20331/The Hangover

The Hangover
Date of Scene:	28 March 2025
Location:	October Everhart's House in Gotham
Synopsis:	Kim Hayes has a serious hangover following the events of the 'Last Band on Earth' concert. When she and October head back to the blonde's place in Gotham, things start to take a turn for the worse.
Cast of Characters:	October Everhart, Kim Hayes

---

October Everhart has posed:
It's been quite the day and it's not even dark yet. October unlocks her black front door and stumbles into her house, almost tripping over a hat that's fell of the hook in the hallway. "Fuck." She mumbles, kicking the beanie to one side and looking back to see if Kim is following her.

There's the scent of pot and perfume in the air as she opens the door that leads to the main living space. The bare floorboards are scuffed in several places but seem hardwearing and solid. The sofa is second hand but squashy. A strategically placed plaid throw covers a stain from where October spilled her drink on the second day they moved in here. Mismatched cushions are scattered across the sofa's length. One reads 'Take Me Back to the 90's', whilst another insists that 'Grunge is Alive'. A coffee table sits in the centre of the room with piles of items placed on it. Amongst them, two dirty coffee cups, a hairbrush, a lighter and a black kohl eyeliner pencil.

"I wonder where the hell Dime Store Kurt is." October yawns, slumping down on the sofa and kicking off her canvas sneakers without unfastening the laces. "Maybe that monster ate him."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    It's been even more of a rough day for Kim, arguably. Particularly ever since her 'significant other' decided to swallow a virtual truckload of unidentified chemicals, ostensibly to prevent them from harming any innocents, but more likely because the particular Klyntar collective known as 'Haze' has become chemically curious after years of absorbing various intoxicants imbibed by its host. Haze has retreated back into its usual camouflage as Kim's hoodie, hanging open to reveal her black Clockwork Meow Meow album t-shirt underneath with the title 'Sleep Paralysiss' on the cover. She's more made up than usual, giving her a slightly goth look that only makes her appear all the more sickly with the nauseated expression she's wearing.

    "Nah, it definitely didn't," Kim insists before covering her mouth to stifle a belch. She herself didn't drink any of that stuff, but it's somehow worked its way into her system, at least to some degree.

    << Kim: Dude. Such... a bad... idea. >>

    << Haze: We feel things we have never felt before, Hayes... >>

    << Kim: It's called a hangover, dude. >>

    "But it probably should've. I can't believe that dude bailed with the brownies," Kim lies to cover for her cohabitant's monstrous appetite. She staggers in and slumps onto the sofa next to October, looking increasingly uncomfortable as she stares at the ceiling. A faint giggle escapes from her, one that doesn't match her sickened expression. "Are you sure there was even like, a monster? You might've just had too many brownies, dude..."

    << Haze: Why are you lying to your friend, Hayes? >>

    "It's for her own good, dude," Kim says, forgetting to keep her thought to herself in her physically and mentally unsettled state.

October Everhart has posed:
"Yeah, what an asshole." October agrees. "I mean, running off is one thing but stealing the brownies you made with your own fair hands is super sketchy, dude. I could totally eat one now too. We're probably gonna need to order takeout because I didn't get around to going for groceries before you came."

As Kim sits down next to her October rests her head on her friend's shoulder. She starts to smirk when she spots the t-shirt Kim is wearing. "Man, can you remember how much Artemis flipped when we typoed the text for that cover? I swear that was like the final straw for her wanting to finish things." Kim and October had been charged with getting the design over to the printers and somewhere along the way an added s had showed up at the end of Paralysiss. The doped up duo had tried to claim it was intentional but their perfectionist lead guitarist wasn't buying it.

When Kim starts to giggle, October presumes it's the memory of the mishap, but then the subject switches to the strange shape the blonde had witnessed in the merch tent. "I did think it was the brownies at first but I swear it was actually there." Her tone doesn't sound quite as certain as her wording.

