For as long as you do...

[giorno ventuno]

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:42:13 +0800

What would your character’s cutie mark be?

Honestly? I think it would just be similar to his tattoos; a flaming skull or just blue flames would suit Dino.

[giorno venti]

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:19:52 +0800

Does your character have any irrational fears?

When you’ve struggled with yourself and lost a lot, I suppose something is bound to strike fear. The fact that Dino was tied to servitude as the sole heir of a mafia family was definitely a hard pill to swallow, but it was the fact that he had to protect (his family, first and foremost) that made him change significantly. Thinking back now, his only irrational fear is tied with abandonment issues, and this is somewhat of a evident contributor in the decline of his battle skills when his family members aren’t around.

His insecurity doesn’t help at all with this fear; time and again, he’s worried himself needlessly with the thought that people would abandon him. As a boss, his family members aren’t a problem as they are quite simple minded (a fact which he is most thankful for.) The other side of the coin however, is Hibari.

Going in-depth on the latter, his confidence as a romantic partner isn’t very admirable when it comes to the Namimori prefect. Hibari is the most independent person he’s met, and the thought of needing someone else has probably never occurred to the young man until they started their relationship. Dino tries, though in a way Hibari might understand, to impart the idea of having to need someone out of affection.

TRUTH“I don’t see the point in it.” That one phrase rang in the solemn recesses of...

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:52:00 +0800

TRUTH

“I don’t see the point in it.”

That one phrase rang in the solemn recesses of the Cavallone boss’ mind, over and over, unceasing, and with the same cold dismissal. It had been two months since, when on one fine evening, he had mustered all of his courage to propose to one aloof Cloud guardian, only to be denied. Although he had expected it, perhaps even attempted to fool himself that he had a chance, because persuading the skylark was definitely no easy task, knowing did nothing to ease the disappointment of utter rejection.

A sigh. More out of morose than content, although rare, escaped from the Don’s lips. In his contemplative musing, he laid down on his plush bed, lethargic of all moods to feel, drained of all mirth, having finished every necessary distraction for the day. By that point, the clock read 5:17 in the evening, and as if time were mocking him, its hands seemingly moved slower as the day aged. The glint from a plain, silver band idly being rolled between calloused fingers served as the only light to lackluster brown eyes.

His chest carried on a dull ache.

He would come here again, to the stallion’s territory; a solemn skylark, seeking refuge, if only momentarily. Cavallone’s boss merely wished to be considered as such, to be depended on by that one person—

With the faint flame of his resolve, the Don swore that he would try again.

LIES

Three knocks meant Romario; a message from Kusakabe, he called from outside splendid double doors, from Vongola’s cloud Guardian. Dino was quick to his feet, and the entrance to his room was immediately opened, his longing and concern taking over more than anything. He would not come tonight, nor tomorrow— not in the near future either; the Vongola had required their most skilled fighter’s fueled rage to oppose another famiglia and remind them where they stood. With lips pursed into a thin line, Cavallone’s Don merely nodded, dismissed his capo bastone with a languid wave of his hand, and returned to the solemnity of his quarters.

It felt as if, though indirectly, Hibari had known and rejected him still.

LIES

Three months. Add in two. Bringing it to a total of five ever since he’s laid eyes on him, in all his frigidness and saturnine eloquence. Still beautiful to his deprived psyche and yearning affection, despite the demon’s wrath for which the man was known for. At the prime age of 26, the Cloud guardian has accomplished plenty —or rather— annihilated many, only making him more suitable to be the sword of his younger brother’s famiglia. Impatience meant nothing, if it were against the Vongola’s affairs; respect for the alliance came in first and foremost; the Cosa Nostra was founded with this expectation from its members.

If it weren’t for his forced loved for the society he was thrust upon, Dino would have thought it cruel.

TRUTH AND LIES

He came in uninvited in the stillness of one midnight, alarming the security of the lavish mansion. Firearms and weapons gathered, held firmly by dirtied hands, a protocol greeting for any daredevil intruder.

“Are your men drawing their guns on me?” Dark eyes narrowed dangerously at the unneeded commotion, stance at the ready. Dino had always been the mediator for his sometimes inamorato, could only do so much as explain with profuse guilt, and reassure his subordinates that everything was alright. With concerned looks, the Don’s men apprehensively left them into Nox’s abode.

