closed;

[prontissimo]

WHO: Alberto Scorfano and Isabela Madrigal
WHERE: Witch's bookshop in Undertown
WHEN: First weekend of November or so
WHAT: The Pagemaster side quest (success!)
WARNINGS: none for now, will edit if that changes!


[ It's been a rough few weeks since Bruno's kidnapping and successful rescue — which was a helluva way to get introduced to Isabela. They met on a stinkin' battlefield kicking demon butt together (or, really, Isabela kicked demon butt while Alberto cheered her on, otherwise feeling largely useless)... That's one way to start a friendship? For his part, since then, he's been quite shaken up still, and though he's tried to put the residual worries out of his mind, it's been hard to feel at totally ease, especially with the sunlight gone now. But at last he's feeling spurred on to drag himself out of his lingering dark moods and out into the dark city instead, pushing himself to act like everything's okay — because if you act like everything's okay enough, then everything'll actually become okay...! That's how that works, right? Right. That's always been his MO, at least.

So in this spirit, he's decided to reach out to Isabela to get the chance to talk to her when they're, um, not in mortal danger...? That seems appropriate, yeah. It's odd that Isabela didn't get to meet the best version of Alberto, after all; unlike anyone else in her family, she got to meet Alberto in the throes of more fear and panic than he's ever felt in his short-but-disproportionately-dangerous life. Time for a better impression, he figures. Aaand they get to make a little side money while they're at it. Cha-ching. He's already helped this witch out once with Luca and it went great; so now that he sort of knows what he's doing (stressed: sort of!), he's eager to help her again with more books. It was fairly simple work his first time round, but this time may prove to be a bit more challenging... But if so, well, at least he already knows he's with someone exceedingly competent?

He meets Isabela outside the shop as planned, having given her pretty good directions from his first experience trying to find this place in Undertown. When she walks up, right away he offers her a big grin (too big a grin?) and firmly sticks out his hand for a handshake. Since they... didn't get to do that before. Friendly and polite as that is, though, it also just so happens to be the weirdest handshake Isabela has likely ever received in her life. But, um. Still n-nice...? Nailing this. ]

Ah— Ciao, Signora...! Come va? Thanks for coming.

Comments

[senorita_perfecta]

(The walk to Undertown has become more familiar to Isabela after some time has passed following the demon attacks. She has been there for her first side quest, which didn’t end well with a needle coated chocolate cake and a monster with hay fever. Maybe this one can turn out for the better?

Thankfully she has gotten the directions from Alberto so she is able to reach the place and meet him up. The handshake is a bit awkward but that didn’t bother her too much. Having spent years trying to keep up with appearance and keeping things neatly organized, Isa sure has a lot of experience in that department. She is pretty glad that she can come to help him out, minus demons this time around. Although he might have noticed that she is carrying a pair of gloves with her this time around. Wonder what caused her to grab for gloves this early?)

You’re welcome anytime. I’m curious to see what we’re dealing with it. Whatever it is, we’re going to do our best to help.

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto notices her gloves, but doesn't think much of it. There are far stranger things Isabela could do than bundle up early that still wouldn't faze him; she didn't get a proper Alberto experience their first time meeting, but around him, quirks abound. From the handshake on, that will become more and more apparent as this afternoon goes on... ]

Eh, I helped this lady before. It's not that bad.

[ He gives a cocky little shrug and a smirk, then gestures toward the entrance with a little nod. He doesn't hold the door open for Isabela as they go in, ungentlemanly of him, just waltzes right in with a strut. The old witch recognizes him right away — he's... memorable. She eyes Isabela behind him, relieved to see someone older accompanying him, but privately regretful it's not Luca bringing a nice grownup friend; even she could tell Luca was the brains in their operation... But, well, she still needs the help, so she's not gonna turn it down. ]

Oh, so it's you again. Now, listen — no shenanigans, remember? Help yourself to the candy on the counter, dears; I'll be upstairs. But mind the dust this time, please? You and your little friend forgot to sweep up! It looked like you burnt a whole book!

[ Alberto grimaces embarrassedly, nodding obediently, standing with his back straight and his arms at his side, like a soldier at attention — just a rather goofy one... The witch gives them directions on where she wants them and what she wants them to do, before leaving them to their work. But as the witch starts to climb the stairs, passing behind Isabela, she turns back around and leans over the railing with a little "pssst" and a coaxing hand gesture, lowering her voice. ]

Sweetheart— Thank you for your help. Your friend, he's, um— If you could just— well... Y-You kids just do your best. Please.

