Here's more Alexandra for you all!
Hope you like her! She's actually really fun to write!
Anyway, let me know if you have any questions or comments!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
"Do I really have to wear this stuffy dress?" I plead, feeling very uncomfortable.
"Come now, dear. It's not the end of the world." Mama retorts, adjusting my sleeves and choker.
"But Mama...I feel like I can't breathe!" I wheeze.
"Well, as the future head of the Speedwagon Foundation, you should get used to formal attire and behaviors." Mama retorts kindly but firmly.
"Why isn't Joseph coming?" I grumble, pulling on the choker.
"Stop that." Mama scolds, pulling my hand down. "The Joestars are unable to attend, and that's final." She then sighs, her face softening a little. "Darling...you know how much this charity work means to your father and I, don't you?"
"I do, Mama. And I am proud of all Papa has accomplished, honest. It's why I want to take over his life's work someday. I just don't like galas. They're boring."
"You've never been to one, Alex." Mama points out coyly.
"From how you and Papa describe them, they're boring." I retort, chuckling.
"Well, at least you won't be the only youngster there." Mama hints as she sections out my hair to braid into a formal hairstyle. "Your Papa has invited someone your age to the gala." Her deft fingers braid efficiently, and it's a simple design she wants, so it doesn't take long.
"Really?" I ask, curious.
"Yes. His name is Caesar Zeppeli, the grandson of someone your father knew when we were younger."
It hits me sometimes, just how old my parents are. Mama and Papa adopted me at the ages of 53 and 57, respectively.
They're now 71 and 75 years old, but still as spry as ever.
They told me when I got old enough that my real parents were taken in an accident when I was only two years old. My grandfather, bless him, was my only relation, but he was ill and could not raise me, but he used to be a part of Papa's gang back in Papa's wilder days, and thus I became a Speedwagon. I only met Grandfather once before he died and unfortunately, I barely remember him.
As I grew up, I half-forgot I am not biologically a Speedwagon, and treat Mama and Papa as if they are my parents.
I couldn't have asked for a better home.
"Seems interesting. Who was his grandfather?" I ask as Mama begins the last braid.
"Baron William Zeppelli." Mama replies.
"Wait, as in...the Baron Zeppeli from Papa's stories?" I ask eagerly. The story of Papa and Jonathan, Joseph's grandfather, always amazed me as a child and still does.
Papa and Mama leave out portions of the story, I feel certain, but what they have told me is thrilling!
"The one and only." Mama chuckles, smoothing my hair down and pinning it now that she's finished braiding. The braids meet at the back of my head, near the nape of my neck, and Mama twisted them to form something almost like a rose. I always like this hairstyle when Mama braids my hair.
The final touch before I'm ready is a white feather tucked behind my left ear with a clip.
I grin at Mama as she comes to the front to view her handiwork. "Now I wanna meet this Caesar! I bet he has stories of his grandfather, too!"
Mama laughs. "Perhaps."
Suddenly, this gala doesn't sound so bad…
=#=#=#=#=
When we get there, I start eagerly scanning the crowd, searching for a young man that looks around my age.
Unfortunately, it takes a long time. In fact, the dancing has started by the time I finally find him.
Or rather...he finds me with a glass of punch in my hand and a bored expression on my face.
Dancing isn't my strong suit nor an interest of mine, and I still hadn't found this Caesar Zeppeli person Mama mentioned.
Then all of a sudden there's a gloved hand extended in front of me.
"Mama mia, what's a beauty like yourself doing all alone and with such a bored expression on your face?"
I look up the arm to see a rather handsome blonde-haired man before me, dressed in a white and pink colored suit, some white feathers tucked behind both ears, attached to a blue and pink triangle patterned headband. (Wait...had Mama somehow known Caesar would wear feathers? Is that why she added the one behind my ear? Clever woman…)
He either painted some purple triangles on his cheeks, or they're oddly colored and shaped birthmarks. Either way, they seem perfect for him…
Those emerald green eyes certainly help his case, too.
