A/N: A little peek at the other side.
Clawdeen checked the time on her iCoffin: past noon. Her golden designer heels tapped the marble floor impatiently. Clawdeen looked back at the other ghoul waiting and, as usual, didn't see her.
"Could you get out the shadows, please, Twyla?" she called aimlessly into the palace's large entryway.
The Boogeyman's daughter materialized and nonchalantly walked out of a patch of blackness. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I just feel better in the shadows."
The werewolf sighed. "It's fine. I'm just worried about Howleen. She said she'd be here by now."
"It's fine if she doesn't come," Twyla assured her. "I understand if she can't make it."
Clawdeen appreciated the younger ghoul's attitude, but that didn't stop her from being annoyed. "That's the thing, Twyla. Howleen said she'd come. She seemed excited."
Twyla wore a simple black skirt and a top Clawdeen insisted on designing for her. A sleeveless, blurple (as Twyla liked to call it), ruffle-filled blouse entwined with black lace on the ends of each cut of fabric. Twyla was also wearing a mint-green belt and blurple-colored heels but... Clawdeen was very proud of the blouse she designed for her, as she was of all her designs.
"Is that a new shirt?" Twyla asked Clawdeen.
The she-wolf looked down at her clothes and laughed. "This? No, actually, I..." She stopped. "Why are you asking about my shirt?"
Twyla didn't respond. In fact, she seemed to be gradually sinking into the shadows behind her.
"Twyla," Clawdeen growled.
Twyla sighed and crept out from the darkness. "I just don't wanna talk about it, okay? I haven't been home in a while. Not since dad..."
Went missing, Clawdeen wanted to finish. But she didn't. It was a sore subject for everyone. Because they were all gone. A lot had changed, but Clawdeen didn't like dwelling on the past—unless there was a good reason. Like when Cleo came the other day. The past had caught up with Clawdeen and, as easily as she could've changed Frankie's mind about imprisoning Cleo, she helped her get away.
Clawdeen wanted to move forward and pursue her dream. She was halfway there—nothing was going to get in the way, even if it was a friend she had believed to be deceased.
A loud knock sounded at the tall, silver-colored doors of the palace's entryway, and the heavy doors slowly opened.
"Finally," Clawdeen groaned. "Howleen, you said you were going to be here by—" But at the opened threshold, Clawdeen didn't see her younger sister walk through.
It was Andy Beast.
"Hey Andy," Twyla greeted the purple monster.
Clawdeen sighed. "Have you seen her, Andy?"
He scratched at his horns. "If this is the 'her' you're talking about then yeah."
The werewolf peered over Andy's shoulder to see someone else from her past.
"Skelita!" Clawdeen cried out. She ran towards the ghoul with open arms.
Skelita jumped at the sudden embrace. "Clawdeen! I didn't know you were here!" She returned her hug, and Clawdeen pulled back and smiled at her old friend.
"Where have you been?" she asked. "It's been ages."
Skelita laughed. "My home country, Hexico, con mi familia. Where else?"
"You could've at least called!" Clawdeen retorted flippantly.
"I tried," Skelita replied, entirely serious. The look she gave Clawdeen wasn't cheerful anymore.
"I—I'm sorry you could never get a hold of me I—" She explained her situation to Skelita. Ever since her parents disappeared, she had to provide for herself. One being to get a new phone, since she had the misfortune of losing it.
Skelita looked down. "I understand... But I didn't change my number..."
Clawdeen didn't want to feel guilty, but she did. She should've tried to contact her friends instead of assuming the ones she didn't see the day after Monster High toppled over were lying beneath its crumpled debris.
That could explain why the entirety of the city was able to move past it. The city. Clawdeen was fascinated by it.
Frankie took charge; she still saw that there was work to be done elsewhere. Just because Monster High was gone didn't mean its goal had to die with it: bringing monsters together. The city she built did that, and Clawdeen was happy to be by her side. Frankie would spend a lot of time alone but Clawdeen, being the loyal friend she is, stuck by her anyway.
Why wouldn't she trust Frankie?
Skelita cleared her throat. Or at least sounded like she did, being made of bones, "I'm not here for reunions, Clawdeen," she told her, looking back up at the werewolf, "Mi hermanito said I was cooped up in the house too long so he suggested I travel. I wanted to come here, so I did."
"But why here?" Clawdeen asked, gesturing around her. "Why the palace?"
Skelita shrugged. "I was arriving and I passed by. Es maravilloso."
"I saw her and let her in," Andy said beside them.
The werewolf turned towards the monster. "Why?" she asked pointedly. "You can't just let anyone in, you know."
Andy nodded. "I know it's just that nothing ever happens around here," he confessed. "She looked harmless. Also, a little bit lost."
Clawdeen looked back at the other ghoul. "You're lost?"
Skelita avoided her gaze, slightly embarrassed. "I don't know my way around..."
"Don't you worry, ghoul!" the she-wolf assured enthusiastically. "You can stay here!"
The skeleton's eyes widened on her painted face, "¿Aqui?"
