Daybreak | IC Inbox.

[awooligan]

CLIFFORD NORMAN
UN: REDRIDINGHOODIE

STATUS: grade 11

ACCOLADES: n/a.

BIO: name's cliff. let me know if you'll buy cigarettes and shit for me, we can work something out.

© TESSISAMESS

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[awooligan]

[Well, shit. He can’t exactly shift back now and have her see how hard he’s blushing both from her actions and her words. Instead he leans to get a little more space before resting his chin down.]

Don’t worry about it. I feel like I should be thanking you, anyway.

[He speaks, not like Tobias where the words were almost felt more than heard, but with his mouth the same as if he were human. He sounds the same, too.]

But, uh. Let’s maybe keep all that between us. I don’t want other people thinking they’re allowed to pet me, or something.

[Plus the whole, you know, not wanting people to know what he was thing.]

[kept_his_letters]

[It surprises her visibly when he speaks, just as plainly as when he was human too. But, to her credit, she rolls with it quickly.

Her smile warms a little.]

Alright. I promise. I guess that would get pretty annoying.

But I don't really know what you'd be thanking me for.

[awooligan]

[Annoying. Yeah, sure, that works. It's closer to his brand, anyway, and he could use the shred of dignity she offers when he's throwing away whatever he had before. He's already fragile and exposed, why the fuck not. He's getting to hide in different skin right now anyway.]

You make it okay to not be okay. Be me, even when I'd rather not be.

[And for being here now, even if he would have liked her in his life sooner. Things would have been better.]

[kept_his_letters]

[It's such an open statement from him, she finds it disarming, color springing to her cheeks. For a moment she's scared, in the way of holding something incredibly delicate and realizing how easily it could be crushed in clumsy fingers. But she's touched too. She wants to reach out and put her hand to his face again.]

I guess... maybe I needed it too.

... Can I sit up there with you?

[awooligan]

[Unbidden, his tail gently thumps twice against the cushion, relief and happiness settling over him like a warm blanket. It has been...such a weekend.

In response to her request, he pushes himself up to a sitting position and readjusts so he's not taking up the whole fucking couch with his stupid wolf self. Come on up, you good Coco Bean.]

[kept_his_letters]

[She presses her mouth and ducks her head, trying to hide that laugh that seeing his tail wag brings. She doesn't entirely succeed.

She climbs up from the floor and settles back onto the couch. Even like this, he's still taller. Unfair.

She looks at him for a long moment.]

You're free. No more jerk. And the world is changing too. It's going to be better.

[awooligan]

[When she doesn't say anything at first, he starts getting a little antsy -- it's the sort of moment where, if he were human, he'd be doing that picking at his shoes thing. His ears perk forward when she does finally speak, and even as a wolf he seems to have a bit of a grin and a happy spark in his eye. Yeah. He's free. Except from this rude, wonderful girl who dares to be amused by his involuntary idiot dog tail wags!!

Cliff opens his mouth, but turns his head back to the door of their room a second before it cracks open, though the one coming through had been trying to be quiet in his nervousness. Coco will get to see how instant of a flip it is when he shifts, just like a dial being turned on an eye exam to show the world in a slightly different way. Perception altered, and there he is with one leg hugged up against his chest and the other dangling over the side like he'd been that way all along.]

Kevin? What's up?

[The younger boy seems reluctant to leave the doorframe, but makes his way over to the couch to hold the back of the seat and rest his chin there.]

Hi, Coco. [Onto business, though.] You didn't come back...

[Not having Cliff nearby felt like a failure on his part, now, if the stress in his tone and eyes are any indication. Cliff frowns a little before reaching up and resting his hand on his brother's.]

Yeah, sorry. Uh, I was going to sleep out here tonight.

[Which of course doesn't help Kevin's displeasure with this whole situation.]

Why? Can't you stay with me?

[It might be an embarrassing thing to say in front of Cliff's cool lady friend, he's supposed to be too old for things like this, but Kevin hardly cares about that, after the time they've all had.]

Isn't it crowded enough with you and Mom? And Lalli and Coco make four to the room already. [An attempt at a tease to make all of this seem less scary, though the smile he gives is soft and reassuring.] Yeah, I can sit on the floor right next to the bed until you fall asleep. Of course.

[kept_his_letters]

[It's amazing, the way he just changes in the blink of an eye. It's not like the books or the movies. There's no pain, no transformation between. He simply is.

And then a younger boy is wandering out, taking their attention.]

Hola, Kevin.

[Her voice is quiet. She knows the greeting is just a formality. Kevin's focus is on Cliff.

She watches the exchange. She knows what needs to be done. It's just a matter of Cliff realizing it too.]

I was just telling Cliff he should use my bed. [She meets his eyes, a silent suggestion not to argue, even as she still speaks to Kevin.] You could both use it, and that way your Mamá will have more space to rest better.

Besides. [She pats the couch.] Then I can have the whole common room all to myself.

