Foalout 4 - Sanctuary Hills chapter 13 - Lothmar

[Lothmar]

After a short stretch you remembered you had set aside a bushel of mutfruit to powder for potential future formula and the thought of fresh juice to flavor and sweeten your tea had you licking your lips. You removed the inedible bits for the compost and set the skins aside for the fluffies. Then proceeded to core and pack the seeds for future planting. You then wrapped the flesh in a cloth to filter the juice from the meat and begin crushing it in a pot followed by draining the juice, rinse and repeat and then tighten the cloth via rotation to get out the last drops before putting the remnants in a grinder. You jarred the powder and brought it to the house kitchen with a large pitcher of mutfruit juice.

You put a kettle and pot of water on the stove and put things away before proceeding to get out the ingredients for breakfast. You decided to make some oatmeal from razor-grains in which you mixed in the freshly diced mutfruit peels and a few spices. Meanwhile in a pan you cracked some mirelurk eggs and made a small batch of scrambled eggs with brahmin cheese for yourself before making a larger batch with some seared greens like carrot tops from your fridge that you would have composted instead for a little color.

With the kettle whistling you remove it from heat and scoop two spoons into a small filter bag. Your ‘tea’ was primarily a thistle and hubflower base for bitterness along with gourd blossom and blood leaf for additional health benefits paired with the hubflower. Add some mutfruit juice for Vitamin C, antioxidants and sweetness and you had a decent drink. Having eaten your breakfast you fill a tray with half oatmeal and half scrambled egg and mixed greens as you make your way to the tree to fill your pets bowls.

As you approach you see Nanny standing near the tree. Apparently the unicorn had wiggled away from the pile to enjoy a sunbeam near the entrance and she was observing it to ensure it didn’t get too far away from the collective or accidentally stepped on when they awoke. Apparently Daisy and Durum had accepted Phanes into their little group as his silver and gold butt sat at the edge of the opening staring at you with its brown eye which made you curious how the little red foal had squirmed out of the triangular body fence.

As you leaned over to begin portioning out the food the unicorn rolled onto its stomach so it was face up again and sniffed to center their head in your direction with an inquisitive ‘Chirp?’.

“Hows my little explorer this morning?” You whispered giving the foal a little scritch under the chin as they ‘coo’ while you finish bowling the food. At this point the happy sounds of the unicorn had stirred its siblings which proceeded to stir the remaining fluffies.

After a yawn and noticing the missing foal nearby Daisy seemed to calm. “Mowning Daddeh.” She added with a smile before nudging Durum to go get their runty unicorn before he ate while she sat up to feed the others. “Time fow Miwkies Babbehs.” She added and watched as the three nearby foals began to wiggle crawl in her direction while Durum got up to stretch before fetching the unicorn that was starting to turn around after ‘Miwkies’ was uttered.

Phanes was without foals and didn’t need to wait but cleared the tree to make room and sat observantly near the food as if protecting everyones food.
The green Pegasus filly was first to a tit and proceeded to latch. Meanwhile Orange paused for a moment to catch their breath upon getting close as the white alicorn began to close the gap. “Caweful babbehs~” Daisy added attempting to lean down too late as the two colts proceeded in to the remaining breast and collided in a soft head butt. The orange earthy rolled over and began to rock back and fourth with low gurgles as if attempting to suppress an oncoming cry and was immediately picked up by daisy and consoled. “It’s otay owange babbeh.” You noticed a slight pause.

“Bruddew no mean gib hurties.” Durum added to the orange foal after setting down the unicorn that immediately proceeded to hug its white sibling that was rubbing its forehead with its front legs.

“Yes im sure it was an accident.” You added with your eyes focusing with a bit of scrutiny hoping this wasn’t a case of favoritism but at the same time you knew all parents tended to have favorites even if they didn’t like to admit it. You had only had one child so you never had to deal with the issue yourself and mildly felt like a hypocrite for being so judgmental, so your attitude quickly softened despite your desire to protect the squishy colorful potatoes.

The alicorn proceeded to return the hug to its runt sibling and with an inquisitive ‘peep’ and a nudge the runt was pushed ahead as if thanking them. You see a slight bit of concern on Daisies face as red fed ahead of the other foals despite her proclamation yesterday that they would eat last but a leaned hug from Durum eased her concerns as your attention was pulled away to Phanes curiosity.

“Wat dis?” Phanes added nudging a bit of oats.
“Oatmeal. It’s a bit blande but will keep you feeling full.”
Phanes looks curiously as if wanting to ask what ‘blande’ was but proceeded to. “Wat dat?” instead.
“Scrambled eggs and greens. If you don’t like it you don’t have to finish it, im just trying to figure out a proper diet that’s a balance between what’s good for you and what you like.” You add kneeling down to pat Phanes along the back.
Phanes looked over his shoulder before leaning in and eating a glob of oatmeal that had separated from the main pile as he was getting bored of waiting. “Wike Daddeh’s nummies. Bettah den squishie nummies.”
You chuckle assuming he means the institute nutrient paste. “True, keeps you regular though.” You add with a smile.
“Wha ‘reguwaw’ mean?” Phanes add curiously.
You think for a simplified explanation. “Solid poops.”
Phanes laughs a bit and Daisy and durum finally leave the nest with all four of their foals having finally finished eating. “Dig in, let me know what you think.”

