unzipswig:
for lack of a better response, Bruno simply watched, in silence, eyes fixed on melone’s sordid gesture. his frown deepened, just enough to show his displeasure, but nothing too compromising. if he were anything like Prosciutto, or, what his name… Ghiaccio, then he would have said something about it. but the way he saw it, voicing his thoughts wouldn’t make him gain anything. he’d grown tired of always coming empty-handed, on missions and interactions like this. he chose to listen, though not quite as invested as he pretended to be.
‘ yes, i have. Pesci was kind enough to introduce me to all members — or all those who were here, at the very least. ’ Bruno made a contemplative noise, studying melone’s profile. he didn’t know what to make out of this man. and what idle chatter they were having, it didn’t add up to anything that made sense. like a bottomless well, Bruno couldn’t see the end past the edge. perhaps it would be for the best not to pry too much, not now. he’d rather not come out with more than he could stomach at the moment.
‘ he told me about you, too. ’ he offered after a pause. ‘ ah — but don’t worry. i was just told your name and… hobbies. ’
pesci. good kid, too soft to be part of the assassination squad, but from what he’s seen prosciutto has decided to take the part of his mentor --- or whatever the fuck it is that they do together / he doesn’t quite get it, even now. they’re probably friends, or just close, something like that. no matter how much he’s improved since first joining the squad, melone still can’t quite fathom the concept of a friendship so trusting, of having high hopes for another the way prosciutto seems to have for pesci, of giving that much of a shit. he works better alone ( has told their leader so thousands of times, but he rarely ever listens after the last solo mission that costed him an eye ), keeping people at an arm’s length is his default approach to any relationship. but, he doesn’t judge --- has no moral ground to do so, in this case or any, really. ❛ i’m sure he did. ❜ ice that could freeze hell over within his stare / it doesn’t last long, but it’s surely there. he’s not fond of the idea of anyone disclosing information about him to others ... but finds comfort in knowing pesci only probably knows stories & tales, for he hasn’t had the pleasure of working with him yet. not too closely either way. ❛ it’s not my real name, you know ? ❜ he moves on from the topic of hobbies quickly, a small mercy for the new guy. melone steps away then, with a gesture of his hand for the other to follow, but not moving enough to give his back to him --- can’t be too careful around strangers. ❛ i’d have strangled my mother with my own hands if she had named me melone. can you imagine ? such a lack of taste ... ❜ a chuckle, low, deceivingly gentle. ❛ none of us know much about each other, it’s a safety meassure. maybe you should consider using an alias as well, if you’re going to be one of us. ❜
