testimony

❛ they treat me like a machine, a contraption free from emotion, but, god, all i ever do is feel. ❜ anna. twenty-five. unemployed. they/them. looking for change in the worst place possible. atm: sleeping in.

[forestjameson]

“I really hope not. I would hate to be that guy who has all the hot water when everyone else has to take cold showers,” Jonah frowned. “You might be right about that. We could at least say something and then hopefully they would try to fix it. And if a few days pass and nothing is done, we can go back and tell them again?” he suggested with a shrug of his shoulders. “There’s a maintenance crew here, they’re just… slow.”

[annartf-blog]

They lips tug into a smirk, as if amused by what the man said. “Sure,” they responded. “That could work. We’ll try asking three times, and then take matter into our own hands? There’s nothing we can’t do without a little Google and a wrench. The maintenance crew can suck it.”

[samk-g]

“—Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I’ve just had a couple of rough nights… needed hot shower therapy. Forgiveness is a good thing you know? I promise I’ll tone it down.”

[annartf-blog]

They could understand. Back when they actually had hot water, they were a culprit of the same habit the other had. They nod. “No, it’s fine. I get it.” Their eyebrows crease just the slightest bit. “That can’t be the only reason why it’s crazy cold, though, right?”

[elijahlawson-deactivated2016061]

“I think there’s a number in the lobby. I’ve never needed them so I’m not sure.” Theo admitted with a shrug, “I’m sure they’re not that hard to get a hold of though.”

[annartf-blog]

“Lucky you.” They look over towards the staircase. “Thanks. I’ll try to get a hold of them. Hopefully they come and fix this before Christmas comes.”

[alysonxmikaelson]

“Yeah, I’m in 611,” she smiled and shoved her hands into her pockets. “Oh if only I knew how to bust a pipe because I have to agree with you, taking a shower in the antarctic is horrifying, wakes me up for work but I’d kill for a hot bubble bath.”

[annartf-blog]

“I’m sure you can find someone to free-load off of. Wink and smile once.” They shrug. “I’d do it, if I’d be down to kill for a bubble bath.”

[silvsgrvy-deactivated20160509]

Sensing the tension after his comment, his eyes widened innocently. “Oh shit, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to give you the lightest load on purpose. You just looked exhausted so I didn’t want to burden you more with my crazy plant guy hobbies.” Shrugging, he set one of the pots back down and left it by the side of the stairs. “You know what, we can just come back for these.”

[annartf-blog]

They headed over to the stairs, opting to stay silent; they knew that when exhausted, their mouth ran off and didn’t know how to stop talking, whether it sounded rude or accusing. “Where are you joining to plant these?” They ask as they begin walking up the stairs.

[thespotlighthq-blog]

“More than likely. I can’t lie, I’m pretty proud of myself for that one. I wish I would have got a video of it. Of the whole thing. Imagine how popular that would get.” He grinned, shaking his head a few times. “I’m great, actually. I’ve been through worse than to let a few teenage girls scare me off of my bike, you feel? It takes a lot to traumatize me, it’s nearly impossible.”

[annartf-blog]

“That sounds like a challenge to me. I’d be careful saying that; those same girls could come back with vengeance,” they joked. 

[isaac-day-blog]

A slightly sheepish expression immediately flickers over his features, dissipating almost as soon as it appears. Uh oh. “What floor are you on?” It’s very possible that he’s the culprit, after all, depending on this person’s answer to him. He tends to take long showers – really long showers – and consider that doubles when his…flatmate decides to join him.

[annartf-blog]

Their eyebrows quirk up. “Sixth. Any confessions?” They hope they found the answer for their problems.

[paytonssimons]

“My water’s always a tad bit colder than what I normally like but nothing I can’t deal with. You’re not on the third floor, are you? Because if you are I can assure you it’s not me.”

[annartf-blog]

“No, I’m on the sixth floor. It’s fine - if the third floor is experiencing problems too, it might be apartment-wide. Did maintenance come by, or has no one called them yet?”

[caspartho-blog]

“I can’t remember the last time the water was ever hot. I think I’ve gotten used to kinda-somewhat-sorta-warm. I’d say go tell someone and maybe they’d fix it for you, but… that might not do any good.”

[annartf-blog]

“Even that I could appreciate. Room temperature water would be a blessing by now. Yeah --” they pause, shrugging as if they have already given up. “Probably wait two weeks to a year for them to come; I’ll get used to it. Cold water is better for your health.”

