Chapter 10

Trying to Find Happiness

A day passed and Helen and Dimentio were still not the same. Helen had locked herself in her room and Dimentio… nowhere to be found. After he saw this Mr. L was actually began to worry. Quietly he went and searched for the jester. After about two hours he finally found him in Dimentio's Hall of Mirrors. The engineer entered the fake mirror and saw him in a corner, shaking.

Did this scar him?

"Er, D-Dim…?"

"… What do you want…?" He replied coldly.

He gulped, "W-well… I-I was thinking… maybe to, uh, 'boost your spirit', I was thinking about all of us going on a trip."

"… Mr. L, two people were mentally scarred for life… how is a trip going to make anything better?"

"… You'd be surprised…"

"…. Trip to where…?"

"Well…. I was kinda thinking of a beach."

"…. You're mind doesn't work well doesn't it?"

He sighed, "Dimentio, I'm sorry, but you know we can't bring her back. The prophecy has to be for fulfilled!"

The jester was silent for a few minutes then he slowly stood, "… How do you know that she would like the beach?"

He shrugged, saying, "one way to find out."

Once they reached her room, Mr. L knocked on her door.

"… What the hell do you want?"

Mr. L flinched then cleared his throat, "Ah, Helen, I wanted to ask you something."

"… What?"

"Well, I was thinking that we could all go to the beach, make a reservation at a nearby hotel and have fun."

"Wait, you said nothing about a hotel to me!" Dimentio realized, glaring a bit, "I am not sharing a room with you."

"Don't worry we'll all have separate room."

"…. Since when were you rich?"

There was a small 'ahem' and both of them looked to see Helen with a suitcase and her hair tied back in a bun, "Well? Are we going or what?"

And they did. Helen transported all of them, including Cackletta and Fawful, to Mushroom Beach (also known as Peach Beach remodeled). After Mr. L made got rooms for them and now heading towards the beach.

Helen looked around the beach quizzically, "This is weird… there's no one here…"

"Toads sometimes don't like to get fried," Mr. L responded smirking as he just walked towards the ocean.

She blinked then shrugged and continued walking.

"Are you sure that umbrella isn't to heavy for you?" Dimentio asked a bit concerned.

She looked at him and smiled slightly, "A bit but it's fine, Dim."

Once Mr. L had picked a spot and after they set up, instantly Helen laid under the shade of the umbrella.

"Why is it so hot?" Cackletta groaned, covering her eyes from the sun's rays, "It's near the end of summer. Shouldn't it be getting colder maybe? Hey, girl, put some sunscreen on my back will ya?"

Helen nodded and waited for the human Bean to sit down in front of her.

Dimentio sat underneath the other umbrella the put down. His eyes then gazed over at Mr. L who was just staring at the girls.

"… You're such a pervert."

When he said that the two looked directly at Mr. L who quickly looked away and glared at him, "Shut up…"

The two glanced at one another for a while as if they were telepathically talking and Cackletta got up. Suddenly she took her top off. Both of the boys jumped and quickly glanced away.

Helen burst out laughing as Cackletta rolled her eyes, "Relax idiots, I have a bathing suit on."

"R-right, of course." They both said out of slight embarrassment.

She huff and took off her skirt, which revealed a one-piece green suit with a broad grin on it, then headed towards the water where Fawful was wading, staring curiously at the fish.

Without anyone noticing Helen took off her clothes as well, unveiling a purple one-piece suit. Sighing she took out a manga from her bag and laid down to read.

Looking for something to do Mr. L noticed a volleyball court and grinned, "'Ey, Dim, ever played Volleyball?"

"No, and I don't plan to."

"You're no fun." He said as he got up and yelled over to the two Beans, "Hey, Cackie!"

Dimentio rolled his eyes and glanced over at Helen who now had a notebook and pencil in her hands.

"… You're certainly indecisive, like an unsure child deciding which toy to buy. Are you going back to reading now?"

"You're hilarious." She commented sarcastically.

He smirked, "Indeed I am. What are you drawing?"

"Well… I'm drawing a face right now… I haven't finished yet…"

"I see… Can you play volleyball?"

"Nope, it hurts my hands… I can play the Violin though!"

"Oh really now?"

"Yeah, not very well though… my teacher has health issues… We haven't had three lessons so far…"

"How unfortunate…" His tone didn't have any type of sympathy whatsoever.

The girl glared at him then went back to drawing. This made the jester a bit uneasy. He… didn't want to be in l-… that word… he was trying to ignore the feeling but… it kept coming back… kept getting stronger… he suddenly had the urge to draw closer to her. Quickly he resisted and looked away.

"… I-I'm sorry… That was a force of habit…" Dimentio confessed, "I don't know the girl that well so I didn't feel very… sad for her…"

"I understand…"

He looked at her.

"Thank you for apologizing… she's very dear to me…"

"Y-you're welcome…" He still felt guilty. He tried his best to shake it off but suddenly the two feelings took over and he scooted closer to her and looked over her shoulder at the notepad. Helen blushed at this.

After studying it for a moment he whispered, "… Is that… me?"

Helen nodded, "Yes…"

Slowly… he smiled warmly, "you're a very nice drawer, though my mask it not that pointed."

"R-right! I-I'll fix that!"

He laughed, "don't bother! It's fine."

The blush grew brighter as she stared at him. He couldn't help but stare back. Her eyes were so beautiful. Without noticing this himself, he very slowly started to move his hand towards her face when…

"D-Dimentio, volleyball!"

"Wha—?"

Then it hit him harshly on the back of his head he hollered in pain and grabbed his throbbing head.

"I-I'm so sorry, Dim!" Mr. L rushed over towards them and grabbed the ball.

Slowly the jester looked at him with absolute fury in his eyes, "… You're going to wish you were in the Underwhere…"

"… Shi-!" He dropped the ball and instantly took off as he started to chase him.

"Get back here!"

"NO WAY!"

The Beans just laughed. Cackletta shouted at them, "RUN FASTER! RIP HIM APART!"

"DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!" Mr. L screamed back, tripping on the sand.

Helen just shook her head, "poor Dim… and I guess L too."

She giggled and went back to drawing.

After a while Dimentio finally punished Mr. L by almost drowning him and now trudged back to their spot. Looking as if he was ready to fall asleep, the jester collapsed beside her and moaned.

"You ok?"

"… Sure…" Carefully he sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"… Look," Helen handed over the notepad. Dimentio took it into his grip and stared at the sketch… he burst out laughing.

"Good Grambi this is GREAT! HAHA!"

The sketching was of Dimentio chasing Mr. L all across the beach.

"Wow! The look on his face is priceless!" He wheezed out between laughs.

Helen's cheeks were red, "Th-that funny, h-huh?"

"Y-yes! I must say I lo-uh-l-like y-your drawings, very nice." He complemented as he handed it back

"Thanks." He replied smiling a bit shyly.

"Hey.. guys…" They both looked at Mr. L who was now standing in front of them, "It's getting late, why don't we pack up and go back to the hotel?"

"Kay, kay," Helen said immediately and got up then pulled the umbrella off the ground.

Hesitantly the jester stood and gazed at the engineer, "It's not even sunset. Why do you want to go back so suddenly?"

"Well, first of all, there's a bar that I want to see that closes at five and its four forty-five right now. So I want to get there before it closes."

"… You and alcohol…" He muttered disgustedly as he started to help Helen pack up.

When they got done they returned to the hotel and Mr. L instantly left them. Since Helen wasn't really comfortable with elevators they used the stairs to get to the second floor. When they reached the floor they went in search for their rooms. Once they found them they unpacked.

After a bit Helen finished with unpacking and decided to take a shower. She grabbed her stuff from her bag and went into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

With Dimentio he sat quietly, boredly in his room.

The first thought that came into his mind was about Helen.

I wonder how she's doing alone…

"Why…" he pondered aloud, "Why… do I feel this way about her…? Why her? … why me…? Why is it always me? ... Why do I ask so many 'why?' questions?" He sighed and checked the time. The bar was closed now. He had no intention to check on him which again made him instantly think of Helen. Was she alright? Is he in the room with her?

This made him jump to his feet and teleport to her room. He saw no one… then he heard the shower running and… singing. Slowly he inched his way towards the bathroom door and listened intently. He couldn't understand the words.

It sounds Japanese…

He sounded… soothing. Slowly his eyes started to close as he just listened to it. His breathing started to grow heavy as if he was falling asleep. Quickly he snapped out of it right as he heard the shower cut off. Afraid he rapidly floated away from the door and looked out the window.

After a small while the door opened and Helen stepped out, clothed and clean. She noticed Dimentio and blinked, "… Whacha doin' and how didja get in here?"

He looked at her and suddenly blurted out, "I-I was worried!"

"W-worried? Why?"

"W-well… Mr. L went to some bar in the hotel and…. I was worried he was in here… he's odd…"

There was a pause before she spoke, a bit hesitantly, "… I-I see…"

… There was an awkward silence. Slowly she sat on the edge of her bed. A tad nervously she patted the spot beside her. Feeling his heart race his feet began to move and take his place beside her.

Helen shifted a bit uncomfortably, "Err, weird question. Uh, why did you have that look on your face back on the beach?"

"Um… what do you mean?" He asked a bit confused.

"When we were just staring at each other… You had an odd look on your face."

"… Odd… how…?"

"Well… you had a blank expression but lust was in your eyes it was… weird."

Lust?

Another L word he didn't know… He was confused than before. He couldn't ask her that'll embarrass him. He needed to find out what those words meant… He needed her computer.