“Kyoya, it’s been months,” Cavallone’s boss started after clicking the door shut. His eyes, after having been adjusted to the dark, could only make out the faint silhouette of the younger man sitting precariously on his bed. “You should have informed me beforehand,”

“Trivialities, Cavallone.” Whatever ice laced the skylark’s voice a moment ago was gone, and replaced instead with an amusement Dino had not heard in a while. The Don approached the Cloud Guardian, lips curved into an unamused frown, because the guardian always challenged his authority, in his own territory no less. If things had gone out of hand prematurely—-

His protests were unvoiced when his lips became preoccupied, coaxing him to kiss back with equal passionate force; the hand tangled in his hair, and the small tug on his shirt, whether it was due to his own delusion or not, made him feel wanted.

It did not end there. It never did.

TRUTH

When he came to consciousness, a pair of dark eyes watched him keenly; in the darkness, they reflected what seemed to be an unspoken eagerness sparked by distance. Few people could read Hibari Kyoya’s mask, but it was a skill the Don had acquired so naturally, so willingly, and to his fortune, the former had allowed it. Dino sat up to find the time had passed significantly, it was now 11:49 in the evening.

“Kyoya—” he turned, only to be hushed with a finger to his lips, the Guardian’s elusive dismissal.

Hibari sat down on the edge of the bed. “Save your complaints. I leave in the morning.” The fact that the Cloud Guardian’s affiliation required him to move about, and demandingly so, was enough to drive Dino insane with worry. But nothing could contain him, and the blood that stained his pristine suit provided enough evidence. A tattooed hand tightened around the ring, and to Hibari’s skilled eyes, such a detail could not be missed, though he mistook is for tension. “I assume you have something to say.”

“Would have said, if it weren’t for your abrupt departure.” Frustration washed over Dino’s features. Yet another failed attempt. “It’s not important. You should get some rest.”

“No, let’s hear it.” Hibari’s stubbornness was both a blessing and a curse. Sighing, the Cavallone boss held out his hand to show the ring, and when he spoke, eyes averted downwards, he did so lamentably.

“Same thing I did two months ago.”

TRUTH

A sigh. It was subtle, though Dino knew what it meant, had even anticipated it. Despite his bloodied personage, Hibari’s hands were surprisingly clean when they closed in on Dino’s own, making him hide the ring again. The feeling of rejection was just as bitter as the last attempt.

“You’re disappointed.” In reply, the Don could only muster a curt nod. “I still don’t see the point.”

“I know.” It was taking all of Dino’s strength to keep composed, because god knew he was trembling. “I know. It’s just… I know labels aren’t important. But, I’m not doing this so I could restrain you, I’m doing this so you could just have a reminder that you have me. And you always will…”

Dino pressed his forehead against the younger man’s.

“If you only let me. I’ll wait for as long as it takes.”

LIES

“I’ll make you wait forever.”

It would be too egoistic of me, if I went ahead and said I never run out of patience. Patience,...

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:21:25 +0800

It would be too egoistic of me, if I went ahead and said I never run out of patience.

Patience, like everything else in the world, was at a premium.

Sad, isn’t it? To know that at any given point in time, with the pull of the wrong trigger, you could snap so violently, so blindly, and hurt someone.

I have to admit, I once thought I had the patience for absolutely anything, only to be proved wrong recently. I was the trigger.

He must be so disappointed.

To have me use his shortcomings against him, it must have been painful. And it was, evidently so, from the way his jaw was set closed the whole time I spoke so accusingly, the way he didn’t even waste his glare on me, the way he walked out the door, the anger radiating from him so strongly, and all of that directed at me. He didn’t speak to me the following day, and the day after that, and possibly carry on until today.

I deserve more than a punch in the face.

But before I ramble on, I have these three confessions to make:

1) Perhaps, I’m feeling a bit too selfish in this respect, but all I’ve ever done was try and coax answers from him. All I ever wanted was for him to talk to me. It didn’t matter about the whys, or hows, or ifs, or whats; I was here. For him. Was that honestly so much to ask for?

But I blew things out of proportion by prying, out of fear and concern, so I’m in as much fault. Which is it then?