[ Withholding comment about this child, who's technically done no wrong yet, but... she knows his type. She casts an exaggeratedly wary gaze Alberto's way over Isabela's shoulder, gesturing toward him subtly with her chin; behind her, Alberto's already monkeying around with a big antique globe, spinning it repeatedly with idle delight. The witch throws a knowing look to Isabela, tapping her finger below her eye – "Watch him," as politely as she can put it. She's old and she's a witch: she's a good judge of character, and sensitive to vibes — especially chaotic vibes... She can tell Isabela holds herself with elegance, and Alberto holds himself with— c-confidence. Ahem. The witch lets her eyes linger on him a second longer from the bottom of the staircase; having lost interest in spinning the globe, he's now inspecting other random items in their workspace, buuut with his pinky finger jammed inside his ear unabashedly picking for earwax. The witch sighs and gives Isabela a wan, weary smile before ascending the stairs. She really wishes it was Luca who came back instead... ]

[senorita_perfecta]

We will do our best to sort the books out in no time, Madame. You can count on us.

(Isa watches the witch giving a silent advice to keep an eye on Alberto before she quietly leaves for the upstairs level, leaving the two of them on their own for the time being. And while she certainly doesn't miss having to be perfect all the time, she has gained a lot of skill of making sure that things will get organized as much as possible. Which is very much needed in a situation like this.

She then approaches Alberto and the globe after the old witch left, knowing that they got a lot of cleaning and fixing work to do in this bookshop. Glancing at all the totems that are in need to be put in their proper order, she could sense that this might take a long while to sort this out.)

Okay, it looks like we'll arranging these tomes accordingly. So where should we start with first?

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto strokes his chin thoughtfully, looking around the space with a discerning eye. He points to the largest stack of disorganized books, piled in the corner, and turns to Isabela with a shrug. ]

Start there and figure it out as we go?

[ ...Very good plan, very strategic.

As he approaches the stack of books and they get to work, he touches the first topmost tome with exaggerated gentleness, as if it might disintegrate with the wrong brush of his fingertips. He glances over his shoulder to see if the witch really had gone upstairs; then, still handling the books with kid gloves, he leans in and whispers to Isabela beside him (though he's not a particularly good whisperer). ]

Sooo... Careful with the books. Some of them turn to dust if you pick them up wrong. I mean, i-if you pick them up— e-even if you pick them up right! Some just— poof~! Dust.

[ He mimes a little explosion with his hands, puffing out his cheeks, and wiggling his fingers down in an invisible little rain of dust. Then goes back to nonchalantly checking labels on the spines of the books as he continues his rather suspicious warning. ]

And they're really old so it's nobody's fault. But it's still a really big mess, so. You know. Be gentle. Just in case that happens to you. Could happen to anybody...

[ He affects a wry coolness that's completely undeserved after destroying one of the witch's oldest books last time with Luca... So that's what she meant by "Mind the dust!" At least it seems like she's not noticed it's missing, but Alberto's weirdly indirect yet intentional guilty admission is quite the foot to start off on. Oddly cheeky, cocky way to tattle on oneself, that is... ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh, so there is dust coating many of them and several of them are pretty old as well? I will have to be very gentle with how I'm going to handle them.

(She gently approaches one of the old tomes at the corner as if she has to carefully balance a tray of fragile glass. Being gentle has been a thing for her for a long time, but she didn't expect that to apply to dust coated tomes as well.

What sort of spells the witch has been collecting through the years? She must have wondered about it as she carefully lifts the first tome up.)

Okay, I'm going to try to be gentle with the tomes as much as I can. I have no idea of what kind of magic these things are carrying within their pages. Hmm, I wonder what subject is this one about?

