text; 3/11, evening

[phoenix_temple]

What do you think the percentage chance is that some of us are going to wind up in government basements getting experimented on?

I really want to know, I have to place my bets here and decide if I'm going to tell my mom about all this.

[There is one other thing she has to do though, and it's very important.

Very, very important.]

[Private to Marina; Audio]

I wanted to ask you a question. Can you meet me at [cafe] tonight?

Comments

[anequal]

[She'll get to meet his grandpa who will look at her and nod and will holler upstairs to Anthony to greet the lady and Anthony will come down the steps to get her amidst his grandpa's teasing about girlfriends!!]

[phoenix_temple]

[Wow embarrassing wow. She introduces herself politely though!!! As... friend.]

[anequal]

[Anthony lets her call herself that and gives his grandpa a Look before still grabbing her by the hand and taking her upstairs!!]

[phoenix_temple]

[She's honestly really curious about his place.

Also short of neighbors who don't count because they're like family and her dad who is family and also her dad, she has never been in a guy's room before!!! So she's super curious.]

[anequal]

[His bed in the corner is slightly messy because he was lounging on it watching movies on the monitor on his desk but for the most part his room is clean. His clothes are put away, is photo stuff have their own shelf. There's a bowl of kettlecorn on his desk along with his homework.]

Sorry about that.

[phoenix_temple]

No, it's nice. Your grandfather seems nice. [She smiles. She's kind of excited he told her she could come over.] I never met my grandparents, so it's different.

[anequal]

He's great. He's bee alive forever and he's really been wanting me to bring someone home since I was thirteen.

[He'll pull out his desk chair and spin it around, motioning to it and the bed.]

The bed's messy, but you can sit wherever you want.

[phoenix_temple]

[And that is when she realizes she's in a guy's room. Is it okay to sit in his bed? What if he wants to sit in the chair?

Is it even okay to be in here alone?

His grandpa's home, that's okay, right?]

I came to make you sleep, remember?

[Nailed it.]

[anequal]

[He yawns, moving to flop on his bed with the chair still out. He drops down, legs hanging off the side.]

You did. But will it work?

[phoenix_temple]

I have my ways. [She's still standing close to the door, hands clasped in front of her.]

[anequal]

Like what? Come on, join me.

[phoenix_temple]

Are you really going to invite your girlfriend into your bed, Anthony? You know I can only take that one way.

[SHE IS TEASING SHE IS TEASING AND SHE'S BAD AT IT.]

[anequal]

Who was the one that made me sleep in her bed with her again?

[phoenix_temple]

!! I was distressed!

[She'll sit down next to him, though.]

You really should sleep, though. Are you sure you're okay? You should be exhausted...

[anequal]

[He grins up at her, still lying down.]

I feel exhausted actually. I dunno why I did it. I was like, "what if I just watch all of the movies directed by this one guy," and then it was noon.

[phoenix_temple]

[She leans over and kisses him.] If I stay, will you sleep? Mom knows I'm here. I told her I was worried about you, so she's okay with me staying a while.

[anequal]

Yeah. Spend time with me.

How's your mom? ... And your dad?

[phoenix_temple]

Relieved. Mom's exhausted. She's probably sleeping--I think it's why she gave me the okay. I haven't talked to Dad yet, but Mom says he's okay. He was just really worried about me after all the stuff went down.

[anequal]

He seems like the sort to worry.

[He rolls over to make space for her. And throws her a pillow! It's shaped like a jellyfish.]

[phoenix_temple]

[Why do you have a jellyfish pillow...? She lies down next to him, on her side, watching him.]

He is. Way too much.

Can I ask something?

[anequal]

[Because it's cool. He has a ton of weird animal stuff.]

Of course. What is it?

[phoenix_temple]

What's it like to live in a house with a lot of people in it?

[anequal]

... Hm.

[He rolls over until he's lying against her, staring at the ceiling.]

My house is actually pretty quiet. There's five of us, but I'm the only kid. Just me, my parents, and my grandparents. Marzio used to come over when he lived here but now it's just really quiet.

But it's nice. Grandpa always comes to say hi when I get home.

[phoenix_temple]

Do you hear from him ever? Marzio, I mean. I can't imagine what it'd be like if my neighbors just... moved out.

[anequal]

Sometimes. But he doesn't remember... so there's not a lot I can talk to him about.

He's out of here and doesn't remember. That's all that matters.