Clarence scooted closer, not really caring how the grass or dirt mucked up his jeans in the process. Cheddar grudgingly crept along beside and eventually flopped down on his back to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

"It sounds like you had a lot of fun," Clarence said, chancing a small smile. "It doesn't feel so magical here in a place like New York, though..."

A place like Newcastle or whatever definitely sounded like an adventure. But here, everything was the same. Grey or red brick buildings, scarce greenery unless you hit up a park, reminders of the futility of The American Dream everywhere. Different boroughs, same bullspit. Just a subway or bus stop away.

He shook his head. "I mean, I don't think I can hide it right about now if someone asked me directly, but sure, I'll try to avoid it."

Hopefully by the time he spoke with them again properly he'd be over this truthfulness curse and could make things peaceful again with the same half-truths and lies of omission he had gotten away with before. Back to the status quo.

"Is that how you figured out you liked flowers? Seeing different places and stuff?"