Meow! Been a bit busy with irl stuff... I should probably write again soon OTL But my wacom tablet isn't working anymore, and I'm in the middle of a cash commission :S Been trying to fix it for over a week, even wacom Email support can't help DX I've tried about 20 things, none of which worked *bows*
Angelpenguin: There you go, more for you! Don't worry about Kunsel, he'll be fine c:
Guest: Aww, I'm glad! here you go!
GretchenBlue: No, I'm afraid not! I usually sometimes write POV-wise, but as for this one, Sephiroth's thoughts have to remain a mystery. I am trying to keep it as the "I fell in love with someone and don't know what they feel about or even think of me" sort of thing, since in real life, those people often don't give it away. I like this feeling of a chase to win somebody C: The uncertainly in itself is somewhat of a tease, too!
Zack's call woke me up and I felt sleepier than I should have, since it was already 9.
"Morning Spike! I have good and bad news!". I grumbled an answer, nothing that one could put into words, but my friend accepted it.
"The good news... your new apartment is ready! The bad news..." 'Oh yes, the moving!' I jumped up with Zack in my hand, making my way to the bathroom.
"The bad news is that your roommate is on the CdS mission, so you can't get to know him yet!" Mental 'phew'. I didn't feel like the whole introducing stuff while I was still standing in the door frame, holding my suitcases in my hands. A quiet moving in seemed like good news to me... but knowing he, as a 2nd Rank, was part of Sephiroth's mission... it made me look forward to this new Rank very much.
"Aww...", I faked so Zack wouldn't think I was antisocial or anything. I wasn't, I just wasn't used to having many people my age around me all day. In Nibelheim, there'd only been one... but that was another story.
"So when can I actually move in? I sort of have my belongings ready... and I think I'll train a little later, so I won't fall behind with my instructor not being here."
"That's the spirit!", my raven-haired friend praised, making me feel a mental pat my back. "I guess you can go right now, nobody's going to stop you!"
I grinned sheepishly before I remembered Kunsel. "Oh, my current- well, former roommate... I think he hasn't passed, I should tell him that I'm leaving."
"You go do 'dat. Have fun training! I'll go do the same with my buds!", he cheered before hanging up.
'I suppose his "buds" are Gen and Angeal... I would love to train with Sephiroth now... Well, soon!', I thought, making my way to Kunsel's room.
After knocking twice, I almost thought he'd left to do something already, but surprisingly, he opened his bedroom door. "Hey.", he muttered sleepily. "What time is it?"
"Hey!", I greeted, "It's past 9. Aren't you up already by this time?"
"What?! Oh, I guess I overslept... and I have field training at 10! Got to hurry!", Kunsel exclaimed, running back into his room. "Thanks for waking me up!"
"Uhm, no problem... but I kinda came to tell you I was moving out." Gulp.
He stopped all his movements, slowly turning back. "Oh. Congrats, I'm so happy for you! I told you I missed out on he practical lessons... which is why I'll be taking a lot now to pass the next exam."
Now that hadn't been as tearful as I had expected, judging by the amount of time he had invested into studying from the books. He was smiling joyfully, and continued getting ready.
"Thanks! I'm sure you will pass with no problems next time." I smiled back, feeling relieved that he didn't feel sore about it.
"I'll see you later, then?", he offered and I nodded. "Yup, have to move my stuff. See you!"
With that, I went to grab all my belongings and headed towards the 2nd Rank apartments.
The look from the area and the outside already showed some differences. It was cleaner and the buildings were smaller, probably only two stories instead of three or more as the 3rd Rank accommodations now. Therefore, it'd be quieter, most likely with less party noise... not that real parties were allowed here, since it would disturb the remaining residents who were possibly studying or trying to rest before their next training.
Our flat, number 13, was the bottom one, and as I entered and walked past the staircase, I arrived in a big common room, consisting of four doors on the left and right, most likely leading to the corresponding bed- and bathrooms. The left side had a kitchen-like area with fridge, stove, cupboards and the usual, followed by a table with four chairs. As my eyes wandered further to the left, I saw a sofa and two couches around a small coffee table and – as I turned to my left, beside the door – a medium-sized TV. On the far left of the common room were bookshelves and a small niche to put cleaning utensils and a trash can.
All in all, it looked pretty comfortable, with warm lights and two big windows to look at the courtyard. Okay, the view of parked cars and other SOLDIER-related equipment, as well as some other apartments was less than breathtaking, but I wouldn't have expected more from Midgar. Zack's first class one still was better by lengths – he even had a small garden, a balcony and a terrace.
A video console attached to the TV and DVD-player made me grin, although I knew I probably wouldn't use it a lot.
'Oh. My room... what number again? 2-310.' It turned out to be on the left hand side, so I opened it and entered. There was a desk with a laptop on top, swivel chair and a sand sack to sit on. In the middle, a nice, big double bed adorned the room. Dressers were standing on the other side of it, and, once again, a TV on the wall near the door. I set down my luggage for now, deciding to take my time with sorting.
After I was done "moving in", I decided to train a little by myself. There was some kind of sports field behind the cafeteria, but rarely being used. At least not in fall or near winter...
Therefore, I took my Buster Sword and went to polish up my skills.
I hadn't planned on training for long, just a short revision of my previous lessons, but before I knew it, it was already getting dark. Carefully, so I wouldn't be mistaken for a SOLDIER sneaking to the pub during the week, I rushed back to my new home.
When I was about to turn the key in my lock, I noticed something strange. 'Have I left the lights on? Strange, I don't remember that... Wait, it's on the right... It's not my part of the apartment!'
I opened the door slowly, not wanting to make any noise. Maybe my new flatmate had returned? Then again, they wouldn't do so for another few days or even weeks, so why'd only he be back early?
Making my way to the opposite doors of mine – I opened the bedroom door and found a radio blaring loudly: "Are you also frightened? Are you also friiightened? Are you-" I turned down the volume to listen for evidence of the person's whereabouts.
When I heard a masculine groan coming from MY side of the flat, my heart started beating faster. 'What is he doing with my stuff? Is he in my bedroom?!'
I prepared for the worst, grabbing a heavy vase from a cupboard. Maybe a thief had sneaked in... but what kind of idiot thief would leave the music on so loud?
Just when I noticed that the bedroom lights were off, I heard a splashy noise. 'What...'
Carefully, I sneaked towards the bathroom door. 'Maybe it's a murderer and he's washing off the blood... or drowning someone!'
My ungrounded paranoia caused my heart to beat faster as I listened for possible victim-noises.
When nothing came, I ripped open the door and ran in, screaming, vase above my head.
My feet came to a halt as soon as I caught sight of something I'd never thought I would see any time soon... or at all.
There was a naked man in my bathtub.
I like that song
but what is Angeal doing in Cloud's bathtub?
and is Kunsel not unable to enter the 2nd Rank dorms, since he hasn't passed?
Has Genesis taken the wrong apartment door again?
Stay tuned and find out in the next episode, number 18, of To Have And Not To Hold!