NINETY-FOUR: Roommates

NINETY-FOUR: Roommates

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Alden gave Victor one last hug before tucking him back into his carrier. A tag that proved hed been scanned for diseases and magical contraband was clipped to the outside. He set the cat on the floor of the teleportation bay hed been assigned. Youll be with Jeremy in a few minutes. Be good. Both of you. When the teleport was complete and he received a text from Jeremy confirming that Victor was in his arms, he sighed with relief. Great work, Victor. Smuggling people through teleportation is officially a family business now. Gilbert, his chauffeur for the day, was waiting for him in the parking garage. It was the first Anesidoran parking garage Alden had ever seen the interior of, and he wondered if they were all this cheerful. It was brightly lit, clean, and there were colorful murals on the walls. Celena North next? Gilbert asked as he held the door for Alden to climb into the backseat of the large SUV hed booked. Gilbert had the non-Avowed notification under his name tag, and hed told Alden that he and his D-rank wife had decided to leave behind an Avowed zone in Australia and move here to Anesidora for the big city lifestyle. Should I tell him he doesnt have to get the door for me every time? Or am I supposed to let him? Alden buckled his seatbelt and checked his text messages. Hed offered rides to several different acquaintances and friends who were planning to move to campus today. Now that Boe was safely gone, he could head back for them. But they were all running late except for Jeffy, of all people. I dont want to ride around with just Jeffy. Jeffy needs a buffer. He could send the car back for the intake crowd later. Celena North, Alden confirmed, texting Maricel to ask if she was sure she wanted to haul her bags on the train. And then if you dont mind coming back to F to pick up a bunch of people and their stuff after you drop me off Picking up people and their stuff is what I do! Another text came in. It was from Kon, and it just said, [Thank you, thank you, thank you!] Actually, can we swing by Nilama Marina? Theres someone there who wants a ride.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

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Alden was going to be an amazing roommate. Hed decided it last night at the party, about five minutes after Lexi had accused him of being a hypocrite. Alden hated that the Meister was even more right about that than he knew. Lute Velra could arrive at their new apartment with Aulia riding piggyback and an entourage of bedbugs, and it still wouldnt be fair of Alden to complain that Lexi hadnt warned him. Because it wasnt like Alden had warned anyone about anything at all. As the SUV approached the family zone where the Roberts brothers lived, he cataloged a few of his many inconvenient features. I gave Chainer to the Velras. Aulia thinks Im some kind of luck Rabbit. My best friend is a current criminal and future vigilante who I am happily aiding and abetting. Prone to nightly wanderings. May disappear suddenly without warning. He was going to be an amazing roommate anyway. Lexi was the surly one. Lute was the school punching bag with the dark sense of humor. If Alden acted like an antisocial insomniac, then Haoyu might end up being the only pleasant one in the whole group. Im going to be so damn easy to get along with that Lexi feels guilty every time he glares at me. He smiled at the thought. In pursuit of this goal, hed offered to pick up everyone and help with their belongings. Haoyu had thanked him and said that he was already at the new apartment with his mother. Lexi had refused. Lute still hadnt responded. Kon, on the other hand, was waiting outside his building with seven other people who were left over from the party and enough luggage to sink a ship. They were playing rock-paper-scissors to see who got to ride and who had to head toward Apex on their own. I can sit on someones lap! Astrid protested as the winners piled into the vehicle. The other losers were already trudging toward the nearest bus stop together. We could at least take her sleeping bag so she doesnt have to carry it around, Alden suggested, moving into the passenger seat. Kon patted him happily on the shoulder before climbing in and squeezing into the back between Everly and Mehdi. Nope! Helosa said from the captains chair shed just claimed. Her teddybear purse was now wearing a caution tape bowtie. She was the one who wanted additional consequences for losers. No take-backs, Mehdi added. Then he yawned loudly. Alden had the impression that nobody in this group was well-rested. Everly was drinking a canned coffee in the back with a look on her face that said it was a necessity, not a pleasure. Helosa was still boisterous, and Kon was still trying to carry on multiple conversations at once as they set off. But even their energy had that slightly unhinged quality that came from having been without sleep. Helosa kept laughing at things that were only mildly funny, and Kon blanked on the word crosswalk in English and ended up calling it > in Russian. Which Alden was betting wasnt correct either. Their other passenger was the Bow Meister whod shot Aldena lotduring the combat assessment. His preferred name had been Reinhard. Now it was showing up as Rain Hard, and Alden wasnt sure if he was brainstorming hero names for himself and had forgotten hed left one up or if he really wanted people to call him that. So he was avoiding calling him anything for now. All in all, he was relieved when they arrived on campus. He made an excuse about needing to make a call to separate himself from the group and get his bearings. He walked the perimeter of Celena Circle. It was also a move-in opportunity for Arts and Sciences, and all the new students from those much larger programs wandering around with family, friends, and suitcases made for an atmosphere that hovered between festive and stressful. Alden had gotten his chauffeur to re-entrust him with his belongings. He was enjoying the combo of his movement trait plus unnaturally lightweight baggage a lot. He only regretted the fact that none of these Apex people were nearly as impressed with him as he was with himself. Though a passing dad did cheer at him as he ran by with a recliner chair over his own head. Alden waved at the two kidssomeones younger siblings he assumedbouncing and squealing in the seat. The dormitory hed been assigned to was called Garden Hall. It was built of gray stone, and it had decorative forest green shutters. Carefully controlled ivy crept up the sides of the building without getting in the way of a single window. It looked like an English cottage had gotten hit with an enlargement spell. It was three stories tall, and it did have a line of evergreen trees and a gardenish outdoor area separating it from a busy street on the campuss edge. There were a couple of grills, tables, and lots of planters full of flowers and herbs that were maintained by students who had each put up signs in their allotted space: Do NOT touch this tree. Rocco will kill you. Percys Garden. Take whatever you need. For a class project! Dont eat it! Thanks! T.W.

