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text; un: signorvespa

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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[ Alberto is not even in the slightest bothered by Della's table manners (or lack thereof) because they're pretty much identical to his own... He's just a couple bites behind her after scarfing down their food, not even pausing for conversation for all their gusto (and indeed, as a palate cleanser after, uh, all this shit), that just as he's about to take his last bite and lap up all the remains in his own pasta dish... does he take notice that she's beat him to it. Seeing her lick the dish and fork clean draws a wide, bright grin on Alberto's face, before he proceeds to do the same with even less decorum than she'd shown. She's in like company — minus the burp. Because he could definitely eat more, but... he won't. He's saving the small bit remaining in the kitchen for his pet and familiar (because of course he's trained them to eat pasta; of course he's trained them to eat pasta, oy va voy) — but once an almost-competitive pasta-eater, always an almost-competitive pasta-eater, he could be a bottomless pit if he wanted to be... But he doesn't. He's far more satisfied by hearing Della belch in satisfaction.

He leans back on his stool a bit, carefully balancing himself to sit crosslegged on it, biting his lip as he fails to wipe the proud smirk off his face. She has no idea what that compliment means to him, no idea what any of tonight means to him, beyond the tiny unspoken inference she gleaned from the way he clung to her in their hug. The kid craves validation way more than he craves pasta... And even if he's quick to brag, and hesitant to talk so openly about his true emotions, there's some strange truth that reads between the lines of the two, which surely she'll tune into over time, if not even tonight this very moment, with the way he beams at her over their empty pasta dishes, clutching his bare feet in both hands without falling off the stool, even if he wobbles a bit. She's paid him a high compliment in more ways than one. ]

Heh— Benissimo~ Ahah, y'know, my boss back home taught me how to make it... Massimo. He ran the pescheria I worked at in Portorosso. Trenette al pesto was the first human food I ever had, actually!

[ For as much as Alberto keeps a stiff upper lip, though he's not at all what you'd call stoic necessarily, he is fond of talking about Massimo. Massimo and Luca. And that's about it. He'll reminisce about his very short time in Portorosso in great detail if anyone gives him the chance to. Just the way he says his boss's name points to that somehow — a certain unplaceable dazzlement in his tone and smile. He practically doesn't even need to say this man was a father figure, if he's a human teaching him how to cook and employing him in a human town, right? If Alberto was this eaten up about revealing himself to someone who's not even human herself, it goes without saying that such an arrangement was no small favor. ]

[ The plates may be empty, but Alberto is potentially serving up something very filling - backstory! Now's a chance to latch on and really get to know this weird kid, and hopefully prevent anymore accidental insults in the future. It's clear there's almost a revered awe in the way he speaks about Massimo - although Della probably would've chosen chili dogs over pasta when it came to "first land person food" but she's not gunna judge. Pasta's a good second.

So after stretching her arms, she moves to slightly copy his body language, more out of affection and showing she's ready to listen - her 'good' leg propped up on the stool, her metal leg hanging back and forth. ]

He sounds like a pretty cool guy... why don't you tell me about him? I wanna hear every last detail, no matter how small. Give me all you got.

[ After all, she knows that by learning about Massimo, she's really learning more about Alberto. It's a win-win. ]

[ The request draws the most bemused, but slowly ecstatic looks from Alberto, another lopsided smile spreading across his face. He's not used to adults asking him questions, either. Della continues to throw him for a loop. But that doesn't deter him, no, no. He leans forward slightly to get comfortable, adjusting himself as needed and leaning back or forth as he explains the wonder that is Massimo Marcovaldo. ]

Oh, uh— We-he-ellll..... Uh... M-Massimo is my friend Luca's friend— well, I guess she's my friend too, uh, Giulia— Massimo is Giulia's dad. And, uh, he runs a pescheria in Portorosso by himself. That's the human town I moved to— I went there with Luca... And, uh, Giulia comes in the summer, but otherwise, he's alone, sooo— he asked me to help him out, heh. And in exchange, I lived with him, and he cooked food, and he paid me some soldi, I mean— not a lot, but enough to go see a movie and get gelato or whatever. And he taught me, like, everything — how to cook, how to fish... I help him cuz, y'know, I know all the best fishing spots, and then when we're done, I go deliver the fish to the townspeople on Giulia's bike. I'm, uh— heh— I'm better at the fishing part... But Massimo's great! He's the best fisherman in town. And, hah, probably, like, the biggest human ever?! Like—

[ He suddenly climbs up to stand on top of his stool, towering over Della, and spreads his arms out as wide as they'll go, voice even more emphatic than before, for sheer obvious admiration even just over the man's size, for such a gangly noodle of a boy. ]

This big?! He's huge, hah!

