Alberto "oh no" Scorfano (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
prontissimo) wrote2027-11-01 07:39 pm
prontissimo) wrote2027-11-01 07:39 pm
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m e s s a g g i
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[ Alberto's caught by surprise at first when she offers her hand to him, but he's not too old to hold her hand by any means. He's touch-starved and has such an out of touch concept of what maturity levels kids his age are at; but more than that, he'll eat up any bit of attention and affection, without hesitation. So while it catches him off guard, he takes her hand happily, thinking back on how she held his hand the first time she met him, too, when they were going upstairs together. He'd been surprised and touched by it then, but having grown closer to Pepa since, it's an even nicer feeling now. He's never been mothered, never had any adult women in his life closely. He's even never walked down a street hand-in-hand with anyone, besides maybe Luca briefly — but certainly never with his own father. There were no streets. There was no need to hold hands. But even if it's a bit unfamiliar to him — he decides he likes it.
So they'll walk hand-in-hand together on their way, Alberto's smiling bright-eyed up at her as they chat, already getting schmaltzy and enthused about this trip from the moment they step off. ]
I'm so excited, heh! I love shopping. That's basically my job here— I mean, before I started school, it was. I don't shop at stores a lot, though, cuz I don't usually buy a lot of new stuff... I guess, except at the Home Depot. And, y'know, groceries.
[ "Shopping" was his job...? Even as they get closer, the things Alberto says never seem to add up, no matter what. ]
So they'll walk hand-in-hand together on their way, Alberto's smiling bright-eyed up at her as they chat, already getting schmaltzy and enthused about this trip from the moment they step off. ]
I'm so excited, heh! I love shopping. That's basically my job here— I mean, before I started school, it was. I don't shop at stores a lot, though, cuz I don't usually buy a lot of new stuff... I guess, except at the Home Depot. And, y'know, groceries.
[ "Shopping" was his job...? Even as they get closer, the things Alberto says never seem to add up, no matter what. ]
I- I mean, I don't...the amount of salt doesn't really affect the luck?
[Oh god he regrets everything. People never asked him any deep-dive questions about his little tics before. They've just accepted it as a Weird Bruno Thing and left him alone.]
It's just a supersition y'know? I mean...I think it helps? Some people don't. It's not like a Gift or anything. It's just a thing people do to try and make things...less unlucky for them.
[Oh god he regrets everything. People never asked him any deep-dive questions about his little tics before. They've just accepted it as a Weird Bruno Thing and left him alone.]
It's just a supersition y'know? I mean...I think it helps? Some people don't. It's not like a Gift or anything. It's just a thing people do to try and make things...less unlucky for them.
[ Alberto listens to Bruno with full focus still, then glances to Luca deliberatively for a beat, as if to say "yeah, checks out," without so many words. Alberto hadn't really believed in ghosts before he came here, until a ghost (awkwardly) tried to drown him just a few days ago... so he's already especially inclined to question his supernatural skepticism right now. Also considering he's been spirited away to another dimension across time and space, magically learned another language without effort, and objects from Portorosso mysteriously showed up in his home, not to mention he was kidnapped by fairies, is talking to a man who can see the future, and is himself a sea monster? Alberto's in no position to play the skeptic on this. Luca knows plenty about sea monster superstitions, too, so he figures he'll trust his judgment on this?
He gives Luca the slightest twitch of a shrug and a long face to defer the call onto him and end that silent blip of a conversation, like all that goes without saying between the boys. While Alberto's become particularly close with Bruno over the past month, far more than with anyone else here, he of course still is not completely open and transparent yet — and frankly, he really isn't with anyone but... Luca... So seeing this rapport between the two of them shows another side of Alberto, already obviously happier and more at ease beside his legendary best friend. He seems to act on autopilot with him now, even slightly more humble than usual perhaps, the two communicating so much this whole time with so many little looks. They just feed into each other's inquisitive energy, to boot, which is probably a sweet dynamic to see in person at last but — yeahhhh, overwhelming, very. Luca lives up to the hype Alberto's built, and now the hype is... here. With Alberto, who is now extra hyped. Tagteaming Bruno in this impromptu interview from the start. Pobrecito... ]
He gives Luca the slightest twitch of a shrug and a long face to defer the call onto him and end that silent blip of a conversation, like all that goes without saying between the boys. While Alberto's become particularly close with Bruno over the past month, far more than with anyone else here, he of course still is not completely open and transparent yet — and frankly, he really isn't with anyone but... Luca... So seeing this rapport between the two of them shows another side of Alberto, already obviously happier and more at ease beside his legendary best friend. He seems to act on autopilot with him now, even slightly more humble than usual perhaps, the two communicating so much this whole time with so many little looks. They just feed into each other's inquisitive energy, to boot, which is probably a sweet dynamic to see in person at last but — yeahhhh, overwhelming, very. Luca lives up to the hype Alberto's built, and now the hype is... here. With Alberto, who is now extra hyped. Tagteaming Bruno in this impromptu interview from the start. Pobrecito... ]
Hey kiddo! You at home? I have something I wanna give you.
