immamartillo | 7th Hat Flip [Voice/Action]

[Voice]

[After having a close friend return home a few weeks ago, Firo's been largely keeping to himself. He was aware of the danger of losing friends in Luceti, but it always seemed abstract and alien until it actually happened.

It's boredom that finally prompts him to address the network. That and the concern that if he doesn't keep using his skills he'll be near useless when he gets back home. Why not kill two birds with one stone?]

Does anybody here wanna play cards? Any kinda game is fine, or even if you just wanna learn. Most of 'em aren't that hard to pick up and I don't mind teachin' anyone.

[His tone suddenly becomes less light and takes a turn for the grouchier.]

But if you're gonna cheat, save it. I'll know.

[He wasn't put in charge of a Family casino for nothing.]

[Action]

[Soon after he makes his message, Firo will be rummaging through the item shop for a few packs of cards, carefully going through each one he finds to make sure they're complete. Then he'll linger a little while by the art supplies to pick up some markers.

...No, he is not going to be using them to mark the cards.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, my. Is something the matter?

[Maybe they can help Firo's friend, then!]

I think maybe he misses our friends back home too much. He was just gettin' to know everybody when he wound up here.

[Firo knows full well that's not the whole reason. He adds:]

...Or he's upset that I'm here instead of Ennis. She's his older sister. Basically.

[Technically Czes is Ennis's "souvenir" from their friends Isaac and Miria.]

[But that doesn't seem right.]

Can't you both come to Luceti?

Well, I guess we could both be here, if it wound up that way. Not that I'd really want her to have to go through all this...

[He does really want to be with her, but she's already been through enough. She doesn't need the Malnosso bugging her.]

I mean, like, if he had to pick between us he'd rather have her. Which makes sense, I guess. They get along pretty well.

[She doesn't really get what he means by "go through all this," given how much she loves Luceti, but there's one thing she knows she needs to do right now. She smiles at him and says with complete sincerity:]

I'm very glad you're here, Firo. I'm so happy we've been able to spend so much time together.

[He blinks, unsure of what prompted that, then he realizes that what he just said probably sounded somewhat self pitying even if he didn't mean it that way. And of course Grune would respond that way instead of just telling him to shut up and grow up. He can't help but appreciate that.]

...Oh, come on.

[He looks away, embarrassed, though he can't help but smile.]

Yeah, me too. I'm--thanks. You're a really good friend, you know that?

[Her smile grows, and you know what? It's definitely time for a hug now.]

Thank you, Firo. You're a really good friend, too.

[Oh no, not that! Firo hesitates, but returns the hug.]

...Thanks. Thanks a lot.

[He clears his throat, not knowing what to say since he's really not the best at feelings.]

And, um... If anything ever goes wrong here, I got your back. Because that's what friends do.

[Stop kidding yourself, Firo, you know she could totally kick your ass.]

Oh, Firo, that's so sweet of you! [He's just the best!]

And you don't need to worry, either, because I've got your back, too.

N-no, it's not that sweet, really...

[The protest is only halfhearted; he's starting to give up on convincing her that words like that can't be applied to him.]

Thanks. I really appreciate that.

You're welcome. [She smiles, gives him one last squeeze, and lets go.]

I love you.

Wha-?

[Firo's oldest friends back home, the Gandor brothers, aren't too big on expressing their feelings, so Firo never really got used to it himself. He's pretty sure he's never told his friends he loves them, despite how close they all are. As such, he blushes and backs away as he fumbles for the proper response.

But even if it doesn't need to be said between friends, it can't hurt to say it, can it? He nods and goes to give her a gentle, friendly punch on the shoulder. It's the kind of gesture he's more accustomed to using to show his affection.]

...Yeah. Love you too, Grune.

7th Hat Flip [Voice/Action]

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