prontissimo | kaisou inbox

Oh, yeah! I'd love to meet your friend!

[After all, Luca's just glad Alberto wasn't here on his own the whole time, and he can't wait to meet anyone who was there for his friend during all of that. It doesn't really bother him in the slightest that there's no warning, either. Luca knows Alberto, after all, and he doesn't really expect anything with Alberto to not be done on impulse. Of course, he also has no idea that Alberto's friend was in a panic, and he assumes all of this is a very casual thing. Watching Alberto cook, Luca decides to offer some help.]

Is there anything I can help with?

[Sure, Luca doesn't know how to cook, but he figures Alberto can explain it to him. Looking at Alberto prepare food, Luca can already tell he's learned a lot since he came here.]

Heh, yeah! Sure. Grab the cream and the pesto I made yesterday? They're in the refrigerator~

[ He says the word with no small bit of glamor. He's had a fridge as a household item only in the spells he's lived here in the city of Kaisou, lacking one in both the fairy realm and Stardew, so the whole machine is still a magical novelty to him. This modest apartment seems so luxurious to him. He barely even realizes he's perpetually broke. He's tossing into the pan of chicken some garlic he'd minced and abandoned on the errant whim to text Bruno, fluid and comfortable in his movements and multitasking. Just the same, he continues the conversation without barely a hitch. ]

Y'know— I did most the cooking when I lived in Stardew. Bru— I mean, my friend, heh— He said I kept everyone fed. Cuz, y'know, we had two other roommates. The four of us. But he liked my food the most. And we talked the most. About all kinds of stuff! We still talk, like, pretty much every day? If only just on the Everything Machine, ha... I've already told him about you, so you know. You'll like him — he's the best. He's old, but, I dunno— ...he's under the dogs, too. Heh.

[ Alberto doesn't even know how much that's true, but he knows it's true. Underdogs have underdog radar, after all. ]

Okay!

[Luca had learned what a refrigerator was in his time with Luca's mom, so knew where to go to get the cream and pesto, bringing it to Alberto.]

Oh, wow. It sounds like you two got along really well then! I can't wait to meet him!

[He wonders if he's like Massimo is to Alberto when Alberto mentions that this guy is old. Well, a Massimo that actually talks, anyway.]

[ The Massimo comparison is a fair guess, and holds up in general. But, wow, the difference between the two men will become... very quickly evident.

Alberto gives a little laugh, finishing up frying the chicken as he goes on. ]

Heh, yeah! Actually, it's really weird, we both—

[ And then suddenly there's frantic knocking at the door that cuts him off, heard over the music. Alberto shoots up straight, glancing over his shoulder back towards the main room. Heeee'd decided not to mention that Bruno was worried he was dead tonight, oops, but he didn't think Bruno'd come knocking like that. Alberto'd told him everything was fine! Was he— really that worried...? Alberto lets out a nervous chuckle, glancing back to Luca with a taut smile. ]

Ahah— uhhh... I-I think that's him, heh... Um— One second! Ah, wait! Can you drain that pasta, Luca?! Oh— mannaggia...!

[ He points to the pot of penne emphatically, then almost runs off to get the door while leaving the chicken on, before he hears it sizzle loudly and it draws him back to throw it on the cutting board to rest. In the interim, there's more panicked knocks. Alberto's suddenly a lot jumpier than usual, and practically bounds out of the kitchen. Right as he exits, though, he pops back in to face Luca, wearing an extra wide smile, waving at him with both hands to stay put, as if to prepare him for a surprise. Something's a little odd, though, in truth — an air about him as if he really is planning some sort of surprise...? It's subtle. But still a little strange.

And that air about him doesn't go away when he answers the door for Bruno, either. He's got mutual big reveals going on here. He's beside himself with excitement and jitters, full of even more antsy physical energy than usual. But when he opens the door and is face-to-face with Bruno, he feels that weird twinge of guilt from before. He offers a lopsided, half-hearted smile, taking a deep breath and letting out a little sigh as he fumbles for words. ]

Eheh— Um— Ciaoooo, Signor... C'min, c'min, c'min...

Edited 2022-05-28 03:07 (UTC)

[Bruno has been getting increasingly worried, and the length of time it was taking Alberto to respond (along with all the BANGING NOISES (of pots and pans, but he doesn't know!) going on in there have only upped the worry. He has brought the requested rats, and they're currently perched on a shoulder each, washing their little ratty faces and seeming a lot less worried about this than Bruno is.