[Is he already outside Alberto and Luca's home? Absolutely, but he's not gonna mention that yet!]
[Is he already outside Alberto and Luca's home? Absolutely, but he's not gonna mention that yet!]
Yup! when you get here just comein. keys under the mat.
[ fnrjlskd...... N-Nevermind how unsafe that hiding spot is... It's his birthday...
He doesn't expect Bruno to be right outside, that's for sure. He's been slowly putzing about the house in his own time today, hasn't even put the coffee on or had breakfast yet, only having just plopped down from his morning shower. Luca's now taking his turn in there now, leaving Alberto alone for a while to decide what to do with the day. Most he's managed so far was putting on his new favorite outfit, Luz having given them a human fashion crash course recently (though he has taken to doodling on his jeans in school lately), even though he's just lounging around at home for now — just one of his own small attempts to make it a special day, relishing the pleasant details. That's about all he's used to, though; as far as he knows, the extent of birthday celebrations are little mood-boosters like that, eating his favorite food, not getting in trouble for stuff he might usually get in trouble for... which, at least, is a guaranteed this year. First birthday he's ever spent with anyone but his dad. He's already so indulgent on a daily basis as it is here, though, so he's not really sure at all how this is supposed to go now. Certainly not expecting presents from anyone, which makes him suspicious when Bruno says he's got something to give him — but that could mean anything! At least he won't need to wonder for long...! ]
[ fnrjlskd...... N-Nevermind how unsafe that hiding spot is... It's his birthday...
He doesn't expect Bruno to be right outside, that's for sure. He's been slowly putzing about the house in his own time today, hasn't even put the coffee on or had breakfast yet, only having just plopped down from his morning shower. Luca's now taking his turn in there now, leaving Alberto alone for a while to decide what to do with the day. Most he's managed so far was putting on his new favorite outfit, Luz having given them a human fashion crash course recently (though he has taken to doodling on his jeans in school lately), even though he's just lounging around at home for now — just one of his own small attempts to make it a special day, relishing the pleasant details. That's about all he's used to, though; as far as he knows, the extent of birthday celebrations are little mood-boosters like that, eating his favorite food, not getting in trouble for stuff he might usually get in trouble for... which, at least, is a guaranteed this year. First birthday he's ever spent with anyone but his dad. He's already so indulgent on a daily basis as it is here, though, so he's not really sure at all how this is supposed to go now. Certainly not expecting presents from anyone, which makes him suspicious when Bruno says he's got something to give him — but that could mean anything! At least he won't need to wonder for long...! ]
Oh.
[Now the gears in his brain are working. He wonders if there's any way to test how much less unlucky it makes things? Maybe, maybe not. He's not sure. Still, it certainly couldn't hurt to throw some salt over his shoulder. Although he might not want to throw as much as they'd been throwing, since that might just make a mess.]
That makes sense. And it can't hurt to try it and see if it makes things luckier!
[Now the gears in his brain are working. He wonders if there's any way to test how much less unlucky it makes things? Maybe, maybe not. He's not sure. Still, it certainly couldn't hurt to throw some salt over his shoulder. Although he might not want to throw as much as they'd been throwing, since that might just make a mess.]
That makes sense. And it can't hurt to try it and see if it makes things luckier!
[Child, that is SUPER unsafe- but Bruno doesn't think about that. He's spent the vast majority of his life in a magical house that would actively attack anyone stupid enough to intrude inside it. He's not exactly got the life experience here to hold a solid opinion of household security. As such, he doesn't think much of it as he takes the key to let himself in, balancing two parcels in his arms.
