473 ❀

[ino]

[dictated cheerfully; she'll also be quickly slapping a filter over this a few moments after it's posted]

[Filtered away from Once-ler]

So. It's December! For all of you newbies, that means it's about the time of year where the castle starts playing matchmaker yet again. Every year so far there's been some kind of enchanted decoration around the castle that forces people to kiss each other. Good luck trying to avoid it, that stuff is everywhere. Literally.

With that in mind, things can get a little complicated in your love life during this trying time. Maybe you'll accidentally kiss someone your best friend likes in front of them! Maybe you'll kiss someone and realize you actually had feelings for them after all. Or maybe you'll kiss your worst enemy and realize it wasn't actually that bad.

So, I'll be putting a little box at my door -- that's room 405, for anyone who didn't know -- for anyone who needs some anonymous advice about what to do about their newfound feelings, the awkwardness that ensues, or whatever. Trust me, I'm sure at least one couple will hook up before Christmas rolls around. It's a little bit sad that it takes enchanted ornaments to get the love flowing, really, but what can you do?

Have fun~ ♥

[/Filter]


[Friends]

What do you guys want for Christmas? No non-answers allowed!

[/Friends]

Comments

[is_mafia]

I'm just, well... [Because he's a mafia boss and he is totally unsuitable for any woman because it's dangerous and that's probably why they all come after him, but he can't say that because... MAFIA. So what to say, what to say...]

I...I just am. [Which is an excellent come back, Giotto, excellent.] And I'm perfectly fine with being unsuitable, thank you!

[ino]

Hmm. [even though he can't see her, he might be able to hear the grin creeping up on her face. because yeah that was. a terrible comeback. and she kind of already knows about MAFIA, so ...] I think you're hiding something from me, Giotto~! Maybe you're a bit of a troublemaker, and you're worried someone might get hurt?

[is_mafia]

[He can. He definitely can. He has a terrible feeling about how the rest of this conversation is going to go.]

I'm not hiding anything, Ino. And why, do I seem like the sort to get into trouble?

[ino]

Really? Because it sounded suspiciously like you were omitting a lot of information.

You do. You seem like the perfect type to get into trouble.

[is_mafia]

And what if I were? Perhaps it's none of your business if I am hiding something. Just like my love love is none of your business. [Even though she seems determined to MAKE it her business...]

And I am a perfect gentleman. I do not get into trouble.

[ino]

I never said you had to tell me. Just that it's a little obvious. [NO COMMENT ON THE LOVE LIFE. everyone's love life is her business giotto gosh]

Sometimes being a perfect gentleman is the best way to get into trouble.

[is_mafia]

Well, I am definitely not hiding anything of any sort, I assure you. [He notices that she doesn't comment on the love life. Why must everybody try to set him up.]

Oh, and how would you know? Ever get into any trouble with a perfect gentleman? [Oh, he can turn this right back on you, Ino.]

[ino]

Right. Of course you aren't. [said so knowingly :')]

I've gotten into plenty of trouble without the help of any gentlemen. But you could say I know my fair share of guys who are a lot like you.

[is_mafia]

Why do I think you won't believe me no matter what I say?

And what exactly, are 'guys like me' like? Enlighten me.

[ino]

I'm a smart girl, Giotto. I know when someone's lying to me.

Guys who are perfectly well-behaved, but somehow end up in a circumstance where everyone has it out for them. So they learn to evade people, and attachments, to keep the people around them safe.

[is_mafia]

[He pauses at that, because for some reason, she could see right through him. Or perhaps he wasn't as good as hiding this as he thought.] ...Nothing has ever ended well for those around me. [Cozarto, Elena, Daemon... They all got hurt. And maybe that was just three people out of his family and friends, but it still stung. It was still three people he failed. And the danger was still very real.] So perhaps it is for the best.

[ino]

[more like she just knows a lot of dudes with tragic pasts! still, when she speaks, she's firm and serious this time]

You're wrong.

[is_mafia]

And how am I wrong? How do you know, when you know nothing about me?

[ino]

Because the bonds that you have with others are what makes you strong. Having people to protect ... that's what makes you a better person.

Being alone never helped anyone. I don't have to know you to know that much.

[is_mafia]

I do have bonds. I have a family, and I love them more than anything. I would do anything to protect them and see them happy. And yet...

They still got hurt. And I could do nothing.

[ino]

Then that means you have some training to do. Mistakes happen and people get hurt. But you can't push them away because that happens.

[a pause -- well, he shared some personal info, so she supposes it's only fair for her to return the favor]

Someone I considered like a father to me died because of my own shortcomings, in the past. [well, it wasn't really her fault, but she blames herself anyways] If only I had been better, if I had been faster, maybe he would have made it. But something like that happening doesn't mean that having people at your back is ever a bad thing. It means that it's time to step it up and do better than your best.

[is_mafia]

[A pause, a very long pause while he mulls over what to say to her.] There is nothing that I could ever do to make it any better for the ones involved. I already failed them, and subsequently have lost their trust. And it wasn't because I didn't fight hard enough, or didn't try hard enough, it was because I was scared of my own power. And I am going to pay for it, for the rest of my life.

[And that's the end of that wonderful conversation, because his pleasant mask slams down and he's back to that polite and nice but distant person.] Thank you, Ino, for that information. I'll keep it in mind this month. [And the journal shuts with a finality.]

[ino]

[DUDE. YOU DONT MAKE BEING DEAD BETTER EITHER, GIOTTO.

But she doesn't say anything back when he shuts the journal. SHE WILL GET YOU YET, MISTER]