clementine navarro, 21.
werewolf, dude
the wind scatters it; the dew dampens it with time, even the white petals will witherwithout remembering they were once transparent
Everybody leaves you in the end. Ever think it's because you're not worth sticking around for?
I know it's because I'm not worth sticking around for <3 You don't think I don't already know that <3 Do you think I don't realize that I'm good for nothing and that the only thing I have going for me is the fact that I got bit, and now I barely have that, because I can't
It doesn't matter, I don't know anyone who cares only about whether or not they're wanted. Sounds like total losers to me.
[pm] No. It's like, a regular van, I think? And it plays the song. There's either real dogs or hot dogs in it, and we don't know which. I was hoping hot dogs, but then I realized Jade could probably be like, talking about real dogs, so it could be either now. [...] What if it's both?
Wow, usually the vans are trying to spy on people, never heard of trying to spy on a van. What'd it do to you?
Also, you need to stop doing this, Clementine Clem [...] It's SO MUCH like "Clam". Anyway, more information. Please. You can't just say "a van" and "a song". You need to give people like a shred of fucking' anything to go off of. Also, context. I need so much context.
No, you don't get it. It's like, there's a wienermobile, right? It's either hot dogs or like, real dogs, and me and Jade want to figure it out. We gotta figure it out, you know? So if you see it, lmk <3
There's literally nothing alike in those two words??? Hello??? Um. Well, if you KNEW about it, you'd know exactly what I was talking about, so?????????
SUMMARY: Clem & Wren meet up for a little hang out session and get to know each other a bit more, all while getting ready to spend Eden's money. Yay!
CONTENT WARNINGS: none!
It was hard for Wren to do the whole friend thing. Mostly because she didn’t know how to be a friend. Her relationships had practically gone up in smoke the moment she attacked some other sirens in her colony before fleeing. She couldn’t handle anyone else looking at her like she was a monster when she didn’t even remember what she had done, but Clem? It felt different. It felt like she could actually talk to her—despite her stumbling over her own tendencies to accidentally reveal weird aspects of her being a siren then backtracking. Wren wasn’t good at being a friend, she definitely wasn’t good at being a human, but she wanted to be for her new friend.
Standing outside Periwinkle Paints, Wren clutched her sketchbook and her new paints against her chest. She waved at the seagulls atop the roof with a cheerful little smile, turning back around and practically perking up the second she saw Clem. “Clem!” She called happily, resisting the urge to outright skip toward where her friend was approaching. “Hi, thanks for hanging out with me! I know we like—we talked about movies and I figured like—well—” She was rambling. She totally knew this. She couldn’t stop it, but she was trying. “—um, sorry. I get rambly when I’m nervous, but yeah! We can like… hang out then maybe movies? Or just walk! Whatever you want.” She finished with a shy, tentative smile.
—
Clem wasn’t really that surprised when Wren asked her to hang out again. They’d gotten along well enough, and while Clem’s life wasn’t brimming over with friendships, the one that she’d managed to forge with Wren was one that she felt like keeping up with, at the very least. It wasn’t a long walk from where she’d parked to the paint shop. She smelled her before she saw her, and while that could be considered strange to some, it was something that was a core part of her relationship with those around her. Now, she just really knew when people needed to shower.
Except, Wren smelled nice. Citrus and vanilla created a trail for her to follow, and Clem smiled at Wren. “Oh, totally!” She wasn’t used to people stumbling over their words with her, so this was new. “Nervous?” Clem blinked, unsure why any part of Wren could be nervous about hanging out with her. “Oh, because like, being outside?” That had to be it. She got it, sometimes, too. The thrum of anxiety in her throat, how it pooled, creating bile that made her chest burn. “I was thinking like, a movie at my apartment, maybe? But we can get some snacks or something, if you want? Then head back?” She jutted a thumb behind her, to a place that was further than Wren could see, “I parked like, way over there.” She smiled at Wren. “Maybe we can get some sushi or something. You know, a callback or whatever.”