Edited 2021-12-31 05:08 (UTC)

[ Della nods accordingly, chuckling at the high points, and smiling all the while. He does sound like a good man - huh, fish monsters are fine with fishing? Interesting??? - and someone she'd like to get to know. When Alberto moves to show-case his size, Della can't help but laugh in merriment. She would do the same thing to show off someone's size too - they really were meant to be friends. ]

He sounds like he's got a heart as big as the rest of him! No wonder the two of you get along so well - I bet he's really glad to have such a great assistant like you around.

Heh, uh— Y-Yeah, I'm a great employee...

[ There is something about the mirthless laugh laced through that sentence, the way his smile falters ever so slightly as he climbs down from the stool again and resumes his seat, that maybe implies he's, uh... not a great employee. But he'll lie to save face without hesitation. He's more interested in praising Massimo than himself right now, anyway — for once, he's not interested in boasting. Amazing. Della's asking all the right questions by giving Alberto the stage here. ]

I'm probably, like, the second-best fisherman in the world next to Massimo, hehe... You should see him on his own, hah— he's so cool! The first time we ever went fishing with him, it was amazing, he pulled the net out of the winch and it had some driftwood stuck in it, so he just put a knife in his mouth and sliced it off, like it was nothing!

[ The dazzlement is interrupted for just a second, to point out an important explanation at that, cuz— otherwise that might sound a little weird... ]

Oh, uh— He only has one arm. He was born like that— though, eheh, he tried to joke with me once and say a sea monster ate it, but... that was before he knew... He, uh, heh, used to hunt sea monsters before Giulia met us. Obviously not anymore, but— He's got a cool tattoo of a sea monster on his arm, too! I mean— even though it has a harpoon through it, ahah, but, uh, y'know... It's still cool...

[ So Massimo knows Alberto's truth and still hired him and adopted him into his home, stopped hunting sea monsters because of his relationship with the boy. That's important subtext there.

But as charming as it is worrisome, of course Alberto would be infatuated with Massimo's tattoos. Of course he would be. And you bet your bippy he draws fake silly tattoos on himself with markers all the time, even here, copying the man — Della just hasn't had occasion to see yet. But she surely will catch him on a "tattooed" day sometime...! ]

[ There is... an odd, slightly morbid feeling of relief towards Massimo - no matter how "ick" Della feels about fish and fish people, she never actively hunted them. (Aside from that one time with the torpedos. ONE TIME.) It was more of a "you stay in your lane and I'll stay in mine" situation. So, hey, that must've been hella more awkward for Massimo than anything Della did wrong! ... Not that it justifies her actions, but it does make her feel a little better.

But as she listens, she gets a bit thoughtful, cupping her beak before she voices her next opinion. ]

Huh...! You know, that in case, since you were the first "friendly" sea monster he ever met, and maybe the first one a lot of people have ever met... You're kinda like, their ambassador!

[ ... like he even knows what that is. She tries again. ]

Like, you represent all sea monsters! People can go "Who is the perfect example of a food sea monster?" And we're like, "Alberto!" If anyone has sea monster-related questions, we can go right to you. Cause you're the expert on them! And you're out there making a good name and example towards all sea monsters! You are living proof we can all get along!

[ Alberto's face goes blank for a second listening to this perspective, but then slowly lights up, a smile crawling across his face as the gears turn upstairs. ]

...Heh... I am kind of like that, aren't I? Hah! "The Sea Monster Ambassador!" I mean, it was my idea to go to the human town when me and Luca ran away, and I am an expert on human-ing...! Heheh— L-Luca's co-ambassador, though — I couldn't have done it without him. I'm the Sea Monster Ambassador in Portorosso and Luca's the Sea Monster Ambassador in Genova! Hah!

