[IC] Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

[AlteredTundra]

As they would come into the clearing, the appearance of a blonde dude, who has some piercing blue eyes would shock both Emiri and Nadeline. Jaakuna and Wesley would see him and soon his name would be put out in the open. It would seem that the man in front of them is General Harris, the one that Jaakuna remembered Emiri say was a friend of Nadeline. Jaakuna almost let his guard down, but as it would soon be revealed, this guy would be an enemy of the group, at the moment, at least. Jaakuna couldn’t believe what he heard when Harris said that Rozarria and Archadia had entered a temporary truce and for what? To just catch Jaakuna and Emiri? “I can’t believe it. My brother is so desperate that he’ll actually settle on a truce to get me back to Archadia. Un-fucking-believable.” Jaakuna couldn’t believe it. His own brother, who he thought was his family, was going to these lengths to just get him. He doesn’t even know the bridge that he had crossed.

As Jaakuna was in his own disbelief about his own brother, Wesley heard every word. He was not going into some disbelief or anything of the sort. He remained intent on listening to every word the Rozarrian General had to say. As a Royal Prince of Dalmasca and pretty much a strategist. As he does listen in, Wesley assess the situation and he is both bothered by Harris and intrigued. It’s true that this man represents the Rozarrian Empire, but he seems to have his motives divided. From what Wesley can decipher from his words, the man is disliking what he is doing, but he must cause it was given to him from orders. Wesley can understand that completely. The man is bound by his oath a warrior of his country’s army. He follows his Empress’ orders as her word is absolute. That much Wesley can understand, He just doesn’t see this Harris guy following all of his orders for very much longer. Soon he will be at a point of which he will be forced to choose. When he does, only then will the character of Harris be discovered.

As Harris finishes up, Jaakuna and Wesley both see that he had already caught the esper as the Glyph of the Impure Esper, Cúchulainn appeared before them. The esper itself reaked of deploring smells, its own body seemed to be rotting. The description of it was very accurate. It did indeed look like it took in all the world’s corruption and impurities and thus the changing of its appearance to this blobby, ugly creature. Wesley truly pities the beast and Jaakuna just looks disgusted, but he must fight the beast in order to get out of here. All of them must fight it together. They will either be victorious together or perish a very horrific death together.

“Let’s do this shit!” Jaakuna said drawing his Blood Sword and Demonsbane.
“What Jaakuna said. We will defeat this fiend with the power of togetherness.” Wesley said standing beside Jaakuna, wielding his Platinum Sword and Shield.

As they stood ready, the two charged forth, running side-by-side, then spreading to confuse the beast. Jaakuna would go on the backside and Wesley to its front. The beast would go forth to attack Wesley and the prince of Dalmasca would avert to the right, and Jaakuna would go behind it, sticking his magick-fused Demonsbane into the back, slicing it vertically up and down. However, as Jaakuna would see, that wouldn’t work. Some nasty…things would come out of it. Jaakuna hopped back, and as Wesley would quickly see the insides of the beast and he knew this wouldn’t be easy. Wesley would go beside Jaakuna as the two of them just stared down the beast as it too was looking at them.

“What now your royalness?” Jakauna asked.
“I know not what to do. This beast’s anatomy perplexes me.” Wesley said.

[Hero]

No magicks, no time stopping...I feel like I am getting the short end of the stick, here. Emiri grimly noted mentally as she brandished her bow. None of the boys' attacks seemed to be working well. As she fired off an arrow, she watched as it pathetically bounched off Cúchulainn. Figures. She unsheathed her sword, joining Nadeline on the front lines. "Not entirely sure why Harris summoned Cucucachoo here." Emiri commented.

"It's Cúchulainn!" Nadeline retorted, eyeing said Esper warily, though a green glyph appeared beneath the party. "Bravery!" The green light erupted from the ground, wrapping itself onto Emiri's sword. Emiri went up to Cúchulainn, striking it horizontally. It did slightly better then the other attacks, though it was arguable if that slight difference was even worth the spell. She leapt back as the Esper swung at her, and spun around, striking it again. Nadeline racked her brain; if spells and swords weren't effective, then what could they do?

