Pretty Pink Flower

Meeting with Jojo

It had been a few weeks since Petals had joined the invasion force. So far, things were going smoothly for her. The babies were well taken care of, and aside from a few klowns attempting to flirt, she didn't have any real complaints.

So when Jumbo stopped by the nursery with the news that Jojo wanted to speak with her, Petals was...mortified, to say the least.

She blinks a few times, processing the words in her head.

"Jojo wants to talk to you, face to face"

Did she hear that right?

Jumbo snapped his fingers, breaking Petals out of her trance. "Petals? Did you hear me?"

Petals swallows hard, nodding her head. "Yes, I'm sorry sir- did I do something wrong? Am I in trouble?"

Jumbo shakes his head. "No, he didn't sound mad when he gave me the order to tell you. Then again, you never really know with him"

That didn't help Petals at all, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she crossed her arms. "Um...do...do I have to?"

"If you don't show up, then he WILL be angry. I'd recommend going to him as soon as your shift ends"

Petals sighs, nodding her head. "I understand...thank you for letting me know..."

Jumbo pats her shoulder in an attempt at reassurance before leaving the nursery. Petals stood there, staring at the door as thoughts ran through her head.

".....he's gonna eat me"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The time had come; her shift had ended, and now Petals was standing in front of the entrance to the kathedral, or Jojos throne room.

She had talked with the other klownettes before, asking for their advice-

"He's really sweet with us, don't worry! He makes sure we get lots of goodies and gifts. The other day, he got me new shoes!" Was Daisy's response.

"You'll be okay, I've never seen him have a problem with a klownette before. Just remember to show respect, okay?" Said Rosebud.

After that, Petals had tried asking the boys- though their responses weren't as reassuring.

"If you die, can I have your secret candy stash?" Shorty thought he was funny with that one.

"Before you do, wanna go out? Y'know, just in case he eats you and we never see you again" Spikey really wasn't helping at all.

"You'll be just fine, doll. Want me to escort you to him? That might make you feel better" Slims offer was sweet, but Petals didn't wanna drag him into this in case she WAS in trouble.

Taking a deep breath, Petals entered the kathedral. It was huge, somehow bigger than the exterior of the ship. She tried not to question the physics of it.

She looked up at the large platform in the center of the room. There sat the leader himself, who was currently scolding another klown.

"You're lucky I don't crush you under my fist right here. If I hear that you've been tampering with the food supply ever again, you're dead. Do you understand?"

The poor shaky klown, who Petals didn't recognize at all, nodded before bowing and rushing out of the room.

Jojo sighed, rubbing his temple as he shook his head. "Idiot..."

Petals froze in fear. She couldn't do this. He was so big, so loud, so angry- maybe she could fake her death and change her identity and go back to their planet-

Jojo glanced over his shoulder, spotting Petals. "Ah, I see Jumbo delivered my message. Come closer, little one"

Petals took a deep breath, slowly approaching the 18-foot klown. "You...wanted to see me, sir?"

She wanted to slap herself for not bowing first, but doing so now might make her look silly- could he see how sweaty she was? This was so embarrassing.

"At ease, klownette. I'm sorry you had to see me correct that fool. The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable"

.....what?

Petals couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was like she was talking to a completely different klown. This was the terrifying, almighty klownzilla?

"I-it's okay! I understand, he must've done something bad..." Petals immediately covers her mouth, not sure if she was supposed to blurt out like that.

"Indeed. He's been messing with the cocoons as some sort of 'prank'. We can't afford to lose food like that" Jojo spoke calmly.

"Oh...that's awful, I had no idea, I'm sorry to hear that" Petals said, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

"It's quite alright. I have it handled. Now, about the reason I called you here..."

Here it comes. He's gonna scold me, Petals thinks to herself.

"I just wanted to tell you to keep up the outstanding work. I've never seen the hatchlings make such wonderful progress in such a short time"

Petals stands still for a bit, her jaw slack open. She quickly composes herself, clearing her throat.

"Oh! Oh my, thank you, sir! That means a lot coming from you!"

Jojo smiles. It's a small one, but it's sincere. "It's no problem. I trust that you will continue this progress, correct?"

Petals nods, smiling. "Yes, sir! Absolutely! They'll be entering their next stage in no time!"

"Then that is all I require from you, Petals. You're excused" with that, Jojo dismisses Petals with the wave of his hand. Petals takes the hint, bowing before leaving.

Once she's in the hall, Petals leans against the wall, sighing in relief. She spots Jumbo walking through the hall, who stops once he sees her.

"How did it go? You're still in one piece, I assume it went well"

Petals nods, smiling. "Yeah, everything went really well! I feel silly for being so scared now..."

Jumbo shrugs. "Don't be, it's understandable. He's our leader, after all. I'm glad you're on his good side"

With that, he leaves her be, as Petals makes her way to tell her fellow klownettes the good news.