❧ 016 ❧ Digital voice recorder (back dated to the 11th)

[dominateartimus]

[Xander sounds tired as he addresses the network.]

As much as I dislike advertising on this, I'm in need of a roommate again. My only requirements that you are at least 18, with a job in Locke, able to clean up after yourself and can handle being around two short-haired cats. The apartment isn't too far from Locke University. If you're interested, please contact me over the network.

[He releases a sigh before it turns in to a weak chuckle. With everything that went down recently, he felt mentally exhausted. A concerned meow is heard in the background.]

...Maybe this is the lack of sleep talking, but does anyone else worry about suddenly loosing their 'pulses' and returning back to normal? I didn't think much of it at first, especially after I lost recollection of this whole thing about a year ago. Now? There's a good chance I might die from the injuries I've sustained or collapse from exhaustion. [Despite the grim subject, he's still chuckling.] Although, I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't cross many people's minds.

Comments

[Video]

[dead_black_eyes]

[As usual, L looks exhausted and like he's ready to drop, but he figures he should at least offer.]

If you want to stay somewhere rent free and still in Locke City, there's plenty of space at Willow Ridge.

To answer your question... I don't actually worry about it. I feel strongly that it will never happen to me.

[Voice]

[dominateartimus]

As much as the offer is tempting, I have two pets and I don't want them getting in to places they shouldn't be.

Of course. There's nothing too unusual about your 'other self'?

[Video]

[dead_black_eyes]

As you wish, but remember that the offer is open if for any reason you cannot find someone to room with. What about your partner, though?

It's not that. He was quite extraordinary; he's also someone I have embraced fully. Frankly, it's the smart thing to do; he's stronger, and better, and it feels right to become him as completely as possible. I think in situations where a person has committed themselves this fully to their other... losing pulses will not happen. Even if I'm wrong, the person I was before wouldn't last long enough on his own to be too broken up over it. Weak people have that knack.

[Audio]

[dominateartimus]

Partner? [L, don't make it sound like he's involved with someone romantically.] ...You mean my former roommate? He moved out due to work relocating him.

You have a point.

[He's just worried that going out of the echo boundaries would result badly for him.]

[Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

Yeah, I guess that's what I meant.

[L wasn't actually sure.]

Are you concerned? There has to be a reason you're asking about it now.

[video] he's in human form, this icon just fit way too well

[gogoghostpowers]

Define "job".

...also, define "eighteen".

[Audio]

[dominateartimus]

A position where you work for several hours and get paid on a fairly regular basis.

You must be at least eighteen years old to share an apartment with me.

[Audio]

[gogoghostpowers]

Does "almost-17 and getting paid in good karma for working as a superhero" count?

[Audio]

[dominateartimus]

No, it does not. I'm sorry.

[Audio]

[gogoghostpowers]

Guess I'm not getting enough good karma from the superhero work, then.

text;

[hustru]

I worry for another to lose them.

Wouldn't be sentient anymore.

[Audio]

[dominateartimus]

I take it you've lost someone before who was part of the network?

...Who wouldn't be sentient?

permatext

[hustru]

My dog.

We left the echo boundaries once and she was a normal dog again.

[dominateartimus]

Ah. That... must have certainly been an interesting experience.

[hustru]

Disturbing.

Do you have children?

[audio]

[stefanged]

What about college kids? Don't we count too? [Teasing!] Um, but seriously, good luck.

If you don't find someone, there's always space at my place - and since we're still looking for buyers, I don't think it'll get off the market for a while.

[Audio]

[dominateartimus]

If you're 18 or older, that's fine with me. [His tone remains neutral before a sigh is heard.] ...Thanks for the good luck.

[There's a moment of silence as if he's debating about asking for a price. Then again, he doesn't know if potential roommates are with or against the members of the network.]

I doubt a baker who does odd jobs on the side would be able to afford rent there?

[Audio]

[stefanged]

I just turned 21, so I'm completely legal.

[Sympathetically:] Probably not, but honestly, I don't feel right asking for rent when I don't live there half the time. We can work something out, though?

[Audio; Private]

[dominateartimus]

...Thanks for sharing. [Trying not to sound too awkward about that tidbit of information.]

Sounds like my situation, honestly. [Constantly out to make sure he can scrape by, even though he doesn't get to spend as much time with his cats.] Do you just live there by yourself or with some other roommates?

[Audio; Private]

[stefanged]

It's just me right now. Basically, my parents and younger sister moved to Boston a few months ago because Locke was getting dangerous, and while they have a new house and everything... we've had trouble selling the place.

Technically, I've still got a dorm at Princeton, so I stay there when I have early morning classes. [He pauses.] If you don't mind that, then you're welcome to check the place out.

[He's attaching his address. From the zip code alone, it's fairly obvious that Stefan lives in a really nice part of town!]

[moreweaponsthanyou]

My cousin just lost his echoes; no side-effects that I can see except that he re-gained all the height he lost when he got a particular echo.

[dominateartimus]

I'm sorry to hear that, but that's good that he didn't suffer from any harmful changes.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Yeah. Interpersonal relationships between us are at that awkward stage right now but eventually we'll get over it. I hope.

[dominateartimus]

I understand and I wish you luck with that.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Thanks.

And as a further elaboration on your question, I don't worry too much about it personally. I was pretty healthy before my echoes and I guess you could say I suffer the same 'delusion' of invincibility most young people have. And I won't miss being short.