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

[Hero]

As they would sit, Jaakuna seemed like he had something to say. Emiri would place the basket on the table and begin picking out a few of the flowers. As she did, she would notice a letter inside. She would dig it out, noticing it was addressed to Grant. She put it to the side, deciding that she would let Jaakuna speak. She didn't really understand what he was saying but she didn't want to be rude by not paying attention. Still, it was difficult not to get disinterested, and so she would start on the wreath as instructed by Karolina, looking up every so often. Grant on the other hand was very interested in what Jaakuna had to say. He hadn't heard of anything like that, though he was slightly disappointed when he revealed that he hadn't completed it. Then again, Jaakuna was bound very much so to his emotions, so it should be no surprise.

"Thank you for informing us. I just wish we could have had some kind of warning...you up and left without saying anything--nearly gave her a panic attack." Grant would tell Jaakuna, looking at Emiri. It was then that he noticed the letter with his name on it. "Emiri, what is this?"

"I don't know." She replied, focusing on the flowers. "It was in the basket."

The prince took the letter, raising an eyebrow. This was Vlyn's writing, as always. They had just seen one another, why didn't he just tell him anything? He shook his head as he opened it, and as he started to pull it out, the first line immediately caught his attention: Rozarrian Army Branch Anther Casualties. He nearly stuffed the letter back inside, but much like Jaakuna had told his reason for doing what he needed to do, this was something Grant needed to find out. He looked first at Emiri, who had managed to link together a few flowers; no doubt she would finish momentarily. He then looked at Jaakuna, and without realizing that he had taken in a deep breath, he pulled it out. This was just one of many, and more importantly, contained the names of those who had perished in Anther.

Idine, Darryl
Ikki, Joesph
Iniabi, Andre - incapacitated
Iniabi, Justine
Inirio, Cole

He didn't like how Justine's name was crossed out. If this was the list, it meant that she was dead. Lord Andre seemed to be alive, albeit badly injured. He would fold the paper and put it back in the envelope. Emiri hadn't even bothered looking at him, she was concentrating so hard on making the wreath. Grant exhaled slightly, looking at Jaakuna. "Mind if I ask you something?" He would say outloud, though he would gesture towards the hallway and shake his head at Emiri, signaling that he didn't want her to hear what he was about to tell him. He would stand and walk out, and once Jaakuna hopefully followed, he would hand him the envelope. "This is just a part of a list I had gone to investigate when we split up in Stigma." He would tell him quietly.

[AlteredTundra]

When Jaakuna had finished telling Grant — and Emiri, though she was more focused on the flowers that Vlyn had given her — the Rozarrian prince would just thank him for telling him. Though, he would stress that he wished that Jaakuna would have gave them some kind of warning or something of the sort. Jaakuna felt really bad about not leaving more than that recorded message. Grant would also mention that he nearly gave Emiri a panic attack. That much he assumed and while he felt so bad about not leaving anything more, it was hard enough for him to leave the recording. Plus, Jaakuna didn’t even know where he was going, so there’s that too.

As Jaakuna would just stay silent, but nod, he noticed that Grant would look at some paper that was in the basket that Vlyn gave to Emiri. He didn’t know what it was, but it seemed that after a few minutes of looking at it, Grant asked Jaakuna if he could ask him something. Jaakuna didn’t know what this was about or if it had anything to do with the paper he just looked at, but he nod to Grant and look at Emiri. “We’ll be back.” He said to her as he got up and walked to the hallway with Grant.

When Jaakuna was in the hallway, Grant would hand him the piece of paper he was looking at beforehand. “Okay..“ Opening it, Jaakuna looked at the names, and instantly he recognized two names — Lady Justine and Lord Andre. He wasn’t sure what it meant, whether or not the fact that her name was crossed off meant that she was dead or that she was safe and that her name was crossed off cause she wasn’t a casualty. “So, is this supposed to be a list of casualties — the names crossed off I mean? — Or are the names crossed off the ones who aren’t dead?” Jaakuna was hoping that it was the latter, if not for his sake, then for Emiri’s. For when she regains her memories, this’ll hit her hard.

