Golden Tears

O-Oh… I… If you prefer… “Haruno-kun”? I could go with that, I just… You are DIO’s son, and I’m absolutely in his debt. Forgive me for mixing up there.

“Haruno-kun” sounds much better. After all, we’ve only just met. A title like that... it doesn’t really fit someone like me, I don’t think. You don’t have to apologize for it, though.

!!! I see!

“Giorno” is a very pretty name, but “Haruno” sounds lovely as well. Tell me whichever you wish to be addressed as, and I will do it, Haruno-sama.

I’m Kakyoin Noriaki.

I’ve noticed that only those with blonde hair call themselves that, but... maybe I’ll break the trend someday. Haruno should be fine, for now--

[He was just genuinely addressed as “sama,” wasn’t he?]

... you... i-it’s all right, you don’t have to be so formal with me, I... n-no one’s ever called me “Haruno-sama” before...

Your Padre…?

Ah… The only other vampire here I know of is DIO. And… Would that mean you are Giorno Giovanna?

Yes... that is him.

And... no, it’s... Haruno. I am mulling over changing my name to that, though, so you’re... you’re not that far off.

You think I….

-Well that does seem to change his disposition for a moment—and surprising get him to get him to calm down a little bit.-

You think I’m normal-looking? You aren’t scared of me, or… Or anything like that? Even with these fangs?

Absolutely normal looking. My Padre has fangs as well, actually... I don’t think they’re scary at all.

[He fidgets a little where he stands, pausing for a moment before speaking up again.]

... unless you wanted me to be scared?

-He just sort of lingers there, looking as if he should say more—or… did he frighten the boy? Oh no. Oh dear. Should he say something? He glances around to see if there was someone that was waiting for this kid before he gives another bow. Wait. That was wrong. Oh god. Oh dear. This isn’t going well, he’s awkward. This is awkward. Everything is going to end up a trainwreck. Maybe it was because he looked so pale? Was there something on his kimono? Quick, Noriaki, make a recovery!-

I’m not a bad vampire, s-so please do not let the fangs worry you, I…

-Yeah, no he’s going to accidentally scare this kid, he’s positive.-

[He just sort of stands there silently because oh my lord. This... this is new. Usually people would either hide or try talking to him right away or attempt to vigorously shake his hand. This one actually seemed rather like him--or, well, like him if he attempted conversation.]

...........................

It’s okay. You actually look... rather normal, compared to a few of the people I’ve already met.

I... I’m not certain if you’re the first vampire I’ve met or not, though...

[Not a whole lot scares him. Just one person, really.]

aurealacrimae started following you

-He stops in place, looking a little taken aback at the sight of a child here, but he quietly bows. There sure was a lot to this house when he actually got out and about.-

[He hasn’t made a habit out of leaving his room--and this is precisely why. Running into people just makes him uneasy. But... this man doesn’t appear to be anything like the rest of those he’s run into.]

[Biting the inside of his lip, he returns his bow, fiddling with the ends of his shirt.]

Shhhhshshsh! Of course you are worth it! All friends are worth it!

Now!

-He grasps Haruno’s hand in turn, and allows Haruno to deliver the most vigorous handshake he can. Or what he thinks he can. But of course, he must be capable of so much more!-

We must take this very seriously, Haruno. If you want a friendship to be good and strong, you must give a strong handshake! Put your whole arm into it! No, your whole body! Show that you are very serious about friendship! The more intense it is, the more they’ll have to take you seriously! And they will appreciate your hard work!

Come on, you can do it! I believe in you! I believe in you so much, Haruno!

Shake! Shake as hard as you possibly can! You can do it!

You think I--?

[He can't think on that for now--he's being given the most motivating speech he's ever heard. And it's all about giving a strong handshake, of all things. Surely, though, he could do more. Gripping the gargoyle's hand in both of his, he starts shaking even harder, his whole body bouncing with the effort, his cheeks puffing out and reddening.]

[This is the hardest, most heartfelt handshake he's ever given. He almost feels like he's about to bounce off into space with how hard he's shaking.]

How--is--this?

[He asks in between shakes.]

Oh dear. Scary things, you say? Well, I eat scary things. Don’t you worry, I’ll keep you safe from anything scary.

