Pick your head up, King

Erina had returned to the Joestar Estate to find the stale scent of ash clinging to the air. No tears fell as she examined the ruins of what had been her childhood friend’s home. What had she been expecting to find after she’d read that nasty article? The paper had been forced into her hands by those that tormented her as a child, now with remorse written across their faces. They had to know why she’d returned and why it was now a waste of hope that she could possibly reconnect with the boy that had left such a mark on her life.

“Ah, Madam? What has you so sad?”

The voice brought her to jump, hands brought to her chest as he found the source of her start- a dapper man done in a suit and hat, having a sandwich on what remained of the stone wall around the Joestar estate.

“Sir, must you eat here?” she asked, anger flashing through her eyes.

Speaking through another bite, he asked, “Why shouldn’t I?”

“This isn’t the time nor place for such a thing.” Her eyes returned to the broken building.

“Well this isn’t the time for grieving either, signorina,” he said, leaping up to now stand on the wall as if it were a tightrope. “Now is the time for action.”

A dull laugh escaped her. “It’s a bit late for that...” The time for action had been years ago.

“But however will you get Jojo back?”

The question alone sparked something in her, but when she turned to look back at the man, he’d disappeared. Thinking he’d gone behind the wall, she rushed to where the door of the estate had been and went around.

“What do you mean get..?” Her voice caught at the sight that no one was there.

“I mean,” he waited for her to turn around, to now find the dapper man standing not but a foot away from her, “If you brought yourself here as any friend- past or future- of this ‘Jonathan Joestar’ I’ve heard so much about, I see it fit that you come with me this instant so that we can save him. Of course, that would only be if you agree, Ms...?”

She waited a minute, looking the man over. He had to be insane. Her hopes had already been declared as useless. What would be so bad about putting them in him, for now?