He does, visibly relax once he sees Alberto- very almost pulling him into a hug but stopping just in time. He does put a hand on the kid's shoulder, though, squeezing once.]

There you are. [He already said he was here, Bruno. He glances Alberto over, checking for injuries, not quite crossing into the home yet.] Are you sure you're okay?

[ Alberto catches that slight instinct to hug, that subtlety in body language before deciding to simply place a hand on his shoulder instead. It gives him pause, standing straighter, smile faltering a little, but it returns softly as his eyes drift to Bruno's hand there. That's still meaningful, too. He looks back to him and nods. ]

...Yeah. I'm okay.

[ He lets that linger half a beat, before very deliberately pepping up again. Somewhat abruptly, he reaches up and takes Bruno's hand off his shoulder, but doesn't let it go — just tugs him inside by it, leading him through the small, crowded flat. ]

Actually, I'm better than okay, hah~ C'mon! I'll show you. Alla cucina~!

[ Tagging on yet another almost perfect cognate in a singsongy voice as he gently drags him along toward the kitchen, ever-tickled by their "secret language" as always. But even more eager to show off than usual. He pauses, though, before reaching the doorway, letting Bruno's hand go, and turns to him with a weirdly more serious look all of a sudden, lowering his voice. ]

...Um— By the way, Bruno? You know: I'd never think disappearing on you is a funny joke. Just— Just so you know. ...But—! It was for a good reason...! Be~cause~!

[ Just the same, smoothing over that tender moment as fast as he can, sorry, Bruno. He turns the charm back on as he now tugs at Bruno's ruana excitedly instead and steps forward into the kitchen with exaggerated pep in his step. And with the perfect segue, as if talking to either Luca or Bruno, he announces loudly to them both: ]

My friend is here~!

[ He gestures to each of them with outstretched arms, as if presenting them, balancing goofily on one foot with his leg stuck out energetically. He's beaming as he glances between them both, trying to watch their reactions. Bruno may recognize Luca from the photo Alberto has of Luca with Giulia and her mom, so that big reveal might be plain to see if he remembers; but the big reveal for Luca is less visible — though about to happen momentarily simply with an exchange of names. Alberto's biting at the bit about it. He's acting... weirder than usual. Way too smitten and sly and silly to just be introducing a normal friend to a normal friend...? Something's up. ]

[When he hears the knocking, Luca's surprised. It sounds...intense. He was not expecting anyone to knock that frantically when they were just coming over for dinner.]

Does he always knock like that?

[Luca goes to drain the pasta which...he's never done before. He starts out by trying to carefully pour out the water, but then he spots a colander and, remembering Massimo using something like that, ends up using that to drain the pasta. Luca definitely wonders what's up though, especially with how frantic Alberto seems through all of this. He stays put when Alberto indicates he should, but he really wonders what's up. While Alberto is answering the door, Luca sets the now drained pot of pasta on an empty burner. His confusion increases when he hears the man at the door ask Alberto if he was okay. Why wouldn't Alberto be okay? Is there something he's not telling him?

And then, finally, comes the big reveal. Which Alberto seems to be playing up as a far bigger reveal than it should be considering as far as Luca knows...they both already knew they'd be meeting a friend of Alberto's?

Luca waves.]

Um. Ciao. I'm Luca.

[Bruno is still very worried- he lets Alberto lead him along through the flat without any protest. But the worry still gnaws at him. This world is so very dangerous and he knows, he knows he can't watch Alberto every second of the day. He knows the kid doesn't owe him an explanation or even a check-in every day. It's not like he's Alberto's actual father or anything.

...But still.

He smiles- the worry fading at their own little language, and as Alberto assures him he wouldn't vanish for a joke, that there was a good reason for it and then...well. There's Luca. Someone from home- especially someone as obviously important to Alberto as Luca is would make anyone go off-grid for a few hours. ]

...This is Luca?

[He is simultaneously not and exactly what Bruno imagined. He manages a smile- the worry giving way to understanding and genuine happiness for the kid. ]

Hi. I uh- I've heard a lot about you from Alberto. When did you show up?