There was no time to think, as Cúchulainn decided it was time to attack: it released an obnoxious looking gas. It spread throughout the entire arena, so to speak. Emiri coughed as she waved the air in front of her, and as she went to move back, found her feet were planted firmly on the ground. "Eh?" She tried to lift her legs, but they would not heed. "Seriously?! That isn't even fair!" She yelled out in frustration, clearly somehow rooted to the same spot.

[AlteredTundra]

When the beast would launch an attack in which some weird purple gas would be spread around the area. Though Jaakuna and Wesley seemed to be unfased by it, most likely cause the probability of it didn’t make it to them, it would seem that Emiri got hit with it. “EMIRI! You okay?” Jaakuna called out. Wesley knows the kind of status effect that this gas created. He also knew how to get rid of it.

Lifting up his sword, Wesley’s blade started to glow with a green glow. A glyph appeared over Emiri, and he simply said. “Esuna!” The glow would instantly cure Emiri of her immobilization. She would be able to move after seconds of the spell’s activation. Wesley then took his attention to the beast, Cúchulainn. He would raise his sword once more, concentrating the mist at the tip. In one swift motion, his blade would radiate pure white. “By the god’s divine judgment, I will slice unto the evil before me! Heaven’s Plain!” Commanding the mist, he slices forward, and a wave pure white is sent forth, radiating in heaven’s light. The wave hits Cúchulainn, hurting it severely, sending it to tumble about ten paces, but the wave did not kill it. Somehow, Wesley knew that would work, but to Jaakuna’s surprise of course.

“HOLY SHIT!” He shouted.

Wesley smirked at Jaakuna’s obvious srurpise. “Focus Jaakuna. We must haste our way to victory.” He said. Jaakuna nodded.

The beast would have a big gash on the right side of its body, but it did not heal. Jaakuna and Wesley made a note of that. “It seems holy magick will be this beast’s downfall.” He said, making a note. “Quick friends, spur up Holy magick and attack swiftly!” Wesley ordered like he was a general of troops.

[Hero]

"My time to shine, then." Nadeline replied, one arm extended outwards and the other pointing her sword to the ground. Once more a white glyph appeared, though this one was much more intricate then the usual ones she crafted. "Holy!" Slowly she lifted her sword to the sky, and a bright light came slowly dancing around Cúchulainn. It swept the ground, picking up momentum, and then the wind came and cleared the air. There was the slightest pause of a thick silence; in that moment, a great Mist was summoned. Emiri quickly jumped backwards, just in time for the ceiling to shine and bring down the purifying light, striking Cúchulainn with full force.

Emiri let out a low whistle as Cúchulainn collapsed to the ground. "What a spell." She noted out loud, absolutely amazed by the sheer force of it.

Nadeline brought her sword down slowly, breathing heavily as she watched the Esper. "It's close to defeat now." She said.

[AlteredTundra]

First seeing Wesley using his control over his own abilities taking on the beast in front of them, Jaakuna would see that the aspect of Holy Magick would damage Cúchulainn. Jaakuna had not talent for that kind of magic whatsoever, so he was at a loss, but as he would see, Nadeline would enter in and use the white magick spell known as Holy, which would further damage to beast. Jaakuna would just look on and feel bad that he had no talent for such a type of magic. However, he would look to Wesley and see that he would be preparing an offense to finish the beast off.

Wesley, raising his sword once more, would focus magickal energy around it. He would also hear how Nadeline would say that the beast was near defeat, and as Wesley acknowledged that, he would continue to concentrate the white magickal power into his blade until it was pure white. With a wave and the uttering of a single word, “Holyara!” The blade would release light of the heavenly kind, embracing Cúchulainn as it would purify its own existence in front of the four. By the time Wesley would drop his sword form the momentum, the beast would cry out in agony as it dissipated in front of them in little bits of green magick essences.

As the beast would be gone form their sight, Jaakuna and Wesley put away their swords. Jaakuna would jump up and down, arms up in the air freely, and woo-hooing at the victory, Wesley would just have a very ecstatic grin upon his face. Though they both were feeling the same, it’s obvious that Wesley and Jaakuna have different ways of celebrating victory.

"Rejoice my friends, for today we conquered and defeated a worthy foe." Wesley said, though now he realizes he sounds a bit silly.

