"No sin eater to slay
Us children of Cain"
Formaggio lounged on the couch of La Squadra di Esecuzione, arms draped over the back as he stared up at the ceiling. He was completely bored. It'd been over a month since he'd been sent on a hit. At first, the time to relax had been enjoyable, but that had worn off and now he wanted something to do. Particularly because Illuso was holding it over his head as proof of him being the better hitman. Currently the hideout was free of the mirror assassin. He was able to relax, albeit out of boredom.
He sighed and lifted his head to the pair that was snuggling on their usual chair. "Aye, didn't we have a new guy? What happened to him? He die?"
Gelato blinked, briefly confused. Quickly he recollected and laughed with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Oh yeah, he got killed two weeks in. I'd completely forgotten about him!"
"Oh right." Formaggio respond, finger scratching his temple. He shrugged it off. The guy hadn't even lasted a month, so he hadn't bothered to get to know him. Let alone bother to remember his name. He rubbed his neck and sighed, "Been a while since we've had a new member stick. Pesci doesn't even count since Prosciutto says he ain't ready yet." He looked off to the side and considered the younger brother. He was a big guy for his age but soft and meek. "Can't blame him on that."
"Yes, he needs more mentorship. If he wasn't Prosciutto's brother, I wouldn't have even allowed him a chance. Personally." Sorbet noted evenly, his eyes focused more on a book than the conversation at hand.
"But you believe that he has the potential that Prosciutto see, yes?" Gelato crooned as he turned his partner's face to him, hand stroking his jawline.
"Beach Boy does indeed have the potential to be a dangerous stand. The ability to not only phase through solid objects, sense heartbeats, and damage reflection is perfect for assassination. If Pesci rids himself of his cowardly uncertainty, then I don't have any doubt he'd make a perfect addition to our team." Sorbet elaborated, his tone clear and concise, eyes focused on Gelato's gaze. When the other rested his head on his shoulder, Sorbet turned his attention back to Formaggio, "But it has been a while since anyone lasted even a month."
"Yeah, with things heating up lately, it's no wonder." Formaggio stated, underlying tone serious. As anyone in Passione should, he'd been keeping an eye on what was going on in and around the gang. He looked to the other two with a smirk, "Sure you've heard, about the other gangs-some of them have been trying to get in on stands."
"Certainly have." Gelato amusedly responded. "Guess some have finally decided to believe the rumors about Passione members having powers." He frowned and scoffed, "That or some weakling let someone get away."
"Wasn't one of us!" Formaggio proclaimed with a laugh. He grinned, "We don't let mistakes live."
If a member died, another of them would be sent to clean up the mishap. Any targets that survived, didn't last for long. A failure was a disgrace, one that had to be corrected quickly.
"Of course not." Gelato agreed with a ring of pride in his voice. He put a finger to his chin, eyes angled at his teammate from where his head rested. "I wonder how Boss will deal with this."
To this, Formaggio scoffed, "He could just drop leader or Prosciutto at their hideouts and let nature run its course from there! Hideouts full of corpses should give the message loud and clear!"
"Aren't you the one that's been complaining about a lack of work recently?" Sorbet noted dully, eyes back on his book.
Formaggio slid his eyes off to the side at the call out. Indignantly he replied, "Yeah and I still want a job soon, but," he twirled hand to emphasize his point, "Hard to argue efficiency."
"True." Sorbet agreed simply.
"Speaking of leader…he should be getting back soon." Formaggio looked behind him towards the set of stairs that led down to the meeting room. He perked when he heard the door upstairs open then shut. A familiar long stride caused him to beam in amusement at his timing. "By the sound of it, there he is now!"
The couple's attention shifted over to the stairs. Sorbet raised a brow when he noticed a second set of footsteps. The question as to whom they belong to was answered when the stairs where reached. At least, somewhat answered. Black and white striped pants were illuminated by a ray of light from upstairs as Risotto descended the steps. His black cocktail was followed shortly by what looked to be a child?