---

Eventually, Wesley and the others arrived at Clyde’s underground lair, to which they would be on the wood platforms. Wesley just didn’t know what to make of any of what had just happened. It was like as soon as he got Hashmaal, the explosion happened. Was it Levi that was behind it and if so, was she just waiting until Wesley got Hashmaal? If so, then what was her plans? Wesley just didn’t know and damn it, he needed to know.

“I really don’t know what happened back there.” WEsley said as he ran his hands through his hair rather aggressively. “The explosion was one thing, but when we were leaving, I could have sworn I saw a shape of a giant snake head for a brief second.” Wesley said, revealing what he might have or might have not seen.

Lannit and Wendy looked at Wesley with expressions that suggested that they were confused. “Giant Snake Head? What is that supposed to mean?” Lannit asked.

“Wesley, you don’t think…”

“I don’t know, Savayna, but if it is, then we might just have more worries than Zodiark and that group of assassins.” Wesley didn’t want to be right. The snake head could be a number of things, but given the timing, Wesley had a strong suspicion that Levi was behind it, but the question remained on why and how. If she truly was behind it, then why did she have black tendrils coming from her body when Wesley attacked her back at The Pharos and even more so, who was her master that she spoke of? These were just questions that Wesley was asking himself.

[Hero]

"That's the question, isn't it?" Grant replied with a shake of the head, taking back the paper and tucking it into one of the pockets he had inside his coat. "The obvious answer is that all the names crossed off are...deceased. Though Lord Andre is alive, I daresay that his condition may not be the best. Vlyn may not have wanted to say anything...even if she is slowly regaining her memories, now may not be the best time to break it to her." He let out a long sigh, ruffling his hair. "There was also something else I wanted to discuss in private. I'd rather get it out in the open, if you don't mind." Grant looked Jaakuna right in the eye. "No doubt everyone else will think so, but...you blame me for what happened to her, don't you?"

Meanwhile Emiri hummed quietly to herself, lacing together the flowers. At the point she was in, a thin line of flowers had been put together, though it could hardly be called a wreath. She worked on one section at a time, concentrating intently. If she could get her memory back, she knew Jaakuna would smile again. A real one, not like those fake ones he's given. That was her goal.

---

Another enemy, was it? Nadeline couldn't help but cluck her tongue at that. Her temper had simmered down somewhat, but she had to admit that she was not happy at all at the moment. She forced herself to stay silent and remain out of the conversation, or else she was more than sure that she may just explode in someone's face without really meaning too. Her hand tousled her locks for a moment, showing her annoyance. No, she just couldn't hold it in anymore. "Now that we're here and relatively safe, I want to know something." Nadeline rather loudly announced, looking at Wesley. "Were you aware of Emiri's 'problem' that Levi mentioned?"

[AlteredTundra]

As he would hear out Grant, Jaakuna agreed. Until Emiri at least got her base memories back and she was able to get to a place where she understood everything, it would be best not to tell her about everything. When Grant would finish up that bit, he would look at Jaakuna sternly in the eyes, and he would ask — or maybe it was confirmation of his thoughts — that Jaakuna blamed Grant for Emiri losing her memory. Jaakuna would think about it. He was torn on that. On one side, he definitely did blame Grant, but after Grant had told him that Emiri nearly had a panic attack, he just knew that she bribed him in some way to make him go with her to find Jaakuna. So, if Jaakuna was to say that he blamed Grant entirely, that would be entirely unfair of him.

