TIMELINES ARE FOR LOSERS

[billionboy]

Who: The JoJos.
Where: Aimintas; street-side then find a place more secluded.
When: Day 14.
Open/Closed: Closed; the kids and Caesar need to talk about some revelations. Like they're all from the same world!

[ After he rolled (tripped then rolled) down the hill, Okuyasu had to take just a small bit of time to recover from his tumble. Also, it felt like everyone's emotions were about ready to explode -- if they all met in that state, there's no telling what would happen. Or if they'd even be able to listen to one another. He isn't too smart but he understood the group reason that they needed to cool themselves down before they finally talked to each other. But who knew that in waiting to settle their emotions that they'd be spirited off to another world! A world where Stands once more were able to be called upon! Also lizard-people!

It didn't help matters that they all got a little separated. He feels like he's calmer now which means that if he's calm then everyone should be all right, too. It is about this time -- walking the city with his hands in his pockets -- that he happens to see the very people that he's looking for. There they are! He takes a confident step forward before he calls out: ]

The Hand! [ The Stand immediately manifests and he can't help but smile at seeing it once more at his side. But he doesn't notice that all the lizard-people seem to notice the sudden manifestation of the Stand. No, what he's focused on is -- scraping away the space between the people in front of him so that they can talk. What a real useful Stand! Who needs to use telepathy when a person can just pull others close? ]

Comments

[liveinskin]

[F.F. was just having a blast enjoying the new world. The lizard people were cute and inviting, there was a nice floating sea she really wanted to go to, and there was some great food. However out of nowhere she feels something cut through space and pull her away. Not a nice pull away either. It's fast and harsh and suddenly she's in some secluded street area.

And there's a goddamn Stand, and Okuyasu is right there next to it. It's his Stand! And so she does what is totally logical of any hotblooded sidekick - she jumps him, throwing all her weight on top of him to knock him over.]

I knew it! You're an enemy Stand user! I KNEW IT!

[and she's just gonna start hitting him with her fists.]

[tropism]

[ notwithstanding the excitement and interest over the new world, giorno was having a no-good, very bad day.

first, he got mobbed by a small group of lizards as he was trying to investigate the city centre, all of whom wanted to see his powers, having heard from others who've gladly shown off their abilities to eager crowds. giorno wasn't too eager to share the fact that he can literally make them all feel like shit whenever he wants, and a series of polite but firm nos later, he manages to get out of that without any incident.

the second thing he noticed was the return of his stand. it came to him in a kind of warmth, suffusing him with an electric feeling that made him feel like he was whole again. it was such a relief, and he had unconsciously stared at the watery sky for way too long as he felt gold experience once more. a pity he can't bring it out, because he'd rather not attract another crowd, but he manages to attract one anyway - he finds out, very quickly, that the palai disagree with him having a moment with himself in the sun, and so he begins to get mobbed by blues, greens, and yellows trying to make sure he wasn't alone, pawing and clutching at his uniform, which prompted him to run away - just slip in alleyways in a huff and hope to be never seen again.

and just as he finds himself alone again, in the crowd, slipping his lithe hands to someone's pockets to steal their shit, something drags him away from his prey. he can barely even process the gesture as an attack, because it was so sudden, and also he was in the middle of something Very Important, like pickpocketing -

- so the result was that he was dragged all the way to where okuyasu and - a green woman??? - were having a scuffle, along with two grown-ass lizards screaming as giorno was caught holding on to one their pants and their coats as he lands on the two idiots fighting. he hits someone's limbs and barely dodges a foot; he gets mobbed by the palai, he's holding someone's pants in his hands and it's kind of hard not to misinterpret everything at the moment. ]

This is - [ he has to dodge to avoid someone screaming and hitting him with a handbag. the green palai is attempting to strangle him for public indecency. ] Stop, it's not my fault!

[fivefingerdeathpunch]

[Things had been going passably for Jotaro--yay new place and new stuff and having his Stand back, boo everyone giving him the chameleon-esque stink-eye for wandering on his own. When the unseen force pulls him away from the display of trinkets he's been checking out, his first reaction is to accept that somehow encountering an enemy in this strange new place was inevitable.

His second reaction is to turn midair, Star Platinum beginning to appear behind him for a fight.

His third reaction is a vague "oh shit" feeling as F.F. pounces on Okuyasu, Giorno crashes into them both with lizard clothes in his hand, and a couple of the Palai come tearing down the street from the same direction as Giorno. There's also some other blond dude, but who cares about him, right?

Finding deep within himself the first shoots of a responsible adult, Jotaro reaches into the pile of noise and grabs Giorno and F.F., tucking them each under one arm because he can. For good measure, he throws in a bit of yelling of his own, but only because he's bigger and therefore louder than everyone else involved in this clusterfuck.] Everybody shut the hell UP!