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto is for once advising caution, but its need is completely exaggerated because of the guilt he feels for his bad luck — AKA the consequences of his actions. Luca had watched him pick an ancient tome up like it was brand new paperback and saw its cover entirely disintegrate between Alberto's fingertips, the pages erupting into a cloud of dust, as if he'd popped a bubble — buuut the fact of the matter stands that it was Alberto whom that happened to, and he's the one with a record for things exploding in his hands. Certainly not Luca, and so far not Isabela. So is his advice on how to handle old books sound advice? Totally. Is he the only one who realistically needs to hear it, though? Oh, absolutely. Let's see how long it takes him to forget his own words of wisdom and start manhandling things again... For now, he stays mindful while they chat. ]

It might say the category on the little label on the side, check there. With all the numbers on it. That's how this whole system works, all those labels. It was made by a guy named Dewey Decimal to organize libraries. The numbers all mean different things, that's how you know where stuff goes. My best friend told me all about it.

[ Not that he knows which numbers mean what, of course; he just know there's some significance there. Thank you for explaining and yet not explaining at all, Alberto. That was a big help to Isabela, surely. He's inspecting the labels on books himself as he explains, slowly separating his portion of the one big stack into several much smaller stacks. A fine tactic for now; but in half an hour or so when he's got a dozen tiny stacks surrounding him, he may need to reconsider his approach. He's taking less interest in the books themselves, unlike Isabela, seldom pausing to consider them much before sorting them into their respective stacks. He just weirdly likes menial manual tasking... ]

[senorita_perfecta]

The witch uses the Dewey Decimal to arrange the books and tomes in this shop? Ah, okay. She really knows how to label these tomes very well. I will look at the spine label to see what it is about.

(So Isabela quickly glances at the spine to see a what is on a label. Upon looking at what number and category it should go to, she then checks for which shelf it needs to be placed at. She has to be very careful or risk getting them turned into dust.

When she does found the shelf, Isa gently puts the tome in its rightful section. That is one book down, plenty more to go. So begins the painstakingly long-ish time to picking up books, spine label examining, and book arranging on the shelves, but it does manage to keep her pretty busy. As long as she doesn’t make a mess from accidentally making books turn to dust, then they should be okay.)

spanish-ish unless otherwise noted?

[prontissimo]

[ A natural silence sets in for a moment as they both get to work, but Alberto's eyes keep glancing over to Isabela awkwardly every now and again. This is a much calmer meeting than their first, and now's the first chance to really get to talk. Seeing how ferocious she was on the battlefield, compared to how poised and polite she is now (not that she wasn't even in combat, too!), Alberto thinks back on how he was much more frantic than she'd been... and brash... and rash. This is his chance to make a better impression on Bruno's eldest niece. Making a good impression on all the Madrigals is important to him, after all. He wants to play it cooler now. When he breaks the short silence, he switches from English to— Spaaanish, more or less? It's certainly heavily accented and messed up with Italian in parts, plus speaking in an odd mix of formal (what he's learning at school) and casual (what he's learned from Bruno and Luz) to boot. Nevertheless, it's understandable for the most part, and any words he doesn't know in Spanish he'll substitute for the English — effectively making conversation in a three-way pidgin on the fly here. Usually such a fast talker, it takes him more time to string his words together, as he's still learning Spanish, but he plays it off by affecting it like some nonchalance about him as he keeps sorting books. It's clumsy, falls funny on the ear, but— still kinda cute he's trying... ]

...So, do you enjoy living in Kaisou yet? I like it here, it's super cool. Eh— Although you arrived at a strange time; it's usually not so crazy and horrible, hah, but y'know— bad luck...

[ He gives her a lopsided smile, trying to be a bit wry and funny here, despite how fresh the drama of a few weeks ago still feels. At least for good measure at the mention of "bad luck," he knocks his fist against the wooden bookshelf — but in a familiar rhythm she'll notice right away. "Knock knock knock knock knock, knock on wood..."

Re: spanish-ish unless otherwise noted?

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh yes, I have enjoying myself in the city for a while now. Still getting to used to living in a city like this but a great time nonetheless.

(The knocking rhythm does peaked her intrigue while she carefully arranges the books in their proper shelf. How could she not recognize the knocking technique anywhere?

Upon listening it well as she arranges the tomes and hearing about bad luck from Alberto, she must have assumed that it must be about her Tío Bruno given the circumstances of the previous month had him trapped in a demonic tree and a crazed doppelgänger who tried to end him. Not to mention how the town used to see him and his visions in a bad way.)

Say, I could actually recognize the rhythm of the knocking. I wonder where you learned to do it.

[prontissimo]

[ Her remark draws a little snort out of him, throwing her a sly glance and a wide smirk. ]

Pfft. You know who I learned it from, haha!