[ He's boastful as always, but at least gives credit where credit is due. Whoever this Luca kid is, obviously an important friend Alberto seems to look up to, if he's writing all these letters to him and willing to share his new title... He likes this perspective a lot. Although, he won't admit that he's probably the worst expert on sea monster stuff because he grew up on the land alone with his father, rather than down below with the rest of the sea monster village like Luca did... But that's why they need to be a team. They lean on each other's strengths. ]

[ Boy, that name has come up a lot, hasn't it? Between all their conversations and the journal, Luca and Massimo are clearly tied at Alberto's favorite person ever position. Time to continue the interview in a new direction. ]

So Luca is a fellow sea monster like you? Tell me about him! Is he your b-f-f?

[ Pause. Does he know that? Just in case - ]

Your best friend forever?

[ Good on Della to second-guess Alberto's knowledge of slang — but he's now keeping that term in his back pocket. Once she explains its meaning, though, his face all but lights up. A chance to talk about Luca?! ]

Yeah, me and Luca are gonna be friends forever! He's the best! He moved to a faraway place called Genova, so now we write—...

[ He pauses awkwardly, face faltering a bit, searching Della's in a sudden moment of hesitation and conflict, glancing at the box of letters and then back up to her...

But then clearly steels his resolve and forces a smile back on his face, though a bit more wistful now, and even reaches over to pull the box of letters forward a bit. ]

...We wrote letters. He'd send me photographs from Genova and tell me all about the human school and living with Giulia and her mamma. And I'd write him letters all about my life in Portorosso living with Massimo, and send him photographs...

[ He lets his hand rest on his Polaroid camera, too, to demonstrate what all Della had just stumbled into without saying it... and also to try and imply how significant and private those letters are to him so she'll understand why he got mad... without having to say that, either. He just doesn't wanna say the things. She can catch what he's laying down... So he just moves on swiftly to sweep that awkwardness under the mat without addressing it. His voice retains that wistfulness, but grows fonder as his smile grows warmer, eyes eventually drifting idly from Della back to the box again by the end as he gets a little swept up in reminiscing. ]

Sometimes, hah, he'd call us on the telephone — it's expensive, cuz he's so far away, so we couldn't do it all the time... But whenever he did, Luca's parents and his grandma would all come up to the surface, heh, and we'd crowd around the telephone in Massimo's kitchen so we could all hear Luca's voice and talk to him. He'd talk to his family, of course, mostly to Signora Paguro, hah, but— Massimo always let me talk to him by myself for a while, too — so we could catch up. It wasn't for long, but— Heh, letters aren't enough, y'know~?

[ That is to say: He can't do that here. He turns back on her with a sheepish smile at that, practicing his expertise in their shared skill of just swallowing things and pretending everything's fine. But he is opening up, clearing up some major mysteries about his life he'd failed to be frank with Della about, and is in fact revealing so much more about himself than he even knows. Than he even realizes. But there's no doubt: this is his BFF. It's a completely different energy than the way he spoke about Massimo, this bittersweetness about him, a certain dreaminess in how he speaks and lets his fingers drift over his Luca-related items, compared to standing on his stool at full height and full volume with only lavish praise to sing, rather than describing simple fond memories like these; he spoke about how much he admires Massimo, but he speaks about how much he misses Luca. ]

[ Awww. There's clear differences between his ardent praise for Massimo and this fond elaboration on Luca. Della sheepishly smiles when the "subject" of the journal is brought up, giving a half shoulder shrug of a wordless apology for it yet again - but fortunately Alberto seems cool about it for now. She can always apologize again if need be, and wouldn't mind it.

But... she had kind of assumed Luca was 'alone' family-wise just like Alberto was, but clearly that's not the case. Another big 'oof' about Alberto, heart-strings definitely tugged - but absolutely not something to comment on! Swallowing down those feelings, she keeps nodding and smiling, trying to encourage him to say all he wants to. ]

Oh, I definitely get you. If I had a chance to hear my boys, I'd take that over a letter any day. Oh, I bet all of you would get along just like that!

[ Snaps her fingers! Yes, she could see it now - Huey would asking all kinds of invasive scientific questions, Louie might ask if they could go pearl diving, and Dewey would wanna try and be a sea monster too. She sighs in her own fond way, missing them as well. As much as she cares about Alberto, he (nor could anyone) couldn't be a real replacement for her sons. ]

And if Massimo and Luca ever show up here... they'll be counting on you, you know. You'll be the expert to them on magic, and quests, and the best food here... Of course they already think you're super awesome, but then they'll think you're super MEGA SUPREME BEST awesome!

