Otherside

“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.” Hudson Kane, a seventeen year old attending Akamai School in New York City.

[stephanie-deluca-deactivated201]

Stephanie had been sitting on the same bench for the past hour, just simply thinking. She had been dragged out of the club by a man she didn’t even know who had spiked her virgin Shirley Temple. Fighting him off had left her with a busted lip, which was still bleeding. She wanted to go out to get her mind off her dad and the article she was meant to have done in the next few days. Going to a club was probably the first thing she did wrong. She barely liked people yet alone, being around them.

Letting out an audible sigh, she attempted to stand up again, only to stumble and found herself back on the bench. “What’s wrong with me…”

[hudsonkane-blog]

Walking at night wasn't exactly out of character for Hudson -- he found peace in the busy streets. He had only been walking a short while, though his long stride soon found him in the busy clubbing district, and he couldn't help but wonder just as to what a woman around his age was doing sitting by herself, if anything it made him a little uncomfortable. "Easy, there." Hudson sighed, an eyebrow lifted at the girl as she muttered to herself. "You alright?"

[sweetlaylavalentine-blog]

Riveting, riveting, very riveting. Not that I expect all to be or call myself an intellectual, solid conversation seems so difficult to happen upon and incur the effort in others. I think it’s a side effect of the city; that, or the cynic view is everyone’s astoundingly self-absorbed. Perhaps both. 

[hudsonkane-blog]

I'd say a little of both. I'm fairly sure the city in itself is what causes people to be self absorbed, it's a cynic's city, which is surprising due to the fact most people here have rocks in their head. Honestly -- I could hold a more intellectual conversation with a doormat than with one of my peers, especially from this school. It's strange, really, the way they all try so hard to be so... New York. Pretentious, and hardly modest. Try growing up here, though, I relied on the museums and galleries to feed my interest. After a while, it gets a little tedious. So I guess that's why I gave up, you know. On school and whatever. Speaking of school -- we kind of veered off track a little, yeah? This assignment isn't going to finish itself and I'm kind of failing the subject.

[ruefairchild]

"Stick around, there’s a lot more where that came from." With another chug the beer was gone and very carefully she leaned forward to set the bottle onto the table. In the same motion she snagged another and gestured toward him with the unopened mouth, "I’m going to drink you under the table you know." A jest punctuated by her soft chuckle. Concentration wrought her features as she popped this one open as well, though set it on her thigh as opposed to chugging it back. "We should make a game of it. The drinking.

"Also, why do we keep talking about that? If they are fucking in my room I’m going to kill them. It’s just making me think that I should bring home some horrendous kid who my aunt would absolutely disdain and fuck around the house on her. Then she’ll understand how horrendous she’s being, you know?” Not even an ounce of attention was paid to the television, instead she opted to swallow some of the beer and shrugged, “Find a roommate. It’s not like this isn’t a nice place to live, and I’m sure you could rope someone into watching your ass. What are you paranoid about anyway? But … not a sphynx cat. There’s too many things in my life that are hairless, I don’t need a cat to be one of them. If you want to go back to bed you can, I’ll drink in silence.”

[hudsonkane-blog]

"I'm not too sure I even want to hear the horrid excuses for pet-names that could possibly be brewing in that mind of yours." Pausing for a moment, he shook his head, leaning forwards towards the table -- this time, his fingers wrapping around a bottle of Vodka. He had always preferred spirits -- and if he was going to be drinking, he was going to drink the way he liked to. Humming to himself, he furrowed his eyebrows in concentration, as he contemplated the idea of games. "Drinking game, hmm? What do you suggest? Kings Cup is my favourite by far but seeing as there's only two of us... Never Have I Ever? Unless you can think of something better... I think we have shot glasses in here, somewhere." Ripping off the seal on the bottle, Hudson twisted the cap as he stood from his chair, walking towards the cupboards, grimacing slightly as he tasted the alcohol, the familiar burning feeling amplified due to the fact he had only just woken up. "I should turn up to your house. Tattoos and all. Knock on the front door, as for you specifically. If she asks why I'll tell her I'm taking you to a kink event at the local strip club. Bondage and shit. Tell her you're the star of the show. She'd love that." Laughing to himself as he spoke, he sifted through the cupboards -- he wasn't exactly familiar as to where everything was in this apartment yet, though he had grown quite fond of it. "A roommate? Ugh, most people are too pushy and weird to live with full time. And messy -- don't forget messy. Paranoid? Unimportant. The hairless thing, though... I have nothing to say about that, too." A grin had made its way onto his face as he found what he was after, moving swiftly back to throw himself down on the couch, tossing the packet of plastic shot cups at Rue as he did so. "I'm not going back to bed. I'm awake now. And drinking. You can open those, though."