[ She's far more graceful in her slight teasing, but Alberto's glad to be in good humors now. He vastly prefers this to any literally moment in their first meeting. He continues sorting with a smile, keeping his tone lighthearted. ]

I've learned a lot about bad luck from him — how to get rid of it, I mean. Bruno taught me all about it. Your uncle's taught me a lot about a lot, hah. Like Spanish!

[ Bruno taught this kid Spanish...? Alberto's well enough on his way in his studies just to be having this conversation now, and while having Italian as a base did help, it's no small task to teach a child another language — that takes a long time, and a lot of communication. So just that off-hand remark alone sheds a light on how close this kid must be to her uncle — and why he was so especially desperate to find him the night of the rescue. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Wow, you certainly learned a lot from him. That is really good to hear, so that means that he must be a really good teacher. From what I’ve heard from the locals, it may not be easy to learn a new language but I’m impressed that you’re able to learn Spanish from Tío Bruno.

(She is amazed to learn how much of a good teacher Bruno can be, especially with Alberto. While a part of her did feel a bit envious, she is still glad to know that he is able to make some friends while in Kaisou.

Alberto’s chat about her uncle is completely different from what the town folks have said about him for years, and honestly, Bruno didn’t deserve those nasty rumors and talks about him. Needless to say, she could see how surprisingly close her family has become to so many people in the city, native or otherwise, throughout this adventure.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto chuckles a little, sorting the books diligently but smiling at them as he does, idly flipping through the pages of any books with interesting covers. He's entirely nonchalant in his response, seemingly either unaware how difficult it actually is to learn a foreign language, or extremely cocky — or, truth be told, some mixture of both. But his lighthearted response is still telling enough about his fondness for her uncle, with even more meaningful clues about their dynamic packed between the lines. ]

Hah, nah, it was super easy. Spanish is just like Italian. Except when it's not. Ha, when we were living together, I think I probably asked Bruno "Come si dice in spagnolo?" about a hundred times a day, every day? Haha~! He's a good teacher, though, he is. He taught me Spanish, I taught him Italian, and we'd just talk in two different languages like that! It was amazing, hah. Now we mix them up together. It's like our own special language — we call it "Itañol." ...We just invented a whole new language, no big deal~

[ He feigns humility to boast, shrugging as he throws her a smirk. He's always thrilled to brag about his and Bruno's personal pidgin, and in fact often lapses into it naturally when he practices his Spanish, often mixing up Italian grammar or substituting words and false cognates. Because that's essentially all "Itañol" is: an inside joke they came up with to take the sting out of Alberto messing up. Of course they didn't "invent a new language..." All Bruno and Alberto actually did was embrace his mistakes with his eagerness to learn. Alberto had never heard of Spanish before meeting the Madrigals, was scarcely aware of the existence of any other languages but Italian; so finding himself almost effortlessly able to communicate with Bruno, each in their own tongue, felt like some magic in itself. While technically he could speak this way with Luisa or Pepa or Isabela just the same, with any Spanish speakers, it just isn't "Itañol" like when he speaks with Bruno. The way the two meshed their native languages together took on a life of its own, patterns that only became apparent because of the time and attention and enthusiasm they invested in talking to each other. Bruno gets Alberto right away, familiar flubs and funny accent and all. They understand each other so well, and that's why they understand each other so well. That's been the larger lesson behind Bruno's teaching. Now that Alberto's formally studying Spanish in school and actually has improved quite well (this whole conversation being proof of his progress), he's never tripped up about messing up, because anything he says "wrong" in Spanish is correct in Itañol. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Wow, you two invented the new language? That is pretty amazing, there is plenty of similarities between Spanish and Italian. I wonder if I could try to learn Itañol as well.

(She checks again on every book/tome spine for the subject a book or tome should go to before putting them back to their designated shelves. While they chat more, Isa has to keep an eye for possible fragile book she might encounter and so far, she has been very careful in handling each book and tome as if her life depending on it.

She is now hoping that none of the magic tomes could suddenly come to life and cause a bit of chaos in the bookshop.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto grins at her when she mentions this, oddly smitten to hear someone else use the word "Itañol" apart from himself and Bruno in the first place. ]

Hah— yeah! You just need to practice. I mean, you do know the inventors, heh~ And besides, you live with Bruno — that's how it all started anyway! We lived together for like a month. Back in the springtime, in Stardew. It was the best, heh.

