continuation from Farewell Piper by @helloaschefire

The rain had begun to come down in Diamond City. The rare crystal blue sky had given way to dense green clouds. The Great Green Jewel of the Common Wealth was cast in an ailing light.

The General had personal business in Diamond City, Valentina along with a few Minutemen took the opportunity to visit the shops, see friends, family, or just shop. For Val, it was a stop at the noodle stand where and a one-way flirtation with its proprietor and a chance to get out of the rain without being asked to buy something. Sort of. She could easily shell out some caps for a bowl of noodles to split with Cupid, who was already putting her paws on the counter.

Many had the same idea as the stools were quickly filled. Ashoken sat where she could get the best view of the market district. The noodle stand, being central, is not ideal if you did not want to garner attention and now the rain brought in more seeking to stay dry. No, no place to put her back when she caught sight and watched the lady with the dog out of the corner of her shaded eye. Any other time, someone may have protested a dog putting its feet on the counter of a food stand, but given it’s Diamond City, it was probably one of the cleaner things that had yet been there.

Ashoken had already been running scenarios through her head, planning her reactions if this happened, if that happened while pretending to only be interested in feeding iguana bites to one of the alley cats that called the wall home. The dog, it was the dog. Not a great deal of people traveled with canines most only ate them. If shit when sour, it goes first. The blonde was too busy feeding the dog noodles to be aware of much around her. Just another body pressing in under the wind-torn canopy. 

Valentina straightened up smiling brightly as she put the empty bowl on the counter. “Thank you Tak…” she stopped, words curiously frozen on her tongue the instant the new face popped into her view. She had a cleaner cut, her clothes whole compared to most denizens Maybe it was the stern set of her mouth or the stiffness of her shoulders that made Valentina take a step back.  Even though a pair of sunglasses kept their eyes from meeting, Valentina found the woman intimidating at first glance. Val reached for Cupid, fingertips grazing the soft white fur between the dog’s ears. It brought immediate comfort, enough, so she offered a polite smile though short-lived as she felt a gentle warmth envelop her hand. 

The stranger was forgotten as she turned and found herself facing Johan. His eyes flickered to and from the other woman to Valentina as he spoke, “come with me.”

Johan didn’t hesitate, as he turned, Valentina’s hand slipped just briefly in her confused hesitation. She’d never wavered, and trusted him in the field, in combat, with her life and that of their friends, but this… 

… she was sure she looked ridiculously shocked and red-faced while she stumbled over the simple words, “Oh, okay, Where we are going?”

Valentina got no answer as she caught up to his urgent stride. Instead, she felt his fingers slip from her wrist and lace with hers as they turned the corner.

to be continued…

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Thanks again to @helloaschefire who owns Johan and Ashoken, @thefrostyshepard and @a-bladesentinel for encouraging me. xoxo you guys and sorry it took so long to reply to this.