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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[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.

[He gives another shrug and stuffs his hands in his pockets.]

Yeah. I mean, I wasn’t planning on sneaking around. Just wanted to have some fun.

[But he lets himself fall a little behind, arm out to get Kai to linger there with him so he can give him a look of vague confusion. Fellow teens not indulging and all was fine, even if he didn’t see how that was any fun at all, but how the heck is Kai getting away with things when he lives with them!!!! Is Cliff getting him in trouble? That’s what he’s all trying to silently communicate before following Shinji into the kitchen, anyway.]

[ The only person who could get Kai in trouble was Kai--but whether that trouble was brewing remained to be seen. True, the biggest source of Disapproval was still waiting to be faced down, but at least she was in a good mood right now.

Good news everybody, the soup was fine!! It was simmering gently, while Kyoko hummed tunelessly and chopped cabbage into a fine chiffonade. Shinji comes in first, so he's the first to be greeted with a bright grin. ]

I was just thinking, should we add another side dish? There's still time to make a quick one.

[Cliff's look was met with a little shake of his head and a shrug. It was fine! Things were fine. Don't worry about it, bro. It was true, Kai was the only one that could get Kai in trouble, and there wasn't much he needed to get away with anyway.

Welcome to the good smell zone though. Not too far behind Shinji, Kai grinned a bit over his shoulder.]

Getting extra ambitious, huh?

[Sorry for being kind of a stick in the mud about this thing in particular, Cliff, he's not trying to spoil your fun on purpose.

He slips into the kitchen quickly, making a beeline for the cupboards in order to retrieve a pair of glasses and pass them back to the pair of boys following him. They're all yours, both of you get yourselves something to drink. Following that, he reaches for the apron he has stashed away in the kitchen - ] Something extra would be good, since we have company. [Gotta make sure nobody's going hungry tonight!] I can take care of that.

[On one hand, it already sounded like a lot of food to him. On the other? He's a teenager, which are notorious for having bottomless stomachs, in a home of other (presumably) teenagers. More food wouldn't be a bad idea, actually. Plus, meta text was correct: this was absolutely the good smell zone. Sometimes he really, really resents the fact that his nose is sharper than any human's, but right now? Oh, this is the smell of comfort.]

Uh. [He holds his glass lamely, unsure.] Do you need...help?

[Like, he should probably offer, right? He can't really cook, but he can follow instructions. It's the polite thing to do, after dropping in unexpectedly.]

Oh, before I forget -- [Something that actually takes precedence over Alcohol Quest.] You guys have an upgraded food replicator, right? There's something mine can't make, so I wondered if I could check yours. I might have to borrow a spare kabocha, if it works.

[ There was also the very important consideration of leftovers to shove into their guest's hands before he left. Just so many reasons to make an abundance of food tonight! ]

You're fine! [ Kyoko quickly calls over her shoulder to Cliff, because he is! As a guest, he should just be making himself comfortable! Shouldn't Kaito be entertaining him right now or something? Before she can suggest it though, she has to turn back to Shinji. ] --Oh, I didn't mean to make you do it! Just something simple, right? Simple.

[ Turning quickly back to Cliff again. ]

Oh, that's fine! Kaito, you'll help him find it, right?

[ It might be necessary since, besides the usual additions that come automatically with an upgraded replicator, they have a slew of extras to wade through. ]

On it. We were gonna get some drinks anyway.

[Let him be your replicator navigator, Cliff. He gestured over to the counter with his glass (that he had thanked Shinji for, thank you). On the way, he leaned over to quietly murmur:] Don't worry about helping too much, they're not gonna let you lift a finger.

[He still had to muscle his way in to help half the time. No way was a guest gonna do anything, unexpected or otherwise. Beep boop let's get that replicator going though.]

What were you looking for?

[Ah, sweet. He nods in understanding and not-so-secret relief at being told he won't have to do anything. Again, he can and maybe should, but he doesn't want to. He leans to watch Kaito work, anticipation uneasily setting in his gut. Would it even work... Well, it makes sake apparently, so maybe it's fine with specifics!]