[ruefairchild]

"I’ll knock when I feel like you’re actually going to answer, penis lips." Rue teased as she leaned forward for her own stash and snagged a beer bottle as well. He looked exhausted and frazzled —— dazed from the first moments of waking up and though she felt the slightest tinge of guilt for disturbing his rest it was still amusing to see him like that. "Fuck the money. It’s like you’re expecting that I’ll actually need to be paid back for it. We said we were going to have a weekend of drinking and we’re going to drink. Now shut up and drink. Also, good afternoon."

Pursing her lips she flicked the cap off of her bottle and leaned back with it attached to her lips. Down the hatch it went until there was about half of the beer left. With a pleased sigh she rest it on her thigh and slipped her eyes shut, “Senior’s are aware that they have the apartment to themselves so they can have as much Fifty Shades of Horrifying shit that they want in there, so long as they don’t touch my room. I’m thinking about getting a cat, by the way. And did you enjoy your nap, sleeping beauty?”

[hudsonkane-blog]

"Penis lips? That's a new one." He replied, laughing and holding the beer in the air, before tipping it back, the amber liquid running down his throat as he sculled, after which a smirk crossed his face as he planted the empty bottle on the coffee table in front of him. "See -- I'm drinking, I'm drinking. Calm the fuck down."  Laughing as he groped around for the remote, he eventually found it, turning on the television -- he always preferred to have the television on when he was awake, something to do with the fact that he felt like he needed the background noise. He hated silence, even the smaller moments between conversations. "Fifty Shades of Horrifying sounds about right." He muttered, leaning forward to grab another bottle. "Gross, I bet they're in your room right now, he's probably fucking her on your bed to spite you. Cats are great -- I have one. At my other house. I'm thinking about moving in here, actually... Well, I will, when I'm not such a paranoid fuck head. Couldn't live alone just yet, but I'd bring him here for sure. He's all black. You should get one of those Sphynx cats. You know, the naked ones. And my nap was fine until you rudely pushed your way in and disturbed my thousand-year-slumber."

[ruefairchild]

If you asked her how she acquired her liquor and other expenditures one would only acquire a sly grin. That was how she appeared at the door of his apartment: with two large bagfuls of various liquors ranging from beer to things harder, and a shit-eating grin on her face. “Tell me that you love me and I’ll share,” Rue teased when she walked in, kicking the door shut with the heel of her military boot and pacing across the floor.

The last time she recalled being here had a lot to do with withdrawal and feeling like complete shit. Whatever cocktail of horrendous decisions she had made was carefully ebbed away under the watch of Hudson Kane and for that she was eternally grateful. So many paths could have been proposed before her —— with the worst winding up with her demise or missing, the better sides being right where she was. She set the bags on the coffee table and plopped onto the couch, stretching out and crossing her feet at the ankles.

"Are we ready for our forever long weekend?"

