Dimentio watched Olly attempting to hang a pumpkin banner over his bedroom door. Scissors came to hold it up for him as he taped it in place.

"If you needed help, you could have just asked me."

"I didn't want to bother you," Olly said peeling a small bit of tape from his hand.

"I'm not doing anything. Here," he took the banner from him, "let me show you how to do it properly."

He went to Olivia's door and fiddled with the banner, counting on his fingers and writing mathematical problems in the air. He snapped and the banner started floating on its own.

"Wait, what did you do?"

"Well, in order to make it sit properly, I have to hold it in place."

"But what was with the mumbling and air writing?"

He looked a bit flustered, then leaned in close and dropped his voice to a whisper. "I usually don't tell anyone this but...I'm what you would call a 'nerd.' You know, a math or science 'whiz.' I have a special skill in math and that helps with creating dimensions. I mean, in order to create gravity in a world, you need to understand the formula and know how to alter it, right?"

"I...That makes sense. But I wouldn't say you're a nerd..."

"Admit it, you think it's funny."

"I really don't!"

Stapler barked at the floating banner.

"Alright, back to it!" Dimentio spun on his heel and made the roll of tape float up to the banner. "Now, in order to properly put this up, I need to be very careful. Even the smallest mistake could mess this up."

Olly snickered. "I could hold the banner for you. The problem I was running into was trying to tape it up while using Fold of Life to hold up the banner at the same time."

"I suppose my job here is finished?" Scissors said.

Olly nodded. "Oh, but one more thing. Mai went to buy some pumpkins to carve but she hasn't come back yet. Could you make sure she's okay?"

"Y-yes, my sire! I'll get right to it!" He left the hall, towards the door. "Take care."

Dimentio grabbed the roll of tape as Olly held the banner in place. "I still find it quite odd that the pair of scissors that makes up your personal guard is in love with a wolf girl..."

"You can't say that," Olly teased, "you're in love with a spider!"

"Hey, she's part demon and part human just like I am! So it's not odd if we're similar! I don't find anything similar between Scissors and Mai however..."

"Well, they both like music. Mai said that moving to the Origami Kingdom has really brought out some new inspiration for her music! And I'm glad to have her and her crew here. Her Chinese culture puts a certain vibe in this kingdom that really makes it feel complete."

"Perhaps it's because your entire goal was unity? And now that the Other Realm and our world are connected, that just proves your kingdom is succeeding its goal? And that a Chinese Pop Star moving here also further proves your point?"

"Thank you for helping with the banners by the way. I can't wait for Halloween! Olivia and I made a deal that we would dress as Rin and Len this year. Do you think my hair's finally long enough for a ponytail?"

"Is that why you were growing it out? To cosplay some...instrument?"

Olly nodded. "I promised her that I would match costumes this year. Last year I was just a Shy Guy. I still wasn't ready to come out of my shell. But after everything that's happened, I'm glad I can finally say that I'm proud to be me. Also, I'm glad you know what Vocaloid is."

"You and Olivia won't shut up about it. It's hard to not know what it was."

"Do you think Mimi wants to join in as Teto? She has the same ringlet pigtails and she wouldn't really need to change her hair color..."

Dimentio sighed with a small chuckle.

Olly brought the conversation to a more serious topic. "How's Grape doing? Have you talked since...then?"

"She doesn't like me, you know that. At least she finally told me why."

"Oh! She did?"

Dimentio nodded a bit.

"Here, I'll make some tea and we can talk with that."

"Tea? Why?"

"My father always does that with me when I talk about something bothering me. I don't know why, but it just makes it easier to talk to him when he does that. Of course, if you don't like it then-"

"It's not a problem, Olly. I was just curious."

"So, explain. Why does she not like you? Is it because of your personality, or something else?"

Dimentio took a sip of the tea. "She said that, like most people, wear a mask that hides my true self. But she told me that I had far too many of them, and that I'd become so absorbed by the 'charismatic jester' mask I'd worn for most of my life, that it'd become my permanent face. She told me she wouldn't, and couldn't, like me until I'd shown her my true self. How am I supposed to tell her that my true self died long ago? My true self died when I'd killed Piper. My true self has been gone for so long that this 'mask' is my new self. But she wouldn't believe me, she would just think I'm being stubborn."

