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i hate this

the sky has been leaking for DAYs... WEEKS??

it's so cold my eyes are frozen!

i hate this weird white water

i want to go outside...

[ A photo of a colored pencil drawing is attached... depicting Alberto "(in a blanket)" beside his familiar Carlo and his pet compsognathus Sofia, trapped inside his home "(forever?)," labeled "cold, alone... and fed up!" beneath falling snow — AKA "weird white water??? (every day...!!!)" — outside the window... All of them clearly "very unhappy" — the sheer image of misery itself. ]

SO!
let's trade!!!
anyone who can help me find or make something like this, i'll cook you food or something, whatever, we'll talk......
but as soon as possible,
i need one of THESE:

[ Another image is attached of Alberto wearing what... seems to be a diver's suit? Or something??? Holding a "giant umbrella" in one hand and Sofia on a leash in a harness in the other, Carlo floating above, all "dry, safe, warm, and NOT at home..." There's still plenty of ~~snow~~ white water around them, "but not on Alberto!" Most importantly, though, in this drawing, they're all happy! — as... baffling as it is to anyone else, surely... No thanks, no niceties, just complaints and demands, urgent, desperate, and maybe a little, um, bizarre? Un po. The kid's gone mad with cabin fever, possibly? This is... well... th-this is something. Definitely something. Ahem. ]

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A raincoat is like that, only made of material that is water resistant. It will help keep you from being soaked.

I think it would be much more convenient than a wetsuit.

[Not that he's ever needed a wetsuit.]

ok so i want one of those!
can you help?

I suppose I could see to it.

[for a price, but he'll leave that unspoken for the moment.]

What size do you wear? I'd ask for your exact measurements, but tailoring is a bit expensive.

uhhh i don't know
...tall?

[ Oh no. The bizarre ignorance becomes even more intriguing... ]

what are my options?

You don't know?

[Well this is getting weird.]

Do any of the clothes you currently wear have a tag on them? There should be something that lists a size. And if not, one can just measure. That or I could bring something of my own for comparison. But I am very tall, so that may not be the best option.

i'll check

[ There's a delay... not a terribly significant one, but enough for him to go search through his very meager closet of found clothes, hand-me-down donations, and things he ~~stole~~ selected from thrift stores in town. Because he hasn't even gone shopping for clothes, not properly... He only bought (and he did buy them, reluctantly) his first pair of shoes once the weather started turning sour, and the boots technically fit, but they're not all that comfortable... especially without owning any socks... Alberto's a mess.

But since he and his wardrobe are such hodgepodge messes, his investigation in his armoire is inconclusive. ]

they all say different letters and numbers
i don't know what it means

i'm 14 and tall and thin and strong
thats all i know

[ He holds his pants up with a piece of old rope, like... ...This ain't his game, Jade. ]

Dear me. That sounds like you have more problems than the cold and wet.

[It's rare for him to feel genuine concern for someone, but...]

May I ask where you live? And what is your name? And if it is alright if I come to see you?

[It isn't like he has anything better to do right now.

Well that's not true, he does, but virtue is its own reward. In many, many ways.]

yeah! i live at the inn. at [ He drops his room number. ]

im home now
i mean im always home these days
yknow
cuz the sky is always leaking lol

and my name is alberto
alberto scorfano.
whats yours?

My name is Jade Leech.

Alberto if you would give me a moment while I grab some items, I shall see you shortly.
We will hopefully keep you from being locked in all the time.

[He decides to do some quick shopping and get a few lined raincoats of different sizes, making sure to keep the return slips. He also acquires some tailor's tape.

After a bit he knocks on the door to Alberto's room.]

ok
ciao

[ And that's that. Alberto does very little to prepare before this visit... Actually he does, uh, nothing. He doesn't bother cleaning; not that his room is particularly dirty, but even if he'd tried to tidy, his home is so cluttered and chaotic, it'd make a marginal difference on impact. And indeed, the impact is immense, a room riddle with childish whims ((tl;dr gallery post)) collected in excess without apparent rhyme or rhythm. It certainly all adds up to a, uh, profound effect, which may or may not be some people's tastes, but... it's clearly a space the child has put a lot of effort into, hodgepodge as his whole life seems to be.

