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all-my-novels · 4 years

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Carlotta’s Lament / Tool Scene

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fanfiction: OC/fankids focused

Words: 1,481

Read on the Ao3 here

Carlotta Brando sees herself as a tool to be used, and assumes Kokoro Kujo sees her the same way. She couldn't be more wrong, though.

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This is a scene from my fanchild fanpart for JoJo, called "Heartbreak Hotel Heartbreakers." As I'm notorious for never finishing things, I'm writing out scenes from my fanparts so you guys can read them in case they never get written. For more updates on these characters and more, you can find their works here:

My Writeblr -- Fankids Ask Blog -- Fankids Discord (open to anyone, I'm not the only one who posts content there)

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Carlotta’s Lament / Tool Scene

"Carlotta -- hey, Carla, slow the hell down!"

Kokoro's voice is uncharacteristically loud and somewhat emotional as she chases down her wayward cousin. The blonde stalked off after managing to defeat Hephaestus, a stormy expression on her face and sour parting words hanging in the air:

"I'll be making my own way from here on out."

Kokoro knows it's an illogical decision. The Artemis House is far from defeated, and if Carlotta goes off on her own, she'll most certainly be killed by them. It's what she's been trying to avoid...

So why is she moving faster while Kokoro tries to catch up?

Catching the other girl on the shoulder with her hand, Kokoro whirls her around to face her. Her expression is still stormy, but now there's an undeniable pain on her face as well and in her eyes.

"What's wrong with you?" Kokoro says quickly. "You know going off on your own puts us all in danger, right? Not just you? Making impulsive decisions will drag this whole team down --"

"It's always like this," Carlotta murmurs. Her voice may be quiet, but she absolutely sounds hurt. "I'm always -- always -- doin' shit for other people. Been that way since I was a kid." She bites her lip. Kokoro decides to keep her mouth shut for now, instead watching and listening while Carlotta continues. "Now, nobody asked me t' do that, t' be fair. I took up the mantle on my own, of my own free will. I'm always shoulderin' my own shit to deal with other people's. For their good, instead of mine. Y'know why I do that, Miss Psychologist?" Carlotta jabs a finger into Kokoro's chest, but the red-head doesn't respond.

"Not even gonna guess? Damn, yer borin' as always." Carlotta turns her head to the side and spits, then looks back at Kokoro, in the eyes. Kokoro's uncomfortable with the direct eye contact, but maintains it. "Well, fine. I'll take the fun outta it n' just tell ya: it's cause I think that, mebbe, if I keep helpin' people, even when they don't like me? Maybe they'll start t' like me."

A period of silence stretches between the two, and Carlotta snorts, removes her finger from Kokoro's chest and lets her hand fall back to her side. "I mean, I get it. I get this whole Artemis House deal, I get why people don't trust me or anybody else with th' name "Brando." My Pops did some bad shit back in th' day. I mean... how many folks d'you know who had their brother's body copied t' use as a backup in case somethin' happened to theirs?" She chuckles bitterly, but there's absolutely no happiness behind it. "Course, Uncle Jonathan forgave 'im for that, 'cause he's got a soft heart, y'know? Like me." She curls her hand into a fist over her chest, her fangs sinking deeper into her lower lip. Kokoro can tell that she's drawn blood, but she keeps speaking anyway.

"But the damage 's done. Nobody trusts me when I say I'm not a bad person. So I got to thinkin'... mebbe, if I just... stopped worryin' 'bout myself, how I felt, n' just let myself be a tool for others to use... mebbe I could fix us. Mebbe I could fix my family." Carlotta sniffs, her blue eyes shimmering with tears now as she rubs furiously at her face.

She may be eighteen, and legally an adult, but in reality, she's still just a child. A child with a burden far too heavy to bear on her own.

"Mebbe I could rewrite the Brando story, y'know? So that -- so that we ain't always just moochers on th' Joestar line." She sighs, looks down at her feet and kicks half-heartedly at a rock lying next to her foot. "But that was naive, n' stupid. We ain't never gonna be nothin' but a footnote in somebody else's story at best. At worst... we're the villains." She swallows, wipes away some of the blood trailing down her chin from where she split her lip earlier with her fangs.

"Pa n' Pops always wanted better fer us than what they got in life. 's why I never... told 'em about any o' this. Thinkin' about how Pops'd feel if I told 'im I was depressed after everythin' he's done for me? 's too much. 'sides, he don't need to worry 'bout me when we've got all the little ones, already." Carlotta wraps her arms around herself. She's long since looked away from Kokoro, instead turning her focus towards the ground as she shuffles her feet.

"Don'tcha get it, Kokoro? I'm -- I'm a fake. A fuckin' fake. Everythin' I've ever done is for somebody else, to make somebody else happy, so somebody else'll like me, or at the least, y'know, find some kinda use for me. My Pops used other folks as tools for his own gain..."

And here, Carlotta's hands curl into fists at her sides as her shoulders tremble with the weight of the world; she's become her own Atlas.

"... so I became everyone else's tool t' fix it. But even then -- even then, I couldn't win ya' over. An' not the Avdols either -- sure, J.P loves me, n' I'd die for him like I'd die for August or Teddy, or any of the others, but he's his own brand o' crazy. The others ain't gonna trust me. Even if I did die for 'im, I doubt they'd care enough to leave flowers at my grave. Yer different, though, Koku-chan. I think..." She furrows her brow and sniffs as tears roll down her cheeks. "... I think I wanted t' be friends with ya' so bad 'cause I wanted t' prove we -- the Brandos n' Joestars -- ain't gotta fight all the time. We can be friends, y'know?"

She starts to cry harder now, hiccupping sobs breaking through her words here and there. "But -- but I was -- I was wrong, again. Like a dumb lil' kid, I -- just don't learn my fuckin' lesson. It's my fault. I'm -- I'm not th' cousin ya' deserve, or th' friend ya' deserve either. I'm not good enough for nobody."

She ends her final word with a choked little whimper, curling in on herself before sitting down on the forest floor. Without thinking, Kokoro kneels down in front of her and puts her arms around her cousin, pulling her head in close to rest on her chest -- cheek pressed just above her heart -- just as her father Noriaki had done so many times when she would get overstimulated and panicked as a young child, so she could hear her heartbeat.

