Zenless Catch All

[destinetmalediction]

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[quicksilverwings]

That figures. Can't blame them for it, not like they really could get it.

[... He's not going to say it out loud but something feels off to him about Jack's vibes. For all the man presents himself as kind and understanding...]

It's kind of why I haven't said anything about it. Better to just let them think I'm paranoid.

[destinetmalediction]

Mm, understandable. I think Lycaon can probably tell there's more to it, he's alarmingly perceptive like that, but he won't press. And of course, there's Jack.

[quicksilverwings]

Yeah, if either of them could come close to clocking it, it's probably Lycaon.

[Lycaon's seen how Ciar keeps a knife close at hand even when he sleeps.

He does glance over at the mention of Jack, though.]

[destinetmalediction]

...do you not trust Jack?

[He knows that look.]

[quicksilverwings]

[He tenses up at the question, looking a bit like a deer in headlights, which is honestly answer enough.

He hesitates, suddenly fearful. Shit, shit, shit, will Hugo turn on him if he's honest about this--]

[destinetmalediction]

[Ah. Hugo shakes his head, voice soft.]

Don't worry, I don't care if you do or not...except if I know, then I can maybe cover for you a little better, just in case.

[quicksilverwings]

[That reassurance, at least, gets Ciar to relax a little. He's not completely sure if he believes it, but... maybe it wouldn't hurt to trust Hugo a little? He understands Ciar's mindset the best, after all...

He sighs.]

... I don't trust Jack at all, no. I don't know why, but there's something about him that just... sets off alarm bells in my head.

[Something about how he specifically seems to favor Lycaon definitely doesn't sit right with Ciar.]

[destinetmalediction]

What do the bells say?

[Because Hugo gets that feeling, even if he doesn't have it with Jack.]

[quicksilverwings]

A lot. "Don't trust him with info about who you're related to" is the big, obvious thing. But even kind of innocuous stuff like "he's definitely playing favorites" is being turned into a reason to be wary.

[Although now that he's said it out loud, he's kind of wondering if he's reading into things too much or if Hugo's noticed too.

Plus, in Ciar's eyes, the potential favoritism is also a reason to be wary of Lycaon--given his own observations, at least. He's willing to admit he might be reading too much into it, but relatively unquestioning obedience is scary, no matter how you look at it.

... Still, saying it out loud like this makes him wonder if he really is just paranoid.]

[destinetmalediction]

[Hugo doesn't respond right away, thinking and turning that over. Ciar...isn't entirely wrong, is the thing.]

You...you might have a point, with the favorites. He does tend to favor Lyacon, though I always assumed that was because he's know Lyacon longer.

[And if Ciar doesn't want to trust him with who he's related to, Hugo cannot blame him.]

[quicksilverwings]

I mean... it could be that. It's not like I can say for sure that it isn't.

[And even if Ciar personally doesn't want to give Jack the benefit of the doubt, he'll at least concede this much for Hugo's sake.]

I'm sure that's probably fine, I'm just... used to seeing favoritism being a bad thing for everyone, even the favorite.

[He's sure Hugo understands.]

[destinetmalediction]

...you're not wrong.

[God.]

Oftentimes especially the favorite.

[quicksilverwings]

[Sympathetic wince.]

Yeah, exactly. You get it. [He gets quiet.] I always managed to escape the worst of things back with the Drakes, but... sometimes I wasn't as beneath notice as I'd hope.

[destinetmalediction]

The Drakes...

[He's vaguely familiar with the name.]

In the Ravenlocks, you're never beneath notice. Unfortunately.

[quicksilverwings]

[Another wince. Yeah, that's a name he knows.]

My sympathies. [A beat.] Please know I'm saying this with the most astonished admiration I can muster: you are incredibly well-adjusted for growing up around the Ravenlocks.

[destinetmalediction]

Oh, only because I am a very good actor and learned rather quickly that most people take the sort of bullshit you grow up with as a Ravenlock very poorly.

[quicksilverwings]

[A snort.]

Okay, fair enough. I, uh, can imagine that was quite the adjustment period. Still, though... you're actually pretty nice.

[He pauses.]

N-not that I thought you weren't or anything! Just... I guess I was a little surprised you reached out. You and Lycaon seem so close, I just... figured my existence would be kind of an afterthought, especially with how I was keeping my distance.

[destinetmalediction]

Oh. No--I mean, Lycaon is my best friend [and maybe crush he's not thinking about that] but we were wondering about you. I just suggested we give you space and time to adjust.

[quicksilverwings]

[You don't have to think about that crush, Hugo, Ciar can see it written on your face. He can also see it's probably mutual.

He considers mentioning how he's felt like he's been third-wheeling but decides against it.]

Mm. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee or anything, but I did feel a little iced out, even if it wasn't intentional. [It's not accusatory or anything, at least.] And I do appreciate getting the time and space, just... yeah.

[destinetmalediction]

Yeah. Well, you're more than welcome to come find me. I promise I'm not attached to Lycaon's hip.

[quicksilverwings]

[He giggles a little and nods.]

Trust me, I definitely will. [He playfully nudges Hugo a bit.] You're the first person I've met who also likes my favorite author, after all! We've got a fair bit to talk about~

[Common ground with Hugo helps, at least. He still absolutely does not trust Jack and he's wary of Lycaon, but Ciar relaxes, just a little.

He does start talking to Lycaon a bit more, but Hugo's the one he's most attached to, and the one whose company he seeks out.

They end up talking about books a lot, in fact, and it inspires Ciar to finally take up something he's thought about doing: writing. Fanfic, mostly, but he's had a few ideas for an original project that he keeps picking at. He only shares with Hugo, but that's fine with him.

And if nothing else, it gives him something to do when he shouldn't be moving around much. Like now, with the recent sprained ankle. He's supposed to keep off of it, so that's just more time he can use to write.

He pauses when he hears someone about to come in, though.]

[destinetmalediction]

[It's Hugo, with lunch he picked up from a nearby burger place all three of the teens tend to like.]

Surprise.

[quicksilverwings]

[Ciar perks up, setting his notebook aside.]

Have I mentioned you're my favorite? Because you're my favorite.

[destinetmalediction]

I try~ It just doesn't seem fair that we can get it whenever, but you're stuck here, so for however long it takes for you to heal, I will happily deliver you burgers. But only burgers, noodles don't travel as well.

[Hugo heads over, finding a spot to set the bag down and ducking out to get Ciar a plate or something so he can set his food out.]

Oh, I got you a soda as well!

[quicksilverwings]

Noodles can be the "Ciar's recovered from this stupid-ass sprain" celebration.

[He carefully moves so he can sit up properly to eat.]

Thank you!