[ A chill falls over Alberto in one fell swoop. His shoulders tense, straightening his back and standing taller, head held higher, jaw tight. He glances at Luz with a hard look in his eye, deliberative and unnerved and desperate all at once. It takes him too long to find words, though, that no matter what he says next, there's no way it can sound genuine. He can't lie his way out of this; even Alberto's acting has its limits. ]
Me? Bothered? I'm not bothered. It's Luca's birthday. I'm fine. I'm having fun! Fun with all our friends!
[ ...But that doesn't mean he won't try his damnedest, anyway. He doesn't manage a smile, keeping his lips taut and teeth clenched, and his voice has a cold edge to it, none of the charms he might usually put on for a more convincing delivery. He's phoning it in, sure, but he's gonna keep up his "everything's fine" act faithfully. Of course he's gonna do this the hard way; sorry, Luz. ]
no subject
Me? Bothered? I'm not bothered. It's Luca's birthday. I'm fine. I'm having fun! Fun with all our friends!
[ ...But that doesn't mean he won't try his damnedest, anyway. He doesn't manage a smile, keeping his lips taut and teeth clenched, and his voice has a cold edge to it, none of the charms he might usually put on for a more convincing delivery. He's phoning it in, sure, but he's gonna keep up his "everything's fine" act faithfully. Of course he's gonna do this the hard way; sorry, Luz. ]