[ That last comment draws a wide, warm smile on his face. He's thought of this before — but not quite in those terms. ]

Heh... I'd help them as much as I can, yeah, that's for sure. Luca would love it here. He could go to magic school! I wonder what kind of magic Luca would have, heh~ Something cool!

[ He rests his chin in his hands, elbows on the table. He does raise his brows, though, picking up a stray point, smile going a little crooked in curiosity. ]

What'd'ya mean "your boys," Signora? You're a mamma?

[ Just as somehow Luca and Massimo had never come up... Neither had Huey, Dewey and Louie. They've always been in the midst of some action scene when they've run into each other, it's never afforded too much conversation. Well— except for that one in the art gallery... But this is the first time they've had occasion to talk personally. Alberto had no idea — but it makes sense! ]

[ Della raises her eyebrows, genuinely surprised because - ]

I've never told you about them? Huh, normally I shove my family into every conversation possible...

[ Half-shrug. Ah well! If there's an opportunity to talk about the babies, SHE WILL HAPPILY TALK ABOUT THE BABIES ]

But yeah! I've got triplets! Huey, Dewey, and Louie! They're probably just a little younger than you, but I know you'd all be great friends.

[ As she begins describing each boy, she does all the gestures possible - another big thing she and Alberto share, the absolute NEED to express with hands. How can you not??? ]

Huey's a genius! He can memorize anything in no time flat! Math, science, nature, he's got you covered - you can come to him for any answer!

Dewey's a real showman! Singing, dancing, acting, he's a triple threat - of sheer coolness! And he's never afraid to try anything new!

And Louie, you want him when you go on any quest! He can see the angles of any scheme, and come up with every loophole and trick before the enemy can blink! But he's also got the biggest heart, and someone you can rely on when the chips are down!

[ The more she describes, the more energetic she gets! HER BOYS ARE THE BEST. THERE IS NO CONTEST. HER BOYS ARE PERFECT. This is the happiest she's looked in a long time, because just talking about her children fills her with glee. ]

[ Alberto listens on, smiling, enjoying the way her energy boosts as she begins. But as she goes on, by the end, there's something almost wistful about him, something in the way his smile weakens and his eyes soften, warm though it still is. It suddenly occurs to him... he doesn't think his dad talked about him this way. Or Massimo. Or— well, anyone, really. Maybe Luca. But he can't know. But he's never heard an adult talk about children like this — like they like them, as a person, as a friend. Everything about tonight has thrown him for a loop at every turn. He's felt Della was an interesting person to know from the start, but now it's... in an entirely different way. A way that's more baffling, slightly disconcerting by no fault of her own, because she still remains so cool and admirable, even more than before... But he doesn't know what to make of that now. She's like a— like a grown-up kid. Do— Do all mothers talk about their children this way? He wouldn't know. Are parents supposed to talk about their children this way? It makes Alberto not wonder so much what Massimo would have to say about him, because he already has a fair idea of at least the many complaints the man could make... but it makes Alberto wonder what Massimo would have to say about Giulia. The comparison makes him uncertain, but— touched to be able to tell how much she loves her sons.

It takes him a second to shake off that distant look on his face, skipping a bit once she finishes describing Louie, as if snapping back into focus. He's been listening, he's just also— processing. He gives a nervous little chuckle and smile, meeting her eye again, but there's still a fondness that never left. ]

Heh~ They sound cool, Signora — all three! I don't know any triplets, heh. What about their papà? Or is it just you?

[ There's something that's lacking judgment there, even from a child. Like Alberto doesn't assume immediately that there must be two parents, the way maybe a child with... two parents... might automatically assume that's the way it typically is and should be. Considerate of him to ask, in a certain way. He's so curious now, though — a night of sharing, apparently. ]

[ Is it possible Della still would have loved her kids if she'd returned home and found out they were all wanted criminals? Who knows. But she genuinely believes if people took the time to know each boy, they too would be absolutely head over heels for them. And anyone who doesn't like her boys has something fundamentally wrong with them.

However, she is a little surprised at the "is it just you" bit - as, yes, she would expect most people to assume a dad was in the picture at some point. Then again, she's never mentioned a husband or even a boyfriend during her stay here, so maybe Alberto caught on quicker than most. For now, she's oblivious to any other implication. ]

Well, not exactly... I live with my twin brother Donald and my uncle Scrooge in his giant mansion, and we all raise the kids! There's also the housekeeper's daughter, Webby, and to be honest, we all pretty much treat her as one of our own. She's basically ours in all but blood.

