[jokerjay779]

Fawful was pleased that they liked their cooking so much. Even the moody Kagami couldn't help but think his cooking was excellent. A genius in the lab and the kitchen. He's so brilliant sometimes he even scares himself.

"Ha ha ha ha ha. Fawful has tantalized your taste buds and filled your tummies! Fawful once again showed that Fawful is amazing," Fawful said.

Jovie then asked where and when he learned to cook.

"At Woohoo University Fawful learned to cook from the Home Ec class. Fawful then took the time to perfect his recipes and cook for Fawful. Fawful also provided meals for Fawful's late mistress Cackletta but that was long ago." Fawful explained.

Once again Fawful brought up Cackletta. Feels him with a sense of melancholy. He doesn't like this feeling.

"But enough about that, Fawful will get the dessert," Fawful said.

He then goes into the kitchen to get the bowl of fruit salad. And brings it back to the table. Apple slices, strawberry slices, pineapple slices, and many other fruits adorn the inside of the bowl.

[krystlotus]

The girls was undoubtedly excited for dessert after they finished their soups and sandwiches alike though the fact they ate fruit salad, it reminded Jovie.

"Home Ec. class huh? Well, that's a good call on your end." Kagami sighed as Jovie was thinking for a bit. "Some people would just rather do the thing that's 'in' and popular instead of what ya just mentioned. I've seen what it's like out there for a time and I'd tell you that things have changed."

Kagami was talkative but the thing was that Jovie was silently enjoying herself as she was remembering about the time she was with her father and cooking with each other on making meals together.

No class or anything, just quality family time with one another and in a sense, she did miss that.

It was almost if she had zoned out for a bit while she was eating and just pretending to be happy to mask that is growing more difficult for her.

Eventually, she is going have to come clean and talk to Fawful about it despite of her having personal issues to which she internally sighed about but in the midst of things, Kagami looked over Jovie as she asked,"You okay there Jovie? You had been silent."

Jovie perked up nervously as she smiled back,"Jovie is just enjoying the dessert, that's all. Nothing for big sis to be concerned over."

Of course, Jovie was blushing out of embarrasment and it's better than hearing Kagami getting frustrated from her constantly apologizing which is something she stopped doing for a reason.

[jokerjay779]

Even after Fawful cooked her a great meal something seems to be bugging Jovie. She is acting oddly and not as exuberant as when Fawful just met her. It's hard to understand kids, especially this generation. Just thinking that made him feel old. Then again he spent most of his life raised and working for an elderly witch.

Fawful stretches his arms.

"Well, Fawful is going to be cooking Midbus dinner now for him to be eating after he has finished with the rearranging. Fawful shall be leaving now. Oh also Fawful has a chore for you Kagami," Fawful said.

He then went to Kagami and whispered in her ear.

"Your sister is clearly has unwellness, Fawful will give you two the privacy while you two do consoling of each other. Fawful well be back," Fawful whispered.

He then left the room and went into the kitchen. And begins getting a big slab of meat on a bone. He rubs it with various spices, and drizzles it in some herbs, before putting it on a spit roast. Aiming to cook it evenly. Just the way Midbus likes it. This same meat is what Midbus used during his battle with Bowser.

Oh, how he missed the Fawful Theater. The shows he performed standing in the spotlight. The minions cheering for him. The money he got from the overpriced snack bars and merch he sold in the lobby. Perhaps once he has enough money he could build a new one in the Life Sphere and bring some culture to this place.

[krystlotus]

Kagami nodded. "I got it covered, you just handle with the big guy."

Of course, it wouldn't be long that he would leave the room, leaving the girls to themselves to discuss, but after while, it wouldn't be long before Midbus would finish off what Fawful asked for him as he placed the last of the items down in the correct spot.

Between the kids and seeing Fawful alive again, he was trying to connect the dots, though what got him was the fact of the children. How was he supposed to react to that? They did seem friendly towards Fawful, especially Jovie, who is the youngest. 

It was a different experience for him.

However, his thoughts would be interrupted as he would smell that familiar scent coming from the kitchen as he would return back to the front. The memory of the meat reminded him of the time that him and Bowser were facing off in Fawful Theater within the Cage match. 

He'll get even with Bowser but right now, that would come in time.

Of course, while Midbus was to his own, it would seem that Jovie seemed to had left the room and went in the direction of the kitchen but stood at the leeway of the door, only to be watching Fawful while he cooked in silence, despite her sister protesting.

It reminded her of her father.

However, during this, Midbus had spotted Jovie, wondering why she would be near the kitchen before approaching her.

"What is Jovie doing here?" he would ask before Jovie turned around and notice Midbus.

"Ah! Mister Midbus! I.." Jovie replied before she hid her face, out of embarrassment, as she ran off with Midbus questioning before he shrugged.