“I will admit, there is a part of me that wants to put the entire blame on you.” JAakuna admitted, “you were left to care for her and make sure nothing bad happened and now here we are, she has little memory and it was on your watch, but..” Jaakuna would pause, looking at Grant, “I cannot act as if I am not to blame for this. Cause of my reckless and selfish actions, a domino effect of sorts was put in place. Cause I left, Emiri was left alone and obviously went to go look for me with you by her side. I don’t know what happened that would warrant Chaos to wipe her memory clean or if you were even with her at the time.” Jaakuna continued. “Regardless of that, the important thing is that she’s safe with us, and--” Jaakuna would look back at Emiri as he would turn around and saw her carefully putting the flowers together as Vlyn had instructed her. “--I can make sure nothing else bad happens to her. I will never leave her side again.” Jaakuna said simply walking back to the dining room. He didn’t know what Grant would do with what he just told him, but for the time being, Jaakuna wanted to focus on helping Emiri in any way that he could.

---

As Nadeline would ask such the question that he wasn’t ready for, Wendy instantly knew this was a discussion they needed to have in private. So, without even saying anything, she would guide Savayna and Lannit away. Lannit would go voluntarily, but Savayna would refuse at first, but Wendy gave her the death glare and she would pout, but would also go as well, leaving Wesley and Nadeline to discuss whatever they would in private.

Wesley knew that this would come up, but he surely didn’t prepare for it. “It’s not as simple as saying yes or no.” Wesley said scratching the back of his head. “Yes, I knew about it. Jaakuna told Grant and I yesterday.” Wesley admitted. “JAakuna made us promise not to tell you nor Savayna until he could work his way to confront Emiri about it himself.” Wesley said. He knew that there wasn’t anything he could say that would justify him keeping it from Nadeline. “I intended to tell you before you would find out about it from other means. It was just things kept on happening that delayed me from doing so. Gods know that I didn’t want you to hear it from Levi of all people.”

[Hero]

Grant was somewhat surprised, albeit he felt guiltier now more than ever. Perhaps for some strange reason he wanted to be blamed for it. Still, he wasn't going to refuse it, and he did feel ever so slightly better. As Jaakuna concluded his response to Grant, he would leave him. The prince turned, following him from a distance and simply watched him. Emiri would look up as Jaakuna walked back into the dining room and she would visibly brighten up. Even then, she had eyes only for him. He was glad, and at the same time, his guilt crushed him even more. If he hadn't lost her in the desert, Jaakuna wouldn't be suffering right now, would he?

"Jaakuna." Emiri would say his name for no particular reason, and once she had said it she went back to lacing the flowers together. Once she had her rhythm she had picked up the pace. Grant admitted himself impressed as he watched her fingers carefully intertwine each stem with the other. She continued humming quietly, her concentration so intense you wouldn't think it would be on something so trivial as linking flowers together.

---

What was it with everyone suddenly keeping secrets? What was wrong with everyone? No, Nadeline didn't really care about anyone else. The fact was that her fiance had kept yet another secret from her, and she didn't like it, not one bit. Of course he didn't want her to find out from Levi, she didn't like being kept in the dark, especially if it was for someone so close to her! Nadeline was deathly silent as he spoke, having to resist every urge in her body not to outright start screaming at him. She was furious before, and now she finally got the chance to let it out. "Why in the world wouldn't you say anything?!" Nadeline exclaimed, clearly distressed. "Am I so unimportant I don't deserve to know? This...this is serious, Wesley!" She threw her arms in the air, exasperated. "It's like no one understands the consequences of keeping these secrets! Now Emiri's wandering around gods know where without so much as a shred of identity! How many other secrets do you plan on keeping from me?"

[AlteredTundra]

Yup, he knew that she would get mad. Actually, Wesley was counting on it. He wouldn’t even say anything while she let him have it. He would let her finish as she chewed him out for not telling her any of it. Still, Wesley wasn’t the one to blame here. Sure, he should have told Nadeline, but he was bound by his word to a friend. Everything that makes Wesley the kind of guy that he is all revolved around him keeping his word to people he makes promises to. Once Nadeline finished, Wesley would speak.

