daybreakacademy | The sound of your voice, cuts through the noise, It's all that I hear, that I need the most

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The sound of your voice, cuts through the noise, It's all that I hear, that I need the most

Who: Héctor and you
What: Héctor and his daughter return
When: After the day of the dead, month of November
Where: The Inn of Atropos, Soliel, Daybreak Academy
Warning: N/A

A - Crossing the Bridge

He would have liked to simply stay in Mexico. It was hard to shake the fear that if he left, he'd never see it again. But, with the sun rising and others needing to return, travelling along with the others seemed the best choice. And besides, Coco was with him. That was more home than anything in the world.

His room at Daybreak Academy is gone by now, but he's alright with that. He and his girl are saying in the Inn of Atropos, courtesy of Maverick's mother and her not even protesting the fact that he's dead in the day. It's something Coco has to bear with and they've got a lot to talk about, but in those night hours she's awake with him and he couldn't be happier.

He's got a lot to sort out on his own-- apparently, the veil finally dissolved sometime while he was away. This means resisting as an existing member of society, for better and worse, and negotiating his undead status is something that he and everyone he talks to is having to navigate. Still, soon enough, he'll be home. He and Coco will both be home.

He doesn't hide his room address. At least not from friends. They're all informed on where to find him, if they wish to seek him out, and he can be occasionally found in the lobby as well. He's in a good mood, eager to chat.

B - Pestering the Celebrities

"No. Ha, no. No, thank you, no."

Héctor backs out onto the street with a sheepish grin. His hands are raised. Apparently, his newfound fans have found him.

Fame, he finds, doesn't suit him, but fame is what he's found himself with nevertheless after his performance with Coco on Día De Muertos. Some are new fans, some are old De La Cruz fans come around to him, and some are more curious about his undead status than anything else. He hasn't yet managed to change back to his living self, though his energy is gradually returning. He hopes, if it comes back fully, he'll be able to slip into his skin and return to some level of anonymity back home.

Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't willing to play for people. He can be found, later, playing at a fountain in the center of Soliel, where he once heard a girl named Maya Matlin play, not far from the gazebo where he played with Peter Parker. He experienced some terrible things in this town, but there were many wonders too.

C - Dept. of Reunions

He couldn't stay from the school forever. Besides needing to wrap a few things up; telling the higher faculty that he was sorry, but, he just couldn't help them cure blight any longer and then further resigning from a job that forgot he existed anyway. It occurs to him that, with everyone remembering him again, and his own new necromancer status, he might again be able to resurrect himself if they can find a way to rid his body of the poisons. But... that's something he'll table for now. It's something to talk over with his family.

Right now, he wants to focus on his friends, the people who saved him and others about.

"Hey," He says, hovering in the doorway with a grin. "Hope you didn't think you could avoid seeing me forever."

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[He can't help the raised, almost doubtful eyebrow. Handsome... Okay.

Héctor's assurance makes him wish he hadn't decided to put out the cigarette after all, but rather than show that he gives a weak shrug and a half-mumbled,] Coco doesn't like the smell.

[He has to wonder briefly if smelling is a thing Héctor can even do, regardless of what he'd think or if Cliff really cared what he'd think, but then he's going pink. She's talking about him? That's a good thing, right? Probably. Maybe a little worrying.]

Yeah. We're friends. [Yeah. Yep. Totally chill. Not at all floundering over having any kind of focus on him.] ...What, uh, is she saying?

[The raised brow makes him laugh. Rude, kid. But...]

Then you've saved me from being a very smelly skeleton and for that I owe you.

[The grin just lingers on.]

Don't worry. It's all good things.

You know? I'm a little envious of you. You've gotten to spend more time with her than I have in... years. These others, they came to help me or solve a mystery at least. But you? You went to help her. And you helped her a lot as I understand it.