"Strange girl." Midbus sighed. "More strange than Lord Fawful."

Atleast that was cleared up without issue but Jovie doesn't seem the type that would cause issues with Fawful. It's Kagami that he would have to take caution on.

[jokerjay779]

Fawful then heard Midbus and Jovie behind him. He left the meat to cook as he turns to the two.

"Jovie, you are supposed to be staying behind with your sister! And Midbus, better not be sneaking a taste of Fawful's cooking again," Fawful said.

It was then that Fawful realized why Jovie could be watching him in the kitchen. She is interested in how he cooks. Well, she did enjoy his cooking. And Fawful is pretty amazing at it.

"Oh, I see the Jovie is interested in the cooking. Well unfortunately this particular dish is too fattening and is best eaten in moderation. It's where Midbus gets a lot of his mighty girth and the beefness. Like a ferocious roast pig charging forward with the fury of a raging raw steak. So Fawful will show you the healthy recipes when he has the time. Now please leave Fawful, Fawful needs to focus on cooking the meat evenly." Fawful said.

He then goes back to spinning the spit roast, making sure it isn't too raw. And making sure it wasn't burnt in any areas while he was distracted. He's a bit of a perfectionist.

[krystlotus]

Jovie had paused and turn around briefly as she heard the news.

"R-Really? Mister Fawful would do that for Jovie?" she asked as she was surprised before she smiled. "Thank you Mister Fawful!"

This meant a lot for the young girl as she would eventually leave back to Kagami in a hurry as she would wave to the both of them but it wouldn't be long before Midbus spoke up.

"I came in when Jovie arrived." he explained before continuing, "The recent task has been finished, Lord Fawful."

[jokerjay779]

"Excuse Fawful for the accusation earlier Midbus, but Fawful thanks you for having the task completed. Once Fawful figures out how to remove the Dark Star energy from the amulet it will all be worth it. The dark chocolate icing on the black forest cake of evil. I have chortles!" Fawful said before giving a hearty laugh.

With an egg timer going off, he then realizes that the meat is ready as he takes it off of the spit roast and hands it to Midbus. Musing on this situation he begins thinking.

"Hmm, what to do with the girls once Fawful gets what he is wanting? Fawful feels sorriness for them so perhaps Fawful can find them a new home somewhere or someone else. Though they have taken such a liking to Fawful and Midbus that I am not sure if they are willing to go through with that. Fawful might be in a dilemma." Fawful thought.

He is not sure if he is ready for the "joys" of fatherhood and all that entails. Though it seems at the moment that's who they see him as at the moment. However, he is also sure that he is not deserving of such a title and that there is someone better out there who can take care of the two. He's a villain after all they don't need to keep associating with someone like him. They would only be put into danger.

Perhaps Fawful should have thought this more through before bringing them in but he was just too distracted by the allure of the amulet's dark power. He only hopes that things will work out in the end somehow.

[krystlotus]

Midbus nodded before he would grab his favorite meat and took a bite off from it.

It was just as remembered, though, while Fawful was chatting about the amulet and the girls, he was eating along. 

Besides, this was well deserved after some hard work from earlier, but judging by the sounds of things..

"I remember but.." Midbus spoke."Since Bowser's minions know, there could be trouble."

The Dry Bones explained everything to him about what happened but not without intimidation.



”Though, those girls are..strange..”

This is true. Midbus had no idea this was going on especially with what was happening in terms of things. It was already awkward enough as is by seeing the sight of others like Fawful around, well next to his revival.

[jokerjay779]

"Fawful can easily take care of the minions of Bowser and now that you are Midbus the chances of them trying anything have decreased significantly. Fawful doesn't think that the King of Koopas Bowser would have any interest in what I am doing. Nor do the minions know about the amulet. Only the four of us know of its true dark power. All that they do know is that Kagami has the special powers," Fawful said.

He paced around the room as he talked, but then stopped when he commented how strange the girls are. He then checked the door again to make sure they were not listening and closed and quietly locked it.

"Strangeness yes, but they could still be of use to us, Kagami is the only one who can control the amulet's power and as for Jovie Fawful is not quite sure. Though she is the nicest anyone has ever been to Fawful so keeping her around for the moral support sounds like the best option for now. That is until she reveals any of the special skills." Fawful said.

[krystlotus]

Midbus does agree that Jovie is nice that she even has treated him the same as Fawful but he is right. Though..

"Do you think it is possible?"

After all, Fawful did mention about the amulet and how the sisters could be descendants of the same individual that had the amulet all those years ago with the brief history lesson involved.

---

Elsewhere in the room, Jovie was returning back before Kagami looked up as she lowered the book in hand while sitting in a chair and noticed her.

"Good, you showed up. I was wondering where you went." Kagami sighed before Jovie perked up nervously. "Ah, well, Jovie.."

