video

[jojoceanman]

[When the feeds starts and opens up, Jotaro is sitting at a desk. There’s a disorganized pile of papers across his desk, none of which can be read from the video feed, and the background is clearly some sort of posh office space. There’s also a faint sound of music in the background, though very heavily muffled by the doors of the room he’s in.]

I’m not sure what’s conventional for when imPorts leave, but both Jonathan Joestar and Josuke Higashikata left this world a few days ago. If you knew them and think they may have something you want, let me know and I’ll help get it for you. ...I understand they were both here for a couple years. The nature of this world doesn’t allow anyone to say goodbyes, but don’t be concerned for them anymore - just remember their presence. That’s all they would ask from the people they met.

[Jotaro is personally not concerned at all, but he feels like pre-empting anyone who might be upset about their friends leaving. He’s dealing with this in his own way, mostly by burying himself in work. Speaking of which:]

That aside, Jonathan was in charge of a couple clubs and left behind documentation to transfer ownership to me in the event of him leaving. Krakatoa in Heropa, and the Iceberg Lounge in Maurtia Falls - both these clubs will stay open under my ownership. If you’re interested in ditching your government job and being hired in either one, contact me here or elsewhere. Krakatoa is open as a restaurant during the day, and a nightclub after 8pm. Iceberg Lounge strictly operates in the evenings.

Simple jobs like bartending, bouncer or waitstaff are open for both. If you’re an entertainer, you can perform at the Iceberg during nights and get paid per performance. If anyone likes attention, Jonathan mentioned that Krakatoa patrons tend to be obsessed with imPorts. You could probably get them to give you free things if you play to the spotlight. No interview necessary for any job, but I can’t hire anyone with a major criminal record. Or minors. Not my rules.

...Good grief. Guess I’m going to need to quit my own job to take care of these places now. [He breathes out a little from his nose, the realization of everything he explained just hitting now.] That’s all I have to say. Let me know if you have any questions. Or if you think one of my relatives may have something you want.

[And normally before he was more cagey about admitting to having family here, but with them both gone he’s a lot less worried about that. Kind of a relief really.]

[ooc: the thread with dio is chronologically last.]

Comments

Voice

[dioception]

[For once, Dio isn't going to go into video, if only because he didn't want Jotaro, of all people, to see the conflicted expression on his face. He hated Jonathan, but it was that hate that bound them together inexorably, and was what had driven him to act the way he had for the months he'd been here.

What he'd done here so far had all been colored by two very important pieces of information; Jonathan was here, and there was a Joestar he was unfamiliar with. Without that wall up in front of him, there was the hurdle left that was Jotaro.]

Jonathan doesn't seem the sort. How ever did he end up with night clubs?

[He snorted, an audible scoff, but it had taken him a few moments of staring at the message before he could even reply with anything that sounded like words.]

I believe this means we have some unfinished business to attend to.

private

[jojoceanman]

[Oh, joy. He clicks this onto private, not wanting to get anyone else involved - even by listening in.]

Fortunately for you I have two businesses thrust upon me that I need to get in order, so I'll take a pass on beating the shit out of you for today.

private

[dioception]

You're a fool if you think I'll take no for an answer.

[Dio isn't waiting for Jotaro to get his effects in order. Geez. He has a busy schedule too.]

You won't need to work on those businesses for long, because I'm going to turn you into mush.

[jojoceanman]

You better hope I never leave, or else you'll be out of hobbies. Then what will you do?

[because he suspects dio's only goddamn hobby is tormenting joestars.]

If you want to come at me, then don't keep barking. I made my position clear.

-> Action

[dioception]

[He was right though, and Dio wouldn't even deny it. He wouldn't confirm it either, but the important part was that he didn't deny it.]

Even if you hadn't, I could find you.

[Using Hermit Purple, he'll find exactly where he was at any given time, and Dio was ready to fight Jotaro now. He had always been confident that he could beat him, he just didn't want to fight him with the possibility of reinforcements.

It's a short trip to the Iceberg Lounge, and Dio doesn't bother with any of the usual style he'd come to a night club in, just throwing the door open as soon as possible, having pushed anyone and everyone out of the way first.]

Jotaro! Come out to play!

[jojoceanman]

[When the feed goes dead, Jotaro feels a cold dread crawling through his skin. How could Dio find him? He doesn't think the video feed gave anything away, but he could be wrong. Damn. Could Dio really be coming to find him right at this moment? It's already evening time in Maurtia Falls, but Jonathan had told him Dio was living in Nonah. Unless Dio relocated. Goddammit.

Just in case, he sends out word to employees to close down early. It's not too late that there are many patrons yet, and he hopes Independence Day holiday activities will deter anyone from wanting to do late night dining tonight. He doesn't want anyone to worry, but he rather they worry than end up harmed by that monster. Dio doesn't care about anyone he hurts, and bystanders all the more. But the last batch of people are leaving as Dio barges in, just as Jotaro is speaking with the managing staff outside his office. Damn.

He instructs the managers to make sure anyone else in the building, staff included leaves out the back exit. It'll be easy to keep Dio's attention on him, or so he hopes. Jotaro strides out the corridors and into the main lounge area, where only him and Dio are now present under the soft blue and white lights of the dining area.]

Good grief. You couldn't wait even a day before picking a fight. Are you really so bored?

[dioception]

[Luckily for both Jotaro and the bystanders, Dio has no interest in any people other than him. He strolls his way into the lounge, grinning as he noticed that everyone was gone. Just like a Joestar, wasn't it?