[Hero]

And thus Cúchulainn fell to Wesley's blade. At least, that was the poetic version. The thing got fried, simple as that, though Emiri admitted it was an impressive show. As she sheathed her sword, she stretched a bit and let out a whistle. Nadeline let out a sigh of relief, wrinkling her nose as she crossed her arms. Now Harris was also in the race for the Espers; one more thing to deal with. Rather, one more person to handle, so to speak. Still, a win was a win, so she wasn't going to complain, really.

"Thanks for the finishing blow, captain." Emiri grinned at Wesley, clearly amused at his formal victory quote. "Although it's a slightly hollow victory. The Esper would have been yours if Harris hadn't beaten us to it."

"We can leave now, right?" Nadeline asked, trying not to gag. She was clearly sick of the sewers and craving a bath.

[AlteredTundra]

When Wesley had finished off the beast, he put away his sword. He was pleased with how the battle went, but as Emiri would point out that the beast would have been his to command if they would had gotten to the beast first, Wesley looked slightly disappointed. He did wish that they would had gotten to the Esper before General Harris, but he wasn’t going to get stressed out over it. He would just have to race faster to get the next one. Or at least, the group as a whole would have to.

When he would just nod his head at Nadeline’s request to leave the Waterway as the four of them would exit the clearing and make their way back to the ground level of Rabanastre. When the would see the blue skies, reactions of joy and relief overcame the group. As they would somewhat twirl around, at least the ladies would, Wesley was still thinking about the truce between Rozarria and Archadia. That’s when he motioned Jaakuna to come with him, away from the ladies.

“Jaakuna, I wish to ask you something.”
“Okay what is it?”
“You said that you couldn’t believe your brother would go to such lengths? Can you enlighten me about that?”

Jaakuna looked at Wesley, as he probably didn’t know the whole story, but what was he to tell Wesley? That he was the crown prince of Archadia and that he had fled.

“As you heard from that Harris guy, my brother, who is the emperor of Archadia, wants me back home badly. He believes I have done a crime worthy of teaming up with the enemy empire.” Jaakuna said in a somewhat low tone.

“I see.” Wesley said making a note of what Jaakuna had just said. “I believe we shall return to the palace, don’t you agree?” Wesley spoke.

Nodding, Jaakuna agreed as he would follow Wesley as he would motion the ladies to follow him. They would trek through Rabanastre’s streets, passing the citizens along the way. They would wave hello as they would pass them by. Within minutes, they came to the palace, taking a rest in the garden.

[Hero]

"This alliance troubles me." Nadeline stated flatly, her head perched on the palm of her hand as a rather thoughtful look occupied her face. "Moreso in that once each side obtains what they want, they will return to awaiting the chance to declare war on one another."

The truth was that she found it incredibly hard to believe they could ally one another over something so...decidedly trivial. It was true that criminals feeling to other countries was a problem in itself, but to go so far as to team up with the enemy to capture two people? She could have easily understood it if it was Emiri and Jaakuna, even, but herself? She was rather known for never staying in the same place for too long, why would her father suddenly want her back home? It made no sense to her at all, and she could not come up with any reason no matter how much she thought about it. Perhaps their true target was the Ifrit, it did wonders turning the tide of battle for Rabanastre. But Harris specificlly mentioned herself and Jaakuna. Not Emiri, the girl who could manipulate time and unlock Espers (which the former power was mysteriously absent at the moment), but herself. What further threw a wrench in it was that Harris knew Emiri was with them and recognized her; if he hadn't, then perhaps it would make some sense.

It didn't add up and she did not like it at all.

[AlteredTundra]

As they sat at a four-seated table at the patio in the Royal Garden of the palace, The four of them sit under the shade, so Dalmasca’s heat does not hit them. Jaakuna was just a little worried about what that Harris guy said. However, he wasn’t too worried about it as he was snacking on some Dalmascan rolls and their famous Sweet Ginger tea. He would take a sip of that and take a bite of the rolls. He was too hungry to worry about the stress.

