[Well, that solves that. From there, he doesn't take much time at all. He heads up to cliff place and sets down the can again only to knock at the door.
Once upon, he greets Cliff with a grin and the pan offered out.]
[Cliff's pretty pleased, too. He got to dodge TWO uncomfortable conversations by changing the subject today! Back in the groove. He accepts the pan, then uses it to gesture into the apartment, inviting Héctor in.]
I was able to borrow a bunch of stuff from Kai and them. Dunno if any of it's going to be good when we put boiled sugar on it or whatever, but I'm excited to find out.
[That's why there's significantly less theft. Still some theft. Like, they were cool with him using their replicator, but he got everything at a time no one was home and did his customary entry via window. He left using the door! He didn't mess with anything else! It's fine.]
You have no idea. [About the sharing. Can you believe Kaito has two hands???] Shinji and Kyoko are less cool about stuff, but that's just because they're nerds. They're "good", so of course they're okay with sharing food. They have a ton of upgrades, since at least the guys have been here for two years. Dunno about Kyoko.
[Totally fine. Not even theft. It's just... borrowing! Forever.
He snorts at Cliff's assessment of them.]
You sure they're not just picking on you? Kyoko saw me fight a worm and knows I'm a sinner and she still treats me just fine. [He's teasing, and his grin is evident of it. But, Kyoko has treated him remarkably kind considering. Maybe she doesn't realize he is also A Criminal.
[Hm, sucks to be all three of them, then, but at least they were happy togethet doing their thing, whatever the fuck it was. He doesn't get this incomplete triangle shit, man.]
I wish they were just picking on me. I think I almost got Kai in trouble...and Kyoko actually thought I was fourteen. Do I look fourteen?
[He's still incredulous.]
They're just, you know. Uptight, but in a nice way? Crazy to think this has all been going on that long, though.
[...Well. Three years is probably nothing to Héctor, at this point. But he did still track his age, so time mattered, right?]
They're the rule followers. I guess you and I don't mingle with those sorts much, huh? It's not bad though, no.
[He's less certain of what to say regarding how long it's been. He could easily see how it could roll on for longer, but he doesn't want to go out and say that. Instead;]
Time is weird on the crossroads, where other worlds meet.
[That's a good way to put it... He shrugs, not arguing. They weren't terrible at all, even if Héctor was right and it wasn't the type they usually hung out with. Well, Kevin was a rule follower, but that's different.
Nah, it just seems easier to say it that way. I can't just say my world or not mine, or the living and the dead. All that's messed up for me. The land of the dead is my world, as is plain old no-magic earth. And Hell, too, kind of has its hand in things, despite it being open to other worlds the way the land of the dead isn't.
[He tilts his head up as he recalls.]
I'd heard about worlds that crossed with other worlds while I was down there, people who'd been places like this. I always think of the old stories, you know? Magic, opportunity, new starts and chance meetings, ghosts and monsters... the devil himself... all on the crossroads. A place that isn't the final stop, but brings everything to meet all the same. So, since I've gotten here, I've been calling it that.
[He grunts in understanding in that vague, teen way that was more to let someone know you've heard than that you're listening. He does, though -- it does seem like a good name for it. He didn't look into the planar travel shit that Daybreak provided, so he can't say if there's a better term or not, while he busies himself with setting things aside and getting other things ready. He knows they're going to be boiling a fuckton of sugar, but how does one do that, actually... He leaves the space for Héctor to help set up how he wishes.]
Every time you think you get caught up, there's more stuff to learn. At least I'm not stuck behind a desk for it. There are definitely things that have sucked and I wouldn't want to do again, but it's easier to remember than if I was learning about it in school.
[Héctor peers over at what Cliff is doing, then takes the time to draw out a knife-- from a drawer, not his belt-- following up with the closet thing to a whisk, brush, or molinillo that he can see. All the while, he chatters.]
You're telling me. There's always more craziness around the corner-- We're gonna need a pot-- But you know, that might be something. I don't know how schools work these days but maybe you can seek out apprenticeship. Get out from the desk, put things to practice...
Yeah, we don't really do that anymore... Public school is just for keeping kids out of their parents' hair, teaching them not to speak unless spoken to, and shit you'll never actually use. Unless you can do sports. Then your high school life won't completely suck.
