"You WHAT?!" 

Blumiere winced slightly and folded his hands in front of himself, bowing his head so the rim of his tophat would cover his eyes.

"I'm sorry, father, but I only did this for the good of the tribe," he insisted. 

Blumiere's father rubbed his temples in a frustrated manner.

"Have you learned NOTHING? We cannot allow outsiders to interact with us. It's one of our only rules. It's the most important rule! Have you lost your mind, Blumiere?!"

"I did what I had to in order to ensure the best future for our people!" Blumiere explained, attempting to sound firm. He spent about twenty minutes preparing himself not to stand down. Dimentio was going to stay, whether his father liked it or not. He was determined.

"Has it crossed your mind that perhaps he's lying and trying to spy on us?" Blumiere's father hissed. "He was literally an imprisoned jester. The least trustworthy kind of person you could possibly choose to bring into my tribe."

"OUR tribe!" Blumiere corrected. "And I'm aware of how bad it looks, but if something were to go wrong with him, I'd put a stop to it. I promise! Nothing bad is going to happen, though, because I trust him."

"Then you're far too trusting."

"Perhaps!" Blumiere snapped. "But he's staying, and that's final. The people already welcomed him, and you know for a fact that they'd side with me over you."

The tribe's love for Blumiere was something that his father was well aware of. It was almost scary. Blumiere had been worshiped like royalty from a young age, not only because of the family he was born in, but also because of his extraordinary control over his powers. He was kind, he was hopeful, and while he did make a few questionable decisions, he still had a decent brain. Sure, he allowed his emotions to cloud his judgment more than his father would have liked, but the people loved him.

Blumiere's father let out a strained breath, then adjusted his cloak and put his hood up over his head. Blumiere was never one to wear hooded cloaks like the rest of the tribesmen. Another thing that made him stand out.

"You are to make him blend in, then. He isn't from the outside, he's from here. Make up a story or something of the sort," his father stated. 

Blumiere's eyes lit up, but his father wasn't quite finished.

"Don't celebrate just yet, I'm still incredibly upset with you for going behind my back and doing this," he stated. "If anything of the sort happens again, you best believe punishments will be waiting."

"Yeah, uh-huh. K. Thanks Dad!" Blumiere beamed, running up to quickly hug him. His father didn't hug back, but he never did, so Blumiere learned not to mind.

He then ran back out, over to Dimentio to tell him the news. He excitedly explained how he would be offering Dimentio the opportunity of a lifetime, living with the tribe and helping lead them through this future he saw. He'd be offered housing, food, and everything he could possibly need. As for his old situation, a letter would be sent back to the castle where he was imprisoned claiming that Dimentio had been killed, that way no one would come looking for him. Dimentio was uneasy with the world thinking he was dead at first, but Blumiere had proposed the plan so casually that it didn't seem like a huge deal. 

Blumiere excitedly used his powers to make the chains that bound Dimentio's hands together completely vanish, then he set out to help him get settled. He found him a small home close to the place he resided, then helped him sort through his new outfits. However, Dimentio refused to change his clothes. Despite hating the fact that he had been a jester, he didn't want to leave that part of his life behind just yet.

That was the part that included the man in green. By being rid of the jester clothes, he felt like he would be turning the page on that chapter. 

Blumiere didn't seem to mind all that much, thankfully. Although he was a little concerned and curious as to why Dimentio never took his mask off. 

After the jester was settled, his new life began. He spent most of his time with Blumiere, who showed him around the entire village, which honestly wasn't as big or intimidating as Dimentio previously imagined it would be. It was very apparent that Blumiere was the most well-known person throughout the tribe, as everyone constantly stared at him. He was funny, too. He was the kind of guy who would carry around a haircomb. Dimentio couldn't help but quietly chuckle every time he stopped to fix his hair. Blumiere was a little self-absorbed, but he wasn't cruel by any means. In fact, he was genuinely one of the nicest people Dimentio had ever met.