[All good things... That doesn't tell him anything!! Cliff extends his legs out, crossing them at his ankles while he braces himself on the fountain's ledge with his hands. It didn't do much to make him feel very good, and Héctor's admission does quite the opposite, even if he suspects it's meant to be gratitude. He's careful not to let it show.]

It wasn't a big deal. It sounded like fun, and then it was just what friends do. She's helped me out a bunch, too. [More than he suspects she'd acknowledge or even know. Just her being around, accepting him, was more than he'd ever hoped for.] ...Besides, the idea of a dad coming back and not deserving a swift kick to the nuts? Had to see for myself if that was really possible.

[The poor kid is wired. But, he doesn't know what to do to help the boy relax. Maybe he can't.

That last comment gets something of a rueful noise, not quite a laugh.]

I'm not entirely sure I didn't deserve what was coming to me. But my Coco, she is forgiving. It's as wonderful as it is frightening.

[After all, he knows well what it is to be taken advantage of and then some. To think it could happen to her... the thought is hard to bear.]

But to say that helping her was not a big deal? I don't know about that.

My girl, she has been made to keep secrets for a long time. She has not gotten to be entirely herself for many years. Some of that is my fault. But then comes you, and for the first time, she has someone she can completely talk to. She makes many friends, but she has trouble with confidants. I would hate to take that from her.

[He smiles warmly on Cliff, then turns his gaze skyward, up to the stars. He missed stars.]

I have recently come into a lot of money. Having been a poor man, mostly homeless, for much of my life and unlife, I haven't much figured out what to do with it all. But, I had the thought, if it would interest you, no shame if you'd rather refuse, and of course, you'll need to speak to your family of it, but... well, I believe I would be able to afford tickets from time to time for plane trips. Again, only if it would interest you. And you don't have to decide now. I just want to put the offer out there.

I don't know. I saw her kick some dude pretty hard. I think she can handle herself more than you know.

[Oh, ouch. Right where his most tender feelings are, huh, Héctor? But this time, it is nice to hear -- that he could be for her what she was to him, and know that it really mattered was soothing. His fingers loosen their grip ever so slightly, but his eyes remain fixed on his shoes until Héctor's offer is out there in the open. Cliff looks startled, to say the least.]

What?

[His hearing's great, so there was no chance he'd misheard. It was just a baffling offer to make to some kid you don't even know.

...God, it's so tempting, though. He's already preparing for the sickening ache he's going to feel when she returns home, and grateful that it could start small with her just moving out of their shared room. He wants to accept on the basis of seeing her again, even though it felt like too much. He's pretty sure his mom is going to have the same conflicted feeling.]

Uh... Yeah, if you're serious, I'll...think about it. I guess.

[He probably couldn't stop himself from thinking about it if he tried, anyway.]

Her mom might not share the feeling. I'm not convinced she isn't going to appear and somehow ground me.

Did she? Ay, I'll have to tell her Mamá.

[The little ways his Coco took after Imelda. He was proud.

He nods his head when Cliff promises he'll give the offer some thought. And then he barks a laugh.]

Oh, we're very grounded, Coco and I. Imelda's rather cross with me that I didn't let the lot of everyone attack my killer and that she can't remember the man herself. But, it's better this way.

As for you, I think she'd be happy to know the effort you made in protecting her. Just, ah, maybe don't smoke in front of her. You know, standard mother things.

But really, mi amor, she's relieved to have her family together, I think. We were kind of hoping to resurrect me properly before all this but... well, I don't have to worry about the veil anymore and that takes a lot of the pressure off.

[Standard mother things, yeah. Cliff smiles crookedly and gives a shrug that's meant to mean no problem, I know that game. He's no stranger to hiding things from his own mom, even though she left the door open for him time and time again, and had proven that she wasn't going to slam it shut and leave him on the outside. Feels kinda bad, but also just feels like the thing to do.

