Chapter Text
——Dio? Why would that idi...
——Jotaro, behave yourself —— Erina said before her greatgreatgrandson finished the sentence.
—— My brother is going to introduce Giorno to a possible mate.
—— Are there still people who marry out of obligation? —— Joseph shook his head from side to side —— I feel sorry for the boy.
—— Well, Dio has always been very practical. I don't agree with forced marriage either, but I also think it's a good idea to know what kind of person he considers valuable enough to pair with his son. Giorno is his greatest treasure.
—— The most incredible thing is that Dio can actually love someone other than himself ——Jotaro squealed. Jonathan smiled uncomfortably.
—— Yes, I kind of understand what you mean Jotaro, but Dio isn't so bad at heart.
Giorno was lying on a divan, his hair loose and with the moonlight bathing his face and his chest barely covered with a silk nightgown. Dio had been gone for perhaps a couple of months already and Giorno spent his time with only Pucci's company.
—— Young Giovanna —— Enrico knocked on the door and then slowly opened it. —— A letter has arrived from Master Dio, he will arrive in two or three days and he says he expects you to prepare your things for a long journey.
Giorno sighed slowly without giving an answer to the priest who left the letter on a small ivory table and then left the room.
Giorno did not enjoy constant company unlike Dio who often had dinners with many people, in the end almost everyone lived. There were large banquets where he was fed and then the guests would confess to Father Pucci the next day. Enrico would probably be transformed at the age of forty. A new companion for eternity whom he did not hate but did not entirely tolerate either.
Giorno preferred to feed himself only when necessary, when headaches and irritability were unbearable. So every now and then he would go to one of the dinners and choose someone who was conscious enough to be fully conscientious. He would drink enough not to kill his victim, then go for another and after a while go back to his room to wipe the blood from his mouth and read until morning came, after which he would crawl into his sheets and roll over to sleep. He hated the idea of doing it in a coffin but when summer came he would end up in one, as annoying as it was.
He hoped soon to be able to leave Egypt, to return for a while to the Joestar's with whom he had spent his first twenty years of life, now in his fifties he had had enough of living with his father in that hot and dry place. Giorno needed life, a huge garden with flowers of all colors and shapes and cool enough not to have to sleep in a wooden box.
He prepared his things as Dio requested, his favorite clothes, rose perfume and crystal necklaces and his most comfortable shoes. Then he released a couple of birds he was studying and wrapped himself in his sheets to sleep the rest of the time until his father's arrival. After all he would need some rest if they were going to be gone for a long time, Pucci would probably stay to take care of the mansion.
When Dio arrived he was carrying some gifts, sweets mostly. Despite being Vampires, Giorno enjoyed some other things to eat, the taste of candy and chocolates was too pleasant not to eat even though they didn't provide any kind of hunger relief or energy boost. He also had two train tickets and boat tickets.
—— We will go with Jonathan. I hope you're ready.
Dio's velvety voice seemed almost cheerful.
—— May I know why? You don’t really like there.
—— It's a surprise, they already know but I wish we were there to tell you. I have a very special gift for you.
Giorno tried to read his father's expression, but outside of a slightly good mood there was no clue what was going on.
The trip was short, one week, two days and seven hours after leaving the Egypt mansion and Pucci in charge of everything, Giorno and Dio were in front of the huge entrance of the Joestar house, it had been thirty years since he had seen anyone. He corresponded occasionally with Jonathan, sometimes with Caesar or Holly. He had grown up almost on a par with Josuke but having little in common they had not been particularly close although when he met Jolyne they became fast friends despite the three decade age difference, he had sent her his condolences when he found out her mother had died a couple of years earlier.
It would be an interesting meeting, so many things to say and do. Giorno didn't show it on his face but he was happy to be back.
—— The people I have invited will be arriving soon. For now I hope you can accept us without too much... trouble, JoJo.
—— Dio, this is your home, you are always welcome. Erina is delighted to have you spend some time with us.
—— Well, you know these things are often done in a neutral place. That's why I've come all the way here from Egypt. They agreed to do this here as a show of goodwill only because they are acquaintances of the Zepellis.
