A/R: I still can't get this chapter to sound right but it's been four+ weeks and I'm tired of looking at it.
Thanks
Chapter Six
Star
Star pulled the damp towel off her hair and dropped haphazardly onto the edge of the sink. The end of it caught her dagger and sent both objects to the ground. She sighed and bent to pick them up, pausing to play with small blade.
It had been two weeks since she'd arrived at castle bleck. She'd finally gotten comfortable enough to stop bringing in her sword everywhere she went. Now it was just a knife or shurikens.
It felt strange being so affable with others again, to actually trust them. But somehow she'd managed to get really close to Mimi and even Dimentio, to a point.
Star draped a towel around herself and walked back into her room. She came to an immediate halt when she was met with complete darkness.
"I know I left the light on." She gripped the knife and took a hesitant step.
As her eyes adjusted to the dark, a large lump formed on her bed. Star took two more steps and leaped onto the mattress, grabbing the intruder and pinning them beneath her.
They let out a yelp and tried to kick her off. "Hey!"
Her hair illuminated their face, "Dimentio," She loosened her grip, "What are you doing here?"
"I do apologize. I was only coming in to chat. And I have a bit of a migraine so I turned off the lamp and then I guess I fell asleep…" He grimaced, "Now while I am not necessarily upset with our current positions, I am still in quite a bit of pain. So if you would be ever so kind to get off of me…"
Star squeaked and jumped off, grateful for the darkness hiding her slipping towel. She flicked on the light and glanced back at Dimentio. "Turn around."
He smirked but did as he was told.
"What did you want to talk about?" She considered making him leave but didn't bother. Despite breaking into her room and being marginally lewd, he was being pretty mellow right now. And memories of the previous night still lingered in her mind.
"Hm?" She glanced back and saw he had let shine crawl into his lap, "Oh, right. I figured it may be nice to regroup to prepare for the second round with our heroes of light."
"Another set of training?" She pulled on her top and joined him on the bed.
"Precisely."
"Sounds good. I wanted a rematch anyway."
He scoffed, "Fine by me. I don't mind trouncing you a second time."
Star frowned. She hated that he still had that first victory to hold over her head. Even if she did beat him this round, he'd probably chalk it up to seeing him fight so many times since then. As petty as it was, she wanted to get back at Dimento, or at the least match the score. "If you're so sure of yourself then how about we up the ante?"
"A bet then..." The eyes on his mask closed as he thought it over. "On what grounds?"
"We'll fight with the same rules that applied the last time. If I win you have to promise to never leave me without a way to get back to the castle, in a reasonable amount of time." As close as they had gotten, she was still waiting for him to turn back on her. Besides, she wasn't going to risk too much.
He pouted, "Must you ruin my fun?"
"Yes."
"Very well. And when I am the victor?"
"What do you want?" He had most of the power over their situation to begin with. She honestly couldn't imagine what else he needed.
"What do I want…" Dimentio murmured thoughtfully. A wicked grin spread across his face, "A kiss."
"A kiss!" Star knew he could be overbearing, but this seemed out of his character. "Really?"
"Yes." He held out a gloved hand, "Do we have a deal?"
She drew back, "W-wait."
"What," He titled his head, "Afraid you'll lose? You were so confident a minute ago."
Anything but a yes to his offer would only dig her into a deeper hole. "Just one kiss?"
"Uh huh." His smile turned coarse, "Unless you desire more, my dear."
She acted like she didn't hear his last statement, although her face showed the opposite. "Okay…" She shook his hand.
Dimentio gave her palm a gingerly squeeze before she pulled away, "Wonderful."
Star couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
"Why a kiss?" He shrugged as if it was nothing, "Because you'll hate it."
"Oh..." Did he have to antagonize her every chance he got?
"Besides," Dimentio added, "You've got me shaking in my boots. I do fear with my current injuries I may be at a disadvantage." He declared dramatically.
Star smiled a little, "A kiss isn't so bad is it? He could of asked for more." Besides, she was going to win this one. She had to.
Feeling a bit more comfortable, Star reached up and played with one of the jewels on his hat.
Dimentio sighed, "What are you doing Bella?"
She immediately dropped her hand. "What?"
He seemed just as surprised, "Oh, Bella? It's Italian for-"
"Beautiful, I know... Its just..."