I am a guardian. I eat demons, and I make sure that rain doesn’t destroy buildings. It takes one hundred years before gargoyles like me can learn to be sentient, and even then, it takes a certain method of making us…There aren’t a whole lot of us in the world.

Now, to make a friend…

First, you must grasp their hand firmly.

Then, you must shake as vigorously as you possibly can! With great strength! Great power! Great determination! And then they will tell you, after several minutes of shaking their arm, that you are friends.

This is the method I’ve tried and it’s worked well so far.

Try it on me.

... really? You will? I couldn't ask you to do something like that, I... I'm not worth it, really.

Wow, though... I didn't think that gargoyles could actually come to life like this. It's incredible, really. I kind of wonder if the method for making friends is the same as the method for making gargoyles... but I digress.

Ah...

[Hands twitching, he reaches out to take hold of one of Bruno's hands. He wasn't sure exactly how to go about this handshaking--he wasn't very good at being vigorous. But he tries his best, giving him the firmest handshake that a boy his size can give.]

Like this? Or...

-There. This was fine. Small baby bird voice. The smallest of bird voices. There there, Haruno. He pets the boy’s head gently with the tip of one of his wings.-

That’s very nice of you! Thank you. Most people are kind of scared of me at first, so…It’s nice to hear I’m not weird.

It’s nice to be human too, though.

Would you like to be friends, Haruno? Do you know the guaranteed method of gaining any friend?

[Being petted by the wing of a gargoyle, while odd in itself, wasn't all that unpleasant. For once, he actually feels like a child being consoled. It felt strange, but again, not unpleasant.]

I've seen a lot of scary things. I don't really get scared by a lot of things anymore--and besides, gargoyles are really interesting. They are guardians, aren't they? Though, the ones I know probably aren't as talkative as you.

... friends? I don't really have a lot of friends. But... I think that would be nice.

What's this method, though? I've never heard of such a thing.

…

-His teasing doesn’t seem to have had a good effect on him. With a slightly less energetic voice, he gets down on Haruno’s level in a crouch, scooting over to sit nose-to-nose with him.-

It’s nice to meet you, Haruno. My name is Bruno Buccellati. I’m a gargoyle, which is why I’m made of stone. Feel my skin—it’s weird, right? Or, well, weird to a human, I’m sure…

You’re human, right?

[Though he would've normally taken a few steps back, he decides not to, just because he seemed friendly enough. His hands grip lightly at the hem of his shirt, tugging it down a bit and rocking on his heels.]

Bruno Buccellati...

[An alternate, of course. Surely, he did not think of him the same way that she would. Curiously, he pokes at one of his arms, looking a bit surprised to feel that he really was made of stone.]

I don't think it's weird. It's interesting, actually. Just meeting humans every day can tend to be a little boring, I think...

As for me, I'm... I think I'm human. I'm not really sure.

That is very rude. The woodcock language is extraordinarily beautiful. Do not be antiwoodcockist.

…

I’m just messing with you.

You seem familiar somehow. What is your name, little one?

R-Really, I--I don't have anything against... woodcocks, you said? I've never even heard of such a bird--

[Aaaaand he has been considerably messed with. A bit frazzled, he shrinks down, not really having anything to hide behind.]

... my name is Haruno. You... also seem familiar to me, though... I don't really know... what you are. You look like you're made of stone.

-He looks offended.-

…I don’t have a mother, I’m afraid, and I’m sure that she would not be quite that ugly if I did. Ah, or did you mean wek wek? Hm.

I get the feeling that woodcock is not your first language. Was I wrong to presume this?

[Well, darn it all straight to heck.]

... no, I don't. I'm sorry if I said something mean--I didn't realize that it was an actual language. Forgive me, please.

To be honest, I... I thought we were just making noises.

Ech! Wek.

-He appears to be attempting to communicate with the young birdchild.-

[Sadly, this birdchild doesn't actually speak bird. But he can try, at least. He tilts his head and tries not to look too confused.]

... wek, wek.

rainyprotector replied to your post:(PEENTING INTENSIFIES)

Ech!

[Never mind that whatever this is bears a striking resemblance to you-know-who--he can't resist the urge to reply.]

... ech?