He smiles as he comes across Alberto drawing on his jeans, raising the gifts a little. ]
Feliz Cumpleaños, Alberto. How does it feel being an extra year older?
He smiles as he comes across Alberto drawing on his jeans, raising the gifts a little. ]
Feliz Cumpleaños, Alberto. How does it feel being an extra year older?
There you, go, exactly! Better than not doing anything at all and feeling super cursed, right?
[One might say that this deep-seated superstition comes from Bruno being able to see the future and has felt helpless in controlling it for the vast majority of his existence. But that is a deep-dive that Bruno never wants to do thank you! ]
[One might say that this deep-seated superstition comes from Bruno being able to see the future and has felt helpless in controlling it for the vast majority of his existence. But that is a deep-dive that Bruno never wants to do thank you! ]
Ha, for sure.
[ Something about the way Bruno phrases that strikes a weird nerve with Alberto, too, but he's not tuning into that either, thanks. He's just hot on the idea that he can keep away bad luck potentially. And if Luca's on board with it, he's even more inclined to take it as fact. Especially coming from Bruno. He'll definitely be looking into this on his own now, too, finding more anti-bad luck methods... No doubt about that. ]
Y'know— back home in Portorosso, lots of people were superstitious. Pretty much everyone. But some superstitions are true! Right, Luca?
[ He flashes Luca a grin, keeping it lighthearted, not all that suspicious, moves right along past that innocent little aside; but privately, Luca knows Alberto's actually just going Hahaaaa... ]
So just in case the anti-bad luck stuff does work, s'worth a try. Heh, I mean, I need all the help I can get, ha~!
[ The humblest thing Alberto's ever said of himself...? Too bad the bad luck that follows him just so happens to resemble the consequences of his own actions; six of one, half a dozen of the other... ]
[ Something about the way Bruno phrases that strikes a weird nerve with Alberto, too, but he's not tuning into that either, thanks. He's just hot on the idea that he can keep away bad luck potentially. And if Luca's on board with it, he's even more inclined to take it as fact. Especially coming from Bruno. He'll definitely be looking into this on his own now, too, finding more anti-bad luck methods... No doubt about that. ]
Y'know— back home in Portorosso, lots of people were superstitious. Pretty much everyone. But some superstitions are true! Right, Luca?
[ He flashes Luca a grin, keeping it lighthearted, not all that suspicious, moves right along past that innocent little aside; but privately, Luca knows Alberto's actually just going Hahaaaa... ]
So just in case the anti-bad luck stuff does work, s'worth a try. Heh, I mean, I need all the help I can get, ha~!
[ The humblest thing Alberto's ever said of himself...? Too bad the bad luck that follows him just so happens to resemble the consequences of his own actions; six of one, half a dozen of the other... ]
[ Bruno startles Alberto slightly when he comes in so soon, Alberto looking bewildered at first before his face lights up at Bruno's words, taken by surprise again. Birthday presents. He hasn't received those since his dad left — so it carries extra weight Bruno surprising him with anything birthday-related at all first thing in the morning, let alone showing up with wrapped gifts...! ]
Ah— Gra-Gracias, Bruno! Ciao, haha. Jeez, can you teleport now too or what? Ha...
[ Or just... text from outside the door. But of course Alberto's mind first goes to, "ah, Bruno has another super power," joking as he is — he wouldn't rule it out. He crosses his legs and leans forward in his spot, patting the cushion next to him for Bruno to join him, waiting to answer his funny question til he does. His smile is still painted with puzzlement, letting a little breath of a laugh out as his grin widens. ]
Um, heh— I'unno yet, but judging from the first hour so far? Feels good, feels good~ Hehe... Definitely different from last year's birthday? Hah!
[ K-Kind of bittersweet joke, oof, but he feels so relieved he can be so much more honest with Bruno now, ever since their big talk a few weeks agoin which he'll probs also tell Bruno about his dad and being alone et al, once we get there lmao so it doesn't feel as sad as maybe it might otherwise. And if it is, well— at least he can laugh about it. ]
Ah— Gra-Gracias, Bruno! Ciao, haha. Jeez, can you teleport now too or what? Ha...