[awooligan]

[It’s a lot harder to argue when Kevin is looking at him, too —- despite Cliff being the werewolf, it was his brother that mastered the puppy dog eyes. Much as he wants Coco not to worry about it and stay safe and snug in a place she could call hers while away from home...there’s Kevin, who needs him. Or maybe it’s him that needs this more. Either way, he gives Coco an awkward but grateful smile as he relents.]

Thanks, Coco... [Oof. He’s too tired and sore for his heart to be doing this flip-floppy nonsense. He’s gonna bring out the best, softest blanket for her, gosh. She deserves it.]

[kept_his_letters]

[Kevin could use the support. He's got the hard fact to swallow that his father wasn't who he thought. She doesn't envy that. She sure he's worried about Cliff too. And Cliff, of course, needs his family.

And finally, he might actually let himself have them.

She smiles warmly up at him.]

De nada, Cliff. Buenas Noches.

[awooligan]

[It was technically already the next day, but it never feels that way when it's in that fuzzy section of time that, for most people, may as well not exist. Regardless, it's into the afternoon and Cliff is out in the common area having Tobias meet Kevin in person, or in hawk, or whatever. Watching them play games and generally feeling content with life now that he's been afforded more freedom.

Nora, on the other hand, is at one of the desks in the dorm room, typing out various emails in order to notify work, check in with her neighbors who would actually use email (and making a mental note to call the others later on, when it was a better time back in Oklahoma), get an update from Jay... Go over the sudden surge of expenses, which was well worth it but was another heavy reality to deal with. She sighs and covers her face a moment, but she just needs that moment of weakness before she pushes her chair back and smiles over to Coco.]

I'm sorry to have put you out like that last night, Coco. You're too kind. [And then she's too busy to even be polite...or nosy.] I could use some coffee -- would you like me to bring anything back for you?

[kept_his_letters]

[She would be exhausted, but unlike the others here, she doesn't actually have to attend classes. (On that note, she was missing so much school back home...) She can sleep in and still be alright.


She's back in her braids and going over her own notes when Nora speaks to her.]

Oh! No, gracias! I'm alright. [She wanted Atole. Or a good, real coca-cola. Not the weird wrong flavored sort. Alas.] But, you didn't put me out. You don't have to worry about it.

[awooligan]

[The mother gives her another warm smile before nodding, closing Cliff's laptop he's so graciously letting her borrow, and heading off to retrieve something hot, comforting, and bracing. She could use the boost for this. When she returns with a steaming mug, she looks a little less tired, but no less weary.]

You know, that was something Clifford would tell me a lot. Not to worry... But that's a mother's job. I feel like for all the worrying I did, it still wasn't enough.

[She's exhausted, she's sad, she's furious, but she manages to keep her voice from showing just how heavy all her emotions were.]

You two spoke for a while last night. [He didn't ignore the chance, or dismiss the subject quickly. He actually took the time to talk to her, whatever it was they talked about.] You must be a good friend to him. Thank you.

[kept_his_letters]

[She feels a pang of guilt for that. She hadn't meant to remind her of Clifford's deflections.

And then everything else... She feels the need to say something, to comfort her, but she doesn't get to before she's met with a thank you. She flushes a little and looks down. She rubs a hand over her arm.]

It's... really more than he helped me. He's been really kind. I don't know what I would've done without his help with things.

[A pause.]

I'm sorry. About... finding out. I'm glad you did. But... I know it's... probably hard.

He worries about you a lot. And Kevin. It wasn't that he wanted to keep you out. He wanted to protect you both. He just didn't get that he should be included, I think.

[awooligan]

That doesn't make you any less of a good friend to him.

[Ah, to be a teen. So sweet and awkward, the lot of them, and here this one is doing her best with this very adult subject and trying to make things a little...less.]

Parents don't want to be protected from things like this. We're the protectors -- I'd fight the devil himself for my sons. [There's a determination in her tone that suggests any devil would be hard pressed to win, for all she seems like a normal human. Suggests maybe she knows this to be fact.] The only reason Carl Hudson isn't sitting in a cell right now is because Cliff didn't want me calling the police. I gave him that so he'd let me at least take him to the hospital...

[kept_his_letters]

[Parents don't want to be protected. That much she knew. But, though she doesn't say it, sometimes they needed to be.

But she smiles a little because she doesn't doubt that it's true that Cliff's mother would fight for him. She could see Mamá saying the same.

But in quick time, she's back to worry.]

Was it really bad? I mean, it must have been...

Maybe you can get him in trouble later? I don't know. I magic were still a secret I'd suggest putting a hex in the mail. I'd probably help you.

[She shakes her head.]

But, you're definitely not going back. Right?

[awooligan]

[Your Mamá is gonna be pissed, Coco. Relieved and happy, but also pissed.

Nora mimics the girl with a shake of her head, though for her this time it’s clear how much she’s been hiding her ever-simmering anger. The depth of the bruises really spoke for themselves, but — ]

I come home to him with his hands around my son’s neck, and he tries to say he attacked him. As if even if that were true, it would make it okay for him to ever lay hands on my boy.