Olly tapped a finger to the side of his cup. "The thing is, I don't think your true face is really gone. The 'mask' you wore around everyone after that thing with Piper...It was evil. But now you're so kind, and caring. You went out of your way to fix your mistakes, and you became friends with Fawful! You're an official part of the Origami Kingdom now, and that's proof enough for me. You put in the effort of fixing yourself. So I don't think the real Dimentio was ever really gone, she probably just doesn't like how kind you are. Knowing what she's done and been through, she can't handle when people show her compassion because she think they're just being fake again. Rex, Darethend, Siren, even Shadow Queen; they all used her kind inner self to get what they wanted most-power. Grape's Darkle is strong, I can always feel it whenever she's near, and it's no wonder people want it. But since she's had so many bad experiences, so many people pretending to be her friend, she just can't trust anyone to be kind to her anymore. She can't even trust herself to be kind. Do you get where I'm going with this? I feel like I'm talking too much."

Dimentio nodded. "Yeah, I see what you're saying. Grape was too nice, and she thinks I am too."

"Well, kind of? At least you got some of it down. I knew I was talking too much..."

"She's worried."

"What? That's not what I-"

"She's worried that either I will get used, or I'll do as such to her. She wouldn't have told me this otherwise. She's gotten good, seeing through masks. I think part of that comes from how many people have tried to trick her. She could see the me that died so long ago that I thought I could never be again." He chuckled. "She might be a better villain than me one day, Olly. She's already done so much. If only she could see that thievery and tragedy isn't the only way of life."

Olly smiled. "It took you years to see it, so it might take her years too. But we just have to be patient with her. Once she sees that you're being truthful, she might finally start to change."

"By the way...I'm not one to like tea, but the way you make it is so refreshing! Best herbal tea I've ever had!"

Olly giggled. "Dimentio, have you thought about inviting her to the Origami Kingdom? Temporarily, of course. Perhaps if she sees what we've done here...Well, that's not the right wording but..."

"You want me to extend an invitation of a free trial at your kingdom, to see if that would convince her that I'm a nice person?"

"That we're all nice people, yes. I'm glad you could see where I was leading with that."

"You've...really matured, Olly."

"Hm?"

"You used to be so immature. You tried to kill your sister, like a calm but raging storm of fury. You practically threw tantrums then. And look at you now; worthy of a crown and a perfect lifetime guide. I have no idea what happened to you, but you've grown so much in these years."

"I can't believe it's been four years. Time flies when you're saving the world."

"Has it really been that long? How old are you now? Twenty five?"

"Dimentio! You know Olivia and I are sixteen!"

"I only jest!" Dimentio playfully shoved him. "But...Perhaps your idea may work. Seeing how kind you and your friends were, I realized that not everybody in the world was out to get me. I saw that in a fallen world, there was still people who would take the time to be kind and help. Perhaps this trial will do the same to her?"

"That's what I was saying! Finally, you got it! Sorry for being so...roundabout."

"No no, I understand you! You're a busy king, so you usually have other things on your mind. Your roundabout-ness might just be because you're thinking of your duties."

"Oh, I was also thinking about giving Fawful and Princess Shroob Halloween off. They've been on portal duty for a while and they deserve a break."

"As long as the Rift stays guarded. Who are you going to put on such a duty?"

"Um...I was still thinking about that. But we still have two weeks before Halloween, so hopefully I'll have something by then?"

Dimentio smiled a bit. "And what about Roseanne? Were you thinking of inviting her for the Halloween Night Parade?"

Olly's face turned a deep red. "Uh, Dimentio! Y-you know we made a promise to not date until I was eighteen!"

"Not as a date, just as friends. You haven't talked to her much lately since you've been busy caring for your kingdom. It might be best to remind her you still care for her. Plus I want to see her again. I do have to admit she's kind of adorable. You seem to have great taste, my king."

"Dimentio! Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"

Dimentio's laughter only stopped when Olly kicked his shin under the table.