prontissimo | kaisou inbox

If everyone blinked in sync, no one would know.

This
But with nickels.

[Should he be encouraging this? No. But also, considering the spirit realm and Kaisou putting kids in danger... maybe yes? Either way this is all he's been able to think about regarding Alberto's sock full of loose change so...]

Edited 2022-05-24 12:03 (UTC)

[ A couple of days after everyone has returned from the Spirit Realm, Luisa sends Alberto a text. ]

Hey, Alberto. It's Luisa. You busy right now?

[Several hours after Katsuki has left Alberto's apartment, his temper has cooled enough that he sends him a single text. A link to symptoms of infection.

He doesn't really expect a response to it. He's well used to burning bridges. And this was... really bad. He knows it. He knows he handled it poorly and he was an asshole.

But despite what he claimed as he was leaving, he does in fact give a damn what happens to Alberto and wants him to be able to tell if he needs to seek medical attention for his wound.

But he really doesn't expect Alberto to respond. So he sends it and leaves it at that. No expectation.]

Alberto this is Pepa!!!
🌞🌈🌧
Are you busy today??
I thought we could check out that toy store today!!
I could show you the dancing cat!!!! 🐱

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!]

Hey Alberto! 🎈🎊Feliz Cumpleanos!🎊🎂🎈

That would be Luffy, a seemingly almost grown man, just casually... wandering around the middle school and sticking his head into the detention room through the window. Hopefully, that's on the first floor and this is potentially terrifying/traumatizing in a different way.

Hey. What are you doing here?

And what is this place? It looks weird.

[ As planned, Alberto's expecting Isabela over come the weekend. A calm mid-morning coffee date like this is probably just what Alberto needs to break up the moods he's been letting himself stew in ever since Bruno's departure. He's relieved to still have Bruno's family around, already close with Luisa and still getting to know Dolores and Isabela, but it's still his first time missing someone with someone else... When he missed his father, he was alone; when he missed Massimo and Luca, he was alone. But now, he's not the only one who misses Bruno. Having this loss in common with his nieces is unfortunate, but the unspoken comfort that comes with it is perfectly fine to remain unspoken. It's nice knowing that Isabela can already assume Alberto's not feeling tip-top, and he doesn't have to admit to it, nor does he have to pretend otherwise... He can just have as good a time as he can manage and that's enough. There's healing power in that silent understanding.

It's his first time having company over since Bruno disappeared, as he's self-isolated quite a bit since then; the self-isolation isn't helped by the fact that he still hasn't gotten around to buying a new phone after breaking his own the day he found out Bruno went missing. So making this coffee date with Isabela while borrowing Luca's phone was a big step in the right direction. He's excited to learn about Christmas, and always excited to show off his cool apartment, but he's mostly excited to... be distracted from his grief. At least somewhat. There's a reason he gets along so well with the Madrigals... Experts at bottling up and masking, the lot of them. But for now, it serves their purposes well: sharing about Christmas, Colombian culture, and coffee. Alberto texts Isabela from Luca's phone that morning, giving her their room number on the third floor of the Zodiac apartment complex. But after a second, he tags on another good tip: ]

oh and KNOCK LOUD in case Luca takes his phone with him if he goes to the library
I usually play music loud... 😬😅🎶💁🏽‍♂️
a presto! 🤗☕️🌤️

[ At least, he will be today. He's been off it the past couple weeks in his grieving, their house uncomfortably silent compared to usual, but now that he's having company, he's back on the ball. Which, for Alberto, means being loud. Good thing it's Isabela coming over for this return to glory and not Dolores...! ]

Bats

[That's all.]

[Katsuki has some new features and he's going to need to make some adjustments to his clothing to accommodate one of them. So he texts the person he knows has an answer.]

You busy right now?
Need you to show me how you sew tail holes.

[With the mail, Alberto will be getting a letter that appears to be from Luca. When he opens it, he'll find a Valentine's card with a blue vespa on it and a note inside that reads:

Alberto,

You're my best friend in the whole wide world, and the way I feel when I'm with you is more amazing than I've ever felt ever. When we hold hands or hug or even just hang out I feel all tingly and happy and want to be around you always. I don't know how to describe how I feel, but with the theme of the holiday I figured this would be a good time to say it.