[Here's a pot, and a spoon? He doesn't know. Little pot holder. Cutting board. Nailing it.]
When I'm older, there will be more I can do, but...not much in Podunk to begin with.
[It sounds like a deeply unhappy time. He can't tell how much of that is Cliff and how much of that is just the way things actually are. Doesn't seem fair either way.]
Reminds me of lessons from the Sisters of the church.
[He says it ruefully. Rest their spirits, wherever they were.]
[Nuns... Terrifying, not the life for him. Not really the life for Héctor either, in his opinion. And then...
Hm. Cliff only really knew about disappointing one stand-in for a parent. What must Héctor have felt, thinking on them when he'd found himself labeled a sinner deserving of Hell? Even when you disagreed with them, even when you hated them, it...still hurt.]
...I don't know. That's not for a while, and there's a lot to make it even possible. I only just got into driver's ed before coming here. Kaito's teaching me to ride his motorbike a little bit, now. It'd probably be easier if I did leave, you know?
[There were a lot of people he'd imagined disappointed. But, by now, he's used to the thought of disappointing people.
He hums to what Cliff says.]
Easier... maybe. Could just be hard in another way though. [He'd know about that. But...] I wouldn't want you sticking around that rotten step-father of yours. But it's tough on your own too. You'd have to really weigh things and think about what you're looking for. And if you can still keep the rest of your family close somehow.
[Amazing that when someone knows intimate details about your life and generally cares for your wellbeing, they bring concerns about your situations present and future to you...
Well! He'll just swerve into a topic that...is slightly less uncomfortable? Maybe??]
Coco and I talked...a little. Sort of. She's not sure she'd want to move out of the house. I like Santa Cecilia a lot, but living with my in-laws isn't exactly my dream future. Maybe with the veil's down, we can get some teleportation thing set up so I could, you know. Have my own space, but not make Coco choose. And then I could visit Mom and Kevin really easily, too.
He listens to Cliff's idea, nodding slow, though his brows are furrowed.]
And she's alright with that?
[He asks as gently as he can. He doesn't want to judge the situation that works best for Cliff. But he wonders if Coco is happy with it. He doesn't even know if he could do such a thing if he were in the same shoes.]
No. [He says it quick, then again, softer.] No. I don't mean that. I wouldn't want her away from her family and, in truth, in having much similar shoes, I don't believe her real father would be able to let her go. [He smiles apologetically.]
It's only that... she'll wish you were there. But, at the same time, she wouldn't want you to be miserable. It would hurt her more to see that-- and that is not a suggestion to go hiding it. [He gives a pointed look.] No, I think the plan you have is the best one.
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Once upon, he greets Cliff with a grin and the pan offered out.]
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I was able to borrow a bunch of stuff from Kai and them. Dunno if any of it's going to be good when we put boiled sugar on it or whatever, but I'm excited to find out.
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I'd say you sound like a kid in a candy store but that just about is the case given the sugar. Nice of the lot of them to be willing to share.
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[That's why there's significantly less theft. Still some theft. Like, they were cool with him using their replicator, but he got everything at a time no one was home and did his customary entry via window. He left using the door! He didn't mess with anything else! It's fine.]
You have no idea. [About the sharing. Can you believe Kaito has two hands???] Shinji and Kyoko are less cool about stuff, but that's just because they're nerds. They're "good", so of course they're okay with sharing food. They have a ton of upgrades, since at least the guys have been here for two years. Dunno about Kyoko.
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He snorts at Cliff's assessment of them.]
You sure they're not just picking on you? Kyoko saw me fight a worm and knows I'm a sinner and she still treats me just fine. [He's teasing, and his grin is evident of it. But, Kyoko has treated him remarkably kind considering. Maybe she doesn't realize he is also A Criminal.
He adds, softer;]
It's been two years for her too.
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I wish they were just picking on me. I think I almost got Kai in trouble...and Kyoko actually thought I was fourteen. Do I look fourteen?
[He's still incredulous.]
They're just, you know. Uptight, but in a nice way? Crazy to think this has all been going on that long, though.
[...Well. Three years is probably nothing to Héctor, at this point. But he did still track his age, so time mattered, right?]
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[That's rough buddy.]
They're the rule followers. I guess you and I don't mingle with those sorts much, huh? It's not bad though, no.
