hugtopia_logs | 'no' is the saddest experience you'll ever know.

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'no' is the saddest experience you'll ever know.

♥ Who: Cliff Norman and whoever wants to put up with him.
♥ Where: various.
♥ When: Early November.
♥ What: A sad wolf is a bad wolf.
♥ Warnings: Cursing, Hell content in Héctor thread naturally.

[ one - the loneliest number. teen house. ]

[He doesn't know why he hasn't taken Kaito up on his offer before, especially since he's made a point to walk by his house a couple times to check on it or make sure it existed in the first place. The damage done by the worms isn’t enough to take out the place or make it unsafe, thankfully -- and it even leaves the task of quietly getting inside through a window even easier! Not that he couldn't use some difficulty as a good distraction from feelings he's trying very hard to ignore. Before he goes to climb inside, he makes a quick pass to see if the garden is likewise a survivor from October’s big wormy mess.

And then he's in a home that isn't his. It's weirdly soothing for someone that never relished the idea of spending time in his own home growing up, even if it's far from the window he'd really like to be climbing through. Nothing to do about that...and at least here he could feel vaguely welcome. Both Kaito and Shinji had invited him in the past! It's fine. Cliff is several steps across the room and listening for signs of anyone else being around before he calls,]

Hellooo? Anyone home?

[...decidedly not from the front door.]

[ two - just as bad as one. héctor. ]

[hahahahahahaaa fuck everything about this. He honestly hadn't meant to avoid Héctor all month, but with the worm drama on top of his dumb tender feelings, there hasn't been a good time. That's what he's choosing to tell himself so that he doesn't get frustrated all over again thinking about all the thinking he's had to do.

In the end, Héctor is still Héctor, whether he's the one Cliff knew or not. He knew he wasn't the same and had plenty of reason for that. What mattered most right now was that they were both, more or less, doing okay -- something Clifford had been able to be sure of without getting too close, thankfully, because of his nose.

Now he's getting close. So close, in fact, that he's right at the door and scratching at it with his claws, full wolf. He's...fairly confident that Héctor would be the one to answer any call to the door in this household, from what little experience he's had with Nekane, but if not? He's leaning into the anxious hope that one of the things shared in this -- bleh -- marriage is not the fact that Cliff is a big dumb werewolf.]

[ three - dog night. open. ]

[The scariest part of the worm attack, surprisingly, was not the worms. It was that moment he went to become the wolf and felt like there were hooks on the inside holding him together, refusing to let him change without a fight. He'd fallen to the ground in agony that only lightened when he finally stopped trying to shift and let that part of himself go. Cliff didn't flaunt the fact that he was a werewolf -- basically, anyway -- but not being allowed it, even on his own? Terrifying. He'd barely managed to get his head back on straight enough to shuffle citizens and helpers back towards the safety of the town center, and had been grasping at any chance to help defend.

It's still screwing him up a little, but Cliff’s making the most of getting himself back, going around the city as a red, juvenile wolf watching life get back to normal and honing in on interesting sights and smells.

Of course, the boy in the red hoodie with eyes like an animal can be found wandering as well. Usually out running at any odd hour or stuck behind a counter doing his best to act like someone who knew how to be polite.]

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[OH GOOD, someone he recognizes! He's instantly grinning as Kai comes into view, body language relaxing from his confusion before anything is even explained -- largely because thank god, he doesn't have to explain what happening.]

Yo.

[He doesn't know Kaito that well, but what time they have spent together has made him feel...normal. It's a large part of why he decided to come on by after all.

What makes things weird again, however, is learning wolfgirl's name. That's Kyoko? ...He stares at her for a beat longer than necessary, then sticks his hands in his pockets and rearranges his thoughts to match -- he's allowed to know her, but... Man. What had been discussed online, and what did he know from running around the city? Good thing they hadn't sat around chatting much when he was a wolf.]

Hey. We met online, I think. I was gonna come by earlier, but shit happened. [Like dumb feelings, body swaps, and worms.]