"Like, I'm not saying it was a mean monster, because it saved that kid but who's to say it wasn't hungry? And if Kurt did have those brownies, he'd have been smelling pretty sweet."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    Kim's head starts to swim as the ceiling slowly retreats from her gaze, her optical focus shifting wildly. She doesn't seem to be taking in what's being said by her friend as the blonde speaks, though she does manage to chime in, "Let's do a Chinese. That helps with a hangover, right?"

    << Haze: You should suggest that she order some chocolate as well. >>

    << Kim: If I eat anymore chocolate I'm gonna barf, dude. >>

    << Haze: We are hungry. The chemicals thrill, but do not fill. >>

    Another giggle rises from Kim, this time seeming more genuine, though her expression once again becomes sickly after a moment. She rolls onto her side, staring at October with her mouth half-open as her eyes become more and more vacant.

    << Haze: Tell her we didn't eat the foolish one. Clearly not enough brains to satisfy, anyway. >>

    << Kim: ... >>

    << Haze: ... Hayes? Perhaps we should not have eaten /all/ of the brownies... >>

    << Kim: ... >>

    << Haze: We struggle to hear your thoughts in our present state, Hayes... >>

    << Kim: ... >>

    << Haze: Hayes! Your friend is waiting. Speak! Even we are becoming anxious. >>

    "...Hey, umm, are you, like, mad at me?" Kim asks October, seemingly out of nowhere, her expression and tone both becoming timid.

October Everhart has posed:
"Yeah, I could go for a Chinese. How are you so hungover though? Like, did you even have a drink? I thought it was just the brownies and even then Kurt had most of them."

A curious expression crosses October's face when Kim starts to giggle again. "Come on Hayes, share it with the class. If something is that funny, I totally want in on the joke."

As she looks back at her friend again, this time it's with more concern. "Dude, you don't look good at all. Has someone spiked you or something?"

She slowly stands up and moves over to a chest of drawers at the other side of the room. Rummaging around, she pulls out a selection of takeout menus, searching for one that sells Chinese food. She starts to lift one aloft in triumph when Kim asks her strange question. "Mad at you? Why the fuck would I be mad at you, man? Like, we're totally cool. Or at least I think we are. Has something happened?"

Kim Hayes has posed:
    "I dunno, man. I think I might've caught something off those gross kids," Kim says as she slumps further into the sofa.

    << Haze: Those children didn't seem gross, Hayes. If anything, they looked perfectly edible, if slightly underripe. >>

    Kim suddenly bursts out laughing. "Dude, you can't say that," she tells herself, her filter between her internal and external worlds becoming more and more fraught.

    "Umm... I might've kind've spiked myself," Kim half-confesses as she starts to curl into a fetal position. "Well, not really me, but that's kind of a secret."

    She rolls over so that she's facing away from October, seemingly out of shame, hugging herself and shivering. "Umm... you know. 'Cause of what happened with me and F-Bomb. I thought you might be pissed about it."

    And Kim would have probably happily kept that to herself if it weren't for the intensifying sensation of illness and fever-dream detachment that she's undergoing at the moment. "And also, it was me, dude. I ate all the brownies."

    << Haze: There's no need to claim all the credit, Hayes. >>

    "I don't wanna claim all the credit," Kim whimpers. "But I can't tell her you did."

October Everhart has posed:
"Kids are full of germs." October admits. "So it could be the case." It would be a shame if Kim has caught a cold but probably preferable to having been spiked by some unknown substance. That can be real nasty.

"What can't I say?" The blonde asks, thinking back over her recent commentary and drawing a blank about anything too out of the ordinary. Then Kim suggests she may have willingly taken something. "What did you have and more importantly why didn't you share?" By the time the brunette is babbling about a secret, October is shaking her head.

"Yep, you're fucked up alright. Don't worry though because I'm pretty much sober so I'll watch out for you." She walks back over to the sofa and tries to turn Kim around so she can see her face again. "You're not threating about fucking Faust are you? You know I'm cool with that. We have an open relationship and I'm happy to share the hotness with my bestie. Besides, I was totally getting it on with Dime Store Kurt beforehand."