[ Yeah, about that... alas, meta knowledge. Anyway - She "sobers" up from happiness for a bit to explain a sadder side of thing. It's bound to come up eventually so she might as well bite the bullet. ]

... You remember that big, huge crash I told you about, the one that cost me my leg? Well... while I was gone, my brother and my uncle... got into a huge fight. This all happened while my boys were in their eggs... so, literally babies. Donald took them and raised them all by himself for a long time... It took years for them to finally come together as a family again. So I... missed out on a lot. But I'm still trying to make up for it. And so, we all lived happily ever after... more or less.

[ A sad smile, and a half shrug. If prodded, she will explain that the fight and the crash and basically everything bad that happened was because of her, but... she's afraid that in doing so, she'll reveal just HOW bad a parent she is. And she knows she already doesn't sound great. Does she really have to tarnish her image worse tonight? Can they keep things happy? ]

[ Nope. They can't keep things happy. She has to tarnish her image worse tonight.

Alberto's too curious. And his wide-eyed expression shows nothing more than that, still no hint of judgment. Though he is inwardly really impressed that kids can be raised a mom and two uncles. He's never heard of such a family unit. He likes it. But there is indeed an important and unfortunately unavoidable question lingering. ]

Where were you? Why'd you miss out?

[ He's not entirely picking up that he's stepping into a minefield, as her sad smile and happy ending twist really is a good enough mask for the issue at hand. ]

[ Well... Dang. She supposed, given Alberto's ever insatiable curiosity that nearly matches her own, she should have seen this coming. Her smile fades, and she moves to sit back down nice and neatly, no more crossed legs or anything. She's silent for a good couple of seconds, mentally debating the best way to explain things - and just when it's possible Alberto might change his mind, she sighs and speaks up. ]

... Look, when I first told you about the crash? I left out... a lot of details. It's way too much to dump on someone you just met, and it's... not a great story. I come off looking really bad. Even though I never meant to hurt anyone, especially not my family... I still wound up doing it. And we're all still recovering from what I did.

[ A quick side-eye of warning. ]

Hunker down, it's a long one.

[ She'll give breaks now and then to let him ask more details if he wants them, but for now, we start where she feels is best. ]

... So I've been adventuring with my uncle and my brother since I was your age, maybe even younger. My uncle is the richest duck in the world, so he could afford to take us all around the globe. Together, the three of us took on anything we could find - uncovering ancient cities, solving mysterious riddles, saving people from villains, and I loved every day of it. The thrills, the knowledge, the glory... so when I got pregnant, I wanted my children to have the same kind of life. But it felt like we'd done just about everything at that point... so I wanted to give my boys something more. I wanted to give them the stars.

[ She looks at the nearest window. Granted, it's mostly covered in frost and snow, but perhaps there's a hint of the night sky, with bright lights far off in the darkness. ]

... I wanted to build a ship - called a rocket - that could go beyond the earth and clouds and take us as far away as possible. I had plans to build it and everything, but when Donald learned about it, we got into a big fight. He told me I needed to stop putting myself in danger, settle down, and be there for my children, since they were in their eggs at that point. But I thought I knew better, and that I could take on everything that came at me. As for my uncle... well, sort of took my side, and began to build the rocket in secret. He probably thought we could all go for a ride, but only after my kids were old enough to go.

... But I found out about the rocket... and I took it.

[ Alberto hunkers down as told, staying balanced carefully crosslegged on his stool, holding his feet as he leans over in rapt interest. But as the story deepens and darkens, he shifts to have just one leg under himself, swinging the other idly, as he leans forward and props himself up on the table by his elbows, fists squishing his cheeks as he watches and listens.

But as before, even if his eyebrows raise or a glint of dazzlement comes in and out of his eyes, he shows no look of judgment, no worried brow or frown, doesn't interrupt, just... listens. But when he does finally speak up, some vague awe tracing his voice, it's a surprisingly simple question: ]

...Then what happened?