[hudsonkane-blog]

Groaning, Hudson rolled over as he heard the sound of the heavy boots -- there was only one person that could possibly be making those noises as they trudged through the front door. Moving from his position to rest his chin on the arm rest of the lounge he had fallen asleep on hours before, he watched Rue through his tired eyes, a smirk plastered across his face. "I'll tell you I love you when you learn to knock, fuck face." He moaned,laughing slightly as he rubbed his eyes, moving into an upright position. "I'll be ready once I wake up. Give me a few moments -- or, actually..." He replied, laughing as he leant forward, the long fingers of one hand gripping the neck of a beer bottle as he twisted the top with the other, flinging the lid across the room. "This should do the trick." Glancing over to the clock on the wall, he realised his 'nap' had lasted six hours longer than he had planned, which wasn't a bad thing -- he needed all the sleep he could fit in lately. "Welcome back to my humble abode by the way. I'm not sure you'd remember it though -- and I'll need to throw you some money for all these drinks, or something." He muttered, yawning as he ran a hand through his hair which had grown long -- he hadn't bothered to cut it lately. As he took a swig from the bottle he held, he settled back into his chair, looking towards Rue. "How's that seniors sex party going at your place?"

[alekinthecity-archive-blog]

I really hope my family does move out of Oregon soon.

[hudsonkane-blog]

How was the trip?

[ruefairchild]

Okay so you haven’t been listening because she has a boyfriend. Also, you are not fucking my aunt. Ew.

He had a nice body, actually. For all intents and purposes he’s a good looking guy. But because of the circumstances I do not want to see him again. Also, you’d miss me too fucking much if I died. Don’t pretend like you wouldn’t be bothered..

[hudsonkane-blog]

Hey, even with a boyfriend she wouldn't deny me. Who in their right mind would? {He jokes, rolling his eyes.} You know, I would miss you, you're right. We never did end up drinking though. I feel like we should. That stupid empty apartment is calling my name.

[ruefairchild]

First of all, she’s in her late thirties. So it’s not that. Second of all —— thank you, so fucking much Hudson. I hadn’t already been thinking about it. The prick was shirtless. It was horrendous. I might actually vomit and die. Fuck you.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Late thirties... Can I have her number? Shirtless, oh c'mon. Don't be so harsh. Maybe he works hard for that body. Lifting weights every day, and by weights I mean a six pack of beer. I assume that's the only six pack he would have going on. Do it then, vomit and die. See if I care. Just make sure you miss my shoes.

[ruefairchild]

In the form of waking up to a strange, shirtless man in the kitchen.

Real nice, Lenore.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Gross, she's been having old lady sex. Don't think about that for too long, or you'll probably throw up.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Akamai Halloween 2014 Hudson Kane -- Skeleton Boy 

[alekinthecity-archive-blog]

[Alek gave Hudson a small smile as he sat down.] I’m been alright. I’m gonna go home and see Karolin for Halloween, so I’m looking forward to that. What about you?

[hudsonkane-blog]

Oh, that'll be good. How're you feeling about going back home? {At the boys question, Hudson shrugged his shoulders. There was no point in lying to the boy, if anything he knew he understood.} Seen better days, pal. Seen better days. Just needed to take some time off. My grades aren't thanking me for that, though.

[aaron-lancaster-archive]

I don’t know.. People are alone for a lot of reasons. Money, family, relationships. Most of the time it has to do with the conflicts within ourselves, but I couldn’t be a reliable source.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Maybe I'm alone for some of those reasons. Or maybe I'm not at all. Why wouldn't you be a reliable source?

[alekinthecity-archive-blog]

[Alek walked into the diner and was surprised to see Hudson sitting there.] I just wanted to say hi, I haven’t seen you in a while. [Alek said carefully. Hudson had been really nice to him, but Alek hadn’t seen the other boy in ages and he wanted to check in with him.]

[hudsonkane-blog]

{Although it took him a while to actually look up, he would have recognised the boys voice anywhere.} Oh -- Alek. Nah, you can sit. C'mon. {Gesturing towards the other side of the booth, he nods his head.} How've you been? 

[aaron-lancaster-archive]

{Aaron tucked a piece of her short hair behind ear still not knowing what she was doing over disturbing him. She nodded giving a simple smile for sliding on the other side of the booth} Sorry for bugging you but — Why were you alone the past couple weeks?