"Coming from me. I'm sorry it's just force of habit." He stumbled through his explanation.
"No it's okay just…" Her voice cracked, "Someone used to call me that. That's all."
"Oh. Would it be alright if I used it? I like it more than my dear. Unless of course it bothers you. Which it probably does since someone else called you it and-"
"Dimentio," The area under his mask was a deep red. "It's fine, you can call me Bella."
He thanked her and shooed Shine off his lap, "Come down in about an hour." And without so much as a 'ciao', he left.
Star was shocked to see the normally composed man get so flustered. Although she had been just as unsettled by the conversation.
Star picked up her cat and tried to forget what had just transpired.
Dimentio
Dimentio squeezed his eyes shut. This was all wrong. They were too far into the game to be making false moves like that. He was supposed to go in there and explain everything. And instead he… "I fell apart."
Dimentio settled onto the loveseat, trying to ignore the chessboard before him. He knew he'd have to move the pieces eventually. That mistake had cost him more than a few moves.
With a heavy hand, he slid his main pieces further apart, "There, that's good enough."
Dimentio pulled himself further into the cushion. He had an hour to figure out how to fix things. There wasn't much of a point in being subtle. He needed to do something malevolent and soon.
But time slipped away from him, like a child from its mother in a crowd. It was nearly time to go and he had thought of nothing to fix his error.
He debated skipping the duel completely. "I have to show up, I'm the one who called everyone down-" Dimentio threw his hand to his mouth in shock of himself as a thought crossed his mind. "No." He whispered. "I couldn't. That's beyond despicable. It's…"
It was perfect.
Star
Star stood in the center, sword drawn and aimed at Mimi. The spider girl had already lost fiving legs and was doing her best to hobble away, while still aiming rubees at her opponent.
Star wasn't really sure who the better fighter was in this instance. They both excelled and faltered in very different areas.
"No!" Star yelled. Mimi had managed to catch her square in the back with a rubee. She slipped to the floor.
Mimi crawled onto one of the floating platforms and dropped another large jewel over Star.
Before it could make contact, the rubee warped away.
Dimentio was hovering next to O'chunks, spinning the rubee on the palm of his hand. "Come now, how fair of a fight would it be if you're already impaired?"
Mimi turned back into her false self. "Dimentio!" She stalked over and snatched it out of his hand.
"I guess he decided show up after all." Star had been hoping Dimentio backed out. It was half an hour since the time he set for them to meet. They had all fought at least least once and were planning to end training after her and Mimi's battle.
Dimentio ignored Mimis whining and focused on Star, "Shall we?" Any remnants of his previous discomfort were gone from his tone.
Star however felt a new rush of intimidation as she approached him, "I guess so." It was apparent Dimentio had noticed nervousness in her voice as she answered.
"Good." He said under his breath, "Whether it's the fear of failing again or having to follow through on our bet, I'm glad there's something to keep you in check."
She wanted to ask what he meant, but Mimi walked up to them and groaned, "You two are fighting again."
Star waved her off, "Don't worry, I plan on beating him this time."
Dimentio chuckled, "We shall see."
Mimi and O'chunks hopped onto a platform, giving them the floor.
"Ready..." Dimentio floated into the air.
"Set." Star got into a battle stance.
"Go." And he disappeared.
"Wonderful." Star muttered.
She swung her sword to deflect a starburst behind her. Dimentio reappeared, a never ending grin on his face, "Ah ha ha. You are like a newborn kitten, continually learning." He threw a few more, only one getting past her defense. Star brought her sword down, but he moved before she could make contact. Shurikens aimed, she missed again.
"Come now, you fought better the first time. A little motivation perhaps? Some magic then!"
Dimentio warped away returning with two identical figures who floated on either side of her.
Star flickered between the two, trying to find any indication of the real one. "Cute trick."
She directed her comment to the one on her left, but both responded, "Why thank you."
Star hadn't thought it was possible for him to sound any more contemptuous but apparently having more than one of him did the trick.
The Dimentios flashed closer and threw a mass of starbursts at Star.
Despite her best efforts, one hit her leg and she tumbled to the ground, "Getting tired of this!"
Unlike earlier, when the Dimentios came in closer she threw a shuriken, choosing blindly which one was real.
Dimentio cursed and his clone evaporated.