When Kim confesses to scoffing all the brownies, October starts to snort with laughter. "Poor old Kurt getting the blame." She looks at her friend strangely. "Are you hallucinating? Maybe you've just oh deed on brownies."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    Kim seems to be getting steadily more glazed as she lies there, even though she doesn't seem to have taken anything at least since the pair started heading home.

    "Umm... sorry, Tobes. I wasn't talking to you," Kim clarifies, face scrunching up a little as if she has a headache when October turns her over. She averts her gaze. "And... I don't know what I had, exactly, but it woulda been really bad for you."

    She makes an 'ulp' noise as her stomach seems to turn momentarily.

    << Haze: Do you want us to talk to her, Hayes? >>

    Kim groans and scrunches her face more.

    << Haze: If you want to deceive her, why not claim that the obnoxious one gave you something that has had this effect? >>

    "I can't just blame Kurt for everything," Kim says as she hugs her stomach before turning her eyes back to October. "I didn't mean to go full slutbag, you know?"

    << Haze: Good, you've apologised. Now tell her you also would have preferred to copulate with her over her boyfriend so you can stop moping. >>

    "Shut up," Kim tells the voice in her head. Then, to October, she says, "I just don't want things to be weird with us. I like, love you."

    << Haze: Good, you've admit- >>

    "You know, like a sister."

    << Haze: We do not think that is true. >>

    "I definitely had too many brownies," Kim adds. "And... uhh... frig..."

    She starts shivering again as another wave of malaise hits her. "S-sorry..."

October Everhart has posed:
"Kim, you're like, freaking me out, dude." October says with a frown. "How did you get this stuff? It wasn't fucking Kurt was it? If it was, I'll tear his arms off and shove one down his throat and the other up his ass."

She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a plastic bottle of water, handing it to Kim. "Maybe that will help. I mean, not with being a slutbag but the other symptoms." She tries out a smile to see if it can help Kim to override the obvious discomfort she's in and then follows up by stroking her friend's hair softly. "I love you too, bro. Things are only ever weird in a good way with us. You might wanna lay off on telling me to shut up though, or is that part of the sister thing? I know siblings are supposed to be pretty vicious with each other." As an only child October can only go off what she's witnessed with the families of her friends.

The shivering is something more to be concerned about. October pulls the plaid throw down on top of Kim to try and keep her warm. "Dude, I think I better call someone. Like, a doctor or something."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    "Nnnghh..."

    << Haze: We do not know why you think she will fear us. She seems to share our appreciation for violence. >>

    "No, it wasn't Kurt," Kim tells October, sitting up a little once she's been given the water bottle so that she can take a swig from it. She grimaces after doing so. "It was just lying around, tee bee aitch. You know me... no five second rule."

    She shudders and cringes, leaning toward October. "And I wasn't telling you to shut up. I was saying that to... mmm..."

    Kim flounders for an explanation as a gurgling rises from her stomach.

    << Haze: Apologies, Hayes. It seems we have leached... >>

    Kim suddenly lurches up to her feet and staggers out of the main living area in search of the nearest toilet.

    A few seconds later, there's a wet retching sound from the bathroom.

    A few seconds after that, Kim's voice croaks from the chamber: "Don't call the doctor." Then, after a beat, she adds, "And don't come in."

    After all, she doesn't want to explain the neon green fluid now gurgling and steaming in the bowl...

October Everhart has posed:
"Jesus, Kim. "That's pretty risky even for you." October sighs. "Okay then, Kurt can keep his arms."

October is no longer trying to figure out who Kim is talking to, as it seems obvious to her that this is all down to whatever drugs Kim has ingested. The singer is pondering a plan when she's surprised by Kim swiftly standing and shooting towards the downstairs toilet.

"You sure you don't want me to come and hold your hair back?" October checks, cringing at the sounds coming from behind the bathroom door. "You don't have to worry about me being grossed out. I've been in some sorry states myself over the years."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    << Kim: This is all your fault...!! >>

    There's more retching from the bathroom.

    Then...

    "No, it's okay. I --"

    There's the sound of yet more regurgitation into the toilet. Then, a moan. And then... a thunk?

    Followed by the sound of something hitting the bathroom floor heavily.

