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I am not sure that is the right term, for me...

[ Fortunato's voice peters off as he says that. He does have eyes in this world- he's seeing out of them. Might be better not to get Lucina to ask questions.

Either way, he picks up the gift she got him and, secretly hoping it's nothing too extravagant (he'd feel quite guilty), begins to open it. ]

[she misses the remark. honestly, after all this time, you'd think she'd pry more about his now-and-then bad eyes? but even when it's on her mind, other things tend to take priority.

same as now: she's biting her lip, waiting for him to expose the garish scarf she found for him. so many different patterns and layers -- it's like a quilt got put through a paper shredder and stitched back together the wrong way. it looks as delightful now as it did when she bought it.]

[ This is...definitely a gift from Lucina, isn't it. Fortunato has to take most of it out of the bag to figure out it even is a scarf; for a moment, he's wondering if it's some sort of decoration. He suspects he'll never know what he's going to get from her.

But the gift is a scarf. It's also probably a scarf that Lucina quite likes, and despite everything, he can't help but appreciate it for that. Though he's clearly not the type to smile, there's a sense of happiness, or at the very least sentimentality, in his voice. ]

Thank you. It- it looks very warm. [ Not a lie. ] I'll use it, Lucina.

[she almost sparkles with delight, beaming.]

Great! I knew it'd be a good choice! You did say you hadn't procured a lot of warmer clothing yet -- if you need help finding more, I'd be happy to help!

I- I did buy some. For my job, and for when I moved.

[ And that's not a lie. He admittedly didn't buy too much, because he already dressed a bit formally- pants and long sleeves, in other words- and because he's not a big spender.

But she probably wants to spend time with him and help. He can at least discern that. And, despite her fashion sense, he can't let her down... ]

But we can. If you also need to buy something.

[she chuckles a little, ending with a light sigh. this boy can't accept anything just for himself, can he?

well, fine. she'll compromise, since he clearly is, too.]

It's a promise, then. We'll make a day of it soon!

[ Well, if it's what Lucina wants, he'll do it. Though he's not worried about angering or bothering Lucina much anymore- he knows her well enough- he'd still rather have her happy than anything. Displeasing anyone is not what he wants.

He folds up the scarf rather formally and sets it down on his bed (which is made like you could bounce a coin off of it, of course). ]

...Has everything else been alright?

[ Everyone's been busy, and he's aware she must have lots of people to see. She seems so social... ]

Ah, well--I'm all healed up, as you can see! [she straightens up, hands on her hips.] And thank goodness for that; I'd not be able to stand it much longer, taking it too easy. So no worries there.

What about you?

That's good. You...seem well. [ He's genuinely relieved. He didn't like to see her hurt, for one, but he also knew how restless she tended to be. Frankly, he was a bit worried about her healing properly with how willing she was to go hunt for danger.

As for himself...he looks around his room a bit. ] I moved here. One of the people who lives here is...a friend. He said it would be fine. [ Magnus was delighted by the idea, actually, so he's playing it down. ]

Nothing else has happened. [ He shrugs a little bit. That's a good thing, but he has the tone of someone who knows it won't last. ]

[typically, she'd be a little sad to hear nothing else. but it's a relief. it means he's not lost any friends he'd grown close to.

Lucina, having already put her gifts back into the bag, gets the jewelry back out for lack of things for her hands to do. something for her eyes to settle on.]

Good. I'm glad-- about having a friend to stay with. It's more comforting that way. [she looks up thoughtfully:] I wonder if it's anyone I know? Or perhaps I ought to meet him.

[ Fortunato keeps an eye on her taking out the jewelry- she really likes it, then. Though he doesn't show it, it makes him quite glad. What he'd wanted in a gift was something that would really show his appreciation, and the extent to which she enjoys it seems to be partially achieving that goal- although he doesn't think items can completely do that. ]

His name is Magnus. Magnus Burnsides. [ He pauses for a moment, trying to figure out a way to say that Magnus is, well, Magnus without seeming insulting. ] He is a wrestler, and does carpentry. He is, um- he is hard to miss, once you have met him.

