Author's Note: Hi there. I am sure you're all confused by my sudden reappearance. I just wanted to write an idea in my head and see where it led me. As for everything else in my account, I'll just leave it as is. Maybe I'll start anew somewhere else someday, but for now this is the only thing I can show you.
For further context, this is a work of fanfiction that takes place within the Eyes Of Heaven continuity, alongside some added details. That's why you might notice some things that seem out of the ordinary.
Also the time I'm posting this is purely on purpose. Today is a day like no other.
Hope you enjoy!
"Pardon me; You want me to do what?"
"I want you to teach me Hamon breathing."
Will. A Zeppeli finished his sip of wine before turning to look at the pink-haired girl to his left.
Trish seemed unsure of her decision, the girl gripping her right arm slightly.
Beside him were both Jonathan and Speedwagon, who both shared faces of evident surprise.
They were all currently inside Coco Jumbo, the rest of the Joestar group planning their next attack against the Noble One in the Joestar Mansion.
Speedwagon looked like he wanted to say something, but Zeppeli first beat him to the punch. The magician set his glass of wine down, "And why do you want to learn Hamon from me specifically?", he inquired. "As far as I know, Lisa Lisa is more experienced in Hamon training."
The young girl squeezed her right arm even tighter. "Well, I remember a quote you said earlier while we were all fighting against the bad guys", she explained faintly, trying to recall a recent memory. "About what courage was..."
The magician seemed to fall silent, before suddenly lighting his expression. "Ah, so you remember that. True courage is about becoming one with fear itself, yes. Only then can you step forward without hesitation."
"I remember Johnny carrying himself by similar words", Jonathan chimed in with a hand to his chin. "According to him, he only shoots when he has absolutely no doubts quelling his mind."
"Those nail bullets of his are really bizarre...", added an unnerved Speedwagon.
The magician scooted over to his right, before inviting Trish to sit down. As she did, he decided to follow up with another question. "And why are you interested in what I said?"
The girl looked down at her lap. "According to Bucciarati, we were all fighting against the remaining hitman team that wanted to capture me", she explained. "La Squandra Esecuzioni. They all had stands, yet none of you were afraid to fight with the disadvantage of not seeing them. And that just put things into perspective."
A faint image of her stand could be seen alongside her as she continued looking at her hands, "I've had Spice Girl for a good time already, but even then I'm still afraid of how useless I am. I'm not experienced in fighting like everyone else, and I don't have the same level of resolve Giorno and the rest of the group has. I can't even begin to imagine having to... kill someone, If I ever needed to."
She could feel a look of pity coming from Jonathan, but she still continued, "That's why I thought that maybe learning Hamon could lead me somewhere new... Maybe in learning another ability, I could finally gain the courage I've never had before, and be less afraid of fighting for myself."
Zeppeli attentively listened to her speech before he eventually spoke up, "...It is important that I tell you, young lady, that Hamon breathing is more than just conquering your fears. I do hope you understand that."
Trish nodded solemnly.
"...However, if you believe you can grow stronger with Hamon, then I am no one to get in the way of that potential", he stood up. The girl looked up at him in surprise. "If I could teach even Speedwagon how to use a small percentage, I'm sure I can teach anyone else."
"Mr. Zeppeli!", Speedwagon objected.
"Come now, Speedwagon; You know he is just jesting", Jonathan held back a laugh.
As the two got into a light argument, Zeppeli turned to the younger girl. "Now in all seriousness, I do believe there is another reason for turning to me instead of Lisa Lisa, no?"
It was almost as if she was read like an open book. "Well...", Trish trailed off sheepishly. "I did hear Joseph ranting about how Lisa Lisa put him through some hellish training to learn his Hamon, and I really didn't want to go through that."
"Hmm, I supposed that was also it", the magician nodded in amusement. He then extended his hand to the young girl. "Though I must warn you; Just because my training is less physically taxing by a slight margin, that does not mean it will be any less challenging", he warned her with a serious expression in his face. He intended to test how genuine she was with her determination. "Hamon breathing is something only one in ten thousand can apply into actual practice, and even if you do qualify to use it, it will take a considerable amount of time and energy before you can even use it, much less master completely. Do you still agree to train under these rigorous conditions?"
The girl stood up to face him, momentarily thinking over her options. Even her own stand appeared to be testing her, Spice Girl having her arms crossed to Trish's left. She seemed to be studying her master's face.
Do you really think this is the right decision for you, Trish?, she asked her.
However, it didn't take long for the girl to confirm she knew what she was doing. She saw for herself how strong Hamon users were, and how far they were willing to go to continue growing their strength.
She desired to pursue a path of resolve just like them.
