theshipyard | •||• Tony Chang

[ The Vongola estate is a decidedly enormous and gorgeous place, but as much as she's enjoyed studying the details in the architecture, the picturesque views of gardens and sitting areas, and the paintings along some of the walls it doesn't change one simple fact.

She's lost. Damn... and she usually has such a good sense of direction, too.

The Tenth had given her a fairly surprising amount of free reign of the manse, but Tony hadn't planned on getting so deep into exploring it so soon after arriving. It would have been better to leave some to discover for after she'd begun to exhaust other means of entertainment, or she found herself in the mood to wander aimlessly, even. Today the only thing she'd really wanted was to find the music room and play for a bit, and it seems that isn't in the cards.

Now, normally she'd have no problem stopping to ask someone for directions back to where she was headed, but the staff she encountered didn't speak English OR Mandarin- naturally -and Tony didn't speak enough Italian yet to phrase her question. She's loathed to bother one of the Guardians about it, too, even if she COULD find someone other than Hibari. She'd taken one peek into that room, seen him dozing, and yanked herself back around the corner so silently and so quickly she'd swear she felt something POP internally.

NOPE.

With a weary sigh the young woman finally relents, turning her back towards one of the windows and sinking quietly down to sit on a bench perfectly placed under the sill. With her hands resting on either side of her, Tony stretched out her legs and crossed one ankle over the other, shutting her eyes and leaning her head back a bit. In Mandarin, she joked quietly to herself: ]

I should've asked for a map.

[Reborn had spent the last two months away on an international trip - for business, of course - and was only now returning home again. The estate was much the same as always, familiar and sprawling and comfortingly chaotic, just the way he liked it, though he was aware of certain plans previously set in motion that were only just now coming to full fruition, during his absence. He's not really thinking of that as he leaves Tsuna's office after gleefully dropping off a pile of paperwork and his findings from the trip for him and Hayato to deal with, hands slid into the pockets of his slacks with an insouciant air as he strolls through the well-remembered hallways. Maybe he'd take a walk through the gardens. South America was deep in the throes of winter at this time of year...

He's only briefly surprised to hear Mandarin spoken nearby - I-pin was back in Japan again for school - but it dawns on him very quickly who the source - or possible sources - must be. They had never met in person, but that didn't mean he wasn't aware of them. He raps his knuckles against the window pane - a gentle alert and a warning of his presence - before Leon slips in to unlatch it, letting him swing the panels open wide. It takes him a moment to recall the tonality - two months speaking Spanish almost exclusively had dulled even his exceptional ear for languages - and he leans forward, resting his forearms on the sill.]

I'm afraid there are no official maps. [It would basically be asking for a security breach.] But perhaps I can offer myself as escort instead.

[ She was not expecting to hear someone speaking Mandarin back to her in reply to her idle musings.

Alright, so, the gentle rapping on the window is actually what she heard first, but- semantics. Tony turned in her seat to find the source, and couldn't hope to hide her surprise at the identity of the person looking back at her. Instinctively she makes room for him to open the window for a better exchange, but it's all so surreal that for a moment she's not entirely convinced she's awake and aware, rather than dreaming in her bed back in her guest room.

Given a moment, she realizes that she's staring and has the decency to blush at her own unintentional rudeness, smiling sheepishly before inclining with a respectful bow from her seat. ]

Please, excuse me. I wasn't expecting anyone to overhear me, and I wouldn't want to impose...?

[ Holy crap. This is actually happening. She can't help herself here. Even in the foreign circles Reborn's reputation proceeds him. She'd never seen a photograph but the descriptions were apt. Tall, dark, and mysterious, with curled sideburns, impeccably classy fashion sense, and a calm demeanor. Somehow people neglected to mention the handsome part, but that was probably either because there were other distracting qualities to focus on, or because that sort of thing was so subjective.

But yeah, check handsome off on that list for her, too. ]

[He shrugs and smiles slightly, still half-draped over the sill, while Leon climbs back up his arm to the brim of his hat, curling up in his customary location and turning to stare out at her with unblinking eyes.]

