Vento Aureo || Her Muse ||

|| 4 ||

Latte could cut this silent tension in the air with a knife. She could see some form of distrust from Bruno and the others. She wouldn't blame them since she is a silent stranger to them. Compare to Trish, this young woman is in a stranger's world. Latte felt sympathy for Trish. She was in Trish's shoes a long time ago. Being dragged into a life of darkness without any form of support, Latte was forced to survive on her own until she was strong enough work under a wonderful capo like Pericolo. 

Not wanting Trish to feel alone in this world, Latte ensures she is comfortable and protected since day one. To show that she is on their side, Latte approaches Bruno when they arrive to a safe house for a temporary hideout. 

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She saw that Leone is sticking close to Bruno's side. His eyes give her the message not to try any funny business. Latte nod her head in greetings which made Leone glare at her. Before she could sign to him, Leone grab the edge of her white coat. He pulls Latte close to him. Her light body let Leone lift her slightly off the ground. The tips of her boots are the only one's touching the floor. His tense purple eyes peer into hers. "Why, you are not talking? Huh?! You think you are better than us!?" He wants answers. His shouting brought the others to the doorway. 

Dealing with the new kid Giorno and now Latte, this is stretching his patience thin. Bruno quickly intervene by grabbing his right shoulder, "Abbacchio! Put her down!" Latte was put down on her feet by Bruno's orders. Leone click his tongue, crossing his arms. The young woman straighten her clothes. "Apologies, Miss Spumoni for Abbacchio's actions." Bruno spoke up, hoping to ease the tension in the air. Unaffected by what transpired, Latte pulls out something from her pant's pocket. The two men look down what is in Latte's hand - a pink card with black lettering printed on it. Bruno took the card to read the words on it. 

"Latte Spumoni, I am a mute." Their capo read out loud. Then eyes are on her in which she waves hello to them with a welcoming smile. Then, Latte pulls out a notepad and a pen from her bag. Writing on the paper, she hands it to Bruno. "I would talk if I could but I am pleased to meet you all. I offer my hand to you if you need any assistance." He reads out loud. Returning the notepad to Latte, Bruno decides to ask the important question. 

"Do you have a stand, Miss Spumoni?" 

Latte nods her head once. "She just answer to his question with no hesitation....!" The men thought to themselves. Leone wonder if she is stupid or confident enough with her stand. Either way, he needs to keep a close eye on the mute woman. The sound of her pen against paper fill the air. Ripping out the paper from her notepad, she folds it to hand it to Bruno. He took the paper then Latte held her index finger to her lips - motioning a hush motion. Then, Latte points to the ceiling with her index finger. Bruno caught on to her simple gesture. 

"...Right, you can go now." Bruno said. Latte nods her head then left her spot to approach the staircase. The sound of her boots become distant with each step. The team approach Bruno who still hold the folded paper in his left hand. "So, what is on the paper?" Narancia asks. Bruno let out a sigh then begins to unfold the paper. He read in silent of what she wrote. 

My stand allows me to blend with the crowd and helps me to escape. 

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Trish looks out the window, bored and tired of waiting. A couple of knocks tell Trish that Latte is at the door. She told her to enter. With a smile, Latte hold up a couple of magazines which caught her eye. "Well, it is better than nothing." The pink haired girl mutters under her breath. Latte gave her an apologetic look in response. Trish motions to the bed. Putting down the magazines on the bed, Trish sits on the bed. 

Trish looks at Latte who walks to the window. Latte turns her head to Trish who takes out her notepad to write on it. Approaching Trish, she shows the notepad to her. "Do you need anything else?" Trish shakes her head. Telling her that she is fine for now, Latte excuses herself from the room to give Trish space. 

Stepping out of the room, Bruno and Mista turn their bodies to face Latte. Closing the door behind her, she simply give them a thumbs up. This gesture reassures them that she is good. Their stances relaxes slightly but ready to fight any intruders. Her eyes connect to Bruno. She decides to write on her notepad then shows it to him. 

"Do you need any help?"

"No need, I believe we have everything under control." Bruno replies then pauses for a second. If what she wrote it is true, then he needs proof. It will also test if Latte is someone he could trust a bit. "I am sending Narancia to town to shop for supplies and buy Trish the things she wanted. You may join him if you wanted." Bruno informs her. Latte nods her head then excuses herself. As she walk down the stairs, she stops to see Giorno and Leone at the bottom stairs. Her head turns to the left side to see Fugo giving Narancia a list.

"That's a list of food and other things you need to buy." He gave Narancia car keys. With that Fugo gave him instructions, he tells Narancia to repeat the his instructions back to him. In response, Narancia mess it up which Fugo jabs him with the keys. "Wrong! Quit messing around! Again from the beginning!" He angrily said. Narancia tells Leone to stop Fugo from jabbing him any further. Not wanting to take part of this, Leone tells them that they are on their own. He adds that Narancia is good for the job since his stand can detect anyone following him. 

Making her presence know, Latte's knuckles knock against the staircase. Eyes are on her. Giorno and Fugo hid their surprise while Leone's eyes narrow at the young woman. They didn't even know Latte is standing there, watching their interactions. "...Her presence, I didn't even felt it." Giorno thought to himself, "If she didn't make herself known, we wouldn't know at all." Latte walks down the stairs to approach Narancia and Fugo. 

"I can help Narancia with shopping. After all, two is better than one." Latte signs to Fugo. She suspects him to know what she is saying, testing the waters. Fugo's expression turns from anger to calm. "Then, you know what he needs to do?" He replies. With a nod, Latte signs the instructions to Fugo while the others felt confused by these gestures. Fugo's brows furrow then he pinches the bridge of his nose. "She knows the instructions perfectly..." He told the others. Leone scoffs, "It is on Bucciarati's orders for Narancia to go." 

"Mr. Bucciarati has given me permission to go with Narancia." Latte replies in which Fugo translates for her. Leone doesn't believe her words but doesn't question it. Narancia gave her a grin, "Great then!" Swiping the keys from Fugo's possessions, Narancia walks towards the door with Latte following suit. "Since she is coming with me, I don't need to worry!" He concludes. Latte silently laughs at his words. This trip will be interesting especially someone carefree like Narancia. 

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