Trish eventually took the magician's hand. "I accept your conditions", she stated determinedly.
Spice Girl seemed to nod in approval, before slowly vanishing into thin air. The magician's expression also seemed to light up considerably at the girl's answer.
They both then had a brief handshake. "Very well, we can begin tomorrow afternoon", Zeppeli instructed, letting go of the girl's hand before sitting back down. "By then I will see how strong your fortitude really is. I also advise you to bring something more comfortable to wear, as we will be training near a lake", he added while helping himself to another glass.
Trish grimaced at the thought of getting her boots wet. She really didn't like the idea of ruining her favorite clothes with water, but she had no other choice if this was her ticket to getting stronger. Maybe she could go ask Fugo to borrow his jacket again.
She nodded to the magician's recommendation.
However before leaving the turtle, she turned to look at Jonathan. There was also something else she came here for.
Both him and Speedwagon stopped their discussion as the gentleman felt a pair of eyes behind him.
"Is there something you wanted to tell me, young lady?", he turned in curiosity.
The girl hesitated at first, but she eventually spoke up. "I just wanted to... talk to you, about Giorno. You're his dad, right?"
"Well, more or less...", Jonathan trailed off in doubt.
Trish decided to not pry into his answer. "Well, Giorno is also another person who inspired me to get stronger", she admitted in full honesty. "He is also another person who inspired me to not run away anymore..."
She then took a brief pause, her mind turning to more people. "That's kinda how he is with the rest of the group. They didn't have much going on until he came in, and even now we're still motivated to keep moving through all this mess thanks to him. And I know the rest of the group feels that way; Even Abbacchio admits the energy he brings to the team."
She then remembered what he did back in their fight against Notorious B.I.G, when he severed his own hands all for the small possibility of dispatching the enemy stand and saving his team. He had Gold Experience to heal him at any time, sure, but even then one had to be demented to take such a giant risk.
And yet he still took it, all within a quick thought and no hesitation..., she finished musing.
As she did, she couldn't help but remember the distinct image of Giorno hovering high above the sky, with Gold Experience Requiem activated by his side.
As she did, she couldn't help but imagine this is what glory looked like if it was a person.
Trish was sure he had taken his own path to get to where he was, as well as have the strength a million men would kill to have. She was sure it was a path that she could possibly never begin to understand.
But that didn't mean she wouldn't try to reach his level regardless.
Now that she pondered about it, she had a lot to appreciate Giorno for...
She then spoke out loud, looking up to face Jonathan, "...I don't really know much about his personal life or how he was raised, but I can tell you're his dad at first glance, by the way you two carry yourselves and use your strengths". Her face then turned to a small smile. "I can tell he got his good qualities from you."
Jonathan initially appeared to be bemused at the appraisal, but it didn't take long for him to recover. "Why, those are some wonderful words to hear, young lady!", he smiled in pure earnest. "I'm pleased to know he has become such a positive influence to his friends, however I would have to deny attributing the cause to me. I know he got it from my father, who I'm sure is looking at him proudly this very moment."
He then looked up at the ceiling, almost as if trying to communicate to someone. "In fact, I'm sure he is proud of the extensive bloodline that is our family, including all the friends and allies we've gathered in our bizarre little adventure", he added hopefully.
Speedwagon almost looked like he wanted to cry, "Those are some beautiful words, Mr. Joestar", he wiped off a small tear from his eye.
Trish nodded in agreement, "Your father sure sounds like a great guy. I kinda wish I got to know him now..."
She then remembered her own father in comparison. A rather unpleasant thought to ruin the moment, but it was an inevitability. "Anyway, I have to get ready for tomorrow; I'm sure Bucciarati and the others are wondering where I've gone off to this time", she also looked up at Coco Jumbo's exit. "Again, thank you for being here, and for making Giorno the person he is, I guess. I do wish I can get to his level of resolve someday..."
She couldn't see it from her point of view, but the rest of the group could notice her cheeks slightly redden at the mention of his name. "Well, goodbye now", she stated before reaching for Coco Jumbo's ceiling, the girl suddenly disappearing from the spacious compartment.
Zeppeli couldn't help but smirk to himself, the man crossing his legs as he sipped his wine once more.
"Ah, nothing is more beautiful than young love", Jonathan distantly remembered his childhood, long after the pink-haired girl was gone. "Though in all honesty, I am still concerned by today's unorthodox sense of clothing..."
"I'm sure it's just a phase, Mr. Joestar."
Author's Note: Now that I think about it, making a fanfiction that covers the entirety of Eyes Of Heaven sounds really appealing right now. However I know myself well enough to not write anything until I'm sure I'll complete it. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes as I did with my earlier works.
In any case, take care everyone. I'll see you all later.