( action )

[runicking]

Who: Celeste and you
When: Forward-dated after the conclusion of the parade of envy, throughout the week
Where: The safe house
What: After confronting her father about issues related to her awakening, Celeste finds herself looking for somewhere to go.
Warnings: None

[ She should have seen this coming, and yet Celeste did nothing to prepare for the possibility that her father would not take what she had to say well. For the reality that he wouldn't take it well. That she was no longer going to let him run her life, to give her to someone like Phelps as a favor to the family. That people like him did not fight for justice, but for prestige and notoriety.

And that is why she's here at the safe house, for the first time since meeting Locke outside. But instead of coming here relatively empty handed, she has two bags with her—a backpack on her back, and a duffel slung over one shoulder. She can also be found around the common areas throughout the week in a bit of a daze and attempting to carry on as normal. Cooking, studying; doing her best to not think about what being here means.

Or that this might be something more permanent for her now. ]

Comments

[runicking]

[ ...Did she just call her hun? ]

An internship, but it pays well.

[ Why does she feel so intimidated by this right now? She should not feel intimidated, but it takes more than a bit of willpower to hold her ground and keep eye contact. ]

[returnher]

That right? You look rich. Why're you hanging out with trash like him?

[She jerks her head at Locke who winces and gives a strained smile]

[1/2]

[runicking]

[ To her credit, Celeste doesn't make a face at that, even if the comment is a bit jarring to hear. But there's an opening here, and hopefully she's reading this right. Her gaze trailing over to Locke, she lingers there for a moment before her shoulders raise. ]

I don't know.

[ Harsh. But— ]

[2/2]

[runicking]

[ She looks back at the other woman, a glimmer of a smile touching her lips. ]

But where most people like me would rather turn up their noses to "trash" like that, I don't mind it. He keeps me on my toes.

[ Although she can't just leave it at that, and looking at him again, the smile fades away. ]

That, and I can't seem to get rid of him no matter what I do.

[returnher]

All right. Keep it down and you can stay. I'll need a $400 deposit from you and first month's rent, also $400. Rent's due by the first, have your check to me by then.

Locke, don't get tangled up in anything too crazy and don't ruin her rep with whatever you do. Rules are pretty simple, buy your own food, clean your dishes, chore rotation is on the fridge, keep the common room clean and keep it down. I'm usually working at least 12 hour shifts on my residency and if you wake me up it will be the last decision you ever regret making.

[And with that she shuffles off to the kitchen for more coffee. Locke looks a bit like a kicked puppy, but generally recovers quickly]

See? Easy.

[runicking]

[ Easy, he says. She has hesr of interrogations that were less stressful than that was. Exhaling in relief once she and Locke are left on their own, she glances toward the kitchen before turning her attention back to him. ]

Are all of your roommates like that?

[ His. Not hers. She hasn't made any solid agreements yet. ]

[returnher]

Nah, she's pretty intense. Been living here since undergrad so she kind of runs the place. Jim is usually high or drunk on the couch but he pays his rent so she lets him stay, we all tend to avoid that area because it smells like garbage. Dana and Aaron are a couple, two drama students. They can be... temperamental.

[runicking]

So, the stereotypical college experience.

[ She isn't trying to look down upon it, just stating what she sees. Crossing her arms over her chest, she lets her gaze stray from him. It's better than staying at the safe house, at least. She might be able to have some privacy here. ]

...I still don't understand why you insist on helping me, but thank you. I'll pay you back somehow.

[returnher]

If you have to pay me back, change a lot of hearts. Help a lot of people. That's what's important.