Dimentio's cover story was that he had apparently been born in the tribe, but was lost until now. Blumiere didn't make too many details, but no one cared. Everyone bought the story and quickly accepted Dimentio with open arms. It was funny how warm and kind all the people were. Funny, and eye-opening. Dimentio would have never expected the Tribe of Darkness to be filled with simple people. He always thought it was run by evil dark beings who had no dreams or desires other than to spread darkness and destroy everything. He felt a little guilty for assuming such horrible things about an entire group of people. 

Despite his best efforts, there was only one person in the tribe who didn't quite take a liking to Dimentio. It was Blumiere's father, the tribe leader. Every time Dimentio was near him, the jester could feel his cold gaze pierce into him. It was as if the man was trying to read his thoughts and find some sort of weakness to exploit. Dimentio did his best to avoid him, but that was often difficult due to the fact that he was literally the leader of the tribe. For everything Dimentio did to help the tribe prepare for the seven years of famine, he had to get approved by Blumiere's father. The man never spoke to him, but Dimentio could still feel his burning hatred. Dimentio felt like he was walking on glass every time he had to speak with him, and his judgemental gaze always made Dimentio reconsider his plans. 

But aside from him, everything was wonderful. Even Trivia had grown accustomed to their new life. She seemed much more lively than she had ever been before, though Dimentio didn't notice at first. 

"And then the boat just floated away! Into the sky!" Blumiere cried as he sat across from Dimentio, explaining yet another dream weeks later. Trivia had fluttered onto the tribesman's hat, listening intently.

"Ah, that symbolizes moving on to the next chapter of your life," Dimentio shrugged. "A brighter, happier chapter."

"Whoa..." Blumiere murmured with wide eyes. He held out his finger, allowing Trivia to flutter onto it so he could carefully stroke her wings. "Say, in the next chapter of my life, do you think I can get a pixl companion? Yours is so fun!"

"Not exactly," Dimentio chuckled. He held his hand out for Trivia, but she stayed with Blumiere. 

Rude, Dimentio thought with a small shrug. 

"Darn. Mind if I steal yours then?" he asked, making Trivia giggle.

"I'm sorry, Blumiere, but as fun as that would be, I'm gonna stick to Dimentio," she said, making Blumiere playfully pout.

"Darn, you're breaking my heart here," he joked, shaking his head and setting her down. He then gathered his things and left, saying he had some tasks to take care of before his father yelled at him. After Blumiere left, Trivia started fluttering about.

"You seem more energetic," Dimentio noted.

"Do I?" she asked. Her voice was lighter too.

"Yes," Dimentio chuckled. "You're doing your fluttering thing."

"Blumiere calls it the zoomies," she laughed, zooming around the room.

"Yeah, Blumiere's weird," Dimentio chuckled.

"Yeah, I like him a lot, don't you?" Trivia asked.

Dimentio shrugged. Blumiere was probably the closest thing he ever had to a best friend, but he didn't like him the same way everyone else in the tribe seemed to. 

"Everyone likes him," Dimentio said. "He's just a likable person."

"Do you think he's single?" Trivia asked.

"Wh- excuse me?!" Dimentio exclaimed, completely taken aback. "Trivia, you're a pixl."

"I know, I know! I'm just... wondering."

"Wow. My pixl has a crush. On a totally evil dark magic guy, no less," Dimentio teased. "I didn't know pixls could even get crushes!"

"Oh, shut up. I think almost everyone here has a crush on him," Trivia cried. Her voice raised in pitch, so Dimentio could tell she was flustered. She wasn't wrong, though. Almost every girl Blumiere walked past would practically swoon. It was kind of funny. 

"But you? A pixl?" Dimentio asked.

"Hey, we ALL have dreams and stuff," Trivia explained. "Some of us are just luckier than others. And some are not."

Dimentio was about to continue messing with her, but her statement made him pause. The last part showed that she knew she had no chance. As a pixl, she knew she could never find something like love. It was ridiculous to think of her having a crush, but it filled him with sorrow knowing that she'd never truly be able to find love with her being nothing more than a tool.

She didn't seem like just a tool anymore, though. 

"Have any of the other pixls had crushes then?" Dimentio asked, changing the subject just slightly and thinking back to his siblings' pixls. Surprisingly, the memories didn't sting like they usually did. 

"I don't know," she admitted. "You and I were always so separate, so I never really got to ask them." 