And his voice! It's so smooth, and coupled with that Italian accent...damn if he isn't an eyecatcher.
Is this Caesar Zeppeli?
Deciding to play it a bit coy, I smirk. "I was promised entertainment, and none has arrived so far." I quip, sipping at my punch.
"Well, that won't do at all, signorina. I shall have to fix that. If you are finished with your drink, why don't I show you the way Italians dance?"
This guy is good!
My cheeks heat up a little as I take an undignified gulp of punch.
"...Alright." I decide. If this is Caesar, I want to talk to him. If not...I'd avoid him and continue searching for Caesar. "What's your name, by the way?"
He slaps an overdramatic palm to his forehead. "Oh! I have forgotten my manners!" He grabs my hand. "My apologies. I am Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli and at your service, signorina." He then kisses my knuckles, which prompts me to take my hand back, my cheeks feeling hotter. "And who might you be, signorina?"
So this is Caesar, eh? He's easy on the eyes...and a bold flirt, too. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this casanova.
"You certainly are bold." I muse, then smirk. "My name's Alexandra Caroline Speedwagon." I introduce, curtsying a little.
"You mean to tell me you're the little girl the Speedwagons adopted?" He asks, shocked.
"Why yes, considering my last name is Speedwagon." I tease, smirking with a hand on my hip. "Now, how about that dance?" I will admit, I am starting to really enjoy Caesar's company. Something about him puts me at ease and it's so easy to interact with him!
He composes himself and offers his hand. "Of course, Signora Speedwagon."
"What does that mean? Signorina?" I ask as we make our way to the dance floor while the band is preparing the next song.
"It means 'young lady'." Caesar explains. "Or 'miss'."
"I see. Italian isn't a language I'd heard before." I explain as we take up our positions, hardly focused on the dance.
"I shall have to teach you sometime." He proposes cheekily.
I laugh. "I assume you live in Italy, Caesar?" I ask.
"Yes. Why?"
I 'tsk' with my tongue. "That's too bad. I live here in New York, so I doubt we'll see enough of each other for you to teach me Italian, but I appreciate the offer."
We begin the dance, and I for one am not really paying attention, automatically following Caesar's lead.
"You act like phones and letters are not available, Alexandra." He retorts, not missing a beat.
I laugh. "I suppose you may have a point there, Caesar." I concede. "However, Papa can be a bit...protective of me, I'm afraid. He may not let you send me letters." I know Papa will probably be thrilled I made a friend (in fact, I had a hunch he invited Caesar just so we'd become friends), but the thought of teasing Caesar a little is too tempting.
"Hmph. I will have to convince him, then." Caesar seems rather determined under his amused smirk. He's a fascinating man...
I smile. "Good luck." The dance is then spent in relative quiet, but littered with small talk.
I discover he's here with his mentor, a woman named Lisa Lisa, who Caesar seemed almost in awe of, treating her with as much respect as he would his own mother.
He in turn learns I treat Joseph as a brother despite us not being blood related, after he asked if I have siblings.
The music slows, then stops. We curtsy and bow.
"Thank you for the dance, Mr. Zeppeli." I say, smiling as I straighten up.
"The pleasure was all mine, Ms. Speedwagon." He then surprises me by wrapping his arm across my back, drawing me close to his side and guiding me back into the crowd. "Now, I would very much like to find that drink you were enjoying earlier. Would you mind helping me?"
Despite my cheeks still feeling warm, I nod. He's just being friendly, Alex. Don't think too much about it…
It takes a few minutes, but we find the punch and Caesar pours us both a glass before resuming his hold on my back.
For some reason, I just let him hold me. It feels...nice.
As we drink, though, I see my father walking over. I subtly move out of Caesar's arms as Papa catches my eye.
No need to make him think more is happening between Caesar and I then what's actually happening.
"Ah, I see you two have already found each other." He muses, smiling as he sips his own glass of something that looks like whiskey, but I can't be certain. "I saw you two dancing. You look lovely."
I blush a little. "Thank you, Papa."