[ Or just... text from outside the door. But of course Alberto's mind first goes to, "ah, Bruno has another super power," joking as he is — he wouldn't rule it out. He crosses his legs and leans forward in his spot, patting the cushion next to him for Bruno to join him, waiting to answer his funny question til he does. His smile is still painted with puzzlement, letting a little breath of a laugh out as his grin widens. ]
Um, heh— I'unno yet, but judging from the first hour so far? Feels good, feels good~ Hehe... Definitely different from last year's birthday? Hah!
[ K-Kind of bittersweet joke, oof, but he feels so relieved he can be so much more honest with Bruno now, ever since their big talk a few weeks ago
Right! Like if you try to fish somewhere that fish have died, you won't catch any fish!
[Also known as a 'fish graveyard'. Of course, there are a million exceptions. It doesn't count if they've died there because someone caught it for food or if a predator ate it. And sometimes fish die and you can still catch fish there. Still, there's sometimes in some places where fish die and you won't find many living fish in the area. Also, these areas are haunted and if you stay in these zones for too long the fish ghosts will make it hard to breathe. It's the superstition he figures would be the least suspicious, since humans fish, too, and it's not something that would have to be happening exclusively underwater.]
[Also known as a 'fish graveyard'. Of course, there are a million exceptions. It doesn't count if they've died there because someone caught it for food or if a predator ate it. And sometimes fish die and you can still catch fish there. Still, there's sometimes in some places where fish die and you won't find many living fish in the area. Also, these areas are haunted and if you stay in these zones for too long the fish ghosts will make it hard to breathe. It's the superstition he figures would be the least suspicious, since humans fish, too, and it's not something that would have to be happening exclusively underwater.]
Hey Alberto! 🎈🎊Feliz Cumpleanos!🎊🎂🎈
You know, I actually can do that now! Between shadows! It's pretty neat! [Just casually talking about his new powers like they're nbd. ] But this time I was already here. Surprise!
[He moves to sit down, smiling. He understands, of course, that Alberto had a pretty terrible birthday- probably multiple terrible birthdays. Bruno himself is used to that. The birthday he shares with his sisters is, after all, first and foremost the anniversary of his father's death. There's no getting around THAT dark shadow.
But he can try and make Alberto's birthdays a little less shadowy. He hands over the smaller box with little ceremony. ]
Good. Let's make sure the rest of it is good too, huh? This one first.
[And when Alberto opens it, he'll find a Vespa lego set. Is he a little hopeful that Alberto can sit still long enough to complete something so small and fiddly? Maybe- but it's the thought that counts. ]
[He moves to sit down, smiling. He understands, of course, that Alberto had a pretty terrible birthday- probably multiple terrible birthdays. Bruno himself is used to that. The birthday he shares with his sisters is, after all, first and foremost the anniversary of his father's death. There's no getting around THAT dark shadow.
But he can try and make Alberto's birthdays a little less shadowy. He hands over the smaller box with little ceremony. ]
Good. Let's make sure the rest of it is good too, huh? This one first.
[And when Alberto opens it, he'll find a Vespa lego set. Is he a little hopeful that Alberto can sit still long enough to complete something so small and fiddly? Maybe- but it's the thought that counts. ]
Wow, really? I've never heard of that one before. What makes that happen?
[He isn't humouring them, he is genuinely interested. He wants to learn about this new superstition. Does he plan on fishing anytime soon? No. But it doesn't hurt to know. ]
But yeah, that's why I do it too. Things are baaaad enough without tempting fate. Fate can be pretty fickle. We don't wanna upset her more than we do already, right?
[He isn't humouring them, he is genuinely interested. He wants to learn about this new superstition. Does he plan on fishing anytime soon? No. But it doesn't hurt to know. ]
But yeah, that's why I do it too. Things are baaaad enough without tempting fate. Fate can be pretty fickle. We don't wanna upset her more than we do already, right?
[ Alberto shoots him an exaggeratedly incredulous look, waving his hands wildly at him in silent question, jokingly exasperated but... not really joking. Thanks for just casually dropping that new detail, Bruno, yeah! Alberto's perpetually impressed, how is it that Bruno never stops getting cooler??? He doesn't even realize it!!
