bakerstreet | (no subject)

[Honestly, Josuke had been feeling pretty awkward about this whole thing. He didn't really know Jonathan (he's probably been fussing over what to call him this whole time), but this was probably a Very Important Journey, and so his awkwardness would have to be put aside for now. Not only that, but they've reached a rest stop—much-needed, he can't even remember how long they've been driving now—but there's something distinctly... off about it. Actually, it's kind of really creepy. It's giving Josuke chills.

He's halfway out of the car once it's parked, aware that there may not be anymore rest stops after this one for a while, but...

]

H-hey. Are you sure about this place?

[He knows that they shouldn't skip it... But he kind of wants to skip it?! It's creepy, man.]

[it's a strange position for Jonathan to be in. Josuke's a little uncertain about him (understandable) and that doesn't take a master to read, but he himself is perfectly content with the whole situation. how could he be worried when he's traveling with family? long stretches of road to cover simply meant plenty of opportunities to fill in all those blanks.

that said...my, but this place certainly gave off the unsettling aura. it almost reminds Jonathan of Dio's castle at Windknights, at least until his mind catches up to those thoughts and shames his imagination back into place. it was a rest stop. an out of the way, poorly kept rest stop, yes, but a rest stop all the same. comparing it to a vampire's lair was childish and purposefully looking for something to be frightened of.

when he steps out of the car himself, it's with that particularly grim expression Jonathan always wears when steadfastly ignoring danger and forging ahead anyway.]

We won't be here long.

[that's the only comfort in the whole thing, really - that and the knowledge that between the two of them they'd be able to handle any actual threats that may theoretically be lurking nearby. Jonathan had been hoping to pick up something disgustingly sweet and caffeinated here, but he doubts this is the sort of roadside stop with stores attached.

honestly, he'd be surprised if the bathrooms weren't padlocked shut with a notice of condemnation taped over them.]

[Aww, man. He knew that that would be the answer even before he asked, but he still can't help feeling just a little bummed out. Josuke frowns a little, scratching at his neck.]

I was afraid you'd say that. [He steps out of the car, then, shutting the door behind him.] Let's just hurry up, alright? This place is givin' me the creeps.

[He's thinking along similar lines as Jonathan, really (minus the part about vampires, if only because he hasn't had too many experiences with those)—it's just a rest stop, so how bad can it be, right? But even though he knows that, logically, he just can't shake the feeling that something isn't right here. He's not sure what it is, exactly, but something...

There was no turning back now, though. Creepy as it was, he still had Crazy Diamond, and Jonathan— well, he looked like a pretty sturdy guy. They would probably be fine. ...probably. There was only one way to find out!

...should he lead the way, though? Yeah, he should probably lead the way. It only feels polite. Sure, Jonathan was young, but he was also his great grandfather. He wouldn't let an old guy walk into a sketchy rest stop all by himself (not even Joseph, even if that was super tempting sometimes), so he's gotta do this! So despite being kind of nervous, he decides not to wait for Jonathan and starts heading toward the entrance.]

Maybe it's only the outside that's sketchy.

[Wishful thinking.]

[Josuke's intentions are sweet, but Jonathan's strides are just a little bit longer than his; he catches up fairly quickly and falls into step next to him, making them companions on this road to perdition rather than protectors. it's probably better for both of their nerves anyway.]

Perhaps! This seems like an out of the way stop; they may only have enough money to maintain the inside.

[it's plausible, at least. it'd make more sense with a limited budget to put it towards the amenities that actually matter rather than giving a nice curb appeal. people on the highway weren't exactly picky, after all.

he's clinging tightly to that hope right up until they walk through the door...and then you can just hear the sigh in his voice.]

...ah.

[well, at least if they're attacked it'll be suitably atmospheric. how did these places keep finding him?]

[Man, this guy... He's got a real presence, and he doesn't wait to step up to the plate, either! It's not so much that it's surprising, though, even after the limited amount of time they've spent together, but Josuke still appreciates it nonetheless. Sure, he's about to look significantly less cool right now, but no one told him his great grandfather was this cool, either. He somehow feels a little more confident just having him by his side. It just kind of reinforces the fact that his awkwardness isn't due to Jonathan being a less-than-awesome person, but rather, just the fact that this is an incredibly bizarre situation—what's the etiquette for things like this? ...actually, maybe it's better if he doesn't know. Meeting one long-lost relative was more than enough!

But all these positive thoughts sure do fizzle away the moment they step inside the rest stop. This place doesn't just look unkempt—it looks straight up haunted. It's even worse than the Nijimura place was back in Morioh.]

It doesn't look like anybody's here...

[He hopes there's nobody here!]

[man, was that an icy wind blowing in from somewhere or just his imagination? either way, Jonathan can practically hear the accompanying WRRRRRRRRY that should be leaking from one of the shadows by now. it's like some unseen force had read his optimism and fashioned a place in direct opposition to it.

well, whatever. gentlemen didn't run from gothic backdrops, especially not when they had family to protect. Jonathan may not be able to keep the exasperation off his face as he walks a few feet in past the door, but at least he's still moving forward.]