He kisses my forehead. "Of course, Alexandra. Now, regrettably, I have to find your mother and meet with some businessmen. Shouldn't take long, though, then we're due for a family picture."
I nod. "Alright, Papa. Caesar and I may simply stay in this area when we aren't dancing."
Crap! I'd just implied Caesar and I would continue dancing! I hadn't really...well, I suppose if it's with Caesar, I could stand a dance or two before the family picture…
When did I start to like dancing?!
Papa smiles, nods, gives me one last look, then walks off to find Mama.
"We'll be dancing more, then?" Caesar purrs, smirking devilishly at me from over the rim of his glass as he sips punch.
"Oh, shut up. I was just- -I...think I need more punch." I grumble, stalking away.
"Wait, Alex!" Caesar calls, catching up to me easily and halting me with a gentle hand on my arm. "I did not mean to offend you or overstep."
I sigh. It's not like I hated Caesar...I could be friendly, even if he makes me feel flustered and embarrassed for no real reason.
"No, I'm sorry. It's just...I don't get out often. I'm not very good at this." I confess awkwardly, fiddling with my fingers around the glass.
"Neither am I. I've been so busy studying...I haven't had much practice at socializing."
I blink. Bullshit! Either he's lying through his teeth to make me feel better, or he's just a natural at this…
"Well, then. Why don't we just see where this goes?" I ask, just a touch of coyness in my voice, in a moment of boldness.
Caesar grins likes I'd given him the sun and moon. "I don't see why not, when it means I get to spend the evening with a very lovely lady."
My cheeks feel even warmer. What the hell?! Where does he get these kind of lines?!
I smile, trying to hide my pink cheeks. "You charmer."
"Only for you."
I roll my eyes. Now he is just doing it to fluster me...and it's kinda working.
The band announces that the next song will begin soon.
I sigh and take a final gulp of punch, setting the glass down. "Shall we?" I ask.
"We shall." Caesar replies, offering his arm this time to escort me to the dance floor.
It's amazing how well our arms fit together….
I shake myself as we prepare to dance again.
I can't let this gentleman get too attached to me, and vice versa. Letters and phone calls will be the best we can manage after tonight...so why let myself get too attached, right?
We begin the dance and again my focus is on Caesar, rather than the dance.
"I must say, Alex, I only came over to you because of your eyes." He admits and I freeze, hardly aware we were supposed to be beginning the dance.
"What?" I had been teased and bullied for my eyes most of my younger years. They are two different colors. My left is hazel, mostly green with brown flecks like a forest, and my right is a deep storm-cloud grey (Mama swears she can read my emotions in that eye). They've only gotten negative responses outside the family before... "What do you mean?"
Caesar gently guides me back to dancing and, feeling a little numb, I don't resist.
"I only meant that they intrigued me in the best way. They suit you so well, signorina." He lifts my chin to look directly at my eyes and my cheeks feel like I'm standing in front of an oven.
No one other than my family has ever complimented my eyes, and certainly not like that! Just who the hell is this guy?!
"Th-thank you." I murmur, feeling a little steadier as I distract myself by focusing on the dance.
The music continues and we fall silent.
"By the way, is your brother here?" Caesar asks after what seems like an eternity, glancing around. "I'd love to meet him."
I sigh as Caesar and I continue our dance. "No. He and his family live in England."
"He's not your blood brother, is he? Do I remember that correctly?"
"Yes. He was born around the time I was adopted. We were raised together, and consider each other siblings."
Caesar smiles and sighs a bit. "Sounds lovely. I myself have four siblings, all younger than me."
I smile fondly. "I always wanted more siblings, but things didn't work out that way."
"I see. Unfortunately, I've been studying so much these past few years, I've hardly seen them."
Something intrigued me about the way he said 'studying' both times, like there is something he isn't allowed to talk about, so I let that go and focus on the rest of what he's said and wince sympathetically. "I know that can be very hard. I rarely get to see Joseph lately. We moved to New York a few years ago and ever since we hardly see each other."
