I took David up to my apartment. The kid didn't even know the garage for the rich was a thing. And the floor number made his eyes get big.

  When we got off, he was almost scared to get off. I gave him a small shove, which got him moving.

  "It's much nicer up here. I never knew it was like this." David's head nearly spun off his neck, trying to take in all the sights up here.

  "Yeah kid, the people who live up here, go out of their way to keep normal folks from knowing about their private lives." I ignored the stares we were getting. Me because of my armor, David because his clothes clearly marked him as not belonging. Snooty people being snobs. Who would've guessed?

  David was a good sport about it, he'd probably gotten used to shitty treatment at the Arasaka academy. Those kinds of places never let the poor students forget how privileged they were to be there. Though I could tell it got under the kid's skin still, he did a fair job at hiding it. Respectable.

  I nodded, I think I can mold him into something better than me. I'm too sore about being dumped here without my consent. I'm still too raw about the differences in this world and my old one. I think a little bit of that anger was always going to be there. Hell, at least David understands the world he lives in, that's more than I could say.

  I was greeted at the door by both a half amused Gena, and a wholly excited Mith. I gave Mith all the scritches. I'd have to take him with me to the Hub next time. So he can see Jaina. IT would be for both of them.

  David got a happy dog greeting as well. The kid laughed and ruffled Mith's ears. "Of course, you have a hound. Is it an Elven Hound?"

  'I not Elven hound, I Dancing Dog!' It was so cute when Mith got so excited he mindspoke like a puppy. And the look on David's face... priceless.

  "IT TALKED IN MY HEAD!" Like I said, a great set of lungs on the kid.

  "He sure did. Magic. Anyway, calm down and introduce yourself." I tried to be stern and serious, but I was holding back a belly laugh. I settled for a snicker.

  David offered his hand, "Hi, I'm David. Ryan's teaching me magic."

  Mith gave him a serious look, 'I'm Mith, I protect.' Mith extended a paw, and David shook it.

  I snorted. I really wanted to see the kid's reaction to Mith's full size.

  "David? Is that you?" Lacie looked up from her typing.

  "Oh hi, Lacie. You here to learn magic too?" David smiled at the Mox.

  "Wait, you're learning magic? From Ryan." Lacie gave me a flat stare. What? What'd I do?

  "Something wrong with that?" I asked. I had no idea what she'd be upset at. I was a respectable person. Not a filthy degenerate.

  "Is he going to able to do, what you can do?" The way she said it, like most people might say, "Gut them like a fish, and leave them to die". It stung to be so untrusted by my allies. Heh. Not that I didn't actually understand what her problem was.

  "Some, probably not to the same extent. If anything I'd say he's going to go the elemental route. Maybe fire, maybe earth. If Jaina can get her hands on him, both and more. But no, he doesn't seem to have a talent for nature mana. Sadly, I don't think he'll follow the Druid's path." I frowned, because it would've been great to have another Druid around. both still having a mage along would be great.

  "Does that mean I won't be able to heal?" David looked crestfallen. Did he really want to be a Druid? Didn't he just want to be able to use magic?

  "No, you'll be able to heal to an extent. Just not quite like me. Don't worry about it too much." I gave his shoulder a fist bump. I shook my head, and turned to Lacie. "How do you two know each other?"

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "Lacie supplies me with some XBDs to sell." David said like it wasn't a big deal. If I remembered rightly, Extreme brain dance chips were addicting, and could fry people's brains. She's suppling the kid digital drugs. And she was going to get on my case over teaching the kid magic.

  I glared at Lacie, and she turned red. She looked down.

  "I only sold him the one's the new girl cleaned up. She has a real talent at making the hardcore stuff safe." She looked away. That's right don't mess with me, unless you have a leg to stand on.

  I've never really codified my thoughts on drug use. Mostly because it was never part of my world. I ran it through my head a few times, thinking about what NC was like. Yeah, alright maybe drugs were a rational response to this place. Anything to numb the pain of existing here.

  "Whatever." I'd let it pass for now. Lacie let out a sigh. I turned to David, "Let me guess kid, you were trying to get money to help out your mom?"

