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video; un: signorvespa

[ On the feed is a young boy, probably a preteen, with a mess of sun-bleached golden brown curls, tanned, freckled skin, sun-burnt cheeks, and a rather worried expression on his face... apprehensive to be making this post at all. But, for what it's worth, he puts on some airs, just a hint of bravado, in a vain attempt to save face. With the camera apparently propped up in front of him, in the background are a lot of strange trinkets strung over an old fishing net hanging in front of a sunny window, crystals dangling from a dead tree branch he brought inside for some reason, refracting colorful light from the sun vaguely, if one looks closely. Very lovely, if not a little odd. But his news to deliver today is much less charming than this homey scene... ]

Uhhh— Ciaaaooo... Everyone...

[ Oh, man, just that tone is not a promising start. ]

So, um, I'm looking for my pet... She's missing. She ran away. By accident, not on purpose, because I can totally take care of her and I'm a great pet-dad — just for the record! [ A-Also not instilling confidence here... ]

Her name's Sofia and she's a, uh— comp— compinagthus—? Compnagsathus. [ Nailed it. ]

She has beautiful eyes and she looks like this:

[ He holds up a very impressive drawing (minus the stickers and other dinosaurs, Sofia is the star here!) to the camera for all to see, leaving it in the frame for a few seconds while he continues. ]

If anyone sees a big lizard monster thing running around town, that's probably my Sofia. Lemme know if you do, will ya? Oh, and she's, uh— kiiinda shy, so, if you try to catch her— maybe... don't? Just a heads up.

[ He... clearly means she's gonna try to bite you. Yeah, that's right: Alberto's released a small but apparently potentially vicious dinosaur on the town. Whoops...? ]

And! And! If anyone out there knows a lot about compsagnathisuses, tell me everything you know, okay?! [ A hint of more urgency, as he lowers the drawing and points at the camera with his free hand, brows raised, meaning business! But ends the feed pretty awkwardly, shifting his eyes away before meeting the camera's eye straight-on again with a look of forced resolve. ]

Sooo, yeah— Bye?

[ And leans forward to shut the video off clumsily. This was... Not. a comforting post. ]

(( ooc: If anyone wants to hand wave they've seen her, that she's bothered them or caused some chaos, anything at all, just wing it and I'll roll with it, feel free! If you wanna transition to logs to look for her or encounter her by chance, let's go for it! THERE'S A ROGUE DINOSAUR IN TOWN, sky's the limit! ☆ ))

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[ Alberto is about to hotly snap back at Gokudera before he's, uh, almost attacked by a monster cat...?! Talk about disconcerting! That's just even more annoying! He reels back in fear, but then spins to turn on Gokudera, aggravated even though the bomber just saved him and Carlo and thwarted the apparent attack. ]

Hey! Basta! Control your pet, man! You're lecturing me about Sofia when that thing acts like that?!

[ He points accusatorially at Uri, scowling even deeper than before. ]

Yeah, well, I didn't exactly pick the damned thing out! He was a gift from home, and if I let him go, he could seriously hurt people!

But he's too big to stay inside all the time.

[Uri paces, and Gokudera steps out to pat at the leopard's side, stroking and scratching at his neck.]

You're small and he's hungry. Not my fault you smell like a fish. [Well, actually Gokudera thinks Alberto smells like o-zone, like water and sweat and like he's spent way too much time outdoors. It's not a bad smell, but it is a strong one, and very different from his own cologne.]

I was going to take him to the market, and figured if your pet likes meat, she'd like something from there. We can try baiting her out.

[ Alberto glowers, reaches in his bag pointedly, and pulls a whole fucking fish out of his bag. No wonder... But he lifts it out as if to prove a point. Not really thinking it through that he's also revealing this to Uri, oops. But indeed, he brought bait. And yes. He smells like a fish. It's the fish's fault. Why is this kid so weird... But his more major point is, he's come prepared, and sticks it back in the bag quick enough, just to illustrate... But then starts pulling other crap out too, quick demonstrative glimpses of each item as he lays out his battle plan here. ]

Well, I have a fish, some salami... A fishing net... A big blanket, some rope... Uhh, her leash and collar... Oh, and I caught this lizard. Sofia liked chasing lizards.

