[open]

[prayercycles]

WHO: Fortunato and YOU(?)
WHERE: Various Cities
WHEN: Throughout January
WHAT: Fortunato does things in places where people can interact with him. Rare! If you want a closed prompt, let me know at keterclass.
WARNINGS: Any potential Fortunato warnings may apply, will add if needed.


1. Heropa, near the Catholic Church

[ Fortunato's been through a lot of things...but, somehow, he's still easily swayed, at least when there's no risk to anything he cares about. So today, he's ended up being asked by some of the many doting elderly women at his church to carry food for a potluck into the building.

The problem: the food is in a van in a parking lot down and across the street. The other problem: his vision isn't great today. But he couldn't say no. So if you're in the area, you may have to work to avoid Fortunato carrying various pots of pasta, pastry boxes, and multiple plastic bags filled with paper plates in his arms. If you don't, there's a chance he'll bump into you while trying to squint at something else. ]

I- sorry.

[ He's pretty embarrassed, yes. ]

2. De Chima, at a Library

[ Among the various problems with Fortunato's blindness coming and going: schoolbooks. It's not terribly uncommon for him to be assigned a reading, hope he can get it done when he can, and then for things not to work out that way. So he's had to go to De Chima in his spare time, the only place that apparently has an audiobook version of this week's reading, and track it down before he misses an essay. He went to a school where missing an essay could be punished quite severely; skipping an assignment isn't really in his mindset.

That said, it might be easy for him to unintentionally startle people while sitting silently in the corner of the library, his hands folded in his lap, as he listens to the chapters he needs to hear. Recognizable to someone who knows their imPorts, too. With the headphones on, he might not hear someone approaching, though. ]

3. Maurtia Falls, a tool store

[ Despite the city's reputation, Fortunato doesn't mind living in Maurtia Falls, and in this case the fact that a tool store would sell knife sheaths is quite useful for him. Magnus has gotten him a knife for Christmas- well, Candlenights- with the obvious intention of Fortunato protecting himself with it if need be, and Fortunato knows more than most people how necessary self-protection is. He knew that before the chaos of November's Swear-In, too.

That said, he's also dressed like the private school kid he used to be every day of the week, which means he looks a little out of place trying to find something that he can hide under his waistband- and perhaps even moreso looking like he knows what he's doing. Most people- perhaps another imPort- would wonder what exactly he's doing here. ]

Comments

closed to Lucina

[prayercycles]

[ This isn't a bad idea- shopping with Lucina. She's a friend, something Fortunato didn't think he'd really have here- something he doesn't really think he should have, still. This is something he may not get again; he'll let himself come close to normalcy if it means pleasing someone who has done more for him than she should ever have to.

That said...he's aware of her taste. He's expecting to see a lot of strange patterns today (while he can see), basically. But it's not as if that's any particular suffering, is it?

At least he's got a defense: his own deeply contrasting preference in clothing. Because, at the moment, the only thing he's thinking of buying is...yet another long-sleeved, button-up white shirt. ]

This would be fine.

[ He can never have too many of these. ]

[fauxmarth]

[Lucina is aware that her taste in fashion and art is...unconventional. some might say absolutely broken on a fundamental level, but that's being a bit harsh, she thinks! bright colors, exciting patterns, interesting textures...and heck, if it wasn't meant to be good, who would bother making it? don't tell her there's working designers who make a living making crummy clothes!

(it's been a full year and she's yet to observe a fashion week.)

still, she's trained hard to rein herself in around others. it doesn't always work (poor Kaneki, wearing that heinous, hunter's camouflage gown...), but she's at least cognizant of it!

...eventually. when the suffering is apparent.

but right now? she's given Fortunato the lead. she's curious to see his preferences, his habits, and manner about it. maybe she'll be surprised!

or...maybe he'll pick practically the same thing he's wearing underneath his coat.]

Fortunato, [she smiles lopsidedly.] aren't you wearing that exact shirt right now? Or one suspiciously similar?

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato may be a little oblivious when it comes to this particular habit of his, but he looks back at his own shirt self-consciously anyway. She's right, isn't she. Years of living under a dress code appear to be hard to shrug off.

