02 - Video

[youngestone]

[Killian's at home today, on his laptop yet again. He's in the living room, and the observant might notice that the apartment is clean if obviously in a poor part of town.]

Okay so. I've....got a problem.

[It's very obvious that he doesn't want to ask for help but dammit, those statues are worrisome and so are all those damn cops.]

There are funny pink snake things about four blocks south of where we live, which that one guy already mentioned but, like I said, I live near them. This puts my mother in danger, and as far as I know she's perfectly normal. She's done nothing to be put in danger except, apparently, have me and I need to get her out of this part of town. Problem is...[he sighs] We're flat ass broke. She's got an okay job that could get her a place in a safer part of town, but only a one bedroom.

[He sighs again, scrubbing a hand over his face]

I need a job. And a place to live that I can afford. I was going to hit up the mall or something but thinking about it...that might be risky if this dangerous shit keeps happening. So...if anyone's hiring--for anything at all, I don't have a degree yet but I just need to take a test or something since I was homeschooled--or if anyone has a place they're willing to rent, please let me know. I don't care where it is, just so long as it's cheap. I turn eighteen next Friday, if that's a problem.

Comments

[betroth]

A little less than an hour outside of the city. I commute, if you need to go back for any reason. Though... [ Her tone softens. ] I can understand maybe not wanting to be so far from your mother.

[youngestone]

I'm not sure that far out would be good, living wise. I could commute, though.

[He doesn't respond to the comment about his mother. He really doesn't want to be away from her. He's never done it and...dammit, she's his home. He needs to keep her safe, though, even though it hurts just thinking about it.

It hurts a lot, actually.]

How much does it pay?

[betroth]

[ She figured that might be the answer. ]

About twenty an hour. We — hire on hands for the winter when my parents vacation, but there's a lot to be done during the autumn as well. Usually the boys from the next property help us, but they've gone to school.

Congratulations, you got Killian his second Echo XD

[youngestone]

Twenty--I can commute. That's better than I was hoping for--whoa.

[There's a pause, followed by him humming a bit of song. He stops as suddenly as he starts]

...sorry, I don't know where that came from.

[He sounds mildly disturbed]

But if you'll hire me, I'd love the job.

GOOD ECHO BEST SONG

[betroth]

[ There's some silence where her interest is piqued, before she mutters a belated, "Huh?" ]

O-oh — of course! Give me a few days to get everything together! My parents are so much more likely to trust a recommendation than go through hiring a stranger.

[ SPEAK TO SOMEONE ONCE, NO LONGER A STRANGER. FLAWLESS. ]

If you don't mind... that song just now, what was it? It sounded lovely.

XD

[youngestone]

Awesome. My name's Killian Ryan.

[He hesitates before answering her question]

Uh. I have no idea. It just...came out of no where?

[betroth]

And I'm Chloe! [ Yay pleasantries! ] ...Out of no where?

[youngestone]

Yeah, uh. Just.

[He pauses]

...it might have been a pulse? Or something?

[betroth]

A pulse! [ ...SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER WHAT ONE FEELS LIKE, CRUD ] It almost sounded like a hymn.

[youngestone]

No...I don't think it's that. I think it...it might be about home? Or something?

[betroth]

A home in general, or... a home of yours?

[youngestone]

I...I don't know, really. The words mention a mountain...?

[betroth]

Have you ever been to one?

[youngestone]

Nope. We just passed through the mountain states, we never lived there.

[betroth]

I haven't either, so I'm afraid I wouldn't be any help. Do you... know all the words?

[youngestone]

Um...I think. I mean, I've never heard the song before so I don't know for sure but...

[betroth]

Maybe you should try singing it! Not to me, of course! But for yourself.

[youngestone]

What? Why?

[betroth]

You're not curious about it at all?

[youngestone]

Well, a bit, yeah, but what good would singing do?

[betroth]

They're lyrics, that's what they're for! I mean, that is... speaking them is very different from singing them.

[youngestone]

...point. I'd have to do it when Mom's not here, or after I get a place. Thanks for the help on the job, by the way. I don't have a cellphone or a house phone, but I can give you my email if your parents need to contact me.

[betroth]

You're welcome. I'd glad I could do something for you. And please feel free to contact me at [ number here ] with any personal information. We should be able to get started in no time!

[youngestone]

I will. My email's shortirishking at Gmail. It was my mom's suggestion and I was thirteen when I made it. Don't judge.

[betroth]

[ ...eheh

SHE MEANS, AHEM. ]

I'd never!