"Uh, hey leader, what's with the kid…?" Formaggio questioned when Risotto arrived at the bottom of the steps.
Behind his legs hid what looked to be a boy around the age of ten. Bright blue-green eyes peered carefully past Risotto at the seated hitmen. His hair a bowl cut and he wore what looked to be a school uniform. Expression guarded, he carefully eyed them. Sorbet noticed this with interest and shut his book. He wouldn't be getting back to it soon with such an unexpected development placed in front of him. By the look of his age, he had a good idea of who this was and why he was here. It was the only explanation that made sense, but before he could ask Gelato added in.
"I didn't know we were branching out to kidnapping." He joked. His joke was received as well as to be expected by Risotto. In that he didn't react much at all, aside from shifting his attention to him. Used to this, Gelato asked, "Is he, who I think he is?"
"Yes, this is Giorno Giovanna. He's staying with me from now on. I'm certain you all will treat him properly." Risotto explained concisely. He placed a hand on the child's head before gently urging him forward. The nudge was enough to get Giorno to move out in front of him, albeit with a hint of uncertainty. The squadron leader noticed this. He didn't expect any less from an introverted child. Thankfully, Formaggio's random question had caused him to have already mentioned the boy and the importance he held. The other members would be laxer and more welcoming.
The confirmation bared the results he hoped for. Formaggio's surprised expression changed to one of curiosity. Arms rested on his lap as he eyed Giorno. Gelato likewise shifted position, he straightened upright. His partner expressed similar intrigue.
"Sorbet, I'd like to speak with you for a moment." Risotto motioned for him to follow him upstairs.
Said assassin didn't seem surprised. He looked to his lover, who understood and shifted himself onto the arm of the chair. Sorbet put his book on the table and stood himself up. "Of course, leader."
The two senior hitmen headed to the base of the stairs. Before ascending, Risotto looked back to the other two, "Formaggio, Gelato, look after Giorno."
"Uh, yeah, got it." Formaggio fumbled out. He looked back to the kid as he scratched his head, realizing he didn't know how to approach the task.
"Come back soon." Gelato chimed to Sorbet coyly.
Risotto paused at the first step, Sorbet already heading up, his hand on the rail. He looked back to his ward. "I'll be back momentarily."
His words got Giorno to relax slightly, posture less tense. He smiled faintly and nodded. Satisfied the boy didn't look like a timid cat, Risotto headed upstairs with Sorbet.
Now alone with two adults, both professional hitmen, Giorno looked back to the individuals that were now to look after him. The thought that Risotto was just upstairs comforted him and eased any wayward worries, that drifted through his mind briefly. He needed to make a good first impression to these two. It was vital for his goal to be achieved when he was older. Easier said and done though, Giorno didn't know how to approach either of them. He knew their names, but that was it. As a result, he stood quietly where he was. To the same effect, Gelato and Formaggio looked back. From what Giorno could read, they looked curious.
A good sign.
"Hey kid, take a seat." It was Formaggio who broke the ice. He patted the dark couch cushion next to him in a welcoming manner. Giorno took the opening, walked over to the dark grey couch and sat in the middle of the offered cushion. He looked up at the darker skinned, ginger in a red studded jacket for any further cues. The assassin noted this and laughed. Playfully he patted Giorno on the shoulder, "Ease up! We're not gonna bite ya!"
The contact was unexpected to Giorno, causing him to straighten out of surprise. He turned his attention to the blond adult as he leaned against the back of the couch. Gelato, musingly, chimed in, "You're the one that saved leader, hm?"
Giorno nodded quietly. He could see this lit a fascination in his hazel eyes.
"Tell me, why did you do that? Why would save stranger, let alone a criminal?" Gelato's voice continued to hold intrigue but Giorno noticed it seemed genuinely inquiring. This man sounded as if he didn't understand why one would help a complete stranger. With his line of work in mind, it made sense. Giorno didn't question it further.
