The locals

You leave the house with Study after a while. The sun is still low and the wind bring fresh air. There was not much food left, so you left it there, hoping you'll find more in Newville.

As you get closer to the town, you see the wall better. It's made of wooden planks, but also metal plates, which showed that it was made with what was found in town, and in a hurry. On top of it two persons are visible, even if it's just the head.

"Do you think they are friendly ?" Asks Study.

"I really hope so, we need it." You say.

Now that you're close enough, you can see that it's two humans, which is reassuring.

"Who are you ? What's your business, here ?" Yells one of them.

"I'm Cash, and she's Study, we're just passing through." You yell back, to be heard.

"You can come to the door, but you'll need to keep your pet in a leash or she doesn't get in." Tells the gate keeper, pointing Study.

"What ?!? I'm not a pet, you asshole !!" Yell Study, in rage.

"She seems quite aggressive, is she tamed ?" Asks you the man.

"I don't know what's going on, but play along, we really need to get in." You explain to her.

"They talk like I'm a wild animal !" Rage the woman.

"I know, but we don't have food and no idea what's going here, so we really need to talk to them !"

"Fine !"

Study is clearly unhappy about her situation, but calm down. So you turn back to the gatekeeper.

"I forgot to bring a leash, can I get one ?" You ask.

"Let me guess, you're from that degenerate city of New-York."

You have no idea what he's talking about, but he doesn't seem hostile about that town, so you decide to go with the flow.

"Guilty..." You say in a laugh.

"We'll give you a leash, but keep your degenerate impulses for yourself."

"Will sure do !"

Not knowing what he's talking about, you really hope to not make a mistake inside. Or Study. You look at her and see her clenching her jaw in frustration.

Two large steel plate opens and you can see people walking around in old used clothes in the street. Three men welcome you in armors made of various parts of metal. You can recognize road signs and car parts. The whole thing gives you a post apocalyptic vibe, which goes well with what you've seen so far.

The man in the middle have a dog leash in his hands and all three looks at you with suspicion. The man with the leash, a man in his forties walks toward Study, but you stop him.

"I'll do it, she's used to me." You tell him.

"Fine by me." Say the man.

He gives you the leash and you turn to Study, who looks at you with dagger in her eyes.

"You'd better not have funny ideas !" She tells him.

"Don't worry, I won't." You try to reassure her, while putting the collar around her neck.

You lead her inside with the leash and the men step aside.

"Welcome to Newville." They tell them.

You're now in a lively town with Study, finally around other people.