Grey and snowy outside, it leaves a dismal sort of lighting shining through the window, offset by an array of colorful fairy lights above his bed, the lights refracting tiny rainbows across the room in a collection of tiny crystals hanging from a dead tree branch propped up on the top of his ill-stocked armoire, the lighting of the crowded room made even warmer by the glow of some dancing flames in a few scattered candles lit from the Candlebloom spell given out when the power had gone out not long ago, even though he's no need for it now that the electricity works again; he just likes the ambience... The scene is made all the more ambient with the warm glow of a rusty old kerosene lantern sitting on his surprisingly uncluttered desk, the only focal point on it being his old Polaroid camera and scattered photos around it, even more photos strung up on twine along the wall above his bed.

There's even music to set the scene, almost always playing on full volume from Alberto's phone when he's hanging out at home like this as he has been for days on end now, an emotive aria having just begun on shuffle of his opera playlist by the time Jade comes knocking — just in time to appreciate the mood cultivated here, energized and warm yet strangely somber and intense, the song just having started, and like anything, unconsciously translated by the linguistic magic of Avalon. It's... quite... a lot... all at once. Especially for a young boy requesting a wetsuit to combat the snow who has no concept of clothing sizes? Easily the oddest room in the whole inn, more than likely. But undeniably, uh... creative. Resourceful, let's call it that. And... clearly all of his own creation, no hint of any adult presence in this room at all. It's a wonderland of a preteen's whimsy and spontaneity and dogged independence. That much is plain to see.

Rare as it might be for Jade to be concerned about another... upon Alberto opening the door to greet him and reveal this whole elaborate set-up here, even with beautiful opera drifting through the air, it surely seems... perhaps justified that the older boy should be concerned. This is a weird kid, for sure. Alberto doesn't know who he's looking for, exactly, having only texted, so he looks a little taken aback at his guest's handsome and elegant image, but shakes it off, even literally shrugs it off, quite quickly, with a well-practiced air of nonchalance as he waves him inside. ]

Jade, eh? Ciao... C'min, c'min.

[ Neither boy knew what to expect here, really... But here they are. ]

[Well this... is a lot of room. That's the first thing that goes into Jade's mind. He had expected a mess, just based on the personality that came through the texts. Disorganized and clueless.

But this...

Floyd would love this he thinks to himself. Or at least laugh at it. It seems like something he would do to a space without Jade or their parents to check him. Just with fewer designer clothes and shoes.

It doesn't feel like the chaos is completely aimless though. There is a sense of the inhabitant's self clearly exhibited here: loud and adventurous if Jade had to guess.

But still, a bit worrying at the same time.]

Ah, Alberto. Hello.

[He gives the slightest bow, stepping inside, shopping bags in tow. He eyes Alberto as he does. An ordinary boy, for the most part, perhaps a bit gangly and maybe trying too hard to look cool.]

I see you have quite a "collection" in your room. It's... impressive.

[ There's a flash across Alberto's face at that remark, a genuine but lopsided grin spreading across his face as his eyes light up. For as many friends as he's had over — which is more than all the people he knew total back home, really — this is the first time anyone has actually complimented his place outright, rather than just gawking, overwhelmed, without comment. Everyone has liked it — but no one has said so... until now. The kid craves validation and just the briefest blip of expression on his face shows that, even if it's quickly covered up by a smug smirk, half-lidded eyes making deliberate eye contact as he regains his composure. ]

Yeahhh, I've been collecting for a while~ Make yourself at home, ragazzo. You want espresso? Before we start, uh— all that.

