and they were roommates

[friendsfordinner]

Who: Hickey & Jesus
When: early in the Connectivity event
Where: Apartment block A3
Summary: oh my god they were roommates
Warnings: n/a will edit if needed

It's been odd having no roommates. Nice, but a little odd. He had to take care of George's stuff: anything that anybody else didn't want (either for sentimental reasons or practical ones) he boxed up and shoved in a corner of an unused room. Maybe he could sell it. It's some decent stuff and he could always use the money. Nick's stuff got the same treatment, different box, same corner of the same room.

The lack of roommates means that Hickey got to buy all the food he wanted (good!) but also had to do the apartment cleaning (bad!) and figure out how the washing machine works (even worse!). He's sitting on the couch, looking over an instruction manual, trying to figure out what the hell a spin cycle even is, when the door opens and his (unknown to him) new roommate enters the apartment.

Hickey looks up, looks over Jesus, then very bluntly asks, "Who the hell are you?"

Comments

[lobster_bib]

He'll give Hickey this, he likes his attitude about being here. They've chosen to do this job but, still. "Even with the apocalypse looming?"

[friendsfordinner]

"Looming's different from already here," he points out, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Hickey gives Jesus a smirk of a smile before continuing with, "Besides. Push comes to shove, I don't mind swapping sides to keep my skin intact."

[lobster_bib]

There's a perverse familiarity in this. "Is that all that matters? Keeping yourself alive?"

[friendsfordinner]

"For me? Yeah," Hickey nods. "That's even more true in this place, where everything tries to kill you at least once a month."

[lobster_bib]

"So what about all the moments you aren't actively trying to stay alive?" There are a lot of those long moments in between life threatening horrors. "How do you pass the time?"

[friendsfordinner]

"I keep myself busy," Hickey shrugs. "Learn more about this world, pick up odd jobs here and there, find things to do that aren't staring at the walls and waiting for everything to go to shit. I don't like waiting for something to happen."

[lobster_bib]

"What jobs?" A small smile. "I'm not much for waiting, either. Teach me how to keep busy here, where do you go to keep from sitting around?"

[friendsfordinner]

"There are always signs up at the grocery store or something asking for help moving, offering work, things like that. I check those first," he nods. "Aside from that? There's always extra shifts you can pick up to search around Dogtown."

[lobster_bib]

Dogtown. He's heard a little about it, not enough to satisfy him yet. "Are those jobs you take? Scouting Dogtown?"

[friendsfordinner]

Hickey nods. "Whatever's happening down there, it's been picking up recently. They always need people to keep watch and keep the idiots from going inside or going inside yourself to pick up said idiots if they scale the fence."

[lobster_bib]

He frowns. "Isn't that part of figuring this place out? Exploring as much of it as we can?"

[friendsfordinner]

"Exploring as much of it as we can but being sensible enough not to run into a place that'll instantly kill you," Hickey corrects. "Dogtown's got a body count."

[lobster_bib]

"Nowhere's really safe though, either way," he shrugs. "Dogtown might have answers. What have you found there?"

[friendsfordinner]

"Honestly? Not that much myself." He shrugs! "But others have found things that try to kill them. I suspect it's luck of the draw."

[lobster_bib]

"Would you go there with me sometime?" Someone who's at least been there once might be handy.

[friendsfordinner]

"Of course," Hickey nods. "My schedule's free enough—just say when."

[lobster_bib]

"Let me get my bearings. Give me a couple of nights," he decides. He wants to get a feel for the land first. "But thanks. I appreciate it."

[friendsfordinner]

"Not a problem. I'm always up for exploring this place," he grins. "Might as well take advantage of it while we can."