Will you be my valentine?

Luca

Hey, look.
It's your friend.

[ It feels like an incredibly wise choice to have asked Katsuki to be their chaperone for this mission. It sounded exciting, first of all — everyone knows Alberto and Luca love a good race — but it so happened that fortune smiled on them, because Katsuki was born in the Year of the Horse. So his animal for the race is, you know, useful... He has a sled and a massive beast of burden. Whereas Luca and Alberto have a, uh, a rooster... and a monkey... Once again, as it's been proven so many times already: without Katsuki, the boys would have been doomed.

They're only a couple days into the trek, but even their first day, Alberto was keenly aware of how lucky they were to be on Katsuki's team. Plus, you know, all his cool explode-y powers and fighting expertise and such. Alberto's been going to his fight club for a while now, and while he's learned a lot from Katsuki about hand-to-hand combat, he doesn't have magic powers. He and Luca can't shoot fireballs, or explode things with their minds, or turn invisible, or whip out crazy vines and carnivorous plants... or cast spells and fly around on a staff, or control magical goop, or make themselves rubbery, or gain super-strength super-cat-powers... or all the other crazy magical things all their friends can do. Even more subtle powers, like if their cooking could heal you, or super-hearing, or their moods affecting the weather, traveling between shadows, even talking to rats...! He wouldn't want to see people's futures, or people's pasts, both sound awful, but jeez, out of everything else all their friends can do? Alberto would at least settle for a nice chat with a rat! But he and Luca are just... normal. Well, maybe not normal, but not magical. They've got about one trick up their sleeve. Luca's the only other person he knows who's normal(-ish) like him, so, there's that at least — whatever that's worth... Being magic seems the far better option, though; if he could, he would. Alberto's felt so motivated to make himself useful in tough scenarios, ever since Isabela had to save his butt with her flowers back in October when rescuing Bruno together. But without any magic... it's hard. So this monkey's monkey business better help make up for their normalness! Luca's rooster— Alberto has doubts about... Luca might have to pick up the slack for it instead.

They've gotten their winter gear down pat by now, and came well-prepared with snow gear and food and camping supplies. It's impressive how much camping supplies they own, for two eighth-grade boys... How do they own so many things? Or, perhaps a better question— Why do they own so many things? Last year when he moved to Stardew, Alberto lived with three adults, and he was the only one who thought to bring any food or kitchenware...? He feels particular pride in that. ~~Bruno just brought rats.~~ So Alberto's extra determined to be on top of this mission; he's older, wiser, a man of action now! Yeah! Not over-compensating for any insecurity at all... And even if he is: eh, if they make it out of this unscathed, it's worth it.

They're leaving the first lodge they'd encountered, ready to get back on the trail. It's early morning, Luca's rooster having woke them up at the crack of dawn — one useful thing it can do, at least. Alberto's not... overly thrilled about that contribution to the group effort... But he's not one to talk. Because his monkey is presently causing him problems as he tries to load up their sled with food and other supplies they've restocked here. As soon as he puts one thing in, the monkey throws another out. Just to be spiteful, maybe? That's Alberto's interpretation. As he fights with his monkey, the two of them oddly mirrored, scrambling back and forth trying to predict each other's movements like a cartoon stand-off, he calls out to Katsuki and Luca. ]

Hey, uh, a little help here, guys?!

[ The monkey chitters shrilly (is it laughing at him, um...?!) and starts hopping up and down on the back of the sled, as if gleefully. Alberto waves his arms exasperatedly at it, raising his voice lamentingly. ]

This mission is for you, you know! We're here to protect you! Stop throwing your own food away, mamma mia...!

[ They're clearly off to a great start... Bless Katsuki and bless Katsuki's horse. ]

Edited (a million thanks again for your patience and flexibility! ; 3 ; ♥ ♥ ♥) 2023-04-25 17:20 (UTC)

Hey, Alberto.

Could I ask a favor?

[As they get together ingredients for that night's supper, Luca decides to voice something he's been thinking for a while.]