"You're wrong, Carla," Kokoro finally murmurs. Carlotta stops crying for a moment, curls her hands into the fabric of Kokoro's coat and goes still against her chest. "I don't hate you. I never have. I kept pushing you away because I figured you would be better off without me. I'm... not very good with showing emotions. I do a better job at analyzing other people's emotions and feelings, and talking them through it. Until you came looking for me, no one had ever tried to be my friend before, besides Axel." Kokoro sighs heavily, rests her cheek against the top of Carlotta's head as a few wet drops fall from her own eyes onto her hair. "I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry that I hurt you. But I don't -- I don't hate you. Not for anything you did, and not for anything your father did. That doesn't concern me -- or either of us -- anyway."

She squeezes Carlotta tight, presses a platonic kiss to her scalp. "Just promise me you'll do your best to live for yourself, and stay alive for yourself, and nobody else? You're not a tool to be used. You've got a path all of your own that's just as important as anyone else's. That's why I agreed to help you with Artemis House, anyway. I did it for you, and your family, not because I wanted anything out of any of you. I just believe living things have the right to live. Even if they are smelly vampires."

Carlotta snorts out a little laugh, pulls her head away from Kokoro's chest to look her in the eyes. She slides her glasses off, and Kokoro removes her shades for a moment, and they both rub at their eyes at the same time before putting their eyewear back on in tandem.

"We're gonna fight this battle together. As friends and equals. Got it?" Kokoro says, extending a hand to Carlotta for her to shake.

Carlotta gives a wry grin, takes Kokoro's hand in hers and shakes it. "Yeah. Got it. Thanks Koku-chan."

They return back to the others, hand-in-hand as cousins, not knowing just how important their bond is for the future of the Joestar family line and for each other.

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formalmess · 4 years

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For Your Entertainment ~ Chapter Eight

Summary: Luigi, Peasley, and Peach travel to Sarasaland.

Warnings: Gore, Character Death, Murder

“Thank you, again, for everything, Princess."

Peasley's tone was quiet, having lost most of his usual cheerfulness due to what had transpired over the last few days. He still managed to maintain a generally charming politeness when addressing the royal before him, facing Peach with a smile.

He had one hand on Luigi's back to comfort his worries, which hadn't ceased since they’d left Pi'illo Island.

"It's no problem at all. Anything to help my friends." Peach smiled, glancing around the lush pink interior cabin of her private jet.

Thus far, the flight had been going smoothly. There were a few jolts and bumps throughout the journey, but nothing too bombastic. The skies were clear, the bright sun peeking through the windows lining the plane’s interior. Polterpup was sleeping in a sunny spot on the open seat beside Peach, leaning up against her bag.

A toad attendant approached the three passengers, asking the trio if they wanted anything to drink, to which the three declined.

"I hate to keep making you run around like this." Peasley glanced down.

"Why, it's no trouble at all, Peasley." Peach's sweet tone remained quiet. "I don't care if we have to move you around a hundred times, so long as you two are safe. I want to help my friends, in any way I can.”

Peasley nodded, sighing as he leaned his elbows against the armrest at his side.

Luigi, who was lying against the window at his side, exhaled shakily.

He wanted to speak. He had yet to inform Peach of what had happened, and why exactly they had to move locations again. How could he just tell her that Bowser, once her almost-weekly kidnapper, was dead? He wasn’t a fearsome king anymore. He was just bits and pieces now. Just a small portion of Dimentio’s show.

Luigi shivered, curling his arms tighter around his knees, burying his face in his kneecaps.

Peasley continued to comfortingly rub at Luigi's back, sighing.

"I just hope… h-he'll give up soon. I can only imagine this might get... oh, I don't know... tiring, after awhile."

Peach had no response.

She remembered just how persistent Dimentio had been during her travels throughout Flipside and the many dimensions connected to it. He wasn't one to give up easily. When he wanted something, he would stop at nothing to get it. If he wanted a fight, he'd get one. If he wanted someone to fight for him, he'd make them.

He did things by force. And that thought terrified her.

"So..." Peasley twiddled with his thumbs anxiously upon realizing Peach had no response. "Where exactly are we headed?"

"...Do you think it's safe to talk about?"

Peasley's gaze met Luigi's, who had perked up and turned to the two blonde royals, staring through misted eyes. He nodded, shifting slightly to appear more at attention.

Peach hesitantly reached over and pulled out a letter from her bag. She unfolded it, smoothing it out and handing it over to Luigi.

"Maybe you should read this first. She wanted me to give it to you.”

“She?” Peasley raised an eyebrow.

Luigi took the letter, his heart skipping a beat as he scanned the paper and realized who had sent it, printed in semi-neat handwriting at the bottom. He could've recognized that signature anywhere.

"Daisy?"

Peach nodded.

"Daisy? As in, Princess Daisy?” Peasley shifted, moving to glance at the letter in Luigi’s hands. “We're going to Sarasaland?"

Peach nodded again, running her hands over her dress.

"Daisy and I have been in close correspondence. We’ve kept everything very secretive, just in case anything… w-went wrong.” She paused. “B-But, Daisy told me she was more than willing to let you two stay there for a few days."

"I haven't seen Princess Daisy in quite awhile... I do hope she's doing alright." Peasley leaned back.

"Well, we'll find that out soon, won't we?" Peach’s expression brightened. "Oh! I forgot to mention, but I'll be staying with you two for a few days in Sarasaland as well. I was thinking that, if perhaps the pair of you weren't the only ones in our host's company, then..."

Peach trailed off.

"Dimentio... he… he’ll know we aren’t alone… he..." Peasley paused. He didn't want to speak for Luigi, cutting himself off. "Yes. That seems logical..."

Luigi sighed, nodding.

"But Princess, if you're staying with us, then who will watch over your kingdom?"

"I left Toadsworth to handle things for awhile. He's perfectly capable. I mean... he taught me everything I know, so there’s not a doubt in my mind he’ll be able to handle it."

