"And so the more energy they produce for Merlee's mansion," Mimi was saying as she, O'Chunks, and Nastasia sat at the patio of a cafe. "The more rubees they get paid. It is really an effective method for encouraging more work. For the more you do, the better the reward is."

"That is a really smart idea," Nastasia commented as she took a sip of coffee. "Merlee really knows how to keep her employers going. But what exactly does she need all that power for? She can't possibly use all that energy just for her house and lifestyle."

Mimi paused for a moment.

"Well...she did say that her house does require a lot of energy," she finally said. "...You know, I don't think she ever fully explained it to me. I mean, it's not like there are a lot of houses in the area..."

She gave a small smile and awkward chuckle.

"Or...maybe she did tell me why and I wasn't paying attention at the time."

Nastasia let out a heavy sigh. O'Chunks smiled.

"Well, I guess it isn't that real important, so long as you are living well."

"True," Mimi replied. "But, enough about myself, what about you guys?"

Nastasia avoided eye contact as she continuously took small sips of her coffee. O'Chunks gave an uneasy smile.

"We've...been hanging in there," O'Chunks finally said. "I've been working at the arcade down in Flipside, which pays about minim wage..."

Mimi blinked as she could tell that O'Chunks and Nastasia felt uncomfortable about the subject. Mimi studied them carefully, leaning further into her chair.

"So were you guys having problems paying your bills or something?"

"Err...it wasn't like that, Mimi," O'Chunks explained, though he sounded unsure of himself. "I mean it wasn't like we were living in the streets or anything. Nastasia and I found a nice apartment that I can afford with my pay while also giving Nastasia-"

"O'Chunks!"

Nastasia's sudden snapping caused both Mimi and O'Chunks to stare at her. Nastasia kept her eyes on the ground.

"Look...Mimi, I've told you that I am having trouble going through this and I won't even try to deny that everything is fine. But..."

She let out a heavy sigh as she tried to fight back the tears.

"But I ultimately have to deal with it myself. I feel bad enough being so dependent on O'Chunks, I don't want to be dependent on all of my friends. Especially when I should be stronger..."

"But Nassy, that's what we are here for," Mimi said sincerely. "If you need help, I want to do what I can. So what if you are a bit dependent? I don't care so long as you are healing."

"The lass is right," O'Chunks added. "And I have told you since you have moved in with me that it is no burden."

Nastasia tightened her grip on her coffee cup.

"...You guys have no idea how much I appreciate this," she said her voice cracking. "I don't deserve to have friends like you."

Mimi smiled.

"Hey, we have been through a lot. We need to stick together, you know?"

Nastasia looked at her friends in the eye and gave a small smile.

There was a short silence.

"...Though I hate to ruin the moment..."

Mimi and Nastasia turned their attention to O'Chunks, who had a dark look on his face.

"We have talked about the count's death and come to accept it, even though it is painful," O'Chunks said, his voice giving off an unexpected solemn tone. "But there is one thing we have yet to talk about since it all happened."

He paused for a long moment, looking deeply into Mimi and Nastasia's eyes.

"Dimentio."

Nastasia's face gave off a loathing look at the mention of his name while Mimi's eyes darkened, avoiding eye contact.

"I mean..." O'Chunks stumbled his words as he tried to press on the subject. "Dimentio's betrayal was very shocking and we all were greatly affected by it. And though I had some distrust in the lad...I did feel myself to become close to him as a friend. Like the three of us. And it also pains me...that he has hurt you, Mimi."

Mimi could feel hot tears trying to form in her eyes. She clutched her fists as she tried to calm herself down.

"I-I'm sorry," Mimi whispered softly. "I'm sorry that I'm getting so emotional..."

She lost her words as O'Chunks gently put his hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay, lassie. Let it out."

Mimi gave a weak smile.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, the figure of Dimentio stood at a distance. At eye contact, he immediately turned away and headed down the crowded street. Mimi unexpectedly stood up from her chair.

"Mimi, are you alright?" Nastasia asked shocked.

"Sorry guys," Mimi said not taking her eyes off Dimentio retreating, "but I need to cut this short."

"What? Why, what's the matter?"

