The five sit down to try some sweets, conversing with one another in hopes of learning more about the others.
Killua valued consistency over internal feelings. He was good at throwing on this neutral expression, hiding this internal dilemma fighting for freedom in the pit of his stomach. He'll avoid Daniel's gaze; he'll act like the boy sitting beside him, could never be able to pick up the shards of his broken glass heart.
It's not like this "stranger", will take the time to memorize every inch of his heart, to the point where the boy's able to stick the piece back together again. He'd never dream of Daniel knowing the impossible.
Even then, in that "pretend" thought, he knew his partner would do it… even if it takes him a hundred years. He has learned to value that aspect, even if he has to pretend to hide it.
"So, what is your type?" Clarisa asked out of curiosity. She was hoping to lure the boy into a trap, to admit any feelings he has lingering for Daniel. Audrey was willing to admit how 'kind and gentle' the boy was with her brother; Kyle must have felt the same. He was just lying for some reason… there's no way her eyes were playing tricks on her.
She'd swore the two were beyond 'simply' comfortable with one another. It was the way they talked and acted with one another.
"Idiots…" Killua commented dully, his eye focused more on the drink he was 'dying' to taste. He was desperately trying not to make any sudden noises… considering a pair of a curious girl's eyes were focused on him, although he might be drooling, which is way more embarrassing…
"That can't be it…"
"It's ok…" Daniel slurred his words, making himself seem like he lost all he braincells the moment Killua argued he likes idiots, "I'm secretly dumb-dumb. I try act smart…"
Killua burst into laughter; he wasn't expecting that. Sure, Daniel casually admitted he wants to fit his criteria for who his attracted to, but in this instance, they know Daniel is attracted to 'Kyle'.
There it is again… The girl thought, eyeing how the two casually looked at each other. The way Kyle cracks a smile whenever he looks at Daniel, says something completely different in her mind.
"You tried…" Killua offered a shrug as he shook his head with a grin; he wasn't about to argue whether his statement was true. But with those he has fallen for in the past, it was true. Daniel and Gon were both loveable idiots in their own quirky way.
He didn't mean that in a "can't figure out what 2 plus 2 equals" kind of way, maybe for Gon. Gon was Gon. When maths equations were brought into the mix, that boy was blowing smoke out of his ears as though he was trying to figure out the cipher to some long-lost bilingual archive… not simple multiplication equations.
Daniel was a different kind of idiot. He makes mistakes, simple ones that could've been solved earlier on. It not like he doesn't reach out or ask for help when he needs it. His problem was that he didn't want to be a burden on others. Not that Gon was any different in this perspective.
His partner, however, wanted to be the one helping the majority of the time.
He had saved Daniel, like Gon many times in the past from their stupidity. The only difference between now and then, and the two of them… was that with Daniel, he was showered in affection.
There was no doubt Gon would do the same, but he didn't like the idea that he'd have to share it with someone else. Killua was monogamous, and he liked having his partner's eyes on only him.
Now if only Clarisa would stop staring, that would be nice "You know it's rude to stare?" he adjusted his glasses before looking her in the eyes.
"I'm not staring… I'm just trying to figure you out. You're complex…"
Killua flashed a cheeky grin, "I'll take that as a compliment. How about instead of entering a staring match, we play twenty questions?" The boy looked over the hall, finding an empty table they could all sit down at "There's a free table."
So, when the group sat down to eat, each of them bearing a treat they wanted to try, Killua asked the first question, "So, Clarisa, what are you studying?"
"Hmm… I'm thinking of studying to be a veterinarian. I like the idea of looking after pets. But I don't think I'm going to study that any time soon… I have plenty of time to think about it properly. How about you?"
"Electrical Engineering."
Clarisa's jaw dropped. She wasn't expecting that kind of response. He said it without a single hesitation, "You must be really smart."
"Not really… I just come from a family of go big or go home mentality. If I didn't come here, then they'll get tutors for days. I'll be lucky if I can sit on a toilet without having lecture of some kind. At least by coming here, I can go out my own pace… you know."
"Your parents must be super strict…"
"VERY, would be an understatement…"
Clarisa turned to Daniel, "What about you?"
"I'm… perplexed. Human Psychology, Philosophy or Pastry Chef."
"That's a huge difference in topics. Same type of parents?"
Hell no! Daniel thought, but he couldn't exactly say that. That would be alerting the girl that he knows more than what his letting on, "Actually, no… I haven't spoken to one of my fathers in a while. He has been avoiding me since an incident… I'm thinking of Human Psychology, because the mind is complex… and maybe by understanding it, I can understand my dad better."
"Wait, I have so many questions. You said fathers… as in multiple?"
"Two dads, yes. No mothers in my house hold… unless you count my older sister."
"Wow… what's it like having two dads, out of curiosity."
"I would imagine the same as having a mother and father. Why?"
"I don't mean to sound so…"
"Questioning?"
"No… I'm thinking more along the lines of curious. I would imagine it'll be different in some way… like twice the dad jokes."