“You think that I wanted to keep this a secret from you? I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t.” Wesley was at least going to try and get her to understand why he couldn’t tell her. “I made a promise to Jaakuna. I know it might not seem like it justifies of not telling you, but something that I know you know about me is that my word is my bond.” Wesley said reminding her about..well his honor. “Remember when I swore to not only your father, your mother, but also Grant that I would protect you from any harm? Hell, I made that very same promise to you.” Wesley said reminding her, “I have kept that promise even until this day. I swore to Jaakuna that I would not tell until he would give the go-ahead.” Wesley continued. “Now, granted, I see that it was a mistake as Emiri is even worse off, but I just couldn’t break my word.” Wesley told her.

[Hero]

The princess couldn't believe what she was hearing. So keeping secrets was alright so long as it was a promise to someone? Didn't he understand that all secrets would bring is more deceit and trouble? She felt downright insulted at his justification. He may as well have lied to her face about the entire thing. "That's the thing about secrets, Wesley. They always find a way to come out no matter how hard one tries to hide it." She informed him. "Instead of hearing it from you I got to hear it from that--that woman. You kept Jaakuna's secret from me and he ended up leaving the group. You kept Emiri's secret from me and now she's lost all her memories. You don't understand, do you? The more you try to hide it--regardless of your intentions--it doesn't cover the fact that you basically kept the truth from me." She huffed, clearly agitated. "Of course none of this matters, does it? You'll continue to uphold your corrupted honor...you may as well lie to me!"

[AlteredTundra]

“So, what you thought was admirable is now corrupted?” Wesley just didn’t understand where Nadeline’s logic was coming from. He understood that she was angry at him and she had all the rights to be, but one thing she failed to realize was that Wesley, no matter how hard he would try, he can never turn off his honor. Or as she called it, his corrupted honor. He is a man that will always live by his word. If a man doesn’t have his word, he has nothing.

“So, what would you rather me do? Break every single promise I have gave my word to keep? I’m sorry Nadeline, but I just can’t do that. To break my word, to go against my honor would to go against everything that I stand for.” Wesley said with raised voice and arms moving around in representation of his raised voice. “You’re absolutely right. I did keep the truth from you, but it was on the request of a dear friend who was in so much guilt-ridden pain.” Wesley told her. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the original reason why you fell for me cause I kept my word and didn’t break it no matter what the circumstances were? Or has that changed?“ Wesley would ask, as he was trying to make his case.

---

“MAster Jaakuna, Master Grant, and Lady Emiri! We have arrived at Balfonheim Port!”

“Thank you IRIS!” As Jaakuna thanked Iris, he would look and Emiri and Grant. They had arrived at their destination and now all they needed to do was to find the others.

[Hero]

For just a moment, Nadeline let out a small gasp and stayed quiet. Unfortunately for Wesley, the silence would not linger, and the princess came back as angry as ever. "Do NOT turn this around on me." Nadeline warned him, her voice dangerous and wavering. "I would never keep a secret like that from anyone, especially not you. The entire concept of marriage relies around trust in one another, something you so CLEARLY lack. I trust you wholeheartedly but it would seem that the feeling isn't as mutual as I would have thought!"

---

"What is Balfonheim like?" Emiri asked curiously, making sure to stuff some flowers into her pockets so she wouldn't need to take the entire basket with her.

"It's actually been a very long time since I have been here." Grant confessed to her. "Though as a port, many ships come through here carrying merchants and supplies. Also a magnet for some pirates...nothing to worry about, though." He explained, lightly patting her head.

"I don't need protection." She declared, puffing out her cheeks. "I can handle myself!"

[AlteredTundra]

As Emiri asked what Balfonheim was like, Grant would explain that it pretty much a pirate town, which she was right. Jaakuna has always ventured to Balfonheim when he had the time. It always brought him back to a place where he wasn’t judged for being the crown prince of Archades. Plus, since two of his oldest friends had very strong ties to Balfonheim, it really made it easy for him to have reasons to come to that place. Emiri would state that she didn’t need protection as she could handle herself. Jaakuna just smiled at her. Her old self was coming back.

“Well, then let’s go.” Jaakuna said as he would lead both of them to the Beaming Station.

