[center][color=8dc73f][b]The Jaded Empire – Calypso – The Topps[/b][/color][/center]


“Training my people would also be sufficient, as some on my people have proven to be quite adept at facing new challenges.  I would be interested in acquiring more robots as well, for I do lack in the department compared to many other factions. A great deal of our prewar knowledge has, and does, come from the ghouls that reside within the Empire,” Calypso savored another piece of her steak and listened. She reached down and rubbed Martin’s thigh again, a touch miffed that he removed his hand from her chest.

"An Apache, hmmmm", Martin mused to himself, "I believe", Martin said as he patted her hand again, "that we have a deal then. We'll either repair your existing power plant in the vehicle, or provide a rebuilt one. I’ll forward the request at my first opportunity."

“This truly does please me, but, and correct me if I am wrong, you know of another Apache?” Calypso looked at Martin, her eyes filled with great curiosity, “I would also be interested in negotiating a deal for a second one, which would make patrolling and defending The Empire a great deal easier.” She dabbed the corner of her mouth with a cloth napkin, “I hereby cordially invite you and Lord Paladin to The Grand to discuss the project in greater detail. I will assemble my most noteworthy and capable members to hear your instructions.  I did wish to speak about the infrastructure of The Empire; I am in awe at Mr. House’s extraordinary accomplishments here in New Vegas. I find myself wanting to improve our grid, to develop a much better system for which we receive power.”

Calypso paused, sliding her plate away from her and looked deep into Martin’s eyes, she overturned her hand in his, “Enough talk of business,” she graciously slid closer and took Martin’s hand to her waist, “Do I not please you Martin? I am willing to put off my other meeting if you so wish, for you have pleased me far more than I expected and I wish to show my appreciation.”


[center][color=8dc73f][b]The Jaded Empire – Shelby – The Gomorrah[/b][/color][/center]


[i]What the hell is going with her?[/i] Shelby looked at the puddle of fluids from Eliza, she was a little leery of Eliza, or rather what health problems the woman had as Shelby’s mind raced with questions. [i]Is the tough chick thing just an act to cover up what’s really going on with her?[/i] Shelby shook her head in confusion and turned to the dresser; looking in the mirror she noticed that she still had blood smeared across her cheek. She walked to the bathroom and looked closer in the mirror as she washed her face and saw that her left eye had begun to bruise up, “Fucker,” she hissed under her breath as she looked at the results of Alex’s fists. She brushed her hair and returned to the dresser where her suitcase sat and pulled out a red nighty and slipped it over her head. She pressed her tongue against the inside of her cheek in a thought and went into the living room to see Eliza’s two people conversing and Aponi still frozen on the couch.

“Why don’t you go sleep in the other bed Aponi, Calypso will be pissed if you’re a zombie tomorrow if you sit there awake all night,” Shelby coaxed Aponi from the couch, that’s when she saw the bruise on Aponi’s wrists. “What happened to you? Did ya get tied up?” Shelby winked at Aponi.

Aponi looking ashamed, “Calypso said I could do what I wanted tonight, so I went and was watching the stars when…” she swallowed the lump in her throat, “Alex’s guys took me and drug me back to a shop outside of the strip. He offered me freedom, and said he would protect me from Calypso and her false gods.”

“That son of a bitch, who in the hell does this douchebag think he is?”

“I was afraid to tell Calypso, I did not want to upset her, and he did let me go like he said he would when he was finished,” Aponi looked up at Shelby, “Calypso may be…[i]different[/i], but she treats me good usually and makes sure I’m safe.”

Shelby put her hands on Aponi’s shoulders, “Yeah, I get it, and I will see what we can do about it. You are Calypso’s favorite servant, and she is pretty attached to you. Sure, she may flip once in a while, but you do as she says, when she says, and she likes that you don’t ever challenge her wishes. Go ahead and get some rest, we’ll talk about it in the morning since I’m stuck here.” Aponi nodded at Shelby and went and got ready for bed. Shelby turned around and looked at Eliza’s female soldier, “She is asleep, so what’s her deal?”

The soldier just shook her head, “I told ya, I said too much already, if you want to know more you’ll need to ask her yourself.”

“Whatever, I was just trying to see what I can do to help her feel better, but yeah,” Shelby turned and returned to her bedroom. She climbed into bed and wrapped her arm around Eliza as she slept.


[center][color=8dc73f][b]A few hours later[/b][/color][/center]


Eliza tossed, turned, and mumbled as she slept. Shelby was awaken one time when Eliza’s hand landed on her cheek followed by a knee as she flipped over and let out a small scream. Shelby uncovered Eliza as the woman sweet profusely and Eliza settled enough for Shelby to fall back asleep. Suddenly Shelby was once again awoke when Eliza jumped from the bed, darting into the bathroom. Shelby wrinkled her nose, “What?” as she waited for a moment for Eliza to return. When she didn’t come back Shelby got up with a quiet groan and went to the bathroom to find Eliza slumped against the wall in tears, she knelt down and stroked Eliza’s hair, “You wanna talk about it? I have horrible nightmares sometimes too, and to be honest, you’re worrying the shit out of me.” 

Shelby sat down next to Eliza after wetting a washcloth and putting it on the back of Eliza’s neck, “I see my parents a lot in my dreams, right before…before I killed them out of pure anger.” Shelby sighed, “If you let me in I may be able to help, and if I can’t, I might be able to find someone to help you. Since you’re coming back to Michigan, I can see this,” she motioned between the two of them, “I can see giving this a shot. I’ll make you a deal; I’ll talk if you talk OK?”