[What's all the commotion? Even with all the worm nonsense being over, Shinji's still pretty keyed up about anything Unusual happening, but once the terse and accusatory tones die down and the more cordial chatter starts up, it's clear that there's no actual threat here. Here he comes, peekin' over Kaito's shoulder to see what exactly is up.]

Oh, Cliff...! [Hello! It's good to see you!] When did you get here?

[Oh! Even better!!]

What, you mean this welcome wagon isn't special for me?

[He glances past Shinji, wondering if there's anyone else that's suddenly going to appear. At this point, it wouldn't surprise him.]

Just now. [With a careless gesture back to the window.]

[ Cliff...? While all this explanation fell on her ears, Kyoko had stayed stuck on her loading screen as she searched her memory for that name. It wasn't until now that she came back to life, eyes going wide as she pointed at him again. ]

Oh! Oh!!!

[ Social Butterfly Project! ]

You! [ What was that gesture towards the window? Nevermind, don't overthink it right now. More importantly: ] I didn't know you'd be coming! [ She twisted to give quick glances to the boys behind her. ] --Hey, we should make more for dinner then, right?? [ Swiveling back to Cliff without waiting for them to answer. ] --Is there anything you can't eat?

The wagon's all yours.

[There was only one other person to come rolling in to the scene, and that was the orange with googly eyes rolling around past their feet and down the hallway to a different room. Hi Bug. Bye Bug. There was no time for fruit insect introductions, and it seemed like there didn't need to be that many people ones either. How about that!

Kai glanced at the window and chuckled. Yeah that seemed right, and so did the prospect of getting more dinner going. Kyoko swerved the questions back to Cliff, but Kai still nodded his approval with a 'mhmm.']

[Bye, Bug........

He's only distracted by the orange for a moment, because when food is mentioned he focuses back in on Kyoko. He doesn't seem surprised or made awkward by the offer -- assumption, really. He hadn't been expecting it, and yet of course he's staying for dinner! Of course they're feeding him! Cliff is well on his way to owning the space he's intruded on so suddenly.]

Nah. What's on the menu?

[he knows it won't be barbecue but god he hopes it's barbecue]

[ It's just obvious that he would be here for dinner? Is there something else people invite each other to their houses for?? It all seems very natural to Kyoko, even the part where Kaito neglected to mention anyone was joining them tonight, jeez. But it's fine! Of course they're feeding him!!! ]

Tonkatsu! [ There's the tiniest pause as Kyoko takes in Cliff in all his natural ginger, definitely not Japanese, glory, and then she decides to clarify.] Fried pork cutlets, I mean. With kabocha soup! And then you can join us in our kabocha pie studies too.

[what the hell is -- oh good she's telling him.]

Holy shit. [His eyes are lit up -- only metaphorically, this time. What an excellent day to drop by rand9mly! He's gotta do that more often, unless it turns out they suck at cooking.] That sounds amazing. I for sure am staying.

[ Kyoko beams at that extremely correct response. ]

Shinji always fries the tonkatsu really well~! [ She claps a mitted hand to her cheek, ready to continue doling out praise, but then she gasps, eyes going wide with horror!! ] --But I! Left the soup bubbling a minute ago! It's gonna boil oveEER--!

[ Time to turn around and dash into the kitchen. Bye. ]

[Oh! There she goes! Far too quickly for Shinji to tell her to cut it out with the praise! Shinji looks a little embarrassed in the aftermath, but does his best to brush it off as he turns back to address Cliff once more, a simmer of excitement in his expression as he does.]

You picked a really good day to drop by, you'll be able to give us a more exert opinion on if the kabocha pie ended up anything like a pumpkin pie.

[Oh, bye Kyoko. Kai had to scoot a bit out of her way, looking after her with an amused look before the boys had his attention again.]

Anything like a... Oh, is there actually a reason for all the pies? [He looked at Cliff and gestured at Shinji and the space where Kyoko had been.] They've been making so many pies.

[Meat! Meat! Meat!! God, he's so happy. And pie! He's not surprised to see his anticipation reflected back on him by Shinji, but the fact that he's being included even slightly in the reason for that rising excitement is unexpected. He's pleased to hear it. If he wasn't already smiling, that would have gotten him.

