Confrontation

Clover didn’t like Johnathan. A fact he found disappointing, as Johnathan was a handsome fox, and he very well might have pursued him, had it not been for his personality.

He found him rude and uncaring of the individuals around him. He once asked Pepper why she tolerated him, and all she had to offer was a shrug.

He didn’t push it too much, the same could’ve been asked of himself, and rather selfishly, did not want her to reconsider his welcome.

Even so, with every sound Johnathan made, Clover found it harder to not give him a smack upside the head, like the way his mother had done when he and Paprika were being foolish in life.

Being polite was natural, but he made it difficult.

Today he seemed to be listing off various scenarios he had yet to do from his “ann-nee-mays”, whatever those were. Johnathan hadn’t really explained it, in fact seemed rather insulted that he didn’t know.

This increasingly frustrated Clover. Film had really only been around for a couple of decades in his life, and seemed to have evolved quite a bit, according to the few pieces he could understand of what Opal had told him. Hell, sound was still relatively new when he had died.

“-And I was wondering when we’d have a beach episode,” Johnathan had finished.

“A what?” Clover asked, a little impatiently.

“A beach epi- were you not listening to me?”
“Not really, no.”

Johnathan made a series of indistinct noises that vaguely reminded Clover of rough waves hitting the shore. “But I listed my whole plan and everything! You’re gonna have me repeat myself?!”

“Honestly I wish you had never said anything in the first place,” He sighed, leaning back into his chair. “You talk many a big game, each one more imaginative than the next. Grand plans for Pepper and I and anyone else who might cross your path, but you never stop to ask if any of us are willing participants.”

Johnathan stared at him dumbfounded, and he knew that absolutely none of what he had said had been absorbed.

“Oh I see,” Johnathan said, a moment of clarity gracing his face. Clover couldn’t help but hope.

“You’re being a foil, highlighting my qualities by being a debbie downer!”

He didn’t know why he tried.

“Why is it you want a beach episode anyways, it doesn’t really match what usual nonsense you spout.”

“Well, it’s good fun mostly, a way for all the characters to relax in a not canon episode, usually before facing off against the main villain. A good filler episode!”

“And pray tell, the villain of your story?” He knew the answer, but wanted to hear it confirmed.

Johnathan grinned, pleased that someone was showing interest in his life plan. “The Dark Lord himself, of course,” He said, pointing to Elna Manor. “That fox has been tormenting this town for years!”

Clover needed a cigarette. According to Pepper those things were bad for your health, but he doubted such things would be a problem for his new body.

“Paprika doesn’t go near this town, and specifically forbids Habanero from abducting any of it’s citizens,” He said.

“Ah yes, I forgot, you lived with the monster for some time,” The fox said smugly. “Good to know you’ve switched sides.”

“Switched- There’s no sides here Johnathan! This is just life.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because-! You know what, I don’t owe you that answer, my business is my own.”

Johnathan nodded sagely. “Yes, I’ve noted from the beginning that your weakness may be attributed to your cowardice.”

With that, Clover snatched at Johnathan’s front, and held him, his soft body yielding to his grip like a shirt. 

“You don’t know me,” He growled. “I am not a little character in your little shows, fulfilling a role, and participating in some plot. I am not a weak doll who needs protecting, not a prize to be won, or an obstacle to overcome. What I *am* is a very old fox who has become very tired of your insistence that I am not important to the weave of reality. That my absence would be neither noticed nor missed.”

Then he released Johnathan, too stunned to retaliate. He could tell that his strength and intensity surprised him. As it did most men who thought they could overpower him.

Done with sharing space with this fool, Clover made his exit.

He passed Pepper on the way out, who gave him a confused look, but, thankfully, asked no questions, as he told her he would be out for a walk.

He didn’t like being out in Woolhope too much, the town was always wear of strangers, but he was sure that the residents were at least aware of how closely he resided to their current menace. 

But he was used to the learing eyes of strangers, judging him for actions largely out of his control. And he was used to the pair of eyes in the crowd, who pleaded and begged, tugging at his belt, sharing a moment of intimacy and understanding.

He enjoyed those moments. They were a brief moment of refuge from the world. Which is why it stung all the more when his partners returned to the world outside, leaving him alone.

And this time, he didn’t even have anything to show for it.