Chapter Text
"Lord Giorno, I happened to notice you changed your skin care routine," the subordinate smiled soon after her greeting.
Mariah seemed pretty happy about her boss's beautiful skin.
"Thank you.. how can you tell by just looking at my face?"
He asked from genuine curiosity. She was right; Giorno had switched to a different product that was delivered by one of his fans.
"It's the rose scented one I recommended after the last meaning," she guessed correctly, "I knew it will suit your skin type."
The young blonde was still taken aback. Yes, he did pick the red rose scented moisturiser, but there were more than the number of one's fingers.
"I won't mind if it were you touching my face," the boss said, standing up from his chair.
The woman was too polite to accept the offer.
"I didn't mean it," she stammered.
Giorno saw the slight fright in her eyes. He remained examining her facial expressions until the door open after a short nock. The other invited subordinate had arrived.
"Good morning, Lord Giorno," she greeted her boss.
It was clearly not night, although Mariah seemed to understand why that bizarre mistake happened.
"..I will say the sky is dark enough to be a wealthy child's bed time," Giorno said, puzzled.
"Err, oh! E-Excuse me my lord, it's my old habit and," she panicked.
Her boss was quick to comfort her quickly. She's a fearless fighter in a stand battle, but a shy thinker in daily life. If Giorno was to add anything else to her profile, Midra will always hide her mouth and speak in a lower volume when people other than himself were present. Even though she now has real teeth made by G.E, he sighed internally, not wanting to embarrass the lady. She just cannot get rid of old habits, it is understandable. She looks even paler when stood next to the tanned coworker as she corrected her words. She still seemed quite ashamed.
"Midra," the young boss called her calmly, "do I smell in any unusual way today?"
The intention of this was both to change subjects and out of curiosity.
"Um, err, your fragrance? Does remind me of glorious roses," she said quickly.
On the spot. Giorno took a quick note in his mind to ask what Trish thinks on her next visit. The blonde looked over to Mista, who gestured that he 'couldn't tell a bit.' Maybe that is why he hasn't been in long-term relationships. There are probably other reasons too but, still.
"Thank you for your responses ladies, I've been a little keen on how beauty effects impressions," Giorno closed a book that was left open on his desk as he goes on, "the chapter yesterday was on the sense of smell."
The desk that was in between his two subordinates and self was large and modern. The old dusty book didn't match the design. Midra just nodded in her ordinary shy manner while Mariah seemed to notice something. The blonde did not miss the Egyptian tensing for a quick millisecond.
"What is it? Mariah," he asked.
"It isn't too important," she started, "from time to time I had tidied my master's books and I remember seeing that exact book too so."
It took me by surprise, she said, astonished.
The expression was honest and real, thought the boss. It's not detail that has to be made up but he still finds himself thinking critically of his surroundings.
"Well, thank you for the detail," he said, without showing any obvious joy.
It was a reoccurring event. Ever since he accepted DIO's former subordinates to work for him, all of them will at least notice one similarity. As the young Italian grew up, he seemed to be following his father's manners, actions and ruthless punishments. It did not bother him; he himself was also learning about DIO through them and data that the SPW foundation didn't destroy.
"We should probably start."
There were means for the small and secretive gathering.
"Is it about Josuke Higashikata," Mariah chipped in.
"Correct Mariah, as you always are."
A number of sheets about the man in question spread on the work desk.
"Before you read,"
Giorno stopped the two. He placed his hand on a picture of a man with a pompadour.
"This is a 'secret' between the three of us," the boss looked at the two in the eyes.
Mista was never in the count because he guards the Don 24/7. He continued, "the data is for my "purpose" which could be for business, but never forget this man is not associated with any gangs. Whispering his name in the Italian society.." he rose a finger to his lips, "is not, allowed."
The two gang members nodded frantically, as they had lost their power of speech. The two were in well, very tough patches of their lives after DIO's defeat and Giorno, being himself had taught each of them a lesson. It was a effective way in restoring public peace but the downside was most members were scared lifelessly after their one unique golden experiences. Read in your own pace, he ordered, since he had not made his final decision yet.
"The Joestars, or more specifically, Jotaro Kujo will notice if I pursue my 'purpose,' the SPW foundation does support our work on drugs but at the same time they're terrified of our family," the boss showed a slight smirk that only Mista could've recognised, if he were paying any attention to their boss's expressions that is.
"Then why not start our plans before they take actions."
"Are we kidnapping this innocent lad?"
Mariah guessed, unsure what the boss was implying. She had only heard that a man the age of twenty may be involved in the boss's 'purpose.'
"Maybe," the boss answered, "it is not decided yet. I have a feeling we could use him in a better way than as a hostage. For example."
As he talked, he slid a finger down to the page of his stand. Next to a sketch was a short note on his abilities. Taking a picture of a stand is a complex act: some stand users think it'll work so they do and as for others, they come out blurry.
"I showed this sketch to people who were associated with DIO, they were all shocked like the two of you."
The blonde was as calm as always while the two ladies gasped so hard that it sounded like one was choking on something. Midra trembled, but managed to whisper.
"The World," she exclaimed, "I didn't know you could find such similar stands in the world!"
"Shut it, you're in front of our boss," the other snapped, before confirming she too thought the same. It isn't the best idea to guess there maybe a connection in the two stands by their looks. Giorno made that clear as he went a few pages ahead in the file.
"However, a stand is your soul. He may have similar traits as my father or simply a similar power."
Later on the boss learned that it was neither, but it didn't matter to him at the time. Nothing had ever changed since childhood. He just wanted to know who his father actually was.
"The report mentions several cases of him healing severe injuries and combining a killer into a rock. Sadly, nothing else, we do not have data on why his stand has such powers. I haven't forgotten of cases such as Diavolo, who had multiple stands but research has paused there.
