[X] It's so loud, inside my head...
You lay down the law. You explain what is expected of Dio as a member of this family and a gentleman pursuing an interest in a young woman. Ignoring the cold, stone fist closing around your heart, you practically order him to do right by Del.
Dio listens attentively, and as you draw to a close, a small smile crosses his face. "It warms my heart to know you care so much for Miss Shannon," he says. Getting to his feet, he takes your hand and pats it tenderly. "You have no cause for worry, Jojo. Everything shall be exactly as you desire. I've already made arrangements to speak to Del's father."
And with a peck on your forehead, he departs.
Oh.
... this is... good, yes?
Yes.
Of course it is. You are Joanna Joestar, and you always get what you want. Everything you ask for.
Everything.
=
Del's mother is not happy to hear she's attracted male interest at such a young age, but Dio charms Mr Shannon so thoroughly that he won't hear a word said against the boy, not even from his wife. The eldest of Del's little brothers is over the moon; he's one of the students Dio's been tutoring and to hear Del tell it he thinks the world of Dio.
The village talks of nothing else for the rest of the summer; you can't count the number of times you pass a stall in the market or enter the lav at school only to hear the telltale sound of gossip screeching to a halt.
The boys are a bit startled to hear that one of their number is walking out with someone already, of course, but one afternoon you see a group of the older ones congratulate Dio heartily and, much to your alarm, drag him into the pub. Fortunately your fears amount to nothing, and you are proud to see Dio emerge as sharp-eyed and clear-headed as ever.
You've never seen Del as happy as she has been the past few weeks, and the hours the two of you share with Dio have lost their awkwardness.
The lovebirds do have a rather annoying tendency to stare into one another's eyes for long stretches of time, but you're sure they'll outgrow such an infantile fascination eventually. At least, you hope so.
=
You're surprised by the size of the mob to see you off at the train station. You expected the headmaster to wish you farewell, of course (and you can see his top hat rising out of the crowd), and for Petula and her friends to send someone to make sure you're actually leaving.
But almost half your class is here. All the girls are, certainly - Del's right at the front with a small parcel in her hands, chatting with Erina Pendleton.
"Del?" you ask, taking Dio's hand as you alight from the carriage. "What is all this?"
"Everyone's come to say goodbye," your friend says, beaming.
"Um, yes," Lizzie Yellowcard pipes up nervously. "How could we let you go all the way to Italy without saying goodbye?"
Erina nods, and grins at you. "We wouldn't want you to forget us while you're off seeing the world."
[X] You are touched.
[X] You are annoyed that you can't have the nice private farewell you were hoping for.