  "Yeah, it's never enough to really help, but it's kept the lights on a few times. Mother's usually so crashed out after work, she doesn't notice that I slip in some payments here and there." A good kid, doing the right thing with the wrong methods. Shit, no wonder he was worth a lot of points, his actions screamed "hero" or "anti-hero". Did I somehow luck into finding a free roaming Hero Unit?

  I guess we'll find out.

  "Anyway, the kid's coming with me to learn the ins and outs of what I do. I came to pick up Mith to watch over him for me while I do business."

  'I protect!' Mith gave an excited growl.

  "If it get too hairy, you get him out. I'm counting on you Mith." I gave his ears a good scritch. He gave me an agreeable grumble.

  I got David setup in my armored clothing and trench coat, we did a quick hack job on fitting it to him. Then I gave him my Omaha.

  "Don't pull that unless everything's gone to shit." He nodded at me.

  "Promise me David. Don't even touch that iron unless you are the last one standing. We'll get you trained on it as soon as we have a chance." An untrained person with a gun was often more dangerous to their allies than their enemies.

  "I promise." He meant it.

  "Alright, let's head out."

  We returned to the ground level, and got in the Food Truck. Mith got in the back. Probius, MRR and GRR latched on to their spot and we headed to the Afterlife.

  It was about 10PM when we got there. I gave David a quick run down on what to expect and how to behave. I knew I didn't need to worry about Mith. I lead them past the traps, which had been moved. There were quite a few people hanging around out here. Maybe they couldn't get in, or maybe they just liked the cheerful atmosphere out here.

  David had taken my warnings seriously, and kept his eyes locked on my back. I didn't need some Gonk testing him over an errant glance, right now. Once the kid learned a fire bolt or something I'd let him go to town on any assholes that stepped up.

  Emmerick was at the door and he recognized me.

  "Medic, babysitting?" He tilted his head at David. His eyes lit up at the sight of Mith. Oh ho, did the big tough bouncer have a soft spot for Dogs? Well, not that I had any room to speek.

  "Nah, he's my backup. Be careful Emmerick, he can kill you with a thought." I gave him my best shit eating grin.

  He stepped aside, and we'll all pretend he didn't do it faster than normal.

  Once inside, I didn't see any of Maine's crew yet, so I took David and Mith over to the bar. Harry was working tonight, and I nodded to him. I took off my refrigerated backpack. and set in on the bar.

  "If I share with you, are you going to complain I brought my own drinks?" Yeah, I wasn't going to pay 200 eddies for a glass of water this time.

  Instead of looking offended Harry look intrigued. "Let's see what you've got, Medic."

  I whipped out three glass bottle Dr Peppers. I pulled out my trusty bottle opener and popped the caps. I loved that hiss and fizzing sound.

  Then I pulled out a dog bowl and a bottle of water and pout Mith a drink.

  I lifted my bottle, "To lost friends and better days."

  Harry lifted his bottle and clinked 'em, "I'll drink to that."

  David imitated us.

  We all took a sip.

  "Well I'll be damned. I don't usually go for the sweet stuff but that's pretty good. Thanks." Harry took another swig.

  David had a bright smile on his face which turned to confusion as a slim pair of arms wrapped around him. A Cheshire grin appeared pressing right into the side of the kid's face as Sasha made her presence known. When he realized what had happened his face turned the brightest shade of red, I'd ever seen a human face turn.

  "Un Nya! What's this? Did the Medic bring me a gift?" That musical slightly mocking tone was a joy to hear. If she ever sang, I'd imagine it would be awesome.

  "Be nice Sasha, I think he's going to explode." That was a new girl I hadn't met. Her white hair caught a lot of attention. She was smiling, and slightly exasperated at Sasha's antics.

  David's eyes met hers. Both of their faces expressed shock. Though the new girl hide hers faster. I saw it though that moment a spark flew between these two kids. In that moment I felt the hand of fate moving things around. These two were supposed to meet. Maybe not here and maybe not this way, but this moment was always going to occur. Destiny.

  My heart sped up a little faster, and I felt a moment of pure unadulterated joy. Even the look on Sasha's face was one of almost pure ecstasy. She'd felt it too.

  I'd brought two people meant to be, together. That was amazing.

  Well, shit. Feeling my joy die down a bit.

  Now I just had to keep them from fucking it all up.