Arr, all swashbucklers to the living room this instant! Me and first-mate Muggles can't run this ship by ourselves!

[Private to Self]

Why her?

I'm still asking myself, even after the clock struck midnight. Why am I so upset? I did the same thing to her recently months ago. And it's not like we were as close as we were before...At least I said goodbye.

I'm trying to put it out of my mind. I came back, maybe she will, too. Whether or not she'll remember me or any of us-God, I don't even want to think about it.

Everyone's asking themselves why they're feeling so selfish that they miss her. I don't blame them. She impacted each and every one of their lives. She helped me grow and learn things about myself I didn't know before. I think she left a bit of a mark on everyone she knew.

I'll stop talking about it. It'll just add to the depression the network already seems to have about it. Optimism, Peter. Wasn't that one of the things you were taught?

[/Private]

As far as yesterday goes. I'm willing to forget everything that was said. You know, just so that conversation for the next month isn't absolutely awkward.

But I never did get to ask: Who's any good at Mario party?

Just as promised, Claire.

And also, this is officially the best break ever. Even the coffee tastes better than usual.

Claire! Hurry! I need help!

I need to cook as much tortellini as I can before midnight!

Man the stoves! We don't have much time!

[Private to Self: Slightly Hackable]

I don't want to be the cause of any more unnecessary problems.

God, this is weird.

Really weird.

I can't even come up with words. I made myself look like a complete asshole because all I could do was stutter. And really, that's all I can do. My brain, right now, is looping the same sentence over and over and over.

I can't even come up with words.

God this is weird.

Really weird.

I don't really know what I was hoping for.

Is it abnormal to be upset about losing something that you never really had in the first place?

[/Private]

I have to pull a few extra shifts at the clinic. Don't wait up for me, at home.

In other news, Mohinder? We really need to talk. Now.

Here I am again, in the one place that might save the world from me.

This city.

Trapped here so that I can't hurt the ones I loved. So that I can't destroy everything else.

And they think he's the one they need to hide from. Typical. Five years and everyone's just as naive as they were when we met. People don't change, as much as they want you to think. I haven't changed, I'm just less gullible.

You can never really be too sure about who to trust. Trust. I had that once. I used to have a lot of things. Hope, love, control...but most important among them was trust. It's gone now. I'm tired living a world when you can never really be too sure of who is who or what is what. I've become a product of my environment; paranoid and antisocial. Guilty. I never quite was that way before. But I'm not that Peter anymore.

[Filtered from Sylar; Specifically to Claire, Mohinder, & the others, but readable to all:]

Take care of yourselves. Take care of Molly. Don't wait up for me. I'm not safe to be around.

Sorry I haven't been posting much, guys. I met this guy named Candlejack and oh shit not aga

I'm hoping everyone's dressed? I'd like to come out of my room soon...

If I could just find a bathrobe or something, I'll make dinner. Late dinner...

No shirt, no shoes, I'm not cooking.

Five months. Hell, it'll take me the rest of the year to catch up on all that's happened in five months. Especially here. I'm trying to be optimistic. I can't do anything else about it. At least I got my job back, which is probably the most important matter. And my apartment, dog pee stains on the carpet and everything.

But now I have other things to worry about. Things like being extra careful with my words so that I don't make people too uncomfortable. Things like avoiding mousy looking kids with flamethrowers and a sour attitude. Things like remembering not to buy any beef. Bird meat is safe meat. Remember that, kids.

I think I'm going to have to buy Mr. Muggles a new leash. I heard Mohinder is using his old one. Now...


...Would someone like to tell me why "Suck it" is spelled out on the fridge with little colorful magnet letters?

It's comforting to know that there are still people here that I care about. I was so afraid I'd be alone again, or that I'd have to start over. I'm not so sure I could take much more starting over, anymore. I can't help but feel greedy for being so happy that these people are here. My friends, my niece...

How are you doing, Mohinder? I hope the spare room was comfortable for you. I don't really have a lot in the fridge, so I think I'm going to head out to pick up some groceries and stuff. I'll be back before you know it.

I would have never thought I'd end up here again. You go away to save the world and find out that maybe that wasn't the one that needed your help. Maybe my place is here, after all... How long has it been?