”I’d hate to keep you from your kingdom… but, if you say so.”

"It’s alright. A vacation is necessary every now and again.” Peach changed the subject quickly, not wanting to focus on responsibility. “H-How's the Queen? Have you received any word from her?"

"Mother? Oh, she's alright. She sent me a letter a couple of nights ago… nothing much more than good wishes and messages to stay safe.” Peasley’s expression softened before he snapped his head back up to attention, turning up to face Peach once more. “And what of Mario? Is there any news on his end?"

"Still nothing.” Peach paused. “...I just hope he's okay."

Silence surrounded the passengers.

"How long until we arrive?" Peasley inquired softly after the awkward quiet grew too much for him to bear.

"About... an hour, or so? Judging by the time it's taken so far."

Luigi kept his gaze low, not daring to look up as the conversation continued. He was afraid he’d start crying again if he met eyes with the others, and he was already exhausted as it was from the emotional fatigue.

He jolted suddenly, shifting as Peasley wrapped an arm around him.

“Luigi…? It’s gonna be okay. I promise.”

Luigi forced a smile.

But, no matter what he tried, the same thought kept invading into his mind, shattering any composure he was desperately trying to hold to.

It wasn’t going to be okay.

Yet, still, he smiled. He would force a smile for everyone, no matter how long it took.

He moved his legs and turned his back to his companions, glancing out the window once more as the plane continued onward toward their destination.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Upon their arrival, the three exited the plane hesitantly, carrying their luggage as they went. A few Toads helped their princess with her things, despite her gentle protests and assurance that they didn’t have to.

Sarasaland was MUCH hotter than Pi’illo Island, which only left the three overdressed visitors extremely sweaty as they made it out onto the runway. The sun blazed down upon the desert region below, the Birabuto Kingdom practically a blur in the distance as they scanned the steaming horizon. The asphalt below them was sizzling.

“LUIGI!”

Luigi didn't have time to react before he was promptly swept off his feet, dropping his bags to the ground. He had the air squeezed out of him as he was lifted up into the air by a smiling figure.

“It’s so good to see you, Weegie!” Princess Daisy was laughing as she set the frazzled brunette down. She dusted him off, chuckling. “Sorry ‘bout that. It’s just been way too long.”

“I-It’s only been a few days, though…” Luigi mumbled, smiling.

“I know, I know! But, that doesn’t matter. It’s always great to see you!”

Princess Daisy looked as chipper as ever, her freckled face smiling. She wore athletic wear, tanned arms placed proudly on her hips.

”What took you guys so long? I’ve been waiting out here like, all day. Peach didn’t tell me much, ‘cause we were supposed to be keeping things on the down-low, so I was told.”

”Had to check on a few last-minute things.” Peasley explained.

”Well, took you forever... but, hey, that’s no big deal! So, listen, I know you guys just got here, and you’re probably super tired and will probably say no to this, buuuut-!” Daisy grinned. “I was thinkin’ we could play some two-on-two tennis! I’ve been wanting to play a doubles match again, and I mean… We have four players right here!”

Peasley, despite his fatigue, grinned and perked up. He set his bags down, pulling his hair up. “Challenge accepted.”

“Awesome!” Daisy’s eyes lit up. “I call dibs on having Luigi as my partner!”

Peasley scoffed, standing at Peach’s side. “You’re on.”

Daisy smiled, reaching down and heaving Luigi’s heavy suitcase up over her shoulder with little effort. She turned to him, smiling.

“C’mon! We’re losing daylight, people!”

The group quickly gathered up their things, Daisy carrying most of Luigi’s stuff at this point. Luigi, meanwhile, held onto Polterpup, walking close to Daisy. They chatted the entire way up to the castle.

Before heading off to the tennis courts, the four made their way through the savanna region outside of Birabuto Kingdom and eventually into the main square, stopping at the castle to drop off their things. They left Polterpup under the care of one of the servants.

Hastily changing into their athletic clothing, the four began their trek toward Muda Kingdom, the district that held most of the resources for sporting activities. They spent most of the day playing tennis and chattering, going to and from the cities of the Muda region.

The streets of the Muda Kingdom were lined with cobblestone, mountains along the landscape in the distance. Small baroque-style buildings lined the streets, flowers growing in nearly every inch of the small town, hanging out of windows or in shop displays.

Daisy gave brief tours of the areas they encountered, but nothing as detailed as the historical lessons Dreambert had given about Pi’illo Island. She was a lot more excitable, easily distracted by the smallest things.

The shops in town were relatively busy, various citizens rushing at the chance to assist their beloved ruler and her guests. The group shopped for hours, trying on clothes and purchasing souvenirs, trying to explore every inch of the tropical Muda region’s cities.

And, despite nobody talking about it, all of them were trying their best to get Luigi back into the swing of things. They tried to shift his focus from everything that had happened by any means.

And yet, no matter what they tried, it still looked like his mind wasn't in the best place. He looked so tired.

As the sun set in the distance, casting a warm overlay over the small town, the group of four strode toward the beach to end off their busy day.

Walking along the beach just outside a nearby seaside resort, the group approached the ocean tide along the sand, wanting nothing more than to cool off after having to endure the blazing temperatures of Sarasaland all day. They shivered momentarily as the water brushed against their feet, before running into the moving tides. The sun continued to set in the distance, casting bright rays along the shifting waves.

Luigi hung back.

Upon the others voicing their concern, he waved a hand and told them to go on without him. He said he’d come join them in a bit, a statement in which he knew he was lying to himself.

Luigi's gaze remained set forward, unmoving. He sighed as he sat down on the sand beneath him, trying to wipe at his eyes as he felt tears begin to build up.

Seeing his friends so happy, without a care in the world as they splashed water at each other and laughed… It made his chest ache. He felt like everything he touched, everything he encountered, everything he so much as gazed at, was cursed to suffer a painful end.

More than anything right now, he just wanted to be alone. Maybe, if he was alone, then Dimentio would finally just come and end his game already. It’d be better than having to watch his friends suffer. Anything would be better than that.

He exhaled, feeling tears slip down his cheeks.