As Jaakuna would just chow down, Wesley would do the same, but with not as much noise coming from his area. Plus, he would also be preoccupied by the events that had transpired in the Garamsythe Waterway. It wasn’t so much that they were late to get to the Impure Esper, Cúchulainn, but rather what General Harris said. There was also the fact of what Jaakuna informed Wesley about. Taking in everything, the Royal Prince of Dalamasca was just trying to make sense of it all. He was considering every angle, but all he has deciphered was that both Empires are working towards a common goal: obtaining Nadeline for Rozarria and Jaakuna for Archadia. Wesley knows not what Jaakuna is wanted for nor what Rozarria for Nadeline.

Wesley sets down his cup of tea, Wesley takes a napkin and lightly pats his mouth. “We seem to truly find ourselves in a bind. If both of the largest empires within Ivalice are truly on a truce, we have limited resources of which we can free hide.” Wesley said thinking about the situation that they find themselves in. “What say you guys? What shall we do to proceed from this?”

[Hero]

Emiri listened to both Nadeline and Wesley, though in all honesty, she was just glad she wasn't the target for once. She wasn't too much hungry, but did indulge in some fresh water. The heat was bearable (she figured she was starting to get used to it) and for the moment, they were in a spot where they were relatively safe. Unless Archadia came knocking at their door. Or Rozarria. Alright, she was somewhat concerned, but as she could not understand the reason, she didn't bother worrying about it too much. She did contemplate on what to do now, and after a moment, she looked up at the sky. "They think to form a cage around us. Little do they know their bars are rather wide." She said her two gil, though on the subject on what to do next, she offered, "So long as we don't get caught, I think we should continue seeking out the Espers. Perhaps we can get some answers from one side?"

Nadeline leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. That had been her thought as well, but she didn't really like it. If both Ixion and Harris had knowledge of the Espers, they could very easily keep on snatching them from them. And then what? "Harris was willing to speak. I highly doubt anyone else we encounter will." The blonde haired girl finally responded, looking at Jaakuna. "But there is little use worrying about it. As Emiri says, should we continue to evade them, we will have little problem having to confront them...Harris and Ixion clearly are not on the same page as the rest." Once more she pulled out the Esper's Tome, flipping it open. "We cannot stay in the same place for too long. Luckily, the Espers don't seem to be geared towards Rozarria or Archadia, their locations seem to veer most towards Dalmasca and Nabudis...well, at least I believe so." She paused for a moment. "The next Esper lies in the Barheim Passage."

[AlteredTundra]

As Jaakuna was finishing up his food, Wesley listened and nodded at what Emiri and Nadeline had to say. He definitely agreed on the fact that as long as they are careful, they should keep on hunting the Espers. Should they run into the enemy, Wesley was positive that they would be able to handle the enemy as long as the group stays together. Of course, Wesley has also considered that the alliance between Rozarria and Archadia might also make things a little more complicated than they already are.

As Jaakuna finished up, he would also make a note about what Emiri and Nadeline had said. He also was on the same boat as Wesley, but he would be more vocal about it and not just think about it. “So, this next one? What does the tomb say?” Jaakuna asked with mouth still somewhat full of food.

Wesley chuckled and looked at the tomb as he slid his chair near Nadeline’s. “Well let’s see.” He read, “It says…Heretic scion who wrapped the world in dark energies, seeking to take the souls of all living things” Wesley kept on reading, trying to decipher the text. “Orignally tasked with the judging of men upon the deaths, his soul was tainted by these curses of those who raged against the heavens.” Wesley read on, “Even now, in defeat, he clutches the shamaness to him in his right arm, and with the aid of her death-wall does he summon the soul of darkness to do his bidding.” He concluded.

Jaakuna just had his jaw dropped. Wesley was intrigued. “So, we are going after the angel of death? Sounds like fun.” Jaakuna sarcastically said.

[Hero]

"An angel of death in the Barheim Passage?" Emiri repeated thoughtfully, thinking to herself. "Hmm...we would have to go through the Estersand. There's supposed to be an entrance way there, supposedly."

"You certainly know your geography." Nadeline commented with a raised eyebrow.

