fatealteration | Sowing Seeds

"Come here...isn't your paw hurt?"

Giorno had full intentions of stealing a mid-day nap, but Croccante was high on one of the broken pillars beside the door to his room. The white cat eyed him but didn't come down. Giorno sighed and rubbed his head. Just looking up for too long was hard when he had been on his feet for longer than an hour or two.

It had been just two days since he cured Joseph. He had slept almost the rest of the day through and that was all he was allowing himself after making himself so scarce for a whole week. At some point doubt would creep into the community gossip and that was the last thing he needed to manage.

Giorno leaned against the pillar and put some of his energy into the ivy vines that crept up it. The flowers burst open, surprising the small cat, and urging her to leap down--right onto his head. He quickly pried her out of his now-mussed curls and inspected her paw. A little splinter poked out of the pink pad, and he squinted to pluck it out--and missed. And tried again--and missed. His hands were shaking. Croccante's tail was swishing in irritation. He summoned all his focus and managed to fix his fingers around it to pull it out, and the fluffy cat bolted out of his arms not a moment later.

"Yes, yes...you're welcome." Giorno watched her take off down the hall.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

nohardwork

"You think I don't?"

From:

youre_the_sunflower

“I was prepared for you to insist you had to focus on your paternal duties or some such thing.”

From:

nohardwork

"That kid can take care of himself," Joseph said, reaching out to rub one of Caesar's birthmarks with a single digit. "He might not be as strong or handsome, but he knows what he's doing."

From:

youre_the_sunflower

Caesar closed an eye as Joseph’s thumb rubbed his cheek. It was something he would have given him an uppercut for not two weeks ago.

“Perhaps…but family…it’s a blessing.” Caesar’s mouth set into a line, the corners of his mouth firm against something unspoken.

From:

nohardwork

"Yeah, yeah," Joseph said in flippant English. He hoped that Granny Erina was somewhere safe with Speedwagon. It wasn't something he liked to dwell on very much because he worried. And Joseph didn't like to worry.

"I'll take care of him."

From:

alteredfates_npc

~~

“Yukari!” Iris approached Yukari in the dining hall from behind, her hands behind her back and a grin across her face. “It’s your lucky day.”

From:

takeba

Yukari would know that voice anywhere, but she still turned around. "What's going on?"

From:

alteredfates_npc

“The prince is officially back in public.” Iris winked. “I confirmed it myself.”

From:

takeba

"Really? Where'd you see him?"

From:

alteredfates_npc

“In the library. That’s one of his preferred haunts. Oh…”Iris whipped out a jar from behind her back. Its liquid contents were pleasantly honey-colored. “Ta-da! I nabbed some for you for this very moment. Bring it with you…y’know, to share.”

From:

takeba

"Thanks!" Yukari blinked, but took the offering without giving it a second thought. "What's this?" she asked, turning it around in her hands.

From:

alteredfates_npc

“Mulsum…just take a little wine and a little honey and—“ Iris mimed a squeezing motion with her hands.

From:

takeba

"W-what?" Yukari said, laughing. "Seriously? You're way too much."

From:

alteredfates_npc

“Hey, first impressions, right? He’s alllll about the sweet wines…besides, it’s actually pretty good.” Iris gestured for her to rise. “He doesn’t end up alone for long, so strike quickly!”

From:

takeba

"Okay, okay," Yukari said with a laugh. "I'm totally not interested in him, though."

From:

alteredfates_npc

“Mhm. It’s just south of here…that semi-circle building, okay?” Iris grinned with anticipation as she watched Yukari leave—a few other girls in the dining hall glancing Yukari’s way as she passed to regard her with quiet awe.

From:

takeba

"Hey, sorry if I'm interrupting." Yukari set the bottle down on the table where Giorno was reading. "I heard you were feeling better so I thought I'd bring a gift and introduce myself. I'm Yukari Takeba."

From:

buon_giorno

It was almost impossible to miss anyone about in the library with the floors being carefully constructed out a mixture of marble and mosaic tile, but it took Giorno longer to pick up on the sound of Yukari's approach than usual.

He looked from his book at the offering and then up at her, lips turning upwards in an appreciative smile.

"Giorno Giovanna." Even if she already knew that, it was still polite to say. He nodded towards the chair opposite him. "I've heard of you. It's good to meet you."

From:

takeba

"Really?" That was a surprise. "Good things, I hope!"

From:

buon_giorno

"Nothing bad." Giorno closed his book and rose. There was a small bar tucked into the corner and embedded within the walls. Naturally, it was the reason Giorno chose that part of the library to lounge around. He chose two matching glasses from the shelves. "You arrived last week. I hope others have been kind as you've been getting your bearings."

From:

takeba

"Yeah, everyone's been really great. I'm planning on teaching archery to some of the older students."

From:

buon_giorno

“I heard you had a talent for that.” Giorno opened the bottle and poured them both a few ounces. “You practice with a school club, correct?”

From:

takeba

"Yeah." Yukari finally took a seat next to him. "It's pretty typical for most people to join a school club in Japan. That's where you're from too, right?"

From:

buon_giorno

"Katsushika, to be exact. My mother's family still lives there...I believe." Giorno switched to Japanese with a tone that was formal but not particularly warm as he spoke of it. He lifted his glass and took a slow sip. "Italian schools don't really have extracurriculars like other countries. It's a pity."