[ As in: he is very big and very loud. ]

[she purses her lips while she thinks on it. aside from Darin, she doesn't know any craftsmen. wrestling? maybe it's been on the TV in passing during nights with Owain and the pooches.

then:] Oh! Yes! With hair like this, right? [she pantomimes the sideburns with her index fingers on the sides of her face.]

[ That could have gotten a smile, if only Fortunato was comfortable doing so. ] That is him.

[ Now that he thinks of it- Magnus would love to meet Lucina. They are similarly passionate, aren't they. ]

I think...you would like him. Protecting others- [ Like she's wanted to protect him ] I believe he wants to do that, also.

Is that so? [she tilts her head thoughtfully.] I wonder if Jacob's inclined to asking for more aid for the force... [in her mind, more is better, but she is also not the one trying to manage 14 people at once.]

In any case, I'm glad. I hope he's a reliable sort, and comfortable to house with.

I...do not know if he is interested in that kind of protection. [ He thinks Magnus may or may not be a killer. Not one dangerous to him, but- Jacob wouldn't like that much, would he? Lucina has only fought to save others, but he's not sure of Magnus' entire history on that front. ]

He is. [ There's still plenty he doesn't know about Magnus, but he wouldn't be living with the man if he didn't think that. ] Is- is everything well, where you live?

It's quiet, yes. [well, quiet enough when living with two huge dogs and Owain, who could be argue to also be a huge dog in his own right. but that's comfortable, controlled chaos to Lucina, and therefore quiet.

she fiddles a bit more with the bracelet, trying to get the fastener unclipped one-handed so she can put it on herself, but this is a girl who did not spend many formative years getting decorated like this; gauntlets snap on right quick comparatively.]

The season of endless parties seems to be passing us over, save for the turning of the year. Fewer calls, fewer... [fewer friends about to call. she grimaces for half a beat, biting her lip as she fiddles and fails to clip the bracelet on.] Ohh, tsk.

Yes. I went to-

[ He's going to say he went to the Aegis party and the one for his job, but of course Lucina's problem appears to be more pressing. He's not good at small talk, anyway.

He holds his hands out, but doesn't approach her yet. ]

Do you want help?

Yes, yes please. This clasp is confounding me. [but it's a lobster clasp, so that's no shock.

she holds her wrist out to him, still pinching both ends together until he takes the lead.]

You were saying something, though? Went somewhere?

[ Well, if she'll allow it. He has to squint- he should have considered it could be a little difficult for him, too- so he fusses with it as he speaks, trying not to touch her too much. ]

Um- yes. I was at the party for Aegis Force. And- there was one for my job, that one of the others around our age organized...

[ Does she know Reggie? Who knows. ]

[for her part, Lucina is still and unflinching; this is no bother for her.]

That's quite a lot of mingling and eating, isn't it? I hope it didn't wear you out too much.

It went well. And...nothing happened.

[ Something he feels the need to emphasize, the way this world is. Who knows what could happen.

After a moment- thank god she isn't bothered- he gets the clasp of the bracelet on. ] There.

[ He's a bit nervous to know if it fits right, just in case she has to adjust it. ]

Ah! [she lifts her hand up, watching the bracelet tilt and dangle down her forearm, brightening.] There! It's perfect. Thank you again, Fortunato; I'll wear it often!

[ Fortunato's expression softens. He's still far from smiling, but there's a tenderness to his voice. ]

I will wear the scarf, as well.

Um- and thank you, for coming to church with me. [ He valued that, too. He's wondering if she enjoyed it...or understood it. ]

Thank you for inviting me! Both you and Jaime. [her expression softens.] The building was so lovely, and so was the music. I can see the appeal.

It is more than that.

[ He doesn't really say that in a scolding way; he gets why that would be what she remembered, considering her background. Really, it's just not what he comes for. He's almost sentimental in tone. He didn't invite her for her to be convinced of anything- that wasn't the point- but he supposes she wouldn't have gotten a complete understanding from one visit, would she. ]

I...hope it was not overwhelming.

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