2) As aforementioned, my patience run out. But because of 1), I’m half tempted to let him come to me instead. Stubborn young man that he is, he wouldn’t probably let his pride go that easily.

Between his stubborness and his pride, and perhaps, his rather difficult sense of what’s right… Where do I stand with him? Was his ego more important than our relationship?

Or maybe, it never was.

3) More than anything, I am absolutely disappointed at myself. That makes two of us.

I regret a lot. I really do. But to make the first move, wouldn’t that mean rendering this fight for nothing as well? Did I always have to initiate? Don’t get me wrong, I have no qualms with doing so, but… he’ll never learn.

Though maybe I shouldn’t be trying in the first place. Wasn’t that what I told him before? That I had no right, nor did I want the right to change him.

Would that mean I’m giving up on him, then?

Here I am having an internal debate with myself, writing my train of thought, to see what conclusion I could make out of it. If only I kept my mouth shut, things would be absolutely different.

Though, it wasn’t that easy to at that time, to be honest.

I don’t want to feel like so, but I’m disappointed at him.

But more than anything, I want to see him again.

[giorno diciannove]

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:28:41 +0800

What’s your character’s preferred means of travel?

Cars, most definitely. Ever the aspiring successful man’s pride and joy, alternatively, the big boy’s toys. Not that the Cavallone Boss doesn’t appreciate a good stroll around nearby towns, or a breath of fresh air, but driving had always given him a different thrill ever since the first time he was shown how by his father at the tender age of 8. And not just with any other car, but the ones especially built for speed.

That is, if it’s evidently lengthy travels across Italy and/or the various territories under his reign.

Other than that, it would have to be, if it were just within the Cavallone estate’s closely guarded grounds, on horseback.

[giorno diciotto]

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:23:46 +0800

Is your character a good cook? What’s their favorite recipe, whether they’re good or not? (Microwave mac-and-cheese applies.)

Suffice is to say that because Dino grew up in a very pampering environment, there were certain skills that he didn’t get the chance to develop for himself.

One of being being his cooking skills. I don’t want to exaggerate and say that he’ll starve to death if he was left alone— he can cook decent eggs, or even make a sandwich if he wanted [and hopefully not burn them]— and breakfast meals which are easiest to make, are some of the most that he can come up with without any help. The more tedious meals, that is, those that require a more elaborate variety of ingredients, he’d rather not attempt on his own.

He swore he would learn, one day, when he was more free to do so. For now, he just leaves the cooking to the chefs and, during the times he’s in Japan, Hibari.

[giorno diciassette]

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:25:00 +0800

What’s your character’s desk/workspace look like? Are they neat or messy?

The Cavallone boss’ office isn’t particularly messy, but it isn’t entirely neat either. It’s spacious enough, stylishly furnished, but still holds that air of professionalism. Most of his important files are organized in labeled cases, and the finished projects are kept neatly in binders and then stored in cabinets.

During the afternoons, his desk is his battleground. It’s large enough for a few scattered papers and his laptop, and on the off chance that he could afford to relax a little, a cup or tea or coffee, depending on his mood.

[giorno sedici]

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:22:03 +0800

Are there any blood relatives that your character is particularly close with, besides the immediate ones? Cousins, Uncles, Grandfathers, Aunts, et cetera. Are there any others that your character practically considers a blood relative?

Dino’s parents are no longer living, and he is an only child, so the closest ‘relative’ he has is easily his second-in-command, and second father figure, Romario. As mentioned previously, Romario has been by his side even before he became the tenth boss, and what time they spent only made their relationship stronger. Dino is independent to a degree, but even the best men could become overwhelmed and that’s where Romario comes in, to keep him grounded.

That aside, he doesn’t have any particularly close bonds with his other relatives (i.e. counsins, and aunts and uncles, should he have any). Assuming Dino is an only child, his father was possibly one as well, and his father before him, which doesn’t give much avenue for him to have much actual blood relatives.

Day Nineteen | What’s your character’s preferred means of travel? Walking. Namimori’s not a...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:02:03 +0800

Day Nineteen | What’s your character’s preferred means of travel?

Walking. Namimori’s not a particularly big town, and you can get to most places on foot, although it might take a while. Hibari prefers walking to other modes of transport for a number of reasons: first, it’s just natural for him to want to move around, as opposed to sitting in a vehicle and letting it take you to your destination.