"A result of much travel, my friend." The brunette offered as a response, lightly raising an eyebrow back at her. "Marks are always all over and make you learn the terrain. That and geography has always been an interest of mine." Being a hunter had its perks, after all. Since she left Rozarria, she learned to fend for herself and picked up quite a few things along the way. Knowing locations came with the job, in a sense. If a client sends you off to a certain place you have to know where it is and how to get there. And once you're there you learn the area and its inhabitants. She thought it was obvious, seeing as how Nadeline herself traveled, but she supposed that while Nadeline often went to the cities, Emiri herself went more to the places in between them.

Nadeline then looked at Jaakuna quite seriously at this point. "Take notes, Jaakuna, your love has a thing for travel." She said, her face completely straight as she spoke. This earned her a thrown Dalmascan roll bouncing off her head, courtesy of Emiri. "Hey!"

[AlteredTundra]

The talk about the esper and where it would take the group next was proceeding nicely. Emiri would make a note about how the Barheim Passage, which would lead her to say that there’s an entrance to that place somewhere in the Dalmasca Estersand. Jaakuna had no idea about that at all, but Wesley would nod as he also knew about that. The journey across the Estersand would be a long one and not a very easy one at that. Wesley knew that the Estersand at this time of year has rough winds and several dangerous creatures inhabit the Estersand.

“It seems that we will be heading to the Dalmasca Estersand. We must take stock of anything we need.” Wesley said as he made note of the voyage that would take them across the Estersand.

Jaakuna coughed at the comment that Nadeline, but he was quiet. “Emiri, follow me.” Jaakuna said just standing up and walking away. Something was off about Jaakuna, that much would be clear.

Wesley took note of Jaakuna’s odd behavior, but he was still in the range of Wesley’s voice. “We depart in an hour’s time. Best not to be late, Jaakuna.” Wesley said, elevating his voice to a higher register.

Jaakuna grunted, but acknowledged what Wesley said.

[Hero]

The brunette was slightly surprised by Jaakuna's lack of response. Actually, he didn't really seem to be himself. At his request, she was also surprised. What was wrong? Emiri blinked, slightly confused, but nonetheless stood and followed Jaakuna. Once they were a distance away, she decided to ask, "Is everything alright?"

Nadeline watched the pair leave and let out a low groan. "I think we should pack plenty of water, lest we get heatstroke or suffer from dehydration." She murmured, lightly ruffling her hair. She didn't mind the heat in all honesty, but she wasn't stupid enough to think that the trek through the desert would be all smooth sailings. Besides, sand is hard to walk on in heels. She considered going into town to see if she could maybe buy a pair of boots like the ones Emiri had--at first she questioned the girl's choice in footwear but now she understood why. They protected her from the elements and kept her walking sturdy (she shuddered when she remembered how she kept getting stuck in the mud). "Why don't you and I go resupply while they...talk?" Nadeline asked Wesley.

[AlteredTundra]

As Jaakuna got up and Emiri followed, Nadeline had asked Wesley that while the two of them talk that they should go re-supply on their supplies. Wesley nodded to that. He did know that they were running somewhat low on some items, but when Nadeline made a note about water, Wesley totally agreed. Being in the hot desert, the group would need all the water that they could carry, or they run the risk of dehydration. “Fine, let us go, Nadeline!” Wesley said standing up, hand out to help her up as well.

Meanwhile, within Rabanastre, outside the castle, Jaakuna and Emiri are walking and she would then spring up the question if he was alright. Jaakuna wishes he could answer that simply, but he can’t. What he’s thinking — feeling — isn’t easy to explain. “I think it would be best if I turn myself in to Archadia.” He said it and he feels worse about it. “I’m half the reason why Archadia and Rozarria have come together for a common goal. “ Jaakuna said.

In his own mind, Jaakuna thinks what he just said made sense. In some aspect, it probably did. If he were to turn himself in, Archadia would back off from chasing everyone. He wouldn’t be putting Nadeline in danger, he wouldn’t be putting Wesley in danger, and most importantly, he wouldn’t be putting Emiri in danger.

[Hero]

Nadeline took Wesley's hand gladly. After a moment of walking, however, she did recall something. She put on one of her trademark grins, placing her hands behind her head as she looked at Wesley. "I wasn't aware you could translate the texts. I'm impressed." She admitted rather nonchalantly, quirking an eyebrow at the prince. He spoke about her interest, but she didn't have a clue he was into the same thing. Often the texts were faded and hard to see, so to translate them as he did was a score in her book. Of course normally admitting this was very un-Nadeline-like, but she had to give him something. She made a mental note to start stepping her own game up.

