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[myriadeclipse]

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Home of Mockingbird and the voice in his head

Mockingbird

Please forgive me for missing your message. I'll be right with you.

The Other Me

He isn't that sorry.

Mockingbird

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[paraselenic]

[...Well, the positives of this are that Hugo's at least speaking about it. No matter how unhinged it sounds. The cork in the effervescent bottle that was Hugo Vlad was coming undone, and was starting to overflow.

As Hugo lays out his true feelings about his family, Lycaon's hands began doing just that--laying each bowl out with the things he knew Hugo liked closer to him. His arms had a further reach, it wasn't an issue.]

I wont deny your father was an abhorrent excuse for a living being, let alone a parent. Your siblings were also complicit in how they treated you. [He wants to make that known. At a baseline, he did agree with him.] But the hammer of judgment was not yours to swing. No one person should have that power--lest you think yourself a god.

[It's not until that last part that he looks back up at Hugo, his red eye softening.]

Then who am I looking at?

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo could at least smile at that. Despite adversity, they agreed on one thing. Lycaon couldn't understand the depths of what happened in that house, or the parts of his life he kept to himself every evening he came back to Mockingbird. One thing was a step. It was more than they had before.

Looking down at the dishes, he reached out a hand, taking up a pair of chopsticks and adjusting them in his grip. He stuck the end of them in one of the side dishes, pushing the food around.

Who was left? ]

The spirit of death told me I wasn't supposed to perish there. [ Hugo said in French, picking up something with his chopsticks to stare at instead of Lycaon. ] So now there are rules I must abide by, less my body be taken by his will.

[ He wasn't planning to admit this to anyone. When it came to Lycaon, it still felt so natural to tell him whatever was necessary to his own care. Hugo hated Lycaon, but it would feel wrong if he didn't at least know that. ]

[paraselenic]

[Once the dishes were all laid out, Lycaon took to his own chopsticks--as always they looked comically undersized in his larger hands, and it was hard to hide his slight pout as he slide his fingers further back to at least allow some wiggle room.

Taking a bowl for himself, he stared at it as his ears swiveled in Hugo's direction, picking up that slip into French.

What he heard come out of Hugo's lips was beyond insane...had he not just had a crash course in what was a series of truth bombs. It's perhaps the only thing that keeps him from reacting with anything more than widened eyes.]

Your soul was bound to a god of death. [His French is a lot less refined, and a little awkward. It's been quite some time he's had to pull this out for anything other than an order at the bar.] That does explain some things. [His scent changing, for starters.] What are these rules?

[If there's one thing Lycaon has learned in this conversation, as much of a rollercoaster as it was, it's that Hugo wanted someone to believe him. And maybe it was time he actually started.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo breathed out slowly with a sigh, looking from the food to Lycaon. Although he meant to answer, He was stopped by the way the man looked across from him. It had been so long that he had forgotten Lycaon's ability to make normal things look miniscule. The smile that crossed his face was unintentionally.

What a mess. Much like the wolfman's French. ]

Lots of flowers, normally. They're offerings for the dead I must give out semi-regularly. The restraint rule is truly the messy one. He greatly dislikes restraints. Far too traumatic for him. They're manageable normally. It puts quite a damper on any... let's say... spicy bedroom activities.

[ Yet with his work as mockingbird, it puts the second rule in constant jeopardy. Hugo's expression was calm. ]

And then, after dealing with that, you yelled at me.

[paraselenic]

[Those were...less morbid than he was imagining. Forgive him, Thanatos, he assumed too much. A smile crosses his lips a bit thinking those both over.]

This god of death is a bit poetic. Offerings to the dead is a beautiful gesture if I may say so. [And as for the second one.] Though it's tragic for the complications in your sex life. [He's not sad lmao]

[He does have the same thought as Hugo, however. Being caught as Mockingbird...that sure would be the end of it there. Hm.]

All you had to say was "I didn't do it".

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo wasn't surprised they came back to this conversation. Reaching into a dish that sat closer to Lycaon's side of the table, He picked up a sliver of garlic and placed it down in the one directly in front of Lycaon, going back to the other dish to specifically steal a sausage on Lycaon's side and carry it back to his. Spoils. ]

I shouldn't have to ask my own partner to believe me. I wouldn't have done that to you.

[ Truly, he should have looked at the menu before this. It was only good manners to know what you want so you weren't holding people up. American waitstaff were always hovering about like pixies. He had forgotten how different things were done.

It was just easier to let Lycaon handle it, he thought to himself, despite the bitter taste it left if his mouth. It had barely been an hour, and he's somehow already lost to this control freak. ]

That brings us back to the eternal quarrel. The part that's important to you and the one that's important to me are different.

