open

[prayercycles]

WHO: Fortunato...and you??
WHERE: Maurtia Falls and Heropa
WHEN: September
WHAT: Fortunato does things in which other people may be present
WARNINGS: Perhaps standard Fortunato warnings, others will be marked


1. Maurtia Falls, near a sandwich shop

[ Anybody who knows Fortunato well should know it's a work day. But it's lunch break, and a few older co-workers at the Psychiatric Hospital have been busy enough to ask him to run and pick up their food- and to grab something for himself, on them, in exchange. Fortunato couldn't say no...and only grabbed a $1 cookie to assuage them. Really, he should get himself something substantial, but that'd be taking too much advantage of their good will, he thinks.

They've asked him at a time when he can successfully do that; his left eye is totally out, but the other may as well be perfect, and he's not necessarily having trouble getting around even with the four boxes of food in his arms. Or, well, he thinks he is, and he should know better than to let his guard down about anything- because he doesn't notice when he half-collides with someone on his left, sending the boxes down. ]

I- oh. [ He immediately leans down to pick it up, hoping nothing has spilled...but it doesn't look like it's all in tact.

He could use some help, though he won't ask for it. ]

2. Heropa, outside a Catholic Church

[ There's been a void in Fortunato's life since he stopped going to school months ago, and he filled it entirely with going to Church, even moreso than he already did. In fact, it's gotten to the point that occasionally people have urged him to get going to spend time with friends, especially over the last month. He's been avoiding spending time with others, friends and acquaintances alike, as a consequence of some recent events.

Today is yet another day people have encouraged him to go home before it's too late, but of course he's grabbed some flyers for the next church dinner to hang up before he leaves the city, just to be helpful.

Thing is, it is also very windy. So you may find him trying to keep the flyers in his hand, and considering he's using his cane to get around right now, he's got only one hand to do it, and is failing miserably. He's not visibly complaining, but... ]

3. Outside Maurtia Falls #001

[ If Fortunato looks asleep, that's entirely understandable. He's sitting on the front porch with headphones on, but he's actually listening to a book- a recommendation from someone from church, though he's not particularly enjoying it. That said, it's a nice night, and he's brought out Magnus' overtly nervous small dog Alf, who is sitting on his lap.

That said, Alf doesn't much know what to do with visitors, and when someone passes by the house she'll immediately jump up off the chair and start barking. Fortunato's got her leash around his wrist, and he scrambles up to grab her. ]

Alf- I'm sorry, she...

[ Is still barking, and you can probably hear another dog barking from inside the house now, too. He's pretty embarrassed. ]

4. Wildcard

[ ooc: If you want anything else, let me know via PM or at keterclass! ]

Comments

3.

[fauxmarth]

Ah...

[Lucina, in a daze that's still hard to shake, looks down at the little yappy creature that's yanked itself free to hop up and paw at her leg. absently, she turns from the direction she'd been walking while peering at it, deaf to the trailed-off apology that's come with hands to snatch her up.

she's faintly surprised to see it's Fortunato when she does, blinking slow with a tired, confused expression.

the last time she'd looked him in the eye, they were glaring at her, so this...]

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato, too, doesn't initially realize it's Lucina he's gotten up and is walking toward. Primarily because his vision isn't good enough to make out her face at that distance tonight, but also because he's rushing to pick up Alf.

Once he does, picking her up easily, he turns to look at her. ] I am sorry, ag-

[ And that's when he notices her.

Fortunato hasn't just been avoiding Lucina. When the effects of the kryptonite wore off, he was so puzzled and ashamed he began to avoid everyone. Even once process of elimination made it clear it was the effect of something now gone that made him act that way, he can't deny those thoughts he expressed to her were not completely untrue.

If he was to strike out at someone again, to ruin a relationship like that again- he couldn't bear it. So he's avoided being social for weeks, more than he did even before, and more than anything, he's avoided Lucina.

But she's come looking for him. That's why she's here. Isn't it? ]

...Lucina. [ His voice is quiet. ]

[fauxmarth]

[with the way her expression becomes more conflicted, one could mistake it for anger. but it's not -- it's a whole lot of things, but not that. worry, doubt, relief...remorse. she may have lost his favor, but he was still alive -- that ought to be enough, right? that ought to be all she can ask for.

her throat tightens all the same.]

Fortunato... [she swallows.] Do you...still resent me? Is that why--

[prayercycles]

No. No.

[ He says it immediately. If he needs to make anything clear, it's that.

God- there is no way to explain this without making himself seem like a fool. If Lucina knew his behavior was caused by something otherworldly, she'd not blame him; and yet, he's sure he's to blame. All that thing did was bring out true thoughts he did have and warp them against her. If he hadn't thought of it at all- if he hadn't wondered if she'd ever see things differently- he'd never have struck out against her in the first place.

