The floor was polished composite steel, patterned with old Vault insignias that hadn't faded. No claw marks. No blood. Just clean.
To the left, military-grade lockers and supply racks stood untouched. Each labeled with etched plates:
[ISSUED GEAR - FEMALE PERSONNEL / CRYO BATCH 004], [MEDICAL EMERGENCY STOCK], [TACTICAL EQUIPMENT LOCKERS - LEVEL 1]
Inside were crisp, well-folded, deep navy blue uniforms with gold trim, they were better compared to the grimy, torn Vault jumpsuits they'd been wearing since waking. Casual clothing lay beneath them, including soft shirts, stretch-fitting leggings, cozy hoodies, even sealed packs of clean undergarments.
Further down, a drawer hissed open as Clara curiously touched a glowing button. Inside were actual sleep sets of cotton silk nightgowns and matching pajama pants that looked like they belonged in a luxury dormitory.
The softest material Kael had ever seen.
Clara (she whispered): "Is this real?" Reaching out to touch the nearest fabric with trembling fingers. " Her fingers grazed a folded hoodie reverently.
Clara (eyes widened): "It even smells… clean. Like a lavender…"
But it was the beds that made Clara gasp. A dozen of them, arranged along the far wall with that look comfortable. Real mattresses with actual linens, pillows and blankets that looked like they'd never been used.
Across the room, Rosa let out a low whistle as she approached the sealed bathing module.
Rosa: "Sweet!"
It stood like a heavenly relic in the corner. Condensation glistened in the glass, and steam rose from inside and curled into the cool air. The panel blinked gently: [WATER TEMP: 41°C / STERILIZED: YES]
Rosa's fingers hovered just over the glass, her reflection warped in the condensation.
Rosa: "Hot water," Holding her hand over the rising steam. "Actual hot water! I haven't had a proper bath... since before the cryo-sleep."
Kael blinked. "Whoa—Asha, why is it already running? We didn't touch anything."
Asha: "Command Wing protocols detect viable life signatures within a secured perimeter. Systems automatically resume limited function under Directive 9.4."
As Rosa slid open the frosted privacy partition adjacent to the bathing module, a hiss of warm air rolled out — and what lay beyond made her jaw drop.
A massive sunken bath tub, wide and circular. The white-stone tub was tiled with smooth ceramic and chrome lining, with built-in cushioned seats curved along the inner rim. Five people could easily fit inside — maybe more if they didn't mind being close.
The water inside sparkled faintly.
Rosa gasped. "Ohhhhhh my god. Am I dreaming?!" She dipped a toe into the water. "It's perfect. Clara! You gotta try this!"
Clara peeked in timidly from behind her. Her cheeks turned bright pink the moment she saw how large the tub was—and how steamy it had become inside.
Clara (blushing): "That's a bit… m-much, isn't it?"
Sera (approached with a skeptical scowl): "It's just a bath. Don't overreact."
But even her expression faltered when she caught sight of the gold-trimmed robe rack beside the tub, and the built-in towel warmers humming quietly on the wall.
Kael (wandered up behind them, blinking into the haze): "What's going on back here?"
Rosa (turned dramatically, still ankle-deep in the water.) "My hero, it's time for your reward," she whispered, leaning her arms over his shoulders. "A bath… with three beautiful naked girls!"
Sera (coughing, her ears turning red): "T-There's no way we're all getting in there at once. That'd be-ridiculous!"
Rosa (raising a brow, wagging her index finger with a teasing "tsk-tsk-tsk"): "Says the girl who keeps sneaking glances at the fluffy towels!"
Clara (looked at the tub again, biting her lip): "It's… probably fine, right? I-I mean, if we took turns… or, um, closed our eyes…"
Kael (completely flustered, scratched his head): "I-I can just wait outside. Or...uh..bury myself in supplies." His wide eyes avoided the girls, his imagination running wild despite his earnest attempt to be respectful. "I don't need to… you know, see anything!"
Rosa (burst out laughing): "Get in the tub with us hero! Imagine it-me and Clara all slick and soapy, pressing up against you, our wet bodies sliding together… You'd love every second of it, wouldn't you?"
Clara gasped, her face turning crimson, her hands flailing as she waved off the suggestion.
Clara (stammering, flustered): "R-Rosa! T-that's too much! B-but… if Kael joined, m-maybe he could… wash my back? O-only if he wanted!"
Kael (panicked): "W-wash your back?! I-I'd probably drop the soap and-and grab something I shouldn't! Let's just… explore first, okay?!"
His clumsy retreat earned a soft giggle from Clara and a wicked grin from Rosa, his skill Accidental Harem Magnet humming.
Sera's piercing voice broke the tension before it could get worse. Her reflection on the gleaming surface of a nearby terminal had taken her by surprise as she had been assessing the area, her amber eyes sweeping the room, weapon racks, data terminals, and supply crates. Her silver hair was matted with sweat and dried blood, and her once pristine vault suit was torn at the thigh and stained with dirt. Her cleavage was partially visible through the ripped sports bra. A tired young lady looking back at her.