—
At least Clem made it easy for Wren to not feel totally out of her depth with how easygoing she seemed to be. “Uh—yeah! Yeah. Outside just… has a lot of people. People in general make me nervous.” She babbled out, taking the out where she could get it. It’s not like it was a lie. People did very much make her nervous. Everyone made her nervous, but especially people she wanted to befriend, like Clem. Or at least befriend further? She didn’t know. Clem just made her nervous in a way that Wren hadn’t really ever felt before. A different nervousness that she couldn’t put a name on so she didn’t look at it too closely.
Nodding her head eagerly, Wren finally gave into the urge to skip a little to come to a bouncing stop beside Clem. “Yes! Yes, that sounds so fun. I love fish.” She hugged the sketchbook a bit tighter to her chest and laughed a little. “Hopefully Jeremy is having a terrible day.” She chirped with a little smile she shot in Clem’s direction. She started to walk toward where Clem gestured that she had parked. “I took my brother’s credit card so like—we can go crazy if we want. He won’t even notice. He’s a money spender like that.” She snorted.
—
“Oh, I totally get that.” Clem wasn’t a very nervous person by nature, but some people did just naturally make her more on edge, especially now with the whole werewolf thing being taken into account. “Is it like, bad to say you don’t need to be nervous around me? Like, feel what you feel, you know? But we’re totally cool.” She offered a warm smile to Wren, and it reached her eyes. She liked it when people liked her, despite the facade she often threw up. (Something, something, defense mechanism.) (Fuck, Nova was right–) “Plus, we like, robbed The Codfather together, technically, so like… legally, am I allowed to make you nervous?”
She looked to the sketchbook that Wren was clutching, making a mental note to ask her more about it later. Clem knew that sometimes, people didn’t like sharing their art; that it was a personal thing meant for their eyes only. She wondered if Wren was like that. “Fuck Jeremy, for real.” She wished she’d figured out what car he’d been driving, she would’ve egged it or something, or written something across the window in lipstick. (Not that she wore lipstick, but–) Clem fell into step easily beside Wren, letting out a laugh at her comment about the credit card. “Wait, for real? Maybe we’ll get specialty rolls instead of the cheaper stuff.” She stuck her hands into her pocket, tilting her head back a little to feel the sun on her face. “Do you go to the paint shop a lot?”
—
A surprised little laugh escaped Wren and she tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s not a bad thing to say, no. I’m just kind of—I’ve been perpetually nervous my whole life. It’s nothing against you, swear.” She admitted with a little shrug. “I’m trying this whole being brave thing. Putting myself out there, trying not to let it hold me back. Some days are easier than others, some harder.” Clem’s warm smile did put her at ease. “But yes, the robbing definitely bonds us. Hope you’re okay with being stuck with me now.” She said, hesitating before bumping her elbow playfully against Clem as she grinned a little.
It was easy to laugh with Clem it felt like. Another laugh fell from Wren’s lips as easy breathing. “Seriously! Who the heck ghosts people? It’s so messed up. I hope Jeremy has the worst day ever.” She giggled. Her head then nodded quickly. “Oh yeah. We can definitely get something special instead of the normal, cheaper stuff. Whatever you want. On me! Well, my brother, but still on me.” She giggled again, teeth digging into her bottom lip. Wren’s gaze swept over the side of Clem’s face, smiling despite herself. “Uh—yeah! Yeah, actually. I like to paint rocks and put them outside the house or give them as gifts. I also just like to draw in general. Do you—would you like a rock? I’d love to make you one!”
—
“I mean, like, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a really good job!” She thought back to The Codfather, and how having dinner with a stranger was more than most people would do, even if it had been something that’d been sprung on the both of them. Clem gestured to nowhere in particular, obviously pulling from the time they’d spent together at that dinner. “I mean, if we’re going to rob more lobster buckets, then totally!” She bumped Wren back, matching her grin. “But like, seriously, I think the world can suck a lot, and trying is really cool, too.” She knew how hard life could be at a base level. “Living here probably doesn’t make it any easier.” But she loved her small, stupid town. Even if it wasn’t that small in the grand scheme of things.