—— Oh... they're friends of William's?
—— Not quite yet. It's a small coven. Not by blood like yours but I spoke with them and they seem respectable, plus the creature that caught my eye for Giorno is certainly virtuous. I hope you can pass too.
—— Dio, I wouldn't want Giorno to feel that I'm going to pressure him.
—— He has an absurd admiration for you that I simply don't understand.
—— Well, he spent the first few years of his life with us, he's family.
Jolyne knocked on the door of Giorno's old room, she had always been curious but had never entered. They only met briefly when she was taken for a month to Egypt to meet Dio and Giorno, it was on her twelfth birthday. From then on they wrote to each other constantly.
—— Giorno? —— Her fingernails fiddled a little with the doorknob. —— May I come in?
Giorno lying on his bed opened the door with a gesture, Jolyne came in almost floating over to him.
—— Is everything all right?
—— I think so... Father says he has a surprise for me but I still have no idea. Do you know what it is?
—— No, only my father and grandparents know. Neither Josuke nor I were present at the meeting.
—— Oh, that's okay. By the way, I'm very sorry about your mother.
—— Thank you, she lived happily... I guess.
—— I think anyone who lived here would be happy.
—— Do you want to move in? Oh come on Giorno it would be amazing. It's so boring sometimes, Josuke is starting to look for a partner. He says he believes in love and he wants a girlfriend... and Shizuka is still too young.
—— How has Suzie taken this about Shizuka? I heard sometime that it was hard for her about Josuke.
—— Well... with Josuke I guess it was a little strange because she thought that maybe Joseph would take preference for him and his mother over her and Caesar. Anyone would be a little intimidated, especially since you know how Grandpa is with kids.
—— Oh, yeah... He would always squeeze my cheeks.
—— But with Shizuka it's been easier. The three of them are thrilled to have a daughter.
—— Well, I guess they're a pretty good parent trio. I mean, Madame Holly is kindness incarnate.
—— She got it from Grandpa Jonathan.
—— Yeah, I guess so... Are there any more interesting tidbits?
—— I don't know... Well I heard the Zeppellis had a baby two or three years ago.
—— Wow... Yet another Zeppelli, I guess somehow it's going to end up making out here too. They have a thing for Joestar's.
—— Maybe...
—— Wait another five decades and maybe he'll become your boyfriend.
—— Oh I doubt that very much. Oh, we also found a very distant family of Grandma Erina... They are deliberating whether to turn the girl into a vampire or not, her great great great grandfather was a cousin of Grandma Erina's father, apparently she is the only Pendelton left, she is human and still not quite sure if she wants to turn or not... I guess it must be scary for her.
—— Life is very complicated sometimes I guess... Anyway Jo, I'm very tired and hungry.
—— Oh, right... New blood banks came in.
—— I'm thankful for good food, in Egypt I often have to consume alcoholic blood.
—— Ewww.
—— Yeah, can I have a drink?
—— Sure... I'll bring you something in a moment. By the way... Just a warning, if you see a man with red hair and cherry earrings, he's daddy's; whatever you do don't touch him.
—— I didn't know Jotaro hoarded his donors.
—— Neither did I, he's never done it before but he's taken a liking to this guy.
—— Sounds like you're getting a new dad.
—— If it helps him be less of a curmudgeon, I'm all for them getting married now!
—— My God, I hate weddings.
Pannacotta's red eyes were staring into the darkness, there was no storm and the night was clear enough to fly at ease. It was unusual for them to travel like this but it was faster. He carried his bags on his legs and Bruno and Abacchio on his back. In his full form he could carry up to six people, in his hybrid form two, maybe three if he tried hard and it was for a short time, in his human form he only had a little more strength than average. His long wings and his holographic and whitish scales were camouflaged with the night clouds. They would arrive soon, the trip would only take two and a half hours, maybe three if the weather was not favorable, but everything was calm. Everything except Fugo's heart that was pounding in his chest.