Sera (muttering, frustrated):
"…What a mess…"
Her voice tremble from exhaustion biting at the edge of her pride.
Kael, who had been fidgeting awkwardly a few feet away, took a step toward her. His eyes softened as he watched her shoulders slump ever so slightly.
He swallowed his nerves.
Kael (earnest, gently):
"Sera… You still look strong. We wouldn't be here without you."
His voice was steady despite his flushed cheeks.
He took a breath… then the HUD in his vision blinked.
[DIALOGUE CHOICE AVAILABLE – SERA: VULNERABLE STATE DETECTED]
Choose Response :
🅐 "You know… you'd still look good even if you were covered in Crawler goo."
🅑 "Heh… well, you're still the second scariest thing in this Vault—after Rosa with no caffeine."
🅒 "Sera… You still look strong. We wouldn't be here without you."
🅓 "...You look tired, Sera. It's okay to rest. You don't have to carry everything alone."
Selected: 🅒
Kael stepped closer, not too far—close enough to let her hear, but not so near she'd shut him down.
[+2% Affinity Gained – Sera: 54/100]
[TSUNDERE RADAR – SIGNAL DETECTED]
Asha (dryly, in Kael's neural feed): "Analyzing Subject Sera.. Internal metric suggests 73% likelihood she appreciated that compliment, Kael. And 89% chance she has no idea how to handle it."
Kael blinked. Wait, what?
Sera (snapping, blushing):
"Hmph! F-Flattery won't get you anywhere, pipe-boy"
She turned away quickly, pretending to inspect the far rack of emergency rations, and her grip on the VX-07 Pulse-Lance had softened.
"But I don't have my pipe anymore," Kael said, looking at the abandoned weapon with something approaching fondness. "I should probably find a new one."
"Y-you won't need it f-for a while," Clara said softly.
Asha (still processing): "Sera's vitals suggest elevated emotional conflict. Conclusion: She wants you to keep talking… but will deny it under threat of plasma fire. Proceed with caution."
Kael gave a faint, helpless smile. Why is Asha better at this than I am?
Rosa, lounging casually against a nearby crate, let out a sultry giggle.
Rosa (grinning, teasing):
"Oh come on, Sera, don't be so prickly! Honestly—" She stretched her arms over her head with a mock sigh. "I bet he'd love to help you clean up. Hands-on in steamy hot water, gliding down that silver-haired bod—"
Sera (flustered): "Rosa! shut it! I don't need his help. I can manage myself, thank you very much!"
Her voice cracked slightly, only fueling Rosa's grin. But Kael, blushing furiously, had already turned around, practically staring at the floor tiles to avoid accidental "admiration."
Kael (mumbling, red-faced):
"I-I'll just go… check the ration shelf…"
Sera's lips twitched at the corners, despite herself. He was such a dork.
He turned awkwardly toward the supply crates, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. But as he took his first step, a sharp pain shot through his side. The moment of laughter fractured as the full extent of his injuries caught up with him.
His vision blurred slightly and he staggered.
Sera's fleeting smirk vanished the instant she saw the color drain from his face.
Clara (rushing over him): "Kael!"
She reached his side before he could stumble again, her hands trembling. Her eyes widened as she noticed the blood—dark crimson soaking through the side of his tattered jumpsuit.
Clara: "Y-You're bleeding! Why didn't you say anything?!"
Kael (gritting his teeth, still trying to smile):
"I'm fine. It's just a scratch-"
Sera (cutting him off): "Don't be an idiot."
Her arms crossed, but her tone lacked its usual snap. Her eyes were locked on to his injury with worry.
Sera: "You're dripping blood all over the place. Sit down before you pass out and ruin the mattress."
Asha (dry as ever): "Bleeding at a rate of 0.7 mL per second. Continuing to deny injury would qualify as 'statistically idiotic behavior."
Kael sighed and gave in.
He didn't resist as Clara and Sera each took one of his arms. A low groan escaped him.
Kael (murmuring):
"Okay… yeah… maybe I'll just… sit for a sec…"
Clara (kneeling beside him, scanning his injury):
"W-we need to clean those wounds."
Her eyes narrowed in concentrated panic as her fingers lingered over the ripped fabric.
Sera: "The bath unit… maybe it has a medkit."
Rosa (already walking away): "On it! If this place has steam towels and silken undies, it better have antiseptic." She winked over her shoulder. "Don't bleed out before I get back, hero."
Kael chuckled weakly, despite the pain.
Sera, meanwhile, lingered near the bed, her hands clenched at her sides. She was staring at Kael's face. Her brows furrowed slightly.
Then she looked away.
Sera (quietly, almost whispering to herself): "You… you did well out there."
The words sounded foreign in her mouth.
Kael blinked. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips