[ Alberto tried to stay patient and calm the past two days, he really did. He'd been on edge ever since Bruno's kidnapping in October, and while the rescue mission was a success, it was the scariest and most violent experience of Alberto's life, and has left him secretly shaken for the past month now. He's been paranoid about Bruno's disappearance specifically, but it's had a ripple effect in Alberto, who's finally realizing how unstable and chaotic and dangerous this place really is. Anything could happen to anyone at any time. It's been over half a year he's lived here, and despite the many dangers life in Kaisou throws their way, this is the longest stretch of time that Alberto's ever experienced some sense of stability in his life. He's gotten so comfortable, so familiar, in his new life here, to the point he can trust in expectations that certain people will just— always be there...! Luca and Bruno, namely. Long after living with Bruno in April, scarcely a day has passed that Alberto hasn't heard from him, if only just one or two texts to check in and say hi. Bruno was still always there for him, interested in him, wanted to talk with him every day... every day for half a year.
Until now. Until two days ago. Granted, when Luca showed up, Alberto went dark on Bruno for two days, too, so Alberto wants to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Maybe more of his family showed up, or he's just been busy, or he broke his phone, or— well, really, anything but "kidnapped or magicked away somehow," or so Alberto's trying to convince himself. But he's trying to convince himself that his entirely too reasonable fears are unreasonable. He's shouldered these worries on his own, not remarking on it but once or twice off the cuff to Luca, but even then it was a simple "huh, still haven't heard back from Bruno yet," without hinting at his truer fears. But when Bruno doesn't respond to a text inviting him to Luca's birthday party, that raises suspicions enough to call him. And when Alberto's call goes unanswered... that raises alarm. When Alberto's next string of several calls in a row go unanswered repeatedly? It's like a siren going off inside. He was supposed to be finishing up the dishes after dinner, but these thoughts were too gripping, so he paused to panic. He'd been hoping to prove himself wrong by texting Luisa, but even as he was texting her, "Wheres Bruno?" he had a terrible gut feeling he'd already guessed the answer. So that leads him to frantically calling Luisa, too — who thankfully did pick up. But after a short talk, Alberto got the confirmation he sorely did not want. Learning to trust your gut is a good life lesson — but not like this. Not like this.
He leaves the dirty dishes abandoned, half-done, and stands in the kitchen doorway staring at Luca for a moment, looking rather dazed and confused. He saunters over toward where Luca is, making a point to sit nearest to him. But Alberto doesn't gymnastically plunge himself into the pile of cushions like he does when he's in a good mood, which he'd seemed to be when he'd left to do the dishes; he doesn't even limply flop down dramatically, like he does in a bad mood. No, he just— sits. Normally. Like he might sit in class, back straight with his legs bent, though he is rubbing one hand nervously against his knee. In the other, he holds his cell phone, but instead of turning on music like usual, he keeps it off, simply staring at the dark screen blankly. The silence he's brought into the room is loud enough. He stays still next to Luca without saying a word, feeling thoroughly lucky to be beside him right now. ]
action; backdated to 17 November, two days after Bruno's departure
Until now. Until two days ago. Granted, when Luca showed up, Alberto went dark on Bruno for two days, too, so Alberto wants to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Maybe more of his family showed up, or he's just been busy, or he broke his phone, or— well, really, anything but "kidnapped or magicked away somehow," or so Alberto's trying to convince himself. But he's trying to convince himself that his entirely too reasonable fears are unreasonable. He's shouldered these worries on his own, not remarking on it but once or twice off the cuff to Luca, but even then it was a simple "huh, still haven't heard back from Bruno yet," without hinting at his truer fears. But when Bruno doesn't respond to a text inviting him to Luca's birthday party, that raises suspicions enough to call him. And when Alberto's call goes unanswered... that raises alarm. When Alberto's next string of several calls in a row go unanswered repeatedly? It's like a siren going off inside. He was supposed to be finishing up the dishes after dinner, but these thoughts were too gripping, so he paused to panic. He'd been hoping to prove himself wrong by texting Luisa, but even as he was texting her, "Wheres Bruno?" he had a terrible gut feeling he'd already guessed the answer. So that leads him to frantically calling Luisa, too — who thankfully did pick up. But after a short talk, Alberto got the confirmation he sorely did not want. Learning to trust your gut is a good life lesson — but not like this. Not like this.
He leaves the dirty dishes abandoned, half-done, and stands in the kitchen doorway staring at Luca for a moment, looking rather dazed and confused. He saunters over toward where Luca is, making a point to sit nearest to him. But Alberto doesn't gymnastically plunge himself into the pile of cushions like he does when he's in a good mood, which he'd seemed to be when he'd left to do the dishes; he doesn't even limply flop down dramatically, like he does in a bad mood. No, he just— sits. Normally. Like he might sit in class, back straight with his legs bent, though he is rubbing one hand nervously against his knee. In the other, he holds his cell phone, but instead of turning on music like usual, he keeps it off, simply staring at the dark screen blankly. The silence he's brought into the room is loud enough. He stays still next to Luca without saying a word, feeling thoroughly lucky to be beside him right now. ]