Caesar's eyes turn soft and he gently lifts my chin. "Must be lonely."
"I have Mama and Papa. We make do." I reply, sighing and removing my chin from his grasp. Then I shake myself. "The dance is almost over." I point out.
Caesar smiles, guiding me away from the dance floor. "So it is. I am feeling hungry rather than thirsty, so perhaps we should look for food."
"Good idea." I reply, letting him wrap his arm around my back again as we seek out any food to be had. There isn't much, but we did find a few snacks.
"I should have taken Mama's advice and eaten more before we left." I grumble, holding my stomach.
"Hmm...maybe we could leave this venue and find a nearby cafe?" Caesar suggests, voice hardly above a whisper in my ear.
I feel suddenly uncertain. This has taken a turn I'm not sure how to handle…
"I...I don't know…" I gulp, trying to think of a way to convince him not to leave the venue. If I left without my parents knowing...and with only Caesar for company...Mama and Papa would not be happy at all.
"What's the matter? You are an adult, yes?" Caesar presses, smirking and tilting his head.
"Yes, I am, but...I don't want to worry Mama and Papa."
"We'll be back before they know you're gone, Alex." He murmurs, hand gently lifting my chin. "Didn't you say you wanted to see where this goes?" He asks, leaning in just a little. "I think I see where this path leads…" He leans in more, hand caressing my cheek now, and if I'm being honest...I'm so tempted to lean in, as well, and kiss him, but…
But there's part of me that hesitates. He is charming and charismatic, to be sure, and very respectful for the most part, but...I hardly know this man, really.
I don't know enough to trust him like this…
Waittaminute! What's that? There's some kind of- -no way! I thought Joseph and I were the only ones left who knew how to use Hamon aside from Straitzo and the other students in Tibet!
I suppose I found out what Caesar has been studying...
I step back, out of Caesar's grip, grabbing the sides of his mouth in my hand. "What the hell are you thinking?!" I growl, yanking him down toward me.
He's rather startled, eyes wide with discomfort and disbelief that his little scheme hadn't worked.
I let go and step further back.
"Alex...what was that?!" Caesar barks, holding his jaw.
"You tried to kiss me with Hamon!" I snap, keeping my voice low enough that I shouldn't cause a scene.
"You...you know what Hamon is?" Caesar asks, eyes wide again.
I take a breath and activate Hamon in my hand. "Yes, I do. Now explain yourself!" I growl.
"Incredibile!" Caesar exclaims, laughing. "I've never met a woman other than my mentor that can use Hamon!"
"Look, Caesar, if you're gonna stand there and tell me you weren't planning on using Hamon in some love spell, I will march right over to my father and have you kicked out of this gala." I warn.
Caesar had the good grace to look sheepish, hands up in apology. "Alex, please. It's true, I was trying to give you a Hamon kiss, and I'm sorry. I got carried away. I promise it won't happen again."
I narrow my eyes, taking another step backwards. "Suddenly I'm not sure I can trust you." It hurt to say, but it's true.
Part of me is worried that the only reason he'd been acting the way he had is to get access to my parent's wealth somehow.
This sly little dog is probably just playing like he likes me to get to our money! I mean...who else would try to kiss a woman he'd literally just met!?
"Alex it's not like that, I swear!" Caesar protests and part of me wants to believe him, but if my theory is correct and he's been lying, I have to stay strong. "Please, let me explain!"
"Enough, Caesar!" I bark. "I...I need to go." I force myself to disappear into the crowd.
Tears blur my eyes. It had been going so well...now I don't know what to think.
If Caesar really did just get carried away and had been genuine the whole time, I'd apologize and we'd work it out, but if he had been lying to me...I'd have to tell Mama and Papa what he'd tried to do.
I bump into someone and fall to my butt on the floor. "S-sorry." I mumble, standing and trying to wipe my tears subtly.
"Oh, Alex...what happened?" It's Mama! I feel my tears threaten to fall and try to blink them away.