As he entered the building, the words, Welcome Home, Alden! scrolled across his vision. Thats a nice touch. He examined the main common area. It was more practical than grand. It had concrete floors, tables, a few exhausted looking sofas. Floor-to-ceiling shelves full of borrowable books and games separated the seating area from a community kitchen that was currently home to a trio of guys who were discussing a single bowl of brownie batter like the fate of the world hung in the balance. He took the stairs up to the second floor, made his way down a hall bustling with people, and found his new apartment. Although he doublechecked the number over the entry pad twice just to be completely sure before he stepped through the wide-open door. Hed been expecting to find three teenaged boys, not two grown women examining every nick and stain in the place. I think that might be Haoyus mom. He watched the slim, brunette woman in the gray sweatshirt give the fridge a bearhug and lift it off the floor while her peach-haired helper peered underneath. Nothing, maam! The smell isnt coming from under here either. She set the fridge down carefully, not looking even slightly strained. Definitely Haoyus mom, Alden decided. Hed heard that both of his parents were Dura Brutes previously, but at the party last night hed learned that they were elite ones. The two of them shared a working nameOmega Scorpii. They were part of a hero group that had agreements with several different governments to provide pre-vetted heavy hitters on short notice to deal with sudden upticks in violence or large disasters. And they were both on-call for different Anesidora battle groups, too. It sounded like they balanced superhero work with having a kid by trying to avoid taking jobs at the same time, though that didnt always work out. With Haoyus Dad training for a demon fight, his mom was now free to suspiciously sniff the air in this apartment and help her son move in. She was eyeing the vent in the ceiling when the woman with the pinkish orange hair spotted Alden. Oh, its Alden Thorn! she said. Maam, hes here! Before Alden even had time to be surprised, he found himself ushered into the apartment by the two of them. Im Molly, Mrs. Zhang-Demirs assistant. Give me your bag, dear! That looks heavy. Its so nice to meet you. Have you had breakfast? The boys went to Cafeteria North. We can have them pick something up for you. Lexi and Haoyu have already selected their rooms, but you can choose from the last two. This one is the best. Dont you think, Molly? I do. The one by the bathroom has some annoyances. Look here, kid, youve got plenty of drawers built in behind this panel."