    If October checks in, she'll find that the toilet has been filled with the bilious green mixture - probably best not breathed in - and, lying next to it, the brunette has collapsed in the fetal position, pale and twitching.

    << Haze: Hayes. HAYES! >>

October Everhart has posed:
October is going to respect Kim's wishes but then the heavy sound is heard. She hurtles towards the bathroom and pushes the door open, thankful that it's not locked.

"Dude, I'm gonna call the ambulance." She insists, pulling out her phone and pressing nine one one. When an operator answers she hurriedly gives her address. It's only when she hangs up that she notices the green goo in the toilet bowl.

She covers her mouth, both with shock and to protect herself. This stuff looks terrifyingly toxic. Maybe she should move Kim and get her to a safer spot but she's not sure she has the strength. Fuck! Why did Faust have to be in Canada?

Kim Hayes has posed:
    There's a faint gargling sound from Kim as she continues to spasm on the bathroom tiles.

    << Haze: Hayes! Remove ourselves from this room. Tell her to stay back! It is toxic to your kind!... >>

    << Kim: ... >>

    << Haze: ...Unresponsive... >>

    << Kim: ... >>

    << Haze: Very well... we will have to act. >>

    The hoodie and jeans that Kim is wearing start to seemingly melt into purple goo before October's very eyes, rapidly creeping over Kimberly's body as she lies almost motionless and vacant-eyed on the floor. Soon, it's covered her entire form, obscuring her facial features and changing her hair to long green tendrils where it envelops them. Then, with slow, jerky motions, the subsumed body starts to rise, purple skin flowing and slick, fingers stretched into crooked claws.

    "Apologiesss, object of Hayes's affection; ssshee is indisposed. Could you kindly call the servicesss and tell them to cancel their support while we move Hayes to a sssafer ssspot?" the lanky, sibilant symbiote suggests before lurching toward the doorway - and by extension the blonde between itself and the doorway.

October Everhart has posed:
"Dude, don't die on me!" October panics, clutching her phone and staring at the screen as if it will summon the medics straight there.

She begins to rock back and forth, still with one hand covering her mouth.

When she witnesses the weirdness, October's first thought is that the green goo is causing the same symptoms in her as it has in Kim. She silently stares at Haze with her honey brown eyes, before forgetting all about self preservation and shouting. "You're that fucking monster from the tent! Dude, how did you get in my downstairs bathroom?"

She's definitely feeling afraid and is on the verge of freaking out but something about the monster seems familiar to her, friendly even. When it speaks, she follows its suggestion, calling the emergency number again and speaking softly into the phone. "Um, like, sorry, but my stupid sister decided to steal my phone and make a crank call. There's no one sick here. Sorry for the trouble."

She promptly hangs up and studies the strange creature, her gaze lingering the longest on its claws. "Are you hurting Kim? What's happening?" She asks, her voice dripping with desperation. When Haze lurches forwards she lets out a scream that feels like it's been a long time coming.

Kim Hayes has posed:
    The creature's sibilance continues as it addresses October's accusations and inquiries. "By your definition, monssster, yesss, but not one that fornicates. We rode your friend into the bathroom," it tells the blonde reassuringly.

    When the girl screams, Haze recoils viscously, shrinking as it hunkers down in a less threatening manner. "Frieennndddsss," the creature says darkly. "Hayes is our bond. Our vessel, as we are now hers. We do not harm her; we protect her. In many waysss, we are one." The creature seems to hesitate thoughtfully, its long tentacle-like green hair dangling in front of its face. "Though... it ssseeemsss we have caused her harm this time. Chemicals pass between usss. Unintended, but she respondsss poorly to the ones weee ingesssted."

    The creature lunges, reshaping itself to slither past October in a wave, reforming on the other side of her. It beckons with a claw. "Come... let usss retreat to the kitchen. Do you have any..."

    The creature's long, pink tongue slides along its yellowed rows of sharp teeth.

    "...chocolate??"

October Everhart has posed:
"So, like, you and Kim share a body or something?" October puzzles. "Because dude, I got to tell you, you look pretty different. Is it like, a possession type deal?"