"You went to the kitchen again, didn't you?" Kagami asked as Jovie was silent for a bit and nodded, "Yes but how did big sis know?"

"It ain't hard to miss that you had that twinkle of curiosity in your eye and trust me, you enjoyed his cooking." Kagami shrugged before smirking. "Hey, I did too, though.."

She wondered for a bit as she asked, "..why cooking? Did you really like his food or is it something else?"

Jovie perked up nervously before clasped her hands together. "Jovie really likes Mister Fawful's cooking."

"Are you sure?" Kagami asked as Jovie nodded quickly but that was when the two were silent before Kagami smirked. "You know, even if you haven't know each other for long, it's like you're treating him more than-"

"Erm, excuse Jovie but she has to check on something!" Jovie replied as she would go to hurry to the direction of the shop as Kagami sighed, getting up and following after her this time.

[jokerjay779]

"Of the beans being the descendant of the creator of the amulet? Fawful thinks yes but it's just one of many possibilities. It is also possible that their ancestor stole the amulet from its original creator and passed it down. Though I only wanted to tell them what they wanted to hear. Fawful wants them to be happy so that they may behave better than if they weren't having joyness. If they stay happy here then they won't be having the leaving as they would be doing the staying instead. Simple as that Midbus." Fawful said.

He then looks out toward the window.

"As for whether Jovie has any ability or talent she will show when she's ready. She must be having some sort of talent to be able to stay alive for oh so long and dealing with her sister," Fawful said.

Fawful then walks to the door and unlocks it but as he enters the room he is shocked to find it empty.

"I have shockness! I leave them alone to reconcile for a few minutes and already they have left! Midbus! Help me find them, but have gentleness with them. Be as gentle as the fluffy marshmallow bird snuggled inside the Egg of Easter." Fawful ordered.

He then goes around the area to look for them. Checking to make sure they were not hiding in some nook or cranny he hadn't noticed yet.

[krystlotus]

"Yes Lord Fawful."

Midbus quickly finished off his food and got up to join with Fawful. He was looking around but it wouldn't be long before he would hear an object fall over to which he would perk up, only to look in the direction.

He paused only to hear footsteps within the building that sounded like running.

---

"Jovie! Ya really need to acting so weird!" Kagami's voice echoed from nearby, hinting that the girls were in the shop area. "Sheesh!"

Jovie didn't respond to Kagami as she would hide herself from her sister and in the time that Kagami caught up, she was tired if not also annoyed.

"Of all the times! Why?"

Kagami huffed as she crossed her arms before she would be looking around.

"Well, it could be worse, she could be outside but good that she stayed inside."

As Kagami was looking around for her, Jovie was silent as she just kept to herself for a bit, though it wouldn't be long before Kagami found her and grabbed Jovie's hand, causing the younger to struggle with trying to break free.

"Stop! Leave Jovie alone!" the younger shouted as Kagami replied, "Not unless you explain yourself! Do you want us to get into trouble?"

This was clearly a sisterly spat between the two.

[jokerjay779]

Fawful then heard that the two were coming to the shop area. He groaned in frustration. Now it seems his worries about them becoming a hassle are coming true. As he marches into the main area of his home. He sees that Kagami is running around trying to find her. And once she does she tries to break free.

"Fawful thinks that he shouldn't be having the involvement of this." Fawful thought.

Fawful exits the room and closes the door and turns towards Midbus.

"I think we should be letting them solve this on their own." Fawful said.

He then turned towards the door and kept one ear close to it. Or whatever counts as an ear for him since he has no visible ears. To listen in to what the girls are arguing about.

[krystlotus]

Midbus was also listening and while he kept quiet, the girls would be talking.

---

"No! Jovie likes Mister Fawful and Mister Midbus as well as big sis but.." Jovie started with anger before she calmed down, silencing her tone and looking away.

"Are ya finished?" Kagami asked as Jovie sighed,"Jovie..hasn't been feeling well.."

"You don't look.." Kagami replied before she continued, "..oh wait..alright, I see where this is going. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that it's emotional baggage."

Jovie looked up to Kagami with a surprised look before she lowered her head and asked,"What's that?"

"Emotional baggage is kinda like..you're holding back something so much to the point that it starts messing with your head to the point that you feel overwhelmed."

Jovie lowered her eyes. "..yeah..and it's almost if Jovie is carrying something heavy but it's not there at the same time.."

"But why? You don't have to be like that. I thought you'd atleast talk to me sooner about this or something."

Jovie shook her head.

"Jovie was afraid because big sis has gotten mad and.. didn't want to trouble Mister Fawful or Mister Midbus.."

Kagami loosened her grip somewhat on Jovie's hand.

"Well, yeah, them too even though..I'm a bit wary of them but after what Fawful did to protect you from the bonehead among other things, I felt as I should give him the benefit of the doubt and with you in the equation..yeah. I mean I not used to Midbus but I've yet to kinda get used to him."