"Hey, Weeg?"

Luigi jumped, glancing up as he hastily wiped at his eyes.

Daisy was staring at him, having just emerged from the water, walking across the beachside. She brushed a hand through her soaked hair, sitting down on her knees beside Luigi.

"You okay?”

”Y-Yeah, I’m fine…” Luigi felt his head start to sting, vision going hazy. He felt numb, fingers digging into the sand beneath him. “I just…”

He flinched as Daisy hugged him. He was numb for a moment, before he fell limp in her arms.

”Look, Weeg, Peach told me everything.” Daisy whispered. “I had no idea someone would be capable of that. I… I didn’t know… I thought you were just acting weird, but, I…”

She stood, reaching out a hand to help Luigi up.

”I just want to help you out, in any way I can.” Daisy said, grabbing Luigi’s hand and pulling him up to his feet. “You’re like, one of my best friends. You don’t deserve this kinda stuff happening to you.”

Luigi nodded shakily, glancing up to meet Peach and Peasley’s gaze as they too emerged from the water. They approached hesitantly, keeping their distance to leave Luigi some personal space.

”Man, what I wouldn’t give to kick that sorry jester sicko right in the face…” Daisy mumbled, gritting her teeth as her trembling hands tightened into fists.

Luigi forced out a chuckle. It was hollow and sad in nature, but still audible.

”Luigi?” Peasley’s voice sounded, concerned. “Are you feeling okay? You're starting to look rather sickly again.”

”Should we go back?” Daisy squinted at the small sliver of sunlight left over the horizon. “It’s gettin’ dark anyway.”

Luigi hugged his sides, nodding. “P-Please.”

With one arm draped around Luigi’s trembling form, Peasley led him off the beachside. The four walked in silence along the emptied streets on their way back to the Birabuto Kingdom. They walked across cooled sand, darkness shrouding over them.

When they ultimately arrived at the Birabuto castle, torches lit along the outside exterior, Daisy shoved open the doors with little hesitation. She made her presence known immediately, yelling out, only to be met with an eerie silence.

Not a guard or servant was in sight. Every hesitant footstep echoed throughout the main hall as the group entered.

”Guys! Yo! Hey, is anyone here?” She called, spinning around as she examined the halls further. She raised a hand to her chin, walking up to Peach. “Weird. There’s always at least a few guards stationed out here, usually…”

Peasley stepped forward to help the Sarasan Princess investigate, stopping when he heard Luigi cough gently. He turned his back, approaching his husband and holding his hands.

”Luigi? Are you alright?” Peasley questioned worriedly. “What’s wrong?”

Luigi nodded, skin pale and clammy, sweat dripping down his cheeks. “I’m okay… I just want to go to sleep. I’ll be okay... I-”

Luigi stopped. His pale skin turned white as his blue eyes widened in terror. Luigi stood paralyzed, horrified at the sight just behind his husband.

"Luigi? Are you alright?" Peasley turned his head to investigate the area behind him.

He squinted, scanning the area.

And that’s when he froze, feeling his chest drop out as he noticed a darkened figure standing not very far from them. They were concealed under a cover of shadow produced by a towering column at the furthest end of the main hall, but their features were still visible.

They were smiling.

A blur of purple and yellow was all that remained as the figure retreated and bolted away down another one of the castle’s hallways.

"How did he...?"

Peasley's fleeting confusion faded, now replaced with pure malice. His hands shook, body trembling. Hatred consumed his chest and heart, mind clouded with the same thought of chasing and striking down the retreating figure.

The fuming prince jumped to attention, his enraged expression unchanging as he dashed down the castle hall and out of sight.

"Peasley!" Peach called, now attentive as she and Daisy perked up from their conversation, examining the commotion.

Luigi watched Peasley run off, scrambling to follow after his husband. Daisy and Peach dashed ahead of him. The three turned a corner, calling out for Peasley and keeping an eye out for anything else suspicious lurking in the shadows.

"P-Peasley!" Luigi called, trembling as he tried to steady his uncontrollable shaking. He felt tears welling in his eyes, his heart pounding.

They froze and jumped upon hearing a loud crash and thud from around the nearest corner. Following the sound without hesitation, they were met with a single dark room, the doors having been flung open.

Luigi entered without thinking, continuing to call out for his husband. "Peasley!"

”L-Luigi…?”

Luigi gasped, eyes adjusting to the darkness as he realized Peasley was lying against the wall on the other side of the compact room. He was holding an arm over his chest, wincing slightly as Luigi approached.

”What happened?!” Luigi questioned feverishly, reaching out a shaky hand to try and assess Peasley’s injuries.

”I… I don’t k-know…” Peasley murmured, trying to focus his vision. “He… h-he… he disappeared. I don’t know how, I don't remember what happened, I don’t know… I just remember hitting the wall…”

”Peasley!” Peach cried, running up to her friend’s side. “Are you okay?”

”I’m just a little dizzy, that’s all…”

”What was that for?!” Daisy questioned, also entering the room, exasperated as she searched for her breath. She bent over, calloused hands on her knees. “You scared us all half to death!”

”I saw…”

The four flinched at the sudden sound of the doors they had just entered from slamming shut.

Click.

Daisy turned, grabbing the handles of the door and pushing and pulling against them, to which the doors refused to budge.

”Great.” She exhaled, releasing an annoyed sigh. “Guys, I think-”

”Ah, so my hapless audience finally arrives! You certainly don’t wear tardiness well…”

Freezing up, the four turned their gaze up to a screen display upon the wall, having turned on upon the doors shutting. Whirring to life, the screen blinked, revealing hazy static for a moment.

Peasley stood up, scooting back as he tried to examine the grainy video, squinting.

The static soon faded, now replaced with a clearer image.

And, greeting them upon the screen, was Dimentio. His masked face was turned upward, forming a wickedly sadistic grin. It seemed even more twisted than before.

"Good evening, one and all!” His voice rang out, much clearer in comparison to the condition of the previous tapes. His tone was the same though, as jubilant as ever. “Tonight's show was rather unprecedented, but I believe I've concocted quite the spectacle for you all to feast your eyes upon!"

