We’ve got a few more errands to run if Poe is to get access to those new plots— namely, doing that favor for Jake and picking up a new companion: Nick. Those new plots are instrumental for setting up the next phase of long-term settlement building I have in mind, and I refuse to begin phase 2 without having access. I’ve grown too many random things and ended up getting warnings for stuff I don’t have yet, so it’s absolutely necessary for us to work on it now.

First, we have to meet the Ron.

That means finally heading to Diamond City. It isn’t far, thankfully, so I start the trek, ignoring all the nobodies pointing and shooting at me along the way.

I’ve never really noticed the signs before, but also, I haven’t noticed Diamond City Security outfitted like this before. I may have put in a mod or something. Dunno. But I do know that Poe doesn’t trust ’em. Flashing the berries and cherries, well…

And now we meet Piper. I’ve always been impressed by how expressive her character is compared to a lot of other characters. The way she moves and everything. She seems fun. I’ve been contemplating getting a mod installed letting me have a whole heap of companions, but at the same time… hrm.

Anyway, fuck authority.

Disliked him enough that I scampered to the elevator (long ass elevator, but doesn’t Dogmeat look nice?) and walked into his office to take everything not nailed down. As Jake said to me before, “Do you ever come across anything you don’t pick up?” No, Jake. I don’t.

Gargle my balls, McDonough.

We take a moment to look down on Diamond City from his mayoral office. I love that the noodle stand is the heart of downtown. There’s a lot going on and they made use of a lot of real estate.

Anyway, I decided to walk into a bunch of high-falutin’ assholes’ homes. Then I found this knucklehead who offered a job on the spot:

Yeah, okay. Your name is Belt. There’s probably something in it for me.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m going to nail this man’s head to his asshole, and Wellingham could use some humbling. Fucker. In retribution, I stole his girl immediately and sent her to Sanctuary.

Anyway, I went to talk to Piper’s little sister who pointed me to where Nick is. Sometimes I wish I could have customized Poe’s voice because this gentle-toned shit doesn’t vibe.

The Ron is a higher priority than Nick at the moment, so we’re going to see him first. Some dickhead Gunners emerged from his office nattering about nothing and Poe told them to get fucked before going in.

It took me a few minutes of conversation before I concluded the Ron must be… the Fonz?

Poe is trying not to think about how he ain’t gonna be no lone wolf anymore, not with her hell-bent on his being.

A quick peek at the Ron’s abatoir…

I have never seen this before. Definitely a mod. I always feel bad when I encounter a language barrier and I’m like, ah. Bro. I should have learned every language so I know what you’re talking about.

Google translate:

Woof.

Then I wandered back to the noodle stand in time for everyone’s favorite brotherly standoff. It was really funny seeing all the added NPCs, not programmed to circle around in shock and awe, wander through the scene and rubbernecking because I’m right there and everyone must Look At You. Poor dude.

Picked up Sheffield while I was there and then scampered to the Valentine Detective Agency:

Cool, on my way.

I stopped on the way because I was curious about this weird lump in the water. And then the lump stood up.

Absolutely fucked. I ended up running into a cemetery filled with ferals trying to get away from Swan, killed a shitload of ferals, yelled at a raider, and finally went into the subway to find Nick. Killed everything in my way.

My usual playthrough style does NOT work with Poe. I’m a shoot from afar and tiptoe around type. Poe is a spray and pray type of woman, and man. She hosed down the subway like it was nothing, and we got to the vault just fine.

Mostly just fine:

Mmm. Nick. I love Nick, he’s so cool.

We run out, and I talk Darla into fucking up Skinny Malone alongside us. We’re now in even numbers, and she takes off as soon as the conflict is over.

And of course, Poe must loot. V for victory.

Thanks, Nick. I sent him on his way because I had another issue to take care of before I finished and picked him up officially.