[ The bus ride is uneventful, both the kids being wise enough to not go on talking about magic this and non-human that on a public bus. Though they surely both take turns pensively staring out the windows, the cityscape melting and shifting as they go along, Alberto still tries to keep Luz's thoughts from drifting too far or too long... He'll whip out his phone and start showing her random pictures in his camera roll, mostly weird photoshe's takenaround town, many mundanebut excitinglittle things — and lots of neighborhood cats... And lots of pictures of Luca. A glimpse into the world through Alberto's eyes, apparently. Just to kill the time and talk about something inconspicuous for the short bus ride to the Zodiac Apartments. Once they're there, the stop thankfully right outside the complex, Alberto's quick to shlep all the bags down the steps of the bus, carefully but still unfortunately pretty gracelessly... Hope she packed her fragile stuff well! When she thanks him as they get off the bus, Alberto gives her a curious look, a little caught off guard, but then just shrugs it off dismissively — in the most loving way one can be dismissive. ]
Mah, of course. We're friends. This is nothing.
[ He gives her another well-meaning little nudge, before leading the way up the steps to the entrance of the apartments. She's come to visit them so many times, even knows the door code at the main entrance, having let herself up on plenty occasions, but it's surely surreal to be here on these same steps with all her things now... He politely holds the door open for her with his foot, still clumsy with her bags, before they make their short way to the elevators and up to the third floor — home, for now. Something like it. Familiar at least. Alberto tries to make light chitchat on the way, trying to stay peppy while still getting down to business, but it's hard to dance around the facts. ]
Y'know, I know it's not great, but I think you're gonna have fun here anyway! Luca's making room for you to keep all your stuff. I, um— told him already. I mean, I'd just kinda guessed, before I left. But I was right. So he knows. He's fine with you staying — however long you want. Hah, honestly, this is sort of weird to say, cuz all this sucks obviously, but we're kind of, um— excited feels like the wrong word right now, hah...? But yeah, we're excited for you to stay with us, Luz, heh.
hope this works! just to get them home w Luca faster
Mah, of course. We're friends. This is nothing.
[ He gives her another well-meaning little nudge, before leading the way up the steps to the entrance of the apartments. She's come to visit them so many times, even knows the door code at the main entrance, having let herself up on plenty occasions, but it's surely surreal to be here on these same steps with all her things now... He politely holds the door open for her with his foot, still clumsy with her bags, before they make their short way to the elevators and up to the third floor — home, for now. Something like it. Familiar at least. Alberto tries to make light chitchat on the way, trying to stay peppy while still getting down to business, but it's hard to dance around the facts. ]
Y'know, I know it's not great, but I think you're gonna have fun here anyway! Luca's making room for you to keep all your stuff. I, um— told him already. I mean, I'd just kinda guessed, before I left. But I was right. So he knows. He's fine with you staying — however long you want. Hah, honestly, this is sort of weird to say, cuz all this sucks obviously, but we're kind of, um— excited feels like the wrong word right now, hah...? But yeah, we're excited for you to stay with us, Luz, heh.