But...what else would he wear? The same thing with shorter sleeves, maybe. Though he's begun to think, with how interested people are in just his cane, that they'd start asking after some of his scars, too. ]

...I could- I could get it in this color. [ He points to a dark blue version of the same shirt on the rack. Maybe that's what she wants? ]

[fauxmarth]

[with a chuckle in her voice:] Yes, you can. You can get whatever pleases you!

[she reaches over, plucking one of the shirts off and holding it out under his chin for size. satisfied, she drapes it over her arm.]

But why don't we look about some more before a final decision? You may find something new and interesting to try!

[prayercycles]

[ Honestly, he was saying that mostly to please her- but if she's decided he's going to get it, he supposes he's going to get it. It's a darker color than he usually wears, but nothing too odd. Certainly not outside of his usual fashion.

Though he immediately worries her taking it herself means she's going to want to pay for it. He has money, basically for the first time in his life. He doesn't want her to think she has to take care of something within his means. But he'll ask later- impose a bit if he must.

He looks around the store a bit, squinting- his left eye can be a been blurry right now. ] Right. Then- what do you want to find?

Maurtia Falls

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin had just wrapped up patrolling for the day and was about to head home to Heropa. On the way, though, he decided to stop off at a well-known and sourced tool store for some supplies. He'd been doing a lot of home improvement lately, and was in the processes of cordoning off a space in the backyard for a garden for his housemates.]

[He's also had the idea of building a gazebo, but didn't have any idea of how. So he's perusing one of the DIY magazines when he catches sight of Fortunato.]

... ... ...

[He makes his way over and leans sideways to get a better look at his face.]

Hey, do I know you? You look familiar.

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato is cautious enough to notice Darin as he approaches, blinking at him for a moment. Darin may not know him immediately, but that's not a face Fortunato was going to forget any time soon. Yes, the last time he saw the man Darin was bleeding out on the ground- but he still wondered how the man fared. ]

Yes. You do.

[ All that doesn't change that the suddenness of this surprises Fortunato somewhat, and he sounds a little curt, though he's not showing much more emotion. ]

It- it was at the Swear-In. [ He says that softly, hoping it gets the meaning across. ]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Unfortunately, Darin is not quiet. Once the swear-in was mentioned, Darin claps his hands together loudly and points at Fortunato.]

Oh! Right! You helped me take care of Lucina! And then you made sure I didn't die in the depths of space!

Oh man, I haven't seen you since! I've been meaning to thank you so much for that!

[prayercycles]

[ Oh, so- he's just going to say that loudly in a public area. Cool. Okay. Well, Fortunato has to deal with that, now. He looks around awkwardly, hoping no imPort fans suddenly happen to walk in. ]

It was nothing. [ He says it quickly in an effort to let things simmer down a bit, although he means it, too. This was someone trying to save Lucina. It was the least he could do. ]

Truly.

2

[adamantlyardent]

[he would sequester himself off in an older corner of the library, wouldn't he? how convenient. it's where Cecelia's gotten to, having been sick to death of the sight of all the more modern-looking offerings. it's not that they're all instantly bad, but...there's something about old books. a kind of...unofficial magic in their state, housing whispers and secrets from the old and forgotten.

...that doesn't make them any good by default, either, but the exploration is still enticing!

and dusty. gods, does nobody clean this area? it's almost universal the way libraries seem to neglect some sections. Cecelia, who barely acknowledged Fortunato there (she assumed him sleeping, sitting like that, and thought nothing more of him), clicks her tongue with distaste as the latest tome she plucks sports a clump of dirt and dust when she opens it partway. normally, this'd be the precursor to some great secret, but, right now? yuck.

she claps the book closed, which sends the dust flying, stinging her eyes and tickling her nose. she is quickly caught by a series of squeaky, tiny sneezes in rapid succession, the last of which are potent enough to stagger her footing. shoving the book back in its place, she waves the air in front of her, blindly backing up into Fortunato's chair--

and tumbling backward--

into Fortunato's lap.]

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato immediately pushes her off, presumably onto the ground.