[ Maybe she'd been expecting some gasp of horror, or an accusation, like "How could you leave your kids behind?!" and is... surprised not to get any. Just more simple curiosity. In a weird way, it's almost worse - because she expected anger and scorn, and because she deserved it! And as such, is a little flustered as she tries to explain her mindset. ]

I - I gave myself all kinds of excuses. I told myself I was doing it for my kids, for history, that I always knew what I was doing, that I always came out of surprises just fine... but the truth was, I got on that rocket out of sheer selfishness. I was only thinking of myself. Of being the first one in the family to do it. I wasn't thinking of any consequences, of who I could be hurting...

[ She takes a deep breath. C'mon, stop delaying it. She rolls her shoulders... ]

... As it turns out, I didn't really know how to fly a rocket. I just... winged it, and guessed a lot. It got off the earth, and into the sky, and into the stars... I still wouldn't turn back, I was so caught up in all the new sighs... and then... turns out there's a lot of dangerous stuff in space. Like, giant storms of rocks that you don't see coming until it's too late, and are way too big to dodge.

[ She assumed he wasn't familiar with the term "meteor shower", so best to keep it simple. ]

... So I crashed into one of those giant rocks. And the rocket and I landed on the moon... with parts of the rocket landing on my leg.

[ A light gesture to her metal leg. She definitely won't go into the gory details, for everyone's sake this time. ]

... Once I assessed the situation and made myself a new leg, I began rebuilding the rocket to try and go back home. But... where on Earth it only took maybe less than a month to build it, since the supplies were all over the place and easy to get, and Uncle Scrooge could hire all the smart people anywhere to help make it... the moon, far as I knew... had no supplies. And I barely knew how it worked. And I was alone. So...

... So... so it took me... ten years, to get home.

[ She lets that hang, unable to look at Alberto. Ten years. Ten long years. Alone. Away.

She'd never seen her kids hatch. Their first steps. Their first words. Their first day of school. First fights. First loves. First hugs. First adventures. First everything. She had missed out on ten years of their lives, and she would never get that back.

Ten. Years. ]

[ Alberto's eyes do widen at that at last, his brow knotting ever so slightly as her words sink in, and it takes him a moment to respond. He has so many questions, he'd normally want to ask about the moon and the rocket and the crash and all the adventurous details, but the real topic at hand is her family, and that's just...

Ten. Years...

He barely remembers ten years ago! That's more than half his whole life. And it feels like it's been half an eternity since he last saw his dad, while it's only been two years, a little less than that. But... the silver lining of that understanding, after a long moment of silence and a long, meaningful look, says— ]

...Well... at least they weren't alone. They, uh— they didn't know they missed you, kinda, right? Cuz they didn't know you. I know that's, uh— [ How the hell does he comfort an adult, she seems upset, he's supposed to comfort people who are upset, but, uh, this is— well— uh— His eyes dart to the side, searching for the right words, which he's certain he's not found... ]

...I mean— You didn't leave them cuz you wanted to leave them, heh, y'know? You'd thought you'd come back sooner. So... it's— kinda not your fault? In a way? You seem sorry about it, so... that's important. Besides, they had the rest of your family, so... sounds like they're okay.

[ ...the hell kind of take is that for a child to come to on this messed up situation, um?

Alberto is so immature in so many ways, very ignorant in many more ways than that, but this is... a surprise? And just as this whole time... a lack of judgment. A suspicious lack of judgment now, though, frankly. Why isn't he more offended by the idea of a parent selfishly leaving her children behind?! He's a child! That should be a mortifying idea! Why is he excusing her?! It's not out of politeness; she's watched him pick his nose. That's of no concern to Alberto. The idea just genuinely... isn't offending him, on some weird level, and that's maybe worrisome and confusing and shocking in itself. ]

[ As much As Alberto means no harm, every 'excuse' he gives towards her just... stabs her a little more. They didn't know her. They had the rest of her family. Oof. Ow. Taking the swords off the wall and stabbing her with them would have hurt less.

But on the other hand... He's a good kid, but is he really THAT good? How can he really listen to all that she's said and say she's not at fault? She looks at him for a brief time - her eyes may be a bit watery again - trying to asses him. Do sea monsters have different ideas of families? How they're supposed to work and function? Is the society in his world just so alien to hers that this story isn't hitting the notes it normally does?

She does have questions for him... but alas, her tale isn't over yet. She sighs, looking down at her legs. ]

... I thought that's what would happen. That, while I was gone, my uncle and my brother would raise my boys together. And that maybe I could send out messages, telling them where I was, and how hard I was trying to get home. But... the messages never made it. And my uncle and brother assumed I died out in space... and Donald blamed Scrooge for it, since Scrooge had the rocket made. He took the boys away, and never told them what happened. All the boys knew was that I was gone... and that was it. Donald never told them what I'd done, or who their family was.