There weren't any other cars parked in the lot when we showed up. [which in retrospect was kind of a big red flag. shouldn't there be employees somewhere??] But at least the lights are still on.

[as if on cue, one of the fluorescents above them sputters out with a sharp pop. of course.]

[When Jonathan moves forward, Josuke follows after (not too far after, though, because there's no way he'd just leave Jonathan hanging). But then the light goes out, and Josuke totally doesn't jump or anything!]

H-hey, you jinxed it, man. [Let's be real, though, it's just his luck, too.] Guess if we're the only ones here, no one's gonna mind if we just take what we need and be on our way.

[Though... He kind of doubts that they're going to find much of anything here. The place looks abandoned (the floors sure creak like it is). When was the last time there were any actual people here?

...he probably doesn't want to know that, either.]

There's no need to disturb it like that.

[and that's not his discomfort with the place speaking. it was common courtesy to leave things as they were, especially in a place that hasn't seen any sort of respect in quite a long time. it's not like they were hurting for anything anyway.

that said...]

I'll just use the lavatory and we can go.

[he squints up at the now-defunct light and hazards a chuckle, turning back to give Josuke a wry smile.]

That's assuming I don't curse anything else, of course.

[...shit. He sure did just suggest casual theft in front of his great grandfather. That is yet another thing to feel awkward about, but at least Jonathan doesn't make a big deal out of it. In fact, despite how awful this situation seems to be, he's a pretty good sport about the whole thing.

It doesn't really ease the creepiness of the place, but it's at least slightly reassuring. ...just slightly.

Either way, Josuke nods.]

Alright. I'll keep an eye out for anything strange. I got your back, uh... sir.

[He tried... He really did.]

I'm not quite that old yet, you know. Just Jojo should still suffice.

[sure, he's technically a great-grandfather, but he's still barely into his twenties. it's equal parts sweet and bemusing to be addressed so formally by someone only a few years his junior - and a family member, no less.

he's not really certain that the playful correction will stick, but Jonathan doesn't mind. it's a charming sort of bad habit that he can't imagine being cross with no matter how long it lingers.]

It'll only be a moment.

[and that's regardless of whether or not he actually only needs that little time, because there's no way Jonathan is going to stay here any longer than necessary, especially when he warily pushes the bathroom door open and definitely sees a roach peeking its antennae out of the sink's overflow catch. lord have mercy on them all.]

[It's not an unreasonable request, and yet, being told to call him JoJo just complicates matters even further. It just feels so— familiar! Is that kind of thing really okay?! Can he really get used to doing that...?!

Josuke quietly frets over this while Jonathan takes his leave... at least until he hears something scurrying across the floor somewhere he can't see. It sounds like it ran right past him, but it's too dark to tell.]

Must've been a rat. Nothin' to worry about.

[He nods to himself! ...but even though he says that, he distinctly remembers the time he and Jotaro went "hunting," and that isn't reassuring at all. But it's just a coincidence, right? It's gotta be!

...what if, though. What if. Stand users are attracted to other Stand users, after all.

Josuke's getting kind of antsy just thinking about it. He doesn't want to wander too far, both for Jonathan's sake and his own, but he kind of doesn't like the idea of just standing here, so he walks across the hall and peeks into one of the rooms.]

Man, it really smells in here.

It's not much better anywhere else.

[it's not even the sort of stench he'd be able to accept (albeit wearily) from an unkept bathroom; there's something malevolently musty about the place, as if there were more than simple budget cuts to blame for its abandonment. the prickling along the back of his neck is what keeps Jonathan talking to his great-grandson despite the low odds of actually being heard - it's just more reassuring to hang onto the knowledge that there's someone else here suffering through the same things.

speaking of suffering...as he finally finds a stall that isn't completely overtaken with grime or missing its door, Jonathan realizes that this place wasn't exactly designed with people of his stature in mind. his shoulders graze the walls almost as soon as he steps in, and it's not long before he realizes it's going to be a trial and a half just to turn around. if his words didn't reach the other room, the long-suffering sigh that follows certainly will.]

[Josuke doesn't hear him the first time (or, rather, he hears something, but he isn't sure if it's Jonathan or not, and— well, if it's not, then he doesn't want to know), but he definitely hears him the second time. He pokes his head out from the particularly smelly room (he didn't want to say that something died in there, but...), and he calls out to him.]

Hey, you alright?

[It didn't sound like a distressed sort of sigh, or like he might desperately need help or anything, but Josuke is there either way.

...he's pretty sure he hears something hit the ground in the other room (maybe something fell?), but that just kind of makes him go to check on Jonathan quicker. Josuke sticks his head into the bathroom, and—

Wow, he's right, it smells just as awful in here, too.]

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