”Who... Who is that?” Daisy murmured, stepping back.

”That’s…” Peach inhaled, gulping nervously. “That’s w-who I told you about.”

”That’s Dimentio?” Daisy questioned, butchering her pronunciation of the mad jester’s name. “He… doesn’t seem all that bad.”

Almost in response, Dimentio’s voice got louder, making showy motions with his hands as he faced the camera with a smile.

"Tonight, my dearest assistant and I will be putting on a show to reveal both of our skills and strengths! It will be quite the sight to behold, unveiling these skills never before seen by the public eye!" Dimentio's eyes lit up in anticipation, his grand smile only widening in excitement.

A low groan sounded from behind Dimentio, the sound crackling slightly through the jumbled audio. Dimentio turned, moving out of the way as someone shifted further back in the camera’s view.

”Where… Where am I?” The unidentifiable figure questioned, their inquiry almost lost in the garbled audio. They sounded exhausted.

”Careful, now!” Dimentio commanded from outside the view of the screen. “My teleportation skills are still rather rusty, so do forgive me if you feel a little light-headed.”

The figure stood, back straight, blinking and turning to finally stare directly at the camera.

”D-Dreambert?”

Luigi’s voice was practically a whisper. He didn’t want to believe it. This couldn’t be real.

”Ahahaha… I don’t believe you heard my introduction, so allow me to repeat myself!” Dimentio exclaimed, emerging from the shadows at the edges of the screen’s display, grabbing Dreambert up off the floor by his shoulders. He forced the panicking prince up to his feet, gesturing forward.

“Tonight, we will be putting on a show unlike any other! It will be a chance for me to show off a few tricks up my sleeve…" Dimentio pressed a finger onto Dreambert's cheek. "And for YOU to show off your skills of endurance!"

”Are you… D-Dimentio?” Dreambert sounded appalled, trying to move, only to realize his wrists were tied tightly behind his back.

”Ah, so you know me! Finally! It’s sooo nice to meet someone who can actually recognize my talents and prowess!” Dimentio gasped out. “My reputation DOES precede me, after all!”

Dimentio dropped Dreambert to the floor, walking forward. His movements were much more fluid than how he had once appeared in the first tape, practically gliding across the floor as he moved.

”But, enough introductions! Our show must begin!”

Dimentio held out a hand, faint sparks emerging from his fingertips, his black gloves reflecting the light.

”Our first trick will involve aim.” He laughed as a minuscule ball of concentrated energy appeared in his palm, almost resembling a star. “You can try and dodge this, if you’d like.”

Dreambert’s breathing became hurried, panicking and glancing around to try and locate any signs of an exit.

Dimentio only laughed, releasing the blast of energy from his palm, sending it hurtling toward the Pi’illo prince. Dreambert just barely swerved out of the way, crouching down. He winced as he realized the tips of his pillow hood were singed, the blast hitting the wall.

”Not bad!” Dimentio announced, pleased. “Just how long can you keep it up, is the question…”

He produced yet another star-like projectile in his hand, waving a finger before he flung it forward toward Dreambert.

Dreambert ducked, rolling out of the way as Dimentio continued to cackle in delight. He produced projectile after projectile, refusing to stop. He fired each of them upon the prince, who continued scrambling around to try and avoid the blasts of energy.

Dimentio knew his victim would tire of running eventually, his smile refusing to cease as he watched him run from corner to corner of the room. He didn’t mind waiting, so long as his assistant's efforts weren’t short-lived.

Why, making an effort was the least they could do!

Without warning, Dimentio raised both hands, the star-like glimmering ball of energy pulsing and sparking in his grasp. He threw it down, slamming it directly into Dreambert’s chest. Dreambert hit the wall with a crack, falling to the floor. He groaned.

”Aha! I knew you wouldn’t be able to dodge forever!” Dimentio snapped his fingers, teleporting to Dreambert’s side, a ripple appearing in the static screen.

He placed a hand under Dreambert’s chin, his cracked smile unmoving. Dreambert struggled to escape the bonds around his wrists, but to no avail.

Dreambert fought back tears, his chest aching as he felt warm blood seeping into his clothes. The burning sensation was still present from the initial hit. One of his bones felt broken, numbness overtaking his body.

”Feeling tired? We can take a quick intermission, if you’d like.” Dimentio grinned, standing up as he let Dreambert fall back to the floor. “I did want to show you something…”

Dimentio fiddled with something offscreen, snapping his fingers.

”You should feel honored, dreamy one. This isn’t all that bad, really...” Dimentio coyly spoke. “At least you weren’t blown to bits like my last show… Ah, you should’ve seen it! I’d love to show you, but we don’t have time for that. But, I can show you this!”

Dimentio crouched down beside the writhing Dreambert once more, holding out a jar full of yellow scaly skin and flesh, blood dripping down the sides of the jar.

”This was what was left of my last assistant.” He explained calmly to a horrified Dreambert, his masked expression still a smile. “Luckily, what I have in store for our program tonight won’t be nearly as brutal! I suppose I felt bad for you, in a way… you would have never been in this position, had you not been… ah, shall we say, in the wrong place at the wrong time?”

Dimentio’s smile dropped.

”But… Bowser… he was the reason my plans were thwarted…” He growled, standing as he threw the jar down to the floor, the contents spilling out as it smashed open.

”Bowser…?” Peach whispered, holding her hands up to cover her face, horrified.

Dreambert’s face turned up instinctively at the overwhelming stench of blood and rotting flesh, gagging.

”But, no matter! I do believe this intermission has gone on long enough, don’t you agree?”

Dreambert’s eyes widened, terrified.

”N-No! Wait, please, we can talk about this!” Dreambert attempted, large tears slipping down his cheeks. “I swear, I-I can give you anything you want!”

”Ahaha…”

Dimentio chuckled, lowering his face. His soft giggling soon heightened, grabbing Dreambert by his cape and forcing him up to his feet to stare into his trembling gaze. Dimentio's mismatched eyes were maddened.

“Ahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHA!” He raised his voice, his tone dangerous and shaky as his eyes narrowed. “YOU can’t even begin to FATHOM what I WANT!”

