one ♛ CALL ( video )

[digiorno]

[Of all the things that have happened to Giorno Giovanna in his young life — well. This isn't not weird, but it's also not the weirdest. He's still in his own body and no parts of his face are being sliced off, so honestly it's okay. That, and the fact that he's done a fair amount of recon already, plus the fact that anyone who comes after him is in for a nasty surprise, is what makes him look so aggressively serene when he addresses the network.]

[That, plus he just always looks like the offspring of Michelangelo's collected works and Italian fashion week. If he lays on the accent a little thick, it's probably not for nefarious reasons (but it might be) (at least a little nefarious).]

Ah, buonasera, hello everyone! I'm sure you are all very busy on a Friday night, but I wanted to at least say hello as a new arrival. I'm still trying to get a feel for everything at the moment [this is not true] but so far this place seems very . . .

[Say something Nice.]

Well-organized? [Lord.]

Mm, you can always reach me here, of course; I'm making my way through all of the different parts of the city, so if anyone needs anything, I'm happy to help! And then before I go, I wanted to ask: what are your favorite things about the parts of the city you are in? Or least favorite, I suppose, but let's at least start positively, please.

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[video]

[american_alien]

[ ...suffice to say that Clark Kent has never seen anyone quite like Giorno before. Ever. The fascination and yes, a bit of awe, is so easy to read in his eyes it's almost laughable. He can see Giorno's not actually that old, but he's so... elegant. And poised. And if he weren't Clark Kent, there'd be envy in there but instead, there's just the emotional equivalent of 'you are so cool' eyesparkles. But when the mention of something happening to his face again comes up, he hunches a little. God, he's so embarrassed about the whole thing...]

She woulda known anyway, since the sheriff got involved. I live in a pretty small town and word gets around. That's how I knew in the first place.

[ It occurs to him that Giorno's request is a little odd, but given what HE can do- ]

Are you some kind of doctor?

[digiorno]

[What a charming and impossible person. Not his kind of charming, either, it's just effortless. And sweet. He puts his chin in his hand, literally, because honestly guileless people are as rare these days as dinosaurs and he wants to observe.]

I'm some kind of something, yes.

[A beat.]

You're not an awfully skeptical person, are you? What I mean by that is — given the nature of this place, and the fact that you seem to believe what's happening is real, you're well-enough acquainted with the more-than-normal that if I tell you something unusual, you won't insist I'm wrong?

[american_alien]

{ Clark can't help the blushing little smile that slips into his lips. It's not mean-spirited or mocking. But... Him? Skeptical? His mother has been on every possible conspiracy site in the world trying to help find out more about him. And he, well... He came from a space ship. Yeah, no, not at all skeptical. }

No, I won't. I... learned pretty early not to discount something just because it sounds a little wild.

[digiorno]

Oh, good.

[He smiles, wide and bright and soft all at once.]

I really don't like it when people don't believe me, do you? So it's always nice to check.

In answer to your question: no, I'm not a doctor, but if you get injured I can heal you. If you lose a limb, I can almost certainly grow it back. I'd still advise that you don't, but, well. Just in case.

[american_alien]

[ Those are some wide eyes, but they're not disbelieving. They're just amazed. ]

Oh wow. That's... that's awesome. I can't do anything like that. That's... really neat, oh. And [ a slight duck ] a really nice offer. I mean, I don't think there's much that could tear my arm off, but it's good to know that I don't have to get her upset if I get hurt.

[digiorno]

It wouldn't do to see anyone suffer for no reason, in my opinion.

[The "for no reason" is a pretty key detail there, but all things considered he did offer out of the goodness of his heart. Curiously, he cocks his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.]

But it makes sense that some people here will be hardier than others. That means I don't have to worry about you, either.

[american_alien]

[ Yeah, that's gonna get some sheepishness because he'd been amazed enough that he hadn't really-- well, when most of the town KIND of knows... ]

Yeah, I'm kinda... hardy's a good word.

[ Sheepishness increasing by 40% ]

I got shot. With a shotgun. In the face. That's what happened to my face.

[ It seemed only fair, after all. Giorno had told him about what he could do, after all. ]

[digiorno]

. . . You survived getting shot in the face?

[Giorno is really interested in this apparently unkillable boy.]

That's very impressive.

[american_alien]

It'd be more impressive if I hadn't gotten shot, honestly.

[ Wince. ]

But there it is.

[digiorno]

That is generally the goal. Maybe next time you should dodge.