[ He even whips out a closed glass jar with a poor little anole or gecko or something inside, a common lizard he found outside earlier today and also just... is carrying around in his bag... Like some bizarro Mary Poppins. But at least he's thinking ahead? And thinking along the same lines as Gokudera about baiting the beast. ]

[Uri's excitement for the fish definitely comes across as aggression. The leopard definitely smelled the fish, smelled food, and fish is his favorite. Gokudera's been feeding him mostly farm animals, not any sort of skilled fisherman.

The bomber notices the fish, but unfortunately not before he notices Uri, who he thought was sulking. The cat leaps, and barrier not holding, and tries to pin Alberto and take that fish from him. Uri isn't fully grown, but that doesn't mean he's the tiny kitten he used to appear as.

Gokudera starts, definitely thinks his gift pet is attacking the boy, but he knows Uri. The kid isn't the target. The kid is withholding the target. He's laughing. Sorry, Alberto.]

[ And the cat will get its target, as cats do — doggedly. Alberto's thrust to the ground with a scream, more out of shock than fear... well, no, let's be honest even if he will never be, it's fear, what the hell. But the impact causes him to drop his lizard-jar, which shatters as it hits the ground, shards of glass exploding everywhere, and the little lizard runs off in a huge hurry right past Alberto's face. Thankfully, both Alberto and the lizard are unscathed, but he's still very much unhappy about this. He's really having a rough day now. ]

Aaahhh—! St-Stop! No! Aspetta, basta! My lizard...!

[ He's shoving his hands out at Uri's chest, trying to keep the leopard at the greatest distance he can, as his eyes quickly follow the lizard that races past him... His bag is still strung across his body, the fish still inside, and he's in too much shock to process that this is what the monster cat wants. He's also fucking pissed that Gokudera is laughing right now, which just heightens his panic. ]

Zitto, imbecille! Get him off me! Ack!

[ For as pissed and scared as he is, though, it's actually pretty impressive how well Alberto's managing to shove Uri away, hands clutching at the muscular cat's chest and shoulders in desperate attempts to shove him off and away, as the cat vies for the fish in the bag. Alberto may be a scrawny noodle, himself, but he's stronger than he looks... ]

[Gokudera can see what Uri is after, and sees no need to step in. He puts up a few light barriers to trap a couple lizards so they can't actually get too far away. It's not as many that had been in the jar, but two isn't the worst. He'd much rather they have them than no lizards.

Uri is going for that bag, determined to rip it right off Alberto's shoulders. While he may be pushed off the boy, that bag is going to sustain the most damage. The leopard, very unlike a hungry dog, is growling low and threatening at the fish, chomping at the bag and stepping off the boy.

Gokudera approaches, but does little more than kneel to get a better look at his leopard, who is shaking his head, flinging the fish out of the bag, then chomping it up and walking away to cage it between paws and glare at them. Uri is angry for not having gotten fish sooner, and tears it apart with all the decency of a wild animal, growling and essentially bad-mouthing the boys while eating.]

So hungry... Uri, I didn't know!

[Gokudera looks apologetic, expression endeared.]

[ Alberto is so affronted by this. Why are all cats so damn scary?! This thing is like— like a giant monster Machiavelli! At least Uri didn't attack Alberto for no reason, necessarily, but that doesn't mean he didn't get a couple light scratches in the kerfuffle, nothing even noticeable at first, didn't even feel anything. He's definitely mad that he's pretty much lost that tote bag, though... It sustained the most damage, for sure. He's hesitant at first to even try to get it back, until Uri is clearly focused on the stolen fish. Then he scrambles to sit up and inches toward it on his hands and knees to snatch it up real quick. The fishing net and salami and Sofia's leash and collar are still in there, and he at least needs those. He clutches the tattered bag to his chest protectively, glowering at the leopard, muttering to himself under his breath. ]

Mannaggia... Stupido gatto...!

[ He's careful of all the broken glass on the ground as he slowly stands again, minding his bare feet as he steps over it all on tiptoe with the full length of his gangly legs. This is probably the most careful Alberto's been about anything since being here, except maybe, like, uh... Nope, nope, this is the most careful he's been about anything. So the scowl he's wearing, to him, seems quite well-deserved, as he turns his irritated gaze on Gokudera himself now. ]

He just stole Sofia's bait, you know that, right?! Why didn't you stop him!?

