Crimson (homestuck)

transport the transportalizer

You use your hip to nudge the paint chipped and dull door open that led to a room humming with the soothing sounds of machinery. Using your otherwise unoccupied arm to hold the door open you sauntered in. Hinting at the unpleasant scent of bleach and laundry detergent you wrinkle your nose disdainfully. Hopefully you could get this shit over and done with in time to watch Fruits Basket.

With ease you toss the laundry tote onto an unoccupied dryer and reached to open the lid of the washer beside it. Without much thought, your laundry as well as Bro’s tumbles into the dark and bottomless pit that was the formidable washer machine’s maw. Gog, were you bored.

You dig in your pocket for the spare change that is then inserted into the coin slots that bring the machine to life with a rhythmic humdrum thumping. You leave the basket there, knowing no one would screw with neither an everyday hamper nor the detergent you’d neglected to collect. Your thoughts were presently engaged with more pressing matters than worrying over a box of Tide.

Without another thought you turn back towards the door and exit at a hurried pace after giving the “DO NOT LEAVE LAUNDRY UNATTENDED” sign a reproachful smack. Taking a left you round the staircase and tilt your head up to give the mindboggling amount of stairs a salute of surrender. The elevator was much more suiting for your lazy bones.

Punching the illuminated up arrow and tapping your foot for the dull metal doors to slide open. In seconds they did as the creaky elevator came to a stop and the doors slid lethargically open to allow you access. Entering impatiently and hitting the buttons to your floor you choose a suitable wall to lean against. The dim fluorescents wink despondently at you while you adjust your shades aimlessly and pop your neck.

The sickening sound echoes in the small vessel along with the tone of your cell phone chiming in. You jump at the sudden noise yet never the less reach for your back pocket. You already knew who it’d be and exactly what they’d be asking. The whole laundry scenario had been picture perfect for a potential horror flick to not have the desperate girlfriend squeal into your ear about an axe murder.

“Yes my ever sweet darling?” you mock into the receiver, practically hearing his look of annoyance. A slight grin tugs at the corner of your lip as he answers in an irritated tone. “What?! Uh, nevermind. Listen, where are you? I’ve been waiting at Rose’s for you for like—” you heard the pause in his rant that was no doubt his search for the wizardly wall hanging clock in your sisters kitchen above the stove.

 You smile softly to yourself, guessing exactly where he was when you heard the indistinct clink of a teacup on adorning platter. Rose would never have her honey saturated tisane tea with something that wasn’t freshly settled on a kitchen table with accompanying and quaint pastries. Sometimes your omniscientence was too potent. 

“—twenty minutes! Will you hurry up! She’s trying to make drink some herbal shit!” he finished with an exasperated groan. Faintly you heard that mentioned ‘she’ offer John a calming proverb and no doubt a steaming cup of Tisane with way too much honey. He’d wave it away and plop back into his seat dejectedly, you predicted even before you heard the sound of his chair scooting across the floor.

“Give me five, babe. I’ve pressing matters to attend to.” You answer with a smirk finally creeping onto your features as the elevator doors slide open after coming to a grinding halt. Beginning your short walk down the deserted hall was accompanied by his astounded protest and your quailed snicker.

“Excuse me? ‘Babe’? I am not a ‘babe’, Dave.” He mockingly snaps while you turn the knob of your unlocked apartment door and shoulder your cell as you turn to close then lock it. “Alright, whatever you say, pumpkin.” You mend sarcastically with a snort while you pass through the kitchen. You stop by the fridge to grab a coke, ushering the swords that tumble out back into the icebox and popping it open.