tactic | jacopo.

[ TRIAL IS OVER time to show Jacopo around and no, they will not be visiting the Dreadful Wyvern.

Instead, they can be at the sakura tree park, and since it's getting late, there are lanterns lighting up the paths. ]

... And this is one of our many outdoor areas. It's fine on its own, but staying too long has its consequences.

[ You wouldn't want to show him bad dragon and watch him overreact like the Victorian maiden he is.

WOW, beautiful. If only we could afford a Japan trip in April, but we could legit just go to Washington for Sakura blossoms.

Why can't we have nice things? ]

Like what exactly?

[ WE ALSO HAVE SAKURA TREES HERE ]

You tend to act out of sorts once you leave the park. It's nothing to fear, and it's not as though you're a stranger to behaving oddly.

[ He's seen your curses on TV, Jacopo. ]

[ oh right i forgot we have one in san diego too ]

It makes me suspicious of your intentions, nevertheless.

[ DO YOU WANT TO SEE HIM BECOME WEIRD? CHILDE WOULD NEVER DO THIS... throws this over. ]

[ Well, the memory plays itself out, and once it comes to a close, there's a stretch of silence before Aventurine finds his voice again. He never knows how to react to these things, has never really enjoyed having his own memories reacted to, so he simply looks to conversation. ]

... You've lived a formidable life, Mr. Jacopo. Tragedy has dug its claws deep into you.

Just Jacopo is fine.

[ He is twenty six and a thousand, but he just stands here to enjoy the scenery of beautiful blossoms. Stupid memory sharing. ]

Tragedy isn't unique in any sense, but I'm sorry you had to see that. You can just forget about it... Why waste any energy on a story from a thousand years ago.

It's a story unlike any other I've witnessed. I was vaguely told of the condition of your memories by Mr. Seodore, but to have seen it in person...

[ It's a lot to absorb. ]

How are you these days, Jacopo?

[ Daydreams of putting holes into Seodore, but by gun violence... just like how Pixi and Aki died in my dream. ]

[ CHILL OUT ]

... Jacopo?

[ Waves a hand in front of his face. ]

[ Sees the waving hand and then looks at him. ]

I'm doing well for someone who came into this at a disadvantage. The learning curve for these stupid games is quite high.

You're a quick study, then. I don't think many others would have lasted quite as long had they been in your position.

[ Gives him a pat on the back and then resumes their walk. ]

Your friends from before, will you be able to contact them once this is over?

It all felt familiar enough, luckily for me.

[ He wasn't expecting a pat on the back, but that's fine. Back to walkies, though he raises his eyebrows. ]

What? And be a ghost knocking on their door after a millennia of absence?

You've already met some of your friends here, haven't you? Weren't they happy to see you?

[ Siffrin was so worried about you!!! ]

We weren't close.

[ Which makes it easier. ]

Everyone in this place is so eager to deny themselves.

[ What is wrong with all of you. ]

Is it really denying when there's nothing to begin with? You're making people out to sound like masochists.

[ ... ]

I guess some of these freaks are.

'Some' is putting it too lightly. We have an overabundance of masochists.

[ Studies Jacopo like one more? ]

... I'm serious when I said I wasn't close to most people from Heaven here.

[ Notices this. ]

Why are you looking at me like that?

[ Smiles! ]

I've decided I want to get to know you better. I mean that sincerely.

How forward, especially when I know nothing about you.

[ He looks off to beautiful trees. They're cursed as fuck, but they're pretty. ]

I wonder how far you'll get with the short time we have left.

Oh? Are you disappearing somewhere after this is all over?

[ He can simply follow you. ]

I intend to. I still have a life back at home.

[ He must go back to his realty career. ]

We don't know if at the end of this we'll be able to see each other, either.

[ Want to work for the IPC? ]

Ah, that's right. Someone else had told me their game hadn't allowed for interdimensional travel... I think that would be a shame. I've enjoyed the new faces I've met here.

[ He would probably do well. ]

Heaven was like that. Revival and a free ticket to paradise at the end of your life. [ What a mistake. ] Some of you sound quite spoiled.

[ HE WOULD!! But he tilts his head a bit at the thoughtshare. ]

If you were given the option to travel between universes and worlds, would you take it?

[ Thinking... ]

I do like traveling.

[ He just wants to be a little adventurer deep down. ]

[ That is so kawaii, Jacopo. ]

Wonderful! If we're given the opportunity, allow me to show you around my neck of the cosmos.

You really are deciding this all on your own.

[ He has a feeling he can't get himself out of this through words. ]

You don't need to do this just because you got a peek into my awful memories.

Your memories aren't what decided this, Jacopo. I've simply enjoyed your company thus far, and I would hate to lose the chance to become better acquainted with you.

You're starting to sound lonely, Aventurine. Must I worry for you?

Aren't you lonely as well?

What made you assume that?

Your memories.

[ Gives Jacopo a studying look. ]

But you also just have that air about you, I'm afraid.

Ancient memories that may as well just be dreams.

[ your cw blue-adjacent eyes, aventurine. ]

Rather than lonely, I'd say that I'm a solitary man, but... I don't hate people.

[ Put some brown contacts in this bitch. ]

How has it been? Being back with so many people.

[ would yours and nehan's pups also just have blue eyes ]

I was around many people before here, too. I work in realty, so land and property.

[ HE'S A CORPORATE SLAVE... But his ambitions will make him climb. ]

[ Generic blonde hair, blue eyes pups. ]

Are you good at your job?

[ i pat aventurine's belly, not jacopo ]

Of course I am.

[ He is confident in his capabilities. ]

If you're only going to be mediocre, then that's how you stay stuck.

If you're ever looking to branch out, I may have an opportunity for you.

[ HE JUST POACHES JACOPO FOR THE IPC ]

I have no idea what you even do and you're trying to poach me.

[ THIS IS INSANITY ]

[ Maybe he has an eye for potential you never know also Jacopo would look very good in an IPC uniform. ]

I'm a merchant. I travel quite frequently for work, and since you mentioned enjoying travel, I thought it would be a nice bonus for you.

[ The comment about him in an IPC uniform isn't necessary. He's thinking about it... It would be nice. ]

As long as I can still visit Sicily every once in a while, travel is a perk. [ A thought flash of a golden wheat field again. ] You can't call yourself and merchant and not mention your wares. I'm going to hope it isn't organ collecting.

You'd have vacation days, of course.

[ And then laughs a little at the mention of organ collecting. ]

Nothing of the sort. The IPC focuses more on the economic development of the cosmos and its many planets. As for my wares, they're whatever my department needs moved at the time, and since my approach tends to be rather people oriented, I'm well-suited for the task.

[ He would need to be forced to take those. Anyway, he raises his eyebrows. ]

How expansive... Intergalactic law must be a nightmare when international law is already a nightmare in one world. Mortality rate's high?

Good heavens, I wouldn't be recruiting you if it was. There are several departments within the corporation, mine being the Strategic Investment Department, and we're mainly involved with business and investment deals.

[ hei how did our pc become a job recruitment ]

[ I have no idea when it is obvious Jacopo has no intention of joining at the moment. He just wants to know more about Aventurine when this guy just WATCHED HIS LIFE STORY. Well, only one of his lives.

thinks i guess jacopo would be destruction ]

Are you having fun roleplaying a recruiter?

I am, actually. Most people turn me down immediately, but it's nice to have someone indulge me for once.

[ Yay... ]

I'm always interested in Harolds. The one in Heaven was peculiar, but I found his company all the same welcome. At least when he stopped being a freak.

[ He hopes you're doing well out there, Viktor. ]

For you, especially when you've peered into my past, how can I not be curious? Though what I found so far is that you're the playful sort.

Playful, hm? That's a much kinder of way of putting it than some of the other things I've heard.

[ He does look a little curious at the mention of previous Harolds though? ]

I didn't realize there had been other games with Harolds.

I think there have been, though there are many of you this time around.

[ There are many. ]

Should I look for another word aside from playful?

[ Gives you a memshare of Sparkle calling him (twitter voice) slurs. Stop at idk like 2:48:48 does not give you a long one. ]

... Playful works just fine with me.

[ I must finally have food, but I know the general scene of this memory, so I will react now because Jacopo would also not address it immediately.

He's polite in the way of letting people have their privacy first, or letting them have a moment. If they wanted him to forget about it or not talk about it, then he will respect their ask, but he's also rude because he just looks at Aventurine and says this to his face. ]

Another way to say it is that something about you is annoying.

[ Aventurine does not mind! His mood is still good, and he laughs in delight at what Jacopo has to say. ]

Well, even that much I can admit is true. But I have to say, something about you is asking to be annoyed.

You're just delusional.

[ THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT HIM THAT DRAWS BULLY OUT OF PEOPLE. ]

Why did you let her talk to you that way?

[ EVEN WITHOUT (twitter voice) SLURS, she was talking down at him when she's shorter. It was rather aggressive and patronizing.

Jacopo would (metaphorically) bite Sparkle if she talked to him like this. ]

[ OKAY NUMBER ONE BULLY TARGET JACOPO BEARZATTI

But Aventurine just shrugs his shoulders. ]

Most people talk to me that way. And if they're not saying it out loud, then they're certainly thinking it.

[ If he had power and if he was a different version of himself, he'd have you all sentenced to death.

But he is just stray dog got domesticated then became a stray again energy. ]

What I see in front of me is a man no more or less annoying than another annoying man.

[ The universe is simply giving back what Jacopo put out. ]

Hm, you don't know how refreshing that is to hear. Had I not been born with these eyes, I'm sure the people from my cosmos would have thought the same.

[ you're right... he's also mean... and also a bully... ]

At least argue back about being annoying. [ Please. ] It is unfortunate that regardless of what side of the galaxy you're in, discrimination will always exist.

Your eyes are strange... But it doesn't matter. People should judge others by their character and merit.

[ Just listens to Jacopo with a smile. ]

You've got a sensible head on your shoulders and a rather large heart in your chest, don't you?

Is that something to say to a man who sacrificed everything and everyone?

[ Including the people he cared most about? Actually, he wants out of this garden before they get weird. ]

Either way, it's common sense.

Everything comes with a price. You paid a significant amount to be where you are now.

[ Maybe that's the tradeoff. ]

I did.

[ Which in part he wished he didn't, but he still did.

Should they be in there too long and get a stupid curse. ]

Is there any truth to what she said about your people? It all sounds like hearsay to me. Stupid conflated anecdotes from bitter and miserable people.

[ NO THEY CAN LEAVE ]

... Thank you, Jacopo. [ It's been a long time since anyone's defended his people. ] Well, it doesn't matter if there's any truth to her words or not. The Avgins were all massacred years ago, leaving me as the sole survivor.

[ May as well get to it before his memories do. ]

[ you don't want them to obsess over blindboxes ]

Don't thank me.

[ If anything, he's confused by it. It should be common sense, common decency, absolute bare minimum. ALSO, MY GOD. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A MAN WHO'S THE LAST OF HIS PEOPLE. That's maddening.

So hateful, actually. ]

... Why?

[ shafluflu hunting?

But he's quiet for a moment as the exit the park, his gaze distant as he looks to nowhere in particular. ]

The actions of a rival clan. I don't know if it's possible to explain the sort of hatred that can wipe out an entire race.

[ He stays quiet for longer... Wouldn't it be better to just die? Or maybe not. Jacopo always finds that in many situations and against all odds he'd survive.

Maybe it's the same for Aventurine, but he does not add any of that. ]

Hiding any thirst for revenge under your amicable personality?

... Narratively speaking, that would be what makes the most sense, wouldn't it?

[ Clasps his hands behind his back as they continue their walk. ]

But I have my sights set elsewhere.

It would be. Even if it felt empty, it would only be fair.

[ To even the odds. Everyone loves patting backs, this is fine. ]

Where would that be?

I suppose it does no harm to tell you.

[ Though this may mean he will have to retract his job offer. ]

My place of employment.

And you were trying to recruit me.

[ He is so funny. ]

I'm after a certain department. Nothing would have happened to you.

[ We could have been haters together. ]

The fall of one department could very well mean the destruction of the corporation.

[ But he supposes if he had enough money, he wouldn't care about megacorp going down. ]

What's going on there?

Or a restructuring.

[ But he's got a faraway look to his eyes as he continues. ]

I won't bore you with the details, but had a promise been kept, my clan might be alive today. That's all.

It wouldn't bore me. At the moment, we have all the time in the world.

[ But he isn't going to press him. ]

This sounds like a type of betrayal to me... And that should be evened, too. I'll be praying for your success, Aventurine.

... Thank you, Jacopo.

[ Gets a better understanding of this man... Also lets this one go. ]

I'm so glad that you turned back to yourself before you came back to the lounge. It would have been annoying to clean your hooves before you entered.

[ They can be having lunch. Jacopo is making them pasta. ]

Not feeling the desire to neigh or anything?

[ Just sits here with his face in his hands. ]

I'm perfectly myself, thank you. Though I am getting quite tired of these horse curses.

You don't look fine.

[ He comes back with their plates. Here you go. It's pasta with pesto alla trapanese.

GLASSES OF WINE? Glasses of wine. ]

[ Finally raises his face from his hands when he gets pasta. ]

Oh, thanks. [ He'll wait for Jacopo to sit down before digging in. ] You really enjoy cooking, don't you?

It's more like I have the time here.

[ Actually, they need salad.......... puts that there, too. ]

Otherwise, back at home, sometimes I work overtime and I don't have it in me to make anything... So I just have some prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella and a glass of wine before knocking out.

[ Struggle meals. ]

[ JACOPO IS SO FUCKING ITALIAN IT KILLS ME ]

Aha, we're similar in that regard. I find myself with so much overtime at work lately that meals hardly ever cross my mind.

[ Sippies his wine. ]

[ ITS SUPPOSED TO BE A POPTART WITH SOME EXPENSIVE WINE EQUIVALENT OF PATHETIC EATING...

Enjoys tasty pasta with decent wine. ]

You should be careful. You already look like the breeze will take you so far away.

I'm stronger than I look.

[ He will also dig in. Damn, now I want pasta. ]

This is delicious... Maybe I should have tried to hire you as a personal chef.

Is it a habit of yours to claim people?

[ Does your greed know no end? Sippies. ]

If Childe wasn't bound to being in Hell, you could also snatch him.

Goodness, let's not put it like that. I just enjoy surrounding myself with talented people.

[ He has biblical greed, but also, so much generosity. ]

Is Childe as skilled with his cooking as you are?

There's nothing wrong with collecting company you like. Also nothing wrong with providing when you have the power and wealth.

[ It just felt very much like a little critter brushing against him AT ALL TIMES. ]

I think so. Maybe better. There are a number of good cooks in this game... Strohl's also one, but I don't think you can convince him away from home.

Yes, Strohl doesn't keep his responsibilities much of a secret.

[ Continues enjoying his pasta and wine. ]

I don't know. I think I've been spoiled with too much good company. Maybe I'm growing nostalgic already, missing the kindness of others when it hasn't left just yet.

You're making yourself sound friendless back at home.

[ That is not the leap people would make, but listen. He just wants to bully. ]

I have plenty of friends.

[ Sips his wine. ]

Though I can't say that they're genuine or close friendships.

Work does get in the way of social life... In general, it's little time to make meaningful connections.

[ Capitalism sucks. ]

Is that something you want?

Doesn't everyone want friends?

[ EVEN YOU JACOPO? ]

[ Jacopo is someone who doesn't quite seek it. It happens to him, but he does like having friends. ]

... To have close friends, you usually have to be open to being vulnerable with them. Not everyone is comfortable with that.

[ SIGHS ]

And therein lies the problem.

Are you just expecting people to open their hearts to you?

[ bruh ]

... No. In fact, I was accused of being a terrible friend very recently.

[ So he's like, extra aware of what a shitty friend he is. ]

Oh, is that why you look like shit?

[ churin.... i would never be mean to you..... please know that... ]

Excuse me?

[ HELLO?? HE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE SHIT just maybe a little sleep deprived BUT JACOPO ]

What is it?

[ What's wrong? ]

I don't really look that bad, do I...?

[ Becomes self-conscious. ]

If you do, what's wrong with that? We're just in our lounge. I'm sure I've looked like garbage on the couch plenty of times.

[ He really does not care, but it's also a roundabout way to say RELAX. Don't worry about it. ]

There's no one to impress, anyway. It's just me here.

There's only so much a man can take.

[ BEING TOLD HE'S A SHITTY FRIEND AND ALSO THAT HIS FACE IS SHITTY? ]

Maybe I do look a bit tired...

I could see your dark circles from the kitchen.

[ No, he couldn't, but he sips his wine. ]

Now you're just purposefully trying to make me feel bad.

[ Can't he just eat his homecooked meal in peace. ]

[ Hmph... ]

Is that why you didn't sleep well? Or is it because of the horse.