"I...it's probably nothing, but, um...I need to freshen up for our family photo." I murmur.
"Are you sure you're alright? Have you been crying?" Mama asks, lifting my chin to look at my eyes. "Did Caesar do something? Your Papa told me you two have met."
"I...I'm not sure. Maybe I'm overreacting. I just need to freshen up. I'm fine."
Mama sighs. "I'm sorry, love. We'll talk once the photo is taken, alright? Papa sent me to fetch you. He'll talk to Caesar if you need him to."
"It was likely a misunderstanding but I don't know yet." I reply. There isn't time to explain everything right now.
"If you're sure, darling…" Mama says, guiding me over to the corner of the room we'd take our photo in.
"Thank you, Mama. But right now we need to take this photo, then I'll tell you and Papa, alright?" I pat her arm reassuringly.
"...Alright." With that, Mama reaches up with her gloved hand and got rid of any trace of tears. "Well, you can hardly tell something was amiss. Just hold your head high and smile, alright?"
I nod. "Alright."
The picture is soon taken and Mama then pulls Papa and I into a more secluded corner where I explain my interactions with Caesar and why I am a little upset.
Papa hugs me. "There's no need to be paranoid with Caesar, darling." He says softly, kissing the top of my head. "Though I wouldn't say that to just anyone, you know. However, I know Caesar fairly well. He more than likely did simply get carried away, but I will leave it to you if you wish to make amends or avoid him."
I sigh. "I feel better about him now you say he's not the kind of person to try to flirt with me and lead me along just to get at my inheritance, so I'll apologize." I then nudge Papa playfully. "I'll even say you told me to be that cautious." I tease.
Papa bops my nose. "If you wish. Now, dear, your mother and I are due for a dance." He offers his hand to Mama, who takes it with a hint of a blush on her cheeks.
I watch them go and half follow them, letting them have their privacy, but enjoying watching them enjoy each other's company.
I hope to have their sort of relationship one day, but who knows?
Speaking of relationships, Caesar manages to find me (not that I was strictly speaking avoiding him) as my parents continue to dance.
But I didn't know he was just behind me until he spoke.
"They make such a good-looking couple, do they not?"
I startle a little and turn to him, unsure what to say. "I couldn't ask for better parents." Is what I end up saying.
Caesar then faces me and looks intoy eyes with sincerity. "Alexandra, I apologize for my behavior earlier. I went too far."
"So did I, Caesar. I've never been flirted with so I got flustered and overwhelmed. I'm sorry I overreacted. I spoke to my father and he assures me you weren't trying to pull any tricks." I take his hand. "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to offend or upset you."
Caesar kisses my hand. "If you will forgive my overstepping with the kiss, all is forgiven."
I smile, relived to have patched things up. "Agreed. If the dance weren't more than halfway through, I'd ask if you wanted to join Mama and Papa on the dance floor, but alas. Perhaps we can get some punch until the next dance."
Caesar nods. "I'd be delighted."
The rest of the evening is spent well enough and soon we go back home, leaving me wondering if I'd ever see or hear from Caesar again.
=#=#=#=#=
I hadn't have been concerned, for less than a week after the gala, Papa walks into the library where Mama and I are reading in and hands me a letter. "It's for you."
I open it and find a letter from Caesar with more flirting and another apology, ending with an assurance of his friendship (with a subtle hint about being open to being more than friends if I wish).
I chuckle and tuck it into my pocket.
"Is that from Caesar?" Mama asks.
"Yes. Did you give him our address, Papa?"
Papa chuckles. "It's more like I gave it to his mentor, as I know her quite well."
"Really?" I ask. "Her name is Lisa Lisa, right?"
Papa nods. "Yes. She's very skilled with Hamon and serves as an instructor, but she hardly ever takes in students."
"Would she take me as a student?" I ask. I'd love to learn more about Hamon and how to use it!
Papa's face turns a bit stern. "No. I don't want you to be known as a Hamon user. You never know what may happen."