—— Are you all right? —— Bruno's hand stroked his back, Bruno and Abbachio had telepathic qualities —— You know we can still refuse.
Fugo shook his head and a soft growl came from his lips, Abbachio rolled his eyes.
—— Fugo, you don't have to do this for us.
—— It's okay... I'm doing it because I think it's a good opportunity.
Bruno went back to stroking Fugo's scales, Abbacchio just gave him a couple of pats.
—— We'll stay in a hotel, let's take it easy. Tomorrow night we'll go to see them, okay?
Fugo nodded and climbed a little higher to get out of a cumulus of clouds, the moon was beautiful and as big and bright as a diamond. He took a deep breath and without warning did a pirouette, both vampires clung to his skin and Pannacotta could only grunt gracefully and let out a very small puff in the wind before continuing on his way, this might be his last night of freedom, but it was all worth it if he could make sure his family was safe.
The Passione coven barely exceeded what was considered small, but their biggest flaw was that they were a recent group; which made them susceptible to subsimulation. Patriarchs Bruno Bucciaratti and Leone Abbacchio kept any threats at bay because unlike most covens, Passione was not exclusive to vampires; it was a mix of races. Mista, a tiger man with a fascination for firearms and excellent marksmanship. Narancia a pegasus with very good eyesight and a nose for tracking, Trish who was half elf with a strange magic that made things soft and springy and finally Fugo, their first addition, a mist dragon with a bad temper who had been kicked out of his group after an incident with an earth dragon.
With two vampires at the head the group functioned even if not all of them were and had a friendly relationship with the Zepelli. They had even tried to maintain a friendly relationship with The Squadra, a clan that Dio knew and had a decent relationship with, as Mariah, one of his followers was the mother of Rissoto, the Squadra's leader, though they had no contact.
Dio had come across Fugo one night when he was wandering around on his trip to Italy, dragons often show themselves and live in their human form unless they have a very large terrain to inhabit, they are usually difficult to deal with and even for a vampire they are creatures that are not good to interfere with.
—— Well, what do we have here?
Fugo was immediately on guard, he didn't like feeling cornered or harassed in any way, especially in the middle of the night in an alley away from his family. He had gone out to hunt some rabbits in the field and was now returning home.
—— It is unusual to find a dragon alone in the middle of a city. I understand that they prefer the areas farther away from the urbanization to have freedom of flight.
—— How do you know I'm a dragon?
—— I guess you must be young... fifty maybe? You don't look like an adult dragon... At how old do they stop being teenagers in your species?
—— That's none of your business.
—— Easy. I'm Dio Brando... Surely you've heard of me.
Pannacotta had heard the name although it had little relevance in context. The genius and hierarchical vampire trees were within reach of Bruno and Abbacchio. They had been nomadic and solitary vampires for some time, especially Abbachio who always preferred to live alone; however when forming a clan of their own they had to present themselves to the clans in their area. Starting a clan could be taken as a good thing if they were in boom times or as a declaration of war when there were food shortages as it happened during the bubonic plague. So Fugo had memorized well the important names in the book that Bruno had given him at the meeting with the Zeppelli and the squadra after Abbachio and Bruno made official his adoption as the first member of the new clan.
—— That's right, though not too much. —— Pannacotta said smoothing out the wrinkles in his suit. —— Although I know you have political ties to the Zepelli, I have no knowledge of what they are. I am sorry if I have inconvenienced you.
He circled around Pannacotta who felt his skin bristle and a pang of anger and fear run down his back.
—— Are you considering my death? I don't think it would be convenient for you to feed on me considering my species. However if it is just for the taste of violence... I have permission from the Zepelli to be here.
—— You are in William's area, however I understand that there are several groups here and that everyone lives in peace. If you were really doing something inappropriate you would be dead by now. Straizo would have sliced you up. What is your name?
—— Fugo.
—— Well Fugo... where's the rest of your ¿room? That’s as far as I can remember how you call a group of dragons, right? It's been years since I've seen a dragon, much less a group of them.
—— I'm afraid Mr. Brando that will remain impossible, you'll have to settle for me. My parents are vampires and my siblings are mixed creatures.