Piloncillo... It's a kind of sugar they use in Mexico. Masa flour would be great, too.

[It's Kai's turn to look relieved at the immediate follow up on whatever the heck that word was. It wasn't going to stop him from quietly mouthing 'pilon..see..yo?' to himself as he poked at the interface though.]

The pi... the sugar might be somethin' we gotta add. Think it might have the flour though, just synthetic? Were you gonna make a pie too?

[The sugar list was indeed a bit short, but the flours were looking promising. Some fresh fake flour was going to be yours.]

[Yeah... That's what he was afraid of...]

Uh, I don't think so... [He doesn't know enough about cooking -- or science, frankly -- to be Super Sure, but,] It's a flour made of corn, but isn't actually the corn flour I grew up knowing about. Another Mexican cooking thing.

[Cliff gives a weak shrug of one shoulder, looking away like he's already lost interest.]

Don't worry about it. I should probably buy that stuff myself instead of thinking cigarettes make sense to get. Is it expensive to add things to it?

[Cliff got a little glance, the "you sure?" plain on Kai's face. There was no reason to push it, but he'd maybe keep those things in mind anyway since:]

Nah, they're pretty cheap. It works on the basic replicators too, we had a bunch of stuff at our other place that kinda carried over. You can get meals too, see. [Let him show you his omurice button. It has saved the day many times.]

A little handier than cigarettes, depending on how much your cravings are screaming.

[It's not a big deal, he just wants the stuff!!! So, obviously, it does not matter. It's fine.]

Huh.

[whatever omurice is, ANYWAY the replicator stuff is very strange but kind of neat in a sci-fi way. Even if the basic ones aren't ideal for a teen like him whose dinner-related duty was usually to clear the dishes after.]

It's just not seeming like they're worth it, when they don't last long and it's even harder to get more here than it was back home. It's not like I'm addicted or anything anyway, I just like it.

[His irritation when he ran out was just a normal reaction, another day of this place sucking, mhm, that's all.]

Speaking of which -- the sake?

[With a glance over to Kyoko. They're supposed to make sure she knows for some reason, and that just now counted, right?]

Mmm, I getcha.

[Why he'd never sprung for them himself, honestly. Well, that and not needing to spend time wasting his days away anymore. There were a lot of better things to fill that time with suddenly.]

Right. [Kai more blatantly leaned back to look at his busybodies, fingertips hovering over more options.]

Did either of you want something to drink? Juice or anything? We were gonna give the sake a try.

Huh?

[ That first noise was mostly absent, but then the rhythm of Kyoko's knife on the cutting board stopped. A beat, and then she looked over her shoulder, squinting. ]

Huh?? Kaito... [ Her tone was somewhere between incredulous and scolding. ] He's fourteen, you know.

[WOAH, HEY]

I'm sixteen.

[ Turning around, she pointed at Cliff, but didn't break eye contact with Kaito. ]

See, even if he lies he can't claim he isn't a minor. It's too obvious. Did you really miss that?

[ She knows Kai isn't the most socialized dog, but come on! ]

Edited 2021-11-21 07:36 (UTC)

[KYOKO]

What the -- I'm not lying! What are you talking about?!

[IS THIS A JOKE???]

[ That level of indignation actually did make her pause and reconsider. The hand that pointed went up to her mouth, her eyes going round for a moment as she looked at Cliff. ]

You're--?! For real?

[ Honest to god she thought he was just a tall middle schooler. It was plausible okay. Americans are tall!! ]

[They're tall! There was en extremely high chance that Cliff was the tallest person in the room right now!! With those big American bones. Still, even tall he didn't look any younger than Shinji! What is happening.

Kai just blinked as this exchange took place. Sixteen, fourteen, didn't make much a difference to him.]

I started before fourteen? He already drinks anyway.

[Good grief what is happening here??

Shinji's already relented, so he's not about to try and put a stop to this plan, and truthfully he's not sure if he should be saying anything right now, but there's just so much information being put out here that he can't help but send a somewhat shocked look into the fray. Kai you started drinking before fourteen?? What???]

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