Formaggio likewise looked interested and with no reason to hide it, Giorno thought back to the day in question. It'd been during his walk back from school. First a button on the stone path had caught his attention that'd been absently drifting around previously. It was followed by a quickly formed pool blood that drew his attention to the heavily wounded man. At first glance he'd thought he was dead, but the faint motion of breathing revealed that wasn't the case. He recalled the hollow emotion that formed out of pure sympathy.
"He looked helpless and lonely." Giorno answered softly. He looked down at his lap, mind still focused on that moment.
Weak, dull eyes looked at him. There was no plea for help, only a defeated acceptance that death was closing in. Giorno, understood to some degree. The helpless more than anything else. Unable to escape the suffering he endured.
"I understood how he felt." Giorno added, so faintly that it was nearly to himself.
Formaggio looked to Gelato, the other assassin seemed satisfied with the answer. The downcast expression on Giorno's face caused him to pause. A change of topic was needed. He didn't want their leader to come back and see his ward was unhappy. Threat of harm wasn't his concern. Risotto hadn't ever used Metallica against them, not even threatened. However, Formaggio would be lying if said he wasn't intimidated by the thought of Risotto being mad with him.
"You don't gotta worry about that sort of thing anymore!" Formaggio's exclamation snapped Giorno's focus back to him. He put a hand on his shoulder and pointed a thumb back to himself. "You're one of us now! La Squdra di Esecuzione"
Giorno's demeanor lightened and he looked to Gelato for further confirmation. The blond nodded, face gentler and welcoming. It was enough comfort to garner a warm smile from the child. Instead of shy, anxiousness Giorno felt a flutter of excitement go through him. It may just be due to the fact that he'd saved Risotto, but he felt genuinely welcomed. Their occupation was a side factor for a moment, unimportant.
"Okay." Giorno uttered meekly. A pause wavered, suddenly unsure of the man's name. "Erm, Formaggio?"
"That's right. Hey, the first three letters of your first and last name are the same, yeah?" Giorno blinked, wondering why he'd asked that, and nodded. A big grin spread across Formaggio's face like a lightbulb had just lit up his expression. His mood became giddy. Enough so that Gelato looked at him curious, wondering what'd excited him so suddenly. "How about a nickname: GioGio?"
Wonder filled Giorno's eyes. The only nicknames he'd ever had were mean-spirited, ones in the form of insults, or slurs. He mirrored Formaggio's excitement with a bob of his head.
"Awesome!" Formaggio exclaimed.
"Proud of yourself?" Chimed in Gelato as he prodded the side of his teammate's head with a pointed finger.
Finger offhanded knocked away, Formaggio huffed, gesturing to Giorno. "GioGio, likes it-so yeah!"
Gelato halfheartedly rolled his eyes and shook his head. His intrigue returned and he looked to the newly dubbed GioGio. Elbow rested atop his other arm; he poised a hand in the air he flicked up a finger towards upstairs. "Why is that you're with Risotto now, GioGio?"
"He killed my father."
The prompt and blunt answer left both of the seasoned hitmen floored. They both stared at the straight-faced child before abruptly bursting into laughter. Gelato managed to keep his more reserved, hand in front of his mouth, while, Formaggio openly began to form tears at the edge of his eyes. He'd been caught too off guard, by the utterly unaffected, tone of Giorno to worry about his composure. It was the last kind of response he'd expected. A morbid sense of humor was practically mandatory for a hitman and theirs ate it up.
Formaggio turned his attention to the blond assassin, once his boisterous laughter subsided enough, "Didn't even miss a beat!"
"No hesitation at all." Gelato contributed, a wry grin on his face.
Giorno looked from one to the other, brow knitted in confusion. He failed to see how his answer had amused them. All he'd done was directly answered the question. There wasn't exactly any other way to answer it. When he went over their responses; however, he realized they'd expected him to more hesitantly respond. Briefly he revisited his musing over his lack of care towards his caretaker's demise. He put this aside. It didn't matter. It'd helped him make his own good impression.
A hearty shake of his shoulder and he was brought to Formaggio's side. Giorno stared in surprise. Formaggio chuckled, "I like you already kid! You're gonna to fit right in!"
