Ashen Wastes: The Road to Nowhere?

[Dawnika Snow]

As the Ex-Vault Hunter approached her neighbors door, it swung open and a girl just slightly taller than her stepped out quickly almost colliding into her. Her reaction speed was good though, for she stopped before crashing into the newcomer. The Vigilante took a step back, standing next to her dog.

"Uh, hello?" Her tone suggested that she assumed Gaige had heard her, making her feel a bit embarrassed. She scratched the back of her neck and her face turned slightly red.

“You alright? Thought I heard you yelling or something.” Gaige said calmly. She peaked into the room a little. It didn't seem to match the owner very well. Dawn wore mostly black and red while her room was pink.

“To be honest with you, I'm not entirely sure.” She replied. “This world seems to be getting at me in the worst way. Makes you wanna tear your hair out. Ya’ know?” The warm mug of cocoa caught Dawn’s eye. Was she here to actually talk? If so, that would be a first. It was then the Vault Hunter offered the cup to her.

“Yeah, seems like it was made to test in the worst ways. Would you like some cocoa? It's fresh.” She said, but the woman raise her hand in silent refusal.

“Sorry, I don't really drink warm beverages. Don't like ’em all that much. I prefer soda.” She said, walking into her room and leaving the door open as if telling her she could come in. Gaige stepped in her room with Deathtrap. Now that she got a better look at it, it did seem to match the owner in its own way. The mini fridge and game console gave that impression.

“Call me Shadow.”

“Assuming that’s not your real name?” Gaige said, taking a seat at Dawn’s desk, but sitting in it backwards to face her. “Look like a shadow with all that black. I'm Gaige, by the by.”

“It’s not. Just an alias. Names are useless to an assassin.” Dawn looked at Gaige a bit more closely. Observing her clothes and her style. “Mechanic? Possibly on automata?”

“Uhhh, what?” She said confused. Was she talking about her? “You mean, am I mechanic?”

Dawn smirked and chuckled a bit, “Nah, I mean you are a mechanic.” She said, leaving Gaige even more confused. She offered the Vigilante a look that meant she wasn't following. “Your clothes are spotted with some kind of a dirt, looks like grease or oil stains. One of your arms is metallic, full functionality which mean you must know how to keep it in good repair. I'll also take a flying guess that you're a loud and social person that loves being up close and personal with their targets. The shotgun gives that away. Lastly, that robot over there.” She pointed to Deathtrap with her Dr. Pepper in hand. “I almost guarantee you built him from scratch, no help at all.”

The Vault Hunter was amazed she got all that from just looking at her. Was it some kind of power like sirens have? No, it couldn't be. Sirens powers are amazing and special in their own way. “How could you know that?”

“Keen observation.” Dawn said simply. “Your robot friend has his own presence that screams personal design. A personal design that matchs your nature perfect.”

“You're an odd one Shadow. On the other hand though, you're pretty cool.”

As the master talked, the pets of the owners seem to have their own silent conversation. Rogue stared at the metal abomination as if it understood it by it presence. Deathtrap simply returned the gesture.