SOREN
Things are now scattered everywhere. I just had few stuff here, like my wooden sword and bunch of training clothes and few casual clothes then some junk food and canned foods. Though I labeled all of them neatly. And I put my boxes in the corner. So, it's still tidy. While Selene's….. her clothes are spilling out everywhere. Some boxes are still half-open. Though she had more art supply and appliances than her clothes.
Achoo. I heard Selene sneeze from the corner as she boils some water. Dust is also settling in, huh.
I opened the only window in our apartment to let some fresh air in. As Selene are getting her mugs and placed it in the table. She also brought her instant coffee and sugar, a spoon and a small plate.
"If you haven't bought your plates, mugs and other cutleries yet – we have to do our shopping. I can't believe you only had really few things on you." She said, scolding me. I admit that I did forgot the cutleries. I forgot that I have to use them. Thankfully she let me borrow her violet, panda mug.
"Yeah well, I have very little money left. And I need a part time job. I mean – WE need a part time job. WE are both broke." I said as a matter of fact. "Arcana East let students do that right?" I asked. Most school don't. Well Sai, one of my brother said so.
"Oh yeah, where are you going to eat? In your shoes? Lucky you, I did brought extras. Good thing I had a lot stuff too right? Also, I read the school policy, it's okay. It was not in the book. What is your power anyway? Can you sell something?" she asked while opening her pack of instant coffee.
We are seated at the dining table just below the bed. I tidied everything before using them. Thank god, I had my wipes on me. Good thing too is that, Selene brought that electronic Kettle. Two mugs were place between us. Selene just open her sugar packets and put it in her coffee which is a lot of sugar in it. And I just made myself some honey from my stack and hot water.
"Really just honey and water?" She asked. Curiously.
"Hey, I didn't judge you bluntly with that sugary packets." I said.
"I am not judging you, I just thought you were a soda or a coffee person though. With that serious tone on you." She said.
"Huh. I thought you only drink milk too." I replied. She looked appalled. "Well, answering your previous question though, I am a physical enhancer type. I am not a creator type. So I could not magically do stuff to sell. I guess I should apply with service jobs. You?" I said as I sip my honey water.
"Some amateurish sketch manipulator." She replied. Oh, that's why she had a lot of painting supplies. That explains it.
"It's my first time seeing one in person." I said. "How does your power works? I just heard it from hearsays." I asked curiously. I wanted to see how do they create stuff that can float around. I wonder if they can make a washing machine. Then we would not need to shop and a bunch of stuff.
"I know what you are thinking right now, Soren. And no. That wasn't it. Typical stereotype of us. I could show you but after these." She pointed at all the mess. All her mess.
"That's your mess you know." I said flatly. "I already tidied mine." I said, pointing my area.
"Anyway, let's talk about ground rules oooor we could just…. Live and figure it out as we go." She said sipping her coffee again.
I gave her a blank look. "That's how things fall into chaos, you know. Just like your stuffs."
"Okay, Mama." She said with a western accent, teasing me.
I ignored that comment and pulled a paper from my notebook and placed it in the table.
I wrote, "House Rules" in a red pen and underlined it twice. I showed it to her. She just gave me a nod.
"So… to start. First, the bathroom schedule." I said. "After our orientation tomorrow, both of us would have different schedule by our trades. You, a creator and me, an enhancer. But I have personal physical training on my own, so I'll be waking up early much more than you. Therefore, I would use it at 6:30. You can go after." I explained.
"Wait a damn minute." Selene interrupted. "Why do you have go first? What if I have much earlier class than you?" she replied. She got a point.
"Because I am consistent. But, sure let hear yours. Why would you be first?" I asked. I should be at least be fair to her.
"And I'm not? You are so confident with yourself aren't you, Goldy?" She said defensively. Well of course I am.
"Stop calling me Goldy. Smurf. Then why should you be in the first slot?" I asked her. "What time do you usually wake up?" I asked, staring at her blankly.
She cups her coffee, contemplating what to say. Cute. "Yeah you get the first slot. But do not fog the mirror." She replied. I knew she would say that. She gives me an impression that she wakes up at the very last minute and panics.
"Sure, sure. Miss Selene. But If you did have an earlier class than me. You could take the bathroom." I said.
"Put that in the rules then, add a clause." Selene said, sipping her coffee. "What is the second rule?"
"Second rule, noise. I had a request for you with this too." I said.
"Go on." She said.
"Well, we as a student, it is a cardinal rule than if one of us is studying or doing personal things we would kept the volume at minimum." I said.
"Uh huh." She said.
"So….. I train at 6:00. It's just footwork and a bit of endurance drills. It'll be quiet. I promise." I said. Pleading her. Then Selene look around our tiny apartment doubtfully.
"Are you really sure that you are going to be quiet? Look at this room, it is basically four steps wide, Goldy. I mean, Soren." she said with that "unbelievable" expression.
I shrugged. "Then it will be four quiet steps."
"….Are you serious?"
"Yes. Beloved lady. You think I'm not?"
Selene exhaled. "Fine. Typical of enhancer types. Just don't yell something during your drill at dawn or whatever."
"Hey! Stereotype. I don't do those kind of things. You know." Why do I have to yell something during the drills?
"Then good."
"Now, let's move forward with the third rule." I said. "Kitchen, right side is mine, left side is yours. Put a label in your containers or tupperwares and do not move things."
Selene smirked, amused. "You really label your food?" Is it funny. I thought that was normal too.
"Of course, I can identify what's mine and what's yours. At least you won't be confused." I said.
"What if I remember where mine is?" She replied. This woman, really.
"You won't." I said. I am sure of it.
"I will." She said.
I gave her a look, a silent knowing look.
"….Fine. Labels. Gods, you're so strict. Do you wanted to be a prefect or something." She said, relenting on it. Despite the complain.
"That is why my food doesn't get robbed or disappear mysteriously." I said. I know, I had twelve brothers. Labeling food is just a preliminary step for survival.
Minutes passed. Selene got bored as I rewrite the house rules and proceeded at continuing to unpack her things. At one point I saw her failing to stack it under her bed. And she slipped. She thought I didn't notice but I just suppressing my laugh. We are not that close yet.
By the time I am finish writing, the list looked weirdly official at last;
One. Bathroom Schedule (Soren: 6:30/ Selene 7:00) Except Selene could have the 1st slot if she had prior trainings or workshop in her class.
Two. Control noise for the sake of each other's peace. Quiet Drills, no yelling before sunrise. If Soren did, she'll be fine a week of chores. – Selene.
Respect each other personal bed time.
Three. Kitchen Division and putting labels on food.
Four. Chores rotated weekly, it is written in the Calendar. See it please.
Five. Guest must be announced a day before, and ask permission of each other before proceeding.
Six. No random rearrangement of furniture without warning.
I pinned it to the top of the fridge with the existing magnet. I tried to align the corners perfectly but I can hear Selene laughing and hearing her mutter, "what a perfectionist", so I just stared blankly at her. She winked, and then she leaned on the counter with her second cup of coffee, a little amused despite herself.
"You really like things to be organized with rules huh." Selene said. Walking closer to see the rules herself.
"It's better than living in chaos." I said.
Selene shrugged. "Okay, Fair enough. I would really try not to ruin your system. Goldy."
"As you should." I replied.
"This is either going to go smoothly or by then explode on Wednesday." Selene whispers. Whisper she intentionally wanted me to hear.