[ Alberto seems more than happy to talk about Bruno, unlike many people in the Encanto. He's smiling to himself as he talks and examines books, feeling more and more at ease. Which of course is when he finds a tome with some chains bound to lock it. Alberto's never seen a book that's locked before, so it immediately catches his attention, and he holds it up very much without the gentle gracefulness he'd advised Isabela to use when they first started. He's long since forgotten about doing that, oops. ]

Oooh, hey, look! Cooool~!

[ Often foreboding words, when they come out of Alberto's mouth. And of course, instinctively, he starts messing with the chains, inspecting them and poking around at the lock they seal. Because what says "play with me" like something very obviously not meant to be played with...? ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(Now Isabela was almost done fixing the books she picked up back to their proper places and is about to do a couple more when she hears Alberto gasping at the sight of a locked book. Wondering what is causing such a fuss, she walks to up where he found it and hopes to figure out what is it.)

Why hello? What is this? (It) Looks pretty harmless for a book needing to be locked up.

(She has no idea of what is about to happen next the moment Alberto’s about to open that book.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto laughs a little at that, holding the locked book up to examine it from all sides in better light. He starts fiddling with the lock more, testing the strength of the chains on it... which prove to be pretty tensile. The clasp is just as delicate, and one of the chains entirely pops off, which Alberto only announces with a foreboding: ]

Oooops...

[ "Oops" is never a good word coming out of Alberto's mouth. Isabela's still getting to know him. But that is absolutely the vibe he exudes — a person you don't want to hear say "oops." He holds up the broken chain between his fingertips with a sheepish smile, turning to Isabela. ]

Haaa... Uh, eheh— Th-Think she'll notice...?

[ But practically on cue, the book then flutters its pages, like a butterfly might readjust its wings, almost as if waking up. This, too, takes Alberto aback, giving a slight start when he feels the book move of its own accord in his hands. He holds it at arm's length, tightening his grip on its spine, as it begins to flap and flop in his hand, trying to break the other chain to undo its own lock. Alberto flashes a wider, even more nervous and guilty-looking smile at Isabela, then places the book down on the ledge of the shelf, trying to frantically reattach the chain he broke, pinning it down while it begins to thrash beneath his grip. This is fine. Everything's fine. He'll handle this. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(The lock’s breaking has caught Isa off guard that she looks to Alberto, wondering what they are going to do with the situation they’re dealing with.)

Erm… What just happened in here? And did that book just came to life all the sudden?

[prontissimo]

[ The book continues to writhe under Alberto's grasp, but in his attempts to try and reattach the broken chain against the book's wild wriggling, he accidentally breaks the second chain, finally freeing the book. He yelps as soon as he realizes it, too focused on this small wrestle to answer Isabela's questions to explain what he's struggling with — until it's too late, naturally. Once free, the book is surprisingly strong, and manages to slither out from under Alberto's hands pinning it down. For good measure, it turns round, flaps open to its midsection and bites him, the thumb cuts of its thumb index becoming teeth-like.

This takes Alberto completely by surprise, which it shouldn't, and he lets out another little scream, tugging his bitten hand back. He slaps his other hand over his mouth, turning around with wild eyes to glance at the staircase the witch had ascended, hoping she didn't hear him. Then he turns to Isabela with the same desperate look, and gestures with his head toward the book, which has now thrown itself down off the shelf and is hopping away on the floor, propelling itself by flapping its pages and cover. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(Ho boy, this is going to be a major disaster, isn’t it? Isa barely manages to get out of the book’s teeth’s way as she backs away in sheer horror. How do you try to stop a rabid book from attacking anybody without causing more messes than this store could ask for?

Desperately trying to find a way to stop its track, she randomly grabs a random broom for it to bite into but its proves to be too easy for it to munch on it faster than she would have hoped for. What a great way to kick off this book vs person match well, Madrigal.)

sorry this is so excruciatingly late! we can continue or drop as you please.

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto, too, watches on in sheer horror as the book makes quick work of Isabela's broomstick. It bites the bristles off in a clean, loud, immediate snap, and continues on toward her feet. Seeing how aggressive it is and how it's clearly coming for her, Alberto's approach is no smarter... but somewhat more effective? He just throws his whole body to the floor on top of it, pinning it down with his full force. It actually works fairly well, though the book continues to thrash beneath him, trying to bounce him off itself. It's a bit comical looking, truth be told, but Alberto stays put. After securing some semblance of control, he looks up and cases the scene with frantic eyes, trying to figure out his next step. He doesn't really think before he does things, he just... does things... That much is already apparent about him and they've barely been here twenty minutes.

