[log] Monster Mash [semi-open]

[rubikscomplex]

Characters: Clayton, Enoch, Dio, House, Miranda, Clem, and Quark
Location P10 - BUILDING 110
Date: Day 041, evening
Summary: Gas Station slumber party! Following a monster attack.
Warnings: Will add as necessary, but general House disclaimer for insensitivity.

[The evening is drawing in around them as Miranda and House make their way toward the gas station. It's a somewhat familiar road to tread, at least, and there's the promise of his meds at the end of it... also people to distract the irritating woman walking with him from his company.

Epps should be good for that. He seems like the sort.

There's a sudden hiss from somewhere behind them, when they're still a good distance from the building. House glances back, then does a double-take when he sees a four-legged shadow monster pounding across the snow after them. That... what is that? It doesn't look like a robot. It doesn't look anything but absolutely real.]

Six o'clock!

[The words are snapped out as House turns, gauging the thing's speed. It's moving too fast for him to reach the gas station in time, which means improvising.]

Comments

[dr_unconscious]

[House isn't the only one relieved by how this exchange turned out; based on Dio's lead-up, Clayton was starting to worry that he might engage and take things a little further than they needed to go. Thankfully he shows restraint. Clayton's expression remains level, but he spares time to pass Dio a look of silent gratitude for his understanding. Thank you for not causing a scene, it says. You're a real bro.]

[Then his attention is back on House.]

Sounds like we got the same ideas; whole group's runnin' low on food, all a us could do with stoppin' by the school t' fill up. Lucky fer you, ain't it? Get yer own personal escort!

[itsasteamroller]

[Yeah, House... Lucky you! Luckiest guy on the planet, that's what you are. And even though Dio catches that last comment, he pretends complete innocence in what House was talking about, as he is an angel and the very model of a gentleman, thank you.]

Yes, I mean, who knows what other rogue animatronics could get the jump on us later, right?

[Dio mmmmiiight just be joshing House, it's a little hard to tell given how dry the delivery is, but Clayton is totally free to jab him in the ribs with his elbow since that was pretty Mean Girls of him, even with the restraint.]

[rubikscomplex]

Oh, yippy skippy! I didn't know you boys were running an escort service. Is it called the Beef Brigade? [If Clayton can't hear the sarcasm, it's certainly apparent on his face.]

And if we might run into more of those animatronics, I definitely want you guys around. Maybe next time you can catch one of them instead of hauling me around, huh, Blondie? Amazingly, I can walk on my own when I'm not being immediately chased.

[He might be just slightly bitter about this.]

[itsasteamroller]

[...Just sort of looks at Clayton while going a bit cold.]

Why did we decide to meet up with him again? I've suddenly forgotten.

[dr_unconscious]

[The point where Dio stops having fun is the point when Clayton decides to firmly intervene. He clears his throat and takes a small step between them, subtly herding Dio away from the corner. No offense, Dio, but Clayton assumes you'll be the easier one to control in this situation. House is better handled in a more isolated setting.]

--Yes, Dio, I'm real grateful fer your help out there. Wouldn't a been able to get everybody safe without ya. [That's the appeal to his ego out of the way. Now for the leverage.] An' we're gonna keep 'em safe now that he's got his prescription. Would be awful silly if we made this whole trip an' he off 'n got mauled right after, now wouldn't it?

[itsasteamroller]

[Clayton is severely underestimating how entertaining Dio would find it to see House mauled by a pack of shadow monsters, but unlike some people in this pharmacy, Dio understands what tact is. Oh well, a dream for another day!]

Alright, you've made your point. [Dio holds up his hands in surrender and makes to walk off, which is totally fine because Clayton's giving him an out to not interact with House right now, so he'll take it.]

I know when I'm not wanted! Pleasure to finally meet you in person, Greg.

[Aannnd off he goes. Take comfort in knowing that he probably doesn't realize that House would probably despise being called that!]

[rubikscomplex]

[It's a very good thing Dio's back is turned as Clayton ushers him away. House bristles at the name, his ambivalent expression turning downright nasty. He'd return with something scathing, but Clayton's the only one who really needs to know how much it pisses him off when people decide to get that familiar.]

Aw, and here I thought I was your Hot Stud for life, bro. Sweet dreams! So annoying meeting you.

[dr_unconscious]

[Well, that could have gone worse. Clayton can only wince in sympathy when Dio calls House by name, and silently hope that his bara friend stays in good humor and doesn't take Clayton's intervention personally. He sticks with House, watching Dio wander off.]

Alright, ladies, keep yer claws in... [Directed at the both of them, but mumbled mostly to House; he's the one still within earshot and outwardly being nasty. Clayton turns to him with a notably more skeptical expression.] I'm serious 'bout gettin' ya t' that school. I'm sure it won't take much t' convince the others not t' bother you, but can I trust ya t' behave yerself on the way there?

[rubikscomplex]

Rwar. [House deadpans, making a clawing motion with one hand.]

You can trust me to behave as much as I did with Janey. Ask her how that went. They don't talk to me or do anything moronic, I'll just silently judge them.

[dr_unconscious]

Mmhm.

[Yeah, Clayton's heard all about that. Or as much as he thinks he needs to hear, anyway. He's deadpan, without even the energy to fold his arms.]

She tells me you got a problem entertainin' yerself. [Well, no she didn't, but Clayton can do some casual extrapolation from "he's a wanker."] Trust me, ain't nobody gotta problem with leavin' you to yer own lil' corner somewhere. You keep yer judgin' silent and it'll stay that way. You understand how that works?