He took a moment to look around, just to be sure they were alone. Despite his usual disregard for how others perceived him, he had some small amount of care for his reputation right now, if only because he did have some plans that he wasn't ready to throw out of the window just yet.]

Of course I am. Do you know what I've done here? So far, nothing noteworthy. Schmoozing with the upper class, a truly horrendous pastime. This will feel so good.

[He turned his head from side to side, cracking his knuckles and summoning his Stand to his side.]

[jojoceanman]

Yeah, you're defintiely overdue for someone beating the shit out of you. Good thing I'm still here for that.

[As Dio's The World manifests into the open, Star Platinum also appears beside Jotaro with a soft flash of white light. It's been ten years since he had to face Dio and the setting is far different than the streets of Cairo.

All he can hope is the restaurant patrons and the staff have all left by now. He'll need to creatively manage bringing Dio into close distance for proper attacking, or else the time stop will absolutely crawl him to a slow. Likewise, he has to be wise on when to use his own time stop when he can only go as far as 2-3 seconds.]

Go on. I'll let you make the first move.

[dioception]

[That line got Dio sporting a wicked grin. As if he was actually worried about Jotaro beating him! He still had the trump card of Dio not knowing that he could stop time, but of course Dio didn't expect to be surprised. Jotaro was strong, sure, but Dio was confident that he'd be victorious.]

What a gentleman. Jonathan would be proud.

[And don't mind if he did. Never one to hesitate, Dio sent The World in first, his Stand flying at Jotaro, fully intending to clash with Star Platinum. He knew better than to think he'd get to the Stand User himself so easily, so he opened with a strong volley of punches, hoping to get one in on Star Platinum's body.

He most certainly intended to get out his aggression here, to make up for the months of keeping a tight lid on it.]

[am_i_a_monster]

I'm sorry you lost people.

You can't say goodbye to them in person, but you can still find a way of saying a goodbye.

[jojoceanman]

That's true. But, I think I prefer them to return home than continue to be in a world that isn't their own. You can't stop people from leaving here, if I understand correctly?

[am_i_a_monster]

No, we can't stop it. I wish we could. I never want to return home.

[jojoceanman]

[He raises an eyebrow.]

That's a bold statement. What makes you prefer this world to your own, if you want to indulge me.

[am_i_a_monster]

It's better here. I have freedom, a job and a life, all that stuff. I don't think it's bold to want that.

[jojoceanman]

It's bold to declare abandonment of the world you came from. [And makes him wonder why, but he doesn't have the heart to press her. He doesn't think someone would abandon their home world unless the reason was truly dire.] You should be allowed that choice. This world isn't terrible honestly. I was expecting worse when I arrived.

[am_i_a_monster]

So, it's not as bad as you thought. That has to be a good thing.

[jojoceanman]

I always expect the worst. Makes it easier to adjust my expectations if I'm wrong. [And usually he isn't wrong about his instinct, so it's nice for a change of pace.] So yes, it's good.

[darted]

[ Mai, to be honest, could not be assed to think about all of the forgotten friends other people had before they came here from home. It was mostly out of some sort of petty entitled teenage mindset. In fact, her thoughts would certainly be different on the matter if she did have a friend here.

But she doesn't and, alas, she's been filling her time with strange seedy under dealings with a norse god who may possibly lack a face and whatever moral disfigurement makes Littlefinger less than human.

An unfortunate part of her contract with Woden and getting a super cool power suit involves being a pop star and Mai isn't quite sure how to go about starting a pop star career, especially because she's almost certain she doesn't want to interact with anybody. ]

What's the venue capacity? How many people can it hold for a performance? [ Yes. Jojo. That borderline lifeless girl is asking about performing at your venue. Choose wisely, as this could be a very painful experience for all! ]

[jojoceanman]

...Seriously?

[He's not going to say no, but... what...]

You want to perform?

[darted]

I've been working on my life long dream to become a popstar. [ said with the flattest, most serious face ever. ] Look, my manager fulfilled his end of the bargain and now I gotta fulfill mine. [ Although this begs the question of why she is booking her own gigs, but regardless!! ]

I can do it. I've been a newscaster for a couple of months now, so I'll draw some sort of crowd.

[jojoceanman]

Good grief. Are you being blackmailed?

[It sure sounds like it. He sifts through the papers on his desk, checking to see what notes Jonathan left for him regarding capacity.]

Fire Marshal limits guest capacity to 300. It's definitely one of the larger clubs in Maurtia Falls, but you may not see those numbers fill out given the neighborhood.

[darted]

No. My original plan went a little differently than I thought it would, but this is very much something I've been working on. [ an awkward pause. ] Getting comfortable with. Hopefully, after a while, I have band mates so I can just bleed back into the background and coast off of the work of others once more. [ but until then mama has a game to play. ]



Hmph. I can get 300 people to fill out that club easy. Expect a traffic jam.

[jojoceanman]

Mhm.

[Very curious. She's definitely not the popstar type. At least from his rudimentary knowledge of popstars, which dates back to the late 90s. Mai is no Britney Spears or Madonna. Yet he's not here to pry into her affairs. If she wants a gig, and he has a venue, there's no harm.]

You're confident. I'll need to set things up and order the middle managers to arrange advertising. What kind of act will you be doing?

[darted]

A singer performance, with props, stage lighting, maybe back-up dancers, the whole works. [ Each condition is said with less enthusiasm than the one previous. ]

[jojoceanman]

... I wasn't going to say anything, but I'm concerned for how dead inside you sound.