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon's ears flattened watching Hugo purposely pick the garlic out and put it on his dish. Garlic was something they both weren't particularly fond of, and yet he always annoyingly put it there. It'd be nostalgic if it wasn't so..

And then his eye looks to see that Hugo stole his sausage too. The nerve! He'd kick Hugo if his legs weren't now made of metal (though its still tempting), so he'll opt for his tail swatting under the table against his legs.]

You were standing in- [Oh, the waitress is back again. He's usually so much better about this. Hugo's presence had a way of capturing his whole attention, as much as he hated that fact. Taking the menu, he politely orders with her, choosing the foods they both enjoyed, though he deftly does make sure they err more on the side of Hugo's favourites.

This was his treat after all.

Once she's gone again, he breathes out, picking up his chopsticks again.]

That is the simplistic view of it. I have a feeling that if you had your way, you'd love to argue with me about this for hours.

[myriadeclipse]

[ Another uncharacteristic sound came out of him from the unexpected tail swatting. Instead of covering the squeak his voice made, he reached under the table to try and grab his tail again. Perhaps he deserved the retaliation, but that didn't mean he had to accept it.

Hugo was still reaching under the table and batting at Lycaon's tail when the waitress returned, Hugo slowly sitting up straight once more as if the sight of him reaching under the table wasn't questionable. He would remain quiet while Lycaon ordered as he expected, Hugo deciding to just look at her with one of those put-on flirtatious smiles as he thanked her as she fled.

The short break in their antics was broken by Lycaon's heaved breath, Hugo kicking one of his crossed legs at the tail and then finally leaving it alone. What were they talking about again? Aah, that's right. The same thing they always talk about. ]

You sound as if you think I'm incapable of being tired of this. We've already drawn several crowds, both on and off the network.

I'm willing to come to an agreement if that is what you're getting at. We both have work that shouldn't be interrupted by ... us.

[paraselenic]

[It was truly amazing how much they regressed to bickering teenagers when around each other. Not that either of them would admit it.

Lycaon waited until the waitress took her leave, taking advantage of Hugo's momentary distracted gaze as he slips the entire bowl of the spinach onto his dish. He knew he'd get caught, and only offers a cheeky little wink of payback before leaning back again.]

I do think a part of you is fueled by it, yes. ...I'm well aware that my initial reaction to you sparked...discussion. [Ugh.]

...You're willing to compromise, then. [His tone suggest he's interested.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo scoffed, looking at the spinach that was pawned off on him. Was that proper of something of Lycaon's 'station' to be so childish? And yet, Hugo couldn't help but feel smug about the man's degradation of character.

Acting as if he isn't phased, He picks his chopsticks up again to pick up a bit of the spinach and put it in his mouth. ]

I'm willing to decide what we're going to do so everyone stops thinking we're in some sort of relationship that doesn't exist. It's beneficial to us both to figure at least that out.

If there's anything else you want to come to an agreement over, now is the time.

[ Lycaon was treating, so Hugo was obligated to stay as long as their tempers remained calm. Essentially yes, however, he was willing to compromise. He was unwilling to use the word compromise. It sounded too much like giving in to Lycaon, and he was not doing that. ]

[paraselenic]

[The way Lycaon sees it, he's technically off duty. And Zulius would probably get a kick out of seeing him break his gentlemanly act. His boss was practically beaming when he tried to barter PTO to not embarrass him in front of Hugo. He's NEVER telling Hugo about that.

He pauses a moment, as the meat has come, and he makes room on the table for it to be set before he starts laying the short ribs and bulgogi on the grill in front of them.]

I've tried to dispel the rumors, but it's only made them more convinced of the fact. [It's not like his own complicated feelings towards Hugo helped, either.] So I'm willing to hear any ideas you have.

However, there is something I'd like to address before we dive into these terms.

[He sets his chopsticks down, staring at the meat as if it'd give him the courage he was looking for to do this, and puts a hand to his chest.]

You spoke hypothetically regarding your involvement in that room that night. I can't deny that if I were to replay that scene from our past, I would make the same decision if you had not explained yourself. I've accepted that fact as a part of myself.

[A swallow.]

After hearing everything you told me, I want to say that I believe you.

And I'm sorry. I misjudged you.

[He'd told Hugo what he'd do if it was his error, but it's been on his mind since the whole spirit of death conversation.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Why.

The fight between them that changed the course of his life, the act that Hugo refuses even now to confirm or deny if he did. Its resolution was an apology over a sizzling grill in the middle of Nowhere, USA. After all of this time and the endless pain it put Hugo though, mere hypotheticals were enough to help Lycaon see reason?