You know...I really feel like I've learned a lot from you. With cooking and everything. I was just thinking...what if I try doing this on my own? Making something for the two of us?

[ It's been some time since Luz moved in, and despite the heaviness in the air in the wake of Eda's disappearance, the boys think they've managed to keep her spirits up all right. But some days are harder than others, and with the added stress of school finals, all three of them could use some extra fun this weekend. It's a Friday night, the boys' homework is all done, and in any case, Alberto vehemently refuses to study on Friday nights, period. And if Alberto refuses to study on Friday nights, effectively that means no one can, because when he's all pumped up and ready to party, it's hard for him to keep to himself... a very distracting, over-eager, and persuasive roommate to live with, that's for sure.

He had the bright idea once they all got home from school today to have an impromptu "holiday," loose a term as it is in his mind. So feeling a bit ✨festive✨ tonight, by nightfall he's already got two homemade pizzas in the oven, nearly all their snacks spread out on the coffee table, along with some Monster energy drinks on ice in glasses — fancy! — all in some over-the-top grand ~soothing~ gesture, mid-finals. He's set to steadily spreading out their endless pillows all over the floor, strategically filling the space between their sleeping area and living area, so that the couch nest and the bed just become extensions of each other... A super bed, which takes up most of the room, and fits all three of them comfortably so they can all sleep together tonight. Just one of Alberto's many whims. Luca's been living with Alberto for a year now, he's used to this kind of thing... Luz can still enjoy the novelty of Alberto's, uh, spontaneity. Ahem. But really, as intent as he is to have fun on his own, his attention all month has still been funneled onto Luz, feeling hyper-empathetic for her loss. It's not the ideal circumstances, sure, and their apartment is a little cramped for three people, but it's already been a blast having her... and it feels like the fun is just beginning!

So tonight he's determined to really amp it up and do something special — because why not. On the stereo, he's playing some upbeat oldies pop music — standard Alberto fare. Something to keep their energy up! And while it sets a sunny, energetic mood, it's still a mood that can pivot easily in other directions, should Luca or Luz want to play DJ instead — full party mode here. For no reason. Whimsical and impulsive as Alberto is, though, there's a method to his madness... ~~Sometimes.~~ He finishes arranging the pillows into the "super-bed," spreading sheets and blankets over them to make it a bed proper (lumpy as it is). He stands up tall to appraise his work, hands on his hips, chest puffed out proudly — ready to announce that the fun can now commence. ]

All right! Big Bed, check. Food, check. Vibes, check. [ He gestures around at the fairy lights and star projectors above, all on almost all the time these days. ] Luz, Luca, Giuseppe...— [ He gazes up and around at the ceiling, addressing their poltergeist out of courtesy. ] Also check.

[ Because we can't forget Giuseppe. Or Annabelle the Furby, through which Giuseppe sometimes speaks through, rudimentary and Furby-ish though it is. Still deeply unsettling to Alberto... But a "holiday" is a holiday, and Giuseppe lives here too, and Luca likes Annabelle, and sometimes Giuseppe does the dishes as a prank (the creepiest of all, somehow), so you know what. The more the merrier. ]

[Sometime after the prophecy post goes live, Alberto will get a text.]

Are you still up for swimming lessons?

[It's not unusual these days for Pepa to invite Alberto over to cook with her and have meals with her and Isabella. Casita is so empty and it leaves her emotionally a mess. And Alberto's energy is just... it's well received in the absence of the energy of the Madrigals that's gone missing from Casita's halls.

It's one such day with them cooking together and chatting about the end of summer and the coming school year. Pepa will be signing any paperwork that needs signing for both Alberto and Luca. And soon the talk turns to an upcoming day. Alberto's birthday.]

If you will invite your friends here to Casita on your birthday I will set up a party. Food and decorations and music. And presents.

[It would be nice to have a party in Casita again. More energy and noise and just... yeah. While she truly wants to throw one for Alberto and thinks he deserves it. She also sort of needs it herself too. The silence and emptiness is so unbearable at times.]

text: un: BRUNO - 1/????

Text, un: Dynamight--sometime in April, after Stardew

Text | un: pequeña_montaña, after Stardew

Text, un: Dynamight

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