The fluffies liked the eggs but said it reminded them of the ‘fish’ from last night and you agreed that mirelurk eggs tasted like you’d blended in seafood into normal eggs. Perhaps you’d try different eggs when you had them and see how they reacted.

Daisy liked the crisp bits of skin while Durum seemed to prefer the seasoning while Phanes seemed to prefer the contentment of a belly full of fiber. So you made a note that oatmeal seemed good but you’d have to check how things reacted on the way out as well.

“Daddy will need to leave soon,” you add deciding not to excite them potentially with the purpose of todays work. “do you need anything before I leave?”

“Stiww no wittewbox but~” Durum adds before propping up their chin with a hoof and bending an eyebrow as if in deep contemplation.

Daisy waved her arm until you pointed to her. “Can fwuffies hab toysies odah den Baww?”

“Oh, dat gud idea.” Durum added with their leg going down and their head practically deflating as if it were a deflating hot air balloon.

“I might have a few.” You add looking back to the house. “I’ll be right back.” You return to the house and dig out a box from the closet labeled ‘shaun’. You pick out a few blocks and the teddy bear. You might read them the ‘special’ book later so you set that on the table before closing the box of remaining things and putting them back in the closet. After thirty or so seconds you realize you’d been standing there, staring at the box in the back of the closet having halted your closing of the door and with a blink and a sigh you finally shut the door.

On your way back you get nanny and smarty/Isaacs attention. “These should be safe since they’re made for infants but please keep a close watch just in case.”
“Smawty wan pway with toysies fiwst.” The handy adds snagging the teddy bear from the box. Nanny was about to interject but you hold up your finger to halt them and observe.

Smarty Isaac began to initiate upset tones as their tendrils wrapped around the bear. “Dummy stuffy no gib gud huggies.” as the anger quickly went to sadness as the optics set down in a disappointed look.

“No smarty that’s part of the punishment.” You add moving your finger to get their attention before pressing it against their hull. “Do you feel that?”

“. . .Smawty tink sum’ting dere but no wight…” The brain added confusedly.

“Your sensors indicate contact but your sense of touch is more or less gone.” You added holding your arms out as the smarty excitedly embraced you and you gave a big warm hug. “Do you understand now?” You add in a warm tone but a drip of vile coming from your lips.

“Nuuuuuuu~” Smarty began to shriek until you added.

“Bad smarty go away.” As the case closed as if throwing a blanket over a bird cage Isaac took over. You’d let smarty stew on that for awhile and pondered if what you’d done was truly deserved. You tried your best to be a good person so moments like this often made you reflect on yourself.

The toys were presented and examined with enthusiasm.
“Daddeh, do Duwum shawe speciaw huggy fwiend with Phane?” Phanes seemed curious at this as you sighed.

“Only if they cant wait. I’ll make some more when I get back before dark so each stallion has one.” You add placing a crafting note on your pipboy. “Feel free to show them so Phanes can pick out a color.” You turn around and start to walk away as if to head off the ‘why didnt I get to pick the color for mine!?’ you’d left open by volunteering the fact that you could choose the fluff/paint colors.

You made your way back to the house and took a picture with your camera from the upstairs before proceeding to the garages drafting table. You created a poster.

‘Wanted: Any and all Fluffy ponies.’
Example: You taped the photo to the center.
Expiration date: X/Y/ZZ. (3 weeks)
Adult : 50 caps alive ; 20 caps deceased
Foal: 10 caps alive ; 5 caps deceased.
Heart, head or majority of body required as proof of deceased.
Tips that lead to the recovery of a fluffy living or dead will be rewarded at 5 caps after verification.

You include a list of settlements and communities you were allied to that people could redeem their captures and claims. You knew you had to set an expiration date on the bounty as well as very specific proof of death so as not to encourage breeding operations. You hoped you were making the right decision and it wouldn’t cause unnecessary harm or persecution to the likely terrified creatures just trying to survive the wasteland.

You signal a spare handy from its charging port and task it to make 30 copies after attaching appropriate tools to the tentacles.

You proceed to the eyebot docks to check if there were any reports. Three deceased bodies in various locations within their search pattern yesterday. You add them to your map to check out later in case there are any in hiding before queuing the eye bots up to search again today now that the sun was up. You download your search program onto a holotape as you’d likely task one such eyebot bay per settlement to the search and rescue operation until hunters and scavengers started to notice the bounty posters.

After checking your map you decided to head to six locations and hand out five such posters at each location and pay a fee for the traders to deliver them to designated settlements along their routes. You walk down the road to the red rocket gas station as your first since it was the last settlement on the way to sanctuary hills but the first on the route heading South east.