[ A whole legacy of the McDuck clan, hidden away because of her. Sure, Donald and Scrooge were slowly repairing the men between them now but... would it ever truly heal? Things could never be as they once were. ]

As for Uncle Scrooge... he stopped adventuring completely. He shut himself away in his mansion, refusing to talk to people, and he hid everything related to me. I guess it was just too painful for him. And for ten years, that's how they both lived their lives - away from each other, hiding who I was. But one day... Donald needed someone to watch over the boys, while he looked for a job. And as it so happened, the only person available... was Uncle Scrooge. That was the day the boys learned they had an uncle... and they instilled in him the love of adventure again. He... they... they came together again. Scrooge loved the boys, and they loved him, and... they even moved in together. Donald kept saying it was only for a little while, just until he repaired his house boat, but they were a family again.

[ Just without her. But maybe that had been for the best. The story seems to have physically drained her for a moment, as she leans on the table, laying her head on her arms. She misses them. She misses them all so much. And she knows that the magic of Avalon is, technically, making sure she isn't missed right now. They're all safe and frozen in time. They may even be safer there than here.

But she's been deprived of her family for ten years. And now she may be here another long time in Avalon. Much as she's grateful for the company of Drake, Fenton, and even Gandra and Darkwing, they're still not her kin. Quietly, desperately, she speaks up - ]

... Could I get a hug before I continue on the saddest story ever?

[ Alberto listens carefully, letting his eyes drift thoughtfully, sadly, to his own legs, copying her at first... It is a sad story, technically, but to Alberto it's bizarrely reading as kind of happy, because her sons had these uncles?! He never had any uncles, no one else stepped up to take care of him after his dad left him... The literal only point he can keep coming to in reaction to this whole saga is that her boys weren't alone. They weren't alone. That's all that sticks out to him. It's wondrous to him that they had either uncle there to help them and protect them and provide for them and love them. He is an anomaly among sea monster culture as much as he'd be among humans or, uh, bird people, but his exposure in the world is so, so limited to the bizarro fantasy island his father created for them... But— he's increasingly certain that his dad probably doesn't speak about him this way now, after he's been gone so long. If his dad missed him after he left... unless he got stuck on the moon or killed or something crazy, which Alberto doesn't like to entertain the thought of... then it's not been enough to drive him back home. Her children weren't alone. That's all he cares about and he doesn't understand why that's not the primary point for her, too. All this guilt instead. He's never known an adult to feel guilty in his life. Granted— he's really only known two adults.

Throwing him just as much for a loop as anything else tonight, though, when she asks for a hug...? All that worry and torn expression fades from his face in an instant, his brows raising as his eyes widen. Adults... can do that...? Like— that's allowed...? She's breaking every mold of what he imagines a parent is supposed to be like and he can't parse whether it's because she's a great parent because she loves her boys so much and uh, maybe his perception of good parenthood is skewed, or if because she's kind of not a parent because she wasn't there for ten years...? But— still was sending messages to them the whole time? It's a lot to process and consider. What's a lot simpler, though, is that she's asking him for a hug. So without a hint of hesitation, he leaps up from his stool and throws his arms around her neck. If she ever asks that again... she'll quickly learn Alberto will probably never say no. ]

[ She's 110% grateful for the hug, and leans into it, using one hand to touch his arm. Touch-deprived for ten years as well, she doesn't say a word for a good long time, just... needing that extra bit of warmth and reassurance. It just feels so good to be held, and she knows it's just kind of... weird to ask for hugs. She kind of wants/needs hugs a lot. All the time. So it's really, really nice that Alberto shows no hesitation, not even a second to process it. Good kid. Such a good kid.

With a good squeeze to his arm, she begins to straighten up, determined to finish this damned thing - and get back to happiness! They both deserve to be happy tonight! ]

You know what? I'm just gunna skip a few things and head right to the good parts. Turns out there ARE people who live on the moon, but they didn't trust me, but I won them over, they helped me get back home, I reunited with my family, and we're all good now, the end.