[girasole]

[-...Caesar had been in the process of convincing two lizards that, no, he's flattered that they think so highly of his ability. He's glad he could use hamon too. But, please, there's limits to how much he could do in a day. Signor...ina? Signor? Please. And thank you, but no. He's actually not looking to settle down at the moment! He's honored that they think so highly of him and his hamon and are concerned by the fact that he's alone, but he's actually looking for his people (and at this point anyone would do help) and-

And that was when he ended elsewhere. At the feet of some guy, who summoned a thing, and there's a different thing, and there's pants involved, and he's just-]

...

[...suddenly suspecting that he saw- wait.]

Of course it's you. [He recognizes that voice.] Of course it had to be you. I saw you on the first day, you realize. It was after the crab. You were twinkling like stardust. [Of course it's you.] You truly are your grandfather's heir.

And-... [His gaze shifted. It narrowed as it hit Foo Fighters- of course you're here too. Shifted again to the other blond, and, even if he doesn't know, he's starting to suspect and so-...] Signor.

[You know how you just know when something's cascading towards something? And then he turns to Okuyasu. And then he looks to the Hand. And then he makes a gesture to Okuyasu, and then makes a gesture to the Hand. And then back to Okuyasu.] Is that someone I need to be introduced to, Okuyasu, or is there some other explanation for this?

[Because this random strange...alien is hovering like a concerned mother.]

[billionboy]

[ It all happens, at first, very slowly for Okuyasu. He puffs his chest out as he turns to congratulate his Stand for being able to scrape through the space so deep that it was able to grab everyone that he needed. His Stand even looked initially like it would smile before he suddenly is knocked off his feet and onto the ground.

Normally, he considers himself pretty solid but he wasn't expected to suddenly be jumped. He looks up in confusion only to be punched in the face by F.F. who is screaming about how he's an Enemy Stand User. ]

Huh? Tha-- [ And another punch to the face, chest, before he can answer. The Hand immediately is bent over the two, looking concerned like it should do something. An idea comes as Okuyasu lifts his hand up to scrape the air above F.F. to get her off of him so that he can speak. His intention was to have the Hand grab her so that he could say more but --

Giorno suddenly catches his attention with how he's fighting against a Palai. That breaks his concentration on telling the Hand what to do and F.F. ends up landing on his stomach which knocks the wind out of him. The situation feels dire and going out of control until F.F. is no longer beating her with his fists -- and he can curl over on his side letting out a pained sound. ]

My kidneys... [ Rolling on his side, he looks up to see Jotaro has Giorno and F.F. under both arms. Everyone's suddenly silent due to Jotaro demanding silence. Even the Palai stops. Then Caesar starts talking like none of what just happened in the span of a few seconds has just happened. His expression holds as absolutely dumbstruck. ]

... this is the Hand.

[liveinskin]

[F.F. is about to protest the sudden grabbing and tucking, flailing her arms and legs around uselessly while being held from the stomach (which, holy hell, she did not realize jolyne's father was this strong.) Yet her plan is cut off when Jotaro suddenly screams - she stops moving, stops breathing for a moment, and it seems things only resume when Caesar finally speaks.

Speaking of which, what the hell is everyone even doing here all the sudden? She was the only one here when she jumped Okuyasu.]

Um... where did everyone come from? [She cocks her head up to Jotaro.] Can you let me go? That guy has a Stand, and he's the one who brought us all here! He's the enemy!

[and she points to Okuyasu because of course he is the fiend behind all of this.]

[tropism]

[ giorno makes a slightly distressed sound, that is meant to convey, i really don't want to be here. but he's in the arms of someone bigger than he is, and with a stand who is incredibly powerful and looks like it's about to start punching any minute, so he stops talking. he stares balefully at everyone like a cat who's displeased at having been picked up the scruff of its neck by the mother. he has very little sympathy for okuyasu who's rolling around complaining about his kidneys. the palai clothing had been disposed of a long time ago, in the scuffle, as if he'd never even taken them in the first place. now that jotaro has started yelling, people and - lizards are turning their heads in what seems to be a dispute between a pair, a triad, and some palai. it's a rather exciting day for everyone.

there's a moment where gold experience is tempted to climb out of his back and just yank him down, but he's not going to let anyone have the satisfaction of seeing his stand. now that everyone's displaying their goods, it's just making giorno a lot more stubborn at keeping his own under wraps.

curious that the other blond seems to be resolute at not showing his stand too. that's cool, two can play this game.

the palai are irritated at jotaro yelling, while attempts at fixing their clothing are made discreetly. it seems that they didn't take too well to being dragged into this group, which seemed to already have established orders and roles. giorno would be more than happy to dissuade them, but someone's got him in a vicegrip. ]

Goodness. There are better ways to call a meeting. [ he gives caesar a slight nod. signore. he turns to jotaro - or as much as he can anyway - and in a deadpan tone of voice, he tells him, ] Please don't drop me. I'm fragile.