[He's joking. It's some gallows humor, but that pretty much is his business. The smile's still warm, anyway.]

I won't ask what happened. That seems like the sort of thing that might be personal. But if you want to tell me, you're welcome to. I haven't been shot in the face, but I did have a large portion of my throat excised once, so.

[american_alien]

I was a little woozy from the other shot to the head.

[ Clusterfuck, thy name was Clark Kent that night. But when Giorno mentions having his throat harmed, Clark immediate looks there. Not to gawk or to comment, but the way one might if it was possible that Giorno was still harmed. With concern. He settles back against his bed, clearly just a little relieved, once he gets visual confirmation that Giorno's still fine. It's a silly, emotional reaction, but he's a teenage boy with his heart firmly on his sleeve.]

I was trying to stop a bunch of robbers who'd killed a convenience store clerk just outside of town.

[digiorno]

[Oh, bless him. It's sweet, honestly. The reason is sweet, too, and it reminds him a touch of Mista if Mista was about a hundred times more naive and drowning in flannel.]

I'm fine, you know. It's kind of you to worry, but it was a while ago, and it healed up just fine. See?

[He tips up his chin for a moment.]

No scar.

[No scars anywhere, as a matter of fact.]

Did you stop them?

[american_alien]

[ He does look when he tips his chin up. Clark's natural inclination is generally to give a crap. Sometimes his attention can wander, sometimes he can get distracted, but he always cares. ]

Well... sort of. Scared the dickens out of them. Most people don't get up from a shot to the head and a blast to the face. And, er--

[ Most people also cannot pour firey death from their eyes and literally burn someone's arms off. ]

Mostly my friend Pete knocked them over the head with a shovel while they were gaping at me.

[digiorno]

[Who even says "scared the dickens out of them" in the real world, holy shit, Clark Kent is a beautiful myth. Giorno can't even be mad about it, though, because of how genuine it is.]

[There's something that resonates, too, about having power you don't quite know what to do with. Just because he acts like he does doesn't mean it's always true. Just mostly.]

Your friend Pete sounds like a good friend to have. I have friends like that. Although I would also probably hit someone over the head with a shovel if they tried to hurt someone like you.

[you still don't know his name my dude.]

[american_alien]

[ He can't help a short, wry little laugh. ]

Someone like me? Should I ask what someone like me is--

[ And THAT is the duckiest, blushiest neckrub right there. ]

I've told you one of my biggest secrets and I don't even know your name.

[ Great job there, Kent. ]

[digiorno]

Oh, someone like you . . .

[He's just teasing now, drawing it out on purpose.]

Is a good person.

[Fingerguns. Not really, but he's thinking it.]

Anyway, I don't know yours either. But that's easily fixed, so: Giorno. That's me.

[american_alien]

[ He holds out his hand to the air, as if they could shake over the network. ]

Clark. Clark Kent. Nice to meet you.

[ He lets his head tilt back and forth. ]

And I dunno how good I am. But I try.

[digiorno]

[Oh, well. He'll air-shake too then, what about that.]

I'm a pretty good judge of character, usually.

[This is true. He makes terrible choices, but he knows how to read people. That's how come he's not dead.]

Trying is always the best start. There are too many people who don't try.

[american_alien]

Then I'll do my best to take the compliment.

[ He considers for a moment before glancing at the screen. ]

So... are you in Romance now? I mean, are you going to stay in the city for a bit?

[digiorno]

Mmhm!

[He gives a bright smile.]

I'll be rotating around, probably, but I like Romance best, it's prettiest. You should come visit.

[american_alien]

Oh. Well, I guess I could visit. Do you like... did you get a hotel room or something?

[digiorno]

Mm, I got a suite.

[. . . because what is restraint.]

[american_alien]

[ He can't really hide his amazement at that. He'd have probably looked for a bed at a youth hostel if he'd really needed to stay, after all. ]

What's, um, what's the difference between a suite and a normal hotel room anyway?

[digiorno]

[. . . DEPRIVED. DEPRIVED CHILD.]

It's more like an apartment. Suite, so more than just bedroom and bathroom, see? There's a little kitchen sometimes, more living space.

[He smiles brightly.]

Big windows.

[american_alien]

That sounds nice. Especially in Romance since, yeah, everything looks pretty there. Well, on the app. Still haven't gone.

[ A smile breaks on his face. ]

I'll go and see Romance next time I'm here. Promise. And Laughter. Did you see there's an amusement park?