"Nah, they're not that stereotypical… alright one of them may have been flamboyant, I guess. Although, he was also the same dad I guess could be considered "harsh". He pushed me to better myself, without exactly giving me tips on how to do so. So, I guess you could say he made me discover myself on my own. My other father was very nurturing. He was a super hugger, gave me night time kisses… loved the whole showing affection aspect. He is a really nice guy…"
Daniel sighed the more he thought about their fucked-up situation. If his grandfather, Victor wasn't alive, they wouldn't have been suffering like this "It's a shame what my other dad is doing to him, to all of us really… None of us can reach him. He's avoiding all our texts and calls. Understandably, he has a reason for doing so… My affectionate father kept a secret from his husband, one that he didn't want him to find out about. He knew what would happen if his husband found out…"
"What was the secret, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I rather not say, but I sort-of understand why my dad kept it from us."
"Ok…" Clarisa's face fell, not so much from not being able to find out the reasoning, it was because that Daniel was going through this "What about Philosophy and Pastry Chef?"
"Philosophy for the same reason, sort-of… It'll help understand my father's mannerism, how he hides the truth under so many layers of unanswered questions. As for Pastry Chef… Well, as much as I can't cook for peanuts… I can bake. I like making desserts…"
Clarisa dropped her face in her palms, a cheeky grin showing "It isn't for ulterior reasons… hmm…?"
"Absolutely not!" Daniel denied the thought. In this instance he was pretending to whoo Killua, or in this case Kyle. There was no need for Kyle to know he wants to be a pastry chef so he can shower the boy in delicious treats.
Killua was already aware of his feelings, what he wants to do for him. However, he still had to pretend that the boy didn't want to satiate his taste buds with an endless amount of tasty, chocolaty treats.
Clarisa pouted from the boy's answer. Looks like she won't get anything more out of Daniel, "That's a shame… what about you Audrey?"
"I'm not sure yet…"
"Oh, this is a surprise…" Clarisa wasn't expecting that. Kyle and Daniel knew exactly what areas they wanted to focus on; but Audrey, even though she didn't look to be that much younger than her brother, had no idea what she wanted to do.
Not that age makes a difference. She had to be around the same age as Kyle's and Daniel's, yet they knew exactly what they wanted, but she didn't…
Killua stepped in for a moment, to help his sister out somewhat on the topic. They may have made an agreement with Eifion, but to his sister, it wasn't exactly set in stone "Well, it's somewhat true in a sense. We had strict parents, no freedom whatsoever. She was… isolated from the rest of us for dumbass reasons. It's not something I would like to get into about… but, to make a long story short, she didn't have the same upbringing as our other siblings. I demanded my parents to let me take her here as well. I guess you could say… they didn't like the idea."
A soft smile graced the boy's lips "She is here because of me, and, as long as I continue to push myself, she can continue to stay with me. For the moment, I offered the idea for her to try something creative, like art, but if she doesn't like that, she can keep changing until she finds something."
Clarisa nod, accepting the circumstance the boy had been given. It's not the same as what her brother and her have gone through, but she can relate somewhat.
Daniel brought up a hand, holding it out to Kiel "What about you Kiel? Do you have your life planned ahead…?"
Kiel shook his head, "I'm not sure… I really don't know. My sister has been with me every step of the way… so, I'll follow her until I guess I know what I want…"
Daniel smiled under his mask, "It's a good goal." Removing his mask, he placed it on the table with a 'plop', "You don't have to worry about that until you're older. I'm sure your sister will want to help you every step of the way, regardless of what you want to do."
"She does…" She responded with a warm smile, gracing her features. Daniel has good taste in terms of partners, "well, since I asked so many questions, you can ask me one."
"Alright…" Daniel looked towards Killua, wondering if the boy wanted to go first.
Killua drummed his fingers on the table as he looked at Daniel. What could they ask? He looked towards Clarisa once he figured out what question to ask, "If you're comfortable saying, why are you here… specifically at this school?"
Clarisa thought about it "My brother and I came from an orphanage, maybe you heard of them… The Swordcross Institution."
Daniel was momentarily shocked at the news. Killua gave his hand a squeeze from under the table, one that told him to watch his reaction. He schooled his expression quickly, hoping that she hadn't seen his reaction to the name. The more questions she asks, the easier it'll be to figure out his identity. His dad, Nathaniel did after all came from there…
The problem was she already noticed. With a raised brow, Clarisa asked "Oh you know about them?"
"No…" Daniel spoke softly, diverting his eyes for a moment, "It's just… I'm sorry to hear about your background. It would be hard to I assume lose your parents."
"It's ok… I can't really say any more about our situation. At least not yet…" She pulled her brother in for a shoulder hug, "But, we're strong… I won't allow us to fall from that. The Orphanage is one big happy family… those who have even moved on, who've created a new life for themselves comes and visits us from time to time. We have this one guy named Nathan that comes by… he makes us all smile, and showers us in gifts."
"Sounds like a great man…" A bright smile escaped his lips. Even to those not blood related or his married to gets comforted by his warm embrace. He knew that from Scarlet, but Clarisa has confirmed it's true for everyone.