I frown. "Papa, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
I step toward him. "Papa-"
"You are not to try to learn more Hamon than you know. You and Jojo know too much already." Papa insists, then walks away, leaving me confused and a little hurt.
"Mama, what was that about?" I ask, sitting back down on the couch in a huff. "What's so wrong about knowing Hamon?"
Mama sighs. "Dear, there are things in this world we never want you and Jojo to know. You deserve to live your life in peace, free to be young and happy."
"But Mama, what could happen if we become known as Hamon users?" I insist. "I don't understand."
Now Mama's face is a bit stern. "Alexandra, enough. Please understand we do this for your protection."
"I still don't understand."
"Perhaps when you're older."
"I'm 18, Mama."
"Enough, Alexandra." She closes her book. "Excuse me." She walks out, presumably to talk to Papa.
I'm left even more confused than ever. What could possibly be so wrong about us knowing Hamon and being known as Hamon users? How is it at all dangerous?
=#=#=#=#=
I wasn't supposed to hear it.
I am meant to be in bed. But I woke up terribly thirsty, so I creep out toward the kitchen when I pause by our drawing room, noting the light and voices coming from the cracked door.
Mama and Papa are talking, as usual after I head to my room for the night.
Papa's been so busy in the few years since we've moved here, he talks to Mama almost constantly when he's home, which is understandable, but every time he comes back, he looks more grave.
Unable to contain my curiosity, I tiptoe closer. Maybe I can finally find out what the thing in Mexico is that has Papa so busy.
"-ve to go, Alicia. Surely you understand that?" Papa is saying gently, and I hear Mama's heavy sigh.
"I do, Robert, I really do, but...just promise me you'll be very careful."
"I promise you, I will be. This will all be over before you know it and the children will never have to worry about it or be involved." Papa replies soothingly, and it sounds like Papa is rubbing Mama's arm like he does when comforting her. "With any luck, they won't ever know any more about it than they do now."
I smile despite the evident seriousness of the topic being discussed.
It's always amusing to me that Mama, Papa, and Granny Erina still refer to Jojo and I as 'the children' despite us being adults, me at 20 and Jojo just turning 18.
In fact, our birthday celebration is in a few weeks (we always delay it until we can celebrate together, since we're born somewhat close to each other), unless whatever Mama and Papa are discussing interrupts our plans.
What are they talking about? What is making Mama so concerned?
"Straitzo and men from the Foundation will be with me to destroy the entire place, then this nightmare will truly be over for good."
Destroy? Destroy what? What could they be talking about? What nightmare?
I hear Mama sigh and I assume they hug judging by the sound of movement. "That does make me feel better, my love. Let's hope all goes smoothly."
"Indeed. The stone masks and the mystery surrounding them have plagued this family and the Joestars far too long." Papa grits out.
I pale a little. Stone masks? Mystery? What is Papa talking about?
"I'll be able to sleep sounder at night knowing this is finally well and truly finished."
"I'll return as soon as I'm through in Mexico. I swear it."
I decide I'd overheard enough and creep back to my room, forgetting my water.
My mind is racing as I quietly pace in my room. Mama and Papa had never sounded so concerned and worried, at least that I can remember.
What is this 'stone mask' and this big mystery they're talking about? What nightmare would soon be over? There's been no nightmarish situation that I'm aware of...but I suppose that's because my parents, and probably Granny Erina as well, are hiding things from Jojo and I.
I wonder what it is. Perhaps, when whatever Papa needs to do in Mexico is over, they'll tell us the whole story. I hope so.
It's painfully clear that they don't want Jojo and I involved in whatever they were talking about, though. The three older adults had been concerned enough when we accidentally revealed that we can do that energy trick when those thugs tried to kidnap Papa, Joseph, and I on the plane.
So, for now, I'll say nothing and pretend I never heard a word of Mama and Papa's discussion tonight.
For their sake.
However, I hardly get any sleep as I toss and turn on my bed, wondering what Papa could possibly have found in Mexico that would make my parents so worried.
What could they possibly be so afraid of?