[annartf-blog]

i still have like 600 drafts from my original starter so those are coming soon! as well as replies!! im all over the place i just --

ill try to reply to everything once i come out of school!!

[thespotlighthq-blog]

“It wasn’t me. I shower in cold water, so I wouldn’t be able to attest to any of that. Are you gonna go cracking some skulls?”

[annartf-blog]

Their lips quirked into a small smile. “Yeah, of course.”  They gesture back towards their apartment. “My bat’s already ready. All I need is my hit list. I think I have to adjust it, though, cross off a few names.”

[silvsgrvy-deactivated20160509]

Dark brows quirked at the person he’d manage to catch on their way in. Hesitation seemed to dictate their actions and he wasn’t quite sure if they’d wanted to be seen in the first place. However, as soon as they spoke, he nodded in discrete gratitude. “Uh, well it’s just on the second floor so there isn’t much walking up to do,” he informed them, offering a small grin as he placed the lightest of the pots into their arms. “These crown flowers shouldn’t be much of a hassle to carry, so you can take them and I’ll carry the rest.”

[annartf-blog]

Their eyebrows furrowed as they gripped the pot. the rest. “Are you sure? I’m not that weak,” they said, forcing a smile on their lips. “I can carry a few more.” They were used to being given the lightest load -- their small stature didn’t help in that aspect -- and it irked them at times. “You might end up falling halfway through walking up the stairs.”

[tinycameron-blog]

Initially misreading their expression, Cammy nibbled on his lower lip, about to backtrack and apologize. But the tension eases away at the answer to his question and he agrees with a nod. “It’s alright. I think the maintenance guy is a bit flighty anyways. The elevator is nearly constantly in, um, disrepair and nobody’s noticed.”

[annartf-blog]

"The elevator?” A laugh escapes them. “Even if it was fixed, I wouldn’t trusted. If these pipes are rusty, imagine the wires from that elevator.” They shake their head. “The buttons themselves must be screwed up. I guess I’ll just give it a few more days, then. And if it isn’t fixed, I’ll have to start freeloading off of other people’s water.” 

[tinycameron-blog]

“Oh, um, I can’t say I’ve noticed anything? I had quite a lovely shower the other day. So, fourth floor is set to go! What, um, what floor are you on? You could talk to maintenance?”

[annartf-blog]

They purse their lips, confusion and just the slightest hint of frustration (they didn’t know why it was only affecting them) settling. “Sixth.” They give a slight nod. “Yeah, that’s probably what I should have done before complaining, but I haven’t seen any signs of maintenance anywhere. Maybe I’m just really disoriented.” 

[forestjameson]

“I have, actually. But I’ve been having the opposite problem. My water has been scalding hot. And don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a hot shower, probably hotter than necessary, but not this hot. I’ve actually been borrowing my next door neighbor’s shower because of it. Do they have a maintenance crew around here? I’m sure we could ask someone to help us out.”

[annartf-blog]

“Maybe your shower is what’s taking up all the hot water?” They could almost feel their joke falling flat. “I’d doubt they’d take our complaints into consideration, though,” Anna said, their nose scrunching up in frustration. They know how the game works in low-income housing, and when they actually put the effort in making some sort of change, it would take eons for a response. “No one cares what the ‘project queens’ need to say, but we could try. It’ll take a few weeks, but it’s worth the effort.” They hoped. Showering with freezing water was bad enough; they couldn’t imagine scalding. “I haven’t seen any maintenance crew around? I’m guessing we’d have to clear it with -- someone.” They frown. “I -- sorry. I really don’t know.”

[alysonxmikaelson]

“I’ve been having trouble too,” she sighed. “I think it’s just the pipes in this place, they’re really old and need replacing. What floor are you on?”

[annartf-blog]

“Yeah,” they agreed, a frown curling their lips. “I’m pretty sure they’re never going to replace them, if they don’t have an urgent reason. Maybe if they burst, or magically need an immediate repair.” That gave them an idea. “I’m on your floor,” Anna responded, recalling the red hair that often grasped their attention for just a millisecond (given that they barely saw the other). “Sixth floor, right?” Maybe they were just mistaken.

[elijahlawson-deactivated2016061]

“Nah my shower is fine, sounds like you need to get someone in to check it out. Could be a problem with it.”

[annartf-blog]

“Yeah, probably.” They came to this conclusion as soon as they opened their mouth. “I never catch maintenance around, though. Do you know where I could contact them?” Maybe it was a dumb question, but they were lost as to how Marlborough worked.