Kai-Li Yeung (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
handouts) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecomplex2014-07-27 10:23 pm
handouts) wrote in thecomplex2014-07-27 10:23 pm
In which a man and his sister move in [HANDOUTS+CHINAGRETEL]
Creaaak- EXHAUST. And with that, a dim diesel rumble. A moving truck sits in front of one of the empty complex rooms, and at the wheel of the little uhaul, Kai slumps.
God, he shouldn't be this tired from driving thirty minutes down the road with just his off hand in front of his sister. She probably already wants to kill him for how useless his injuries are making him. Absolutely no lifting, says the nice doctor. Not that he didn't try anyway, and bend double for breath, holding his ribs.
The blond girl next to him seems to be pointedly ignoring him, texting away on a cell phone paid out to the end of the month.
This hasn't been the best month for Rylie either, naturally, but when a fourteen-year-old girl has to call on a posse of would-be-boyfriends and buddies after the estate sale, and pack up the majority of odds and ends herself you know you're in sad shape.
He'd swear there's transparent evasion in all those friends suddenly being too busy to help her move in. Rylie does NOT approve of their new place, does not approve of having people realize she's suddenly not in such good shape financially. She's not even officially guardian'd up yet, with all the paperwork and shit.
Enormity sits like a weight on Kai's shoulders, but he straightens up and forces an eyebrow waggle--the kind Rylie always hated.
He is so bad at being their dad.
God, how are they going to get this to the second floor?
Fortunately, he's got resting bitchface to hide that.
They didn't even sing stupid songs on the way over.
Does she still do that? The last time they really spent more than a chance weekend in the same space, his sister was twelve. Now she's a bleach-blonde and a cheerleader.
She's a total stranger, and he's not the artsy older brother with bad taste anymore.
What the Hell are they going to do?
"Ready to move in?"
She ignores him, texting away with her thumbs, booted feet scrunched up on the edge of the seat, hunching her in.
Kai reaches out, and taps her knee, "Hey-"
"get off. i got it." Rylie snaps, clicking her gum at him, with a knock of her knee, stowing the phone and wrenching open the door with a twist.
She slams it after her, and Kai can't help but cringe a little on the inside.
He slides out of the cab after her, wondering if maybe he can fudge carrying in their winter coats or some blankets or something, wondering when he's supposed to get used to actually being less useful than a normal human being, and if he'll have enough rent to avoid getting evicted in two months.
Must be nice to still be a teenager...
God, he shouldn't be this tired from driving thirty minutes down the road with just his off hand in front of his sister. She probably already wants to kill him for how useless his injuries are making him. Absolutely no lifting, says the nice doctor. Not that he didn't try anyway, and bend double for breath, holding his ribs.
The blond girl next to him seems to be pointedly ignoring him, texting away on a cell phone paid out to the end of the month.
This hasn't been the best month for Rylie either, naturally, but when a fourteen-year-old girl has to call on a posse of would-be-boyfriends and buddies after the estate sale, and pack up the majority of odds and ends herself you know you're in sad shape.
He'd swear there's transparent evasion in all those friends suddenly being too busy to help her move in. Rylie does NOT approve of their new place, does not approve of having people realize she's suddenly not in such good shape financially. She's not even officially guardian'd up yet, with all the paperwork and shit.
Enormity sits like a weight on Kai's shoulders, but he straightens up and forces an eyebrow waggle--the kind Rylie always hated.
He is so bad at being their dad.
God, how are they going to get this to the second floor?
Fortunately, he's got resting bitchface to hide that.
They didn't even sing stupid songs on the way over.
Does she still do that? The last time they really spent more than a chance weekend in the same space, his sister was twelve. Now she's a bleach-blonde and a cheerleader.
She's a total stranger, and he's not the artsy older brother with bad taste anymore.
What the Hell are they going to do?
"Ready to move in?"
She ignores him, texting away with her thumbs, booted feet scrunched up on the edge of the seat, hunching her in.
Kai reaches out, and taps her knee, "Hey-"
"get off. i got it." Rylie snaps, clicking her gum at him, with a knock of her knee, stowing the phone and wrenching open the door with a twist.
She slams it after her, and Kai can't help but cringe a little on the inside.
He slides out of the cab after her, wondering if maybe he can fudge carrying in their winter coats or some blankets or something, wondering when he's supposed to get used to actually being less useful than a normal human being, and if he'll have enough rent to avoid getting evicted in two months.
Must be nice to still be a teenager...
Re: Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
Pretty much.
[Casual shrug.]
I don't see the problem.
Unless somehow you don't like compliments?
In that case, my bad.