But Mimi didn't give time to answer O'Chunks's question as she chased after Dimentio. Eventually, through the crowds of the busy townsmen and traffic, Mimi lost sight of him. She glanced around in all directions.

Where did he go?

Suddenly, Mimi found a spark of electricity go through her body as her surroundings changed. She then found herself teleported to the harbor of the town, where there was less people, none of them paying her any attention, and a more quiet environment.

"Sorry to have run away from you, my dear. But I didn't want to take the chance of them overhearing."

Mimi gasped a bit as she turned around to see Dimentio. He smiled and Mimi narrowed her eyes.

"What were you doing there?" she demanded though her voice shook a bit. "I thought you had important 'political' issues with Peach to deal with?"

"I do," Dimentio replied calmly. "But that doesn't mean I can't be in town once in awhile. Besides, I had business."

He gestured to a small sack of books that was placed against some boxed shipments. Mimi moved her gaze from the books to Dimentio.

"Okay...but that doesn't explain why you were at the cafe," Mimi said. "In fact...it looked like you were spying on us."

Dimentio sighed.

"Do you have to question everything I do, like crime investigator when she is trying to solve a murder case? Mimi, I was just simply passing through the area, since the bookstore is across the street from your cafe. It was just coincidence that you three were at the same area that I was."

"So why were you listening on our conversation?"

Dimentio narrowed his eyes. "Because I heard my name mentioned."

"So that gave you the right?"

"If it is about me, then I believe it does. If our roles were reversed, wouldn't you want to know what your old comrades and lover were saying about you, bellezza?"

Mimi felt her face flush a bit when Dimentio referred to her as 'his lover.' She stared off into the distance, for she couldn't think of anything else to say. Dimentio studied her, his gaze unreadable. Mimi forced herself to make eye contact with him again.

"So...what were you doing at the bookstore?" she finally asked.

"I bought some books on Mushroom Kingdom folklore," Dimentio answered without any deceit. "I'm researching on a certain legend that I have an interest in."

"And...does that legend have anything to do why you are here? I mean you real reason."

Dimentio smiled mischievously.

"Nothing can get pass you, bellezza."

The seductive way his voice sounded made a chill go down Mimi's spine. Dimentio slowly put himself in front of her and started to trace Mimi's facial features with his finger.

"Even after how close we've gotten, you still are able to amaze me," Dimentio said softly. "In fact...one could say that you may be too smart for your own good."

He placed his face dangerously close to hers. Mimi felt herself freeze up, her heart pounding. But in her fearful state, she longed more than anything to press her lips against his.

"What do you think you are doing, Count Lucifer?"

Dimentio and Mimi turned to see Luigi and Mario approaching them. Daisy stood in the background, her eyes wide as she watched the scene. Dimentio glared at Luigi with pure hatred as he forced himself to step away from Mimi.

"Greetings, Luigi," he said in a dangerously low voice. "Mario."

Mario narrowed his eyes in reply while Luigi looked like he wanted to punch Dimentio in the face.

"You might not want to put yourself so close to Mimi like that," he said. "Or someone may think you are trying to take advantage of her."

Dimentio chuckled.

"Are you accusing me of trying to seduce her in public? My friend, we were just having a simple chat."

"Right... Because everyone who has 'simple chats' has their faces so close that they could practically feel the others' breath!"

Luigi clutched his fists.

"Who are you trying to fool?"

Mario nodded in agreement.

The brothers and Dimentio glared each other down, making it look like they were about to fight. Mimi, knowing that a brawl would bring disaster, put herself between them.

"It is true what the count said," Mimi said to Luigi and Mario. "We were really just talking. But...things were about to get out of hand."

She glanced over at Dimentio, her eyes filled with inner strength.

"But it isn't anything I can't handle. For I am not that easily persuaded."

She turned back to Luigi and Mario.

"Let's go."

Taking the hint, Mario led Mimi away from Dimentio and headed towards where Daisy was standing. Daisy gave a concerned look, but did not say anything, as the three of them left the pier. When they were gone, Luigi turned back to Dimentio.

"I don't know what you and Mimi were 'chatting' about," Luigi threatened. "But if you ever try to take advantage of her again, I will personally kill you. She has already suffered because of a dark man like you, and she doesn't deserve to have it happen again!"

And with one last glare, he stormed off.