Alberto's smile is stuck on from the moment Bruno sits down, though. He takes the box gingerly, glancing between it and Bruno a little uncertainly, still so moved that this is happening at all. His face lights up once he opens it, and again, he starts looking between it and Bruno and back. Obviously this one's a hit. Alberto knows what Legos are from visiting the toy store with Pepa a couple weeks ago, though he hadn't bought any Legos for himself then — but they definitely didn't see this then, or else he probably would've...! A 1,100 piece Vespa figurine is indeed an ambitious fidgeting project — and were it anything but a Vespa, he might've abandoned it, it's true. But this? This will hold his interest for at least a couple weeks — he'll see it through to completion for sure. And after that, it's just another cool piece of decor, one with even more meaning than the rest; so of course it'll get a special place somewhere as a new focal point in the home. Maybe beneath his old Vespa sign by the stereo? He's already envisioning it...! It takes him a second to say anything, just grinning as he better inspects the box. After a giddy moment to process this gift, he taps at the name of the model on the box and turns his grin back on Bruno. ]
Hah— y'know what's funny...? The Vespa we bought back home — the one I sold? That one was a blue 125. So s'kinda like we got it back, ha~ ...Just, y'know, without all the rust on this one, heh.
[ He wags the box in his hand a little, raising his brow teasingly. Don't get him wrong, their Vespa back home was amazing (for the ~12 hours they owned it...), rust and all, but now Alberto can tell Luca Bruno bought them a "brand new Vespa" and not technically be lying! You bet those will be the first words out of his mouth when Luca's done with his bath. Alberto's tickled pink, though, his goofy jokes aside — and it's just one more coincidence he can chalk up to cool-spooky-bond-with-Bruno-stuff (rather than popular Vespa marketing, nevermind that part), like so many other uncanny little things like this between them. What are the chances Bruno found him a blue Vespa 125, right?!High. But Alberto's take is sweeter. ]
Alberto's smile is stuck on from the moment Bruno sits down, though. He takes the box gingerly, glancing between it and Bruno a little uncertainly, still so moved that this is happening at all. His face lights up once he opens it, and again, he starts looking between it and Bruno and back. Obviously this one's a hit. Alberto knows what Legos are from visiting the toy store with Pepa a couple weeks ago, though he hadn't bought any Legos for himself then — but they definitely didn't see this then, or else he probably would've...! A 1,100 piece Vespa figurine is indeed an ambitious fidgeting project — and were it anything but a Vespa, he might've abandoned it, it's true. But this? This will hold his interest for at least a couple weeks — he'll see it through to completion for sure. And after that, it's just another cool piece of decor, one with even more meaning than the rest; so of course it'll get a special place somewhere as a new focal point in the home. Maybe beneath his old Vespa sign by the stereo? He's already envisioning it...! It takes him a second to say anything, just grinning as he better inspects the box. After a giddy moment to process this gift, he taps at the name of the model on the box and turns his grin back on Bruno. ]
Hah— y'know what's funny...? The Vespa we bought back home — the one I sold? That one was a blue 125. So s'kinda like we got it back, ha~ ...Just, y'know, without all the rust on this one, heh.
[ He wags the box in his hand a little, raising his brow teasingly. Don't get him wrong, their Vespa back home was amazing (for the ~12 hours they owned it...), rust and all, but now Alberto can tell Luca Bruno bought them a "brand new Vespa" and not technically be lying! You bet those will be the first words out of his mouth when Luca's done with his bath. Alberto's tickled pink, though, his goofy jokes aside — and it's just one more coincidence he can chalk up to cool-spooky-bond-with-Bruno-stuff (rather than popular Vespa marketing, nevermind that part), like so many other uncanny little things like this between them. What are the chances Bruno found him a blue Vespa 125, right?!
Edited 2022-09-29 08:38 (UTC)
[It's just a new power kid, wow wow, he gets them all the time!
He smiles as Alberto opens up his gift, clearly pleased that it's gone down well. It's not like he has a lot of gift-buying experience. He's pretty new to this.]
I remember you saying, that's why I got it. Even if I couldn't get that authentic rust look for you.
[He definitely asked for it. He hands over the next parcel which has a helmet in it. He raises his hand before Alberto can get TOO excited.]
Okay, so this isn't an actual Vespa because you're fifteen and everyone I talked to told me apparently you having one is illegal. Which...rude, honestly. But this is a promise that for your next birthday, we can go and pick one out- whichever one you want.
