Chapter Text
I was not that long out of the Vault when Lily came to Sanctuary. That's not an excuse, it's a fact.
Maybe it's an excuse, actually.
My point is, it was relatively early days. We had a dozen people or so, and we'd just starting using the sensors to build. Didn't have much of a plan either, back then, but I suppose that's not the point.
One day I was told we'd had three people show up together, which was a lot for the time. Families didn't usually travel blind, and most folk weren't keen on leaving an established community. So, I went to investigate.
I found them milling awkwardly on one of the lesser-used lawns, down at the bend. We were mostly building up near the circle in those days, so entrance to town was a whole process.
I should probably remember everyone's name, but I don't. Two of the most generic dudes the Commonwealth had yet provided were hanging out with ... well, with Lily. She was tiny, probably 5'2, wearing a postman's uniform that was at least two sizes too big for her. The sleeves and ankles were rolled up, and the hat was a little too large. I was enchanted. She was too young for me. It was fine.
"Welcome to Sanctuary!" I had never really liked the "Hills" part of the name. There's one hill, and even that's a stretch. I was pleased by the change.
"Hi! We heard the ... radio beacon?" Lily spoke up, which I confess I wasn't expecting.
"Indeed. I'm Nate, I'm arguably in charge around here, at least for the moment."
"I'm Lily," she said. She introduced the others; I don't think I ever retained the information. We lost them before too long. I would ask her, but I probably shouldn't. "People were getting sick, in the last place."
So that's never good.
I was attempting to find a delicate way to ask when she added, as though she'd just thought of it, "Oh, but we aren't sick! It wasn't, like, that kind of sickness. I think it was bad water?" She shrugged, as I recall. The shrug was ... I was going to say 'helpless,' but that would've just been euphemism; all three of these people were clearly desperate.
"Okay, well, we've got pretty good water here, and improving it is very much on the list of priorities. We're welcoming anyone who passes the vibe test, so ... if you'll come with me?"
They exchanged slightly nervous looks, which was fair, but they followed anyway. Fortunately we only had to go two houses down, where the village oracle held court under one of the bigger covered patios.
"Mama Murphy," I called out. I refused to call her just 'Mama,' and she wouldn't respond to anything else. I found her a little big abrasive, but she was funny as hell. She looked over and saw the newcomers following me. "We've got some new arrivals."
"So I see!" She paused, peering at each of them in turn. I admit I glanced to see how Lily reacted--shy and slightly uncomfortable, it was so cute--after which Mama Murphy gave me a stern once-over. Then she rolled her eyes and cackled. "You three are welcome in Sanctuary for as long as you'd like to be."
"Cryptic," I might have muttered, if I were the insouciant type.
Since I was, I did. In response, Mama Murphy beckoned me closer, getting me to lean in enough that she could grab my collar. Her voice was low. "You're a good man, Nate." She made it sound like a threat.
"Of course, Mama Murphy."
She smirked and lightly pushed me away. I was left with the conviction that she could've picked me up and thrown me without standing up.
"So that's the vibe check!" I clapped my hands as I turned back to the newcomers, hopefully distracting them from the awkwardness of the moment.
"Great," Lily said dubiously. "Uh ... where do you want us?"
Behind me, I heard Mama Murphy snicker.
"Right. Let me find Sturges, he'll get you sorted out."