"It was even hard to get the data they had, probably because the man could legally inherit quite an amount being a son of a millionaire.
"It would've been an easier process of he were a criminal of some kind," Giorno sighs, "but he is not. He's even studying to join the police."
At that Giorno let out a long and meaningful sigh. Oh memories with the police. Although one of his past companions were trustable, loyal and strong, being a Don of Italy's biggest gang was not a great start when attempting to build a healthy relationship with the police. They will attempt to break in and arrest his family at any given chance which was pretty much a nuisance. Of course, Giorno had the main points settled so nothing too crazy kicks off. It's time he should leave the country for a short term to examine the situation after he physically leaves the area. It'll help identifying where he must nail down, sometimes with a trusty gun or bribery.
"It's ironic. While feeding the cops and fleeing from them, I might end up seducing some guy who wants to be one," he complained, making Midra giggle ever so slightly.
Steady progress.
He had chosen that he'll be the one to move when his 'purpose' was involved. Giorno was the one who will be on the frontier alone. This policy was announced to several close members and they had agreed to this. Mariah and Midra heard it first today. They nodded straight away no doubt, for they saw their leader as a type that could order others as well as manage his own fights.
The two were called out tonight for their personal thoughts on how the Don could basically sweep the boy of the floor. There are a number of women in Passione, however, there are only a few to choose from when mentioning DIO was the case. Time flied as the gang members had their well deserved break, talking about new perspectives and opinions based on personal experiences. The clock struck midnight too soon; the boss was enjoying Midra's shy but practical advice and how Mariah 'drags people towards her' like a literal magnet. Knowing the two were strong and capable women, Giorno sent a few guards to assure their safety. After all, it was too late; the two deserved safety and a comfy drive home.
The blonde waved as they left, then turned around to find Mista reading the data files.
"It's a rare sight huh, you showing interest to some clean guy," the bodyguard said after a quick yawn.
"It felt like I'm approaching my 'purpose,'" he responded, "my father kept fighting the Joestars till defeat, but the Joestars were also determined to kill him. Maybe there's something in the Brando blood."
Giorno stood up and gathered the papers and quick notes he made, while Mista shrugged.
"Purpose, purpose, huh~? Nah I can't deal with complicated stuff!"
At that he threw an arm around his boss's shoulders and told him to get the tidying up done already.
"You do not change, Mista," the blonde smiled for a short while.
"Yeah, and I shouldn't change," the gun man grinned.
He was right; everyone including himself needed his simple-minded thoughts. Everyone knows he's fine like this. Giorno thinks so too, it suits the guy's mindset. The younger was not satisfied but his own personality yet though, he felt the need to become a much steadier and calm leader.
"..by the way your 'purpose'..or dream?"Mista continued the waffle, "you're serious about it?"
He didn't mean to doubt their leader; he just had nothing in mind.
"Yes, I am," the boss replied, "the name DIO has remained alive after his death for too long. There aren't so many names that survive the back streets in Italy, but his did. Not many know his last name which is Brando.. do you not think he will become a useful ace had he joined or agreed to work with our Passione."
"Not the Joker but the ace?"
"The Joker is my stand because he's the real trickster we have."
He was true; Giorno could choose from either GE or GER, but cannot control the latter as well as he can with the former. GER showed himself, not mentioning a word.
"One thing for sure is that he'll help me," Giorno stated, "at least I know that as a fact.
"Besides, that was all he needed. His gaze wondered towards a little picture frame he kept on his desk. The blonde knew he was getting closer to that star and that muscular back. That was true and undeniable. It was a slow and steady process, but he definitely was. He felt as if his own star was screaming so as well.
"You serious, huh," Mista said again, forgetting for a while that his boss hated repeating himself.
He couldn't help it, after all, DIO's existence was surrounded by myths, lies and the truth. The gun man simply couldn't believe fully that he even existed. Giorno gave him a short yes, then sat on the edge of his desk, legs crossed. It reminded him of the day he sworn his dream to Bucceratti.
"I have a.. 'purpose', to revive my dead, or lost father," he spoke coherently, "and I shall use his connections and skills to run Passione."
The ash he became is currently in the Tokyo department of the SPW foundation, closest to where Dr. Kujo is. Vampires are immortal, they cannot die and Giorno has the power to give life. It was worth a try in the boss's eyes.
"Do what suits you," the gun man grinned, with his dark eyes shining with delight.
"I think it's a great, I'll go with you. Besides, it's been awhile since you seem this lively!"
That does imply that Giorno seemed almost dead, not only to himself, but from Mista's eyes as well.
"Grazie," the boss hid his thoughts away, so that no one would notice them.
Even though someone licked his cheek, they will not taste what was in his mind.
Giorno smiled, "I haven't chosen if I'll take you with me yet."
"You got to be kidding!"
Mista got up from the floor, almost shouting.
"I'm not kidding it's a meaningless joke," the boss replied, "now let us leave. There's no need to spend useless time in the office."
Mista followed his boss; he was a positive guy at all times and Giorno enjoyed his company.
As the heavy doors were opened, curtains swayed, letting in just enough moonlight to make the blonde blink at the brightness. He knew very well that there was only one thing that could reflect light on his desk.
"Goodnight, Padre," he muttered, dropping a word that he hadn't mentioned many times in his life.
The heavy large doors closed with quite a sound and Mista started his duty as a bodyguard that doesn't talk much again. He is only allowed to talk frankly when there are the core members of Passione in the room. Don Giovanna may have finished the workload for the day, but his position will follow him till his grave. He knew very well, that he shall still be the Don till his very last sleep.