[Carl Hudson should be a dead man, but here we are.]

I’ve already let an officer know what’s happened. If that man’s dared to stay at my house through this, he won’t be for much longer. We’ll have to go back to Podunk, but no, sweetie. I’d never go back to someone who I know hurt either of my children.

[kept_his_letters]

[That's her secret, Cap, she's always pissed. But yes, she is a dead girl walking.

She winces all over again when it's put to words. She saw bruises, she had the image in her mind, but still.

By the end, she nods her head.]

Good.

[A pause.]


Um... I maybe lied before when you were on the computer. He didn't actually get in a fight trying to rescue me, exactly. He... he was actually helping to save the world. He got hurt by being a hero. It was really brave. And I wanted to tell you before but, you know, the whole world was supposed to be keeping a secret then. But, I just thought you should know that Cliff is good.

Also, I think if Cliff did attack... Cliff would've won.

[awooligan]

[Nora leans gently against the desk, chair creaking with the movement. The revelation doesn’t seem to be much of a surprise, just getting her to stare down into her mug with a weak uptick to the corners of her mouth — half a smile, have a grimace.]

It was the Herald fight, wasn’t it? You kids shouldn’t have to be anywhere near that sort of thing...

[Boy would there have been hell to pay if her son hadn’t made it back from that one. It makes an awful lot of sense, though. And she’d thought his problems had been so...normal, even when trusting the blame wasn’t solely on him.]

I don’t doubt it for a heartbeat. [Which makes it even sadder that Carl made it out of all that without so much as a scratch.] Even when he’s mad or talking back, he isn’t the sort to hurt people. I wish he wouldn’t have run away so often...but he would always come back and talk to me. I couldn’t really ask for much better, could I?

What about you? Do your parents need a glowing review of their daughter, to set old secrets straight again? I don’t know you well, but I can tell how much Cliff trusts you. I’d certainly repay the favor you’ve done for him.

[kept_his_letters]

[It was the sort of thing Mamá would say. It was why Mamá had been here so long. It doesn't seem a smart move to say that or bring up that she didn't really help.

It's nice to hear Cliff's mom speaking so warmly of him. After everything, more people should.

The brief smile that was there falls away. She answers too quickly.]

No!

[She flushes.]

Uh, I mean, it's fine. I'm okay. My parents aren't mad at me. [Yet.]

[awooligan]

[...Oh, honey. The look Nora gives is an odd mix of amusement, confusion, and exasperation. What is it with these two...! Well, it's probably one of the things that had bonded the two together, which was...sort of sweet, maybe, but still concerning.]

Rain check, then. Though I can't promise it will make them any more understanding on whatever it is you're doing. At least tell me the trouble you're up to isn't something that's going to get you or my son hurt?

[kept_his_letters]

[She tries not to wince. She imagines that, no, whatever Nora says isn't going to save her skin.

But it's the last part that puts ice in her heart. Her mouth opens, but she hesitates. She pauses way too long, looking down at the notes she's gathered.]

It's a project. A big one. I'm going to be asking some teachers for help, I think, once I figure it out. They'll make sure things go okay. I don't want to get Cliff hurt.

[But she doesn't know. She wonders if that's selfish.]

[awooligan]

[She really, really wants to be supportive........ Why is she making this so hard? She appreciates that Coco doesn't seem to want to lie to her, even if she's trying to be secretive. Nora leans in a little, sympathy and concern clear, but she doesn't press her on it for now. She may or may not be saving that conversation for Cliff.]

It's good you know to get help. We both know what it looks like to carry a burden on your own when you don't have to.

[kept_his_letters]

[She wishes she could. She wishes she could just say it. But Nora is a mother and she knows, or she's sure at least, that the first thing Nora will want to do is to try and contact her Mamá.

They would probably get along, but every part of his rescue would be ruined. Maybe once she finds Papá...]

Sí.

[She nods her head and goes quiet. She stays like that a moment, then-]

And, Kevin? Is he going to be okay? This is better but... I'm guessing he might still be sad.

[That man was his dad. And unlike with Cliff, Kevin would have been blindsided.]

[awooligan]

[Ah. Yeah. Kevin...]

I don't know. It can't be any other way, but that doesn't mean it's easy. I never would have thought, for all they argued... [Nora shakes her head regretfully. If Clifford had said something, she would have believed him of course, but since he hadn't...and if the sight wasn't stuck in her mind, it would never had occurred to her. Carl had always just been...protective, even when he fought with his rebellious teenager. Looking back, playing things over in her head, just thinking about what had seemed so obvious makes her feel sick.

Kevin was young, and didn't know a life without a father that had seemed nothing but fun and loving.] He knows what Carl did is inexcusable, and he loves Cliff...but he loved his dad, too. Loves. It shouldn't have to be complicated, but it will be. I can only hope he'll be okay, and talk to me when he isn't.