[ He waves a hand at the shopping bags, smirk stuck in place now. He's actually a bit eager to try on whatever Jade has brought. He's never heard of a raincoat, which sounds like a total game-changer for him, and he's certainly never had anyone take his measurements or shop for him or anything... He got some new clothes once he moved in with Massimo, but even those were cheap, hand-me-downs, or thrifted. Apart from that? Shit he found in the sea, on the shore, pilfered from boats, docks, ~~dead bodies~~ — who knows where. And before that...? Shorts woven from seaweed. Fashion at all is a novelty he's not even come close to exploring yet. He owns one (1) pair of boots and zero (0) pairs of socks. It's a hard-knock life... like, for no reason.

He gestures at the chaise lounge for Jade to make himself comfortable, but does stop himself, and points at his bed in the corner of the room, cocking a brow as a wry tone sneaks in, and while his smile becomes more a half-smile, the good humor stays. ]

Oh, uh— watch out for your feet. Sofia's under the bed right now but... if she comes out... Let me know — there's a cod in the fridge. You can give it to her. Then she'll like you— maybe.

[ Inspires... a lot of confidence... From context clues from his artistic post online, Jade can infer Sofia is... some kind of... pet... lizard... monster? ~~A dinosaur. A pet dinosaur.~~ And apparently not a particularly nice one. But that's neither here nor there. That's not why they're here together today. ]

[Compliment might be a strong word, but there is no reason to be insulting even though he could probably find a million mean comments to slip in here and there. But he can hold back for the moment since he is here on a mission. And he's only a month into his life in Avalon, so he knows he needs to reserve himself at least a little. For now.

He sets his bags down though and takes a second to brush off the coat he is wearing, removing some of the damp from it before shedding it, folding it, and setting it on one of the bags. He then decides to take the opportunity to sit down, settling himself on the designated spot.]

Espresso is fine, yes. I was out for a bit and it's a little cold even for me.

[Jade's eyes peered under the bed, but he couldn't catch a glimpse of this mystery occupant. Yet.]

I will keep that in mind. I would hate to leave your companion out if she wishes to join.

[He continued to glance around thinking a bit. There was a lot one could learn about a person just by seeing their possessions, but that wasn't the same as hearing it from the horse's mouth.]

You must have been here for a long time to have yourself so settled. It's very homey.

[ Alberto sets about preparing the espresso in his old tarnished stovetop pot, but it's well-used and well-practiced, as scary as such an obviously chaotic pre-teenager having unregulated caffeine intake may be... He's got his whole set-up for it. But as he goes about it and hears Jade's quite polite and friendly comment about Sofia maybe wanting to "join them," he can't help but bark a laugh. ]

Hah! Yeah, maybe she'll wanna "join us", hehe, but I meant more like, y'know, be careful in case she tries to bite you... She'll go straight for the ankles. Pfft, but you'll be fiiine, a fish will win her over if she tries~

[ The coffee's set to brew, and Alberto steps nearer to Jade, leaning casually against the desk with his arms crossed over his chest, the same smug smirk painted on his face still. "Homey" is a nice word to describe his place... and it being obvious how long he's been here, apparently, makes him feel like some kind of expert on Avalon-ing. ]

Anyway, you're right— I've been here since August. One hundred twenty-two days. Or something like that.

[ N-Not like he's counting...? ]

And you?

[Well he's not afraid of a little bite or two. He can tolerate a little nibble if he has to but he keeps it noted. He almost hopes this Sofia does come out if only to satisfy his curiosity. There are so many odd things here.

This boy included. The smugness is charming in how to put on it is that it's hard not to play along for the moment.]

Oh my! That is a long time indeed. And at your age.

[But he sighs a little.]

About a month now I would say. So it's all a bit strange still. But fortunately one of my oldest friends was already here, so I have been very fortunate. [He chuckled at that.] I do not know what I would do without Azul.