The resolution he wanted to badly back in those days, and it comes now, when Hugo had accepted that this would be their normal. His posture didn't change, even if the mask hiding his emotions slipped from his face, Hugo's stunned, hurt glare apparent on his features. ]

That's ... all I've ever wanted to hear from you.

[ His voice was low, tapping his fingers against his chair where it was propped on the back of the booth. What the apology couldn't do was erase time or the bitter taste of abandonment that clung to him like a curse.

If Lycaon was going to apologize, Hugo could swallow his pride as well. ]

I... didn't kill anyone in that room. I thought about it, but I couldn't follow through. Your thoughts about me were obvious, and maybe it would have served you and Jack right if I truly had. That stupid oath stopped me because I cared...

[ The words faded out, Hugo turning his head away. He wouldn't say it. Compromising didn't mean he had to spare care for someone who abandoned him so easily. ]

Anyway. Now that it's addressed, what next?

[paraselenic]

[If you think about it, Hugo, a sizzling grill in the middle of the USA is a lot less stressful a place than a room covered in blood. As for the mere hypotheticals...If Hugo needed his belief to truly tell him what happened, then that's what he'd do.

After all, this was about fooling him with lies, it sure was an overly emotional attempt.]

Don't prove my faith in you wrong.

[Too late, too easy, and too little for the damage that'd been caused. He knew that, but he figured it should go on record. Whatever Hugo did with it was his business, whether it was throw it in the trash or embrace it as yet another fractured but persisting part of their lives. He'd accept either.

But Hugo might feel the soft swish of his tail underneath that table, its slight wagging unable to be hidden as it softly beats against his legs.]

That makes me happy to hear, that your morals won out in the end. Growing up I was told that instinct is our first thought, but our second is our moral compass.

[Which brings him to the next point.] I have eternal gratitude to Jack for teaching me how to speak and taking me in as a pup. However, I don't think he was infallible. I said no one should wield the hammer of judgment, and that applies to him, too.

[Things you only piece together lying awake at night, insomnia preventing you from the escape of sleep. It always left a bad taste in his mouth how Jack had said to choke Hugo if it came to it. Maybe that's why he couldn't do it in the end. But like Hugo said, it was time to move on. That reaction was more than he could've ever bargained for, anyway.]

We were discussing our acquaintances treating us like a...what's the term. 'Bickering couple.'

[myriadeclipse]

[ There was a lot he could say. It was easy to tell that they both had fears and worries associated with that time, and for various reasons they both were slow to come to terms with it. For Hugo, he expected to be madder. Lycaon should have been more mad at his supposed betrayer. Hugo should have been colder and less accepting of the other's presence. Instead, they sat across from one another with a meal in front of them, talking it over as if it were some small matter.

Maybe it was the ease in which such a situation was occurring that made it feel too easy. But maybe. Maybe it was nice to understand that Lycaon wasn't just saying the words to placate him. There was honesty in his body language that was hard to ignore.

And his tail. He's going to be covered in fur, and it's going to be this mutt's fault! ]

Right. . . I didn't think something like that would come up with such a vengeance. Personally, I don't see it. It should have been enough to say we worked together in the past or that we merely 'knew each other a long time ago'.

It must be something you're saying.

[paraselenic]

[There's something to be said for pain that's festered so long that you cannot comprehend the idea of it healing. It would take time, but time was what they had now that the air had been cleared between them. All that was left was the grilling meat before them, and whatever steps they took next.

Speaking of, Lycaon took to serving the first batch of meat, putting some on Hugo's dish first before his own. Hugo needed to raise his iron levels first, so he made sure to give him a sizeable piece to start.

No sooner had he finished putting more meat on the grill than Hugo makes that statement, and his eyebrow furrows, unable to keep down an indignant snort.]

I have not indulged anyone about my past since I started working in this city, for obvious reasons. [A hand gestures in Hugo's general direction.] They are fans of gossip, however, so I suppose your presence was like a drop of blood in an ocean of sharks.

[He bites that piece of meat clean in two, fangs truly working their magic.]

My emotional reaction [And the whole scent tracking thing] is likely why they cling to the notion. Though the idea of us in a romantic partnership is rather... [He trails off. How does he put this eloquently.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo starts to pick at his food with the introduction of the meat. Now he could put some of the side dishes together with it to look somewhat normal and less like some weird picky guy who hates vegetables. Taking the compiled meat and vegetables, he puts it in his mouth before he can comment on anything that's being spoken.