“Like, I guess unless you really have a reason for it, but even then…” Clem shook her head, thinking back to how the waitress’s discarded work clothing had been one of the things to help aid her in robbing them of their lobster buckets. “I hope he wakes up and stubs his toe like, every day.” She fished a starburst out of her pocket, unwrapping it, then looked over to Wren. “You paint rocks? That’s cool.” There’d been a resurgence with that, hadn’t there? Painting rocks? “What do you usually draw?” At Wren’s offer, Clem’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that! I’ll put it on my windowsill, away from Gecko so he can’t like, take it and hide it.” She paused. “He’s my ferret.” She popped the starburst into her mouth, tucking it to the side of her cheek.
—-
A bashful smile pulled at Wren’s lips, her heart giving a little lurch in her chest. “Thanks,” she mumbled shyly. It was brave. There were so many times that Wren gave herself such hell for her own scared tendencies. Like she was somehow lesser for being nervous about the humans, about life and the world in general. There were brave things she did all the time. She had to give herself a bit more credit, Clem had a point. “I mean, if you want to. The seafood was really good.” She chirped with a little laugh as heat rose to her cheeks. “Eh—it’s not too bad. It’s a lot smaller than how busy places in China could be when I’d go out into the city.” She explained. “I think small is what I need.”
Snorting, Wren covered her mouth with her hand briefly, adjusting her sketchbook in her arms. “That’s a good thing to wish on him. He deserves it—and like a flat tire at the most inconvenient moments ever!” She said decidedly, kicking lightly at a rock on the sidewalk that sent it skipping over the warm concrete. “Oh, lots of things! I usually just—kind of start doodling and see where it takes me. Some have flowers, others have animals.” Her eyes sparkled in turn, watching the way Clem lit up. A smile pulled at her lips and she nodded eagerly. “Gecko, how cute. Send me a picture of him! I’ll put him on the rock. I can make one for him too—I’d love to give him his own little gift. Make my mark on him and all. I’d love to impress.” She laughed a little.
—
“Dude, you don’t have to thank me.” She knew that was an honest reaction; when somebody complimented you, you thanked them, but Clem didn’t feel like Wren needed to thank her for everything. “Just like, keep doing it, you know?” The town was bustling with people, far more than there’d been when Clem had parked her car. She’d lucked out, apparently. “Oh, you lived in China? That’s cool!” Clem felt a minor pang of jealously, only because she’d been stuck in Wicked’s Rest all her life. “If you have pictures and stuff, I’d love to see them. You can look shit up, but like… it’s always different when taken through the eyes of someone experiencing it, you know? Like, not for magazines and stuff.” She wasn’t sure if it made sense.
“Oh, for sure. Flat tires, stubbed toes, wet socks. The list goes on and on.” She wondered if that there was somewhere in Wicked’s Rest that could make something like that come true. With the way the town was, it wasn’t an impossible thing. Clem nodded along as Wren went on to explain her art process. It was something she couldn’t ever figure out; art was a beast that she hadn’t ever tried to tackle, too afraid to be bad. (Which was so not punk rock of her.) “I’d love to see them if you ever wanna show me sometime!” It was said with so much enthusiasm that Clem felt her mouth sour. “Oh, here.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket, showing Wren her homescreen. It was of herself and Gecko, him laying over her shoulder, staring directly at the camera, as she kissed the side of his head. “He’d so love that. He loves hiding shit he finds.”
—
Wren nodded her head sharply once. She was right. Wren needed to just keep doing it. There was nothing better than to simply be. (She could very much think this now, but actually continuing to do it would be a whole different beast.) She let out a puff of air out, ruffling her errant strands of hair in doing so. “Oh! Yeah, I was born there and basically was there… well, until I came here to live with my brother after…” She gestured vaguely. Now was not the time to get into it. Besides, Wren wasn’t entirely sure how she would be able to explain away moving here because she attacked other sirens. It was a can of worms she didn’t want to open in the slightest.
“Oh—I think I have some in my email! I will look. That’s how I used to keep in touch with my brother.” Wren also didn’t get a phone really until she was living with Eden. She had one to use occasionally, but the most learning came from when she came to Wicked’s Rest. “That definitely makes sense. It’s like, you’re experiencing it actually rather than the version that people try to show just to make it look all pretty.” A blush rose further, tinging the tips of her ears. “Of course! We can—well, whenever you come to my house I can show you them. Maybe along with some of my other drawings, if you want.” She smiled a little. Leaning in, Wren gasped softly as her shoulder bumped into Clem’s. “Oh my goodness! He’s sooo cute. You guys are adorable.”
