LII

[wilder]

[Zelos can be found out in the city center, sitting on the fountain that's currently off due to repairs. He's been helping out through the morning, and is currently taking a break. Like everyone else, he's been marked by this plot. There's inked wings on his back, and words crudely etched onto him all over his body in an ugly fashion, like a knife did it- the most prominent being "TRAITOR" across his cheek.]

[He's been flipping through the journal, noticing all the entries about regret. Man, people sure got hit hard. ]

[Normally, he doesn't like to speak up about this sort of stuff. As loud as he is, he likes to keep to himself more when he doesn't feel like being a goof ball. But honestly, living with a lot of regrets? Is his expertise. And so...with a bit of hesitation, he'll actually speak in a rather plain manner.]

I think it's pretty clear by now we got a lot of regrets or things we don't like about ourselves or our pasts. I'm not about to tell people how to handle that stuff..everyone's got their own way. I know one guy that wears handcuffs all the time as a reminder of his crimes! It's weird, but it works for him. As long as you don't hurt anyone in the process, I don't see a problem in people going their own path with managing this stuff.

I'm also not gonna tell you that everything's okay with what you did, because maybe it's not. Maybe it'll never be okay. That's just something you have to learn to live with. If you want forgiveness that badly? Take it up with the people you've hurt or your own personal religion - I don't really care.

I will say that for some, sitting around thinking about this stuff just makes it worse. Right now, there's an entire town that's recently been hit by an earthquake and could use the extra hands. Clearing rubble, helping in the clinics, making repairs - even raising money to help pay for things goes a long way. Maybe they're not the people you've maybe hurt...but they're still people, right? That's gotta count for something. And it's a good distraction!

So if you feel up to it...maybe just come to the town and ask the townspeople what you can do to help. Ink or fake blood or whatever, I'm sure they'll take the help.

If not, well I guess good luck in handling this newest castle thing in your own way.

That's...all.

[OOC: Dictated or open post!]

Comments

[is_mafia]

[Giotto sighs, shaking his head, but with a fond smile on his face.] He came up yesterday to check on me as well, even though I told him I was all right.

[wilder]

[he snorts] You do know that no one in this castle believes it if you say you're alright, right?

[is_mafia]

...It was worth a try?

[wilder]

[He chuckles]

It was a valiant effort, I'm sure.

[is_mafia]

Not valiant enough, apparently. Once my grandson seems to decide to do something, there is no stopping him.

[wilder]

Heh, it's true.

But hey, I find distracting him still works pretty well!

[is_mafia]

...Do I even dare ask how you decided to distract him?

[wilder]

Oh, it's easy! Just talk about his problems instead! ♥

[is_mafia]

[A snort because that is exactly what Giotto did.] It does work rather well, doesn't it?

[wilder]

It's a tried and true method-

[His hand brushes past another inked spot on his shirt. This one says "LIAR"]

- Aw man! That's it! I give up!

[Excuse him as he starts...taking off his shirt! ]

[is_mafia]

[An amused laugh at that, and he may as well pull his hands out of his pockets at this point. Inked across his knuckles is 'Cosa Nostra' and there is a 27 on his palm, though Zelos may not be able to see that.] Getting tired of ruining your shirts?

[wilder]

[he see the knuckles...though the words make little sense to him]

Beyond tired! I don't know what's worst- the castle airing out our dirty laundry or making all our laundry dirty!

[But he'll finish pulling off his shirt and dump it next to him. He also works on adjusting his hair so it's tied up away from his back marks]

[is_mafia]

[Giotto really wouldn't expect him to, even if he was from Earth. It's not a well known name for the mafia outside of the mafia.]

Tell me about it. ...Though, you're braver than I am. [You're willing to bare it rather than try to cover it up. But that could just be his self-consciousness and vanity talking.]

[wilder]

Braver?

[So confused, he's never really thought of himself as brave, well, ever]

How? We're both out here, aren't we?

[is_mafia]

[He nods at his shirt.] You don't care about what people think about you.

[Then he looks away, staring at something more distant.]

...But I do. Perhaps a bit too much. [...This may explain the wrinkled clothes a bit more.]

[wilder]

Well I wouldn't say I don't care about what anyone thinks...[there's a reason he's staying away from the house. He has the feeling that the words on him would hurt his friends more than himself]

But what is it that you're concerned about them thinking?

[is_mafia]

[That's why he had wanted Tsuna to stay away, but he hadn't. It was hard to keep the people you care about away, even if it was for their own good sometimes.

He stands up, though, self-consciously trying to fix his collar and smooth down his jacket and then runs a hand through his hair, nervous and slightly distracted. It doesn't help, of course.] ...It doesn't matter. I should get back to work.

[wilder]

[Nope sorry Giotto, he smells blood]

What? Do you care what I think now? What could I even do?

[is_mafia]

[And guess who's not going to rise to the bait, though it still stings him and makes him flush in shame? Instead of answering he just turns and starts walking away.]

[wilder]

[Damn, oh well. Maybe he can find out some other time. But for now he'll let the guy get away]