Second, he enjoys the solitude that comes with travelling on foot. As you’d expect from Hibari, travelling via public transport wouldn’t exactly be a good idea—what with the ‘crowding herbivores’ and the noise. If he tried to squeeze onto a subway at rush hour, it wouldn’t exactly be a smooth journey.

It is canon that Hibari owns a motorcycle though (somehow, even though he doesn’t even have a driver’s license). He doesn’t ride it very often, though—only when he needs to travel long distances, or in situations when walking wouldn’t be very convenient.

Day Eighteen | Is your character a good cook? What’s their favorite recipe, whether they’re good or...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:53:03 +0800

Day Eighteen | Is your character a good cook? What’s their favorite recipe, whether they’re good or not? (Microwave mac-and-cheese applies.)

Hibari’s a fairly decent cook; cooking was a pretty necessary skill to him. Even as a child he always had an independent streak, and it was only natural for him to want to rely on himself—even when it came to something as trivial as food. Of course if he wanted to his caretakers could have whipped up any meal he wanted, but since a young age he’s mostly made his own meals.

That said, he’s not exactly master chef standard. He’s decent, capable of basic dishes that do turn out quite good, but you wouldn’t expect him to whip up an eight-course dinner anytime soon. His recipes are basically made up of simple Japanese fare; rice, simple dishes, at cetera.

He doesn’t have a particular favourite recipe, though one of his most common ones would be fried rice. It’s not that the dish has any particular meaning to him; it’s just that it’s decently fast, easy, and versatile.

Day Seventeen | What’s your character’s desk/workspace look like? Are they neat or...

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:43:35 +0800

Day Seventeen | What’s your character’s desk/workspace look like? Are they neat or messy?

Hibari’s desk at the Reception Room in his school is fairly neat. No loose sheets of paper scattered around. Everything’s organized neatly in their respective stacks, or filed away systematically and properly. Hibari can’t stand disorganization and disorder when it comes to his work (or, just disorder in general, really), and he expects the same standard from his fellow Disciplinary Committee members—or even better. It goes without saying that if they don’t meet Hibari’s expectations, they will be dealt severely with.

Day Sixteen | Are there any blood relatives that your character is particularly close with, besides...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:50:36 +0800

Day Sixteen | Are there any blood relatives that your character is particularly close with, besides the immediate ones? Cousins, Uncles, Grandfathers, Aunts, et cetera. Are there any others that your character practically considers a blood relative?

None at all. Hibari’s rather distant with his parents (understatement), so it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise that he’s not close with his other relatives as well. The Hibari family run a huge company that’s been expanding to different parts of the world, and as a result, most of his relatives live in different countries as well. Which, of course, makes keeping in touch quite difficult. It doesn’t help that Hibari himself isn’t exactly one to mingle around with people either, and that includes family members as well.

[giorno quindici]

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:36:47 +0800

Is your character an early morning bird or a night owl?

Dino is both of those two, but more of an extreme case. Given his career, he either wakes up or goes to sleep before the sun has even risen.

Before the events of his association with Tsuna, his everyday is usually routine: wake up, prepare, eat, check schedule, go to meetings, take an afternoon break or do paperwork, go to more meetings, more paperwork, rinse and repeat. Sleep is a luxury he can’t afford in the middle of a hectic negotiation, but he does take some months off for himself at times.

Because of his unpredictable schedule and rather active lifestyle, his body is used to little or even no sleep at all. It’s the only aspect of his lifestyle that’s unhealthy, aside from engaging in the occasional violent feud. Though, he does suffer some deterioration when he pushes himself too far. Still, Dino is rarely ever sick and rarely ever dazed in the morning or at night.

Day Fifteen | Is your character an early morning bird or a night owl? Neither. Hibari, for want of...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:08:10 +0800

Day Fifteen | Is your character an early morning bird or a night owl?

Neither.

Hibari, for want of a better phrase, sleeps like a pig. He sleeps most mornings away (when it’s a non-school day) and when he just wakes up, he’s usually in a daze. He recovers by mid-afternoon, but before that, he wanders around in a completely un-Hibari state. On school days that doesn’t happen though; his body clock’s probably adjusted to it.

