video;

[pellameno]

[ The video opens on the outside of a house -- then moves inside, giving a virtual tour. There's nothing special about it compared to the other available houses. There is, however, a voiceover. ]

I was wondering with the new arrivals, well... I have this whole house. There are three bedrooms free here, and the beds are big enough for couples. I'm quiet, and clean, and I can cook passably well, if that's any incentive to claim a spot here over the apartments.

[ After touring the beds, baths, and balcony, the camera turns to focus on Pell, dark hair falling into his face. He doesn't look entirely comfortable being on camera, but offers a smile and warm eyes. ]

I can't be the only one who doesn't want to live alone. Right?

Comments

video

[attagirl]

Gotta be a new arrival?

Re: video

[pellameno]

No, not at all. It just seemed like a good time to ask. Are you looking for a place to stay?

[attagirl]

Yeah. I mean, well -

[ he scratches the back of his neck, grinning lopsidedly. ]

Got a place. Gettin' a little sick of being on my own, though, gotta admit.

[pellameno]

It used to be a full house, but everyone's left. Honestly it was hard enough having my own room in a full house -- in an empty one it's just depressing. You're welcome to come by if you want.

[attagirl]

Sounds great. Send me the address? It's Axton, by the way.

[pellameno]

I'm Pell. I should have said that in the first place, shouldn't I? 1402 in the second spiral of houses.

[attagirl]

Not far from me.

[ he scratches his cheek. ]

I can come check it out in a couple minutes?

text

[unfollowing]

i already have a household [basically] but if you don't mind visitors, i can go hang out at yours

[pellameno]

I'd love visitors. Especially you.

You could stay over and it'd be like having my sister around again. As long as you let me braid your hair.

[unfollowing]

you are so sweet, omg

yes! you must have been the best brother. i was an only child, this is going to be so fun!

[pellameno]

I have a sister and two brothers, and I'm sure they'd all give you different answers on if I was the best or not. Terez would say I stole the sheets, for example.

Come by for dinner. I just harvested the garden again... maybe you can help me make the place look more inviting for people thinking about moving in. It feels empty.

[unfollowing]

i hear that's a pretty normal big brother thing to do

[The sibling life seems fun, even if sharing must've been annoying.]

you so don't have to ask me twice. i'll be over soon!

[pellameno]

I'll start cooking.

video;

[hotspurred]

I can hardly remember what good food tastes like. Might you, ah... [Henry rubs the back of his head, vaguely embarrassed, before pressing on.] Be willing to share your knowledge?

Re: video;

[pellameno]

Edible might be a better descriptor with the supplies we have here, but of course. I'll do my best -- I've just harvested from the garden so there's plenty to go around.

Do you want to come by?

[hotspurred]

[He gives a grateful nod, then half-smiles.]

If it is no imposition.

[pellameno]

None at all. Company's always welcome. It's 1402 in the second spiral of houses -- my name's Pell.

[hotspurred]

Henry Percy.

[He introduces himself with the habitual weight of old nobility.]

I must first doff my armour. Thereafter shall I pay you visit.

[pellameno]

I'll see you soon.

[ He smiles again, then turns off the video feed... when Henry arrives he'll find that the house looks the same as all the others from the outside. Nothing special, not even a welcome mat. But it's the right one. Pell answers the door quickly. ]

Henry. Come in.

video

[unvein]

[After some fumbling, Vida manages to get the video function on. She holds the phone in both hands, both arms fully extended away from her face awkwardly like she doesn't know what distance to hold it at. Because she doesn't.]

You are offering this to everyone, including strangers? This seems incredibly foolish. You could get all sorts of undesirables responding. Besides that, one should only live with family or spouses.

Re: video

[pellameno]

Well I'd meet them first, and then they wouldn't be strangers. My friends are already happy with where they live.

I've never heard that before, about family and spouses.

[unvein]

A stranger you've met remains a stranger. You can't truly know a person just from one meeting. You say you are quiet and clean, but say someone you invite into your home is loud and messy. You are forced to live with them despite having no obligation to them.

[pellameno]

I'm not forced to do anything. I could ask them to leave, or leave myself if it's that bad -- it's not like I own this place. I'm not attached to it and I've lived with people I didn't get along with before. Can't be worse.

It seems worth the risk is all. I guess you're someone who doesn't mind being alone?

[unvein]

I prefer not to be, if that matters. But my family obviously is not here to live with me. [Nor would they want to, but that's a whole other story.] Alright, so with unsavory people you are willing to leave your own home -- but what about if you invite a person with ill intentions? They leave you stabbed or dead and run off with all of your belongings.

[pellameno]

Here? No one stays dead, and what's there to take? Either way, I'm not as delicate as I look and I like to think I'm a better judge of character than that. Back home it was a risk. Every traveler we invited to rest in our home could have robbed us blind or killed us all in our sleep. But it never happened. You learn to read people.