He spies a shawl the witch had left on a coatrack nearby, and points toward it with his chin. ]

Ooh! There! Grab that thing, Signora, subito!

[ And should she pass it to him, he'll frantically scramble to his feet and throw the cloth over top the book, pinning it down again with both hands as it writhes beneath it. ]

Dai, help me wrap it up!

[ He's working off the cuff here, but at least he's... resourceful? Creative? Something like that. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh yes right, the shawl over at the coatrack. Um, okay. I’m going to get it as quickly as I can go.

(So Isabela makes a mad dash towards the coatrack where the shawl Alberto had directed to her is on a while ago. Quickly grabbing it from its usual spot, she returns as fast as she could to get to Alberto and pass it along to him.)

Got it. Gotta to keep this thing still before it could make a mess again.

(She soon joins in the book wrapping spree, ensuring that it won’t try to attack them or the bookstore again. Careful in making sure that her fingers are in tact, she helps Alberto in tying up the shawl around the book as safely and swiftly as humanely possible.

Finally after some time wrapping up the monster book, it was finally over. The book is now quieted down and no longer going to bite or attack anyone and anything again.)

[prontissimo]

[ Once they've got it all wrapped up, Alberto holding it in place while Isabela ties it, a wave of relief washes over them as the chaos comes to an end (or so it seems, for now)... Alberto heaves a melodramatic sigh, and collapses full-body on top of the wrapped up book again, face flat to the floor, looking exasperated and exhausted all over. He turns to look at Isabela, his expression incredulous, aggravated, and cracks a wry joke in a flat voice. ]

I don't like books.

[ He'd never say this out loud at home. When Isabela eventually comes over, it'll be a safe assumption that the impressive collection of books in their home are almost all Luca's... many blindly gifted to him from Alberto, but all the same, still Luca's. Alberto's never read a whole book in his life, and so far his experiences in this book shop are not winning him over. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Oof! That book did put quite a fight, huh?

(Isabela finally lands on her knees after spending a good amount of time tying this very pesky book with the shawl. It is not everyday one gets to fight a sharp pointy toothed book while cleaning up someone else’s shop. Though this experience is starting to remind her to be wary of magical books with sharp teeth again.

It is safe to say that after this, she might have a weird time trying to not think of the book that almost turned the witch’s bookshop into a mess and almost attacked her and Alberto for the foreseeable future.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto lets out a grumpy little groan in response, and theatrically flops over, rolling face-up now. As he does so, he shoves the wrapped-up book out from under himself, then kicks it with his leg as he rolls over and splays out, all as one fell movement. Not that this kind of agility helped them much on the battlefield in October when they needed it... The now-conquered, once-again imprisoned book goes sliding off and shoots into the bottom of a broomstick, which falls over with a loud thud, knocking a small stack of books off the side of a nearby shelf. The crash releases a large puff of dust, and the fallen broom almost seems to— d-did it just sneeze...? Alberto's too busy lying dramatically on the ground to notice, but even if Isabela noticed the broom sneeze, there's scarcely a second to even comment on it before the old witch's voice sounds from the top of the staircase above. ]

Everything all right down there, kids?

[ Alberto snaps to attention, sitting up straight in a flash, as if reanimated by a bolt of lightning. He calls back to her confidently with his hand cupped to his mouth, wearing a strained smile. ]

Aha, y-yup! Tutto bene, signora! Nothing's broken! That was just— me...! Oops~! Hah...

[ Somehow he's giving the impression that he's both very experienced with lying to grownups, aaand that he's still kinda bad at it anyway. He throws Isabela a frantic look, before clambering to his feet and getting very swiftly back to work sorting books as they had been before. Just in case the witch comes downstairs again — things will look normal. Apart from the small pile of books the broom had spilt, but... looking over there now, it seems the broom has righted itself. Hm. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(There is a feeling of temptation for Isabela to panic the moment the old witch asked if they’re doing alright. But she can’t just let Alberto and the old witch down at this time and start a panic storm right about now. With no time to waste, Isabela quickly picks up the books and tomes (a few at a time) and put them back to their rightful places as quickly as she could.

