[Video]

[attractedtodarkness]

[One teenage girl with long brown hair draped down the sides of her face is staring at her new phone incredulously. Her tone one of disbelief and sarcasm.]

"Don't worry, we're the [Insert air quotes here] 'good guys'"? Seriously? Talk about mega government conspiracies. I'm not buying any of that bullshit.

[There's a pause as she reaches for something off camera]

First thing's first, if anyone has a lighter I can borrow, I want to burn the shit out of this file. [she waves the back of her personnel file in front of the camera briefly] I don't know how they got my information but I'm not about to share it. And if someone can lend me enough cash for a flight to Los Angeles, it'll be great.

[she turns away from the phone, seemingly about to end her message before turning back]

Oh, right. If you're my roommate, I only have one rule: Don't touch my stuff.

Comments

[attractedtodarkness]

[so much sarcasm] No, sir.

1/2

[glassinine]

Then I will send a copy at once. Please note that it is merely preliminary; more rules will be added as necessary.

2/2, text

[glassinine]

1. There is a strict noise curfew of 11:00 pm. No noise after this point will be tolerated.
2. There will be no entry into my room without my express permission.
3. All messes in common areas must be cleaned. I will not police your private space, but shared areas are not to be dirtied.
4. This goes as well for the kitchen. If you use a dish, clean a dish.
5. Any food left in the refrigerator for upwards of seven days will be thrown out, with the exception of condiments and pickled goods.
6. Trash will be separated from recycling. Familiarize yourself with recyclable goods. You have no moral excuse for throwing away what might be recycled.
7. The door will be locked behind you upon leaving.
8. Guests must be pre-approved by the majority of housemates. Any overnight guests must be pre-approved by all housemates.
9. There will be no destruction of furniture or appliances. Any damage incurred must be repaired at the expensive of the one who caused it.
10. Familiarize yourself with the chore wheel.
11. Goods held in common (e.g., toilet tissue) will be purchased in a cycle. I will begin. All subsequent purchases must be of an approximately equal amount. You will not have discharged your duty by purchasing a single roll of toilet tissue.
12. Anyone taking an absence from the household should inform the others. This way we will know if you are merely traveling or have gone missing.
13. Keep use of the television to a minimum.
14. Do not curse.
15. Do not smoke.

[attractedtodarkness]

[excuse her while she takes a look at her new message, of which she stopped reading at number 3.]

Oh. Yeah sure. Got it, old man.

[glassinine]

[s i g h]

While you may dislike these rules, please remember that they are formulated for the purpose of harmony amongst all of us. If we keep to them, we will all have a happier and easier adjustment to this place.

[attractedtodarkness]

[oh man she's blasting music after 11pm for sure]

You look like the type who's single. Have you ever had sex?

[glassinine]

Ex...That - Young lady, that question is beyond inappropriate!

[attractedtodarkness]

Just wanted to know why you have a stick up your ass. That's all.

[glassinine]

I will have you know that in time, you will be thanking me for this code of conduct. It ensures that we will not come into conflict with one another.

I will not hold your disrespect against you, as you are a child, but I will beg that perhaps in the future you be more respectful.

[attractedtodarkness]

Dude, I'm sixteen and you're worse than my parents. What's your name anyway?

[glassinine]

Miles Edgeworth. I apologize for my rudeness in not introducing myself earlier.

[And even though his annoyance is still very clear, he's not being at all sarcastic with that apology.]

[attractedtodarkness]

[Violet is pretty impressed with the guy right now]

Don't sweat it, big guy. Are you home?

[glassinine]

...I am. Why do you ask?

[attractedtodarkness]

Just asking. I'm finding a way to get to LA, so if you don't see me. That's why.

[glassinine]

Quite. And what is in Los Angeles you so desperately want to see?

[attractedtodarkness]

That's my problem. I just need to check something out for myself.

[glassinine]

Whether or not someone is present?

[attractedtodarkness]

[there's a look that crosses over her features that pretty much means he hit the nail on the head]

And something. It's complicated.

[glassinine]

[He's quiet a moment, then says:]

I've three hundred dollars cash in my wallet. Assuming that the airline will accept this as currency, it will be enough for most of a plane ticket to Los Angeles. The rest you will have to find on your own.

[attractedtodarkness]

[huh. Maybe she was wrong about this guy]

Why would you do that?

[glassinine]

[Once upon a time, he'd have told her tersely that it's to give him peace and quiet for a few days. The thought even crosses his mind. But instead, he's honest:]

Because no matter how much people tell you that this world is not your own, if you do not go out there to see for yourself that your family is not there, then the thought will continue to trouble you. It will cause you distress until such a time as you are able to get out there to see. Traveling there immediately will cut that period of anxiety to a bare minimum.

[attractedtodarkness]

Yeah but you don't know me.

[glassinine]

Indeed not. Which is why I intend to have you pledge your word to a few things before you go.

[attractedtodarkness]

Here we go.

[glassinine]

First: that when you are in Los Angeles, you will not put yourself in harm's way. It is a large and frequently dangerous city; I know that better than nearly anyone. This means that you will take taxi-cabs rather than walking places; you will not stay out at night; you will find a hotel to stay in and not sleep any place unsafe.

Second is that you will remain in contact, so that if harm does befall you, I or another person here will be able to alert the authorities so that steps can be taken to ensure your safe recovery.

Third is that you do not use the money I have given you to purchase anything illegal - no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes.