[Part of Bruno wants to delve deep into that distant look Giorno gets in his eyes from time to time, but he'll hold back. What good could it do to know what Giorno's thinking about when he stares off into space.
...Further to the point, why the hell should he care? He's an Operative, a mover and shaker, and he has bigger things to worry about than a kid's dreams. But still...] ...It'll have to do.
[Almost automatically, right as it needs to be done, Buccellati gives Abbacchio a little nod, signifying that it's his turn to watch Princess Persnickety. He allows himself to relax just a little bit more, locking his eyes to the ceiling. Just a quick break...
He cradles the bottle of water in his palm, nearly forgotten.] You are a little too mysterious for me, Giorno Giovanna.
[And Giorno almost double-takes when Bruno says so, except he only lets that show by parting his lips a little, as if to retaliate with a soft "what?"...
...but instead, he just looks a little pleased with himself (Brando flickering through calm, upstanding Joestar) and smiles, divulging a little bit of that initial mischievousness that he has about him, that little smile he gave Koichi when he 'apologized' for 'losing' his bags.]
No more mysterious than I ought to be, if I'm going to be the head of the mafia. No?
That little flicker is something Bruno hasn't really seen since the bald-faced lies when they first met. It's... impish, somehow, and he fluctuates rapidly between wanting punch him in the face for it and wanting to somehow challenge that look. But, as always, he holds back. his self-restraint and sense of duty won't allow the outer layer to crack even one millimeter, not now, and certainly not in front of his underlings.]
And you see where that's getting the Boss, now, don't you? [It's dry, without real wit or the humor that ought to accompany it. But he'll see how Giorno takes it. After all, Giorno carefully hides his wickedness from the others, still. Rule of cool, and all that.]
[Though Bruno's retort is dry, Giorno looks amused by it nevertheless, blue eyes narrowing in a carefully concealed smile. He doesn't laugh, no, that's not something that Giorno does (some people wonder if he even knows how to), but there's definitely mirth there, hidden behind Giorno's composure and his respect for the situation that they're in (hardly a fitting place for jokes, not that Mista or Narancia adhere to that).]
I attribute that to a lack of tact and subtlety.
[Is that...Giorno trying his hand at humor?! Oh stop the press. But he turns his attention towards the still mostly-full bottle of water when he finishes his reply, making it hard to read his expression.]
[It's a sharp, dramatic glance that Buccellati affords Giorno then.
Could he be serious, saying that? Really, could he be that simple and idealistic? Or, at a time like this, is he really making such a tactless joke?
Giorno is really something else. Maybe that's why Bruno feels the need to get a little closer, mentally, to figure him out and become attuned to the small subtle changes that go on in Giorno's manner of operation. He's so in synch with the rest of the group, but Giorno continues to stay a little bit distant.
Finally, in need of something to stop that train of thought from taking him far off the task at hand, he pulls the top off his water and takes a drink.]
I'm not sure if you got the welcome letter, but we don't do subtle anymore. That went out of style a few years back.
Polpo may have eaten the letter along with his desk before my initiation, I'm afraid.
[Giorno is completely serious about his dream, is entirely serious about what he plans to do, but is capable of hiding his hand as casually as a trained poker player does-- and at his age, it's a remarkable talent to have.
THIS IS THE KID THAT PRETENDED TO DRINK ABBACCHIO'S PISS AND THEN MADE A SNIDE COMMENT ABOUT IT. HATERS GONNA HATE.
But in all seriousness, Giorno is a passionate person about his ideals, and he'll never be swayed. He's a committed person at heart (almost a bit tragically so, considering his youngness and his lack of a childhood), but at times, he's capable of making smalltalk, the way he is now.
Maybe (definitely) because he enjoys Bruno's company enough for him to allow himself to.]
I wouldn't put it past him. He probably didn't even realize it.
[Yeah, we can disrespect that particular bastard, now that he's gone. Only a little, though.
After seeing Giorno in action, and seeing the great lengths he'll go to for his goal, Bruno can't help but feel a little bit fond of him--that's why he's sitting on the couch, having this idle talk, instead of trying to stop Mista and Narancia from shoving Fugo at Trish to keep the peace. This bond is important for him to forge, if only because he sees a shadowed reflection of himself in Giorno. The younger man has never held that initial meeting against him, and in turn, Buccellati asks no questions about what transpired out of his sight.
He can't question someone whose motives are so pure, not now, not in the position they're all in. It's remarkably difficult to resist the urge to pull him aside and interrogate, but... well, perhaps that's the long-ingrained mafia technique speaking, rather than true desire.]
[Giorno knows that Bruno won't ask, and it's a silent pact between the two not to-- he knows that Bruno understands his moral principles, and he knows that Bruno's been a member of the gang long enough to know how some things have to be done. Polpo was a step in the right direction, as far as Giorno is concerned. He died for a reason that Giorno will never feel ashamed of, and in his place, Bruno became an Operative. He has no regrets about that, none whatsoever.
He sets his half-finished bottle onto the table, and then stretches. They've been cooped up in the turtle for a while, now, in the back of some truck or another. Strangely, he's forgotten about how tired he might have been-- THE BRUNO EFFECT. There's something calming about the older man, which might be why half of downtown Naples loves him.]
I doubt there was anything of much importance in his letter, in any case.
[Little old ladies love fine, fashionable, upstanding mafiosos, and don't you forget it, Giorno.
Of course, if he knew, he'd probably thank Giorno for doing what he could not. This was a windfall that he'd needed, despite being Polpo's most trusted hand. There's nothing in the world that could make him want to trade in his current situation--not even the constant and imminent threat of violent, gruesome death.
And, besides, the company is nice. It's good to have someone around who is as calm as he is. It makes it easier to appreciate the long moments of waiting, to turn them back into some kind of rest and reprieve, rather than the tense, constant defense it truly is.]
Nothing I can't tell you, if you need to know it. Of course, current situation as it is, that's all moot. We make our own rules, now. We're the exception.
[This statement sparks the smallest, most microscopic fire in Bruno's eyes. At the end of this mission... glory, recognition, and ideally, the takedown of the boss. He'd skip two levels entirely, and at the tender
( ... )
[It's not hard to miss that spark, that moment of intensity behind Bruno's eyes that Giorno also has in common with the Operative. It's a spark of ambition, which is something that Giorno will never deny that he has-- he's professed it to everyone in multiple occasions-- but it's intriguing to see it on Bruno, to see that same kind of passion.
'Passione' indeed.
Giorno's eyes flit over to Trish, with her attention fixed on the newest Vogue (swiped), Mista and Narancia arguing over music. He's finally found a group of people who he can call friends, after the first two-thirds of his life being occupied by abuse and neglect, and then the latter third of his life being occupied by a desire that he couldn't divulge to anybody.
He feels like he's finally moving forward, next to Bruno. The feeling is strange, but he's fulfilled.]
We'll open our own path. That's what this is about.
["We". He likes that. The group was missing something, and Giorno filled that gap so neatly. He'd needed someone more like himself, someone serious and unwilling to be distracted, someone he could truly consider a partner within the group. After all, the others could entertain themselves and each other for hours, but in his grim seriousness and bullheaded sense of duty, Buccellati often found himself the odd one out. He's the leader, but nowhere near any of them.]
It was good fortune that you messed with us after all. But, then again, it was also inevitable. Stand users attract each other, whether we like it or not. [He drops his voice.] Let me say, I'm glad you're on our side, and not that of the assassino.
[The assassins. They're a constant source of anxiety for the group, and Giorno furrows his brows slightly at the topic, wondering if they're still being tailed. They don't know how many of them are there, after all, and while the conversation has been nice, the mention of their assailants snaps Giorno back partially into his calm vigilance.]
...I don't agree with their tactics. Trish is a human, first and foremost-- treating her as bargaining material, as they're planning to do, doesn't sit well with me.
[Undoubtedly, Giorno wants Trish to help them find out the Boss's identity, which isn't a completely unselfish motive... but still, kidnapping and bartering a life isn't within Giorno's moral code.]
[Bruno fears the same thing, knows they need to be vigilant and always have all eyes on the threats before them, but... The fact is, they've been running mad for quite some time, and if they don't relax at all, they'll begin to give in to stress, dull their senses, and make hasty decisions.]
Not one of us wants her hurt. She's an innocent, and I will stake my life on protecting her. We all have.
[But now, he's been around Giorno just long enough to see that subtle shift in composure. He lets the hand holding the water brush carefully against Giorno's arm, a calming gesture--he hopes.]
There are eight eyes watching out for this at the moment. Relax for a few more minutes. I need you all to be ready if something happens, not jumping at the slightest thing.
[It's almost funny, since that was what he was telling Bruno when Bruno first sat down next to him. Giorno closes his eyes for a moment, takes a deep breath, and then opens them again, revealing calm ice-blue.]
I understand.
[And now, Mista is chucking an empty cola can at Narancia, and Trish is watching them with an exasperation that says boys, and Giorno does relax as Bruno suggested. This is what he needs to make sure is preserved for now, and that sense of duty, strangely enough, puts him at a determined ease.
He knows Bruno knows his change in posture, and so he looks up at his senior as if to say I'll be fine.]
[That placid blue gaze tugs at Bruno's heart and stomach just a bit, and his own steel-gray eyes are almost magnetically locked into a passive stare. He can't look away; it's just so calming, like looking into the water on a white-sand beach. Like staring down off the side of a fishing boat.
Simpler times.
And he's grateful for the reminder, taking his own deep, calming breath and letting it carry all the pent-up anxiety and tension from every part of his body out with a sigh.]
Reply
...Further to the point, why the hell should he care? He's an Operative, a mover and shaker, and he has bigger things to worry about than a kid's dreams. But still...] ...It'll have to do.
[Almost automatically, right as it needs to be done, Buccellati gives Abbacchio a little nod, signifying that it's his turn to watch Princess Persnickety. He allows himself to relax just a little bit more, locking his eyes to the ceiling. Just a quick break...
He cradles the bottle of water in his palm, nearly forgotten.] You are a little too mysterious for me, Giorno Giovanna.
Reply
...but instead, he just looks a little pleased with himself (Brando flickering through calm, upstanding Joestar) and smiles, divulging a little bit of that initial mischievousness that he has about him, that little smile he gave Koichi when he 'apologized' for 'losing' his bags.]
No more mysterious than I ought to be, if I'm going to be the head of the mafia. No?
Reply
That little flicker is something Bruno hasn't really seen since the bald-faced lies when they first met. It's... impish, somehow, and he fluctuates rapidly between wanting punch him in the face for it and wanting to somehow challenge that look. But, as always, he holds back. his self-restraint and sense of duty won't allow the outer layer to crack even one millimeter, not now, and certainly not in front of his underlings.]
And you see where that's getting the Boss, now, don't you? [It's dry, without real wit or the humor that ought to accompany it. But he'll see how Giorno takes it. After all, Giorno carefully hides his wickedness from the others, still. Rule of cool, and all that.]
Reply
I attribute that to a lack of tact and subtlety.
[Is that...Giorno trying his hand at humor?! Oh stop the press. But he turns his attention towards the still mostly-full bottle of water when he finishes his reply, making it hard to read his expression.]
Reply
Could he be serious, saying that? Really, could he be that simple and idealistic? Or, at a time like this, is he really making such a tactless joke?
Giorno is really something else. Maybe that's why Bruno feels the need to get a little closer, mentally, to figure him out and become attuned to the small subtle changes that go on in Giorno's manner of operation. He's so in synch with the rest of the group, but Giorno continues to stay a little bit distant.
Finally, in need of something to stop that train of thought from taking him far off the task at hand, he pulls the top off his water and takes a drink.]
I'm not sure if you got the welcome letter, but we don't do subtle anymore. That went out of style a few years back.
Reply
[Giorno is completely serious about his dream, is entirely serious about what he plans to do, but is capable of hiding his hand as casually as a trained poker player does-- and at his age, it's a remarkable talent to have.
THIS IS THE KID THAT PRETENDED TO DRINK ABBACCHIO'S PISS AND THEN MADE A SNIDE COMMENT ABOUT IT. HATERS GONNA HATE.
But in all seriousness, Giorno is a passionate person about his ideals, and he'll never be swayed. He's a committed person at heart (almost a bit tragically so, considering his youngness and his lack of a childhood), but at times, he's capable of making smalltalk, the way he is now.
Maybe (definitely) because he enjoys Bruno's company enough for him to allow himself to.]
Reply
[Yeah, we can disrespect that particular bastard, now that he's gone. Only a little, though.
After seeing Giorno in action, and seeing the great lengths he'll go to for his goal, Bruno can't help but feel a little bit fond of him--that's why he's sitting on the couch, having this idle talk, instead of trying to stop Mista and Narancia from shoving Fugo at Trish to keep the peace. This bond is important for him to forge, if only because he sees a shadowed reflection of himself in Giorno. The younger man has never held that initial meeting against him, and in turn, Buccellati asks no questions about what transpired out of his sight.
He can't question someone whose motives are so pure, not now, not in the position they're all in. It's remarkably difficult to resist the urge to pull him aside and interrogate, but... well, perhaps that's the long-ingrained mafia technique speaking, rather than true desire.]
Reply
He sets his half-finished bottle onto the table, and then stretches. They've been cooped up in the turtle for a while, now, in the back of some truck or another. Strangely, he's forgotten about how tired he might have been-- THE BRUNO EFFECT. There's something calming about the older man, which might be why half of downtown Naples loves him.]
I doubt there was anything of much importance in his letter, in any case.
Reply
Of course, if he knew, he'd probably thank Giorno for doing what he could not. This was a windfall that he'd needed, despite being Polpo's most trusted hand. There's nothing in the world that could make him want to trade in his current situation--not even the constant and imminent threat of violent, gruesome death.
And, besides, the company is nice. It's good to have someone around who is as calm as he is. It makes it easier to appreciate the long moments of waiting, to turn them back into some kind of rest and reprieve, rather than the tense, constant defense it truly is.]
Nothing I can't tell you, if you need to know it. Of course, current situation as it is, that's all moot. We make our own rules, now. We're the exception.
[This statement sparks the smallest, most microscopic fire in Bruno's eyes. At the end of this mission... glory, recognition, and ideally, the takedown of the boss. He'd skip two levels entirely, and at the tender ( ... )
Reply
'Passione' indeed.
Giorno's eyes flit over to Trish, with her attention fixed on the newest Vogue (swiped), Mista and Narancia arguing over music. He's finally found a group of people who he can call friends, after the first two-thirds of his life being occupied by abuse and neglect, and then the latter third of his life being occupied by a desire that he couldn't divulge to anybody.
He feels like he's finally moving forward, next to Bruno. The feeling is strange, but he's fulfilled.]
We'll open our own path. That's what this is about.
Reply
It was good fortune that you messed with us after all. But, then again, it was also inevitable. Stand users attract each other, whether we like it or not. [He drops his voice.] Let me say, I'm glad you're on our side, and not that of the assassino.
Reply
...I don't agree with their tactics. Trish is a human, first and foremost-- treating her as bargaining material, as they're planning to do, doesn't sit well with me.
[Undoubtedly, Giorno wants Trish to help them find out the Boss's identity, which isn't a completely unselfish motive... but still, kidnapping and bartering a life isn't within Giorno's moral code.]
Reply
Not one of us wants her hurt. She's an innocent, and I will stake my life on protecting her. We all have.
[But now, he's been around Giorno just long enough to see that subtle shift in composure. He lets the hand holding the water brush carefully against Giorno's arm, a calming gesture--he hopes.]
There are eight eyes watching out for this at the moment. Relax for a few more minutes. I need you all to be ready if something happens, not jumping at the slightest thing.
Reply
I understand.
[And now, Mista is chucking an empty cola can at Narancia, and Trish is watching them with an exasperation that says boys, and Giorno does relax as Bruno suggested. This is what he needs to make sure is preserved for now, and that sense of duty, strangely enough, puts him at a determined ease.
He knows Bruno knows his change in posture, and so he looks up at his senior as if to say I'll be fine.]
Thank you for the water.
Reply
Simpler times.
And he's grateful for the reminder, taking his own deep, calming breath and letting it carry all the pent-up anxiety and tension from every part of his body out with a sigh.]
There's a few more, if you need them.
Reply
Leave a comment