Flipped (Super Paper Mario SWAP AU)

Conversation Games (16)

The inner sanctum was clear aside from Nastasia, Dimentio, and Countess Tippi. The Countess was giving Nastasia the opportunity to explain why she was unable to stop the heroes like she had been ordered to.

"I underestimated their intelligence and overestimated the prince's strength," the blue girl explained. She kept her head low as she spoke. Both her hands were folded in her lap as she sat in her assigned seat. The room felt larger without Mimi and O'Chunks there too.

"You failed," Countess Tippi breathed. Her voice remained sweet, yet it was slightly lower and lined with a hint of disappointment.

"They're strong," Nastasia argued. "They may be strong enough to defy the prophecy, countess—"

"Don't," Countess Tippi warned. She held up a hand and lowered her voice even more. "You know better than anyone that we cannot let that happen."

Nastasia nodded as Dimentio leaned forward, placing a hand over his masked chin, silently observing. Nastasia hated how he was allowed to observe these supposedly "private" conversations between the countess and herself, but he was the assistant. He was always there, looming over Countess Tippi's shoulder.

"I just... I think you may have to use her," Nastasia breathed.

"Aha ha ha ha ha, and risk allowing her to fall into enemy hands?" Dimentio laughed in a mocking tone. "Nastasia, I thought you were smarter than—"

"No, she's right," the countess breathed. "I think she's exactly what we need to stop the heroes before they get too far. With her fighting for us, she may very well be able to convince the rest that they're on the wrong side."

"They'll recognize her," Dimentio warned. "This is a risk that doesn't need to be taken."

"Don't talk to me about risks, Dimentio," Countess Tippi demanded.

The jester fell silent, then glanced away and nodded.

"I'll send her out, my countess," he breathed, allowing his voice to soften just slightly.

The countess waved her hand, a gesture she often used to dismiss people during these brief meetings. Nastasia quickly nodded, then hopped down from her chair and scurried off. Dimentio wasn't so quick to leave, though.

"Dimentio, that means go," the countess breathed.

The jester nodded but still refused to leave. Instead, he brought his mismatched gaze to hers. 

Her gray eyes carried more intensity than they ever should have.

"What is it?" the countess asked as she raised an eyebrow. Her tone was sweet like always, but there was a slight annoyance beneath it. "You look troubled."

"You're not a villain, countess," Dimentio stated.

"I'm aware of that."

Dimentio nodded, then looked forward.

"There's still time. You can still change your mind. You can still—"

"No," Countess Tippi interrupted. "I can't. We're well past that point." Her fists clenched slightly. Her tone became just harsh enough to make herself clear.

Dimentio nodded and floated up out of his seat. He lowered himself to the ground in front of the countess and formally bowed to her.

"I figured. And... as your faithful, loyal servant, I'll support you until the end."

The countess nodded, then waved him off. This time, he did as she wished, leaving her to herself.

She lowered her head into her hand, pinching the bridge of her nose as she let out a sigh. Her heart swelled slightly. The castle hallways were so blank and empty. Mimi had once suggested decorating the walls with flowers, but the countess shot that idea down. Too much pain was attached to flowers. In fact, Mimi had to stop wearing her floral perfume because of the way the smell alone filled the countess with grief.