---

In the past, Wesley adored when Nadeline would let her anger take control. He always loved seeing her show that she had a backbone, but some day he knew that it would come back to bite him in the ass and it seemed that the day had arrived as it was the current one. “I wasn’t even trying to do that.” Wesley would respond, trying to keep what little calmness he had left. He just looked at her. “What is this all about, really? I find it hard to believe that this is just about me not telling you about the promise that I made to Jaakuna.” Wesley asked as he knew he was already treading on thin ice. “This couldn’t perhaps also be about the fact that, only by marriage, Levi is my aunt, could it?”

[Hero]

Nadeline looked at Wesley incredulously. "I could care less about that woman." She stated. "What I DO care about is the fact that my fiance thinks it's alright to keep the truth from me!" And there it was, whatever little hold she had over her temper had cracked. She basically yelled at him, but the worst part was that she wasn't done. Not yet. "This is about you not trusting me, this is about the fact that despite agreeing to give up my entire life for you, you'd prefer to lie to me to protect some sort of honor that you have! THAT is what this is about! Why would I care about Levi?! At the very least SHE has never LIED to me!"

[AlteredTundra]

She did not just say what I think she did? Wesley was completely taken back by Nadeline’s comparison of Wesley to Levi. No, that wasn’t even the worst part of it all. She could compare him to whoever she wanted to and Wesley would have at least accepted that. No, it was the fact that she said that Levi never lied to her. That was pretty much saying that everything that had happened between the two of them, from the good, the great, and even the slightly bad, that just cause of this one lie — granted it was a huge one — it was all thrown out of the window. That was what got Wesley a little more annoyed than he was beforehand.

Wesley just looked at her. He clearly had an irritated expression on his face, not even sure what he could say that wouldn’t make things worse than they already were, but he was going to at least try. “You really think that I had any choice in the matter? Actually, don’t answer that, cause I did.” Wesley said in raised voice. “I chose not to tell you cause my honor code demanded me to do so, but I can’t expect you to understand that. No, you can’t even begin to understand it.” It was Wesley’s turn to let off some of his own frustration. “You want to know how I felt when Jaakuna not only told us about Emiri’s condition, but about what he did back in Nabudis?” Wesley would rhetorically ask her. “I wanted to refuse right then and there even after I promised. I wanted to tell him that despite my honor as a Dalmascan man, that I wouldn’t keep his secret, but I didn’t. Instead, I suffered in my own silence.” Wesley said as his voice was damn well near the levels that Nadeline’s had taken.

[Hero]

There was no getting through to Wesley. Nadeline could sit there and argue her point and reiterate that what he did was wrong, but he wasn't budging and quite frankly neither was she. She threw her arms up in the air, and promptly marched out. More like stomped, really; the heels of her boots clacked loudly against the ground, threatening to break either the shoe or the ground beneath her. She didn't care where she went, all she knew was that she could not stand to even breathe the same air as Wesley right now. The princess marched right out of the hideout and didn't bother explaining herself or saying anything to anyone as she left. She wanted to hit something--someone. Without thinking, she would go to the White Cap Wench's Bar. She needed a damn drink.

[AlteredTundra]

Just as Nadeline had done, Wesley too said nothing. However, unlike her, he stayed where he was. He would just see her storm off. Obviously she wasn’t happy at what Wesley had said. Or perhaps she decided to call it quits in fear that one of them might say something that they probably would regret saying.

Wesley would then walk out of the lair and instantly was confronted by Savayna, Lannit, and Wendy, all with eyes of curiosity. Wesley just sighed. “Not now guys.” Wesley simply said.

Savayna let out a comedic gasp as if insulted(not really). “C’mon Wesley, we heard it all.” Savayna said trying to persuade Wesley to tell her.

“I SAID NOT NOW!” Wesley instantly snapped back.

Savayna stepped back. She knew that Wesley and Nadeline had a huge argument. She just didn’t know that it was that bad. She knew that Wesley only snapped in such a way that he just did when things were dire. At least, that’s what she would imagine from a guy like him.