[ Yes, she's leaving out the General of the moon people was using her to start an invasion, and that the family had another huge fight before she got there, but the IMPORTANT thing is that it's all over and they are together again. She's burdened this kid with enough knowledge, maybe they can unlock stage 2 another day. But tonight's been exhaustive enough on both ends.

She looks Alberto right in the face now, a genuine smile appearing again, as she ruffles a hand through his hair. ]

... So the reason I got all... crazy-weepy when I got here... and did it again, uh, several times... is because I get super worried when kids don't like me. Because then I get worried my kids won't like me. And, yeah, I know it's... kind of silly. But it's hard to turn off that little voice in your head sometimes. It helps to have a good kid like you around.

[ Her Bruno is a bit harder to 'silenzio'. But she needs Alberto to know that he did nothing wrong, and that her own issues are... exactly that, her own to work through. He doesn't need to push or excuse her, he doesn't have to worry about her (moreso than he already does). It's never the job of the kid to worry about the adult, the adult needs to do the work. He's done more than his fair share. ]

[ Alberto lets her hug him as long as she wants, until she pulls away, so just follows her cues. He looks at her with slightly worried eyes, still entirely unsure how he's supposed to be processing this, but he feels for her. He can't really imagine what parents feel like, and has never known any parent he's known to express doubt about their parenting to their children explicitly... He wasn't even entirely sure parents felt doubt about their parenting, it always just seemed like parents know what to do and that's why they're the boss. But... Della's making him drastically reconsider this perspective and he doesn't know how because— well... he has no parents. It's not really applicable.

But it does make him empathize with her and draws a lopsided, half-hearted smile on his face, returning her meaningful gaze. He understands having that little voice in his head, at least. What's more, though, is that she calls him a good kid, says it's helping her to have him around... He doesn't quite comprehend how, but it's maybe the first time he's been told that outright. It turns his cockeyed smile a little more bashful, especially when she ruffles his hair. He feels like he's supposed to comfort her...? H-He doesn't know how but— she's talking to him kinda like a friend, like he'd talk to a kid, so... J-Just talk to her like what he'd say if he were talking to a kid...? Maybe...? He's winging this, oh boy, with animated gestures and mounting emphasis, as usual. ]

Ehhh— Heh. Well, uh— I like you, Signora. And once your kids have the time to get to know you, I'm sure they'll like you, too...? Ahah, like you said, it sounds like a happy ending, eh? So don't let the stupid Bruno in your head try and tell you it's not...! Just tell that voice, "Silenzio, Bruno~!" You can't let it trick you like that! Cuz— just cuz you're here now doesn't mean it's gonna be like the moon again, heh, y'know? So you don't have to worry about all that stuff now! I mean, you're fighting and doing all this magic stuff and crap here to save our worlds so you can go home and see your family again, right? That's all that really matters. So— Forza, Signora!

[ Surprisingly sound, touching advice, coming from a fourteen-year-old.

However.

who the fuck is Bruno...? ]

[ That had been adorable and wholesome for a few good seconds until she heard the name Bruno. Is... is that what Alberto calls the voice in his head?

... Wh. Why wouldn't you call the voice in your head your own name??? Bruno can't possibly be Alberto's nickname, it doesn't make sense! True, it's a very weird point to stick to after all that's been said but... indeed, WHO and WHY the fuck Bruno???

It would be so easy to just shove all the oddities she's picked up from him as "sea monster stuff", but that seems slightly prejudiced, and she does want to learn everything and anything about him, no matter how strange. So, yes, she's happy, just... confused...? But doesn't want to show she's confused, despite the puzzled expression and raised eyebrows - she quickly tries to imitate his body language, a swinging fist in the air. ]

Y-Yeah, that's the ticket! We hear Bruno, we block him out! Silenzio, Bruno!

[ Desperately trying not to whisper-add "whoever that is..." ]

[ To be fair, Italian nicknames do not always sound like the names they should be nicknames for... but this is not one of those instances. Nor is it "sea monster stuff." Alberto is just a weirdo. Della will come to learn this.

And even as well as she tries to hide it, Alberto picks up on that confusion, and it does not settle well. Weirdness intensifies. He draws back, gesturing emphatically, pinching his fingers and waving his hands. ]

No, no, no, no— I said Forza, Signora! Like you mean it! "Silenzio, Bruno~!"

[ He repeats with more gusto, raising his volume, egging her on to repeat after him. ]

Edited 2022-01-13 17:28 (UTC)

text; un: signorvespa

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