Vongola XVI -- Filtered/Closed

[not_mafia]

[Okay, so Arya had been japing him when she'd told him to ask the castle. And no one was able to talk to it as far as he knew. But there was no harm in trying, either; the filter would be conveniently hidden from anyone else, so nobody would tease him for his naivety. And who knows? Maybe the only reason the castle had been so quiet was because the residents had been so set on working against it, rather than with it...]

Um... hi, Paradisa. I guess you already know who I am, so... let's get to the point. [He gnaws the inside of his cheek.] You're fueled by emotions, right? But, I was wondering... do you know if maybe there's something else you can use? Because, people are kind of hard to work with as a fuel source, aren't they? You have to use up energy to make these world changes and do all that sort of stuff, and to bring people here, too. As well as to send them back. I mean, that's got to take a lot of energy, right? Wouldn't it be easier to use something else?

[And then it occurs to him he might be rambling, and bites his lip.] ...anyway, if you tell us, then... maybe we could help you, instead of fight you. [A pause.] Please consider it.

[He fell silent, looking at the journal. He wasn't expecting a response right away. ...he wasn't expecting a response at all, really. He just had to try, to at least say that he had. He gave a soft sigh.

Okay, no more procrastinating.

He closes the book, slides off his bed, then heads out of his room to the one over. He stares at it for awhile, shutting his eye for a moment, before finally mustering up the courage to bring his fist up and knock on the door.]

Comments

[ino]

[she kind of assumed it would probably be allen or gale knocking, but when she pauses to get a feel for the energy outside the door ...

tsuna?

well, that's not exactly what she was expecting, that's for sure. still, she's kind of hoping this is what onceler was talking about. he's had time to cool down ...

god, she really hopes he's willing to make up this time]

... Come in. [she's just laying on her stomach on her bed, painting her nails]

[not_mafia]

[He takes a deep breath when he hears her voice, then opens the door.]

...hey. Are you busy?

[ino]

[she'll offer him a little smile. she isn't mad at him, after all! and she's glad he's approaching her.]

No, I'm not. What's up?

[not_mafia]

[He comes in and closes the door behind him, leaning on it.]

I wanted to talk about what happened the other day.

[ino]

[she pauses, before she screws the cap back on her nail polish and sets it to the side, sitting up properly]

... Alright. [she's listening!]

[not_mafia]

[He bows his head.] I'm not mad anymore. And I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. [Saying that she hadn't understood anything.]

But... [It still hurt, and it shows a bit in his eyes.] I just-- I couldn't figure out why you would do that when... you knew how much it... scares me.

[ino]

[aww. well, she's glad for the apology. but more importantly ...]

Like I said, I don't think you have anything to fear from him. But just saying it doesn't really help, does it? I wanted you to meet firsthand so you could see for yourself.

[pauses, and she looks down at her hands for a moment] But if what you said afterwards is anything to go by, I think I misunderstood why you didn't want to talk to him. I thought you were just worried that he was ... I dunno, scary, or that he might force you to do things you didn't want to do ... and by talking with him, I figured you'd see that isn't the case.

[not_mafia]

[He shakes his head as he comes over to sit at the edge of the bed.]

No, I know that there's nothing to fear from him. Primo-- Giotto-san isn't the kind of person who would hurt anyone without good reason.

[He brings his hand up and rubs the back of his neck.] I just, I don't know. I wish you would've asked me, instead of going behind my back like that.

[ino]

[she looks over at him pointedly] Would you have agreed if I'd asked you?

[not_mafia]

[He looks back at her, then down again. Would have he? This was a pretty delicate matter for him, and honestly, there's few things he can think of that he wants to talk about less.

But on the other hand, Ino had done so much for him. There was little he didn't trust her with. She had helped him, supported him, even when he was at his worst. She never gave up on him. And even though the situation she had put him in that upsetting situation, he realized how much she went out of her way just to prove to him that he had nothing to fear from Giotto. She'd set them up, talked Giotto out of leaving him, had done all that she could to get them to interact. Even if he didn't approve of it, he was touched by her effort.]

I think so. [He probably would have been very reluctant, but if he'd known it'd bothered her that much, he would've relented eventually.]

[ino]

[ .... WELL. she was kind of expecting that to be a "no", so ...]

... I wasn't sure if I'd be able to convince you. And I didn't want to startle you or make you feel ganged up on by telling you that I'd been talking to him, if you were afraid of him ...

[she pauses]

But ... it doesn't matter, I guess. I really upset you, and that's the last thing I wanted to do, so ... I'm sorry.

[not_mafia]

[He looks down for a moment, and then at her.]

Just promise me you won't try something like that again? [And his gaze shies away.] ...even if I start avoiding him again. [Because that wasn't a thing that stopped happening.]

[ino]

... I promise, but -- you're seriously avoiding him again??

[ALL THAT EFFORT FOR NOTHING .....]

[not_mafia]

[Still not looking at her.] ...yes. I am.

[ino]

...

[she just frowns. because what do you say to that? she's still not entirely sure she's worth trusting why he's afraid of him to, in his eyes, so ...

she sighs quietly, glancing over at him curiously to see if he'll elaborate at all]

[not_mafia]

[He debates quietly, for awhile, if he should tell her. Even despite what he'd just done, there was no doubt he still trusted Ino the most.

And then he remembers something, and chews on his lower lip, diverting the conversation for a moment.]

Zelos came here the other day. And he said that you'd told him a few things.

[Which, yeah, especially at the time, hadn't helped Ino's case at all. But he's hoping, at least, that she didn't say anything too revealing, which is why he's looking at her cautiously now, waiting for to explain exactly what she had said.]

[ino]

[she blinks ... oh right, she'd warned him ahead of time about that]

I just told him I was arranging a meeting with the two of you, because you were related. He didn't know anything else, so I didn't elaborate.

[not_mafia]

Okay.

[And then he just falls silent, looking at the ground. If the elaboration is coming, it probably isn't going to be today.]

[ino]

[yeaaaaah she's kind of getting that feeling]

Are you sure you're alright?

[not_mafia]

[He starts a bit, then gives a small, sheepish smile.]

Y-yeah, I'll be fine.

[ino]

[NOT SURE IF SHE BELIEVES THAT ...]

[not_mafia]

[well he does kinda have to deal with the repercussions of that forced meeting, which he's not looking forward to.

Quietly:]

And... I forgive you as well.

[It's a little reluctant, but there's no need to keep a grudge against Ino, especially when all she was trying to do was help him. And of course, she doesn't know the full story either...]

[ino]

[surprised blink ....

but, that gets a smile, at least]

Thanks, Tsuna.

[not_mafia]

[A small smile back, when he remembers something.]

Oh, um... could I ask you for your help with something?

[ino]

Eh? What is it?