"Would you like something to eat while we wait for Sorbet and Risotto finish talking? How about a sandwhich?" Gelato offered as he moved around to the front the couch. Hands on his knees and leaned his head down to closer to the boy's level.
Giorno looked from one to the other with increased excitement. The attention and positive reactions from the adults eagerly accepted. Giorno gladly nodded to the other. "Yes, please."
"Polite one, hm?" Gelato noted impressed. He casted a glance towards Formaggio in jest. A slight smirk on his lips, he headed towards the stairs and remarked, "Not something we get enough of here."
"Oi, one for me too Gelato!" Formaggio took the bait with a big grin and an energetic wave his hand. He snickered to himself when the blond only sarcastically shook his head. He watched the khaki pants disappear up the stairs before he turned his attention to the group's new, unexpected, addition. Giorno looked back to him, waiting for whatever was next. Casually he asked, "You like cats?"
A nod and a soft, "Uh-huh" was the response.
"Awesome, I'll have to show you my cat Blu sometime."
While Gelato was going to make some food, it wasn't the main reason he wanted to head upstairs. He was curious as to why Risotto wanted to speak with Sorbet. Clearly it had to do something with Giorno. That in mind, Gelato had a good idea of what the sudden one-on-one chat was about. Now he just had to do a bit of eavesdropping to get an idea if he was right. Without a doubt the two were talking in the small office study, which was down the hall from the kitchen. Hopefully, they had left the door open. Not like there was a reason to hide whatever they were discussing.
He was in luck. The baritone voice of Risotto and the modulated one of Sorbet was still in exchange as he entered the kitchen. Pleased, Gelato hummed to himself as he got to work on the promised meal. From what could be heard, his inkling was correct.
"I'm certain your aware that I didn't manage to get my degree. My own education is incomplete." Sorbet articulated as he stood in the center of the rug covered office room. Behind him was two full tall book shelves and one half-sized that had plants in vases atop it. The room was only lit by the light of a computer screen and the open door that let in the natural light from the rest of the home.
"I am." Affirmed Risotto. He watched as the other thoughtfully turned to the shelves, absently glancing over the titles. All of which focused on academic studies, mostly on education, literary, biology and botany. The squadron leader knew that he'd accept the proposal, on account of his university background, as such he wasn't worried. This would give him a chance to exercise the skills he'd worked to hone, before his current occupation. On the other hand, a child was not his intended age demographic for a student.
Sorbet stood indecisive, eyes on the shelves.
"From what I've seen, Giorno is a well-behaved child. He's followed all my instructions, despite the circumstance. I'm certain he'll be receptive and give you no problems." Risotto assured. He kept his eyes open for any cue from the other's posture. He was given nothing definitive when Sorbet turned back to him.
"I'll need to look into his grades." He stated, while he went around his leader and to the computer that was on the desk behind him. Sorbet sat on the edge of it, legs crossed, and looked up at Risotto. "Would you like me to find his medical records as while I search?"
"Yes, it's imperative I get a look at it." He answered with a curt nod.
"Very well." Sorbet accepted. He titled a brow, before he asked a question Risotto knew had been coming, "May I ask, why is it that you've, so suddenly, taken in this boy? Afterall, you said you'd made it a point to keep your distance from him. To avoid him falling into this bloody world of ours."
"His father broke our agreement," was all Risotto gave in answer to his subordinate.
"They wouldn't let you get a pet?" Formaggio questioned dubiously, a brow raised high. He'd been actively talking to the child since Gelato went upstairs. Much as he could get from him that is. Giorno was more at ease since the initial introduction, but a chatterbox he was not. Talk of his cat held Giorno's interest readily and Formaggio was happy to hold the role of speaker for the most part. The other members of La Squadra didn't have pets, so their interest had been minimal.
Giorno shook his head. Formaggio formed a pensive frown, he didn't know much about this kid's parents but there had to be a good reason that Risotto offed the dad and snatched him away. Curious as he was though, he wasn't about to try and dig into that. That'd definitely start to upset the kid. Too risky.