It's a knee-jerk reaction. He hadn't heard her with his headphones on, and of course he couldn't see her approach- which means his very first introduction to someone being near him was that person falling into his lap. Any sort of sudden touch would have scared him, considering his history, but this was an especially jarring one.

Once that's done, he scrambles out of his chair, standing- and then quickly taking the headphones off. Only then does he realize it may have been nothing. He's in a library- maybe it was just a mistake? Maybe...

His tense posture and expression doesn't reflect that realization, though. ]

What- I- [ How does one even respond to that? ] Excuse me?

[adamantlyardent]

KYAA-!!

[down she goes then with a plop! she's just as startled as he is, deaf to the distant, aggressive shushing of others in the library.

flabbergasted, she scrambles to sit upright, propping herself up by her hands.]

Oohh-! Gods, so-sorry! I didn't see-- [she bristles at another round of shushing, hot anger bubbling up in her that winds up coming out as her turning her head and passive-aggressively shushing them right back.

huffily (but quieter):] Gods, HONESTLY...!

[prayercycles]

[ Well, now Fortunato can hear that. And it's...a girl about his age, presumably quite bothered and a little upset by all this. His pulse starts to calm, and he lowers his hands from the headphones, now around his neck. It was nothing dangerous. Just...embarassing and odd. ]

...I am sorry. [ What else is there to say? Obviously he's made her look like a fool of herself, though unintentionally.

That said, he can't really fathom how that happened, having not been able to see it. ]

Uh, what- what happened?

1. Heropa

[monster_san]

[When Fuu spots Fortunato shuttling food back and forth from van to church, her instinct is to go and offer some help. Two pairs of arms are better than one when carrying pots and boxes and napkins around in what passes for winter in subtropical regions.

Unfortunately, she doesn't realizes that his eyes are playing up, and so isn't quite as nimble to step aside as she should be. She hurries to grab a saucepan by its handle before it clangs to the ground.]

Oh! No, I'm sorry--I came over here to ask if I could help you. I'm afraid I botched it a little.

[prayercycles]

[ Oh, no. For a moment Fortunato thinks that's one of the objects with food in it, and though clearly spilling some food here won't have many consequences, he'd still deeply regret not being able to do something so simple.

Luckily it's just a spare he was carrying in just in case something needed to be made with it, and after a moment he sighs quietly, relieved. And at least it's Fuu coming to help; he has enough trouble talking with people he knows, and a stranger would just muddle things more. ]

It- it is fine. [ After a moment to catch his bearings: ] You do not have to help.

[monster_san]

I wouldn't consider it to be any trouble. [She looks over at the church, partly to give him a chance to recover from being embarrassed.] Are they doing some kind of pot luck?

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato shifts the many things he's carrying in his arms, newly worried about balancing them all. They seem in place...for now.

In any case, he nods. ]

I am not sure what for. But- [ He takes a deep breath, readjusting some pots. ] Things need to be moved.

WILDCARD

[burlyboy]

[ It's not long after their conversation on the network that Magnus takes out the piece of parchment he'd gotten from Refuge. He keeps it rolled up, though. He knows, somehow, that the moment he opens it, his intent to figure it out will just drift away, and he -- he's sick of it. It didn't seem to matter as long as he was with Julia, with love in his life, the present outweighing the past. It didn't seem to matter at home, when there were more important things on his mind. It didn't seem to matter with the boys, forging a new home.

Now? He's got time. He's got time and he's got time and he's got time, and more and more, he's been thinking about it, this feeling he gets in his gut when he looks at it, the knowledge that he's forgotten something important. Something that he did. He just remembers that cold, uncanny feeling, that spasm of thought that crosses his mind, lingering long after the image disappears: maybe I'm the bad guy.

He looks unusually thoughtful as he steps downstairs, into the living room where Fortunato is. ]

Hey, kid.

[prayercycles]

[ Normally, Fortunato doesn't spend an awful lot of time in the living room. He doesn't know everyone who lives here, yet, even if he's comfortable with Magnus and Sabrina seems nice enough; he'd rather not cause much trouble, and he's got his own room. But in the last house he lived in, he got in the habit of cleaning, hoping to reduce any chance of future conflict, and he's brought that here. He'd come back from work and just...begun stacking and wiping off things, figuring it was about time.