[ Nevermind Gokudera caught the lizards. And nevermind the salami that Alberto's going to protect at all costs now. The fish was where it's at. And the only thing that was free... It was his last one of his most recent catch, hard to gather big catches without a boat, after all, and Alberto doesn't have time to go catch another. The kid's got limited funds. Though, it occurs to him, Gokudera doesn't know he fished that fish himself... He points an accusatory finger at the bomber, his other hand still clutching the bag. ]

You're paying for more fish at the market!

[Uri eats noisily, growling and rumbling away as he chews at the fish, ripping parts of it and then crunching away and it's gone. Gokudera is fawning over the young leopard as if it were a baby kitten. It's adorable, but not quite the right image considering how messy this is getting. Alberto complaining about the lack of bait makes the mafioso give a groan.]

Calm down. We can get more fish. I'm not stopping him. Look how happy he is!

Besides--

[Gokudera moves to use his light barrier like a net, lifting up the scrambling lizards and handing the light bubble of reptiles over to Alberto.]

These are still here. I can always get more fish, and neither of us will have to pay for them.

[Ah the benefits of having an Italian lake monster for a familiar!]

[ Alberto is glowering at the leopard and Gokudera both, back and forth, until he's distracted (and impressed by!) the light bubble of little lizards. He stares at it with wide eyes and carefully takes it in his hands, still pressing the torn bag of other crap to his chest. It takes him pause, glancing now between the belongings he's clutching and Gokudera, deliberatively, like he doesn't know whether to be mad or not... but screws up his glare with a new, poutier resolve. ]

...Okay, then. But you're getting me a new bag...!

[ Okay, okay, that seems fair. ]

Alright.

[Gokudera shrugs and then motions on at the road ahead of them.]

Lead the way, then Padre di lucertole.

[ Alberto wants to shoot a look at that granted title at first, but after a beat, he does crack a smirk. He said he'd be Sofia's dad, after all. He sets off toward the market street, determination in his eyes, his dander up. ]

If your giant cat tries to chase mia Sofia, you better fight him off more than you tried with the fish, got it? She can fight but she's little, a bambina, okay?

[ He speaks with so much chutzpah for someone who's enlisting help, really... ]

[It was meant to tease, but not insult, so he’s glad the kid seems to roll with it. Only fair when he’s been given so many stupid nicknames so far by Alberto.]

He might catch her and hand her right over. Little would not make a good snack for Uri. He likes fish and chicken. Sometimes steak, but he’s still young.

[Young. Not little. Uri can get so so soooo much bigger still.]

[ Alberto smirks a little wider, casting his gaze aside toward Gokudera as they walk along. Carlo follows along too, floating behind them at a distance, keeping his eyes on Uri cautiously. He'll do his part but... he's a flying magic housecat. And Sofia has tried to attack him many times already in the short time she's been in his home. He's not... a fan. ]

That thing's young? He's huge! I've never seen such a huge cat, and there are cats all over Portorosso! Heh, if you knew Machiavelli — he could probably fight Uri, maybe even win, and he's the same size as Carlo! The scariest cat in the world, probably! Until you gave him a fish, then he's... well, maybe not nice, but, heh, y'know— he's fine.

[ At least Alberto is relaxing. His memories about Portorosso seems to be a good talking point for him. And even if Gokudera's not familiar with the fishing village, it's an easy go-to topic as compatriots, which he really does take some comfort in, for all his ignorance of the rest of Italy. ]

[Uri keeps walking ahead, satisfied and moving slower, perhaps a bit sluggish compared to how he was when he’d first ran into Alberto.]

Oh yeah. Back home, he was much smaller, almost magical. He was no bigger than my shoe, and he had fire in his ears! Now… I think this place has changed him. Made him normal…

[Gokudera sounds a bit sad, keeping his eye on the leopard to create a light barrier should it be needed.]

All cats are scary. Sometimes he scratches or bites me for no good reason at all!