[ Alberto's eagerly trying to read Bruno's expression, his own smile stuck in place, before his eyes just as expectantly turn on Luca next. He'd figured this moment would come, hoped this moment would come, had definitely thought about it before... how uncanny it'd be to introduce these two and the stinkin' rats, and he's really just trying to hold himself together until Bruno gives his own name. He's not even sure if Luca will think he's being pranked at first or something! It's surreal watching the two interact in the same room — these two very different parts of Alberto's young life colliding... But he's still tickled pink about it. Yes, it's true he neglected to tell Bruno that he had a friend over — technically he didn't even tell Bruno he'd made dinner at all... But he didn't lie to Luca and say this had been planned, either, to be fair. They're both just caught in the crossfire of Alberto's excitement, as he stands there contraposto with his hands on his hips, looking quite chuffed, indeed. ]

Yeah, I'm Luca! I just showed up a couple of days ago, so I haven't been here too long.

[Yep, two days without any interaction with any adults. No big.]

Oh, and what's your name? Alberto told me all about you but he didn't say your name.

[But Luca does want this guy to know that Alberto was talking about him (and very enthusiastically so at that) so he doesn't think that Alberto just didn't care or something. Especially after Alberto did so much to make it clear that this guy was a very good friend of his. It's just that Alberto forgot to mention his name. Then, finally noticing the small animals on the man's shoulders, Luca lights up.]

Oh! What are those? They're cute! Are they your pets?

[Because growing up in the sea and being very new to land, Luca's never learned what a rat is.]

Okay, that...lines up.

[With Alberto fuckin' ghosting him. He casts Alberto a little look about that- he's still ruminating on that one, young man, you scared him!!]

I'm Bruno. And he did, huh? Only good things I hope, haha.

[That laugh is a little too nervous to be genuine. He's too used to people only having bad things to say about him, and while he's sure Alberto wouldn't do that...well. Old habits die hard. Still focusing on the rats is a good thing, it's a nice distraction, he holds out his hand. ] Daniela and Lorenzo.

They're rats! And yeah, they are. Their names are [he points at each in turn]

[ While he does catch Bruno's eye, and averts his own, when Bruno silently scolds him about disappearing, Alberto still can't wipe the grin off his face; and as soon as Bruno says his own name, his eyes shoots to Luca. His amusement over all this is barely concealed at all — in fact, he's not even trying to hide it. He can't keep it together when Bruno introduces the rats, smiling ear-to-ear with mischief in his eyes, waving a hand both dismissively yet demonstratively at Bruno and his rats, his gaze still fixed on Luca expectantly. ]

I swear I had nothing to do with it, hah... Those're all their real names. No kidding.

[ But even despite the way Alberto's voice is dripping in humor, it's clear to see he's so amused because he's telling the truth. Just... y'know, casually, his new friend Bruno, walking on up in here with Daniela and Lorenzo... And it's evidently purely coincidence? No wonder Alberto's acting weird. ]

And Signor Bruno's writing a story where the rats are in love — but Lorenzo's too shy to tell Daniela how he feels. Again: all him, I swear.

[ Meantime, Alberto never mentioned to Bruno why he found it amusing that his rat was named Lorenzo, nor why he guessed that it might have a wife named Daniela, and after their initial sweet bonding moment over it, also never brought it up ever again. So Bruno's in the loop about as much as Luca is – which is to say, neither of them are... Alberto's just having a big laugh by himself, here, really... ]

Bruno?

[Oh. Well, that's a funny coincidence. Luca glances at Alberto. Sharks, he hopes Alberto didn't do the 'silencio Bruno' thing in front of Bruno, because that would have been awkward. Carp, Luca will have to remember not to say 'silencio Bruno' in front of him, he doesn't want to make this guy feel bad. Especially with how nervous Bruno seems already. Luca decides to reassure him.]

Oh, he's definitely only said good things! I'm really glad he had a friend like you after he got here!

[Which is also completely true. Alberto had told Luca about how they talked every day, even if it was sometimes just over the written messages on the Everything Machine. Then he hears the names of the rats and...he looks at Alberto again, absolutely certain that he must have been the source of the names. Until Alberto responds, and his response is far too genuine for this to be anything other than an amazing coincidence. He turns his attention back to Bruno, a huge grin on his face.]

Wow! Those are my parents' names!

Thaaaat's me. He has told me about his...Bruno? [He taps the side of his skull.] In his head? I'm an unrelated Bruno. Completely different.

[He feels it's probably important to establish that.]