...Though the idea that they've been making so many pies has him a little worried about how much expertise is going to be needed here. He only knows what pie tastes like, not how to make it.]

It's something to do with all those kabocha. Besides, who doesn't like pie? [a lot of people don't like pie, cliff] Sounds like I missed some experimenting. If it was going to make me sick, you'd warn me, right?

[Meat!!!

But gosh have they really made that many pies? Maybe it's kind of a lot, but they were experimenting! And, yeah, it's a good way to use up a lot of those squashes. Please don't be too concerned about how many attempts they may have made, it's fine, nothing they make has been wasted yet.]

Kyoko's baking is excellent, and I think if anyone was going to get sick off of any experiments, it would have been at the start. [None of the residents here are so bad in the kitchen that they'd offer someone a dangerous meal.] You should be just as safe as anyone else here is.

[It's a lot of pies when compared to how many pies were being made before the Squashinging. (Not that many!)

Kai nodded, looking exceedingly pleased because he was very proud of his hardworking people.] I had those first ones, and they were also delicious. Shinji and Kyoko are both great, so you're in for a real treat. Don't listen to a word either of them say if they try to deny it.

You want anything to drink?

Can do. I'm told I suck at listening, anyway.

[Wolf boy wants treat!!! Wolf boy is going to get treat, yay. Wolf boy is...going to see how many treats he can sneak out of this unannounced visit.]

Got any beer?

[bad dog.]

[What a bold request, but who would expect anything else from the kid who just climbed in through the window with zero notice.]

We don't, [he answers with as straight of a face and as little distaste on his tongue as he can manage,] there are a bunch of other options, though.

[Especially with a nice, souped-up replicator like they have.]

Mm, yeah, we've got some calpico and natchan though. Fruity stuff.

[Though.]

Oh, but we've got sake if you're feelin' adventurous.

[Rats... Not that he expected anything different, really. Even if they did have some here, why would they waste it on a random rude minor like him? He opens his mouth to say he doesn't have a clue what either of those are -- please have mercy on this small town Okie redhead -- but Kai's last comment makes it not matter.]

I'm always feeling adventurous.

[And now he can't keep that mild disapproval out of his voice:]

We use that for cooking, Kai. Are you sure that's a good idea?

[Kai's grin widened for a bit-- but it tempered slightly as he glanced at Shinji. Ah, hm. Was he in trouble?]

Don't see why not. Finding out if its cooking grade s'just part of the adventure.

[Because none of them had actually... drank it. Whoop!]

[He glances between the two, keeping quiet because he's not an idiot and he can sense there's some tension there. Again, not surprising. Hm.

Come on, Kai. You can win this one. For him!!]

[It probably helps Cliff's side of things that Shinji's actually a gigantic pushover in basically every circumstance. Is he really going to make a scene over something something like this? With his boyfriend? In front of company? Absolutely not.

He's not thrilled about it, but,] I... guess? [He's far from the most stubborn square in this house, after all. Convincing Shinji is easy mode.] There are plenty of other options if it doesn't work out, though.

[Welcome to the first time Kai's easy-going delinquency has ever been at the forefront, Cliff. Kai made a mental note about checking in on Shinji about it all later. For now, he can compromise. He didn't actually want to get banished to the couch or anything.]

Totally. We'll just give it a try and then I'll make him try some calpico. [He glanced back at Cliff.] How about it?

[A little alcohol was still more than zero alcohol, right?]

[It's not the ideal ending he'd like to see, but he returns Kai's glance with a shrug and silently agrees: a little alcohol was still more than zero alcohol. Maybe it'd be so gross he didn't even want to put up with it just to get to a buzz. A guy can dream.]

Sure.

[Shinji's also banking on the 'too gross to deal with' angle, but if Cliff already has enough of a taste for beer to ask for it in the first place, then... who knows, really? Everyone is dreaming here tonight, but nobody is going in the doghouse. He can live with this compromise.]

Just make sure you let Kyoko know what you're up to, too. [That would be an awfully rude surprise to spring on her. Either way, they'll have to go to the kitchen to fetch that beverage, so Shinji beckons them in that direction.] This way.

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