I don't sleep well in general.

[ Twirls some pasta on his fork but also oh i should say that he disappears to sleep at the motel sometimes. Recent development. ]

I guess I could have mentioned that sooner, seeing how we're roommates and all, but I don't think it's been a disturbance to either you or Seodore.

It hasn't.

[ are you comforting someone at night aventurine ]

If there's anything we can do, you can mention it. Might as well get comfortable on your last couple of nights here.

[ This is so funny sometimes Jacopo just gets the room to himself because Aventurine and Seodore are busy. ]

That's kind of you to offer, but I can't take advantage of you any more than I already have.

[ His pasta and wine. ]

[ He is glad when you guys are gone, but also like why are the beds here taking up room space.

Shrugs. Suit yourself. ]

So someone said you're a terrible friend?

Hm. Yes. And he isn't wrong.

[ But it still makes him sad. ]

I kept secrets from him thinking that would spare him the burden of worrying over someone like me. But I see now that I was wrong to keep him in the dark.

[ churin... i am sure you are a good friend and also a terrible friend at the same time. ]

It sounds like to me the problem is that you got caught.

[ How does he be friend. ]

... I did. I very much did. But I apologized, and I want to think that he's forgiven me. Maybe not fully, maybe not until he sees the change for himself, but that's a step in the right direction, isn't it?

I think so. Even without his forgiveness, you should keep trying to better yourself.

[ you are friend-shaped ]

Sometimes, it's difficult to know what is better to keep a secret to spare their feelings or what is better for them to know. I don't think the answer is always so clear cut as telling someone the truth.

It all depends on the context and situation, of course.

Wow, I should go to you for advice more often.

[ Slightly teasing, but he's appreciative too. ]

Maybe I shouldn't hear you out.

[ YOU ARE TRYING HIM!! ]

If you have any problems of your own, I'm sure I could have a thing or two to say about them.

[ Will they be helpful? No. ]

No one has called me a terrible friend as of recent, no.

[ At least seriously. ]

What kind of situation was it, anyway? You don't nee to be detailed.

[ Because he respects this friend's identity and privacy. ]

... Nothing too grave. I guess he felt as though the friendship was growing a little too one-sided because he would lay his troubles on me, but I would never do the same with my own.

[ Mentally gripping his hair. ]

I see. Like you're keeping your cards close while he has shown you all of his?

[ Hmmm. ]

I get it. No one likes feeling like they owe someone in anything. It's important for there to be balance and for people to feel like they have something to offer. [ Sips wine. ] But if you don't have troubles, then there is nothing to share.

[ Peers at Jacopo from where Aventurine is also sipping his wine. ]

Like you?

[ Peers back? ]

Which part are you trying to accuse me with?

I think you should share some of your own troubles. Even the smallest ones.

Was this all a set up for you to learn more about me?

Do you think I would do such thing?

It'd be clever.

Much like how you're delaying a real response.

[ Thinks about it... Equal burdens. ]

I picked up a runaway back at home and it's something I'll have to deal with when I return.

[ EQUAL BURDENS ]

A runaway? As in a troubled child?

I think so. She's trying to pass herself off as twenty, which is ridiculous.

[ WHO WOULD FALL FOR THAT tone. Stupid. ]

But she had been sitting on the same bench, at the same park, for over a week.

She's lucky to have had you stumble upon her.

[ There are too many dangers out there for a young person to face. ]

And you don't know anything else about her?

I didn't, or at least until I got here and regained my memories. [ ... ] She's Morgana.

[ The girl he saved from the Lord, the girl whom he cared for deeply and represented the last of his happy memories, and the same girl he killed in the end.

So like it's complicated. ]

But the point is I have no clue what she's going through and I have little intention of being written down by authorities as a kidnapper, so she's only staying temporarily.

[ Oh. OH. He recognizes the name from Jacopo's memories. ]

... Goodness, you really do have quite a bit to sort through back home.

[ But also, small vibes of concern. ]

Will you be okay?

I do, but fortunately she doesn't remember anything, so... I can just help her through this rough patch and let her be on her way.

[ Just like... Thrums of guilt, some anxiety, maybe some hope. It's conflicting emotions and after all these years he still cares. ]

I'll be fine.

jacopo.

w6, saturday evening.

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W7 : FRIDAY

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