His expression flattened, looking at Lycaon over that comment. What about him was so bad to mention? It wasn't as if anyone was asking him to admit he was a criminal. They had a rapport with one another that wasn't purely steeped in criminal activity. Was it still so horrible that he couldn't mention it even in casual conversation? It didn't even need to be extensive!

Although, he can't deny his presence was worth talking about.

Lycaon speaks further, and it stops Hugo from taking another bite of his meat, his mismatched eyes looking up to peer across the table at the wolfman and his clear offense.]

Is rather? Is rather what, Lycaon? Are you admitting you have no romantic sense? I'm curious as to how you were planning to end that statement.

[paraselenic]

[Look, it's because they're gossip girls that he didn't say anything. He did you a favour, thank you.

If you must know, he doesn't shut up about you now to the point that a young Christian man is now convinced they had hobbies(tm). How's that?]

It's...it's nothing. [There's a small chuckle under his ever-present growl in his voice] And my romantic sense is working perfectly fine, thank you. It's yours I'm worried about.

[Lycaon chews on his words (and that meat) for a moment, elegantly swallowing before his lips curl into a smile.]

You're... [He gives a soft hum.] You're quite high-maintenance.

[Anyone who dated this man would return him in a week. To who? Lycaon himself. Wait why did he think 'himself'. Erase that last thought.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo freezes, his stare still on Lycaon. ]

... What?

[ This was how the villain scene of a play usually starts. After the grave insult to their character, the audience is pulled into their inner world, where they monologue and sing about their deep hatred for the high and mighty hero. Hugo, however, just imagined throwing the dish of peppers at Lycaon and moved a more sociably acceptable way of showing his disagreement with this; Turning it into an argument.

Putting his chopsticks down, Hugo curls his hand against his chest, his face spreading into a smile that was more manic than comforting. ]

I beg. Your pardon? I'm the one that's high maintenance? Me? Not the man who has to alphabetize the dishes and organize the position of every item in the kitchen before he can be satisfied?

Compared to you, I'm far easier to be in a relationship with.

[ Not that he would know. Lycaon doesn't know that, nor does he NEED to! ]

[paraselenic]

...You're serious.

[It's like the air surrounding the booth dropped a good ten degrees since Lycaon made that statement. Not that he notices with his resistance to cold, but Hugo's theatre mask smile and body language are enough to tell him.

Even more so when his own habits are brought into question. His ears flick indignantly as his own chopsticks are set on the napkin beside him, fingers threading between themselves as his elbows rest on the table.

Staring Hugo down in challenge.]

Please tell me the fault in having organization skills. I'd be over the moon to hear them.

You tricked me into saying asinine phrases when learning French, and always asked me to carry you when you didn't want to run anymore. I'm practically a suitor in comparison to you.

[This got personal!]

[myriadeclipse]

The problem is when it takes hours to accomplish, or you decide to 'organize' something, and it's hardly seen against without knowledge of your system.

[ They were both locked in, and the simmering argument was only growing. He could go on about the over correctness of organization or how Lycaon could be controlling. Due to having allowed Lycaon to do as he pleased with dinner already because Hugo couldn't be bothered to fight him over it, It would have been poor to mention it while actively benefitting from it.

So instead of move to even more personal insults! Hugo's eyes grow wider and then narrow. ]

Everyone does that when teaching someone a language. It's not abnormal to want to have fun with someone. You are the one who can never understand a joke. Also, the monologues were necessary. How were we supposed to make sure the evils of the world understood our manifesto if we didn't tell them? I painstakingly put that declaration together, you know.

The carrying situation was far more complex than merely not wanting to run, and you know it. Plus, your stamina is far outstrips mine. [ He can already feel the disturbance in the force over this statement. ] It's far easier to let you take care of the things you're good at so I can strike when my moment comes.

In conclusion, I have my doubts.

[paraselenic]

I told you the system multiple times, but every time I explained it, I'd catch you browsing a magazine.

[His control was to counteract the chaos of the man before him. How couldn't he make sure that this man functioned properly, or got what he needed. He'd laid out what Hugo liked anyway, so clearly it was for the best that he did. Don't read into this, it means nothing.]

If I'm not mistaken, the bare minimum for a joke is that it needs to be funny. [A keen eye can practically see his fur fluff up at that. It's not that he was embarrassed.] And your scripts were overly complex. You were always one who lived by the rule of using ten words when one will do. I told you to trim it down, but it had to be so...verbose.

[He pauses, though, letting one of those hands drift to his mouth.] Well. I never said I minded. I do have more stamina than you, it's true. [A million voices suddenly cried out in...terror? joy? laughter?] But you'd expect your partner to do that, wouldn't you?

