「Crystal War Requiem」

Cafeteria

Queuing in the string of varying sea of bodies, Giorno stood with Wynd chattering about his homeworld. The sound of utensils clinking against plates and the chatter among friends filled the open-spaced room. Rows and rows of rectangular tables filled with occupants enjoying their rations and overall having a good time. Even in war times, the powers of a good meal accompanied by companions always bring soothing air, even to those not participating.

"Hey, Giorno, are you even listening to me?" snapping out of his daydream, he turns his attention to the yellow pegasus mare.

"Sorry, I drifted off from our conversation. What is it you were talking about again?"Wynd gave a low groan along with a "Urgh." both paused their conversation to move up in the queue,

"I said, how is it that your world has these technological machines that could be used to communicate across continents? Don't you remember our carriage ride with Princess Celestia? It sounds too unbelievable if you ask me." crossing her arms, Wynd tilts her head, expecting a clear explanation from Giorno.

"This isn't my field of expertise. But I can give you a rough idea of how it works." rubbing his chin, GIorno used his other hand to support his elbow.

"We built these gigantic blocks of metal and iron that float near the outer regions of the atmosphere, and around the planet, the reason why it's so high up is that it needs a good area to receive signals when we send our messages. After receiving the message, it would send it back down towards the recipient. Other than that, I'm not able to give you an in-depth explanation."

"And these gigantic blocks of metal don't fall back from the sky? Or how you can send scrolls with enough force to go to space?" Wynd asked, not sounding convinced in the slightest. Giorno doesn't blame her, though. These kinds of topics are meant for experts and professionals in their line of work. Giorno runs the Italian mafia, not NASA nor a communication company.

"It involves using advanced physics and science that I'm not too knowledgeable about." Both took another step closer to the servery. However, Giorno started to notice eyes beginning to survey and study him like some wild animal. Wynd seemed to be put slightly on edge by this. A pair turns to a dozen pairs, seeing as this may quickly get out of hand. Giorno projected his voice to ensure it could be heard by all the prying eyes but still kept a calm tone.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

The confrontation caused many to return to their meals. Some persisted and stared for a couple of seconds longer before doing the same, while others didn't stop peering, curious at the creature dressed in bright pink and queuing for rations. Wynd sighed a sigh of relief. Giorno was already beginning to become quite the celebrity already. His interesting arrival with the Sun princess, along with what he has supposedly done in the west-wing Infirmary, can build quite an unwanted reputation. Celestia has already spread the word of the newly arrived special guest inhabiting the palace among the guards. Though she did mention his name, never did she describe how Giorno looked or dressed. But with the way he is dressed, most could already tell that he wasn't from around here.

Eventually reaching the servery, Giorno copied Wynd's actions by grabbing an empty tray and letting it be filled with mush rations. Realizing he needed two hands to carry the tray without drawing any more unwanted attention. He quickly transformed his anatomy book borrowed from Celestia into a small, gorgeous butterfly. Its wings share the same color as the crystal-blue sea. Letting the butterfly rest upon his shoulder and hefting up the tray, Giorno made his way over to the standing Wonderbolt.

"So, where do you want to sit?" Wynd asked

"Preferably somewhere quiet and away from the attention."

"Sure, follow me."

Maneuvering their way through the tables and crowds, she managed to spot an open seat relatively secluded situated close to the Cafeteria's corner. Taking their accommodations and setting the metal tray onto the table, Giorno began digging in. But not before Wynd cuts him with a dead-toned question.

"Giorno, why do you want to help us?" suspending his spooned ration in the air, Giorno looks up at her. Slowly, he placed his food back onto the tray.

"What do you mean?"

"You know very well what I mean." filling his lungs with air from the surroundings, Giorno took a deep sigh,

"You may believe me or not, but I had faced someone similar before. That tyrant would do anything to erase his past and rule the underground crime syndicate with an Iron fist. Slaughtering those that stood in his way, even to go as far as to attempt to murder his own daughter to achieve that goal, and in a world where the authorities are corrupt from the inside out, the weak couldn't turn to them for protection, crimes can go unnoticed if you bribe them well enough, and drugs get sold to kids. I had to do something about it. I couldn't let my country stay corrupt anymore. In the end, I managed to end his influence. But at the cost of the lives of my closest friends."

Intertwining and locking his fingers into a fist, Giorno gazed into Wynd's eyes, resolve blazing strong.

"Which is why I'm determined not to let your people suffer the same fate I had to endure my whole childhood, as well as the pain of losing loved ones." Seeing Giorno's conviction is reassuring to Wynd. Recognizing that Giorno isn't a potential enemy anymore puts her at ease. Relaxing her tense posture, she smiled with genuine happiness, one that she hasn't give in a long time.

"Thank you, Giorno. For helping us." Picking up his spoon once more, Giorno closed his eyes in a carefree manner. Wynd's smile was infectious to the Don of Passione however, and soon enough, he was smirking a smile of his own.

"Don't thank me. I haven't accomplished my goal yet. Save it for when we throw that King Sombra down from his oppression." Giving a cheerfully hummed 'Mhm!'. The two sat in peace, finishing their meals in pleasant silence.

Ten minutes passed. Having finished their rations, both made their way to the Tray Collection Point, deposited their trays onto the shelves, and left the Cafeteria together, with the butterfly still resting on Giorno's shoulder. Stepping out, both of them was encountered by a Guard power-walking his way over to him. The Guard looked from Wynd then to Giorno.

"Pardon me, but are you Giorno Giovanna?"

"Yes, I am. Is there something you need me for?"

"I was sent by the Princess to direct you to your room. If you aren't busy at the moment, I will accompany you to your designated chambers, Sir Giorno." Turning to Wynd, she gave an understanding nod, encouraging Giorno to follow the Guard back to his bedroom.

"It's alright. It would be best if you got used to your room first. I need to get back to work anyway. See you later!" Waving, Wynd spun in the opposite direction and strolled off. Leaving the Guard and Giorno alone.

"Please, Guard, lead the way then."

Reaching Giorno's Chambers, two Guards already assigned next to the door with spears in hand, the Guard leading him halted.

"This is your designated chambers, Sir Giorno." Opening the dark oak door, the room was very spacious. His right was a dining table with a red flourished couch that contrasted nicely with the relatively primary white interior color scheme. Glancing forward was two glass sliding doors that lead to an open balcony with gold plated railing, the marble ground reflecting anything close to the smooth floor. Glancing to his left was a King-sized bed, white curtains tied up on the edge's poles, decorated with big fluffy pillows spread over the frame's cross rail. Directly to the left of the bed was a small study table, with a fireplace between the door of the balcony and the bed. The cherry on top is the gold-painted streaks going around the ceiling top frames and a big carpet adorning the same color as the crimson sofa.

"Shall you need anything, simply inform of the guards stationed outside of your chambers, and they will arrange a servant to deliver your need straight to you."

"Thank you. You may leave now." Bowing, the escort guard left Giorno's sight, disappearing into the long halls.

"Do not inform me of anyone that isn't Princess Celestia, otherwise. Tell them I am busy." Issuing the newly appointed order to the two Guards standing outside next to his doorway, the pair saluted and nodded. With the command now in effect, Giorno made his way over to the study, closing the door behind him. Laying hold of the butterfly on his shoulder, it contorts itself back into the anatomy book in Giorno's hand. Placing it onto the table, he took a seat and flipped to the first few pages on the 'Fundamentals of Earth Pony Anatomy - Fur and the Serous Membranes.'

"If I want to help mend them more efficiently, I need to start cramming." Giorno began reading to himself, studying about Pony Anatomy for the remainder of the day.