It had been a while since he thought of his siblings. He tried not to ever since he moved to the Tribe of Darkness because the memories usually hurt. But they weren't hurting anymore. He was happier. People appreciated his input here (besides Blumiere's dad.) People cared about him. He felt like he fit in more so than he did when he was back home with his father and siblings. 

"I hope they're well," Dimentio muttered with a small smile. 

. . .

Meanwhile, the letter the Tribe of Darkness sent stating that Dimentio had died moved slowly. After a few months, it made it through to the castle he had lived in when he served King Boo. It remained there for five years until Nastasia finally decided she should perhaps send it off to the place where she had found Dimentio in the first place. She figured that they deserved to know, even if they did sell him. She never asked Dimentio for his whole story, but she was able to put a few of the pieces together and somewhat figure out what happened. 

The letter traveled for three more years when it finally arrived at Caleb's house. Benjamin, a now twenty-three-year-old young adult (who was still significantly smaller than the rest of his siblings,) had been the one to pick up the mail. 

He didn't open it, but he could see who it was from. He knew that his siblings would kill him if he were to go to his father with it, so he decided to consult them first. They were all gathered in the dining room while Caleb was out searching for someone to trade with. 

"Guys!" Benjamin exclaimed, running into the dining room. "Guys, we just got a letter-"

"Shut up, Benjamin," Jean hissed, making the youngest sibling flinch. Everyone turned their gazes to him and glared. Benjamin didn't blame them, though. Their family had been starving for months, completely devoid of necessary resources for survival. While the Tribe of Darkness rationed and saved their food from the seven good years, Caleb's family didn't do anything to prepare for the shortages. 

~ Music Start ~

Benjamin sighed and sat down amongst his brothers, waiting for a good moment to share the letter with them. They didn't seem to be in the best listening mood, however. They were too hungry, too tired. 

Jaq: Do you remember the good years in 'ere?

The summers were endlessly gold

 Jean: Mais oui!

Jaq: The fields were a patchwork of clover 

Jean: All over

Jaq: The winters were never too cold
We'd stroll down the boulevards together

And everything 'round us was fine...

Jean stood up and slammed his empty glass on the table before him.

Jean: Now the fields are dead and bare
No joie de vivre anywhere
Et maintenant, we drink a bitter wine

All Siblings: Those good ol' days
We used to know
Where have zey gone?
Where did zey go?
Eh bien, raise your berets
To those good ol' days

Jaq: Do you remember those wonderful parties?

 Jean: Oh là là

Jaq: The splendor of our land's cuisine
Our extravagant, elegant soirées
The gayest the land has seen
It's funny, but since we lost Dimentio

Seymour: Ai...

Jaq: We've gone to the other extreme...

He shook his head and pointed at the door.

Jaq: No one comes to dinner now...

Jaq sighed and placed a hand on his forehead.

Jaq: We'd only eat them anyhow

I even find I'm missing Dimentio's dreams

All Siblings: Those good ol' days
We used to know
Where have zey gone?
Where did zey go?
Eh bien, raise your berets
To those good ol' days

Jaq: It's funny, but since we lost Dimentio...

Seymour: Ai...

Jaq: We've gone to the other extreme...
Perhaps we all misjudged the lad...
Perhaps he wasn't quite that bad,
And how we miss his entertaining

All Siblings besides Jaq: Hum, hum, hum

Jaq: Dreams...

All Siblings: Those good ol' days we used to know
Where have they gone?

Where did...

Everyone looked back and forth at one another, impressed with the chord. They nodded, then gasped for breath before continuing.

All Siblings: Did... zey go?

Eh bien, raise your berets

Jaq: To those good ol'...

Jaq crinkled his face as a small fly began to buzz around his face. He followed it with his eyes, then clapped his hands over it. Everyone watched as he paused, then ate the fly, making them all gasp as he cringed from the horrible taste.

Jaq: Days...

Everyone lowered their heads, knowing deep down that they couldn't last much longer if things were to continue the way they were. They needed food, they needed strength. 

All Sibling: Eh bien, raise your berets
To those good ol'
Days!

~ Music Stop ~