[color=a36209][i][b]Adam 'Trails' Wilford- Salem Streets[/b][/i][/color]

Adam felt the warmth of Celeste's body as she leaned in close, holding his arm just a little tighter. "Well, I suppose it's pretty similar to life anywhere, if I think about the stories I used to hear all the time. My parents had a diner and trading stand, so we met pretty much everyone who came through. I grew up listening to all the things people went through as they travelled through the wasteland, the people, and tribes they met." She sighed, wistfully. "It made me think I had to see the world for myself, you know? To stake out on my own and find my own place. It sounded just so...wonderful."

Adam listened quietly to Celeste telling her life story, each footstep a soft padding on the asphalt of the ancient streets. "I saved up my caps and paid a caravan to let me join them from Niagara to Diamond City, but even halfway to Salem, I just...well..." Celeste had suddenly begun trailing off. "Oh, Adam, you're such a seasoned traveller, I just know you'll think the next part is just silly, but, I...I couldn't take it. All those stories, all those amazing places that are out there, no one really told me about the violence, and how loud a gun is, or how much blood a feral hound can really spill." She shuddered. "It was just too much, for me. I...well, I just couldn't stomach it." Celeste drooped. "You must think me pathetic, huh?". Adam stopped in the street, his stomach in knots. It was as if Celeste had been reading his mind from over the years. Adam's throat was tight before he finely whispered a hoarse "No". He licked his lips and swallowed before he spoke, "Celeste, I...I've done some awful things out there. I've robbed enough people at gunpoint I've probably heard every possible kind of scream or curse. Truth is, it never gets any easier. You just find new ways to cope." The wind blew gently threw his hair as he looked blankly down the street. "Celeste, I sold out my old gang to try and go straight. Nineteen lives for the price of one. Was it worth it? I never think so. I try to be a good man, but sometimes you need to be a harsh man. After I met Ellia down south, I swore I'd never fall back into that life. Truth is, killing is easy. It's living with it that gets harder, it's like with every life you take, you kill a piece of your own soul all so you can make a little money. So, no. I'd say you're better person than me. You rejected that life and I took it up. I took the easy road while you helped try to scratch and scrape a life for others." Adam looked over to Celeste beside him, "I don't even deserve to spend time with such a nice soul like you. But I'm glad you think I'm worth it." He smirked, "Maybe there's some hope for this old warhorse yet." He extended his arm to Celeste once more, relieved to tell someone what it felt like to live with such guilt for once, continuing the stroll to the inn.

They drew up to the double doors of the inn. "The caravan stopped here for some lunch, yesterday, and I decided to stay. I suppose that the water being nearby was just comforting, or familiar, and I ditched the caravan right then and there. I told myself that this place was where I could really make a name for myself, but truthfully, I didn't care about Diamond City, anymore." She looked up to Adam's face and smiled. "Well, maybe you and I can visit there sometime, together, hmm? If you'd like.". Adam laughed, "I've never been much of a city man, Salem's big enough for me. But, what the hell? If it'd mean I get to see more of you smiling, how can I every sensibly say no to that?" Celeste's eyes danced as she craned her neck up once more. Adam looked up, "What's so interesting up there? That's just the Big Dipper." He chuckled, "I'm just playing." Smiling, he took Celeste's chin into his hand, her soft skin contrasting with his rougher hands, as he leaned in and gave her a long, gentle kiss. Adam smiled, his breath wafting in the streetlight, "Thank you for a wonderful night, Celeste. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."

Adam watched Celeste walk inside, admiring her figure as she went in. When the door shut, Adam put the duster on and pulled out a cigar and a match, striking it on his shoe. He hadn't smoked in years, but tonight was a good night and he almost felt like he had in his younger years. He exhaled, the puff flowing like a small chimney as the flavor delighted his mouth. When he was finished, he flicked it to the ground and began the trek back to the beach, taking one last look at the inn with a happy smile over the night they'd just shared.