As for the nights, he’s not exactly completely active either. He doesn’t go to sleep at a fixed time; rather, once he starts feeling sleepy he just heads to bed, no matter if it’s ten at night or one in the morning. When he starts feeling sleepy he reverts to being dazed, although it’s not as bad as in the mornings.

[giorno quattordici]

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:35:00 +0800

How does your character react to temperature changes such as extreme heat and cold?

Italy boasts warm weather, especially at sounthern regions or places near the capital. The Cavallone is based near Rome, where the day offers fair weather and the night’s cool winds blow soothingly so suffice is to say that Dino has a high tolerance for warm to hot weather. Although, he travels often enough to know how cold weather feels like, being aware still doesn’t help his tendency to feel lethargic.

Besides, cold weather is a great excuse to cuddle.

Day Fourteen | How does your character react to temperature changes such as extreme heat and...

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:09:31 +0800

Day Fourteen | How does your character react to temperature changes such as extreme heat and cold?

Hibari has a low tolerance to heat and an even lower tolerance to cold. Hence, he tries to avoid being caught in situations where he’ll have to withstand extreme temperatures— on particularly hot summer days or particularly cold winter nights he tries to stay at home as far as possible.

If that’s impossible, though, he pretty much just bears with it. He’s a stickler for proper school attire, which is why you’ll never see him deviate from the standard uniform, even when it’s ridiculously hot/cold. Rather, he just keeps at it until he has the chance to escape indoors. Strangely, though, he doesn’t sweat much— though, it’s not something he can help. His body’s just built this way.

[giorno tredici]

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:09:00 +0800

What does your character’s bed look like when he/she wakes up? Are the covers off on one side of the bed, are they all curled around a pillow, sprawled everywhere? In what position might they sleep?

Dino sometimes shift in his sleep, but it’s not often enough that it will leave his bed in utter chaos the moment he comes to. Usually, it’s only his covers that are in disarray, and perhaps a few pillows, but nothing he can’t fix himself.

He usually sleeps on his side, and at times, almost near the edge of the bed even, with one hand tucked under his pillow where a weapon [usually, a gun] lies within a few inches’ reach. It’s a needed sleeping habit he’s developed, since his social status offers no guaranteed security, even during his slumber. When he’s in Japan and living together with Hibari, he also sleeps on his side and cuddled with the younger boy.

Day Thirteen | What does your character’s bed look like when he/she wakes up? Are the covers off on...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:07:00 +0800

Day Thirteen | What does your character’s bed look like when he/she wakes up? Are the covers off on one side of the bed, are they all curled around a pillow, sprawled everywhere? In what position might they sleep?

Hibari’s quite a peaceful sleeper, so his bed usually isn’t very messed up. The covers are just as they were the previous night, and when he sleeps alone, it’s usually facing up.

That’s when he sleeps alone, though. He lives with Dino when the latter’s in Japan, which means they share a bed together, so Hibari’s sleeping position changes to accommodate Dino. He tends to sleep on the side instead, curled up with Dino, of course.

Day Twelve | How is your character with technology? Super savvy, or way behind the times? Letters...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0800

Day Twelve | How is your character with technology? Super savvy, or way behind the times? Letters or email?

Hibari’s not an extreme case, but not exactly in the middle either; he’s more of leaning towards the ‘behind the times’ side.

He gets by fine with using computers, surfing the web, sending emails and so on, and can work a Nintendo DS perfectly fine, but basic functions are all he’s capable of. He’s not exactly up to date. His phone, for example, is some ancient model that only performs basic functions— calling, and sending text messages. No iPhones or Androids for him. His computer is probably some old model too. And if he faces any technical difficulties, he won’t have a clue how to solve the problem.

Still, if he’d have to pick, he’d rather choose emails. They’re more convenient, and they send faster, and Hibari, who always prioritizes functionality before anything else, would obviously go with that rather than snail mail.

[giorno dodici]

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0800

How is your character with technology? Super savvy, or way behind the times? Letters or email?

Dino’s fairly decent with technology; if anything, he can have the best gadgets money can buy, but he values quality and function over the newest features, which he feels might only distract him from his work.

Automobiles are quite the exception, though— he spends almost all his personal money on sports and luxury cars. He inherited the late Cavallone Nono’s passion for cars and ever since he started earning for himself, he set his eyes on the big boy’s toys.