It would not be hospitable to leave a guest so lost. [He murmurs, tilting his head a little so he can get a better look at her. This must be Tony, since her twin sister had, by all reports, a markedly different temperament. She is deceptively small for her reputation, based on those very same reports (a state with which Reborn is very familiar), but with a considerable presence about her all the same.]

Is there somewhere specific you would like to go, or would you like a guided tour?

[ She'd not been sure if she'd been seeing what she thought she was at first, but sure enough, it turned out that there was truth even to the wilder parts of the stories she'd heard of Vongola's hitman. The little chameleon companion crawling up to rest on his hat earns a surprised stare, and then a friendly smile. He may not be able to speak, but it was clear he was an intelligent little creature, following unspoken cues so easily that he seemed to be anticipating Reborn's desire before anyone else could decipher his intentions.

When he tilts his head Tony can't help it any longer, and her more reserved and polite smile turns playful, but appreciative. Maybe he didn't intend it to be so, but the gesture made him appear very relaxed. If she knew anything about the man, though, she's sure that even now he'd be impossible to catch completely off guard.

There's an excitement there that she can't even hope to hide, even from a less astute observer, so she doesn't try. ]

Then I'd be more than glad to place myself in your capable hands. I was trying to find my way back to the music room, but I obviously took a wrong turn somewhere.

Yes, you've played for quite some time, haven't you? [He says it conversationally, thoughtfully, apparently casual. But it also serves as a reminder of his resources, and those of the Vongola, and however charming Tony seemed to be on first acquaintance, it was better not to trust too much at first while still in the process of getting to know each other.]

If you don't mind then? [He says, half cryptically, motioning her to stand to the side of the window. Then he hoists himself up and through the large frame so they're both standing on the same side, and offers her his arm.]

Since I was old enough to hold a guitar, yes.

[ She doesn't miss a conversational beat, and if she seems put off or surprised that he knows about that, she doesn't show it. She's not clairvoyant or even that familiar with Reborn's practices, but Tony knows that you don't earn a reputation like his by slouching on your research. She may not seem the type, but she's a tactician at heart, and looking at it from a tactical stand point it just made good sense. The Vongola wouldn't have taken her in, or even considered her family as allies without vetting them thoroughly first.

She makes room for him as she answers, at once becoming more acutely aware of their difference in height once he's standing beside her. There IS a moment of hesitation when she looks to the offered arm, but only a brief one before she slips hers through. There's also a slight rush of heat in her neck and face, so a keen observer might see that blush before she gets it under control. She's not exactly accustomed to getting this type of chivalrous treatment, but she's doing her best to roll with it, as it's hardly unpleasant. It's actually a nice little change of pace. ]

Si. [ She answers, then, graciously- ] Thank you, by the way. I'd heard you were well traveled, but I didn't know you'd be so fluent in Mandarin. My Italian is still pretty rough...

I trust you'll have plenty of opportunity to practice - both your music and your Italian - while you are here as a guest.

[He leads her down the hall, keeping his pace smooth and steady, not too fast for her to keep up easily. Since she seemed more interested in the music room, he forgoes the guided tour for the moment, leading her on the shortest, most efficient route.]

It's a shame you didn't come a little later in the year. While I-pin's Cantonese is still stronger than her Mandarin, you would have at least one other fluent speaker here to converse with.

I hope so. I haven't been able to speak with the others as much as I'd like, yet. At least with Gokudera-xiānshēng we have music in common. It's not really a substitute for full conversation, but it's helped. And if I do have the chance to meet her I'll look forward to it.

[ But she decides that it would be rude to continue on without saying something first, so she takes the opportunity as they walk- more of a leisurely stroll for him at this pace, she's sure, since he's being mindful not to move too quickly for her. ]

I hope you'll excuse me for waiting so long to say so, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Reborn-táiduān.

The pleasure is all mine. [He acknowledges her greeting with a polite nod and a small smile.]

We should be there soon. [His steps make no sound even as they proceed from carpet to marble flooring and back onto carpet again, a confusing, apparently circuitous route at odds with the physical layout of the house, crossing through and between rooms without regard for their intended function. It is direct, though convoluted, and they are soon standing in front of the closed door to their intended destination.]

If you need anything else at all, please feel free to ask for me.

•||• Tony Chang » Original Character

•||• Reborn » arderebuio

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