The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.3

Snozzberries Taste Like Snozzberries

Valentine was waiting for you in the dining room of the house he was currently staying in. On the table was a plate of fruits and cheeses. He was popping a grape into his mouth when you entered the room.

He smiled at you in his usual calm manner. "Hello, my dear (Y/N)." He gave his lap a pat, once again encouraging you to sit there. "It is good to see you've decided to show up quickly this time around." Which he assumed meant you were starting to warm up to him at least a little. "Just in time for my late afternoon snack."

"Oh, good." You sat where requested, doing a decent job of hiding your disdain. "I was feeling a little peckish."

"Taste the oranges. They're great this time of year." He held a slice up to your mouth.

You took your time contemplating the flavor. "Hm... you're right."

"Well, yes. I usually am." He spent a few moments watching you before he cleared his throat and placed something on the table. "I'm rather busy today, so I suppose I'll get to the point. Here. Something to remember me by. Like you asked."

You picked up the smallish box. It had a neat, little bow wrapped around it. You pulled on the ribbon and proceeded to remove the lid. It was a pair of gloves. They looked nearly identical with the ones Valentine would wear.

"The other me said you seemed interested in them, so I had pair tailored for you. Well, you might as well try them on." He removed the gloves you had been wearing and then slid on the ones he had given you. "A perfect fit." He continued staring at you, as though waiting for confirmation that you liked the gift.

"Thank you. These will do quite nicely." You gave him what was probably one of the first genuine smiles he would see from you. The plan was going relatively smooth.

"You know..." Valentine began dragging his fingers through your hair, his mind drifting to other things. "I was thinking about this the other day, but Axl Ro's Stand, Civil War, is actually quite similar to Speedwagon's, is it not?"

"What?" You look at him with genuine confusion. "Are you saying the Speedwagon in this universe was a Stand user?"

He let out a small laugh, "Ah, right. I forgot you never actually met the man. But yes, he was a Stand user. I don't think he ever passed through the Devil's Palm, so I presume he was born one. Looking back, I'm sure he was aware of the affair his wife was having. Perhaps he used his ability on her."

"What exactly was his ability?" You were admittedly a little curious.

Valentine kept an arm settled around you. "From what I've heard from the people I sent out to try and gauge his ability, it forces the victim's mind to constantly replay either their deepest regret or greatest fear. Before he fully died, perhaps he took the time to use his Stand on the other (Y/N)."

"And if the effects lasted after his death, then that could explain why..." Your voice trailed off.

"Well, no matter. Let's move on to happier things." Valentine opened up a book that had been resting on the table, revealing it to be a journal of some kind. "I've been planning out the wedding. And don't worry, I have everything set up for my divorce with Scarlet. I'll have her sign the papers tomorrow."

"Oh, good." And, knowing Lucy was the person currently disguised as Scarlet, perhaps it might actually be for the better. At the very least, it would probably get her away from the President.

Valentine brought a hand up to your face, making sure you were looking at him. "Yes. It is good. I am glad you will be the one at my side when this race ends and I have acquired all the corpse parts. You will have the honor of being a witness of the many things possible on this Earth. When I am the one who has become the one that all must pay their respects to."