[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure] Standstill Bonds

Chapter 35 ~ Soul Bonding

Back in the endless soul void, Josephine and Jolyne continued to watch the events unfold before them. As they observed Hiroshi's unexpected sincerity and offer to act as a spy within the church, Josephine couldn't help but comment on it.

"I didn't see that coming..."

"Well, you know what they say. It takes having your ass handed to you in the school canteen to bring out the best in some people." Jolyne responded mischieviously.

Josephine's eyes sprung up as she made a sound of surprise, Jolyne really had been watching everything, "Do they say that? Well, I guess better late than never, huh?"

The two of them broke into shared laughter at that before Josephine continued.

"You know, deep down, he's not a bad kid. Just caught up hanging around the wrong people and easily influenced I guess, didn't think for himself. He made bad choices but he's also made the choice now to try and do better."

Josephine and Jolyne continued their otherworldly conversation, like they were friends casually catching up in the park. Josephine thought for a bit then asked, "So, if its okay for me to ask, what were your interests when you were alive? Any hobbies or passions?"

Jolyne grinned, "Oh, you know, the usual stuff I suppose. I loved music, especially rock."

"Really? I've been into a bit of rock too lately. Any favourite bands?"

Jolyne's eyes sparkled as she reminisced about her life. "Yeah, I was a huge fan of Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy and Green Day. Couldn't get enough of their music. Heh, it's funny, one of my friends turned out to be called Foo Fighter, she was... weird, but man she was awesome." Her eyes then filled with sorrow as she thought of her lost friend, one of the souls she yearned to be reunited with.

Jolyne quickly redirected the chat, replacing her frown with a smile, "You know, since I've been watching you and dad there's something I've noticed; you have a knack for biology just like him, especially birds. Always been interested in that? Or was my dad some magical influence?"

Josephine chuckled, if she could blush in her soulful state she knew she would be right then, "Yeah, I think I always loved birds because of how carefree and fascinating they are. It started when I was little with birdwatching, now I'm obsessed with studying them and want it as a focus for my future career."

Jolyne nodded in understanding. "To be fair, birdwatching sounds like a serene way to spend your time. Maybe I should have given it a shot. I loved drawing though, helped me escape, you know?" With a playful glint sparkling in her eyes again, Jolyne leaned closer, whispering even though there was no one else to hear them, "Did you know I went to prison?"

"Woah what?! You went to prison? What on earth for?" Josephine exclaimed in disbelief.

Jolyne stifled a cheeky chuckle behind her hand, "Yep, I got set up by a guy called Johngalli A who worked with Pucci. They accused me of a crime I didn't commit, everything from my lawyer to the judge, it was all a ruse to lure my dad there to come help me so they could try and kill us. I was fucking pissed let me tell you. I had some fun while I was there though, in between planning of course. Picture this; I once managed to fill my cellmate's pillow with pudding. The look on her face when she discovered it was priceless, Gwess deserved it though for all the shit she started with me when I first got there."

Josephine burst into laughter but simmered down, "So... how did you get out of there in the end?"

Jolyne's eyes softened, "Well first, in the early days of my incarceration my old man came to the rescue as they expected him to and that's when we first encountered White Snake. Johngalli A happened to be a loyal follower of Dio, he wanted revenge for what dad did to him which is why he set me up. Eventually Pucci recruited him in the prison when he wound up there and they planned everything together. During our escape when dad saved me from Johngalli A's Stand attack, Pucci took my dad's Stand and memories, just like he did to you."

"He... he lost his Stand and memories too? H-how did he get them back?" Josephine stammered.

"It wasn't easy. I managed to get dad to the Speedwagon Foundation in a submarine waiting outside so they could help keep his body alive. Then I went back into prison to find Pucci and my friends and I had to retrieve Dad's Stand disc and memories before we busted out for good. It was a hell of a long battle, but we managed to pull it off... just a shame that... it was all in vain in the end."

Josephine found herself dissatisfied with Jolyne's last comment, not for any reason against her, but because she knew she would not stand for all the hell Pucci and those before him had put Jotaro, Jolyne and the whole Joestar family through for so long.

"While Pucci is alive, there is a chance to defeat him. Nothing is in vain yet, and it won't be Jolyne, I swear to you."