Soon there was awkward silence.

She quickly changed the subject, "… Um… do you want to watch something?"

He shrugged, "S-sure…"

"Ok!" She leaped up and rummaged through her bag. The next thing he knew was that 'Fruits Basket' was on the TV.

"Hey Dim," She suddenly spoke, keeping her eyes on the TV which was showing the first episode, "… What are you?"

"H-Huh?" He stared at her, looking a bit afraid. She can't know what he really is… she'll scream.

"… Chinese Zodiac… what animal are you?"

"O-oh… um… Rat… I-I think…"

She grinned and then brought her laptop out of her bag.

"… You're in love with your laptop aren't you?"

"I can't leave it home! I can't survive without it!" She stroked her computer gingerly.

After a bit the internet finally came up and Helen started typing.

"…. Chinese Zodiac meaning?"

"Yeah! You're the Rat! I want to know what your features are—here we go! The Rat symbolizes: forthright, tenacious, intense, meticulous, charismatic, sensitive, intellectual, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, artistic, and shrewd. The Rat can be manipulative, vindictive, self-destructive, envious, mendacious, venal, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, and scheming'… That is so you…. How many times did they mention 'charming'? I mean seriously…"

He chuckled, "Hmhm… What animal are you?"

"Ah! Imma Tiger!" She scanned the words, "here… The Tiger symbolizes: Unpredictable, rebellious, colorful, powerful, passionate, daring, impulsive, vigorous, stimulating, sincere, affectionate, humanitarian, and generous. The Tiger can be restless, reckless, impatient, quick-tempered, obstinate, selfish, aggressive, and moody…. I can get aggressive sometimes because of my temper…. I'm half Irish so when I get angry it gets reaaaally bad." She explained with a small giggle. Suddenly she felt a tug on her hair. She looked and saw Dimentio holding a strain of her hair with a pondering expression. When she saw this, her heart instantly fluttered like tiny birds in shock.

He snickered, "how passionate indeed…"

Slowly he looked at her with blank expression though he was smiling a bit sweetly but absolute lust was in his eyes. He just stared at her with that expression and what seemed to her… a sexy smile.

Helen's heart pounded faster. She felt trapped, 'Th-the same expression on the beach! Wh-why is he doing that again? Is he just toying with me…? ... What is he going to do…?'

Suddenly he snapped out of it and glanced at her hair, "… Coconut…"

"Wha-What-?" She was stunned.

"What did you put in your hair?"

"Uhhhh… Coconut shampoo and conditioner…"

He felt the feeling try to take him over again. He started to shake a bit as he tried to resist. Suddenly he pulled her very close to him and just sniffed her hair. His eyes rolled back and smiled. Helen let out a gasp. Was it happening again? What's wrong with him?

The wonderful smell overwhelmed him and unexpectedly he moaned a bit too loudly.

She couldn't even form words, "D-…D-…D-D-Dimen—Dimentio? A-are you o-ok…?"

When she spoke he immediately pulled away, feeling his face flush, "I-I'm so sorry! I-I have n-no idea what came over me—!"

She just stared at him then blinked, "U-uh…"

Quickly he looked down and cursed himself under his breath. "… I'm terribly sorry that I surprised you…"

"It's fine, Dim, and don't worry about it, alright?" She said calmly, smirking slightly. "I can tell you really like the smell of coconut"

He blushed red and smiled a bit embarrassedly.

After another awkward silence Helen spoke again, "… Dim… I-I know you don't feel the same about me but… I-I love you so much… C-can I…"

Feeling herself flush redder she glanced at his lips. Now it was his turn to feel surprised. He felt his heart racing.

"… K-Kiss me?"

"… W-well… y-yeah… Just this once… is that ok?"

He felt himself shaking again. He was silent for a few moments then he almost let the feeling take over and slowly nodded.

Hesitantly she moved closer to him. The jester could feel his heart pound louder that he flinched. He was sure she could hear it. Slowly she moved her face closer and closer to his. Her eyes closed.

He just stared at her. Before he knew it, it overwhelmed him again and his eyes closed. Unwillingly he moved his head a tad closer to hers. Their lips were inches away. Sadly before they reached there was a loud thud which opened their eyes wide.

Helen looked at the door, "Wh-what was that?"

"… It sounded like it came from Cackletta's room…"

They both looked at one another, thinking the same exact thought, "Mr. L!"

The scene happened before Helen got in the shower. Cackletta stuck the key into the lock and threw open the door. Collapsing on the bed she gave a great sigh of relief. Restlessly she sat up and gazed around the room.

"Hm…" was her one responds.

Curious she got up and walked towards the window and looked out. The sun was setting which made a beautiful scene on the water.