------

He was so...different. It was actually rather startling, so to speak. When Jaakuna told Emiri that he wanted to turn himself in, her eyes widened considerably. This was just so unlike him, what could have possibly elicited this sudden change of heart? One minute he's cursing his brother's name and fighting tooth and nail, now he was surrendering? Really? "I...I don't understand." She confessed slowly, trying to see where he was coming from. She actually felt a little hurt, like he was abandoning her. "I thought we were going to continue together, we can overcome anything if we stick together, remember?" What happened to doing everything as a team?

[AlteredTundra]

Wesley chuckled as he and Nadeline were right about to get the shopping. He didn’t think that it would come as much of a surprise, but perhaps Nadeline was surprised at the fact that Wesley was able to translate entire texts. “Oh, you flatter me Nadeline.” He said smiling. “I am like you — I love to read and fill my head up with knowledge. From such a love I have acquired the skill of translation, specifically ancient texts. I find them very fascinating.” He admitted as he started to sound giddy the more he spoke.

---

Jaakuna understood why Emiri was upset. He did promise to stay with her no matter what, but just something about the alliance between Rozarria and Archadia clicked something in Jaakuna’s mind. He doesn’t know for certain if it’s the fact that eventually they’ll corner all four of them and take them all hostage or if it’s his guilt of killing his father on accident.

“Emiri, the only reason I‘m bringing this up is for you, and for Nadeline and Wesley.” He admitted, turning his gaze to Emiri, eyes full of sadness and just an unwavering guilt. When she said what Jaakuna had said to her about staying together and overcoming the odds as a team, Jaakuna didn’t know what to do there. He knew that what he is saying was wrong, but again, in his own mind, he feels like it’s the only thing to do. “If I stay, it’ll only put you in more danger than you can’t possibly fathom. My brother is a cruel man.” Jaakuna fell down to his ass, against the wall that was nearby. His head down, knees up. “My brother, you have no idea what lengths he’ll go to get me back home.” Jaakuna just kept on going on. He was so lost in his own sadness at the moment, that he couldn’t stop. “You want to know why my brother, the great Emperor of Archadia, is after me so bad?” Jaakuna turned his head to Emiri, and his voice was a little sarcastically-sad when he spoke ‘the great emperor’.

[Hero]

He was serious. Very serious. Emiri carefully knelt down and sat next to Jaakuna, her back to the wall, though she sat on her feet as opposed to bringing her knees up. She listened carefully to his words, trying her hardest to understand where he was coming from, but she couldn't. She didn't know if it was because this was uncharacteristically unlike him, if she didn't consider whatever reason the Emperor had for wanting Jaakuna was important, or even for her own selfish reasons of not wanting to let him go. Maybe she just did not want to understand. If she did, then she could possibly agree with him, and that was just completely out of the question.

Gently taking his hand, she examined it carefully, as if it would hold the answers for her. She held his hand tightly, holding it to her heart, and looked up at him. "I don't care." She found herself saying out of the blue. It was somewhat true, but she didn't expect to say it so bluntly. "I don't care what you did, or why he wants you back, or any of that." Her voice was bolder, somewhat stronger, slightly louder as she made her point. "I don't care about any of that! I want to be with you, and I know if you give yourself up that just won't happen!" She probably sounded like a child. She paused, lowering her voice somewhat as she realized she had basically shouted at him. "I'll protect you. If Savayna or the Emperor or anyone tries to hurt you, I will protect you. I promise."

------

"Knowledge for the sake of knowledge?" Nadeline asked curiously. She found herself wanting to learn more about the prince, whether she wanted to admit it or not. He was an intelligent fellow to say the least. "Take it with stride, I hardly ever give out compliments." She smiled mischievously, though it turned into something slightly more sheepish. "Truth be told, I used to hate books. Being trapped in a castle used to do that. Normally, books would be a manner of escape, but...I hated them precisely because they were a means of escape. I didn't want to be limited to books, I wanted to see the world with my own eyes." She paused, a thoughtful look on her face. "I was such a foolish child."