Skeleton things, and not worrying about the Veil... He wishes he could relate more. Well, maybe not to the skeleton things. Just not feeling the pressure of keeping things a secret, even if his is self-imposed more than anything. Time to veer off that track.]

How come you didn't? Going back to the "letting everyone attack him" thing. [Not that Cliff had been one of the ones on that particular train. He doesn't sound like he's making a judgment, simply curious, even as he continues,] He killed you. He tried killing Coco.

Ah...

[His smile slips, turning to something solemn, then hardening briefly at the mention of what was nearly done to Coco. He needs a moment to draw breath, for the sake of steadying himself alone.]

That man was... my best friend growing up. I know him very well. And I know, more than anything, this will be what hurts him most.

I did not let him go out of mercy. I know the feeling of having to run and run and keep running. I know how it will wear him down. I know he will be alone through it all. And I know that being a total unknown will wound him most of all. One day, it will be too much and he will have to face whatever comes for him. Not to mention, whatever it is he paid to gain such a power in the first place. Contracts always have a price.

Besides. We were all on live television. I do not need my real friends to be charged with murder.

[It's the he will be alone through it all that both hurts and comforts Cliff, who thinks on his own situation. He realizes it's the sort of thing that matters more to him, as much as he'd rather it not, and even Héctor, than it does to the man that had caused all this pain. Maybe it mattered less to Carl. He doesn't know. It isn't something he should worry about anyway, because like so much of it, it wasn't really a big deal. Whether or not Carl had to run like Héctor's murderer -- and he probably wouldn't have to, the system didn't give a shit, especially with kids that mess up like him, and who could have defended himself if he actually tried -- it was all over.

He leans forward and stretches his arms out to touch his toes, holding there to give himself something to do more than anything.]

I guess either way, you don't really have to think about him hurting your family anymore. You're free. No more jerk.

[And the world is changing too. It's going to be better.

She was smart, that Coco. Hopefully she's right about all this, too.]

[He suspects it will always be a controversial choice. There will be loved ones who will disagree with him. But he's alright with that, and for exactly the reason that Cliff says. It's over. He's free.]

I am.

[The smile comes back, so very tired, but happy.]

It's a nice feeling. It's not perfect. There's... I've got a lot to heal. And my family has to look at it and face it every day... but dios... I've waited so long to rest. And I finally can. Free.

[His eyes close a moment, simply feeling the air and the joy in his heart.]

[He's quiet, and he doesn't nod, but he doesn't think he could understand and agree more. Being a reminder to your loved ones of all the things you want to work on forgetting... Mm. It's familiar. Shit, he wasn't expecting any of this when he just went out for a damn walk, and now here he is trying to hold it together. His legs come back in again, propped on the edge with his arms crossed on his knees.]

Do you know when you're leaving? [Getting home had been the goal for so long.]

[His eyes open again to the stars. He thinks for a moment.]

Sometime this month would be nice. If I can get home before December, I won't have the same jitters that something is going to go wrong. And then I can spend the holidays at home. Finally.

But, at the very latest, before the New Year. I've got to fill out a lot of forms to say "I'm alive, sort of" to get back into society and also the whole... transferring of music deals and things... but once that's done, we'll be heading off.

[That's soon. Too soon, even if he knows he's lucky to have had Coco there with him as long as he had already -- lucky for meeting her at all.]

You can't do all that from home?

[Your question contradicts your thoughts there, Cliff.

He shrugs.]

I can probably handle the music stuff back home, even if they're trying to clean up the PR disaster now. The legal stuff, eh, not so much. I've got to clear my name on a couple of things, say it was just me trying to follow with the veil laws and I'm not some dangerous criminal. Then I gotta secure a passport... Best case, my best friend here's a lawyer and can help me sort out the legal stuff and worst case I have another friend here who can secure me the best fake I.D.s friendship alone can buy.

[He flashes a grin.]

[It's fine. Totally fine. Don't worry about it.