[It's also a promise that Bruno plans to stay here - that he isn't planning on taking whatever exit that comes up when people leave this place. That he has every intention of sticking this out and not abandoning Alberto if he can gosh-darn help it. ]
He smiles as Alberto opens up his gift, clearly pleased that it's gone down well. It's not like he has a lot of gift-buying experience. He's pretty new to this.]
I remember you saying, that's why I got it. Even if I couldn't get that authentic rust look for you.
[He definitely asked for it. He hands over the next parcel which has a helmet in it. He raises his hand before Alberto can get TOO excited.]
Okay, so this isn't an actual Vespa because you're fifteen and everyone I talked to told me apparently you having one is illegal. Which...rude, honestly. But this is a promise that for your next birthday, we can go and pick one out- whichever one you want.
[It's also a promise that Bruno plans to stay here - that he isn't planning on taking whatever exit that comes up when people leave this place. That he has every intention of sticking this out and not abandoning Alberto if he can gosh-darn help it. ]
Ehh— ghosts...? The fish think it's haunted, I mean. They're, uh— they're all superstitious, too...?
[ grijksndf. Alberto, no. That line seemed to go over well with Massimo, as far as he could tell, but in fact it was just that Massimo seldom reacts or responds to much of anything... It was a weird thing to say then, and it's still weird now. Serves him right for trying to make a cheeky sly inside joke about sea monsters being "true superstitions" — Alberto can't go even an hour without doing or saying something suspicious...! Bruno's just weird enough to have taken it all in stride so far, though, so here's hoping their odd comments have all been innocuous enough tonight; even if they're drifting into some questionable waters here, they're all in the same ocean of weird, at least...
Bruno's comment on not tempting fate rings true, though, so Alberto's more than happy to steer the conversation away from fish — again. Who knew there'd be so much fish-talk tonight... But overall, still an endearing and encouraging evening, despite the panicked start. Alberto's loving every moment of this long-awaited introduction — which has gone just swimmingly, he thinks! ]
Text me more anti-bad luck tricks later, okay? So I won't forget any. I don't need any good luck tricks, though — that'd be greedy. I'm already super lucky. Y'know— without all the bad luck, I mean... O-Once that's gone, eheh. Then I'll be super lucky!
[ Sound logic. He was lucky enough to meet Luca — what're the chances the first person he'd ever gotten to know would end up being his best friend ever, right? That's great luck! And lucky enough to meet Bruno on his first day here, then get randomly assigned a room together, plus all their uncanny little coincidences et al — seems like great luck there, too. Proof of his good luck sitting right here with him! Now if he can just get rid of all "the bad luck" that he feels follows him, then he'll be golden...! ]
[ grijksndf. Alberto, no. That line seemed to go over well with Massimo, as far as he could tell, but in fact it was just that Massimo seldom reacts or responds to much of anything... It was a weird thing to say then, and it's still weird now. Serves him right for trying to make a cheeky sly inside joke about sea monsters being "true superstitions" — Alberto can't go even an hour without doing or saying something suspicious...! Bruno's just weird enough to have taken it all in stride so far, though, so here's hoping their odd comments have all been innocuous enough tonight; even if they're drifting into some questionable waters here, they're all in the same ocean of weird, at least...
Bruno's comment on not tempting fate rings true, though, so Alberto's more than happy to steer the conversation away from fish — again. Who knew there'd be so much fish-talk tonight... But overall, still an endearing and encouraging evening, despite the panicked start. Alberto's loving every moment of this long-awaited introduction — which has gone just swimmingly, he thinks! ]
Text me more anti-bad luck tricks later, okay? So I won't forget any. I don't need any good luck tricks, though — that'd be greedy. I'm already super lucky. Y'know— without all the bad luck, I mean... O-Once that's gone, eheh. Then I'll be super lucky!
[ Sound logic. He was lucky enough to meet Luca — what're the chances the first person he'd ever gotten to know would end up being his best friend ever, right? That's great luck! And lucky enough to meet Bruno on his first day here, then get randomly assigned a room together, plus all their uncanny little coincidences et al — seems like great luck there, too. Proof of his good luck sitting right here with him! Now if he can just get rid of all "the bad luck" that he feels follows him, then he'll be golden...! ]
You can make a job out of shopping??