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What was ski lodge style? Alden still didnt know. But he and Lute had found a picture they both liked of a resort lobby in Colorado. It had dark brown furniture, a fireplace, and fur throws. It had been photographed with lots of candles, which made Haoyu happy. And Lexi seemed to feel too bad about his freak-out to disagree with anything when they showed it to him. So it was four votes in favor from the apartment residents. And two votes against from the adult voices of reason, who were trying to set a budget that didnt accommodate Aldens desire for very nice rugs and Lutes passion for a particular pair of distressed leather chairs. As Gilbert dropped them off outside the main entrance at Rosa Grove mall, Haoyu was sending everyone pictures of a copper toaster he wanted. His mother finally turned to them all and held up her hands. All right, she said. Before we go in, we have to have a budget. And we have to decide what one thing each of you cant stand to live without in the new apartments shared living area. Remember, youre going to be spending money decorating your own rooms, too. I have 750 argold dedicated to the apartment in my planner, Lexi said promptly. Two hundred and fifty can go to the shared area. Ive got fifteen hundred saved from my Avowed stipends, and I dont mind if we spend half of it on the kitchen and living room, said Haoyu. Lute chewed on his bottom lip and stared off into space. I can spend fifteen hundred, too, he said finally. That took you a while, Molly said. Are you sure? Lute shrugged at the assistant. I had to think through how long it would be before I had more money coming in, and how much it would cost to rent another place if Lexi decides he cant stand living with my fake eye. Haoyu and Alden both snickered. Why are you two still laughing at that joke? Lexi demanded. Hes worked it in half a dozen times since this morning! I cant help it! Haoyu protested. It gets funnier every time. Alden, what about you, sweetheart? Mrs. Zhang-Demir gave him a warm smile. Dont feel obligated to spend more than you want. Shes worried because its taking me so long to answer. She was thoughtful. And shed been going out of her way to mom him all day. Adults had done that more often when he was younger, and he had usually been offended. Now that he was older and actually appreciated the effort, people rarely bothered. But she was momming in a way that wasnt exactly Theres no way Haoyus family isnt rich, so Im pretty sure this is a mini-lesson in responsibility. Like, youve got money of your own now with your new-Avowed stipend, so lets spend it wisely. Lexi tattled on Kon to their parents, too, for blowing all of his on party supplies. Lutes situation was more complex. He had a family who could buy him musical instruments that cost more than cars, but he was now at odds with them. And he had been living on his own off-campus somewhere. Lexi and Haoyu have really nice places to go back to whenever they want. Their families are right here, too. Most of the time. The dorm is like practice independence I guess, so shes Earth to Alden, Lute said, waving a hand in front of his face. What planet are you lost on? Alden snapped out of it. They were standing on the sidewalk between the parking lot and the mall. This wasnt the place to think that deeply about life. Im not lost on another planet, he said, for a change. Lute looked startled. Alden cleared his throat. Sorry. I was thinking about budgets and houses. I havent had one for a long time. A home. And we get to keep this apartment for as long as were in high school unless we decide to apply for a different building, right? And its not like Im planning to hate you all and move out. You guys seem cool. Stop, youre making me blush, said Lute. Alden ignored the snark. I dont have any other place to go on Anesidora, so Garden Hall is it for me. Ill be there every weekend and every holiday. I dont even have a way to get home for Christmas for the next two years. And I dont actually need to be precious with my financial resources, so Id rather not have one. They were all a little wide-eyed. Mollys fingers had stilled in the middle of another typing session. A budget! he clarified. Id rather not have a budget. Can everyone else just save their budgets for their own rooms, and I can buy whatever we want for the rest of it? To make it look like the picture. After a few more seconds of silence, Alden started to wonder if what hed said sounded stranger to them than it did to him. Its fine if you all want to do something else. I dont mind that ei Good lord. You can come to my house for Christmas, said Lexi. We import a real tree and everything. My family doesnt celebrate Christmas usually, said Haoyu. But we could this year! You dont have to play the homeless card, Alden. Molly glared. Lute Velra! Thats What? Im saying I dont need him to justify his spending urges. Im amazing at letting other people buy things for me. Look here, Rabbit. He air typed, and a picture of the furniture set he liked appeared in their group chat. If were not being responsible, then we need both armchairs, the chesterfield, and the big storage ottoman with the top that reverses into a coffee table. They have the whole set here. I still want to buy the toaster myself, said Haoyu. I really like it. Lexi squinted at Alden. If youre paying for everything, then do you want to pick it all? No. I like all the stuff weve talked about so far. And I did find the picture of the lodge in the first place. Lets just get whatever everyone wants if it looks good. Theres a copper slow-cooker that matches the toaster! Do you cook or something, Haoyu? Lute asked. You just drop things that taste good together in the pot, right? How hard can it be?

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As the four of them headed into the mall, Haoyus mother and her assistant trailed behind them. Molly Tissues, maam? Mrs. Zhang-Demir blinked at her. No. Im fine. Im not, Molly said, wiping at her nose with a tissue shed just pulled from her purse. That American boy doesnt have parents. And I dont know whats going on with the Velras and why theyre making that poor child run around with one eye. And little Haoyus all grown up Not quite. It sounds like hes about to spend his entire stipend for the month on kitchen appliances hell never use. But hes getting there. And worrying me to death in the processyou know he could have roomed with almost anyone? Hes chosen Lexi and this group. He wont hear a word against it. Why? I have no idea. She shook her head. I was just going to let you know that Ive had another mission invitation. Next month. Ill be gone for a few weeks this time. Yes, maam, Molly said quietly. Why so glum? I could turn this one down if I chose to. She watched her son spring up the steps to grab the door for the others. He moved differently. It was a small change, one he was probably only half aware of himself, but shed noticed it the moment he affixed. One second youre a child, the next Maam? She smiled. Wheres my mind going? Weve got to get these boys settled into theirwas it a ski lodge or a hunting lodge in the end? A man lodge of some kind. Winter themed. Possibly there will be a bearskin rug. On top of numerous other rugs. Alden seems to have an obsession with luxury carpeting. Lute and Haoyu want a bear. Based on the conversation in the car, they may or may not be painting the whole place black. I dont understand what theyre thinking I really dont know how they arrived at this either, but all right! A manly winter lodge with rugs and attractive leather furniture theyre going to ruin before next term! We have a goal. Come on, Molly. Lets try to impose reason and order where we can. Also, I checked, and not a single one of them has brought their own soap and shampoo. Do they think the school supplies it? I will add it to the list.

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