Clawdeen nodded. "We have an extra room now, right Twyla?" she looked back at the other ghoul, who had started chatting with Andy.
"Uh, yeah," Twyla said as she faced the ghouls. "Hope you like blurple."
The she-wolf turned back to the skeleton ghoul with a satisfied grin.
"Wow Clawdeen," Skelita began, "this is amazing. You are muy amable."
The werewolf smiled. "I'll show you to your room."
She led the skeleton ghoul out of the palace's entryway down a wide, dimly-lit hallway. Metallic, silver stairs swirled into view directly in front of the ghouls at the center of the hall as Clawdeen led Skelita up them. They turned right once at the top and, after passing by a couple of doors to their left, Clawdeen stopped and opened a door.
"Here you are, ghoul," the werewolf invited as she opened the door to the room, "Make yourself at home."
Skelita smiled appreciatively as she stepped in front of the door. "Hijole," she exclaimed, "there is a lot of blurple in this room," she giggled. "I should be able to handle it."
Clawdeen grinned as Skelita towed her suitcase into the room when she walked in. The ghoul sat on the edge of the fairly large bed in the center of the room and looked back at Clawdeen, who remained standing at the doorway.
Skelita sighed and looked to the other ghoul. "Gracias," she told her. "I'm sorry we never talked earlier..."
"Me too," Clawdeen said.
A silence passed between the two, both avoiding eye contact.
"Listen," Clawdeen began, raising her head to look at the other ghoul. "I wanna know if you've heard from anyone else." Skelita turned her head to face Clawdeen when she said this. "Like Jin, maybe?"
"Jinafire?" The skeletal ghoul paused. "I haven't heard anything from her in a while..."
Clawdeen's ears perked up. "So you've heard from her? Anyone else? Like Draculaura? My brother, Clawd?"
"Cálmate, Clawdeen," Skelita coaxed from the edge of the bed. "I haven't heard from Jinafire in years. I assume she went to China—"
"Fanghai?"
"—to be with her brothers," the skeleton ghoul finished. "As for the others..." She sighed heavily. "I wouldn't know."
Clawdeen smiled sadly. "It's okay, Skelita. I don't expect you to."
Another silence passed between them before Clawdeen spoke again. "Hope you enjoy your time here," she said as cheerfully as she could.
"How long can I stay?" Skelita asked.
"Twyla's moving out so..." Clawdeen pondered. "As long as you want, I guess."
"¡Hijole!" Skelita exclaimed. "Are you sure it's alright with the mayor?"
"Technically Queen but, yeah," Clawdeen said as she fiddled with the doorknob, "should be fine."
Skelita smiled gratefully as she rose up from her seated position and approached the she-wolf. "Gracias," she said as she reached out to embrace Clawdeen.
Clawdeen hugged her tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. Then she noticed something. "You are wearing the same outfit when I first met you," she laughed.
Skelita laughed as well. "You definitely aren't. Your shoes are muy nice, by the way."
Clawdeen smiled. "Dinner's at six," she said before she left the room, descending down the stairs and making her way back to the entryway, where she heard a familiar voice.
"It's about time!" Howleen called out to her older sister. "We've been waiting for ages."
Clawdeen rolled her eyes as her younger sister came into view. "Let's just go," she said exasperatedly, heading over to the silver doors.
-.-.-.-
The drive to the Boogeyman's abandoned mansion wasn't a long one and, after they talked for what felt like hours, Clawdeen dragged Howleen to the car.
"You sure you don't need help unpacking?" Howleen called out to Twyla while opening the passenger seat door.
"No, I'll be fine," she replied. "But thanks for dropping me off."
Twyla stood in front of the many doors adorning the tall and bizarre building as mist crept around her feet. Clawdeen hadn't been here in a while. The last time she'd been here was during the haunting mess. The other time was when Cleo released the shadow nightmares.
Cleo.
Remembering her friend's name washed a temporary wave of melancholy onto Clawdeen. Unlike the last time she came, it was day time, so the mist and fog looked really odd and somewhat tacky. As interesting as the Boogeyman's makeshift mansion was, Clawdeen didn't want to go inside or waste any more time listening to her younger sister and the other ghoul talk.
Turning her attention back to Howleen, Clawdeen worried she would begin another conversation with Twyla so, as fast as she could, she made her way to the other side of the car.
"No problem, Twyla!" the werewolf called out as she shoved her sister inside.
"Hey!" Howleen protested. Clawdeen slammed the door.
"Call if you need anything!" Clawdeen said while rushing over to the driver's seat. "See ya, Twyla!" she shouted before shutting the door. Twyla made her way inside as she drove off.
"What's your deal?" Howleen complained besides her. "It's not like we're in a hurry or anything."
"Yes we are, Howleen," Clawdeen sighed. "Clawdia came in from Hauntlywood yesterday."
"Oh right," Howleen said, "she wants to meet us at the Coffin Bean today."
"At two o'clock," Clawdeen reminded her. "And it's two-thirty right now."