[Okay, Alberto you have her attention. She's got no idea how to take that at all.]
I've been checking out a lot of the stores here since I arrived. There are a lot more than in the Encanto. Many more kinds. So many new things. The city itself is much bigger too. I have been lost a few times...
[Okay, Alberto you have her attention. She's got no idea how to take that at all.]
I've been checking out a lot of the stores here since I arrived. There are a lot more than in the Encanto. Many more kinds. So many new things. The city itself is much bigger too. I have been lost a few times...
Umm...right. The fish think it's haunted.
[Okay, no, Luca thinks it's haunted. He doesn't really think that it's the fish thinking anything, just that it really is haunted and that's driving the fish away. He's guessing the idea of actual fish ghosts probably sounds too weird to Alberto, though, so he decides, just like last time, to not push it. When Alberto mentions not needing more good luck because that would be greedy, it makes Luca wonder something.]
Wait, can good luck run out? Like if someone takes too much, will there not be enough for someone else?
[But they are incredibly lucky. Luca's lucky he met Alberto and got the push he needed to see the world. They're lucky that no one managed to harpoon either of them. They're lucky that the townsfolk decided to listen to Massimo and that Massimo recognized them and turned his back on a lifetime of sea monster hunting. Between the two of them, they're the luckiest sea monsters in the world.]
[Okay, no, Luca thinks it's haunted. He doesn't really think that it's the fish thinking anything, just that it really is haunted and that's driving the fish away. He's guessing the idea of actual fish ghosts probably sounds too weird to Alberto, though, so he decides, just like last time, to not push it. When Alberto mentions not needing more good luck because that would be greedy, it makes Luca wonder something.]
Wait, can good luck run out? Like if someone takes too much, will there not be enough for someone else?
[But they are incredibly lucky. Luca's lucky he met Alberto and got the push he needed to see the world. They're lucky that no one managed to harpoon either of them. They're lucky that the townsfolk decided to listen to Massimo and that Massimo recognized them and turned his back on a lifetime of sea monster hunting. Between the two of them, they're the luckiest sea monsters in the world.]
The...fish think it's haunted. Because... fish have superstitions.
[He's...not heard of this before, but he's never really thought about fish having the sort of mentality to HAVE superstitions before.]
You guys really know your stuff about fish, huh?
[His tone isn't at all suspicious, just a statement of fact.]
And I don't think luck is like...a finite resource. Or like...shared? Between people? I think it's more...we got our own luck, right?
[He's...not heard of this before, but he's never really thought about fish having the sort of mentality to HAVE superstitions before.]
You guys really know your stuff about fish, huh?
[His tone isn't at all suspicious, just a statement of fact.]
And I don't think luck is like...a finite resource. Or like...shared? Between people? I think it's more...we got our own luck, right?
[ Alberto gives a nervous smile and a quick nod; they do know their fish stuff... But Bruno doesn't seem suspicious, so Alberto's actually interpreting this as a total success, proof of progress in their humaning skills. They're able to tiptoe around fish stuff without seeming suspicious now, seemingly; that's his takeaway. Bad takeaway.
He likes Bruno's take on individual luck, though. He turns to Luca with a much more genuine smile, nudging him a little with his elbow playfully. ]
Yeah. So if two really lucky people are together, that just doubles the good luck, right?
[ He glances to Bruno for confirmation on this, but he feels pretty certain about this takeaway. Funny as it may be that the boys are drilling Bruno to quantify "luck" and dissect his superstitions, Alberto's conclusion is at least a sweet, encouraging way to look at it — they may not share their luck overall, but they'll still share in each other's good luck. Good takeaway. ]
He likes Bruno's take on individual luck, though. He turns to Luca with a much more genuine smile, nudging him a little with his elbow playfully. ]
Yeah. So if two really lucky people are together, that just doubles the good luck, right?
[ He glances to Bruno for confirmation on this, but he feels pretty certain about this takeaway. Funny as it may be that the boys are drilling Bruno to quantify "luck" and dissect his superstitions, Alberto's conclusion is at least a sweet, encouraging way to look at it — they may not share their luck overall, but they'll still share in each other's good luck. Good takeaway. ]
Edited 2022-09-30 22:22 (UTC)
[ The limits of Alberto's hodgepodge sense of responsibility will always be shifting back and forth, Pepa. His job is shopping... but he's great at getting around the city. Go figure. ]
Mmhmm, I used to get lost sometimes, but now I know my way around great — hah, from shopping, actually. D'you take the bus, Signora? There's a thing on the Everything Machine that makes it really easy to follow the bus. And the magic map thing helps a lot, too, when you're walking.