Zaikaria might not be his only family…
Those who come from the Swordcross Institution, will also be a part of his life one day. Looks like the teachers and Killua won't be the only ones shocked at the Christmas party, she'll be too.
"Well," Clarisa continued "One thing they do is send us to different schools of our choosing. Most of us end up coming here due to a deal I think was made between Swordcross Institution and Xavier's School of the gifted. They send us here on some sort of Scholarship, I believe… Alright, my turn… Hmm…" The girl tapped a finger to her chin. What should she ask next?
"What is your type Daniel?"
Daniel raised an eyebrow at the question, was she hoping that he'll say Kyle is his type? Or she hoping to see how many key traits he'll point out that Killua happens to have, "I don't have a type per say… I have things that will make me like a person more, but nothing mind-blowing…"
"Which are…?"
Daniel hums to himself, thinking how to word it "Well, first… they have to have a caring attitude. Whether that be for a sibling or others…"
Sounds more like Gon… Killua thought to himself. He doesn't necessarily care about everyone, but he has a few people his willing care about. Alluka, Ikalgo, Palm, Gon, Leorio and Kurapika, just to name a few. Daniel and his family are a rare exception, Daniel being his partner…
With Nathaniel, he's someone the boy can and will care about. However, when it comes to Vastorie and Zaikaria, they're on shaky grounds.
Daniel continued as he named another trait Killua has "I guess graceful, soft features would count if I'm gonna talk about physical looks… although, I've had a few that broke that mold. Ones I'm too ashamed to admit…"
I wonder who… Oh god, was it Hisoka…? It had better not be Hisoka!
"I would have to connect well with them, be able to freely talk about myself without putting on this… façade. If I have to hide aspects about myself, I don't believe I can connect that well with them…" I know that's only partially true, as I have kept some things from Killua… It's something I must work on with my partner, but at the same time… I don't want to burden him with my weaknesses…
The boy's eyes lingered over to Alluka, a weak smile gracing his lips as he continued to think about the situation. He needs to protect Alluka first, she's the only family he loves… and I dread to think of how he'd feel, losing the first joy of his life…
Illumi has taken her once, just in memory, and seeing how much Killua sobbed once he reconnected with her, how it brought out a smile that rivalled Gon's. If Killua lost his sister… well, even if it takes me thousands of years or lifetimes, I'll pick up every shard of Killua's broken heart, and meld it back together…
I'll make sure it pulses… No matter how long it takes…
Daniel shifted his attention back to Clarisa, his features tamed unlike his thoughts "The person I want to spend the rest of my life with, has to be someone I want to connect with, no matter the pain we have to endure along the way…"
Clarisa whistled with a smile, "See that Kyle, you're missing out on some gold here."
"Shut your trap." The boy blushed from an after thought before directing an accusatory finger at her, "Then what's your type miss single-ready-to-mingle? Who has your eye…?"
She shifted her attention to Killua, "I've had a few crushes, but none that have really sunk in. I'm not someone who is waiting for Prince or Princess Charming… Nor would I know who would fit the description. What I do know however, is I want what Daniel wants… Someone I can connect with. Whether that be through humour, or a set of circumstances we just happened to share… as long as it's a connection of sorts."
Daniel and Killua hummed in understanding.
She didn't care who or why, provided they have a connection "Alright, you're turn technically."
Killua thought about it, what is a good question to ask? Maybe he can ask something that will help them learn more about their situation "What do you think of this school in general?"
"Well, that's a question I wasn't expecting… why are you asking?"
"I want your opinion, as you've been here longer than us… So, from one student to another, what should Daniel, Audrey and I expect in the next few coming years?"
"Well, the teachers are great, and the Deacon does an amazing job with what he's got. For everyone it's going to be different, especially if you're unsure of what you want… But from our side, I guess I could argue it feels… different. You get to pick and choose, have a freedom that other schools do not normally provide. I have the freedom to spend it with my brother, while also studying at my own pace… without feeling like I've been bogged down with homework. That being said… when it comes to events like this, the Halloween Party, that's where it really shines through. They put effort into making us all happy without ruining another's night… Speaking of which."
Clarisa turned away with a sigh, "I think that's why Madeline is staying inside tonight. I don't think she wants to ruin our night… she did it with all the events last year, at least from what I could remember…"
"Speaking of which…" Daniel held out a hand to the girl in question, "why would you like us to speak to Madeline. Sure, I make I seem like Kyle and myself get along… but it can't be just because of that… did you possibly ruin your chances with her?"
Clarisa ran a thumb across the back of her hand, "I'm not sure… She moves like she doesn't exist. And when she responds, it sometimes feels like she is not always there, you know…"
Daniel hummed, "Not sure how any of us could help you, but I'll see if I can get through to her… through actions."
"Thank you… It's all I can really ask for." She brought the Witch's Coven cupcake to her lips. She took a slow bite, chewing quietly. Hopefully, she made the right choice. She wants her housemate to be happy, to make friends… even if Daniel or Kyle are the first.