[ giorno there's literally a metre or so down to the ground. ]

[fivefingerdeathpunch]

[Well this is nice. This is just a nice, wonderful day. Jotaro eyes the crowd around them, decides he doesn't honestly care what the Palai think right now, and drops Giorno on the ground. If he's fragile, Jotaro's the queen of England.

Foo Fighters, on the other hand, has only been good if ill-informed so far, so she gets set back on her feet, but Jotaro keeps a grip on the back of her overalls until she agrees to behave better.]

F.F., Okuyasu is on our side, so don't attack him.

[And then, directed at Caesar, sort of actually respectfully:] Mr. Zeppeli. Once I'm finished with Giorno, I can tell you whatever you want to hear about him. [Him as in Joseph, the grandfather he apparently so greatly resembles.]

[girasole]

[...the 'sort of actually respectfully' part throws him off like nothing else has so far, which, given what happened up until this point, says a lot. Mister? Was he called Mister Zeppeli?

In fact, he's mouthing it. Mister Zeppeli. That's just weird. It makes him feel old. He's not that old. Is he?]

Finished with Giorno...? [Interesting turn of phrase.] If this is going where I suspect this is going then perhaps you should wait to begin until we find somewhere else quieter. We seem to have an audience.

[After all, the group of them have been pulling out magic.] Or, worse, before one of our well meaning comrades notices the commotion and decides to interrupt.

Snark Theater

[girasole]

[Censored to Giorno, 100% unhackable. It's like breathing. You just needed to focus.]

An amphitheater? [Then, after a moment, text.] Of course he'd find an amphitheater. Assuming we don't end up as enemies before this is over let's get...food. Something once we're done here.

I feel like this is some kind of bad play and we the actors. Maybe we should have invited the others after all given the show we're putting on.

[tropism]

[ hilariously enough, when caesar had told him that he weeps for naples' future, giorno almost answered, i am the future of naples. so maybe he should just start crying, either way. it'll hurt less later.

that being said, there's an undercurrent of tension lacing his thoughts and words, like the suffocating heat that lingers before a thunderstorm. ]

... I don't want a fight. It's a waste of time. Information is more valuable, and the sooner your .... half-nephew or whatever starts talking, the faster we'll get to the conclusions we need. [ there is also the fact - and arrogance, in him - that whatever stands or powers they have, unless proven otherwise, giorno doesn't consider any of them as a threat at all: a fact he is most confident of. ] Such as food. And sweets. And a good cappucino, though I'll settle for something halfway decent. That being said, I have no intentions of performing for my dinner, and I can't promise I'll behave to any Palai who'll ask me that favour, so I'll leave them to your charms.

We can eat to your good life.

And you're lucky. I don't feel like an actor at all. I want to ... [ what does he want? that slight hesitation is dangerous, makes him even more vulnerable, makes him younger than he sounds. outside of their conversation, where giorno is watching jotaro keenly, his fingers lay primly over his lap, pressing against the fabric of his pants a bit too hard. ] .... I want my affairs in order, with whatever I can salvage from this meeting. That's really all I can ask at this point.

[ who talks like that tho. ]

[girasole]

[Seriously, who talks like that?]

I have something they want, so that should be easy enough. As for my life? Why not. There's worse causes.

And if what my...whatever he is is saying is true then your father was responsible for the death of my grandfather.

[???? Of course, he's just...standing and staring, arms loose, just...taking it all in.]

[tropism]

I'm becoming slowly aware of the far-reaching consequences of my father just existing. Believe me when I say that I would like to be buried at this point.

I'm fairly sure they think you're a homewrecker. We are a triad, and .... you are the spicy homewrecker who's come to whisk Jotaro away. Okuyasu has been cuckolded. Something like that, if their relationship advice was anything to go by. So yes, they do have something they want from you push comes to shove.

[ your dick probably. oh wait ] I'll be your manager. Never fear.

[girasole]

As for me, I'm learning that this Jotaro seems to be as good at protecting what's important to him and who's important to him as Joestars apparently all are. A true heir to his legacy! I'm proud he's lived up to the standards his grandfather before him set. And if he says one word to me I'm going to plow my fist into his face.

I'll be looking to you for protection from our hosts. Please, I was actually fending them off shortly before I was pulled into this...farce, so as my manager I'll be counting on you.

[tropism]

Worthy of everything. A true heir. Caesar, he is everything you wanted. Or, well. Everything his family would ever want. Listen to him. Look at him. Do not punch him.