—
Fiddling with the starburst in her mouth, she began to chew on it, nodding. The pang of jealousy she felt made her feel guilty. Clem smiled, glad to know that at least she made some sense. So far, the only person she’d ever met that really got her had been Jade. Maybe Wren could be that person with her, too. “See, you totally get it.” She was kind of glad she didn’t have to explain herself again, only because she wasn’t sure how she’d explain it any other way. “That is cool, though. That you lived somewhere else, especially than here.” She’d never seen past Portland. She was constantly yearning for something else, but it felt unattainable. Now that she was a werewolf, it should’ve been easier to grasp, but it still felt like some far off land that she was capable of anything other than being the same old Clementine.
“Hell yeah. I’d love to see them.” She tried to imagine the life Wren might’ve had in China, and if it differed from here in Wicked’s Rest. Was she another version of herself, or was she the same? Clem thought that if she lived somewhere else, she would’ve been different. But then again, wasn’t she exactly who she was meant to be? “Cool! And then I can meet your brother, too.” She’d thank him for the sushi, or maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe Wren had taken his card without asking. Then again, with how nervous she was, maybe… not. She probably just had a good relationship with him, which Clem found herself also being mildly jealous of. “God, yeah. He’s the fucking coolest. Super chill, too.” She smiled down at the photo before she slipped her phone back into her pocket. “Do you have any pets?” They were close to her car now, and she could see the beat up civic ahead.
—
“It was nice. I mean—” Wren hesitated for a beat before ultimately just shrugging. “I think that there’s ups and downs to all. Lawn isn’t greener or whatever is said.” She smiled a bit, “Wicked’s Rest is weird. I’m not gonna say it isn’t because it totally is. Super weird. It also has some people I really like—and so many cool birds! China has cool stuff too, but also… I dunno. It has aspects I want to also forget, if that makes sense. Wicked’s Rest makes it easier to forget.” It was the closest she had gotten to the truth that Wren could manage without outright explaining, but did the job well enough.
Nodding a little, Wren smiled once more. “I’ll definitely show you then. I’ll find my best for you.” She turned, walking backwards absently so that her eyes could stay on Clem’s face. She had a nice smile. It made her heart stutter a little in her chest, but she wasn’t about to dissect what that meant. No, thank you. “For sure—and yes! Well, she’s my brother’s, Eden. Her name is Moo Deng. She’s slimy, but very cute. You’ll love her.” She said happily, turning back around and skipping a little. “We definitely have to plot to use her to pester him. It’ll be great. Just like today! We’re going to have a great time today and any other time. I like that we hang out, Clem. I have a really good time with you.” Chancing a glance once more, Wren’s shy and small but there.
—
Clem nodded. That made sense. “No, I totally get it. Grass like, not being greener on the other side and stuff.” Maybe Wren’s relationship with the family there wasn’t good, and that was why she’d come to Wicked’s Rest. Maybe she missed her brother, or maybe there was something she was running away from. Should she have run away? After her father left? Maybe. But then where would she be? The idea that becoming a werewolf had only happened because she stayed sprinkled itself in as an afterthought, and she swallowed. When Wren mentioned birds, Clem laughed. “Yeah, I guess Wicked’s Rest does have that going for it.” There were a lot of things she hated about this stupid town, but the wildlife wasn’t one of them. “Running is like, much easier when you’re chasing down wienermobiles, I get it.” Maybe they’d see it while she and Wren were out together. “It’s a… mobile that has like, either hot dogs? Or maybe actual dogs, but it plays who let the dogs out like, super loud. You’ll know it if you see it.”
