Matthew Jones (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
paenumbra) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-10-20 08:24 pm
paenumbra) wrote in undergrounds2015-10-20 08:24 pm
Entry tags:
Room for Rent
Who: Matt and Simon
What: Matt's come about the "flat" for rent.
Where: Simon's Flat
When: October 20
Rating:Teen - for Matt being, well, Matt
London.
Matt stepped off the plane at Heathrow and smiled. He'd never been out of the country before. Hell. He'd never been past New Jersey before. The air felt different here - older and more mature. It was probably his imagination but for the first time he felt right as though a piece of him belonged there. Of course, all tourists probably felt that way, he thought to himself as he grabbed his belongings (two large duffle bags and one crumbled looking plastic suitcase that nearly looked like trash bags) and headed out to find a taxi.
He spent the first few hours wandering around the city, getting a real feel for the energy that flowed through it. It didn't matter that he had little clue as to where he was or where he was going. He always trusted his gut to take him in the direction he needed to go. It wasn't long before he found himself inside of a Starbucks (of course, they had to be everywhere) and reading through the Craigslist Rooms for Rent page while he sipped his coffee.
One post aught his interest instantly. A decently priced room for rent was available with a single "flatmate". The pictures weren't that glamorous but a room was better than sleeping on the streets. Besides, it was in his price range and he could pay for the first two months up front. Figuring it was a sign, he took down the posters info and texted the owner his interest. It didn't take long before his phone buzzed and he followed the directions to a building not far from the coffee shop.
Matt hit the buzzer and waited to be let up, not at all concerned that whoever opened the door would think it strange he came to a roommate interview with his bags already packed. He knocked on the door, holding out his hand the moment it opened.
"Hi," he said brightly. "I'm Matt. Guess I'm you're new roommate!"
What: Matt's come about the "flat" for rent.
Where: Simon's Flat
When: October 20
Rating:Teen - for Matt being, well, Matt
London.
Matt stepped off the plane at Heathrow and smiled. He'd never been out of the country before. Hell. He'd never been past New Jersey before. The air felt different here - older and more mature. It was probably his imagination but for the first time he felt right as though a piece of him belonged there. Of course, all tourists probably felt that way, he thought to himself as he grabbed his belongings (two large duffle bags and one crumbled looking plastic suitcase that nearly looked like trash bags) and headed out to find a taxi.
He spent the first few hours wandering around the city, getting a real feel for the energy that flowed through it. It didn't matter that he had little clue as to where he was or where he was going. He always trusted his gut to take him in the direction he needed to go. It wasn't long before he found himself inside of a Starbucks (of course, they had to be everywhere) and reading through the Craigslist Rooms for Rent page while he sipped his coffee.
One post aught his interest instantly. A decently priced room for rent was available with a single "flatmate". The pictures weren't that glamorous but a room was better than sleeping on the streets. Besides, it was in his price range and he could pay for the first two months up front. Figuring it was a sign, he took down the posters info and texted the owner his interest. It didn't take long before his phone buzzed and he followed the directions to a building not far from the coffee shop.
Matt hit the buzzer and waited to be let up, not at all concerned that whoever opened the door would think it strange he came to a roommate interview with his bags already packed. He knocked on the door, holding out his hand the moment it opened.
"Hi," he said brightly. "I'm Matt. Guess I'm you're new roommate!"
no subject
He didn't have a problem with Matt liking other guys, of course, he just thought that the living situation would quickly become unbearable if there was unresolved sexual tension floating around. He'd seen it happen with some friends while they were all in student accommodation at UCL and he didn't really need a repeat performance.
"I've got a...well, I don't know what she is but she may come by." That was mostly wishful thinking on Simon's part. He'd only been on a couple dates with Skip since their drunken coupling but Simon figured that hope springs eternal. "I'll let you know well ahead of time. And you're welcome to bring in dates, too, as long as it's not an every night thing and let me know before." See? He was totally fine with it.