"Whoa…"

"Whoa, indeed, how beautiful…"

Cackletta turned to see Mr. L leaning against the door, smirking broadly, "My, you're even more beautiful in front than back"

Her face flushed. She glared angrily at him, "What do you want, dude?"

"… You, of course," Suddenly he was inches away from her.

She tried to back up but bumped into the wall, "don't you understand personal space, ya freak?"

He chuckled and pinned her to the wall, "Oh, I don't believe in that."

She gasped lightly when he started licking her neck.

"Wha-what are you doing?"

"… Seducing you."

"Wh-what? Why?"

"Because I'm in love of course with… a beautiful Bean…"

She snarled and began to squirm, "You're drunk! Get off me!"

He snickered and wrapped his arms around her firmly, "Never… You have no idea how much I'm in love… with you…"

"L-Lys—"

Suddenly their lips met. Her eyes grew wide as she just stared at him. An urge climbed into her throat which forced her to return the kiss and wrap her arms around his neck. The mechanic let out a chuckle and started to feel her. This made her shudder as she felt his fingers feeling her back and waste. His hands slowly crawled up to her chest. Instantly she shoved him away, "you drunkard! Don't you dare touch me like that again!"

"C'mon, babe, you know you like it!" the engineer giggled, struggling to stand.

"You shut up and leave right now or else—!" she gasped and glared at him.

"Or else what, babe…?" He was an inch away from her again. Their noses were touching. Mr. L grinned at her reaction. "I can see it in your eyes. You want me…"

"E-excuse me?" She glared coldly at him, "All I want is you out of my face…"

She gasped again, feeling his hands on her breast and starting to unbutton her shirt.

"Shuuuush… just say no more…. Just lay in bed with me…"

Suddenly there was a loud cracking sound… Mr. L collapsed onto the floor. There stood behind him was Fawful who was panting in fury and gripping a lamp, "Enoughing!"

Cackletta instantly buttoned up her shirt and hugged her apprentice tightly.

Quickly Helen and Dimentio got up and raced to Cackletta's room and threw the door open, seeing Mr. L on the floor unconscious.

Dimentio looked at Cackletta and inquired, "… Cackletta, what was he doing to you?"

"Well, he wanted sex with me and trying to touch my breast…"

The jester sighed and muttered, "of course he drinks two beers."

"… I'm sorry… I should've stopped him…"

"It would be of no use, my dear… he's too addicted…"

After getting the unconscious mechanic back into his room, night fell and everyone was asleep… except a jester. Cautiously he entered Helen's room and grabbed her computer and turned it on. Later he looked up the meaning of those words.

"Love- An intense feeling of deep affection, the feeling of a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone… Affection… sexual attachment…?" He felt his cheeks burning. Slowly he gazed over at Helen who was now turning onto her side, groaning a bit.

Quickly he typed the meaning of lust, "Lust- a very strong… sexual desire…"

He glanced at her again then back at the screen.

"Why… am I… in love…?"

The scene was hazy yet vivid. A jester was on the ground unconscious. A figure came out of the haze and noticed the jester. The man looked at him with uncertainty. Slowly the jester began to awake.

He gazed up at the figure and seeing by his features that he was of royalty. Carefully he stood and bowed to the man.

"Who are you? Asked Count Bleck."

"I am a Charming Magician, Dimentio, I am the Master of Dimensions, the Pleaser of Crowds… I am honored to be standing in your presences, oh, floating."

The Count eyed the jester suspiciously as he continued, "I have heard great things from you. I have also heard you are making, should I say, a team…"

The Count's eyes narrowed, "how do you know all this?"

"Ever since I have been in a deep slumber I have heard many things from passersby! Say, my ask you, if I could join? I could be of helpful use." When he said this the jester couldn't help but grin in a disarming manner.

"I am sorry, Count Bleck apologized, but I do not trust jesters…"

"A very wise decision, my Count, but… have a gander in that prophecy book of yours…"

Slowly the Count opened the book hesitantly and read the new inscription that added to the last.

The jester's grin grew wider as the Count read the new last sentence.

He examined the jester carefully for a while that out of boredom the jester spun in place two times.

"… Very well…" Count Bleck finally said and closed the book, "follow me… Dimentio."

Dimentio… well done…

Dimentio….

DIMENTIO WAKE UP!

Dimentio jolted up right, shocked and looked at the source of the voice. It was Helen who had a wet rag in her hand.

"Are you alright? You're sweating... and… muttering a bit miserably…. Did you have another nightmare?"

The jester caught his breathe and answered by nodding but said nothing. He gazed around the room.

"By the way… why are you in my room? And my laptop is on…"

"… I…. wanted to look something up… while you weren't looking and… I guess I fell asleep."

"Why didn't you want me to know?"

"… It'll sound stupid to you, when you know the answer…"

Helen titled her head obviously confused. Before she could speak the door opened and Cackletta entered, "Hey, back your stuff, we're leaving soon."