[ He waves a hand in the air as if that perfectly illustrates "Google Maps." It... probably does not. ]
I use them both a lot — I go allllllll over town when I'm shopping. It's cuz I'm usually going to people's houses. For sales. Yard sales, garage sales, estate sales — that's where you really find the best stuff. I only go to the stores after I'm done shopping, though— to sell all the cool stuff I bought. Pawn shops, vintage shops, sometimes antique stores... Places that buy old stuff. Uuusually they'll pay me more than I paid for things, ha~ But if not, I just fix the thing up and take it to a different store — then they'll pay me more, heh! I've got a whole system. I've made a looot of money like this~
[ ........These are all secondhand curiosities and of very little value, so there's nothing criminal about what he's doing, but the fact that Alberto's come up with this reselling scheme on his own at age 14 with limited experience living in society at all is... kind of terrifying? And/or impressive? Is it moderately dishonest? Yes. Is it also endlessly fun and fascinating? Absolutely. The scales balance for him. And he seems very proud of this. ]
Mmhmm, I used to get lost sometimes, but now I know my way around great — hah, from shopping, actually. D'you take the bus, Signora? There's a thing on the Everything Machine that makes it really easy to follow the bus. And the magic map thing helps a lot, too, when you're walking.
[ He waves a hand in the air as if that perfectly illustrates "Google Maps." It... probably does not. ]
I use them both a lot — I go allllllll over town when I'm shopping. It's cuz I'm usually going to people's houses. For sales. Yard sales, garage sales, estate sales — that's where you really find the best stuff. I only go to the stores after I'm done shopping, though— to sell all the cool stuff I bought. Pawn shops, vintage shops, sometimes antique stores... Places that buy old stuff. Uuusually they'll pay me more than I paid for things, ha~ But if not, I just fix the thing up and take it to a different store — then they'll pay me more, heh! I've got a whole system. I've made a looot of money like this~
[ ........These are all secondhand curiosities and of very little value, so there's nothing criminal about what he's doing, but the fact that Alberto's come up with this reselling scheme on his own at age 14 with limited experience living in society at all is... kind of terrifying? And/or impressive? Is it moderately dishonest? Yes. Is it also endlessly fun and fascinating? Absolutely. The scales balance for him. And he seems very proud of this. ]
[Luca's nervous for a moment when Bruno repeats the 'fish have superstitions' thing, worried that it sounds too suspicious, but then he follows it up with a statement that clearly doesn't sound the least bit suspicious, so Luca realizes they're in the clear. That's a relief. Maybe better to just stop bringing up fish, though.]
Right. So if we did do something that brings good luck, it's fine because no one else is losing luck just because we got even more.
[Good to know. That way they don't have to feel guilty if they happen to do something that brings more good luck even though they already have a lot. He smiles back at Alberto when his friend nudges.]
It probably does, because our luck's been amazing.
Right. So if we did do something that brings good luck, it's fine because no one else is losing luck just because we got even more.
[Good to know. That way they don't have to feel guilty if they happen to do something that brings more good luck even though they already have a lot. He smiles back at Alberto when his friend nudges.]
It probably does, because our luck's been amazing.
¡gracias luisa! 🙀🤩😅
Best birthday ever already ha ha 😏👌🏼
Best birthday ever already ha ha 😏👌🏼
[ You can see the gears upstairs turning so fast, the shifts in his reaction written plainly across his face. Alberto's eyes go wide as he opens the gift, but when he looks up to Bruno excitedly, the man holds up a hand before his amazed smile can even finish forming on his face. He furrows his brow some when Bruno mentions the legality issue — an issue Alberto has not considered, so of course his first instinct is to protest. But Bruno's next words cut that knee-jerk reaction off. His brows knit with anticipation at the word "promise," hearing the stress there, but with every word after that, his face is painted with shade after shade of surprise. He glances down at the helmet in his lap, but then just stares at Bruno for a moment after, apparently speechless. ]
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