He held open the door to The Red Lion for Matt and kept talking. "I mentioned it in the ad already, but I want to re-emphasize that I am a student and I keep somewhat irregular hours. If I'm not in the lab or at work, I may be sleeping. I ask that you keep it down to a reasonable level until about noon or so, and after one-thirty in the morning."
no subject
Simon seemed incredibly uptight. He must have had a bad experience with a roommate before, Matt thought. He could sympathize."
"As for the other, I'm dabbling with the idea of going to school. I was invited to join the Redbright institute. Not sure if it's the place for me but I figured why not check it out?"
no subject
Simon looked up sharply, despite himself. Matt was Redbright? Of course he was. With the way his life had been going these days, it made sense that he wouldn't be able to get away from the supernatural world even at home.
Though it would make it easier if he ended up transforming for whatever reason.
"You're..." he trailed off. "...who invited you to join?"
no subject
Matt's voice seemed to trail off a bit then. Thinking about his Aunt just lead to more family thoughts and Matt wasn't in the mood to travel down that particular path. "Anyway, I'm here so I might as well see who put my name on the mailing list."
He glanced over at Simon and noticed the peculiar look on his face. "Why? Is there something wrong with the school? I won't be surprised I was scammed. I half expected it."
no subject
If Matt was being sent letters from Redbright, shouldn't he at least know what the school actually was?
Play it casual, O'Neill.
"Redbright is really quite exclusive," Simon pointed out. Best to play to the ego. "If you're being invited to the school, you must be fairly talented."
no subject
Still, there was something that Redbright had mentioned that still piqued Matt's curiosity. Somehow they had known about his special way with words. His Aunt may not have picked it up in the way the letter was phrased but he sure as hell did.
"If by talent you mean I have a natural ability to charm my way into and out of most situations, then you've hit it right on the nose," Matt said, being as vague as possible. "Other than that, I'm not sure what they are looking for. Back home, I'm not exactly what you call special. Just your typical average American teenager."
no subject
"And I take it that this charm of yours is how you managed to talk your way into my flat with all of your things?"
Witch or metahuman? Or maybe even fae, and he's just playing Simon for a fool with all this talk about being a "typical average American teenager?"
Christ, when did he become so paranoid? He was semi-dating a werewolf and had just helped clear Lambeth of fairies and evil witches; no matter how much he had tried to avoid it, the supernatural world had well and truly creeped into his life. He should be used to it by now.
"So persuasion's your thing. Not very typical at all, I'm afraid, but if you don't use it on me again I suppose we might attempt a trial period as flatmates. Since you've already shoved thousands of pounds at me, and all."
no subject
Matt sighed, his perpetual smile disappearing. "I can't always control it. My power or gift or curse, whatever you want to call it, just happens. I'm not always aware of it. Of course, you do realize you could always say no. My influence might push you in one direction or another but I'll be damned if I take away your ability to say no."
Matt's insistence on this last point was fierce. He met Simon's eye, determined that his new flatmate would at least understand Matt's conviction. "I won't ever force you to do something against your will. Ever."
no subject
He didn't mention how he knew this.
Matt's ability sounded like it could be dangerous, but at least he seemed to realize it. Simon respected that, even if the prospect of living with someone who, despite all Matt's protests, could probably persuade him to do anything kind of terrified him.
But still...
"You seem to trust me quite a bit, with all this."
no subject
Matt winked at Simon. "I'm inclined to believe the latter. So, what sort of drink do you want?"
no subject
Simon had chosen to stay strategically silent on the other matter. Of course Matt had his suspicions; why wouldn't he? Simon had called him out on...everything, so it stood to reason that he knew much more than he let on.
no subject
Matt laughed as he headed over to the bar. He purchased two pints of lager and headed back, sliding one of the glasses over to Simon. "Cheers, roomie," he said, clinking the edge of his glass with Simon's. "Here's to the start of a beautiful friendship."