—— Oh, a mixed group? Like the Squadra? I hear they have some sort of fish man and a moss fairy and a rare species of ice creature.
—— Anyway... if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go home.
Pannacotta's red eyes were ever alert, his white hair and skin as pale as snow was illuminated by moonlight. His conversation was articulate and his tone was pleasant and polite, though it was evident that he possessed violent traits just by noting his pulse and the claws he had not hidden in case he needed them. Dio saw him as the perfect gift for his son. Drakes, unlike dragons, were creatures that used to serve as pets in some of the older covens, signifying wealth and status. Not having a human form they were seen as symbols of power, a vampire who owned a drake was a vampire who not only had enough blood for himself, but for another being as well. Drakes rarely exceeded five feet in height and six feet in length.
—— So Fugo, how old are you?
—— I don't think it's necessary for you to know my age?
—— You look young, I know someone your age.
—— If you excuse me, I have to go.
—— You know I'll follow you if you do. Don't you?
—— I'm not entirely an idiot Mr. Brando, but I figured my refusal would be enough for such a distinguished gentleman as yourself to realize that I have no interest in prolonging the conversation.
—— Huh, you're tough. Anyway Fugo... I'm sure as a mixed group you've had a lot of trouble. The Squadra has more than half of its members as vampires plus they have my support. Therefore they can also count on the Joestar.
Pannacotta raised an eyebrow, he knew about the Joestar. Everyone knew about the Joestar, a family of vampires with several members, marked by a star and practically owners of all of England in terms of hunting territories.
—— Rissotto is in theory one of my sons... Well, we have hardly ever spoken but his mother is a member of my clan so I consider him part of the family. Of course, his mother and I don't all live in the same house, there I only have my dear friend Enrico, a wonderful man... and my son.
—— Mr. Brando, excuse my rudeness but why are you telling me about your life?
—— Because any new and mixed clan surely has problems with the nomads, maybe also with some other clans. I heard that a half-elf escaped from her group, her father is an acquaintance of mine and apparently he is considering forcing her to return. You don't know her, do you?
Fugo swallows saliva.
—— I don't know what you're talking about.
—— Well, it would be very easy for her to seek help with a group like yours. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong but still... Everything would be easier with some mediators, maybe some backup. By law the Zepelli cannot leave their neutrality for at least forty years after the officialization of a new clan. They have to make sure they are trustworthy, otherwise they would just be tarnishing their good name and credibility, but those things have loopholes.
—— I know, they can be ignored if the new group has family members of another, that's why most new clans are just subdivisions of a larger one, it's very rare that there are any that start from scratch. Do you plan to itroduce someone to us?
—— Oh, I see you are versed in our laws.
—— Well enough... So Mr. Brando, are you going to give us one of your own?
—— Quite the opposite.
—— I see, a political bond. You're looking for a pet for your son.
—— Well, don't look at it like that. You're not a rag... You look promising and what I'm offering you is that your clan is safe for the rest of eternity. Don't you think it's an excellent opportunity?
Fugo knew that Bruno and Abbacchio did not see him as a burden, he knew that he was loved and that they would protect him and the rest as much as necessary, but he was also was sure that they were in the most precarious moment of their new life as an official clan, that being nomads did not imply any kind of risk for the big groups but that when they had no contacts tragedies could happen very fast. Besides, they would have no way to defend Trish if the elves discovered where she was and that could cost the life of one of his brothers, he could not stand the idea of Mista or Narancia dying, besides it was a matter of time before Trish was located, having the support of the Joestar, Dio and the Zepelli could give him a lot of advantage, he was going to protect them at the cost of his life, but that did not mean that he wanted to die.
—— My parents were nomadic and did not follow the corresponding ceremonies for the union of their kind. I don't know their traditions because marriage has never been a particularly necessary or interesting subject for me. Could you explain to me what I would have to do if I accept your offer?
—— I like that you are so cautious and prudent, these are qualities that are not always found in people... Even in someone older than you. You have been well educated and that speaks volumes about your parents.
