savetheearth | 02

Entry tags:

02 - Video

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's a decent area with a few stores scattered about.]

Yes.

[He even nods, before clearing his throat. Might as well get some details out of the way.]

There's only one bedroom, but I have a sofa that can double for a bed.

Hey, I'm not picky. It's probably better than some of the hotel beds I slept in as a kid. Are any of the places that are hiring around here safe?

[For numbered people, he means]

I can assure you [Sniffle.] that it probably is.

[He digs out his keys to get the front door open to the apartment complex and pauses briefly.]

...It's a little hard to answer that question right now. We can discuss when we get inside.

[He gets the door open and holds it out for Killian, motioning with his head to go ahead.]

Did you want to take the elevator or the stairs?

Elevator. I'm not sure you could breath if we took the stairs.

[That gets a brief laugh out of him before it turns to a few coughs. Once he manages to compose himself, he speaks.]

...All right then.

[He's not going to argue and presses the button to summon the elevator.]

Have any plans for your birthday?

[He shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking down]

Not really. Can't afford it.

[His mom would probably splurge on a pizza or something, though. She usually did, despite being broke. Some kids might be bothered by that, but it was just a fact of life for Killian.]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[He was quite genuine with that. When the elevator arrives, he moves to step inside and hold the door for Killian. He presses the button for his floor.]

If you want, I could make something for the occasion. [Another sniffle.] That is if I'm feeling better by then.

[As he heads into the elevator, Killian sort of becomes more guarded. He doesn't like charity like that.]

It's fine. It's not like it's my twenty-first, anyway. Then I might take you up on it, if it was free booze.

[He pulls back his hand and gives a nod, not commenting further on the subject. But, he does cross his arms together, just trying to keep himself warm a bit more.]

When we get to my apartment, watch out for a black Siamese cat. He might try to sneak out.

[The elevator comes to a stop and the doors open. Xander steps out and holds the door with his foot.]

Thanks--and I will. Not an indoor type of cat, or just a brat?

[He heads out, still feeling a little awkward]

He's a bit of a brat and he won't hesitate to grab you with his paws for attention.

[Xander is a little bit unaware of Killian's discomfort as he passes by. He moves to take the lead as they walk down the hallway. When they reach his apartment room, he pulls out the right keys to unlock it.]

Here it is.

[He opens the door and steps in before moving his attention to the floor. There's an excited meow before a black Siamese cat who drops down from his perch to come over and a startled scraping of claws against the floor as a white short-haired Tabby who darts off in to the bedroom.

Xander's apartment has a very minimalistic theme to it. There's a sofa that he mentioned earlier, a mostly full book case, a cat tree, a coffee table with a laptop on it and a digital voice recorder, but no television.]

Oh, fun.

[Killian follows. When they get to Xander's apartment, Killian promptly starts looking for the hopeful escapee cat.

He looks around while minding the cat]

No TV?

[Once Killian was in fully, he made sure to close the door as quick as possible. There was a faint scent of baked goods in the air. Connor meows at Killian before sniffing him and then rubbing himself around his legs.]

None. A bit of a personal preference.

[Xander moves to remove his shoes and then his jacket, which was promptly hanged up. He takes a moment to unravel the scarf around his face, but while moving towards the bathroom to wash his hands. He was quite thorough.]

...Can I get you a drink? Since I figure the walk here was pretty long.

[He can't resist. When Connor starts rubbing, Killian bends down to pick him up and pet him. He's too busy with the cat to take his coat off]

Just water, or Coke if you have one?

[Connor doesn't protest when he's lifted up. In fact, he's purring quite loudly and leaning in to the touch.]

Sure thing.

[He emerges from the bathroom, not bothered by the fact he has several cuts still healing as he moves over to kitchen. When he coughs, it goes straight in to his elbow. It takes him a few moments, but he returns to Killian's side with the glass of water.]

That's Connor and I see he's already taken a liking to you. The other one, Hugh, is probably hiding under my bed.

[He nods his thanks and takes the glass with the hand not holding Connor.]

I think it's because I picked him up. What happened to you? Other than the cold, I mean.

[He tries to gesture at the cuts, fails miserably, and ends up nearly dropping the cat. Oops.]

Maybe.

[There was a little bit of humor in his voice before he moves away to cough again. He pauses at the question about his current state and Connor was trying his best to latch on to Killian without resorting to claws for nearly being dropped.]

Someone on the network made a monster and I went to help out. This is my reward.

[He was sarcastic when he said 'this is my reward' and raises his right hand, which the thumb, index and middle finger were wrapped up in gauze.

Oh yeah, he nearly forgot about which places were safe for numbers to work at. A small frown makes its way to his expression as he moves back some bangs with his good hand.]

Anyway, you asked earlier if there was any place to work at that was safe. I'm sorry I delayed answering that and I'm afraid I don't have an answer either. I'm fairly new to Locke and I'm probably not the best person to go to for this kind of thing.

Some reward.

[He's just as sarcastic when he responds, shifting Connor so he can lean against his shoulder better]

Damn. I really need a job. I've been looking, but then the numbers stuff started happening and...

[Yeah.]]

[He nods in agreement. Connor doesn't mind his position change and moves to nuzzle Killian's shoulder and neck, still purring.]

The same thing happened to me. Is there any type of job you're eager for or wouldn't mind having?

[He moves to lean against a wall, crossing his arms and trying to be mindful of not disappearing in to the shadows. It didn't help his hands were getting restless and had to make sure he wasn't going to snap his fingers. There was no need for a spontaneous flame and another burnt finger.]

Anything. I'm not the strongest guy, but I'll take whatever I can get if it means Mom's safe from this bullshit.

I understand.

[Xander could relate with wanting to keep family members safe from harm -- even though he failed on that part for his twin brother. He mentally pushes that thought away as he moves away from the wall and searches for a notepad.]

I can give you a list of places that I applied to back in August.

[He found what he was looking for and ripped the page from the notepad before moving back over to Killian. He would offer the page to him, but his guest had his hands full at the moment.]

If you want, I can take Connor so you can look over this. It's not much, but it might give you an idea of where to start.

[On the page, there were several names of places with phone numbers and addresses, as well as the position that was open.]

Ah, thanks.

[He hands over the cat and takes the list from Xander, glancing at it. He's pretty sure some of these positions have been filled or won't hire a young guy like him, but it's the thought that counts. A few look promising, too]

What did you eventually get?

You're welcome.

[He takes Connor and moves to put him down on the floor after giving him a scratch on the head.]

...A bakery job at a semi-local grocery store. It's not any different from my previous job before I came to Locke.

Oh, free cookies?

[He laughs a bit. A lame joke, but he'd take a job if he got free food]

Or is that just a myth?

It depends on how sneaky you can be or if a batch doesn't turn out right.

[A small smirk makes its way to his face. He could be lying about the whole thing, but he would never tell.]

02 - Video

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