Mindless

Daft Neighbors

Sunday mornings had to have been Hermann's favorite part of the week. Being able to sleep in until the morning news came on, a hot cup of coffee, and a simple breakfast that included oatmeal with toast. Well, he regretted having to say this Sunday wasn't much like the others. Oh, no. Nothing like it, in fact.

Hermann awoke to the comfortable morning sun that seeped in from his thin curtains, and the soft beeping of the clock set on his nightstand. Eight o'clock on the dot. As always. After he clicked the snooze button, he sat up and slung his legs over the side of the bed, giving a weak stretch that popped his joints in the nicest way. Hermann managed to slide into his house slippers, and blindly grabbed for his cane, before easing himself out of his comfortable bed. He slowly made his way to the kitchen, putting a pot on for coffee, before grabbing the remote off the table and flipping on the TV. The weather man's voice echoed through the quiet apartment as he made his way towards the bathroom. With a quick shower, he got dressed in his usual sweater vest and slacks, brushed his teeth, fixed his hair, etc.. It was his typical morning routine. Though, as soon as Hermann was able to settle down into his chair with a decently made cup of coffee, a loud crash could be heard from the hallway.

"What in God's name-!" He shouted, nearly sploshing his coffee onto himself as he raised from his chair in a hurried manner. He hobbled his way over to the door, undid the chain guard, and opened the door. He fully intended on investigating the loud crash, but in the process he nearly ran into a slightly shorter figure. Hermann stumbled back a bit, gripping his cane tightly, glaring daggers at the stranger. The man had turned around quickly, glasses crooked on his face, wide eyes very apparent. Hermann didn't know why he instantly found the color so wonderful. "Shit! Sorry, dude! I didn't mean to-" He abruptly stopped mid-sentence; a squeaky voice, Hermann noted. There was an unusual pause, the air around them thickening with tension. Hermann had noticed that the man looked as if he were still in grad school. He certainly dressed as such, but looked a bit old for that.. Perhaps in his early twenties. Finally, the stranger spoke up again, stopping Hermann's trail of thought. "Okay, woah. First off, You're attractive." He said bluntly. As if that were a normal thing to say to a complete stranger! Hermann was taken off guard by the compliment, a confused expression crossing over his face, unwanted heat crawling up his neck and burning hotly at his ears. "I-I beg your pardon?" The stranger blinked twice, before shaking his head, and giving a wide smile. Hermann oddly felt his burning ears only get warmer at the sight. "Never mind.. I uh.. I guess you're my new neighbor, huh? I'm moving in across the hall.. The names' Newt. Newt Geiszler, you?" He held out a hand, and it was at this moment that Hermann had noticed the bursts of color that ran along 'Newt's' arms, and seemed to disappear underneath the rolled up sleeves that covered from his elbow up.

It had taken him a moment, but eventually Hermann gave a confused blink of his own. "That can't really be your name.. I doubt your mother named you after an amphibian." He commented, purposely avoiding introductions, eyes narrowing with slight suspicion. He was getting a vibe from this man, and he wasn't quite sure if he liked, or disliked it yet. 'Newt' dropped his hand after a moment, instead moving it to the back of his neck; perhaps he felt embarrassed. "Well, Newt is short for 'Newton'. You know, like the scientist? It just sound really dumb.. So, I go by Newt." He explained with a small shrug. Hermann pursed his lips, taking in the new found information. In his opinion 'Newton' was far less silly sounding than 'Newt'. "Right, yes.. Well, Newton.. I can't say it's been a pleasure, but I'm missing a very important program at the moment. I'll have to say goodbye." And with that, he turned on his heel and stepped back into his apartment. As soon as he was about to shut the door, and even perhaps lock it; because who knows with a tricky looking person like Newton; a foot shoved itself inside the small space between the door frame and the actual door. "Wait! You didn't even tell me your name, dude! That's like, really rude!" That familiar squeaky voice gave in protest. Hermann huffed in annoyance, jabbing his cane into the boot that had invaded into his home. "Get your foot out of my door, you insufferable lunatic!" His efforts were naught, as it seemed, Newton refused to move. After a moment more of trying to force the door shut, Hermann groaned, having no choice but to swing it open again. In the process, Newt had removed his foot, a sly smirk crossing over his face as if he had won something spectacular. It took everything he had to bite down on his tongue to prevent himself from spewing curse words like an unruly child. "If you must know, my name is Hermann Gottlieb. Now, Good day!" Hermann spoke firmly, slamming the door in the other's face. Oh, this was going to be chaos..