Lannit and Wendy just looked as Wesley just went along his way. “I hope that they can work it out.” Wendy would state as she looked at Lannit. “Me too honey, me too.”

---

As the trio went about their way in Balfonheim, Jaakuna would notice quite a few familiar faces as they would just say hello to him. Obviously Jaakuna was a well-known name around in Balfonheim. He did visit Balfonheim a lot back when he was a teenager, so it was no surprise that he would be instantly recognized. Thankfully for Jaakuna, the pirates could care less on whether or not he was a former disgraced prince or whatever.

“We should go to White Cap. If anything, we’ll be able to get some intel of the latest rumors around town.” Jaakuna said as he would lead Emiri and Grant to the port’s local bar.

[Hero]

Nadeline sat at the bar, head in her hands. Her drink was right in front of her, finished, but she didn't feel any better than she did before. Arguably, she felt even worse. She let out a long sigh in time for the bartender to swoop in. He lightly tapped her head, grinning as she looked up."Lookin' worse for wear, love. Boyfriend troubles?" His voice was somewhat peppy but somehow comforting. "Don't you worry now, love, ol' Taru will take care of ye. Let me refill that glass of yours, then we'll talk."

She wanted to protest but found herself either too lazy or just not caring. She ruffled her hair in agitation, though she caught the slightest hint of a giggle. Not the normal kind either, the one that often mocked whoever received it. The blonde haired princess looked to her left and found the source. Sitting next to her was a rather handsome and rather shirtless man smirking lightly at her. He was not the one giggling though, that honor was to the woman sitting on his lap. Her shirt was so tight her breasts were practically begging to be freed of the shirt, and Nadeline would not have been surprised if they popped out. The woman would hop off of him in a moment. "Let me just powder my nose, I'll be right back, Kaleb." She spoke in a very sultry and sexy voice, lightly kissing him.

Kaleb would nod at her and watch her go, obviously enjoying the view. His brown eyes would linger on her for a moment, and would flicker onto Nadeline. He raised an eyebrow at her, at which point Nadeline would go back to looking at the bar. She heard the sound of the seat scraping against the floor though paid no mind to it--until she noticed that he had gotten right behind her, placing both hands on either side of her. Nadeline looked back at him, clearly disinterested and annoyed. "May I help you with something?" She asked curtly.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing, angel." His voice reminded her a lot of those playboys. "Why don't you show me a smile? That face of yours is too pretty to be so sad."

Was he hitting on her? Had he no shame? "Leave me alone." She snapped, turning back to the bar. He removed his hands and would place them under her seat, and he would spin her so that she was facing him. This little trick did not amuse her at all. "What do you want?" She asked, annoyed.

"Aw, don't be like that, all I want to do is make you smile." He told her, getting up close and personal. He reeked of cigars--how she hated that smell. "Don't be so cold, what's a guy to do when he sees some pretty thing like you so sad?"

"Don't bother. I'm engaged." He raised an eyebrow again, and without breaking eye contact he would lift up her left hand. He rubbed his thumb over her ring finger, insinuating the obvious. Did he think she was lying? "He hasn't gotten me a ring yet." She muttered.

Kaleb would smirk slightly, leaning in. She stared right at him, obviously annoyed, though she would let out a gasp of surprise as he would suddenly put both his hands on her bottom, effectively lifting her off her seat. "I kinda like that expression. Real cute." He told her.

"Do you mind!?" She smacked both his hands repeatedly. "Release me at once!"

"Wha? Bossy, ain'tcha? I bet you're a noble from Archadia, eh? Must be nice." He murmured, leaning in.

She couldn't believe the nerve of him, he was going to kiss her! He almost did too, if only because Nadeline was so shocked that he had the audacity to do such a thing when he was here with some other girl. Why in the world would anyone fall for these sorts of tricks? At this point, she had enough; a sharp slap to the face would halt Kaleb's advance, and a prompt shove would get him off of her. Some people let out a few quiet laughs, having been watching the situation. At that point Taru had returned with her drink, somewhat confused. She would grab the glass and dunk it over Kaleb's head, earning some hollers and cheers.

