can be related. I think it's something my parents told me when they sent me out.”

Rusted blinked dryly. “So why the pout?”

“I- I'm to embarrassed to admit it.” she shivered, withdrawing back under the counter, “Just, don't shoot me on your way out.”

“I wouldn't waste a bullet, kid.” Rusted replied in a heavy tone, “You'd be far too expensive for me to kill. Do you know the price of a magazine of 9mm bullets run up here?”

The comment didn't make the filly feel any better and she lowered her emerald eyes to the floor, sulking back into the shadows. She disappeared into the darkest reach of the cupboard and curled up, his pale green coat tucked away from the light.

“Listen, I know you're still in there and that isn't going to help.” Rusted said.

“I know.” the small voice squeaked from inside.

“This storm's going to take a while. Why don't you tell me straight what happened. To pass the time.” he demanded. In truth, in any other situation he wouldn't care. Wouldn't get involved. But he was shut in here with her now. And needed to wait out the rain.

“No.” the filly whined. “If you think I'm not even worthy a shitty bullet then why don't you let me be?” it sobbed.

Rusted rolled his eyes and turned from the counter. Cursing softly under his breath as he walked away. With a hard umph he collapsed to the cold ground and stretched himself out on the floor. His Brahmin followed suit, laying herself down next to him. '[i]Like a fucking dog.[/i]' the merchant thought to himself.

He lay on the ground, listening to the rain outside. The pattering and turned up to a heavy roar. The falling drops slamming against the roof like bombs. Each gust of wind rustled the feeble glass panes in the rotting frames. And somewhere the mold-preserved timbers of the post-remains groaned and cracked. Rusted breathed deeply as he drifted off to nap.

“I'm hungry.” the filly's small voice said from under the sink. Rusted lifted a lid half way and looked over to the far side of the room. There she stood half out of the cupboard. She averted her eyes from him the moment she noticed he was looking up. Instantly she apologized, “S-sorry.” she grimmaced.

“What do you want?” Rusted groaned.

“What?”

“If you're hungry, what do you want to eat?”

“Ah- uh...” started the filly, “Sugar Apple Bombs?”

Rusted sat up, looking up at the Brahmin. One of its heads starred off blankly to the wall while another turned itself lethargically to Rusted. Ignoring its blank bovine stare he looked to its back, “Top bag, side pouch.” he said, “But it'll cost you.”

“Um, how much? I don't have anything on me in case you didn't know!?” she shouted, stomping a hoof.

“A story. Tell me what happened.” Rusted said.

The filly's eyes went wide and she shirked back. Freezing before she withdrew into the cupboard. With a nervous whine she complied, no doubt hearing the grumble of her own stomach. “Ok...” she said nervously.”

“M-my name is Gilded Wonder, I was sent out to work with my 'aunt' Skyborne and 'uncle' Noble Plume.” she started as she walked slowly around Rusted, “My parents had a robot fixed up for me when I was newborn to try and protect me in the Manehatten outskirts, its name was Entourage. My dad fit it with an mannequin to make me feel better, and well it's never come off since...”

She crept tensely around Rusted, “And, uh... We got as far as half-ish a day down the road when we were attacked.”

She was far enough out of the cupboard that Rusted could make out the muddied and stained cutie mark on her flank. A solid gold leaf. He wondered how any pony could get something like that. “That's when raiders happened.” she continued. Her voice cracked and broke around the word raider, and she fell silent as she pulled out a box of sugar apple booms with her magic. She smiled nervously as she trotted to a far corner and dug right into the box.

“And?”

“Well...” she mumbled... “T-they happened... And... ah- they killed the caravan.” she choked, “Knocked out and carried off entourage and all our supplies.”

“what were your aunt and uncle hauling?” Rusted asked.

“W-why!?” she shouted, shocked and appauled.

“One merchant's lost haul is another's treasure. [i]As much as fighting is so fun[/i],” he said sarcastically, “it might have to be your payment.”

“You're not taking Entourage!” the filly roared, shooting to her hooves. Her horn glowed defensively as she scowled.

“No, of course not. He's yours. I just want your relation's haul. Where did they go?”

She froze, hesitating for a bit. “N-north.” she groaned, “I saw them go n-north before they chased me away.”

“Are you in a condition to lead me?” Rusted asked.

“I- uhm... Maybe. I can hide, I guess. Is this part of the pay too?”

“No. You just have a better idea than what you gave me. Eat up, we'll move when the storm clears.”