Oh! Azul, eh? I think I know that guy! Isn't that the sea mon— [ He stops himself, a nervous glance at Jade before he interrupts himself entirely and sweeps that slip-up under the rug quickly with a forced smile and mirthless puff of a chuckle under his breath. ] ...Heh. ...Isn't that the guy with the restaurant? With the ironic fish? Y'know, a bunch of pet fish in a seafood restaurant? Swimming around watching their friends get eaten...?

[ grhiusfjkd th-that's his take on a decorative aquarium in the lobby, k. At least he seems good-humored about it? ]

[Oh Alberto, you can't slip up around Jade. If he senses any weakness, he's like a shark drawn to blood. So he mentally notes that little slip and files it away as a topic of conversation for later.]

Yes indeed, he is. He had a restaurant back home at our school as well. So it's nice to be able to work together again and fall into a routine.

[He raised an eyebrow at that comment and chuckled. How pure-minded.]

That is an interesting way to put it I suppose. Granted, plenty of fish eat one another, so I wonder if it really bothers them or if they feel envious?

[He's joking, with a slightly dark tone. Granted, this guy's favorite food is octopus carpaccio. And considering his best friend is an octopus...]

Ah, so you work at his restaurant...? He wouldn't let me. He said I was too young. Even though I told him I'm an expert on fish and pretty much the best fisherman back home! I used to work in a pescheria. But I dunno, I guess he thinks fourteen is too young to do the thing I already know how to do...!

[ Who's salty? Not Alberto. Ahem. ]

Well, it is a bit illegal, particularly where we are from. Child Labor is a frowned upon practice back home.

[But it's okay to enslave your classmates, Jade? Not that they are doing that anymore, but...]

What are you doing to make a living here though? If I am not prying too much?

Nah, not prying. I do some quests, but, y'know— most quests aren't really asking people to go fishing or make them pasta, heh.

[ He says with a dismissive wave of his hand and a roll of his eyes. ]

That Azul guy told me about another pescheria or two in town where he buys his fish from, but they wouldn't hire me, either...! Everyone just keeps telling me to go to school. Pssh~

[ Another, more subtle roll of his eyes and a light scoff at the suggestion. Clearly that's not on the table. ]

Not a fan of school? Really? Then again, you might end up going to school with people of this world who wouldn't understand where you're coming from.

[That might get a little annoying fast.]

Though I always found school to be quite engaging. There are a lot of strong people to learn from. Though maybe that's just magic schools...

Believe me— magic school, human school, normal school— people won't understand where I'm coming from.

[ Another slip-up. "Human school" is not "normal school?" ]

Besides, pretty much anything I wanna learn, I can teach myself. I learn from life.

[ He gives a little shrug and pushes himself off the desk, stepping back toward the kitchenette to check on the espresso, though still within eyesight and earshot. ]

Your school back home was also a magic school, then, eh?

[ Redirecting the question pretty obviously away from himself. Smooth, Alberto. ]

[Someone is not a very good liar, but Jade will wait a bit longer to point that out. Jade leans back to eye where Sofia is supposed to be, but keeps his attention to the conversation.]

From life is it? I mean we all do in a sense. There is no better teacher than brutal experience.

[He will allow the redirection for a moment since he knows he can turn the convo back.]

Yes indeed. Night Raven College, one of the most prestigious schools in the world. It's a boy's school, so no girls, but we're all talented magicians there. And humans, beastmen, fae, and merfolk all go there together. We even have a cat monster taking lessons.

[A little bait thrown in there for good measure.]

[ Alberto slides back over at the explanation of this weird integrated school, stretching theatrically to crane his neck to do so, espresso pot in his hand and eyes wide.

Yup, took the bait, hook, line and sinker. ]

Humans and monsters all go to school together where you're from? Really?

[So easy. He smiles softly though.]

I won't say we always understand each other, but yes we do. Though monsters are not how I would describe everyone not human. Just a different species.

I take it there are only humans in your world?

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