So it is his fault, in his view, hence his self-imposed absence from socializing with her and most others. On impulse, holding the dog a little closer, he backs up. ]

It...it was not your fault, Lucina. It was mine.

[ He'd love to be able to say what she wants to hear. What does she want to hear? ]

[fauxmarth]

[she visibly wavers, caught between relief and worry like she were on a tightrope. her eyes are already welling up, but, gods. she can't stand crying in front of her loved ones so much! it seems to be all she does of late, and she hates it. this isn't what people should get from her.

it's harder to keep tears in check when she tries to smile.]

Oh, I...only thought that...I'd frustrated you so much that-- that's why you don't want to see me anymore. [she hesitates, backing up a step and ducking her head so she can quickly recompose, forcing a laugh in her breath, feeble though it is.]

I don't know...how many friends I can stand to lose in such a short amount of time. It's a little frustrating for myself, is all...

[prayercycles]

[ Even though he'd backed up himself, a small jolt goes through Fortunato when he sees Lucina back up, too- it gives him the thought that she's about to walk away, to flee, and he realizes he wants her here as much as he wants her not to be.

What happened? Did someone else port out? Normally, that's what he'd ask. He doesn't think it's his place right now, though. Honestly, he doesn't know what to say at all. ]

...I- I do not want to lose you. [ He swallows, and finds it difficult. ] I never did. Something...happened.

[ He's sure Lucina will forgive him entirely, if she realizes he was influenced. But that seems too easy, in a way. ]

[fauxmarth]

What happened? [she starts to grow worried -- maybe more than she's heartsick, but it all feels terrible all the same. what other awful thing is happening?] Will you at least tell me? I won't bother you for another thing, if bothering is what I do. I promise.

( wildcard / residence #001 )

[melodramagic]

[ Sabrina has been stalling outside the house for several minutes.

It's surreal to be back in this place, months having passed for her and so many new memories and experiences fresh in her mind, but memories of this world flashing before her eyes and mixing with the ones from home. It's a bit much to process.

Are Magnus and the others still living here? Are they going to greet her as they usually do when she walks through the front door? What a nerve wracking feeling, but Sabrina has missed them, she realizes.

Her clothes are still drenched in her blood, holes in her shirt where arrows had pierced her body and her forehead left with bloody scratches no thanks to the crown of thorns forced upon her back home. For whatever reason she's been holding onto it in her hand, though she thinks she'll throw it in the garbage can in the back and set it on fire when she's cleaned up.

For now, she unlocks the door and steps through quietly. ]

[prayercycles]

[ In a strange way, Fortunato hasn't found himself able to mourn Sabrina at all. He is inherently pessimistic, a bit of a fatalist; Sabrina returning was always possible, but getting his hopes up has always seemed an impossible idea to Fortunato.

At the same time, his mind was so scrambled when he found out- still deeply opposed to socializing, having been through days of strange hallucinations- that the idea was hard to process. It feels distant, still. As if there's a residual veneer of confusion over it, though he knows what happened, or at least the basics of it.

He's walking through the entryway to the house when she steps in, going to get water in the kitchen. When the door opens, he barely even notices- he suspects it's Magnus or one of the younger kids coming home, for a moment. He doesn't ask for much anymore.

But then he looks up, and there's Sabrina. And she looks- what is she holding? Who hurt her? He stands there, staring at her. ]

...Sabrina? What-

[melodramagic]

Fortunato!

[ As bewildering as it is to see someone whose face was temporarily wiped from her memory, then when returned to her seemed as if it was a lifetime ago being in the same house, the second she is faced with Fortunato does her own face light up.

She's forgotten about the bloody clothes and the crown of thorns, moving toward him to hug him. ]

I can't believe it. I didn't think I'd see you again.

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato doesn't return the hug immediately. It's not because of the blood, really- he's been covered in far more blood than that. He's still startled, and he didn't expect her joy.

But at the very least, this feels more natural than the actions of the fake Sabrina- who was equally friendly, but in a way that seemed so forced. There's no reason to believe this isn't the real her, back from the dead.

He supposes he knows the feeling.

He glances down. A crown of thorns...? What could that even mean? After a moment, he very carefully puts his hands on her back, returning the hug. ]

...Are you hurt?

[melodramagic]

What? Oh, this?

[ The coppery smell of blood and fabric mixed together hits her nostrils as if on cue and she backs away momentarily to look over herself. Her response is practically sheepish, as if she's merely spilled a drink on herself as opposed to the obvious fact she's covered in someone's blood, if not hers. ]

It's fine, Fort. I'm fine. See? [ She touches the holes on her shirt, but no blood comes out and there are no visible wounds. ] Nothing at all.

[prayercycles]

[ He grimaces when she touches the holes, but at the very least his vision's good enough to confirm that she's in a decent state. He takes a deep breath, exhales.