[hudsonkane-blog]

{Laughing, he shakes his head, taking a sip from the drink in front of him before looking back towards the girl.} Or, I could ask you why you think I was alone for the past few weeks.

[ruefairchild]

Oh yeah, cute is exactly what I was going for. When I pierced my face and my tits it was all the rage in the fluffy bunny department. I mean, I said to myself, “How am I going to get some guys to think I’m the most adorable thing they’ve ever seen? I know, I’ll jab some sharp metal through my skin and get a few tattoos and voila!" Apparently it worked so thank you. I hate the therapy. My counselor is bull shit. He’s not even listening to me. I think he hums to himself, and it takes a lot for him to get me to talk. I’ve memorized Faust and I recite it back to him. That’s what I do when he asks me a question. Disappear for the weekend, eh? My aunt’s out of town on business. Might not be disappearing per say but home is the last place she expects me to be. I’ve got liquor there. Lock the doors, draw the shades, shut off the communications … we could get smashed for the weekend, alright. Maybe make a trip of it. I like that.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Hey, you never know. Some guys might find that adorable as fuck. Counsellors and therapists get that way. They're all a little heinous to deal with. Good option on the answers, though. Well, her place or mine. Or we can visit both, who even knows? I mean, I've spent the past two weeks being a fucking recluse but I'm quite prepared to commit to that again. Sounds like a plan, but I'm thinking the idea of a long weekend is better than, you know, the two days we usually have to deal with. Might as well start now?

[aaron-lancaster-archive]

{As Aaron bit her thumb nail while rereading Catcher in the Rye she looked around the diner to see the back of what she thought was a familiar her head. She realized that she had been staring and quickly shook her head and realized people sit alone to be alone. But did Aaron? She knows she wanted company but she didn’t know about Hudson and she was so good at keeping her distance from people, it gets boring observing from a far. Before she knew what she was doing, her body conducted itself up from her cold isolated booth and started walking towards Hudson. She knew that this was a terrible idea but she couldn’t help her curiosity from expanding. As he took in her presence she felt like her voice was caught in her throat, never knowing what to say was a skill of hers.} I’m sorry.. I    Sorry, you probably want to be alone. My apologies. 

[hudsonkane-blog]

{Taking him a few moments, he relaxed slightly as he realised it was someone he had seen around on campus -- even talked to a couple of times. The company of the girl was more than welcome, though his abrupt welcome made it seem otherwise. He didn't know much about the girl -- to him, she seemed rather reserved, and rather shy, though that didn't bother him. From his past experiences, shy people were often the ones with the most to say, if you could get that much out of them of course.} Oh -- -- no, don't be silly. Sit. Do it, don't be shy. I've been alone enough these past couple of weeks.

[ruefairchild]

Fishing for compliments, dear boy? I think you just want me to tell you that you’re pretty. Fine. Hudson, you’re fucking gorgeous and you make the little flutterbye’s in my tummy get all a-flappy. Happy? I haven’t disappeared since you found me. The only thing I have now is mandatory … therapy … that my aunt has forced me into. So I do that every Tuesday and Thursday from three-to-five. And it’s shit. Complete shit. But you. Where do you go … eh, I’d disappear for a while with you. At least I know I’d be entertained, and you’d be tickled pink to have my company. Yes, it contains you. Trying to get vodka out of me? Not hard. I have some back home.

[hudsonkane-blog]

Hardly fishing for compliments, just stating the truth. But hey, I'll take a compliment from you any day -- it's better than what anyone else gets from you so I guess it'll have to do. How very cute of you though, Rue. I bet that right now you're loving the fact that I'm calling you cute. Adorable, even. How's that sound? Therapy, good to hear. You're certainly looking better if that's any consolation. Why don't we just disappear? Even if it's just for tonight, or tomorrow, or the weekend. I mean, I like that idea a whole lot more than the idea of doing -- or staring at -- whatever homework is waiting for me in that fucking apartment. And I'm not one to turn down a  bottle of vodka, or four.