He slammed Dreambert’s limp and bleeding form up against the wall, laughing still as he snapped his fingers, another star-like burst of energy in his hands.

”What I want? I want to see those who wronged me BURN.”

Dimentio lifted his hand, forcing his blazing palm down onto Dreambert’s cheek, burning skin and melting off his flesh. Dreambert howled in pain, trying to kick at Dimentio to weaken his hold, but nothing happened.

“I want to see them suffer. I want to see the light of hope fade from their eyes.”

Dimentio dropped Dreambert to the floor, the pi’illo prince coughing and hiccuping on his sobs as his tears refused to cease.

”So, you’ve given up, already?”

Dreambert glanced up, trembling.

”What would your people think of you now, Prince Dreambert? Don’t you want to be a good role model to your citizens?” Dimentio’s face cracked back into a deranged smile. “What will they think when they see you like this?”

Dreambert tried to move, but fell back to the floor, crying out in pain. “No… don’t…”

”They’ll think you’re pathetic.”

Dimentio snaked his hands around Dreambert’s neck, squeezing down hard on his throat as his smile only widened. Dreambert sputtered and choked, gasping for breath and mercy. He wanted to try and pry Dimentio’s hands away, but his restricted wrists didn’t help to aid him.

His gaze went glossy, his eyes losing focus as he felt saliva trickling down his face, tears continuing to drag down his face.

He was going to die.

What he wasn’t expecting to happen next, was for Dimentio to abruptly release and drop him.

Dreambert glanced up through misty eyes as he hit the ground, hoping to the stars above that there had been a change of heart somewhere deep within the psychotic jester.

Dimentio turned on his heel away from Dreambert, waltzing over to the camera and reaching beyond it, grabbing something in his hands. He glanced down at the small object held in his fingers, a glint of metal reflecting on the camera.

”It’s time for our little show to come to a close.”

Dimentio grabbed Dreambert from behind, holding his head up. He forced him to turn and look toward the camera.

“Please…” Dreambert whined out, practically inaudible to his captor. He fidgeted, numb. “Stop…”

Dimentio raised his arm, revealing the object held in his fingers. It was a needle, filled with a dark purple liquid.

Dimentio ignored Dreambert’s soft protests, puncturing the prince's neck with a soft hum, positioning the tip of the needle on the flesh before squeezing down on it. He pushed, still humming, until the barrel of the syringe was empty.

He laughed before tossing the needle aside.

“There!” Dimentio smiled, grabbing Dreambert’s cheeks and forcing him to stare into his eyes. “Our show is complete. Do you care to take a bow, Prince Dreambert?”

“I-I just…” Dreambert whimpered, gulping down saliva as his voice nearly gave out. “I just want to go home…”

“Unfortunately, that can’t be arranged. But, I’ll tell you what...” Dimentio dropped Dreambert to the floor roughly once more, looming over him as he stood up. “That poison will start to kick in in about… let’s say, give or take, five minutes or so. So, until then, I’ll leave you completely alone! You can do whatever you’d like in your final moments. Doesn’t that sound so nice, princey?”

Dreambert released a choked sob.

“That’s what I thought. I’m just so generous, aren’t I?”

Dimentio turned to face his unseen audience, smiling.

”Thank you for tuning in, ladies and gentlemen! It has been a pleasure performing for you all once again! And please, do enjoy the finale provided by my assistant, Dreambert! It’s one to die for, I’m sure! Ahahaha! Ciao!”

Dimentio cackled maliciously before teleporting out of the vicinity, his laughter still echoing in the small, dim space even after he was gone.

And for the next five minutes, the group of horrified individuals watching were forced to witness Dreambert as he sobbed, screaming for aid. He repeatedly tried to move, but his exhaustion, wounds, and the poisonous fluid coursing through his veins only left him immobilized as he continued to screech and beg for help.

He prayed, whispering under his breath, but he knew it was no use.

He knew his attempts were hopeless, eventually falling to the ground and going silent. His face was colored a horrid purple.

”I’m… sorry… e-everyone…”

The audio cut out, the video feed turning to static as Prince Dreambert released his final breath.

The screen went black.

The doors behind the group unlocked with a click, re-opening with an achingly slow creak.

Laughter rang in their ears.

#super mario bros #luigi #peasley #daisy #peach #dimentio #super paper mario #dreambert #prince peasley #princess daisy #princess peach #prince dreambert #mario and luigi #bowser #tw gore #my fics #writing #for your entertainment

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thefloorisbalaclava · 5 years

Text

Robbery Gone Wrong - Arthur Morgan x Fem!Reader

A/N: This was suggested by @lenafromthenordiccoven. Thanks for making me break my own heart lol <3

Warnings: Angst, a not-so-happy ending

“You really think you should be goin’ with us?” Arthur asked for the tenth time tonight.

“It don’t matter how many times you ask me, my answer’s gonna stay the same. We been plannin' this for weeks. I’m just as ready as any of you.” You tied your bandana around your neck and put on your belt. You checked you pistol to check that it was fully loaded then holstered it.

“You ain’t goin' just ‘cause I’m goin', are you?” he asked.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that I don’t want you out there if you’re only goin' so you can keep an eye on me. I know how much you worry but I’m gonna be fine.” He watched as you moved around your tent, grabbing the things you would need.

“My reasons are my own. Don’t matter why I’m goin'…I just am.” You were a stubborn woman but that was how you got so far in life in the first place. “It's pretty cute…you worryin' about me and all.”

“This ain’t a joke! Ain’t nothin' cute about it.” He grabbed your arms and held you so you couldn’t move. “If somethin’ happens to you…”

You pulled loose from him and sighed. “Nothin’ will happen to me. It's not like you would let anything happen to me anyway.” You kissed him quickly and moved away. You two had been trying to keep things a secret but you were sure the whole gang knew you were sweet on each other.

“That was a mean trick. Using one of my greatest weaknesses against me.” He loved kissing you. He made sure you knew that every time you two kissed.

“Did it work?” you asked.

“Uh, I don’t know. I still don’t feel good ‘bout this. Anything could go wrong.” He shook his head and stopped talking. No doubt he was thinking of the worst-case scenario.