Of course, that opens some questions- can she heal herself, like him?- but it's also a relief. He's genuinely pleased to see her, albeit confused. ]

Sabrina...I'm sorry. I- I wish I had been able to help you. [ She didn't deserve that. ]

What happened?

3

[monster_san]

[Fuu had been kind of hoping to run into Fortunato, to be perfectly honest. Magnus or Rex, too, but there's a reason she's taking a walk in the government-sanctioned neighborhood.

She's not surprised to hear a dog barking outside of the Burnsides residence, but she does stop when she realizes that the barking is directed at her. She smiles as Fortunato jumps up and grabs the dog, to dismiss the hasty apology.]

She's very protective, isn't she? [and then, at Alf:] Don't worry. I perfectly respect your territory.

[prayercycles]

[ Alf, seeing Fuu's calm response to her barking, actually shuts up. This person isn't a threat, seemingly.

The fact that Fortunato quickly sits up straighter and stands to greet Fuu probably helps, too. He can't see much, but he knows her voice, and she's a welcome guest. ]

She...I am sorry. [ At least Alf's quiet now. ] Hello, Fuu. Is something wrong?

[ She's a porter away from home, after all. ]

[monster_san]

[Fuu can't help but giggle at the fact that that actually worked to quiet Alf.]

Ah--well--[She can't say nothing's wrong, not truly, and there is a reason she's walking around in quest of the people she knows. And, if she wants Fortunato to open up about his troubles, she ought to do the same with her own] A friend of mine was Ported out. It was just a few days ago, so I don't know yet if she will return or if she's been sent home for good.

[And truthfully, her feelings are mixed. Hikaru would never willingly leave Fuu alone in another world, but there could not possibly have been a worse moment for the Porter to take her from.]

So... truthfully, I would like to see friends right now.

[prayercycles]

Oh.

[ He hadn't even known Fuu had a friend from home. To have someone he knows here and then lose them...he hasn't experienced such a thing, and at this point isn't sure he wants to, even though he longs for familiarity at times. The grief Fuu is feeling isn't something he wants to go through.

He looks genuinely hurt for her, and is. He nods. ]

I am sorry, Fuu. I...I hope she will return. Or that she is returning to peace.

[ Better than anything he'd return to. ]

[monster_san]

[She nods. It is actually a consolation to know that Hikaru has been returned, so that she isn't stuck in that moment forever. And knowing that Fortunato feels for her, that also helps.]

She was taken from a time that I've already lived through. [but then... Fortunato knows, doesn't he? he saw her dream, he saw the silhouette of the girl in the red and gold armor.] She'll live through the sorrow, and the healing, with myself and our friend Umi. So even though we aren't by each other's side right now, I know she will be all right.

[prayercycles]

[ Better than he can expect. He doesn't like hearing there will be sorrow before it, but...does he know anyone whose life hasn't been troubled? Well, Tina, maybe, in comparison. ]

That is good. [ He pauses. ] Has...has everything else been well? Besides it.

[ He imagines that her friend's departure has taken up much of her thoughts, but he hopes there's nothing more she has to worry about. ]

1 for eye problem solidarity

[codeofiron]

[Brandon had nearly dodged out of the way, but hadn't moved quite far enough. At least it looks like only the boxes have been hurt. Brandon immediately crouches down to help.]

Sorry. [He should have been faster than that.]

[prayercycles]

You-

[ He's met this man, hasn't he? Although he looks quite a bit different, enough that it catches Fortunato off guard. Is he more ashamed to be helped my someone he knows or doesn't know? It's hard to tell; it's a different sort of shame.

In any case, he scrambles to grab most of the boxes, looking at Brandon to see what he's got. ]

Um- thank you. I am sorry for the trouble...

[ Someone's sandwich has flipped over completely in one of these boxes...oh no. ]

2 for formerly of a murder cult, still religious solidarity

[mycrosstobear]

[Very windy. A gust picks one of the fliers up and blows it directly into Wolfwood's face.

He peels it off, quickly spotting the source. Looks like the kid could use some help.] Hey. Taking those somewhere in particular?

[prayercycles]

Ah- I am sorry-

[ These things keep happening to him as of late, don't they. He can only sort of make out Wolfwood's face, but he's aware the man's a stranger.

He reaches out as if to take the flier back, if Wolfwood will give it over. ]

I...around the city. Nowhere in particular. [ He had ideas- at bustops and such- but nothing specific in mind. ]

[mycrosstobear]

[Wolfwood doesn't hand over the flier just yet, instead looking it over. A church dinner, huh? He recognizes the name of that church - he's stopped in there before.]

Helping out Father Flores?

[prayercycles]

[ Fortunato takes a second to respond, a little surprised but knowing he shouldn’t necessarily be. ]

I...yes. You know him?