Chapter 5 Peace and Chaos

Lincoln and Tammi find themselves tensely eating breakfast together. Guy reads his gardening book obliviously as the two stare each other down, daring the other to speak first. 

Lincoln takes the high ground. 

"We should probably go to bed." Neither of them has slept all night, the beds being occupied by the other residents. 

Tammi's face scrunches up with disgust, "You mean, like, together? You're so gross! Like I'd ever be with someone who doesn't even bathe regularly." 

Lincoln rolls his eyes, "Sorry, I think you're a bit too...you... for my tastes." 

Tammi scowls but doesn't reply.  Lincoln smiles to himself; peace at last. 

Gregory muses over the tiny collection of books in the living room. He swears he's read all of these at least once by now... 

"Hey Guy, next time you go out could you stop by the bookstore?" Gregory calls to the kitchen. When Guy's nose remains buried in his book, Gregory glares. 

Gee, thanks for your help. Looks like it's Hymn of Festive Stone...again. 

Ti and Tina, meanwhile, bond over their disgust for the fish pond out back. 

"Guy said he wants to fish out there. Can you believe that?" Ti whispers, a stressed smile on her face. 

Tina laughs quietly, "Well we're all in here for a reason right?" 

For a moment, Ti laughs along with her, but then freezes. 

"...Ti?" 

All too suddenly, Tina is not with Ti, but in Guy's room, watching him sleep. 

She stares unblinkingly at the wall. How long has she been here? Was she ever talking to Ti to begin with? 

With a shudder, she tentatively makes her way out of Guy's room, careful not to wake him. 

Guy rises several hours later, desperate to use the bathroom. 

"Is Tammi still in there?" he whines to Gregory, crossing his legs. He can't remember ever needing to go this badly. 

"Yeah. I tried knocking and she said if I tried to peep on her showering, she'd rip my face off, so..." Gregory has tried to be helpful. 

Unfortunately, it does little to prevent Guy having an...accident. 

"Tammi!" Guy whispers, glaring at the bathroom door. The only response is the pitter-patter of shower water. 

"Oh gosh, um... do you need help?" Gregory asks hesitantly, cringing away from the puddle and the rapidly spreading odor. 

Guy covers his face, now flaming red with embarrassment. "Let's just...forget it..." he mumbles. 

Gregory is more than happy to oblige. 

"Not going to eat your macaroni?" 

Gregory crinkles his nose, "I think it's been out for a bit too long... Speaking of out!" Gregory snaps his book shut, "If I have to read another page about this damn musical rock, I'm going to go nuts-," 

"-aren't we all already...?" 

Gregory rolls his eyes, exasperated, "You know what I mean. Whenever you go...out there... could you get us something new to read? How about something about cars? I love cars." 

Guy meant to go to the bookstore, but somehow he ended up here... 

At least the peace and quiet is nice. 

Nothing like the chaos at home. 

"Stop looking at me like that!" Tammi hisses. 

"Like what!?" 

"Just...that weird look you always have! It makes me uncomfortable." 

Lincoln blinks, "I...I'm sorry?" 

"Just save it! You're always judging me," Tammi sniffs. 

Lincoln testily raises an eyebrow, "You're one to talk." 

"You see what I mean!? Everyone here is always accusing me of something!" 

Lincoln rubs his temple as she huffs away. 

No one ever said living here would be easy. 

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AN:  So after about a million years, I finally have an update. A lot has happened in this save which made writing it all out hard. There's still so much to blog and I'm not even halfway through the challenge! The residents are always fighting or making friends or skill building. 

Tammi and Lincoln are enemies in-game (shocker). 

Tammi's relationship with everyone except Jinenji is in the red to varying degrees.

Gregory and Jinenji are friends.

Dove and Ti are almost friends. 

Tina is acquaintances with everyone except Tammi, as are Lincoln and Guy (though closer to being friends with everyone than Tina). 

Both Jinenji and Lincoln have some crazy-high piano skill by now, 4 or 5 if not higher. Jinenji also has a decent logic skill.