To Everlease, Legolas seemed thrilled with the prospect of getting a home.
Actually, he wasn't all that excited, but he felt that Everlease wanted him to be. So he smiled, and said he would love to try that. The more he thought about it, the more excited he actually became. This would be good for him. He was still curious as to how he got here, to this 'city.' But he figured that as he had no way of getting back yet, he might as well get a home and keep his newfound occupation at the "Ren Fest."
Everlease dreaded speaking with her neighbour, Carter. He was in constant altered state, usually being magnificantly stoned. But she trudged up the stairs, feeling a mixture of dread and anxiety. She handed off Ryan to Legolas, on whose shoulder he snuggled up. Only later did she consider the gesture of trust, on both her's and Ryan's parts. She banged at the door and shouted, "EDWARD!" She could hear some sort of awful synth-techno leaking through every crack in the door. "EDWARD CARTER! OPEN UP THIS DOOR!"
Legolas winced. What was this thing?
Carter opened the door stark naked. "Hey, baby!" he grinned.
"For the love of GOD!" Everlease shouted, squeezing her eyes shut. "Put some friggin pants on!"
The door partially closed. After a moment, the door was opened again, and Carter stood half-dressed. Still grinning like a hyena. "Hey, doll! You haven't come to see me in way too long! Come on in, come on in." He waved for her to enter his apartment. Everlease glanced back at Ryan and Legolas, and handed him the keys.
"You put my baby to sleep. I will watch you. If you try anything, I will kill you. Do you hear me?" she said to him.
Legolas did not blame her now for her protectiveness. "You have my word, he will be in bed shortly."
Everlease wondered lightly what his word consisted of. "All right. Then come back down here."
Legolas nodded. Everlease turned her attention again to Carter, who had disappeared somewhere in his apartment, and had left the door slightly ajar. She could hear him shouting nonsense over the music. "Everlease, you know what I did today. Everlease, you know? Hey, man, hey. You know, I went down there, shit, man, you know? Yeah!!"
Everlease rolled her eyes and cleared a place to sit down on the couch. Putting her heavy leather boots up on the coffee table, she knocked over a half-full beer, which now sat overturned, soaking the filthy carpet. She raised her eyebrows and glanced away, quite unalarmed.
Carter excitedly sat down next to her and put an arm around her. Everlease wrinkled her nose, as he reeked of beer, morning breath, and weed, not to mention body odor. She allowed herself to be stared at. She needed Carter's full attention, even if her cleavage was getting the best of it. "Carter," she started. "You know you were looking for a roommate," his eyes widened, "and NO, I'm not talking about me and Ryan, I would never let you touch him and I don't want you near me on a regular basis," Carter's face simmered down into his usual glazed over smile, "I'm talking about my friend."
Carter smiled. "Man, I was this close," he shouted, shoving a forefinger and thumb in Everlease's face. She smirked at him and pushed away his hand.
"Anyways, he's going to stay with you now."
Carter frowned. "Man, is he one of those Ren-na-, Rennai-, is he one of those people that goes to those things like you?"
Everlease grabbed his face. "Ren-ai-ssance Fes-tiv-al."
Carter giggled, and Everlease let him go, then stood up. "Are ya leavin so soon?" he lamented, reaching for her.
"Yes," she replied, striding away from his outstretched arms, "I am. I'll be right back with him." Momentarily she returned, hauling Legolas into the room. Legolas flinched at this filth. Everlease turned to him and closely said, "I know, I know, 'What in God's name', but look, it's better than sleeping God knows where." Legolas looked quite unconvinced. "I promise I'll come for you in the morning."
Legolas spoke. "Nay, Lady, I will come for you." Everlease grinned, and Legolas managed a sickly smile. She patted his arm, and he patted her hand. Then she left. As she walked through her own door, she shook her head, smiling.
God bless him, she thought. Cos he's gonna need it.