He's gonna go ahead and gloss over the fact that he knows a fair bit about all those crimes, too. Better to return the grin and gently raise an eyebrow]

Yeah? Don't suppose you could hook a guy up. Nothing crazy, just a couple years fudged.

[He snorts and turns a wry look on Cliff.]

I'm afraid that, as your teachers, the people I've got in mind cannot help you.

[Hint hint.]

[Way to be a buzzkill on his diversion from Feelings, man.]

Not even going to bother putting in a good word for someone who helped and protected your daughter? Damn. Guess it's back to tracking down an adult that's cool with buying me stuff.

[If Héctor revokes his offer of plane tickets, then Clifford no longer has to give himself a hundred headaches over it.]

[He laughs.]

Who could have imagined a father and a dead man would resist helping you out there! It must be such a betrayal!

[Kid, he isn't revoking a thing.]

You are not the first one at this school who's tried that trick with me. Not even the second.

It's not like you're my dad.

[Which is good. For many reasons.

...But also now that he stops to think about it, getting Héctor specifically to help him get alcohol and cigarettes would be...weird. 'Hello, daughter's best friend, have some beer! See you over spring break!'

Yeah, that'd happen.]

-- Oh. Um. Speaking of drinks. [This is the worst segue? Whatever.] I couldn't find anything here, so I had to look on Amazon... Can you make sure I'm looking at the right stuff for Atole? If it's wrong, then it's like what was even the point? [Ah... Well.] I guess soon she can have it whenever she wants, anyway... Never mind. That's stupid.

[He just gives Cliff a real amused look for that. Somewhere out there this boy's family is hanging about and besides his own reasons, he's not going to bring their deserved wrath upon him.

He tilts his head a little as the topic is changed. It takes a moment but it clicks soon enough in place. His whole expression shifts right back into that terrible fond warmth.]

You're looking for masa flour. Maseca. Then you want a bit of piloncillo. Doesn't have to be the pillar kind. You might find that here, the french do love cuisine so I imagine someone's got sugarcane. Chop that up small so it's powdery and blends better. Regular old vanilla and milk will do the rest. You won't find a molinillo so make sure you've got a solid stirring stick instead. She loves the gesture more than anything else. You can't go wrong. I promise.

[Mmmm, he says that, but Cliff still isn't so sure!! Especially since even if that sounds like it lines up with one of the recipes he managed to find online -- one of the few that didn't make substitutes for everything because that's just what white women who write cooking blogs do -- he's worrying over committing Héctor's words to memory. Sounds like an awful lot that can go wrong, dude!

aughhhh... ]

Man, I don't know. The gesture can only go so far if it sucks.

[He knows the gesture will be everything even if it does suck. But still, he asks;]

Do you want help?

[He asks oh-so-carefully so it doesn't sound like an insult.]

I can manage the time if you're uncertain. You'd just have to let me into the dorm.

[His lips flatten into a thin line for a moment while he stubbornly turns his options over in his mind, but he makes his face neutrally blank again soon enough. Not bothered. He's had plenty of practice at it, just like getting his tone back to a disaffected teen.]

It's not something to bother you over. You've got all those forms you have to work on to get home. Then she gets the real thing, so...

Cliff. Kid.

[If he knew the boy better, he might reach out. Instead, he keeps his tone soft.]

Her friendship with you is a real thing. Don't shoot it down aiming for yourself.

Besides. My little girl is more important than any form. I'd be happy to help. I couldn't do it alone anyway without someone to taste test.

[If he knew the boy better, he'd know reaching out was a bad idea anyway. Things are awkward, but for the best.]

Jeez, it's not like I'm saying I don't think I'm her friend. [Way too much that they've gone through together in such a short time to get into, not that he's feeling inclined.] We both know that the sooner she gets to be home and have her whole family together, the sooner she gets what she's been wishing for. That's all.

[but mmmmm...!]

I guess it can't take that long... Right?

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