As Wren walked beside her, now backwards, Clem couldn’t help but watch the ground, just to make sure that her friend wouldn’t fall. Would she collapse in embarrassment? Maybe. “Well, I’m looking forward to it!” She clasped her hands on top of her head, walking alongside Wren, looking towards her car. At the mention of the slimy pet, she scrunched her nose. “Moo Deng? Oh my god. I bought trading cards of Moo Deng. Not yours, but like, the hippo.” She’d spent way too much money on them, actually, but they’d been for a good cause! “Huh?” She looked at Wren, a smile pulling at the corners of her lips, a little wider this time. “Yeah, you’re cool, too. I’m glad that I got sat at your table.” She would have preferred it to any of the others, really, but getting to know Wren had been an act of fate, she felt. Like, the totally cool fate where you made a friend for life, type of fate. “I have a really good time with you, too.” The smile stayed intact as she pointed towards the civic. “That’s mine.”
“I have to open it from the inside. The door’s like, broken or something.” Clem quickened her pace, getting into the driver’s seat, then reached across to unlock and throw open the door. “Totally not safe, I know, but like… it’s fine. The backdoors and this one all work!” She let out a nervous laugh before starting the engine. “Okay, so there’s this sushi spot that’s like, right by the water, and it’s really good. Wanna go there?”
—
“Wienermobiles… Fascinating. America really does have the weirdest things sometimes.” Wren noted absently. “Huh. Well, I’ll keep that in mind. Hot dogs or dogs. Or both? Regardless, it sounds like an interesting business model.” It didn’t seem like they’d make much money, anyway. She wasn’t a business man so she couldn’t truly judge or make that discernment, she supposed. A little shrug of her shoulders, Wren flashed another smile at Clem. She couldn’t really remember the last time she so freely smiled so much—so easily, even. It was like the fear that she normally carried around her like a looming cloud was gone for the time being. Maybe she would continue to not be afraid if she had someone she cared about so easily by her side. Their friendship really seemed to bloom in a way that Wren was far too happy about.
“Oh, yes! I’ve heard of the hippo. Our Moo Deng is a spirited gal in her own right. She understands our Mandarin too, so she’s a star like that—not that the other Moo Deng isn’t a star! She also is, but you know. I am biased because our Moo Deng is just so cute and sweet, even if she’s slimy.” She was rambling again. Wren swiftly shut her mouth, but felt herself light up almost instantly. “Me too! That was like, a total nightmare, but a worthwhile nightmare!” She chirped happily. Every day seemed like a total nightmare amongst most people in Wren’s world, but at least it was getting to a point where it wasn’t as much of a total nightmare.
Wren came to a stop outside the car and shook her head, “that’s fine!” She moved to get into the small car. Buckling up, she settled with her sketchbook in her lap. “Sounds good, let’s go spend some of Eden’s money!” As the car lurched forward, Wren couldn’t help but keep smiling. This had been a successful outing in Wren’s opinion. They’d get to have some sushi and she could successfully report to Eden that she had been out and about that day. Though, in glancing at Clem’s side profile, maybe Wren would keep part of this to herself. She settled in the seat and absently toyed with a strand of her hair. It had been a good day and she couldn’t wait for more good days to come—she hoped at least.
I care because it's weird you're putting people's faces on eggs and then turning them into mimes? Is this a new meme or trend or something that I'm too far behind on?
I would have said an ice cream van if I meant an ice cream van!!! It's a wienermobile or something. I don't want ice cream, I want the wieners. Have you seriously not seen the videos on Tik Tok? I mean, they keep getting taken down, but like, they were totally there!
Your help is noted and unappreciated <3 Maybe you should take your own advice since things getting stuck in hair seems to be such a large part of your life.
I would look like, really hot bald, and I don't know if anyone is ready for that yet. You, on the other hand [user looks at Kieran's profile, sees that he's kind of handsome, and she gets annoyed] would probably look super stupid bald.
[pm] Where did you last see this van, and what color is it? I saw one parked near campus on my way home this evening, but I don't think it was playing music. It looked odd, though. A little beat up. Does that sound like it?
[pm] The Common! Well, like, not in The Common, but driving on the road outside of it, you know? Wait, for real? At the campus? Shit. Wait. Which one? And beat up [...] I don't actually know. All of the videos and shit I've seen of it, it looks like a perfectly good van??? Did they have hot dogs or dog-dogs? Or like, anything? What song did they play?
Because it's funny. Before you say 'it's not funny,' it is. I think it's funny, and that's SO what matters. I could've made you an egg mime, though, looking at it now [...] Missed opportunity.
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