Sowing Seeds

[buon_giorno]

"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.

Comments

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris thought about it and nodded. "I guess that makes sense. You're a little mysterious yourself, after all. Finding a complement to yourself is what dating is all about." Iris leaned towards Criff and lowered her voice...but not by much. "I guess that means Juli's territory is safe for now."

[criff]

Criff let out a little chuckle. "Right?"

[takeba]

"Wait, so those two are together?"

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris leaned in and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I mean...you'd think. They're, like, always together. But I bet at least one of them is totally holding back because they're on the council together, you know? They've got that weight of the world burden thing going on." Iris sat back up straight and looked to Criff. "...Actually, what was Juli like back where you two are from? She was, like, in charge there too right? Was she still this uptight?"

[criff]

"Yeah, basically. She was part of the ship's upper crust. Even after Blue took over."

[takeba]

"Is she really that bad?" Yukari looked from Iris to Criff.

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris waved a hand. “I’m not trying to be mean or anything. She’s super sweet and we all rely on her a lot. But…she can’t level with the rest of us too much, you know? Her and Giorno. That’s what makes them all…mysterious.” And that much more fun to speculate about. “And like…Juli’s got plenty of admirers of her own, you know? I don’t think she even notices.”

[takeba]

"Well, I hope the two of them leave some for the rest of us. No one has even asked me out for the festival yet."

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris hummed loudly. “…Well if Giorno isn’t your speed, what about Joseph? He’s super direct. And hunky. If you don’t mind him being his grandpa or whatever.”

[takeba]

Yukari blinked. "What?"

[criff]

"Word is that he and Giorno are related," Criff said in her usual sultry tones. "And since he was born a half-century before Giorno was..."

[alteredfates_npc]

“Such a gorgeous family.” Iris sighed. “I didn’t believe at first, but…they really have the same eyes, you know? All blue and sharp and dreamy.”

[takeba]

"Yeah, if that's your type. I kinda like my guys a little less muscular."

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris groaned. “C’mon, Yukari. You could be passing up the love of your life here. Besides, you could have any guy you wanted in two seconds.” Her face dropped with a sudden realization. “But if it were to happen…if by some trick of the multiverse…it turned out you were Giorno’s grandmother along?”

[takeba]

"What?" Yukari's face went hot-red. "No -- no way!"

[criff]

"I guess that leaves more for me and Iris, then." Criff turned to look at Iris, her head tiled to one side. "Right?" she added with a smile.

[alteredfates_npc]

Iris sighed again, but it was a fluttery sigh of agreement. “I’d be happy with someone as handsome as Joseph, but…Caesar’s so romantic. He always has a compliment for me whenever he sees me and he’s so good with the kids.”

All of Iris’s stress from the day seemed to melt away and she eyed the flowers that Giorno gifted Yukari before looking to her. “Mmm…you know, I bet those are a sign. Why don’t you and I design some matching iris-themed dresses to wear to the festival? …Well, Criff will mostly, but you know!” Iris leaned over and hugged Criff tightly as a thank you in advance.

[criff]

Criff didn't even protest when she was volunteered for dress duty. "Sure," she said, warmly. She wasn't used to anyone other than her sister being this affectionate with her. But it wasn't unwelcome. Not at all.

[takeba]

"Don't think I'm going to make you do all the work," Yukari reassured Criff, before direction her attention back to Iris. "You should ask him out. At this point, I don't think either of us can count on being asked. Guys can be so useless sometimes," she said with a sigh.

[alteredfates_npc]

"You think?" Iris pouted.

"Hey! Iris! Done with your break yet? Gemmy is going on hers and we need to measure out another 15 spots for murals before sunset!" A tall girl called from the distance.

"Coming!" Iris chugged the rest of her lemon water and stood. She winked at the two other girls. "Well, I'm leaving the fate of my ensemble in your capable hands. Boys or no boys, make sure we're the best-dressed ones there."

[unchill_chuck]

~~

"Are you sure you don't want a bigger entourage, Your Highness?" Chilchuck's pack, large as it was on his back, felt practically feather-light compared to what he was used to. They weren't far from the excavation camp, after all. And the day's travel expedition was meant to be just a one-day affair. Still, it was the furthest they'd embarked into new territory.

They had been exploring for an hour and Chilchuck felt a vague unease. The further they went, the more the mist seemed to encroach. He had been keeping track of what he could see 10 feet out and the difference was subtle but entirely noticeable to him. When they had surveyed the territory from up high on the hill that looked over the valley, there was no indication of mist. Just trees that extended into the horizon.

[scholarandaprincess]

"You all are more than capable. Besides, I wouldn't want to pull more resources away from the abyss." It was funny Chilchuck should ask--after all, back home she only had one bodyguard consistently at her side and she was used to handling the research particulars on her own. Now, she had Chilchuck, Shepard, and Juli.

While this didn't fall under Juli's typical scope of activities, privately, Zelda thought a little time away from the villa might be good for her...for certain reasons. But, selfishly, she also just liked spending time with her and had less and less time to do so since leading the expedition efforts.

[julibahana]

"I'm not worried," Juli said. She was absolutely not a combatant. Neither was Zelda, really, but she had so many skills that were useful in this situation that she could easily out-maneuver anything they encountered. "Not as long as the three of you are here."

[shepard]

"I appreciate the vote of confidence. I think we've been pretty lucky. There hasn't been much need for combat since I arrived here." It was a definite change for Shepard from back home, but she wasn't complaining. Still, she was worried that she might be getting a little rusty, even with regular gun and biotic practice. It helped, but nothing kept your skills in shape like genuine battle.

[unchill_chuck]

Chilchuck didn’t argue—he didn’t feel the need, which was rare for him. Even if Shepard was the only true combatant among them, it was difficult to feel too worried with her around. It wasn’t just because of her strength, but her experience and calm confidence.

It was surprising to think about how much less he felt the need to manage things when she was around. It was the most relief he’d felt since assuming responsibility over a community of so many kids.

When they stopped and Zelda asked Juli for help holding her slate as she knelt down in front of a mushroom, Chilchuck realized how long he’d been in his own head. He rubbed his eyes. ‘Focus.’

The small clearing they were in was as quiet as the rest of the forest. The air was thick with moisture and signs of wildlife were scarce. It felt somehow like everything was…hiding.

“…Are folks the superstitious type where you’re from?” He suddenly asked Shepard.