[AlteredTundra]

Jaakuna couldn’t believe it. Even when he was prepared to tell her all of it, Emiri simply didn’t care. She didn’t care what he did or why Vincent wants him back. The only thing that she seemed to care about was being with him and if Jaakuna were to turn himself in like he said he was thinking about doing, that wouldn’t happen. Jaakuna just felt something being lifted from him. This would happen right as Emiri would put his hand on her heart, squeezing it. He realized now why he fell in love with her, he realized why he was so adamant about keeping her from running away, and he realized how he was just foolish to think about turning himself in.

Jaakuna’s eyes closed and he smiled, then he turned his gaze to Emiri once more. “I’m sorry. I guess I thought if I were to turn myself in to my brother, it would make things better and perhaps just put an end to it all.” Realizing what he was thinking and even saying that, Jaakuna knew that he was just so wrong in even thinking of leaving. Jaakuna would then take Emiri’s hand, squeezing it as if he were scared. The pressure he would put into his squeeze would probably slightly hurt. “It just scares me, the alliance of Rozarria and Archadia scares me.” As Jaakuna would say that, a tear would fall from his eye. He didn’t even notice it.

---

When Wesley and Nadeline would come to the Rabanastre Bazaar, which seems to be constructed back to a state where all the stands are open again, he walks beside Nadeline as she would point out how she hated books. Like how being trapped in a castle did that to her and how she would prefer to go out and see the world. Wesley was with her on that in some aspects, but his agreement came to a stop when she would say that she was a foolish child.

“Nadeline, you are nothing close to foolish. “ He said trying to reassure her. “When I look at you, I see a bright woman. Her eyes are full of wonder. When I look at you, I see a woman who’s desire to see the world is only matched by her intellect.” Wesley said as the two of them kept on walking. “So, please Nadeline don’t think that you are foolish for wanting to see the world more. Most royal heirs want to stay in their cozy castles. You took the bold step to go out and explore the world. That in itself garners true courage and ambition.” He would say as the two of them would go down the Bazaar.

[Hero]

"Cozy castles...hm." Nadeline pondered to herself mostly. As the two stopped in front of a stand, she thought carefully about what Wesley had said. "The first time I snuck out of the castle...when was that? It was so long ago...ah! There was a festival in town--my mother and father were too busy to take me, even though I desperately wanted to go. So I jumped out my window and went into town." She started giggling, grinning at Wesley. "Oh, what an uproar my disappeareance caused! But it was so liberating to see things up close rather then watching from a window. From then on I would always leave the castle as I pleased...Mother and Father encouraged it, but they would want me to go with someone...so I would go with my tutor, Aloa. Harris believed that she would be good to control me, but in reality, Aloa was the one who educated me of the world and its workings."

At this point she was rambling somewhat, a nostalgic gleam in her eye as she recalled the events. "Aloa is a viera, you see...she is very wise. She was like the big sister I never got to have--mind you Emiri is older then me but I always thought of myself as the older one. But if it wasn't for Aloa, I would never have the courage to go and do what I pleased as opposed to doing what is right. 'To be duty bond does not define you as just' she would say, and urged me to think for myself so that if I should ever rule over Rozarria, I would not have a closed mind." She let out a dreamy sigh, looking to Wesley. "Tell me more about yourself, Your Highness. It would pleasure me greatly to know what makes you tick."

------

Jaakuna was afraid? It was the fight with Ixion all over again. Still, she knew what it was like to be so scared that it hurt. Emiri watched Jaakuna, feeling his hand grip hers so tightly, she felt his fear. And she knew. Gods know she understood that feeling. With her free hand she wiped his tear away, and then gently smiled at him. "Do you see how you and I are right here? Can you feel my hand, despite whatever it is that you're feeling?" She asked him. "This is what keeps me going. Just being able to hold your hand like this. So long as I breathe I will fight for this moment and the next. With whatever power I have or don't have I will keep fighting. Nothing Rozarria or Archadia can do will ever break that resolution. Just believe in me, and I will keep you safe from them." Her voice was more determined then ever, her eyes showing equal determination as she squeezed his hand back. She meant every word.