Running her hand though her hair, the blonde backs up, resting against the bathroom wall. "You see her as a friend or me as a friend?" She checks.

Her mind is trying to work as quickly as possible to figure out what exactly is going on here. "Are you saying that it was you who drank that green goo shit? It was you who's made her sick? What was it you had?"

She flinches as Haze slithers past her, squinting as it appears on her other side. "Chocolate? Um, like maybe some Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream in the freezer." She starts to head towards the kitchen in a daze.

Kim Hayes has posed:
    "We are all friendsss," Haze assures October as it leads her toward the kitchen, seeming to flow and slide more like a slug than a biped. "Haze, Hayes, and 'Toby.' We have been with Hayes for some time now. We like you; you bring chocolate and dopamine to our host. She insisted we could not become better acquainted, though. Thought we would scare you away forever. That made her very sad."

    Haze cracks open the freezer, flinching as a wave of cold hits its visage. "Frozen chocolate? We suppose it will have to suffice..."

    The creature's long claws search until they find the container, then pull it out and place it on the counter. It rests its talons on the top as it regards October from behind the veil of tentacles. "We share our bodies with each other. Not in the same way as she does with others, but our minds merge; we ride her invisibly, until she requires us to take over. Otherwise, we advise."

    It starts to lift the lid off of the carton of Ben & Jerry's before checking with October: "May we? It might help revive her more easily."

October Everhart has posed:
October nods, glad that she's included in this freaky friendship group. "So you have probably listened to like, loads of our conversations then? Can you feel what she feels?" She asks curiously. "Physically I mean?" If so, then Kim's recent romp with Faust just got a whole lot more weird.

"I won't ditch Kim because of you by the way. I'm not gonna pretend that this isn't fucked up, because it really is, but she means too much to me to let your presence put me off."

She watches as Haze delves into the freezer. "Trust me, the frozen chocolate is good. It's got like, bits of brownie and cookie dough in it. You're welcome to have it all if it will help Kim."

October takes a seat on a stool at the breakfast bar that looks like it's seen better days. "What kinds of things do you advise her on?"

Kim Hayes has posed:
    The Symbiote starts to dip its long tongue into the tub of ice cream, shuddering at first in response to the chill before slurping in some of the contents. "Endless conversations," it confirms. "Most entirely without purpose. She seems to enjoy them, though. We do feel what she does." It tilts its head at the clarification. "Or the feelings created in her."

    It seems dissatisfied somehow with its own answer, but continues slurping at the ice cream a bit before continuing the conversation. "We are pleased that you will not abandon her again," the symbiote says. "She seemed to enter a sort of torpor when you left her before." It seems that the symbiote's understanding of October's meaning may be misconstrued.

    "As for our advising... everything. Though she rarely listens. She is very resistant to our efforts, with the exception of finding chocolate. It is something we agree on."

    With one more slurp, the tub is emptied. The creature licks its teeth one more time. "Is that all of the chocolate?"

    There's a faint gurgling sound from inside the creature. "Ahh... she seems to be waking. Chocolate fixes most problems."

October Everhart has posed:
October is kinda fascinated by Haze's tongue as it laps at the ice cream. She keeps getting the urge to stand up and run away but she knows it's important she stays for Kim's sake.

"She does like to talk a whole lot about nothing. It's one of the many cool things about her." October smiles.

She kinda wants to ask about the feelings that Haze may have experienced from Kim but it seems intrusive somehow. She seems a little taken a back by Haze's view that October abandoned Kim however. "I just moved to a new city, dude. I never stopped being her friend. Faust and his band are based in Gotham, so it makes it a lot easier for him. Plus, I've got this cool new job now."

October had missed Kim a lot when she moved away from New York, but she hadn't stopped to think that Kim would feel let down by her. Surely they can live their own lives and still be friends?

"Well, most people like chocolate. I don't think we've got anymore around the house though. There's a grocery store a few blocks away if you've got a real craving. I only really get those at a certain time of the month."