"What are you doing, you bitch?!" A voice screeched, and before Nadeline could react she was spun around and promptly smacked. It seemed that Kaleb's little tramp had returned, rather unpleased.

Nadeline's eyes were wide, but those blues would narrow dangerously. That was it. She had enough of everyone.

---

At Jaakuna's suggestion, Grant couldn't help but scoff a little. In Balfonheim the rowdiest pirates took up their place in the White Cap. While he was right in them being able to find information, no doubt there'd be lingering eyes. He was a man of class, the riffraff of the place just didn't mesh well with him. Of course, considering the circumstances he would oblige and follow, though for some reason as they got closer he was pretty sure he knew which was the bar. A whole lot of noise was coming from the place, the sound of glass breaking and chairs being thrown rather prominent. He wanted to say he was surprised, but really, he wasn't. Not even when a man came flying out the door and landed right in front of them.

Emiri let out a slight gasp. "Oh my...what is happening in there?"

Grant knelt down next to the man. "What is going on in there?"

"Bar fight, what else?" The man groaned, rubbing his head. "Although...it's usually a drunk guy that starts them. Blonde haired chick is sober, still. Damn it, why couldn't Kaleb just keep his hands to himself...?"

Grant rolled his eyes, though a thought occurred to him. Not that he would accuse her, but starting a bar fight seemed right up Savayna's alley. He gave Jaakuna a shrug. "Emiri, stay right here, alright?" He told her. The brunette would nod, eyeing the place rather cautiously as Grant would head in. Sure enough people were as rowdy as ever, though he did note that a group had huddled in the center. A few people were trying to get everyone to calm down, but to no avail. Grant shook his head and pushed through the crowd, eventually coming through to the center, but he would find quite the surprise there.

Namely said surprise being Nadeline fighting some brown haired man.

[AlteredTundra]

When the trio would arrive at White Cap, they would be stopped as a guy came flying out and landed right in front of them. Of course this alarmed them and as both Emiri and Grant would ask the guy what exactly was happened, he would respond by saying that it was a bar fight of course. Jaakuna shook his head at that, but the man also would make a mention about a blonde woman. On that note, Jaakuna thought of Savayna. She was the only one who would openly start a bar fight. Then, he said something that Jaakuna nearly lost it on. He mentioned Kaleb. Jaakuna knew Kaleb all too well and if he was mixed in this, then he must’ve made the wrong move.

Grant would look at Emiri telling her stay outside while he went in. Jaakuna knew that was a bad idea. A guy like Grant doesn’t stand a chance. As Jaakuna would go inside, he would pull Emiri’s arm with him. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe with me, but Grant, on the other hand..” Jaakuna said to Emiri as he was really worried that Grant wouldn’t be able to handle himself.

As Jaakuna with Emiri went inside, instantly everyone gave him a look. It took a few seconds for them to realize who he was and they instantly stepped aside. Jaakuna would see that Grant forced himself through the crowd. Jaakuna would simply walk to the crowd. Unlike Grant who had to force himself through, Jaakuna just walked up and everyone would gasp in surprise and step aside, making way for Jaakuna and Emiri. Jaakuna, however, was surprised to see, as was Grant, Nadeline fighting a brown-haired woman. Jaakuna just shook his head.

Jaakuna stepped forward, only to release Emiri’s hand right when she was beside Grant, and he would pull off the woman that was on top of Nadeline. “Seriously Trish..” Jaakuna said as he had the brown-haired woman shirt, raising her up off the ground and he would gently toss her a foot to the other direction.

“Who fucking dares to thr--” Trish said as she shook her head and saw Jaakuna. “Oh, Jaakuna, I had no idea you were in town. Is this woman yours?”