Thankfully the broom is back to its usual place so she didn’t need to worry about fixing it. She makes sure to check if there is anything else that was left on the ground that she needs to get to besides the fallen books.

Once she sees that there is nothing pressing to attend to, she finally lets out a sigh of tired but relaxed relief. She could have slumped herself down onto the floor right about now.)

lol I challenge you, link a bad song for the book to sing badly hahaha

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto follows suit, quickly and blindly shoving books on the shelf to seem like he's doing what he should be doing, if the witch comes downstairs. But there doesn't seem to be any further movement. So after a second, once Isabela sighs in relief, Alberto turns back over to her, tryna reassure her this isn't total chaos. He switches back to speaking English at last, not knowing quite the colloquial phrase for this sentiment, and wanting to make sure his reassurance lands well. ]

Hey. We've got this.

[ He throws her a self-satisfied smirk, trying to instill some confidence in her despite the chaos here... But it's a weak argument.

Especially considering the very next bit of chaos starts the same as the first. Alberto picks up a book that seems to be an instruction book on singing, with the simple title: "How to Sing (and How NOT to Sing)" ]

Ooooh, cool~! Look!

[ Again: foreboding words coming from Alberto, almost always. He holds it up to show off the book to Isabela, grinning with good humor. ]

A book about learning how to sing! Because that makes sense...

[ He's not a reader, nor a singer, beyond just singing along to the music he likes on his stereo at home... which he does do a lot, and with gusto. He fancies himself a good singer, even if he's... fine at it... But the concept of learning something auditory silently does not compute to him, not knowing anything at all about musical theory or formal vocal training. He can't imagine what could possibly be said about singing to fill a book this big. How can someone learn anything about how to sing from reading quietly...? ]

Here. You take it. It doesn't go here. And I don't need it, anyway. Hah!

[ He passes it off to Isabela to put away in her section or page through out of curiosity. However, little does he know, the book is not quite as quiet as he thinks it is... Should she open it, she'll open on a page about how NOT to sing... and the book itself will give a loud demonstration. ]

*There goes Isa’s sanity whoops*

[senorita_perfecta]

(Isa manages to catch the book with both gloved hands and she peers onto the title cover. How to Sing (and How NOT to Sing), what a harmless title for a seemingly harmless book. A part of her is feeling intrigued to read its pages, though she did tried to reconsider and shove it back into the book shelves before the old witch returns or just, you know, not open it at all.

But as it turns out, curiosity overrules logic here as she carefully opens the book itself and accidentally unleashes an audible nightmare when the book starts to sing very off key. It is so loud that she could have thought that her ears might have gone deaf from being so close to the book’s proximity.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto is caught off guard by the sudden ear-piercing song, and it's loud enough to scare him. He lets out a little yelp (not a scream, no) of his own, jumping in his skin a bit and taking a few steps away from Isabela, though his eyes are locked on her and the book. In doing so, he missteps and knocks over a pile of books that he'd precariously balanced on the edge of the bookshelf. This just startles him more, as the book continues singing, and as he jumps the other way, he trips over one of the books that fell, and finds himself falling down, too. Which knocks over the other pile of unorganized books he'd been plucking from. And that pile, in turn, knocks over the pile beside it, like an awful domino effect. Alberto taking on this should-be-simple task is like a slapstick routine...

Knocking over the stacks of books and falling over like that, it all produces a thick cloud of dust. Before Alberto can even react to his own mishaps, he's taken by a loud sneeze. And maybe it's this that triggers some magical effect in the broom — or maybe just simply annoys its semi-sentient sensibilities — but his sneeze from stirring up all the dust seems to be the cue for the broom to leap into action. Of its own accord, it begins sweeping its way over to Alberto, nearly hitting Isabela with its handle on its way over, as it pushes right on past her. It even stops, double-backs, and sweeps over her toes a little. Nice broom, at least. This is clearly just urgent.

Meantime, Alberto's so stunned, he's just still sprawled on the floor with all the fallen books, gaping at the broom and Isabela in shock. So much is happening... so much... He used to complain about being bored back home, about how nothing interesting ever happened in his life, that'd even been his primary grief growing up; he can never complain about his life being boring anymore... ]

[senorita_perfecta]

Oh geez. When does this book ever going to stop?