The talk of Kim awakening has October sitting up straighter and resting her hands on the counter as she leans forwards. "Hey, Kim. Stop napping, sleepyhead."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    << Kim: What happened...? Why is it cold? >>

    << Haze: We required more chocolate to revive you. >>

    << Kim: That doesn't make very much sense... >>

    << Haze: Rouse yourself, Hayes. Your friend is concerned. >>

    << Kim: Wait, did you -- >>

    "Oh, shit!" the symbiote says as its hands are suddenly thrown up to hide its face, fingers clutching at the tentacles. "Don't look at me!"

    The creature seems to visibly wrestle with itself. "Relax, Hayes. She does not fear usss!" The symbiote turns to face away from October. "Well, not essspecially."

    "You shouldn't have shown yourself, Haze! Now you've blown it for us!" the gooey monster retorts, staggering and turning back around.

    "We were saving your life, Hayes. Gratitude would be appreciated; but for now, we will retreat."

    And it does - the thick, purple goop rapidly transforming back into the young woman's grey hoodie and jeans and t-shirt, leaving the brunette standing there, clutching at her messy hair, face partially hidden by her arms. Her makeup is even still there, though her mascara has certainly run, giving her an even more gothic look. Fortunately, though still pallid, she appears to be restored to better health, at least.

    "Umm, umm... I can explain," Kim claims with a quavering voice, still hiding behind her arms. She does not explain, though. At least, not right away. She seems to be mostly standing there, almost afraid to reveal even her real face.

    "...Why do I have brain freeze?"

October Everhart has posed:
"Kim? Is that you, babe?" October asks. She must be worried to not call her friend bitch or skank.

As soon as Kim has spoken up then she seems to vanish again and Haze is back. The whole effect of the switching between the two is causing some kind of mental whiplash in October.

"They haven't blown it." She tries to reassure the brunette bassist. "I'm still here and just wanting you to be okay. I thought you were gonna die. I think the monster saved your life or something, like they say."

When Haze says they're going to retreat, October says. "Thanks, dude. I appreciate you helping Kim and all." Then she's left alone with her bestie again.

"Are you alright?" October wonders, her facial expression one of stunned awe at witnessing the transformation again, this time in reverse. "I think Haze explained a bit already but I must admit I still have some questions. They can wait though, you know, if you're feeling wrecked or whatever. The brain freeze is from the tentacle dude eating a whole tub of Half Baked."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    << Haze: At least your friend is grateful. >>

    "Why would you eat a whole tub of ice cream, dude?" Kim asks as her eyes shut tight and her teeth grit against each other, hoodie sleeve pressed against her forehead. "Can you just like, stop eating everything and making me sick??"

    << Haze: We will try, but no promises. >>

    Kim slumps forward against the countertop, resting her hands on either side of her head as she pouts. After a moment, her eyes open and turn to October's face, her expression shifting to embarrassment. "I guess I feel a bit better, at least."

    << Haze: Not twitching on the ground like a dying insect seems to be an improvement. >>

    "Sorry for what I did to your toilet, dude. I wish I was half baked right now."

    Sighing like a deflating balloon, she slides down to the floor, sitting back against the refrigerator as she wraps her arms around herself. "Just like old times, huh?" she says with a morbid air as she rests her chin against her knees. "Except now with less Cee-Pee-Arr and more slime monsters."

October Everhart has posed:
"To be fair, I've definitely had a whole tub of Half Baked before." October admits. "Funnily enough when I was half baked."

She rests her hoody clad elbows on the counter and looks towards Kim with curiosity. "So, like, why is the monster dude so into chocolate anyway?"

She follows her question with a smile when Kim says that she feels somewhat better. "I'm glad. I mean, I'm not sure you could have felt much worse to be fair."

She hand waves the damage done to the toilet though. "It'll probably flush."

When Kim ends up on the floor, October goes to join her, scooting up to sit by her against the black fridge. It's a Smeg one that's actually got a blackboard for a door. Someone has written 'Fuck You" on it in bright blue chalk.

