originally posted in:The New Dojo
"Listen, kiddo. Let me help you out. Why were you stealing that gun? Money? I can give you some money, kid. I've got too much than I know what to do with. First, though, what's your name?"
English
-
[i]She looks at the ground.[/i] "Yeah, but I deserved to be punch and then some."
-
"What is wrong with you? Who's been telling you those things? That's... It's despicable. Whoever is saying it doesn't deserve to know you, Artemis. They're evil. If it's you telling yourself that, then I think I know who's making you think that way. It's your father, isn't it? Jesus, I don't even know him and I already despise the guy... Just let me help you out, okay? You don't deserve what's happened to you... It all just seems so horrible..."
-
[i]She covers her face with her hands.[/i] "But I do deserve it. I'm a runt who can't continue the bloodline."
-
"That means nothing. Just because nobody wants to mate with you doesn't mean you deserve to get any shit for it. You deserve none of that. Let me help you, Artemis. If not for your sake, make it so I at least know you're healthy."
-
[i]She slowly nods in agreement.[/i]
-
"This is gonna sting for a second." [b]I pull out a stimpack from my left coat pocket, and inject her with it. All her wounds begin to slowly close up, until they are no more.[/b] "There. All better."
-
[i]She smiles weakly, still staring at the ground.[/i] "Thanks."
-
[b]I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.[/b] "I want you to know that you don't have to put up with what they do to you, alright? They don't deserve someone like you, Artemis. If they base their opinions on the fact that you can't mate, then they're despicable. Come live at the Dojo, Artemis. You're safe here. Safe from the people that would hurt you."
-
[i]She pushes your hand away and starts to walk off.[/i] "I can't. The code says we all stick together. I have to go back. I'm already late, I don't want my punishment to get worse than it already is."
-
"No. There won't be a punishment. Not this time. Not if I can help it. Those bastards that do this to you... I'm going to make sure that they don't hurt you."
-
[i]Artemis starts to run and yells over her shoulder.[/i] "The code says no outsiders."
-
[b]I run after her. I would find the bastards that did this. They would pay.[/b] "Damn the code! The code is bullshit! What they're doing to you is fûcked up, Artemis!"
-
"The code is life! The code is the clan! The code is me!" [i]She trips and falls face first.[/i]
-
[b]I run up to where she is. This girl was brainwashed. I needed to help her.[/b] "Kid, it sounds like these guys brainwashed you. It's not right. If the clan hates you, how are they life? If the clan is life, and they hate you, then how are you alive? Kid, just stay here, in the Dojo. They can't touch you here. You'd be free. And that's something I was trained to fight for. People's freedom. As a Ranger of the New California Republic, I will not stand by and watch you be brainwashed and manipulated. It's as bad as the Legion across the canyon. It's sickening."
-
Edited by Cthulhu Agent: 11/9/2016 12:27:04 PM[i]She slowly gets up and shakes her head.[/i] "I have to go. The code says we stay together."
-
"The code is brainwashing you, kid. It's horrible. It's the worst form of slavery. It's trash. It's bullshit. You need to break free."
-
[i]She starts to walk away again.[/i] "The code is life. The code is the clan. The code is me."
-
[b]I follow her.[/b] "Kid, you're code's gonna end your life."
-
[i]Artemis stops and turns around, angry.[/i] "Stop following me!"
-
"I'm not gonna let you throw your life away."
-
[i]Artemis weakly shoves you.[/i] "The code says no outsiders! I can't let you in the den."
-
"You're not letting me in the den. I simply followed you. Whoever leads you is gonna let me in, or they're facing NCR justice."
-
[i]She shakes her head.[/i] "No outsiders! My people have done nothing wrong."
-
"Haven't said they've done anything wrong. Yet. But as an NCR Ranger Peacekeeper, I have to check."
-
[i]She shakes her head.[/i] "You're not allowed in the den."