failbo: I've been so good, (but it's still getting harder)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-08 01:08 pm (UTC)(link)
...I mean, yeah! Whoever invited her sure wasn't there telling her a single thing from what I can see. You probably get the credit.

[He sure didn't see anyone other than Kuranosuke, her talented designer friend, and...someone with what seems to be a terrible ability to make financial decisions. Context clues sure hint that third person isn't this shady CEO.

...speaking of that...]


Uh, who is the--the one spending way too much on...what was it, a buda?

[Is there grumpus buddhism I think not]
failbo: (I'm not sure why)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-10 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[That face sure says lots, Kuranosuke. Filbo has seen him for just a little bit and he already can tell there may be a bit of a lack of sense there!]

Seems to me you were surrounded by an interesting bunch. I still don't get fashion at all, but can't deny these were pretty interesting times, eh?

[With a talented designer finding her drive, and a chauffeur with terrible monetary sense. It's...truthfully, it's pretty sad that Kuranosuke isn't with them right now, that, well, he died.

Which is why he adds:]


...you'll be back with them all before you know it.
failbo: (What am I normal or not?)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-12 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Filbo had been about to say something else, when from the screen...something else appeared.]

A far more peaceful-looking place than hell. It seemed to be a rural location. Cloudy skies, clean atmosphere, and from what the memory showed, a very newly built settlement. For a moment the screen shows blurry images, only voices sounding for a moment.

'I think Lizbert and Eggabell's house should be here, at the heart of the town.'

'Oh yeah? I don't remember anyone putting you in charge, chum.'

'Uh...Lizbert did...you were--you were at the meeting weren't you?'

'Hmph. I do not recall hearing that.'

When the memory takes form, it seems to be a small, round hut, seemingly made cozy. There's Filbo, somehow managing to sew something. One look shows it's a mayoral sash -- several, in fact, piled on the bed, all of them with MAYOR written on it. He looks...pretty resigned, actually. Kind of tired.

He was almost finished when another grumpus entered his hut, waving at him pretty casually. She was quite large, over seven feet tall, and as soon as she entered, it was pretty obvious to anyone watching there was a strong presence to her, the kind of draw that attracts people to her, and yet there she was, looking at Filbo with a brightness that hinted immediately she was actually happy to see him.

"Filbo, mate, how did it go today?" It had been around two weeks since the expedition arrived to Snaxburg, and the town had been officially finished! Thirteen grumpuses ready to tackle the mystery of Bugsnax and figure out what those insects were all about!

Filbo gave a bit of a noncomittal shrug. Pretty dour response, for the usually cheerful grumpus, really.

"You alright?" Lizbert asked, sitting on the bed near him. "What happened this time?"

"...I just...don't think this is gonna work, Lizbert. Me being in charge while you're out hunting just...it's not gonna work."

Some prodding from Lizbert about what he meant led to him beginning to talk. It seemed that even with the one person he trusted to the fullest, he still was greatly reluctant to talk about what he felt.

"Lizbert, nobody's taking me seriously. They don't like me, I have told you that, right? They want you to help them, not me! I mean, I got--I have this whole list of things that need to be done and they all want you to do it. I just..." Filbo looks up towards the ceiling of greenery. "...I just dunno what to do anymore."

"I could tell them to give you a break already. You don't gotta just take it, Filbo."

"No, Liz. You can't just keep doing that for me." Ever since Filbo had been a child Lizbert had taken him under her wing, trying to give a bit of solace from everything going against him. Less sheltering him, more...trying to soften the blows, really. And although Filbo was extremely grateful, well, anyone at some point would want to step out of the shadow, and he had hoped to do it!

...but as usual, things aren't like one hopes it will be. Being named her deputy and therefore defacto mayor whenever she was out of town hunting all over the island -- which was really often -- had only drawn everyone's disdain. Filbo had the drive and the disposition to help. What he didn't have, though, was the capacity for it. He was way over his head...and not being taken seriously in the slightest was only making it harder.

"But you know what?" Filbo brightened up while he was pouring his heart out to Lizbert. "Maybe--maybe what's wrong is that they still...haven't caught onto what I'm supposed to do here!"

"You got any ideas?" Lizbert sure seemed ready to encourage him!

"Well, you know, I thought maybe if I carried a sign of what I do for Snaxburg, everyone would understand I'm taking it seriously!" And so he showed Lizbert one of the sashes he had made. "There's nothing official about it, but hey, our town is kinda temporary anyway, so...it's gonna do the trick, right?"

The look in his eyes was absolutely pathetic. Anyone would see he was hungry for reassurance, to hear that maybe things would get better. Lizbert nodded immediately, her paws grabbing his shoulders.

"It will, Filbo. Someday it's gonna get better. You'll see. Everyone's gonna see it!"

Filbo nodded, appreciating the ressurance. He could always count on Lizbert. When things get tough, it was...it was good to know she would be there for him.

"Alright! I'll leave these outside to the paint dries up, and tomorrow it will all be ready!"

Filbo hangs his new sashes in the hanger outside.

Before three days had passed someone had taken them all and stuffed them into the latrine of the town.
failbo: (Why are you asking me why?)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-12 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
...it's...not as bad as it seems?

[Filbo gives a general wince]

I mean, no, there was only...one that really went over the line? Can't say I was thrilled about her at all, really.

[She was literally the only one to who Filbo showed any kind of obvious dislike openly, really. Takes a lot for Filbo to not want you anywhere near him, and flagrantly demeaning him is the way to do that. As abysmal as his self-esteem is, he won't force himself to spend time with someone like that.

...

...much time.

Half of the rest of the town simply behaved exasperated or openly disdainful towards him, and the other half were friendly but sure didn't say a word or intervene]


I know it looks bad as it is, but, uh, circumstances were rough, we were in a remote island trying to keep things afloat while we explored, and...for many Lizbert was literally the only reason they were here at all and didn't get along with the rest? So I suppose that...me screwing things up from time to time didn't help.

[Yes, good intentions, but still, doesn't help when you're over your head, even if your attitude is the best]
failbo: I've been so good (I've been helpful and friendly)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-17 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[...he knows Kuranosuke is right. Logically speaking, he knows that's true. But it's hard for him to believe it.

Still, Filbo sighs]


Thanks, Kuranosuke. Honestly...dunno what's up with you all. I mean, I can't say I get why you all have been so...kind to me? Yeah, at first most were weirded out but now that's in the past and instead you're all so...so nice.

Dunno how to deal with that, really.

[Well, there's Ryo and stuff, and the more unapproachable ones in the cast make him antsy, but they're not making life hell. As far as he's concerned, Ryo and others are alright to be around of]
failbo: (still I'm lonely and stressed out)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-17 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[The expressions that pass on his face are pretty complicated. For a brief moment his gaze brightens up, but that quickly goes away, replaced with a melancholy that sure wasn't there before]

...thanks, Kuranosuke.

[He chuckles]

See, you really are a pretty supportive person. People really are lucky to know you, eh?

[That girl Kuranosuke went to pick up at Singapore is pretty lucky, he thinks. Kuranosuke is going to get out of here and return there and support her. What else does one need but someone to hold onto sometimes, really]
failbo: (I'm not sure why)

[personal profile] failbo 2023-03-18 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, you know what they say, being exasperated at someone but sticking around with them is a sign of the utmost admiration!

[Literally nobody has ever said that, don't pay attention to him]