Yeah, we did. Everyone worked so hard, and I'm proud of all of them. But especially you and Kakyoin...You both deserved so much better than to be thrown into something like that.
Can we meet up? Whenever you're ready and it's convenient for you and all, that is. I just want to see you now that you're old, hahaha.
[The next reply is just a map of Caihong then, with a particular cafe circled and a little smiley face drawn beside it. ...Has Avdol been texting from there this whole time? Apparently!]
The tea here is the second-best I've tasted in this entire city, and they do great food. My shout.
I still have it on me, you told me I had to keep it close on me at all times and then lectured me about how I have to also be careful about how easily you were able to lift it from me when you were picking me up off the floor after tripping.
By the way, you have shitty timing, just so you know. If it were anyone else I would've been very careful, but I didn't think I had to be on guard with you at all times.
[ at least she doesn't sound mad, just exasperated. but ah, yes, thoughtful silent jotaro moments... is it sad that she could understand these? if only he knew that his daughter really did love him, it's just that she has ~feelings~ ]
Yeah? I was thinking of going for a piercing next, considering all the solitary treatment I was getting it seems like a thing to do to pass the time.
[ to his credit he does actually show up. it takes him a while to find the place, not yet accustomed to navigating this new world or the technology of it that is so rampant everywhere he goes. not much about his style has changed, though he has swapped black for white and no longer does he carry the weight of heavy chains for aesthetics. he enters and looks for avdol, chest tight with anxiety that doesn't ever reach his ever stoic expression. ]
Better you have someone else do it. You don't want infections.
[ he thought about piercings and tattoos a lot, but never went through with them. he didn't like the idea of standing still while someone needled him. maybe that proves her resilience over his? it doesn't surprise him because at the end of the day she's a joestar and he thinks the stubbornness must be genetic. ]
You're still obsessed with butterflies. Guess you haven't changed that much.
[It's not exactly easy to miss Avdol, hulking as he is to the average person; he's neatly sat by the counter, blowing on a dumpling until he hears the door open. He's been turning every time for the past half hour, but it's worth it. It's absolutely worth it to finally see Jotaro, even if he's changed his aesthetic just a touch.
Avdol's face lights up completely, and he drops the dumpling, mouth open to say some more hokey dad shit, but he's beaten to the greeting punch.]
[Magician's Red explodes from Avdol's back, letting out a scream that--
kind of sounds pleased? We're going to go with pleased, because he sprints over on his big ol' birdman feet and wraps Jotaro up in a bear hug that's way, way too warm for comfort. The feathers in the ruff on his neck fluff up, more obvious excitement and happiness, before Avdol awkwardly clears his throat from the counter.]
...Can you tell that you were missed?
[Surely not. Not with how Magician's Red is trying to affectionately headbutt whatever it can of Jotaro, and not with how Avdol's eyes are shining with very, very happy tears. Lame.] Come on, I promised you a good meal! Here, sit beside me.
[ well this takes him back to fond memories of being slammed around a prison cell by a burning ring of fire. only this time he thinks magician's red is being... friendly? jotaro doesn't struggle because he knows there's no threat, but it feels incredibly uncomfortable and weird. much like this whole situation. he pats his hand firmly on the stand's arm a couple times, hot but not burning despite appearance, until he feels the hug loosen enough to pull out and walk toward the table proper. ]
Good grief. I heard bringing your Stand out uses chroma. Be more careful, Avdol.
[ lecturing already!! it's his default state of being these days. he takes the seat next to avdol and avoids looking directly at him. ]
I know, I know! I've been here for a few months, you know. But I'm doing alright for chroma right now, and he wouldn't let up until I set him free.
[Look, it's fine. Of course Jotaro wasn't going to come in here all smiles and sunshine; it'd be weirder if he did. But Avdol's not going to let this awkwardness sit out in the open, either; he spins on his stool and crosses his arms, smirking as he takes in the new look. (Thankfully, Magician's Red seems pretty happy to disappear altogether once they're both seated; Avdol has to afford the food somehow.)]
A new colour scheme, I see? I guess I'd do the same if I could, just to shrug off all the bad things we've seen. It looks good on you, too.
[Idly, casually, he wipes his eyes one by one to mask the fact that he's all up in his feelings shit right now, before nudging over a menu.] Are you still into naval warfare, by the way? I've been collecting books on the topic, but I don't know if you'd enjoy reading them...And they're for this planet, anyway. Still, if you're interested...
Oh, that's not really a problem... I guess I haven't showed you what Stone Free can do...
[ pulling back some, she exposes and tugs at her belly button a little bit, getting it to unravel to something stringy ]
See? I could do it with no trouble or infection--easy, right?
[ the stubbornness is definitely genetic, but for now she'll put that thing away again ]
Hell yeah, have you seen what butterflies could do to a dead body? It's savage, what's there not to be impressed about?
Anyway, I still hung onto a lot of aquatic facts that you taught me too--came in handy since I was pretty woman'd by a fish person shortly after arriving here. We had some mission to go to some casino event on the third level, something about a drug ring... There was a huge fight. Lotta fun.
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