And yeah- well, he's a good kid. I'm glad to be uh- around for him.

[He smiles at Alberto's enthusiastic description of the rat story.]

They are? No kidding! And yep, I have a whole, elaborate romance planned for them, you wait and see, it's gonna have so many twists and turns in it.

[ Alberto can't swallow his smile when Bruno breaks the ice about, well... Bruno. Important to establish, it's true. It's still really uncanny and funny to him. He has nothing to say to explain it, but he'll just keep throwing this sly look between his two friends on that note.

It's surreal in the best possible way, like his life is conjoining in on itself. He met Bruno his very first day here, so he's been a central character from the start — and with such an intro as they had, how could he not make an impact...? Long before they became close in Stardew so much later. Now that Luca's here, it's thrilling to see the two worlds of his life — literal, two worlds — finally meeting, Portorosso and Kaisou together at once. It makes time seem more real. Like that short chapter together with Luca in his life wasn't just a fantastic dream that ended too soon — like that part of his past is still part of his future... And here he is now! Alberto's felt so displaced secretly since finding himself spirited away, and naturally has talked to no one about it, but seeing his two closest friends now face-to-face beside one another brings so much ineffable comfort to that disjointed feeling.

He shoots the pair another fond smile each, and leaves the conversation to them, stepping off to the side quietly to finish up dinner. He mixes the penne and chicken with the pesto and cream, softly humming along to the music still playing from his phone in the background, while he listens in on the two chatting, and begins plating the food up. ]

Oh, good. Just...so you know we're not talking about you if that gets mentioned.

[Though Luca's still going to avoid saying 'silencio Bruno' around him. Oh no, did Alberto...]

I...uh...hope however you found out about his Bruno wasn't too awkward.

[Since he'd feel bad if someone as nice thought Alberto was yelling 'silencio' at him. But no matter how the name of Alberto's Bruno came out, things are clearly fine now, and Luca is eager to hear more about this rat romance.]

Wow, I can't wait to see how it all plays out!

[He's even more invested since he can pretend it's about his parents as rats.]

Hah, probably...hopefully not?

[Bruno waggles his hand in a so-so motion. The whole thing was an experience to be sure. But then, he's spent almost his entire life being a hated figure, so the thought that a kid had named the voice in his head that stops him from doing things- the voice to be hated and dismissed- Bruno was...well. Par for the course. ]

It's not the first time my name's been used for active hatred so it's fine!

[He just says that breezily, no big deal, part of the regular!]

You and a couple of people! I'm surprised how popular it is. I never thought it'd be that cool when I was doing it for myself in the walls.

[Just. In the walls. He gives no further context to this. ]

[ Alberto snorts to himself at the stove when Luca tells Bruno he hoped the whole "Bruno" reveal wasn't too awkward... He was ready to beat Bruno up. Until he saw he looked like... how he looks. But he's not over eager to share that story, it was pretty awkward... And all in the past now.

However, Bruno casually dropping "in the walls" stops even Alberto in his tracks in his confusion, looking up into nothingness for a moment before turning over his shoulder with a bemused expression to interrupt. ]

Eh? "In the walls?" Is that part of your house's magic? You can go through the walls?

[ He turns around fully to face Luca and tag on an explanation there, gesturing emphatically with the pasta spoon, which drips a limp, wet noodle onto the floor, Alberto not even acknowledging it. ]

Bruno lives in a huge magic house, Luca. In a tower...

[ The hell. Endlessly tickled by so many weird coincidences between them. And eager to show them all off to Luca, naturally. ]

Oh.

[People were using Bruno's name with active hatred? And actually meaning it instead of it just being an unfortunate coincidence of the voice in their head also being named Bruno?]

But why would anyone do that? You're so nice!

[Judging by the few minutes of knowing this man, though also basing it on the fact that Bruno had clearly been looking out for Alberto. And then...in the walls? What was this man's life before this that he was living in the walls? Of course, Alberto mentions that Bruno lived in a magic house, and Luca hopes that there's some magical 'living in a house where you can walk through walls' explanation, but he's concerned after Bruno's previous comment. The huge magic house with a tower is another fun coincidence, it reminds him of Alberto's own tower, hearing that, but...then he reminds himself of the truth behind Alberto living in the tower. He shakes that thought away, though. Not all towers are on abandoned islands.]