And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[ be proud. be prouder. brag about this boy. for christ's sake be everything for this jotaro because nobody will do that for giorno. who would even be proud of having a blood like this. he can claim to have passione for himself, but -

on the other side, giorno sits impossibly still, his back ramrod straight. it is only his self-control that prevents his stand from leaping out of him, so tense was the discussion in the ampitheatre that he feels the need to - draw out his sword, so to speak. ]

I will protect you. [ what is that. is that a response to - him talking about the palai, or him just talking in general. ] You can count on that.

[girasole]

He is his grandfather's grandson. Such irresponsibility. He didn't abandon his mother, so I'll grant him that. But still.

[Well. And if Giorno glanced in his direction he made a little shake of his head which said, "It is what it is."]

You realize you could have ran away from all of this. Cookies, cake, whatever it is you want after this,
consider it done.

[tropism]

I don't think any of us knew what we're getting into. I don't think Jotaro knew.

[ a pause. ] Had I been his opponent, I will do everything in my power to make sure that he is raised as strong as he can be, but not understand the danger that he is walking into. That way, he will grossly underestimate his own strength and be reckless by the time I challenge him to a duel. Judging by his losses, that's exactly how it played out in the end. [ way to go, kid. ]

And I can't run. I can't. Sooner or later I'll find out who I am. And I'd rather find out from someone who isn't ... as enamored with him as I had been, who knows exactly what kind of monster he'd been as opposed to someone who worships his name.

... I could be wrong, but you wouldn't run away, either.

I like chocolate pudding, Caesar. We should share some with coffee.

caesar+okuyasu

[liveinskin]

[So while giorno and jotaro are having this really deep conversation, it starts to feel... kind of awkward? like she's listening in on something intensely personal and almost melodramatic. she likens it to... what are they called... soap operas? that's the memory she can pull from this body to describe it.]

Hey. [She telepathically links to both Caesar and Okuyasu, looking toward them.] Am I the only one who feels really weird sitting here listening to these two?

[girasole]

Yes.

[This is said very quickly.]

Jotaro is a disappointment. The only thing keeping me from saying it to him right now is the fact that I owe it to his grandfather.

[billionboy]

[ His expression becomes pained over hearing Jotaro's explanation of events that happened. But he doesn't feel like he should interrupt. Lips pressed together, he pauses to look toward Caesar and F.F. They're both talking! Ah, right!

Like controlling a Stand, one has to focus. Like knowing how much to scrape away and not to hurt the person. That sort of precision. ]

Uhhh......... ummm............ I don't know what to say. My father was turned into a monster by DIO. But I kind of... this is someone that his dad, right? Even if yer dad's real slime, real awful ... he's still yer dad and ya want to care about him. [ Um. ]

It's real weird. I don't know what to say and I thought a lot of stuff. I ... we're gonna be friends after all this, aren't we? Stand users are pulled together no matter what... I don't want us to be enemies with each other and I'm not gonna blame Gio for his dad's shitty decisions, either. Right?! That's only right, right?!

[liveinskin]

Hey, Jotaro is perfectly fine! So is Giorno. Neither are disappointments, Caesar!

You're right Okuyasu. I don't want to be enemies with any of you. I've been through a lot of things myself, and I suspect this Dio person has something to do with it. Not directly, but indirectly, like the falling chain of a domino. When one falls, all the others fall as well. I think that's who this Dio man is. A chain reaction.

[She remembers the priest mention him once, as she was fading from life. She doesn't know all the details, but the priest is loyal to this man enough to ruin and kill others in his path. F.F. knows nothing of Dio, but she can't imagine him to be a good man. Jotaro Kujo would certainly never kill an innocent!

Still it's strange to just sit here like this, listening to such an intimate conversation.]

Do you think we should leave them alone for a while? See if they sort this out and come back?

[girasole]

I can already tell there's nothing for me here.

I should go, at least, before I say something the rest of you will regret.

["Yeah, well, I'm sorry you got stuck with a shitty dad." Of all the ways to put it. As flippant as his grandfather is when it comes to families.]

[billionboy]

Gio. Jotaro.

[ A beat. ]

I'm really confused but didn't Jotaro say that DIO took over his great-great, uh, or was it one great-grandfather's body? Then Gio is actually like wait... if a great-great grandfather has a kid then... they're totally related to one another! [ He got it. ]

This is a real personal family discussion. I agree... maybe we'll come back... Jotaro's always been a pretty calm person. I don't think things'll come to blows.

[liveinskin]

It's strange. I think if I'm understanding the family tree correctly, that would mean Giorno is Jotaro's... great-granduncle! Goodness.

[That is a real headache. She's kind of glad Jolyne isn't here because this would just frustrate the hell out of her dear friend!]

Yeah, let's just quietly move out. If we're silent enough they won't notice. Let's maybe find something to quickly grab to eat and come back. We'll let them have something too.

[girasole]

I need to be alone for a while. Don't follow me.

[Or to put it another way, Caesar out. He's going to deal with the lizards by himself.]