So I too have my doubts.

[myriadeclipse]

I was listening. It's called multitasking.

[ After Lycaon left, he had to learn how to do everything by himself. The cleaning, the organizing, the shopping, and everything in between. If he hadn't run into Lycaon, his plans for the night were going to be alcohol and regret. Now he was being forced to eat and face what still lingered between them.

He was being fed, but at what cost? ]

I tried to help to practice time and time again. I invested my time and effort into helping you through whatever problems you were having with the dialogue. My painstaking effort to give you the intimidating air you deserved was thrown to the wayside because you refused to remember your lines.

[ He could hear the quiet part. Of course, he could. Those huge elf ears weren't for nothing. Will he comment on it? Of course not. ]

I wouldn't expect that of my partner. Everyone has different things they're good at, and I can't expect everyone to have your inhuman level of stamina.

[ He also wouldn't expect that of a partner due to his abandonment complex, seeing that he just hadn't had one since his last one broke up with him. Another tidbit to not bring up. ]

I suppose the only way to settle something like this is to see it in action. Putting your money where your mouth is, as they say.

[paraselenic]

[As if proving Hugo's entire point, Lycaon shuffled a few more pieces his way before taking his own. He wasn't the only one who was going to return to his home that night hungover from emotional overload. He'd call out of work the next day to process it, if it wouldn't send Zulius into red alert status.

And yet it's the lightest his heart's felt in awhile, despite how foggy his head is.]

I could swear you changed a few words around to trip me up. I still believe that to this day. [He knew Hugo's favourite prank victim was him.] But I'm proof now that I can be both well spoken and intimidating.

[But that's when his posture straightens, listening to what Hugo is proposing. A slight glint flickers in his red eye.]

A wager. You want to place bets on your ability to keep a relationship? Hugo, you don't usually make bets with the odds so stacked against you. [He feels like he's practically got this in the bag.]

I hope you don't make this future romantic partner of yours carry you. [That's his job anyway I mean what.]

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo would think personally going to work after all of this is a form of social masochism, but if that's what Lycaon's into, he won't stop him. Far be it from to limit his potential to the gossip worse. ]

The only time I changed thing were for the sake of flow or a better idea came to me. It wasn't against you, it was for of you.

[ He even made sure Lycaon could say it in multiple languages as the situation required. Who else would devote so much time to preparation to the social dalliances that happened before and after a heist. This didn't mean he didn't prank him. Sometimes getting your friend to say something in a language they didn't know was the peak of comedy. Lycaon just had no sense of humor. ]

Say what you want now. I will be the one on top in the end.

[ ...Nope, there was no saving that one. He already said it. ]

I would pose you also take part, but I know how unfun you are. In that case, tell me what rules or regulations I'm working with.

[paraselenic]

For what it was worth, I liked your first ideas more.

[That small whisper escapes his lips again. He was perhaps a bit more simple-minded back then, but the first pass of those little speeches were a lot more raw, with a lot more passion.]

But we'll see who tops in the end. I'm not afraid of a challenge. [Can you two listen to yourselves for one second.]

[But regarding their wager, Lycaon's tail thumps in thought.]

Hm. Alright. Here are my terms.

[Lycaon sets his plate to the side, making sure to keep an eye on the meat that was still grilling. An arm folds across his chest while the other reaches up to his chin, ears flicking idly.]

This will be approximately two weeks. And I encourage you to be upfront with the person you choose.

One, you cannot pay this person you are to date. You are dating, not selling your body.

Two, you may gift this person as normal, but it cannot be above a total of $25 per day. Remember, you are to imagine you are quite early in your dating life. Lavish gifts so early in can make you appear desperate. I will give leniency if you are cooking a meal or making a homemade gift, though you've never been one for arts and crafts.

Three, you cannot buy anything in advance to make yourself more appealing. What I mean is, you cannot buy any new hair oils, cologne, clothes, or accessories that may aid you. You must be as you are.

Four, you cannot make a deal, threaten, persuade, or ignore your date under the table as a shortcut for the reward. You are to play this fairly.

Five, you must be the one to break the relationship off at the end of the duration. Should the date break up with you, no matter how early into this challenge, it is seen as forfeit. Even if you reach the two week period and your date ends this, it still counts as a loss. The only exception is that if this ends in...true love.

[Lycaon tries his very hardest to say that last part with a straight face. He nods, satisfied with that as he looks back up. After all, it wasn't that he felt Hugo couldn't charm his way into a relationship. But the other person has to put up with his personality.]

I believe that covers it. Now...in the unlikely event you succeed, tell me what you want as a reward.