A while, I'm sure. If no one else has claimed my old apartment, I can't wait to climb all eight sets of stairs to see the old thing again. The dusty shelves that held books I was always too distracted to read. The lumpy old couch covered in dog hair. That painting I never got to finish...

I wonder if the dog is even still there...if anyone is still there...

It's probably all gone. That should be expected, I suppose. But I might as well settle in, I'm sure the hospital could always use another nurse...

Hm...

This is Spongey reporting on all frequencies. Anyone out there? Come in, I repeat---come in.

I've spent the entire time I lived here without once looking into that fountain. I didn't want to, not after the things I heard. I was afraid, I guess...or maybe I was just stubborn...

...My world really needs me. I mean, half of them think that I'm dead. This is what heartbreak really feels like. And I'm sorry to say this, but I can't stay here any longer and let my world collapse.

I guess this is it, City...

( Private to Rose )

[ooc; Yeah, surprise, surprise. I'm dropping Peter. But he's been here for like, ever...so I want him to be able to give everyone a proper goodbye. <3]

Uh...Rose? You wouldn't happen to have borrowed my--er...well...


Been hearing anything weird, lately?

[Voicepost: "Backdated" to this morning.]

Ngh, Rose, stop hogging the sheets...

Ro-oh my God...CLARK?

[Sound of a thump, Peter falling off the bed.]

What---why---when---HOW did you get there?! Oh God...


[OOC: Rose was switched with Clark today, Peter has no idea what's going on.]

...what---happened? Where am I...my head, it--that ticking...

( [ooc note] )

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for the gifts, everyone, they were great. Claire and I exchanged last night, she couldn't wait just a few hours...Anyway, there are some tree-shaped dog treats in the kitchen somewhere for Mr. Muggles, I forgot to mention. I think he knows that they are there, so you might want to pull one down for him before he cries.

There are still a few presents left under the tree, one is for you, JD, from Claire and I. And the other is for Rose, Blue and I picked it out together. I told you that you'd find out, eventually.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Any second now. Midnight, where are you?

I know what I said to you. I know---

Just top asking questions. You're dead Simone, you're dead because of me.

Are you happy? I said it. Go away.

Look, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a nurse. It is a perfectly respectable position, and it suits me. You can say it all you want, but there's nothing wrong with being a nurse.

I like helping people, and hospice care just seemed like the right field to go in... especially with the time that I got to spend with my patients, get to know them, etc.

What am I doing? I shouldn't have to justify my job with anyone. I enjoy it, that's all that matters.

Moving on, so I was wondering, Rose, if you'd be interested in Christmas Eve at my place? Me and Claire are going to try to make dinner, for once. And we have JD here to help. So what do you think?

Private to Blue;
Still in on the gift? If so, I have plenty of time this weekend to go look for it.

So yeah, it's something like that.

Is everyone recovering? Stupid question, I know, but they just pop right out of me. There's no real point in asking it anyway, when everyone recovers here, even if it isn't exactly how they wanted to. God, why can't I stop thinking about that?

On another note, Rose, would it be weird for me to say that I'm proud of you? Because I kind of am, in a way. I can't think of another word to use. We got off to a bumpy start, but in the end, the only real damage done was a few scorched jeans. And maybe what was my lucky pair of socks...

While we're focused on you, I wanted to let you know that while you may have won a few past competitions (You know the ones), I'm catching up to you when it comes to roommates. I know you've already met him but, I like to give you a reminder now and then. Got to keep you on your game, somehow.

Speaking of JD-- I met a lady friend of yours. Told her she's welcome to visit whenever she wants. She seemed nice, and her eyes didn't scream Satan when I looked into them, so I thought she could be trusted with the password.

Now onto more ramblings that have absolutely nothing to do with the above: This month is moving quick...just like the last two. I can't believe how time is just passing. Well--duh, what else would it do but, I'm not really getting enough to take it all in. You know, the changes in the weather, the holidays and the spirit of the season. Those sorts of things. But I guess it's hard to fall into those in a city that constantly distracts you from everything with a curse here and there. But what can we do?

I think I love you.