[Thread] [EVERYONE] OPEN

[srsbznsmods]

WHO: EVERYONE
WHAT: The 2009 Cervello Publishing and Media Awards.
WHERE: Namimori Cultural Center, main theater
WHEN: Sat the 21st, beginning arriving between 7PM and 8 PM
RATING: PG-whateveryouwant
WARNING(s): *insert evil character here* oh, also, Cervello

Comments

[aesthetic_ally]

Dino's fashionably late, and he enters alone - amiable smiles to the hundreds of cameras and reporters. The flashes are almost blinding, but Dino has been in this industry long enough to be sporting. He has a first-class flight to London scheduled at four am, with enough time for him to mingle at the post-event parties.

That is where most of the action is, after all. He would barely have time to himself before he got caught up in the massive glitz and glamour of the fashion industry in London. (Fashion Week, after all, is such an important event, and he had already missed the one in New York. But that is a story for another day.)

He shakes hands, affords brief hugs and air-kisses to the models and assorted designers, as well as who's-who in the industry. A necessary procedure, especially after the news of the editor of Fashionista being pulled over to the Millefiore. Siren was still the Cavallone's signature magazine, but it had still been a significant blow

[srsbznsnpc]

If there was one thing that didn't change at all about the publishing industry in Namimori, it was the way everyone threw their parties: with liberal amounts of glitz and glamour, and just the right edge of mystery to keep everyone on their toes. Timoteo Vongola was usually right at home with this sort of setup (he had been on the scene for the past fifty years and then some), and nothing he did at that moment made any indicator of any discomfort, but that evening, he would've given the world for a chance to stay curled up in his favorite chair at home with a good book and a fire burning cheerily away in the fireplace. What he would do, for a quiet night and pleasant company

[aesthetic_ally]

Dino brightens - that voice is familiar. In the early days when Timoteo and his father were fast friends, and when the Ninth had treated him like his own son - almost. Even then, Dino knew his role, knew what the Ninth had expected of him and the Cavallone family.

It is rare to see him out and about - Timoteo Vongola had always been as elusive as they come, and it is difficult to blame him. He looks over, and it seems as if Timoteo had aged so many years since Dino had last seen him.

Older, but still kind. Still warm, and Dino goes over to him. He does not let Timoteo come to him, because there is a measure of manners, of courtesy that he abides by out of respect and affection for the old man.

"Ninth." He greets warmly. "Indeed it has. You still look as healthy as ever."

[srsbznsnpc]

"Come now, you're an honest boy! I've been better. You and I both know that."

Timoteo smiled up at the brilliant young man standing before him. It was a little hard to believe that the clumsy blond with a strange fascination for whips and a big, big heart had grown up to become one of the rising stars and most eligible bachelors of the publishing industry.

"So, were you finally able to meet Tsunayoshi?"

[aesthetic_ally]

He laughs a little, caught in the act. "Nothing gets past you, does it?"

He clasps the older man's hand like a son would - it was much smaller now, in his hand, and Dino doesn't remember when it had been this fragile.

Old Timoteo might be, but he was still sharp as ever. And Dino crouched just a little lower - a fondness for the man who had shown him nothing but firm kindness when he had been unsure of what to do, and when he had rejected his own birthright.

"No, not yet. I've visited the office a few times since my return - it always seemed as if I've barely missed him." He doesn't know the entire story behind the three sons, but he could at least guess. Guess, and stay out of it, because as close a family friend he might be, family is family, and such private Vongola business did not concern him.

[srsbznsnpc]

"Well, that's a shame... I wonder what he's been doing."

Of course, Tsuna's absence could have only meant one thing.

"I suppose that would mean that you've met Kyouya."

[aesthetic_ally]

Dino blinks at that. He hadn't quite expected this question, but he wasn't too surprised by it either. The memory of a grumpy, good-looking young man comes to mind, and he comments.

"Yes, I did. Why do you ask?"

[srsbznsnpc]

"Nothing, really."

...Although, in truth, there were a lot of things. Things only old men thought about, in their single beds or in their gardens, or at their empty office.

"I haven't spoken to him in a long time."

[aesthetic_ally]

Dino figured as much, but he makes no comment on that. Instead, he indulges his curiosity.

"Did something happen?"

[srsbznsnpc]

Timoteo laughs at that point. It's meant to be a light, dismissive gesture, but it sounds tired, at best. Regretful, at worst.

"That is an incredibly difficult question to answer, I'm afraid."

[aesthetic_ally]

Dino notices, and he pauses for a moment. He sees the regret in those eyes, the tiredness, and he wonders.

"...Is there anything I can do, then?"

[srsbznsnpc]

"Don't concern yourself with it, my boy. You've got a lot of other things to think about."

Too old for apologies, too late for regrets. Timoteo knew, however, that the least he could do was not burden anyone else with it. He falls silent for a bit, looking for something else to speak of, some easy segue or distraction. He finds one soon enough, in the form of Hibari and Tsuna parting ways.

"Well... it's not like Kyouya to leave like that." he gestures towards the pair, for emphasis. "I wonder what happened."

[aesthetic_ally]

He pauses at that, where the old man is pointing, mildly curious. Ah, he ended up coming, as well?

He's bemused that Hibari would come for something like this, and he supposes that the spiky haired brunette was Sawada Tsunayoshi. He smiles a little - it was time to meet the CEO of Vongola, but first - he had to say hi to the grumpy Managing Director, just for a little while.

"Ah, I wonder." He smiles down at Timoteo, excusing himself. "I'll go and say hello."

[srsbznsnpc]

"You do that."

He gives his blessing in the form of a smile, one that doesn't fade even as he watches Dino move off.

No hopes, no expectations. He only had so much time left, after all.