“Stop that,” you said.

“What?”

“Thinkin' of everything that could go wrong. I’m a tough girl. I ain't worried.” You brushed past him and out the tent.

“Yeah, I know, and that’s what worries me.” He followed you to your horse then helped you up. “You sure?” he asked once more.

“Get on your damn horse, Arthur.” You rode over to the other men slowly and listened to directions. You could feel Arthur's eyes on you the entire time.

“She's stayin' with me,” he told the other men. “She ain't goin' off on her own.”

“Arthur…,” you began but got cut off.

“You heard the man,” said Dutch. “Stick with him.”

You rolled your eyes and followed the rest of the men out of the camp trying your best not to look at Arthur. You were mad at him right now.

“I know you’re mad at me,” he said just above a whisper, “but it's the only way I can keep an eye on you.”

“Your eyes should be on the passengers and their money…not me!” you said angrily and someone shushed you.

“I can keep my eyes on both. Don’t go doin’ nothin' stupid.” He rode ahead leaving you glaring after him. That man was more stubborn than you would ever be.

You all waited at the tracks quietly but the train wasn’t on time. It should have been here by now.

“Somethin’ ain’t right,” you whispered.

“I was about to say the same.” Arthur rode his horse closer to yours and leaned in to say something else to you but just then a bullet whizzed past and someone started shouting.

You looked in the direction of where the shot came from and noticed a bunch of men coming from the tree line. “Shit! O'Driscolls!” You jumped down from your horse and took cover. “We been set up!”

“I knew this was a bad idea!” Arthur growled, taking cover behind a boulder across from you.

“Hush! Cover me!” You shouted as you stood and ran to hide behind a tree.

“What the hell are you doin'?!” Arthur shouted after you but you were too busy shooting to answer. A short time after, the O'Driscolls began to back down and you moved from behind the tree carefully.

You smiled and winked at Arthur. “Told you I can take care of myself.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure. You still--” A shot rang out and you felt a hot, searing pain shoot through your back. “No!” Arthur shouted as he threw his rifle down and ran to you. You heard more shouting and you guessed some of them had went after whoever shot you.

“D-damn that…hurts,” you said, smiling weakly at Arthur. “Wasn’t expectin’ to get shot tonight.” You laughed but it quickly turned into a cry of pain.

“Dammit woman! Just…be quiet!” He held you close as he called to someone else for help. “We gotta get her back to camp. We gotta have somethin’ there to help.”

“She's losing too much blood. If we move her…” Charles stopped talking and looked at you. “Turn her over carefully.” You cried out as the men turned you on your side.

“We can fix this, right? It ain’t all that bad.” Arthur touched your head gently. “Gotta be somethin' we can do.”

“Arthur…,” Charles started but he didn’t say anything else.

“Arthur.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” He turned you over carefully and held you in his arms again.

“Tell me about Blackwater again…before, well, you know.” You blinked slowly and focused on his face. He looked up at someone and you heard the footsteps retreat before he started.

You listened intently as he retold the story. You knew it by heart now but you loved hearing him tell it. As he finished, you whimpered and gripped his shirt. “Hell…I’m dyin', ain’t I?”

“You stop that, ya hear? Ain’t nobody said such a thing.” He smiled stiffly then looked away. “’Sides…you can’t die. Not like this.”

“We all gotta die, Arthur,” you said weakly.

“I said stop that!” he snapped. “Just…shut your mouth for once.”

“I love you, you know? Always have.” Your eyelids felt heavy but you kept focusing on Arthur.

“I reckon…I love you too. Shoulda told you sooner.”

“You’re tellin' me now. Thank you.” You closed your eyes and he shook you gently, smoothing back your hair.

“Stay with me.” He looked around. “My horse is just over there. I could carry ya and get you back to camp and…”

“I just want you to keep holdin’ me like this. Please? Just hold me and we'll look at the stars together.” You weren’t looking at the stars, though, you were looking at him. And he was looking at you with a sadness, a sorrow, in his eyes.

You finally let your eyes close and Arthur whispered something above you but you didn’t ask what. The last thing you wanted to remember was the feel of his arms around you and the sound of his heartbeat. You sighed and told him you loved him one last time as his tears fell upon your face like drops of rain.

“And I love you” would be the last words you ever heard and that was just fine with you.

#Arthur Morgan #Arthur Morgan x Reader #Red Dead Redemption #Red Dead Redemption 2 #RDR2 #angst #headcanon

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blessyourheartdharps · 5 years

Text

Unexpected || Self-Para

who: Dani Harper & Henrietta Gracen

when: November 2018 - Lunchtime

where: Maya’s Apartment

what: Dani gets an unexpected message from her grandmother and cute reconnecting ensues.

notes: found this in my phone so figured I’d post it, not even sure it’s finished

A notification for her email popped up and Dani stared at it. It was an email from Facebook, the Facebook she no longer used. The one from her first time in New York. She apparently had a message. With a raised eyebrow she opened Facebook, logging in and staring at the name and picture of the account. It was oddly similar to that of of her maternal grandmother.

Henrietta Gracen: Are you my granddaughter?

Dani Harper: It's possible, ma'am. May I ask why you'd like to know? I haven't used this account in over five years.

Henrietta Gracen: Well, I found out my granddaughter recently put out music, I just wanted to see how she was doing. She ran away some years ago.

Dani Harper: May will be 8?

Henrietta Gracen: Yes. So you are her.

Dani Harper: Yes, ma'am.

Henrietta Gracen: Well, your voice is as beautiful as ever. What made you run away?

Dani stared at that question, the one she'd hoped wouldn't come up so fast. She didn't know how to respond, how could she?

Dani Harper: Thank you. That's a complicated answer. Call me? xxx-xxx-xxxx

The message was left on read and for a few minutes she didn't know if the woman was gonna call. She'd all but given up when her phone rang, the Texas area code had her picking up.

"Hello?" Her voice shook and she hated it.

"Dani, is that you?" The voice brought a smile to Dani's face.

"Yes, ma'am. It's me."