He waved it off. "Doesn't matter now. You can see my cat whenever."
"Do you live by Risotto?" Giorno questioned in response.
"Close enough, we all live in the area. Got to be able to meet up here ya'know." Formaggio pointed out casually, arm slung over the back of the couch.
"What do you all do here?" The subject of the cat was effectively put away as Giorno looked around the room.
It was a furnished basement about the size of an average living room. Nothing extravagant by any measure of the term. The area was divided into two sections, a seating area and a dining area. At the center of the seating area was a long table with a couch on either side. On one end of the table had a dark red wing chair. Behind the couch he was seated on was a large mirror mounted on the wall. Its presence was an oddity to Giorno, why would someone have one in the basement, let alone so large. The size of the decoration made it most likely the priciest thing in the entire room. All that reflected on the face was the wall in front of it, which made it all the stranger to Giorno.
He stared at the silvery surface a moment longer before he looked over to the dining area. There wasn't much to say about that area aside from there being seven chairs. A higher amount than normal. This lead Giorno to believe there was seven members in total, three others to meet.
Aside from that there wasn't much else to note about the room. Around it there were potted plants, presumably fake due to the dim lighting in the room. There were a few slim hopper windows that lined the area were the wall met the ceiling. Apart from that there were three utility lights at were affixed to the ceiling, all of which were let off a pale light. This left the atmosphere bleak and hidden away, fitting for a hitmen meetup location.
"Mostly just hang around a wait for an assignment." Formaggio generalized with a flick of his wrist towards the table. He pointed up towards the ground floor. "This place is actually Gelato and Sorbet's home. A lot nicer than having to find some joint elsewhere that's safe to talk business."
"They live here together?" Giorno questioned. He'd thought this was just a meeting place, a front of some kind.
"Yeah, they're close. Real close." There was an underlying implication that Giorno didn't quite understand, but from he'd seen upon first coming down the stairs it was accurate. Gelato had draped himself on top of Sorbet. While the sight had been odd, Giorno hadn't concerned himself with it.
"When we get a job, Risotto will give us a run down. If he's not here then it works the way down by seniority. Otherwise we just relax, usually play a game of cards or just hang out."
As Formaggio was talking something in the mirror caught Giorno's attention. He looked to the stairs, thinking it was someone heading downstairs, but there was no one there. Confused, he looked over his shoulder at the sheet of glass. His eyes went wide at what he saw. Formaggio caught this drastic shift in expression and stopped talking. He followed the boy's gaze to the mirror; his expression flatlined.
"Look who's here." He said to himself.
Out from the mirror stretched an arm, like the glass was an outlet from another identical room. There wasn't so much as a ripple from the surface of the reflective material. Giorno was entranced with amazement as a dark padded pants leg followed shortly after. The arm grabbed onto the bronze frame, and with push forward, emerged the upper torso of a fair-skinned, black-haired man. Surprised red eyes locked with wide young eyes when the assassin caught sight of Giorno below him.
|To Be Continued|
Author's Note:
First multi-part chapter, and it's on a title drop chapter lol. The next part should be the other half of this. I don't expect it to go on longer than that. Afterwards I'll be having each of La Squadra (that's present atm) carry out a hit concerning the other gang's, primarily one, that's trying to get in on Stands. While also expanding on their backstories, their relation with Giorno, before leading up to Ghiaccio & Melone's addition. Basically the first half-ish of this is prequel before we get into actual Vento Aureo.
Sorbet & Gelato are interesting to work with considering...next to nothing was given about them. The only thing I had to go off of was they were a couple and that they, apparently, are the most messed up-as remarked by Formaggio in the manga. Which is something considering what some of the others do in the anime/manga (e.i Risotto, Formaggio himself, Illuso, Melone ). Yes, I will be giving them a backstory & Stands. Also, I don't know why but the way Sorbet looked made me think he looked like a professor. So yeah.