Wow! Did you keep all sorts of stuff in your tower like Alberto?

Edited 2022-06-27 02:12 (UTC)

Oh um...not really? I mean, yeah there's probably more room than normal, but I just...lived in the walls for a while. Well. Ten years. For complicated reasons.

[Reasons he's definitely not going to get into with these kids right now. Not when he's just met Luca after all. ]

My tower's mostly for me to use my Gift. It's got a lotta sand. There's a little side room with like...a hammock in it? I'm used to not needing a whole lot. Just me and my rats.

[ Alberto goes about setting the table as they talk, depositing silverware and glasses for the three of them, and carefully fetching a pitcher of water from the fridge with both hands. When Bruno mentions the sand, Alberto nods exaggeratedly in agreement, looking between the both of them pointedly, having seen the tower himself: "can confirm, lotta sand." Likewise, he waves a hand demonstratively at Bruno, looking at Luca with his brows raised high, when Bruno mentions his hammock in his tower — like Alberto's had had. The weird coincidences just never end.

He's still curious about the walls, though, even though Bruno kinda dodged the question. Doesn't feel great to be left hanging, does it, Alberto? A taste of his own medicine; that's good for him. ]

Oh— Is that when you and, uh— hah, Jorge— is that when you and your family were unbreaking the walls? With the speckle?

[ A fair enough guess? Alberto's never heard of crawlspaces or false walls, nor does he have any concept of how homes are actually constructed. His first assumption is not "living in hiding inside a secret room with little to no social contact for a decade." As far as he's learned about Bruno, he's a family man. Not even an inkling they might be prodding at something uncomfortable for him. After all, with his own lack of socialization for the last decade, it's not like Alberto's the best at picking up cues, himself... ]

[He lived in the walls for ten years? Luca is very concerned for this adult. He's concerned in the same way he was concerned when he saw all the tally marks on Alberto's wall, and he's pretty sure that no, Bruno probably didn't stay inside the walls for ten years just because he and his family were unbreaking the walls. The idea of Bruno's tower having nothing but sand and a side room with a hammock really isn't helping. The more Bruno talks, the more he thinks of Alberto alone in his tower for all that time.]

Bruno...why did you live in the walls for ten years?

[If he thinks he can evade him with a vague answer, he's definitely going to have to think again.]

Yeah, yeah, that's...part of that.

[Wow, but does Bruno just not want to be part of this conversation now. It's never easy, talking about the walls, but it's even harder with kids. Trying to explain the complexities of why he locked himself away from his family. Why he felt it was the only way he could save Mirabel from a lifetime of poor treatment. To try and stop history from repeating.

None of it worked, ultimately. Maybe it would have been better if he never left at all. Maybe they would have solved things sooner. He just doesn't know. He frowns down at the rat, petting her ears absently. ]

I had good reasons. It was all I could do at the time. I thought. I- look, kids, can we uh...not talk about this one?

[ Alberto's standing beside Luca by now, and worry tugs his brow as he watches Bruno pet the rat, examining his face. When Bruno outright asks them to drop it, though, Alberto reaches out and gives Luca a gentle tap on the chest with the back of his hand, shooting him a long face with raised brows. Best to drop it. Alberto knows enough about Bruno's life with his neighbors back home, at least, that, whatever it is with the walls, if he doesn't wanna talk about it— Alberto gets it.

He throws Luca an exaggerated glance with a nod of his head, indicating back toward the plates of pasta sitting ready on the counter, and then darts his gaze to the table with another little nod, then back to Luca: silently saying, "Help me set the table." Once Luca picks up his cues, Alberto will be right behind him to fetch the third plate, since Luca of course has only two hands... ]

[ But first, Alberto steps aside to Bruno for just a second, and places his hand gingerly on his forearm, smiling softly at him. He doesn't say another word about the topic, just drops it immediately with zero response to what little Bruno did explain. All he has to say, in fact, is: ]

Dai, mangiamo.

[ He gives a little nod toward the table, then goes off to get the third plate and follow Luca to finish setting the table. He slips his phone out of his pocket as he walks over, and quietly puts on some old jazz to smooth over the sudden silence. Just like that, conversation over, no further questions. Whatever Bruno's hiding, Alberto trusts Bruno has his reasons — if not good ones, just reasons are enough for Alberto. ]

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omg this got lost, i'm so sorry, i didn't know we were waiting for meee!

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