[ Alberto turns to Gokudera with an astounded look at that detail, as the four of them stroll along. ]

He had fire in his ears?! Whaaat? How? Machiavelli and Carlo both bite and scratch and attack me for no reason, but— they're just... cats...! Carlo's magic, but he doesn't have any fire! I mean– What happens if your cat rubs his face on you? Wouldn't his ears leak fire?!

[ That's... a really weird way to phrase if his ears set things aflame. ]

He was magical. Came from me, and in my world, I have dying will flames. Basically, it’s just special magic energy that looks like fire. So he couldn’t burn me.

Sometimes that Uri would bite or scratch me. Still does, but like this, in Avalon, he’s dangerous in other ways.

[Like being able to body any opponent by jumping out of a tree on top of them. Uri is a fan of climbing and dropping, and dragging things up high out of reach of Gokudera.

Uri takes no fall damage ever, benefits of being a leopard and not attached to Gokudera.]

Well, yeah, duh, of course he is! He's a crazy big cat with giant claws and fangs! Look at him! He's buff!

[ He gestures dramatically at Uri ahead of them with both arms, palms spread out and waving for emphasis, ever animated and expressive. Magic, it's beyond his comprehension, he's kind of accepted that — weird stuff is weird stuff, gotta leave it at that after a while. But this Uri? Not magic weird stuff, just shocking. He's still hung up on having never seen a leopard or... any cat bigger than Machiavelli, really. Machiavelli was terrifying enough. What does Alberto know about lions and tigers and leopards. ]

Buff?

[He grins and gives a little chuckle. Meanwhile Uri stops, sits, and looks over his shoulder at them, much more calm now that he’s eaten.]

Yeah! I've never seen a cat with muscles — he makes Machiavelli and Carlo look fat! I mean— Machiavelli is kinda fat... But that?! That's a macho cat!

[ He points at Uri exaggeratedly again. Carlo gives a low, rumbling mrow floating behind them, as if sassing this comment. Excuse you, Alberto. Rude. ]

They usually eat animals much larger than them, and carry them up into trees. You’d be buff too if you had to drag big dead weight up high.

[Uri knows they are talking about him, that he’s getting attention. The young leopard turns and walks up to Alberto. He tries to nuzzle him gently.]

[ And as soon as Uri gets within inches of Alberto, trying to nuzzle him, Alberto starts walking backwards a pace or two, sidesteps gracefully, and switches to walk on Gokudera's other side, placing the bomber between himself and the leopard.

Nope.

He leans forward cautiously to keep looking at the beast as he speaks, though. ]

So what d'ya feed him here...? You just let him go hunting or what?

[ Seems like pertinent info. Alberto's set a vicious dinosaur loose on the town. Feels like he should know if Gokudera's set a monster cat loose on the town, too. ]

[Uri slinks about Gokudera’s feet and keeps trying to bop Alberto with his fuzzy head, giving a purring rumble of a meow as he pursues the boy.

Gokudera just stands still and watches, clearly amused.]

Usually fish, chicken, goat. Fish is his favorite, I think, and my familiar helps me feed him quite regularly.

[Thank everything and everyone for Larry.]

[ When Gokudera stops and stands still, Alberto is still trying to evade Uri, and sidesteps again back to his other side, face drawn with suspicious apprehension. He doesn't recognize the difference between a growl and a purring rumble of a meow, not in a fearsome cat this big, who appears to be "chasing" him. He's getting flashes of Machiavelli's keen instinct, recognizing Alberto and Luca as non-humans right away after their first little slip-up at the dinner table, how they were targeted by that cat from that moment forward... So while Gokudera himself may have no clue of that resonance, hearing Uri's favorite food is fish doooeeesn't really make Alberto feel better. So they continue this awkward circling around Gokudera as the young sea monster tries to level with the animal as if it understands... ]

Hey, hey, hey... I'm all bones, Uri— not even a snack! Like, nooo nutritional value at all!

[Gokudera stays standing like that, watching as they circle about them with a mildly amused expression on his face. Uri is definitely thinking this is play, so excitedly stalking between rushing up, raising a paw, and patting at Alberto with it before letting him get further away.]

He’s not trying to eat you. You don’t look anything like a fish. More like a weed. He’s playing.

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video; un: signorvespa

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