Dimentio rubbed his leg where Star had made contact and snapped his fingers. Like before, she was unable to move fast enough to escape the energy boxs.
Star pounded on the cube but there was no mercy from him this time. Their onlookers cringed as she cried out and fell to her knees. Dimentio hovered across from her and she prepared to fight again.
"Wouldn't this be easier if you showed your true self?" He threw his starburst to the side, almost in disgust.
Star feigned confusion, "What?"
"Don't play stupid," The smile left his face. "You're not human."
"I don't know what you're thinking," She took an unsteady step back, her stomach in knots. "But I'm no different than you."
"I am inclined to disagree with that. I must say there are more than a few traits that show the opposite." Something behind her caught his attention for a moment, but Star refused to get distracted. "Your eyes changing colour, your hair, your teeth." Star blinked and he was next to her, "And so many other little quirks I'll refrain from mentioning."
"Stop it." Star wanted so badly to defend herself. But the determination, the malice in his voice… She only took another wobbly step away.
O'chunks and Mimi seemed to be waiting for Star as well as neither spoke up in her or Dimentios defense.
"Maybe you need some help…" Dimentio knocked her sword out of her hand as he picked Star up.
"Hey!" Star struggled to no avail.
"'ey ya little punk, what ar' ye doin!" O'chunks and Mimi jumped up, but they were in no position to help as Dimentio warped away.
Dimentio reappeared, his back to the ceiling, and dropped Star.
She flailed for a moment. Despite the height of the ceiling, the floor was getting too close too fast.
Mimi and O'chunks were coming closer but there wasn't much they could do without hurting themselves. The accursed jester was watching her from above, waiting to see the decision she would make.
Seeing as she had no other choice, Star spread her wings and flew back up at Dimentio.
Red hair flailing behind her, Star pushed him into the ceiling. "My my Bella, what pointy teeth you have." He teleported before her fist could make contact.
"You bastard! How about you show your damn face!"
Dimentio threw an attack from behind, not taking her bait.
She turned around and flew at him at him, the force added from her wings caught him off guard, knocking him a little closer to the floor.
"See? Isn't this- " He cried out suddenly as Star dug into the wound on his side. Unable to keep up his levitation, Dimentio fell flat onto his back.
She dropped down next to him and picked up her sword, placing the tip of the blade on his neck before he could move.
"Mercy…" Dimentio rasped, still clutching his side.
"Why? No one can really gets hurt in this room do they?" She pushed down.
"Star, release him." Count Blecks voice rang out. She pulled up the blade slightly, still reluctant to let her enemy up. "That is enough." He ordered firmly
Star sheathed her blade and turned to the count. He and Nastasia stood near the doorway, the secretary wide-eyed.
"How long…" Star started to ask.
"Midway through your fight." Bleck tapped his staff, "Would you like to explain, or shall I?"
"At Least Dimentio can't lie about what happened." Star thought to herself. She sighed and looked between the minions and her leader. "I'm not human, I never have been. I just didn't deem it necessary to show what I really was." She kept her speech short and to the point.
Mimi giggled, "Well I'm not human either!"
"What?" Star wasn't sure she heard her right.
"You're so silly. Why would it bother us that you're not human?" She laughed again, "I wish we found out a little differently but…" Star followed Mimi's eyes to her fallen foe.
Dimentio was still on the ground, although he had managed to sit up. He coughed and spat out blood. The safety spell only did so much and he was badly injured.
"Dimentio," Star wouldn't say the counts tone was necessarily kind, but there was still a hint of worry in it, "Let Count Bleck heal-"
"Don't… I… I'm fine." He stood up shakily and and looked at Star, "Congrats. I will uphold my side of the deal as promised." He shoved past the count and out the door.
"Deal?" Mimi asked.
"We made a silly bet for our match. I didn't think he would…" She trailed off still in a bit of shock.
"Well I do believe that's enough for today, don't you all agree? Count Bleck will see you all tomorrow" He turned to Nastasia, "Will you attend to Dimentio?"
"Of course Count."
When the two left the room, Mimi turned to Star, "Let's go. You can play with my hair this time, okie dokie?"
Star nodded and the girls moved to leave.
"Lass."
Star turned to O'chunks, Hmm?"
"Yer wings ar' very pretty, if I may."
The corner of her mouth turned up just a little, "Thank you."