Re: Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
[She's no longer sure if she's going to cry or run downstairs and start punching.
So here comes a big, screaming, emotional exposition, half-incoherent and raving on how she spent hours on getting her hair right, and finding the right mascara so she could ditch the false eyelashes. Hours of exfoliation and waxing, and plucking, and living through awful late elementary days as a chunky Asian girl with braces and glasses, who wasn't good at math or science, or anything she was supposed to be, saving money from babysitting small children and pets so she could go to cheerleading camp in the summer. Getting up at five in the morning so she could run and wash up for school after.
More exposition on how you don't understand.
This is supposed to be the payoff: high school. Making it.
And she was there, this year, at JV tryouts, pumping weights in the school gum, and running cross country after school. She was there, qualifying for female shootout, and even bringing their school a shot at making regionals.
All this great outpouring of sound and anger and hard work-]
-And now mom, dad, and Auntie Soo are all dead, and Kai's all hurt, and I have to change schools, and live in this shithole full of creeps, and it just isn't fair!
And I'm NOT A DAMN CROSSDRESSER, okay?!
[She's completely bawling by the end of that, streaking big black mascara tears]
I'm noooooooooooot!
[Wailing into her hands now.]
Re: Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
Oh, Mei-Mei, no, he didn't-
[Nope. Bawwwwww is happening up there. And the whole residence probably heard that story about how being a kid is hard and nobody understands.
He taps Neil's shoulder murmuring to him,]
We should go up.
Re: Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
Come to think of it, maybe there was a sign somewhere that he missed. Something that should have clued him in. He turns his head to give Kai a look--apologetic. He didn't mean to make your sister cry, man.]
Lead the way.
[1/3] Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
There are just too many landmines to be avoided sometimes.
Blame it on the age if you like.
Also, unlocking your house door is a bit more complicated with one hand. He puts the key in his teeth so he can turn the handle.]
Mei-Mei?
[DOORSLAM.
Kai sighs and looks at you Neil with this kind of long-suffering 'WOMEN, AMIRITE' face.
'scuse the clutter. Just kind of... pick your way around the boxes and the bubble-wrapped and newspaper-tied bits of furniture. Kindly step over this crate full of pans, and follow him.
Door knocking.]
Mei-Mei, come on. I'm going to unwrap the TV and find a stupid movie and you can meet Neil without yelling or throwing things.
Or maybe...just... throwing them at me?
[Winces at Neil, mouthing, I don't know. What?]
[2/3] Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
[Oh God, she's so mad and can't stop crying at the same time.
Gross juicy shnnnnnck over the back of her hand.]
Go away!
I don't want to meet any more of the gross people you've probably fucked!
[3/3] Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
Well there you are. His sister thinks he's the village bicycle. That does kind of irritate him, but he shows it by breathing quietly through his nose for a second, then tapping the closed door with an apparently resigned sigh,]
In that case, if you don't come out, I'm going to have completely debauched and kinky sex with this random neighbor in the middle of the living room.
[Mouthes a ' sorry' at you before adding to the door,]
It's going to be mind-blowingly pornographic.
You don't want to know how incredibly kinky it's going to be.
[Another apologetic wince at Neil, waving his hand to indicate they should start going down the hall now, adding a little more loudly at Rylie's door,]
You left your dresser out here, right?
I always wanted to try something with those knobs...
I wonder which box my bullwhip's in.
[Oh please go along with this, Neil. He's got the most knotted eyebrows in an otherwise blank face right now. Chances are you won't actually think he has a bullwhip. This probably isn't an outing that he likes borderline illegal things. Probably.
Maybe?
All on your shoulders now, Neil.]
Maybe some towels.
[Almost a grumble. Almost.
No, really. He's not mad. ...yeahhhhhhh.
Not...mad...
And this totally isn't him grumbling under his breath again..]
Gai so fei hua... Guanwopishi.***
[Louder again,]
Loads of sex. Using your toothbrush.
'Kay thanks bye.
*** "Damned Nonsense. I don't give a damn."
Neil, Kai & Rylie | Apparently learning how to be men
This was not how he expected Kai to tackle this situation.
Neil doesn't know how to handle crying people. He's used to weird looks. He's used to shouting. He's even used to getting punched. Mainly when he's antagonizing Lucas. Or when he managed to tick off Alyssa.
Tears are more complicated.
He's going to trust you to know what you're doing, Kai.]
We even have the perfect setup for a porno scene here.
I've always wanted to play out one of those scenarios.
I call being the helpful moving guy.
What's that?
You've misplaced your wallet?
Don't worry.
I can think of a few things you can do to thank me for all my hard work.