He's finishing up when Magnus comes down. His vision's rarely excellent anymore, but it's fine enough at this moment to see Magnus is a little more contemplative than usual. Hopefully not for a bad reason. He sounds a little wary, and worried, in response. ]

Hello. Is- is everything alright?

[burlyboy]

Yeah. Yeah, everything's fine. I was just...

[ Magnus looks down at the parchment. He doesn't know if he wants Fortunato to see it. He knows that there's something there that gives him a bad feeling, that he was involved in - in something bad. He doesn't know. There's a reason why he hid it for so long, from Lucretia, from Merle, from Taako, from Angus. He doesn't want anyone to think less of him, especially not over something he can't remember.

But he's at wit's end. Something's gotta give. ]

Remember what we talked about the other day? That thing I can't remember? [ He waves the rolled up bit of parchment, worn from the amount of times he's unrolled it, then rolled it back up again. ]

[prayercycles]

[ Oh. Magnus looks severe about this, more than Fortunato's ever seen him, but at the very least Fortunato knows it's not for anything he's caused. If Magnus is bringing this, he wants Fortunato to tell him what's on it- if Fortunato even can. Perhaps he won't be able to read it either.

But the least he can do is try, considering everything Magnus has done for him. He puts down the rag he was using and approaches, already knowing what the man's probably about to ask. ]

You want me to see it.

3!

[hellosirs]

[ Angus hasn't officially met Fortunato yet. He knows that he moved in recently, and Magnus seems to like him quite a bit, but Angus hasn't had a chance to speak to the guy himself. It's been long enough that it's gotten awkward, and Angus has only gotten more curious about the mystery roommate...

... So when he sees Fortunato out and about one day, Angus does what any curious snoop detective would do: he tails him for a few blocks, and follows him into the hardware store. He makes sure to stay an aisle or two away from Fortunato at all times, spying on him from between the shelves and around corners, but the only thing that sticks out more than a private school kid in a hardware store is two private school-lookin' kids in a hardware store (Angus generally dresses like a fancy, early 20th-century schoolboy), and the two of them are getting some odd looks from the other customers.

If Fortunato is quick, he'll be able to see a pair of glasses staring at him from between the knife sheaths, as Angus pretends to be occupied with paint samples in the next aisle over. ]

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato hasn't needed to use many of the skills he was taught back home, but he does remember learning how to realize you're being tailed. It takes him a little bit, but Angus is noticeable, even with Fortunato's fragmented eyesight. He may not have met Angus properly, but he recognizes the kid by now...and the outfit doesn't help.

So of course he notices Angus spying from the other side of the aisle, and while if many other people were tailing him he'd find some method of getting away quickly, Angus is a young child, and one Magnus trusts. So instead, he moves slowly to look over at Angus' aisle, hoping his pace will trip the younger boy off. ]

...Excuse me?

[hellosirs]

[ Angus creeps along the aisle, keeping pace with Fortunato until they're suddenly facing each other, and he the minute they make eye contact, he jumps about a foot in the air with a squeak. ]

Oh--!!

[ BUSTED! Crap, he really is out of practice! He never would have let himself be caught so easily back in Faerun! ]

Sorry! Hi! I... um, we live together, I'm Angus, and I hadn't met you yet, so...

[ So he tailed him for several blocks and followed him into a store, as you do. There's no good way to say that, or excuse it, so Angus finishes by giving Fortunato an awkward little wave. ]

[prayercycles]

[ For a moment, Fortunato thinks to say Angus could have just knocked on his door- but Fortunato hasn't exactly been doing that himself, has he. Being hypocritical isn't exactly something he wants to fall into on purpose. ]

...I know. [ That's the first thing he thinks to say- to point out that he's gotten an impression of what Angus looks like by now. He frowns a bit. ]

You- you did not have to do that.

[ He won't bring up the lack of proper introductions, but he'll say that, at least. Not close enough to be called out for it. ]