(Isabela's trying to keep her sanity and her eardrums intact as she tries (and fails) to close the book immediately. Oh dear, this book is going to be the end of all of them if someone doesn't do something to stop the book's singing. What is she to do now? The next thing she knows, she narrowly avoids getting hit on the arm by the magic broom sweeping up the mess as it passes her by and cleans off the dust surrounding her feet.)

Come on, book. Please keep the singing to the minimum. Nobody wants to get distracted or be disturbed.

Oh dear, what if the old witch shows up at any moment now? She is going to be so upset if she walks into the bookshop in this state.

( Isabela tries again to shut the book up as she summons all the strength she can muster in her arms, hoping that it will stop the singing lesson book already. She must have lost count in how long her second (or was it the third? Fourth perhaps?) attempt can end this madness so she can put the books back in the shelves again. It did took her quite a while to do, but she is finally able to slam the book shut by having her hands to close it in a big slam.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto stays sprawled on the floor as Isabela struggles to slam the book shut, the broom sweeping ferociously around him. It gives him a couple firm knocks on the head with its handle as it passes, as if to scold him for making a mess and being careless. ]

Oww! Stupida scopa...

[ He holds his head, rubbing where he'd been hit, muttering under his breath as the broom sweeps off on its way to finish the rest of the shop. Might as well, now that it's started, right? Or so it figures. It's a broom. It does one thing.

Alberto, though, has had enough, as he climbs to his feet again. He puts his foot on the stack of books he'd knocked over, triumphantly puffing his chest out and placing his hands on his hips. He gives a stern look and a bold tone, raising his voice a little. Not too much to catch the witch's attention upstairs, but enough to sound like he means business...! ]

Alright, you books! A-And all you other magical sort-of-alive items! We're gonna sort you, and you're gonna like it! And you're not gonna bite us or hit us or get us in trouble! Or else — because we have hands, and you don't! Capite?!

[ He mimes tearing out a page from an invisible book, imitating an exaggerated ripping sound. H-He's... threatening the enchanted items like an Italian mobster in the movies? Oh, boy. But he's making a last-ditch effort here to gain control of the situation. If apparently the broom is smart enough to be spiteful, then maybe these things can hear. He doesn't know!? Why not?! Worth a shot... ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(Isabela meanwhile hasn’t fully recovered from her encounter with the singing lesson book as she tries to get up from the floor and stash the book back into the music section. Note to self, avoid sentient singing lessons books for the time being after thus. And honestly it might take a while for her to shake off that shocked feeling.

As Alberto tries to get the books and other magical items’ attention, she nods in agreement as she dusts off her clothes and attempts to prove his point by miming the action to breaking the book in half. Not exactly the best illustration she can muster but it is the best she got.)

[prontissimo]

[ Alberto cracks a wide grin at that, glancing her way, then amps up his energy continuing to... th-threaten the books... ]

Yeah-hah, that's right! You really don't wanna mess with her! She's secretly crazy, she'll whip your book-butts! So behave!

[ He means that completely endearingly; "crazy" is a good thing in Alberto's book, especially "secretly crazy" types, perhaps like Isabela and Luca. But how he defines this, is maybe a little— out of the loop... His social skills aren't the best? A large reason why he and Bruno just get each other. But the longer he hangs out with Isabela, now that they're off the battlefield, the more she's growing on him — no pun intended. Seems like they make a good team under pressure together! A bond he shares with Luisa, too.

...Who knows how effective this tactic is with the books, though. Maybe some of the books are sentient enough to understand they're being threatened...? The broom sweeps backwards slightly from the other room and leans its handle out, as if to peek at them, like... judgmentally... Or maybe it's just a magic broom sweeping funnily, hmm... Who can say. ]

[senorita_perfecta]

(Of course, being secretly scary is a good way to describe her these days. That girl is through with being a too perfect for her own good golden child. Once the books and magical items took notice of her miming action, several of them begin to panic in fear as they scamper for their own magical lives back to their usual places. Thank goodness this is going to help her and Alberto’s task to be a little more bearable as she picks up some non sentient books from the floor so she can put them away to their rightful places in the shelves and bookcases.

It is also a good thing that Isabela’s newfound element is not fire because otherwise she might have the temptation of burning some of them if she didn’t have some self control today.)

Phew! That should hopefully teach them not to cause a mess out of this place again.