[He's less certain of what to say regarding how long it's been. He could easily see how it could roll on for longer, but he doesn't want to go out and say that. Instead;]
Time is weird on the crossroads, where other worlds meet.
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[That's a good way to put it... He shrugs, not arguing. They weren't terrible at all, even if Héctor was right and it wasn't the type they usually hung out with. Well, Kevin was a rule follower, but that's different.
His head tips as he considers Héctor.]
Is that, like, the name for it? For real?
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Nah, it just seems easier to say it that way. I can't just say my world or not mine, or the living and the dead. All that's messed up for me. The land of the dead is my world, as is plain old no-magic earth. And Hell, too, kind of has its hand in things, despite it being open to other worlds the way the land of the dead isn't.
[He tilts his head up as he recalls.]
I'd heard about worlds that crossed with other worlds while I was down there, people who'd been places like this. I always think of the old stories, you know? Magic, opportunity, new starts and chance meetings, ghosts and monsters... the devil himself... all on the crossroads. A place that isn't the final stop, but brings everything to meet all the same. So, since I've gotten here, I've been calling it that.
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Every time you think you get caught up, there's more stuff to learn. At least I'm not stuck behind a desk for it. There are definitely things that have sucked and I wouldn't want to do again, but it's easier to remember than if I was learning about it in school.
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You're telling me. There's always more craziness around the corner-- We're gonna need a pot-- But you know, that might be something. I don't know how schools work these days but maybe you can seek out apprenticeship. Get out from the desk, put things to practice...
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Yeah, we don't really do that anymore... Public school is just for keeping kids out of their parents' hair, teaching them not to speak unless spoken to, and shit you'll never actually use. Unless you can do sports. Then your high school life won't completely suck.
[Here's a pot, and a spoon? He doesn't know. Little pot holder. Cutting board. Nailing it.]
When I'm older, there will be more I can do, but...not much in Podunk to begin with.
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Reminds me of lessons from the Sisters of the church.
[He says it ruefully. Rest their spirits, wherever they were.]
You thinking of going out in the world then?
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[Nuns... Terrifying, not the life for him. Not really the life for Héctor either, in his opinion. And then...
Hm. Cliff only really knew about disappointing one stand-in for a parent. What must Héctor have felt, thinking on them when he'd found himself labeled a sinner deserving of Hell? Even when you disagreed with them, even when you hated them, it...still hurt.]
...I don't know. That's not for a while, and there's a lot to make it even possible. I only just got into driver's ed before coming here. Kaito's teaching me to ride his motorbike a little bit, now. It'd probably be easier if I did leave, you know?
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[There were a lot of people he'd imagined disappointed. But, by now, he's used to the thought of disappointing people.
He hums to what Cliff says.]
Easier... maybe. Could just be hard in another way though. [He'd know about that. But...] I wouldn't want you sticking around that rotten step-father of yours. But it's tough on your own too. You'd have to really weigh things and think about what you're looking for. And if you can still keep the rest of your family close somehow.
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Well! He'll just swerve into a topic that...is slightly less uncomfortable? Maybe??]
Coco and I talked...a little. Sort of. She's not sure she'd want to move out of the house. I like Santa Cecilia a lot, but living with my in-laws isn't exactly my dream future. Maybe with the veil's down, we can get some teleportation thing set up so I could, you know. Have my own space, but not make Coco choose. And then I could visit Mom and Kevin really easily, too.
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He listens to Cliff's idea, nodding slow, though his brows are furrowed.]
And she's alright with that?
[He asks as gently as he can. He doesn't want to judge the situation that works best for Cliff. But he wonders if Coco is happy with it. He doesn't even know if he could do such a thing if he were in the same shoes.]
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It's the best I could come up with.
[But yeah, no. Probably not. He's not all that happy with it, either, even if it's the best compromise.]
I know that you all living together isn't a weird thing, and I liked visiting. Just... I don't know.
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Hey, it's what you need. If it works out for you two then that's all there is to it. I hope it goes well.
[He just worries for Coco too, that's all.]
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I can't ask her to leave her family. Even if we stayed close, it's -- I can't put that on her.
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It's only that... she'll wish you were there. But, at the same time, she wouldn't want you to be miserable. It would hurt her more to see that-- and that is not a suggestion to go hiding it. [He gives a pointed look.] No, I think the plan you have is the best one.