Howleen didn't respond, and Clawdeen was grateful for it—she really wasn't in the mood for an argument.
The rest of the car ride was silent.
-.-.-.-
The Coffin Bean of the Queen's city wasn't a small one located within a maul. It was a large, and oftentimes crowded, building. After a few frantic apology texts to her older sister, Clawdeen led Howleen inside the coffee shop. In an instant, they spotted a familiar yellow-haired werewolf sitting at a table by a window.
"Hi!" Clawdia smiled as the two approached her, standing up and embracing the youngest Wolf.
"It's great to see you, Clawdia," Clawdeen said from behind her younger and older sisters' embrace.
"You too," Clawdia said as she retracted from Howleen and brought Clawdeen into a quick hug. "I saw you pull up," she said while pulling back. "Didn't want a hearse?"
Clawdeen huffed. "Hearses don't have as much style as they used to, you know."
Clawdia laughed. "Not for you, maybe. But, I gotta admit, I like your golden car. And Howleen," she turned to the other werewolf, "what's with the outfit, ghoul?" Clawdia gestured at Howleen's revealing clothing. "I know college has been tough but has the job hunt been that bad?" she joked.
"Oh my ghoul, no," Howleen replied quickly. "It's not what you think."
"Mmmhmm," Clawdeen mumbled, earning a swift glare from both her sisters.
"I'm currently in the dance biz," Howleen stated while turning her attention back towards the other Wolf. "We had rehearsal today."
"So it's a slut dance?" she commented.
"No," Howleen said, agitated. "It's just a dance!"
"Showbiz, Clawdeen," Clawdia said. "Sometimes that's just how it is."
Clawdeen rolled her eyes. "They could've at least had nice slutty outfits."
"Look at you two," Clawdia broke in before Howleen could speak up, "arguing already." She laughed. "You ghouls can go ahead and sit down. I'll get us some coffee." The older Wolf walked off to order some coffee for her sisters as the two other wolves reluctantly took a seat beside one another.
"Sorry," Clawdeen said quietly.
"It's okay," Howleen responded. "It's not the best outfit but, hey, I like it."
Clawdeen scoffed. "Please. I can design better."
"Can't argue with that." Howleen chuckled.
Silence passed between the two until finally Clawdia returned and set three coffees on the table. "Sorry but," she said quickly, "I gotta use the little ghouls' room."
Clawdeen was once again left with her younger sister. Not wanting another awkward silence, she quickly spoke up, "I haven't heard much from you lately," Clawdeen mused. "Does dancing and college really take up that much of your time?"
Howleen abruptly turned her gaze away. "Uh, no they don't. I just..."
"Don't wanna tell me, huh?" Clawdeen noted.
Howleen didn't say anything.
Clawdeen sighed. "It's fine. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to."
"It's not that, Clawdeen." The younger she-wolf looked at her apologetically. "I just..."
"Just what?"
"Can't tell you," Howleen said while looking away.
Clawdeen brushed it off. "Whatever." Usually, Howleen bragged, but Clawdeen didn't let herself worry about it. She could go ahead and have her secrets.
The two were quiet until their older sister sat in front of them. "Alright you two, what's new?"
The younger Wolf sisters relayed the latest going on in their unlives. Howleen was very brief, so Clawdeen ruled the conversation, telling Clawdia about how she was progressing in fashion.
"Hey wait..." Clawdeen the corners of Clawdeen's lips upturned slightly. "You're wearing the dress I designed for you."
Clawdia grinned. "Yup." It was a simple short red dress with faded animal print at the end, to which Clawdia wore with black leggings and yellow boots, her curly blonde hair in a side ponytail.
Clawdeen also told her sisters of her unexpected encounter.
"Cleo? Cleo de Nile?" Howleen exclaimed with wide eyes. "Are you serious?"
Clawdeen nodded.
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah." She let out a shaky breath. "I don't know much about where's she's been or anything but she seems fine." Imprisonment wasn't something easily discussed over coffee.
"She was a friend of yours, right?" Clawdia asked.
"Yeah." Clawdeen looked down.
"You okay, Clawdeen?" Clawdia asked. "You haven't touched your coffee."
Clawdeen put on a smile. "I'm fine." She took a determined sip from her coffee.
"So what's new with you, sis?" Howleen asked Clawdia. The she-wolf beamed and began talking about the new boovie she was writing a script for and the ups-and-downs of unlife in Hauntlywood.
Clawdeen only half-listened; bringing Cleo back up forced her mood to grow somber. The conversation at her table began to mix with the chatter of the other monsters in the coffee shop. The sounds gradually muffled in Clawdeen's ears.
"Clawdeen!"
The Wolf's ears perked up and she turned to see her two sisters staring at her, wide-eyed.
Clawdia put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you feeling alright? You don't have to be here if you're not feeling ok. I'll visit again soon."
"No, no." Clawdeen brushed off her sister's hand. "Today's about seeing you, Clawdia." She took a sip of her cooling coffee. "So what's your next project?"
