A/N: Hey, all! This is a sequel to Castle Bleck Oneshots: A-Z. Basically, this will be another collection of oneshots with a few story arcs. :p If you haven't read CBOAZ, here's what you should know:

This is after SPM, and Dimentio, Blumiere, and Timpani are back, and Mr. L is too, and he's a separate person from Luigi.

Mimi/Dimentio and Nastasia/O'Chunks is established

Dimentio is a Luciminox (half Tribe of Ancients and half Tribe of Darkness)

Timpani and Blumiere are thinking about having a kid/kids.

A manilla envelope lay in the mailbox outside a castle within the void. Most mail was delivered by magic, or by messenger bird. This one was delivered by a bird named Birdly, and within the envelope lay news that would disappoint the owner of the castle, and his wife.

"Blumiere, let's open it together."

"Of course."

Their faces fell. Blumiere held Timpani close to his chest.

The trauma her body had suffered from transforming into a Pixl and back to a human, along with the influence of both the Chaos and Purity Hearts had rendered her near-barren. The chances of them being able to conceive were slim. Blumiere kissed his wife's forehead.

"We could adopt," she said. "Many children lack loving homes...It could mean the worlds to them."

Blumiere found himself smiling. He didn't want to put his wife through years of trying for a baby, only to find that it was impossible. He couldn't help but admire how she took things in stride.

"Of course. We could visit an orphanage soon."

"Tomorrow?"

He looked at her with surprise. "Are you sure about this? We

aren't prepared to house an infant or child yet…"

Timpani stiffened. He was right; the castle still needed renovating. Those open flaming lamps outside were a threat, as were the stairs, the sharp edges of the tables, not to mention the daily hazards.

"You're right, darling. We should start child-proofing and renovating first."

~CBOAZ~

The heads of the castle had announced their plans to the others that afternoon.

"Are you adopting a boy or a girl?" Mimi asked, voice pitched with excitement.

"We haven't decided yet," Lady Timpani replied.

"Where will you go to get the kid?" Mr. L asked.

"We don't know," Lady Timpani said. This was like her wedding all over again. She and Blumiere had more of the 'act first, think later' kind of temperament.

Lord Blumiere raised his staff as if to wave away further questions. "The fine details haven't been decided yet, but we'd like to ask for your help in making this castle suitable for a little one."

Nastasia fervently scribbled notes down in her clipboard.

~CBOAZ~

"Dimmy, why do I feel like you've been dodging me?" Mimi asked the jester. She had cornered him after the meeting.

"Perhaps it's because you interrogate me every time you see me. I feel as if I'm a suspect of a grievous crime," he replied, words smooth as dark silk.

There was a beat of silence.

"Sorry," she said. It was one word, but the sincerity of it was not lost on the jester.

Dimentio lowered his feet to the ground. "My dear, I know it is hard to understand why I'm not forthcoming about this subject, but one day I will be willing to talk about it. When such a day comes, you will be the one I tell." He kissed her hairline.

She wrapped an arm around his waist. They stayed in that position for awhile.

"Are you excited for the adoption?"

"It should make things interesting, I suppose," Dimentio said.

"Aww, you're such a softie...don't even lie!"

"Children rapidly switch between being like sponges thirsting for knowledge, and like thorns digging into one's side."

"Maybe it'll be fun!"

"You could hardly care for Mr. L when he was a baby for more than ten minutes."

Mimi's eyes went white with rage. "Like you were any better!"

Dimentio shrugged, placing a hand on Mimi's hips. "I suppose we'd make horrible parents."

Nastasia chose that moment to walk past them. Instantly the color drained out of her face. "What now? Um...a-are you two—"

"NO!"

"Right...um…" she muttered, adjusting her glasses.

"Gosh, Nassy! Stop jumping to conclusions!" Mimi chastised.

"Déjà vu…" Dimentio murmured to himself. Moving away from his girlfriend, and again levitating he addressed the secretary. "Dear Nastasia, what do you think about the notion of adding a child to this chaos?"

Nastasia straightened her spine and regained her dignity. "Uh...if that's what will make the Lord and Lady happy, then who am I to protest?"

"A paying resident?" Dimentio supplied. Nastasia adjusted her glasses, though they had been on straight. She was not amused.

"I think...it might liven up the place. Y'know, bring everyone together. Get some of us to take more responsibility."

"Hey! We're responsible!" Mimi cut in.

The secretary frowned. "Mimi, just last week you started a fire trying to make popcorn, and burned everything on the counter."

"Air popped is healthier, and how was I supposed to know that you don't put the microwave kind in there?"

"Because you don't put paper in a pot with boiling oil? Doesn't anyone in this castle read directions?"

Dimentio raised his hand. "I do; however, I don't always choose to obey like a mindless drone."

"K," Nastasia said before leaving. Apparently this conversation had raised her blood pressure.

~CBOAZ~

In the office she shared with Blumiere, Lady Timpani had been doing research on different orphanages. Most required all sorts of forms and background checks. She cringed—somehow she didn't think Blumiere would have an easy time with that.

Blumiere had begun measuring one of the guest bedrooms. Though it was mostly furnished, the bed frame was old, and the dressers were in poor condition. The closet would need cleaning, and the floors most likely would be better off with carpeting. Despite his education in magic, there were no dark magic spells for furnishing a room.

Suddenly, he sensed a presence.

"Show yourself, Dimentio."

The jester materialized in the air. Lord Blumiere gave him a once over. Slowly, he asked,"Is there something you needed?"

"Aha ha ha ha, I think you've seen this coming for quite some time," he removed his mask. "It's time you learn the truth, brother, you and the rest of this castle."

Blumiere levitated so that he was at eye level with his former-minion. "Dimentio, I remember you...but then you were—"

"Dimidio."

Lord Blumiere rubbed his temples. This was going to be a long and confusing evening. "You are right in that I have been waiting for you to approach me. But, why now?"

"I was reminded when you and Lady Timpani were talking of bringing another Luciminox into the multiverse."

Dimentio's tone had a rough quality to it. Where it was usually mocking and effortless, it was hostile and dry.

Mr. L burst through the door. "Hey, Count! I got the tools you wanted!" He was holding a black tool box.

Blumiere glanced with despair at the wide-open door. Was knocking no longer a common practice? "Thank you, Mr. L." He turned to face Dimentio, only to find that the magician had disappeared.