Chapter Text
The day he was supposed to report back had come and gone. At first it wasn’t a cause for concern, perhaps a miscommunication about dates and time zones. It was too early to be alarmed but he had certainly earned a scolding for not paying attention. But then another had come and gone, all time zones accounted for and then some. That’s when Jotaro started calling, but all attempts to reach him had been futile. Anything could have happened though, it was too early to panic.
After a week has passed there was no denying his fears. Even if he had forgotten, by this time he would simply have called out of boredom, the clingy bastard. Jotaro waited, at his desk more often than not, the office silent save for the rumbling of the aquarium filter. Frustration, annoyance, anger, fear... grief? No, there was nothing to grieve. He was alive surely. He wouldn’t die on Jotaro like that, not him, not Polnareff.
And yet more days had since passed. The time for waiting had passed, it was time to search, the thoughts had become pleas to the heavens, not him, not Polnareff. He was going to call. He had to be alive, Jotaro hadn’t sentenced another friend to death.
RRRING RRRING
RRRING RRRING
Jotaro’s hand flew to the phone sitting besides him on the desk. He had dozed off again, lately he spent more time asleep here than his own bed. Now however, he was wide awake.
“Hello?”
“Hello. Is this Dr. Kujo?”
Jotaro slumped, rubbing his eyes. This was not a voice he expected or recognized. Polite, measured, not threatening but not warm either.
“Who is this?”
“Don’t worry about that. I have a message for you from your friend Polnareff.”
Jotaro gripped the phone tightly, but kept his voice level as he spoke.
“Where is he?”
“He’s with us and he’s fine. But-”
“Where?”
“I can’t tell you that. There’s no need to repeat yourself. Let me speak.”
Deep breath. He needed information, this was not the time to get heated.
“Go on.”
“Thank you. Polnareff is alive, but he can’t keep searching for arrows in his current condition. Someone else appears to be searching for the arrows as well, people are going missing and we believe there’s a connection. That was the message.”
Jotaro was quiet, he needed to think. The voice on the phone sounded like a young man, he mentioned Polnareff was with “us”, a group then. Polnareff was alive and yet in no condition to search for arrows or speak to Jotaro. Had this other person clashed with Polnareff? Who were this “we” Polnareff was discussing missing people with? Jotaro’s thoughts were cut off by the voice on the phone.
“Are you there, Dr. Kujo?”
“Yes. I want to know why I’m speaking to you and not Polnareff.”
There was an uneasy pause followed by the sound of shuffling.
“JOTARO!!!”
Jotaro sat upright. He knew that pitiful wailing well.
“Polnareff?!... You... You were supposed to report back days ago.”
“Jotaro that’s what you’re worried about?! Come on! You wouldn’t believe the crap I’ve been through!”
Jotaro sank back into his chair and closed his eyes, taking a moment to let the relief wash over him. Polnareff was still here. His fears were unfounded, the nightmares were dreams not visions.
“Give me a break,” Jotaro sighed, regaining his composure, “I would know if you answered my calls. Are you alright, who‘s the kid?”
Concerned chatter and shushing followed, Jotaro couldn’t make out any of the words but realized quickly they were speaking Italian. Polnareff was in Europe last they spoke, if he was in Italy now then could this have anything to do with Dio's son? Finally Polnareff spoke again. His tone sincere and serious, a worrying change.
“Listen, Jotaro... So much has happened. Too much to talk about over the phone.”
“The kid said you’re in bad shape. What did he mean?”
“...I’m... I’m fine. Let’s talk in person, okay? Come to Italy.”