"You just had a birthday recently, didn't you? How old are you now?"

"Just turned 26. You spoke of the single I released, In Case? You heard it?"

"You're all grown up now, aren't ya? Yes! It was beautiful, Dani. What was it about?" Dani swallowed hard at the question, staring down at the piano in front of her.

"I hit a rough patch, 'bout five years ago. Had a break up, was all bitter 'bout that and then over the five years it all kinda got worse. So I kinda framed it as a love letter to myself, from... I don't know, New York, the girl I used to be." There was a silence on the other end of the line and Dani feared she'd said too much.

"Well, it's a beautiful song. Break up? You finally started dating after you ran away?"

"I didn't..."

"Didn't what?"

"Runaway. I was told to leave. I was kicked out." The words fell from Dani's lips and she heard the gasp from her grandmother.

"Why would your parents lie, Danielle?"

"I- they caught me with a girl." Dani's voice shook. "It was either leave or get put through conversion therapy. Leaving was easier. Cut ties. Be myself. I'm sorry." The tears rolled down her cheeks and she watched them fall to the closed lid of the piano.

For a while there was nothing but the sound of Dani's crying.

"Please, just say something. Anything, please." Dani begged through her tears, she couldn't handle the silence. She didn't even care if she was going to be rejected, she just needed to hear anything.

"Why are you sorry, child?" The question caught Dani off guard and she started coughing, trying to collect herself.

"Wha- what?" She stammered out, blinking back the tears.

"Dani, why are you sorry?"

"I'm gay. I'm- I don't know." Her grandmother chuckled and Dani echoed it, shaking her head at herself.

"So, you love women. Why are you sorry?"

"Because..." Dani sighed. "Because I was scared of rejection, of being rejected. The way they rejected me. The way so many others I know have been rejected."

"Your parents always were obsessed with their reputation." Dani snorted at that. "You know, I always wondered why they said they didn't know why you'd run off. You never were the kind to not have reasons and if you made anyone aware of those reasons it was your parents."

"Yeah, I did, didn't I? I miss that girl. How strong I was."

"Was?"

"The last five years, I got caught up with this woman I shouldn't have, she broke me. I've got five years of music I can't even touch cause of her."

"Sing for me."

"What?"

"Sing for me."

"Do you just know I'm sitting at a piano or?"

"You never were far from some sort of instrument, but your voice has always been beautiful on it's own."

"Fair enough. Any request?" Dani couldn't believe what was happening. She hadn't been rejected. It seemed the opposite had happened.

"Whatever you'd like, something happy?"

"I mean, I used to play ‘Here Comes The Sun’ all the time for the woman who bought me the piano I'm currently sitting at, if you'd like that? Or I still know a few hymns."

"Dani, just play whatever you feel right playing. Pretend you're not on the phone with me, just play."

Dani set the phone down, putting herself on speaker, and setting up the piano properly. Staring at the piano she thought of Maya, of the time they'd spent sitting at the piano on her birthday, of the songs she'd played for her. Slowly, she began to play. "This ain't one of mine, but it's a favorite." Dani announced and then she began to sing.

"She says I smell like safety and home, I named both of her eyes forever and please don't go. I could be your morning sunrise all the time, all the time, yeah This could be good, This could be good..."

It was Mary Lambert's "She Keeps Me Warm" and it was the song she'd broken in the piano with. It was one of her favorite songs, but it was rare that she played it. It never felt right on keyboard.

As she finished playing she could hear the applause from her phone and couldn't help but smile.

"That's beautiful."

"It's ‘She Keeps Me Warm’ by Mary Lambert. She has a lot of good music and I relate to it."

"Who is she, for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Who were you singing about?"

"No one?" Dani didn't think she was singing about anyone.

"You don't sound sure."

"I've barely come off a real bad relationship, there ain't no one."

"Dani, you don't pick a love song to play your grandma if there isn't someone. Why'd you pick it?"

"I was just thinkin’ bout a friend."

"A female friend?"

"Well, yeah. She's been lettin’ me live with her til I can find a place to live. She's an old friend of mine. That's all."

"And she makes you think of that song?"

"She means a lot to me. What are you gettin' at?" Dani didn't like the assumptions being made. This was Maya they were talking about.

"You sounded happy, Dani. Whoever she is, just the thought of her picked your mood up. You sound lighter."

"I'm not even sure she's into women!" Dani blurted out.

"Yes you are." The matter-of-fact way it was said had Dani staring at her phone in disbelief. "But if that's not for me to know, then it's not for me to know."

"I- What?" Dani seriously couldn't believe this was happening. She was literally having a conversation with her grandmother about her lack of a love life... actually, no, that part she could believe. It was the part where her grandmother thought she was into Maya like that.

"What are your plans for Thanksgiving?" Subject change, always fun.

"I'll be in Shreveport, Louisiana. My uh... adopted mother, the only woman I call mama, 'cept when I'm teasing a friend, invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her and her family."

"Oh? She takin' good care of you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Got a care package full of goodies around my birthday. I'm gonna go out and see her 'fore Thanksgiving, she lives in Ohio."

"I'm glad to hear it. Well, I hate to cut this short, but I gotta go get lunch ready."

"It's alright, I should probably get something to eat as well. Uh, can I ask a favor?"

"Of course."

"Can you not tell my parents that we've talked? I don't feel comfortable with them knowin'."

"Of course, Dani. Can I at least tell your grandpa?"

"Is he gonna go be a gossip bout how his granddaughter is a big music artist?"

"Of course he will, you know him."

"As long as he don't mention it to my parents, sure. I mean, I guess my name'll get out there anyway, but..."

"I understand, darlin' it was good hearing your voice again."

"Same to you. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. Have a good day."

"You too. Don't be afraid to give me a ring, yeah?"

"I won't. Bye."

"Bye."

As the line clicked dead Dani couldn't help but laugh. It was ridiculous, to think that her grandmother had sought her out. That her grandmother had just accepted her, where her parents had failed to. Then again, her grandma tended to listen when she went on her rants, particularly the political ones.

#p: self #p: s005 #p: all #about: gayest texas two step #about: where I come from

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