"Am I dreaming, or is that a fully conscious Strider I spy?" You ask from your spot on the couch, shocked to see Dave awake so early. Well, early for him. For the rest of the world it's a little past 8:00 a.m.

"You'd make a shitty spy and the sass is un-needed, Egbert," he replies, grimacing at the morning light coming through the window despite already having on his shades.

"Shut up!" You scoff. "I'd make a great spy! I'd be the trickiest of spies, master of subtle observance and diversion. I could sneak past all the evil guys like Nic Cage did in that one movie-"

"Stop," Dave says holding up a hand. "I'm cutting off this drooling session before it starts. I have an interview to get to," he announces, standing up and walking towards the bathroom.

"Wait, you have a what?" You ask in disbelief.

"An interview," he repeats, walking to the bathroom.

"When?" You ask, "With who?"

Dave pauses at the door. "John. I just woke up. Can we save the why where what and who questions until after I've gone to the bathroom?" You can vaguely tell that behind his sunglasses, Dave is rolling his eyes.

"Oh come on, at least tell me where!" You needle. "I'm your roommate, holding out on me is against the Code!"

He sighs. "If I tell you where I'm going will you let me go take a whizz?"

"Yep!" You grin.

"Skaia radio," he admits, and without waiting for your reaction he closes the door between you.

"Someone's a joy in the morning," you note, still smiling.

"Heard that!" He calls, muffled by the door.

"Eww man don't talk to me while you're in the bathroom!" You shout. You don't catch whatever he shouts back, probably something about manning up, because at that moment your phone buzzes. You check the Pesterchum app and smile.

[TT] Good morning, John.

[GT] hey rose!

[TT] How are you today?

[GT] good thanks. how are you?

[GT] oh guess what!

[TT] Oh John, you know I hate "guess what".

[TT] An inordinate amount of the time I guess right and then you are disappointed.

[TT] And I am good as well, thank you.

[GT] not this time you won't

[GT] dave has an INTERVIEW

[TT] Today at the Skaia Radio Station, yes.

[GT]...

[GT] why do i even try?

[TT] Hope springs eternal.

[TT] Really though, it's not all that surprising. We've always known how intent Dave is on pursuing a career in rapping and sharing his "mad beats" with the world. Given the difficulty of finding a job in that field that will provide a sufficient cash flow directly off the proverbial bat, radio is a clear stepping stone for him.

[TT] Despite his seeming unwillingness to plan ahead and blatant commitment issues, most likely stemming from a turbulent childhood and no prior experience with stability, Dave is actually quite good at setting and achieving his goals.

[GT] so youre saying dave is the man with a plan?

[TT] Precisely.

[GT] well good for him! this could be a really nice opportunity for him.

[TT] Indeed.

[GT]...

[GT] how long do you think it will be before he tries to convince the station to play his music?

[TT] I would give it a day, at most.

[TT] Sorry to cut our conversation short, John. I just realized how late it is. Time has an odd way of getting away from me. I need to get going.

[GT] does someone have plans? ;) You didn't mention having any early classes today

[TT] Yes, actually. I promised Vriska, the fellow student I mentioned yesterday, that she and I would get together and try to familiarize ourselves with the campus.

[GT] uh-huh. sure

[GT] and is that the only thing youre planning to get familiar with?

[TT] I have no idea what you're suggesting.

[GT] are you sure? what if I do this? *raises eyebrows*

[TT] Than I am shocked and appalled by your vulgar suggestion that I would attempt such a thing with someone I have only just met, and sigh at your crass use of eyebrows.

[TT] Obviously if that were my intention I would have provided her with dinner first.

[TT] Vriska and I are acquaintances who will hopefully become friends. That is all.

[GT] don't worry rose, i'm just joking with you. that's my thing, remember? :)

[GT] it's my code of maximum pranksterosity, my mantra of tomfoolery, my mission statement of shenanigans.

[TT] Yes, I well remember your tome of Sassacre.

[GT] general sassacre, rose! general.

[GT] he's not just some run of the mill prankster who stuck whoopee cushions on chairs or offered people mousetrap gum.

[GT] he's a legend.

[TT] My apologies.

[TT] Both to you and the General.

[GT] hmmm

[TT] ?

[TT] Was my apology insufficient?

[GT] what?

[GT] oh! no, you're fine rose!

[GT] sorry, i was just distracted

[GT] hearing about dave's internship reminded me that i'd planned to find a place to work here on campus.

[GT] have you heard of any places hiring?

[TT] I can't say that I have looked, actually. I will keep a vigilant eye out though.

[GT] thanks, rose! :)

[TT] Of course. In the meantime, perhaps you could check the bulletin boards throughout the campus on your way to class? I believe there are several in the university's library.

[GT] i'll do that!

[TT] Best of luck to you, John.

tentacleTherapist [TT] ceased trolling ghostlyTrickster [GT]

You put down your phone and hear the door behind you open. "What time is your interview?" You ask Dave as he walks out of the bathroom.

"9:30," he replies, less hostile now that he's fully awake. He usually is once he's fixed his hair and splashed some water on his face. You just hope he mopped up whatever water must have gotten on the floor. Slipping pranks are funny until someone cracks their head on the tile. Or breaks an arm. Sorry, Nigel.

"Have you seen my shoes?" Dave asks you distractedly, taking a red shirt out of the closet.

"I think they got kicked under the coffee table last night," you reply. "Hold on, I'll check." You peer under the table and sure enough, there lies one of Dave's pairs of black shoes. You pull them out from beneath the table and stand up. "Here you go ma-" You're cut off as a pillow hits you square in the face. "What the heck, Dave?!" You exclaim.

"I hadn't finished putting on my jeans," he answers nonchalantly, buttoning his pants. "Gotta protect my maidenly innocence don't I? Just because we're living together now doesn't mean you're getting a free show, Egbert."

You roll your eyes. "I think I liked you better when you lived half way across the country," you quip.

"Distance makes the heart grow fonder," he replies. He takes the shoes from you and puts them on before going to grab his keys off the table. "I've got to go, try not to miss me too much," he says, walking to the door.

"Easier said than done Dave," you reply with mock seriousness. "I'm going to be all alone. Left in the dark, no one to talk to for who knows how long...Remember me for who I was, alright, Dave? Not the shadow of a man I may become."

He stares at you for a moment before shaking his head and turning back towards the door as you laugh.

"Egbert, you're like a golden retriever," he says, opening the door. "You can get along with almost anyone. And you don't have any classes until this afternoon. Go outside. Sniff a tree, chase a Frisbee...make some new friends!"

AN: So...who wants the next chapter to be posted now? I can go ahead and put it up now, or hold on to it for a little while until I've gotten farther into writing the following chapter. (Also, thank you to everyone who has left a review! I really appreciate them (they often make my day) and they encourage me to write faster, as well as draw more people to the story!)