Kagami sighed. "Look Jovie, I'm trying to be the big sis you want me to be but..I'm just not exactly used to it especially to the fact I didn't even know I had a sister for all these years because of that dang orphanage."

Kagami was annoyed at mentioning about it, though Jovie was curious.

"What's an orphanage?" Jovie asked as Kagami replied, "Oh, it's a place they put unwanted kids in. Trust me, it's not a happy place because once you're in, you'd be lucky to get out, but you know, that stopped applying for me a time ago because I ditched that place and went out to find my own way."

Kagami continued. "Besides, I'm already an outcast. What family would want me after all if all they're gonna end up with some unsuspecting spooky creatures and the likes in their home and thinking it's haunted or something else? Yeah it's rough, but I chose this because I sure ain't a happy camper but it's kinda ironic that the thing I wanted to escape from comes back to me anyways."

By the tone of things, she was subtly annoyed even though Jovie was quiet.

"Anyways, on a different topic, I guess this also explains why you had been having..well..these weird surges of energy..coming off from you whenever you feel upset or something.."

"What does big sis mean?" Jovie asked with a tilted head as she was curious.

"Ah sheesh, how to explain this..well..it's a bit complicated but..the thing is that, there's something about you that you aren't fully aware of. I know it's there but you don't..though, I wonder.." Kagami started before she asked,"..oh! I got a question. Where are you actually from?"

Jovie was silent for a bit before she sighed.

"Jovie is from Isle Delfino. It's a distance away from the Mushroom Kingdom.."

"Oh, no wonder why you mentioned seafood and that when Fawful was asking for food suggestions."

Before long Kagami was thinking about it for awhile as she was trying to connect the dots.

"Did the food that Fawful give us reminded you of something?"

Jovie paused before she nodded. "It reminded Jovie of better times..when both her and her dad did cooking together before something bad happened.."

The younger sighed, "..and well, when Mister Fawful agreed to helping Jovie earlier, it was exciting news."

"So that's why you went back to the kitchen after getting a meal. Makes sense."

Kagami was getting a better clue to what was going on.

"Jovie, you don't have to hide anymore. It's okay to be upset and other things, but it's not okay to hide these emotions away because well, the way you had been acting, it's almost if you've been dealing with grief because you lost something and desperately want it back but the thing is.. you forget about everything else."

"What is that? Is that why Jovie feels sad when trying to be happy?"

"Well of course and it's called grief. It's a real downer of a situation and it's like a deep dark hole that can be really hard to get out. Kinda like a nightmare but worse because the fact that it's reality."

Kagami continued, "Remember what Fawful said when he was talking about Cackletta? Though, now that I think about it.."

"Yeah.."

Jovie lowered her head somewhat before she started crying again, but this time, it was more open, and Kagami felt what she was talking about for certain.

"Jovie is sorry if she annoyed big sis and wants to be good for Mister Fawful and Mister Midbus, and, and.." the younger went in and hugged Kagami. "..it'll be alright Jovie..and to be honest, I should be thanking you for tolerating with me even though I had been a jerk."

Jovie was going to take her time to let it out because it was too much on her.

"Big sis isn't a jerk, Kagami just needs to be a better big sis!" Jovie giggled weakly before Kagami replied, "I don't know you much but even though you're kinda naive, you are kind and kinda..stubborn? But in a good way."

"Well, big sis admits one thing, she has been but I guess I kinda..adapted..a bit? Yeah, it's those trust issues that kinda bugged me for a bit." Kagami admitted as she awkwardly hugs back, completely letting go of her sister's arm. "Just, try to open up and don't scare me like that. I mean it, if you had left the shop and went outside, I would be livid especially after what that bonehead did to you and Fawful."

"Yeah and Mister Fawful gave us someplace to stay! We said that we're staying..but now Jovie feels bad because of the trouble from earlier."

Jovie perked up as she would let go from the hug and begin looking around with her reddened face.

"Oh, but! Mister Fawful and Mister Midbus! We should find them right away and apologize!"

Sounds like the sisters have resolved their issues.

[jokerjay779]

Fawful heard everything from behind the door. Kagami's struggles in the orphanage reminded him of his own struggles, about what happened to Jovie's father. And it was all enough to move his evil little heart to tears. He gets a handkerchief from within his robes to begin wiping the tears from his eyes from behind his glasses.

"I have sadness. To think the great Lord Fawful was moved to tears by two little girls. If Bowser or anyone were to be seeing this they would have the laughing at me. Midbus surely you must be moved by their conversation? As bittersweet as coffee before being mixed with the sugar of joy and cream of togetherness." Fawful said.

He then blows into the neckerchief despite having no visible nose. As he steps away from the door to continue sobbing in a corner.