"Yeah, I suppose it is in a way. How about you don't scare me like this ever again?" She suggests, nudging Kim. "I did actually call the ambulance but your buddy persuaded me to cancel it. I had to pretend it'd been a prank call so they didn't come."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    "Oh, it eats chocolate so it doesn't have to eat brains," Kim explains a bit distantly, before adding, "I mean, there's something in chocolate that it needs to eat to live. Which is also in brains. It's never eaten brains, though." She hesitates a minute before appending, "At least, not while I've known it."

    She pauses, looking at nothing in particular, as if listening for something.

    "Yeah. Never eaten brains. It swears. We met one that does, once. It was way scarier."

    She looks over at October as she's nudged, frowning apologetically. "Yeah, sorry. I mean, it wasn't my fault, really. It was Haze that decided chugging toxic goop was a good idea."

    << Haze: Still think it was better than leaving it. >>

    "But like, I guess we're kind of like, conjoined, so it's still kinda my fault." She leans against October, sighing again. "So, like, you wanna watch some TV or something? Or like, play some video games?"

    She notices the words on the fridge. "Hey, nice graffiti. Did Faust leave that for me?"

October Everhart has posed:
"Chocolate and brains have some of the same stuff in them?" The bedraggled blonde boggles. "So does eating chocolate make you smarter then?"

She absent-mindedly starts to play with a strand of Kim's hair. "It's a relief that your friend hasn't eaten any brains but you're saying there's others out there and at least one of them does? Where the fuck do they come from? Are they just like, hiding in the shadows, waiting to jump into people or whatever?"

Kim's apology is shrugged off with a slight smile. "Yeah, I get that it wasn't you who was jonesing for the green goop. Maybe your monster is an addict like you, you might be meant to be." She teases.

October yawns dramatically, turning to face the fridge. "Nah, I left it for Faust after he went in there and guzzled all the grape soda. Neither of us has bothered to wipe it off yet. Write something else if you want."

She stands up, stretching out her limbs that already feel like they're going to sleep after just a short time sitting on the kitchen floor. "Let's put the tee vee on. I'll load up Netflix. I wanna see that new Robert De Niro show."

Kim Hayes has posed:
    "Uhh, I don't think that's how it works, seeing as I'm still a dumbass," Kim points out to October on the subject of chocolate and brains. She smiles as her friend starts playing with her hair. "I only know of like, two others, and I think one of them's friendly," she informs the blonde. "I found this one when I was taking out the trash at work. I thought it was a cat at first. I don't think they're like, more of a problem than the goons who live in Gotham anyway. At least, as long as they're not right in front of you trying to eat you, I guess."

    She cringes just a little when October says that the Klyntar might be an addict like her, and that they are meant to be. It's a little close to the bone, and something that has helped the two of them understand each other - both driven by need.

    "Yeah, we're like our own private addiction club. Chocoholics Anonymous," Kim jokes, standing up and taking the chalk, tapping it against her chin before adding to the text. Above: 'May I Please' and below: 'Mr. Fist.'

    "Now it's a proposition," Kim remarks as she turns to follow October to the TV room, quoting Methods of Madness in a put-on deep, boisterous bro-voice. "Fuck you, fuck you, it's a proposition...!"

October Everhart has posed:
"You're not a dumbass." October insists. "You're probably smarter than me and I'm definitely not." She decides.

"So there's three of them out there. Only one of them possibly evil. Maybe the other two can gang up on it and force it to stop eating people's brains." She ponders.

"That's crazy though about it jumping you when you were putting the garbage out. Did you have empty chocolate wrappers in there?"

October wasn't trying to be mean about Kim's addictive personality but she's obviously aware of her best friend's attraction to certain substances. It's not like she doesn't indulge in all the same ones herself, it's just that Kim often seems to need them, whereas October just wants them. It's a subtle difference but something that the singer is aware of. Still, Kim seems to be making light of it, which is a good sign.

"Nice!" She grins as Kim puts her own spin on the caustic message. "He'll definitely know it wasn't me though. There's no way I'd be that polite about wanting to bone my boyfriend."

She follows after Kim, finding herself joining in with the incredibly catchy song. "Man, I haven't heard that one in ages. What a fucking classic."