—— So?
—— Although you should work a little on your patience.
Fugo took a deep breath and twisted his eyebrows, almost wanting to spread his wings and fly away. Dio just smiled, big and teasing.
—— First we would have to go to a neutral place, in this case it could be the Joestar mansion or maybe the Zepelli's house.
—— That’s not neutral at all.
—— We can look for any other clan that is willing to host both parties without taking sides. Buy I can assure you they’re probably taking my side, Jonathat is your best option for someone to trust. Anyway, then the presentations begin, first there is a banquet in which both parties give a gift to the other. The parents of the bride and groom express the best qualities of their son and the host family makes an estimation of how suitable the marriage is.
—— I will be judged as a competition animal.
—— Not completely. After that you will not be able to see each other for two days during which you will both decide if it is worth continuing. If both parties agree, they have to spend a whole day together to test their compatibility. At the end of the day the date of the wedding is set, which must not be more than one month. All the goods that are consumed during this recognition have to be returned to the guests twice as much during the first two years of the marriage. In case of not accepting, it is divided according to the estimates that the guests made, as you will see, in your case you would have to give more than what I and my son will do since being better positioned, the refusal is considered wasting our time.
Fugo knew they could make it, paying would not be a complicated task, however considering the circumstances with Trish, it could be very tough and coming up short on resources during a possible confrontation was potentially fatal.
—— Sounds reasonable.
—— During the wedding you have to consume each other's flesh and blood. Plus by having children you have to allow the child to be sponsored by a member of the host family and hand over the naming rights.
—— I will discuss it with my parents.
—— Tomorrow night we can get together. See you then.
Abbachio was upset. He had already drunk three bottles of wine and half a liter of blood.
—— No, you're not going to sell yourself to some idiot who stalks you in the street.
—— I'm not selling myself Abbachio.
—— Fugo... It looks like you are. Besides, you're a dragon, you know what that means for your marriage. Abba and I could separate someday... We won't, but if that happens we wouldn't have a problem, however in your case...
—— I know, but it seems to me that we can at least try. We won't lose anything.
—— Are you sure? We can make enemies with a lot of people if this goes wrong.
—— Abbachio... Don't be so drastic either.
—— Bruno, our son is potentially going to be part of...
—— If things go well, Trish will be safe... We all will be and I don't think I won't be allowed to come with you. Plus I can say no in case I don't like Mr. Brando's son. I would only have to pay for what we consume.
—— Are you willing to kill for this?
—— No, no... I, you know that the Joestar have blood banks, people who offer their blood for money... Gold and diamonds are not so difficult to get when you are a dragon... My biological parents had a lot, it is part of my nature to find it, I would only have to take a few days to get them and take them as payment. It wouldn't be so serious... I... I want to be useful for you Bruno... For you Abbachio, I want to be able to do something for our family... You have given me so much in such a short time, I'm not even your real so...
—— Stop it! You are my son —— Abbachio pressed his lips together and then patted Fugo's hair. —— You are our son and that's why it's not easy for me to let you do this.
—— We love you Fugo but everything involves risks. We can't take them all... Who will take care of Trish and the rest?
—— It's only for a week... The Zep...
—— The Zepelli have always been linked to the Joestar, it would be like being at their complete and total mercy, if something goes wrong they wouldn't even have time to escape because they would take care of it the second they...
—— And how could you inform them any faster than I can fly here? We'll be fine.
—— Can you control your fits of rage for a whole week Pannacotta?
—— I can do it... This is for all of us. We'll be fine.
Bruno sighed wearily and then got up from the couch.
—— Fine, but promise me that if you don't like it you're going to tell me and we'll get out of there.
—— I promise.
Dio stipulated that William would be in charge of keeping at bay any hostile attempts in case someone wanted to attack the rest of the Passione clan. They would be in alliance while the courtship began. He had gotten along well with Bruno who in some ways reminded him a bit of Jonathan, Abbachio on the other hand had kept to himself but Dio could see the obvious dissatisfaction he had with the situation.