[Hero]

"I thought I was your woman." Emiri told Jaakuna, somewhat confused. "Is this girl your woman, too?"

Grant opened his mouth to dispute this, but he couldn't hold back a snort of laughter. As he did, he noticed Nadeline had gotten to her feet--and she was still mad. "Oh no you don't--" He swooped in, grabbing her by the waist before she could pounce on Trish. "Settle down, young lady, mind your manners." He said as she writhed in his grip.

"I swear everyone here is INSANE!" Nadeline yelled rather dramatically. Grant could smell the rum on her; despite what the man had said obviously Nadeline had been drinking. "The nerve of that tramp, she has no idea who I am!"

"You're Jaakuna's other woman." Emiri would tell her rather solemnly.

The prince nearly released Nadeline to laugh but he held her firmly. After a moment it seemed that she tired herself out, as she stopped struggling, though she wouldn't relent her death glare at Trish. Only then would Grant put her down, at which point she would cross her arms, muttering something about her stature and being above everyone here, though her words were somewhat slurred and hard to hear unless you were right next to her.

[AlteredTundra]

On the very instant that Emiri would ask if Trish was his woman, Jaakuna looked back at her. "Oh gods no. This tramp isn't my woman." Jaakuna said as he suddenly heard the words of Trish.

"What do you mean Tramp? I have all the dignity in the world!" She proclaimed.

"No you don't. You have slept with everyone in this bar." Jaakuna responded harshly.

After they went a few rounds of verbal insults, Nadeline would attempt to go at them, but that's when Grant would swoop in and not allow her to do as such. Jaakuna noticed that this was a big mess and he knew it was Kaleb's fault. That guy was always starting up trouble for the females. Fortuneately for everyone, Grant calmed down Nadeline, only to see that she was not entirely pleased. Jaakuna sighed and he just looked at everyone around. "What are you all gawking at!? The show's over. Go back to your drinking." Jaakuna ordered as he would yell at the top of his voice, and everyone would do as they were told, even Trish; though based on her mannerisms, she wasn't happy at all.

Turning to Emiri, Jaakuna spoke. "You're the only one for me, Emiri. Trish over there is not my woman and Nadeline here is definitely not my woman; too high-maintenance." JAakuna joked lightly.

[Hero]

The brunette would smile very happily. "And you're the only one for me, Jaakuna." She replied very cheerfully.

"Jaakuna?" Nadeline looked at him as if he were some sort of illusion. "Oh my gods Emiri will be so happy! You--No, wait...How dare you!" She would gasp rather loudly, and her palm would smack Jaakuna's cheek rather weakly. She would then push on his face, no doubt confusing him (and everyone else). Grant figured that perhaps she was trying to smack him and failing miserably, and at that point he just couldn't hold in his laughter; the princess was just pathetic at this point. "Showing your face around here...who do you think you are?! I've been worried sick!" She whined, stomping her foot.

Emiri stared at Nadeline with wide eyes, slightly afraid of her mannerisms. To her, she was just crazy. She looked between her and Jaakuna, and she would look at Grant. "Who...who is this...?" She asked, slightly fearful of the answer.

"Nadeline...I think you've had enough." Grant shook his head, finally having laughed enough. "Emiri, this is Nadeline. She grew up with us...and she's the princess of Rozarria."

"She's not really acting like a princess..."

Nadeline heard that and went up to Emiri. "Oh no, I am furious with you as well! Keeping secrets from us...who do you think you are?!" She probably meant to yell but it was so slurred that Emiri just looked at her, confused. "You and Jaakuna and Wesley...and GRANT!" She remembered him, going up to him and shoving him to the side. "I hate you all!" She wailed, punching Grant's shoulder. The prince just looked at her, amazed. Her punches were weak to begin with but by the gods...she had gone mad.

[AlteredTundra]

As Emiri and Jaakuna just looked at each other with such gleeful bliss, Nadeline would come in and ruin the moment. First, she would say Jaakuna's name as if to confirm it was him. Then, she would go on about how Emiri would be so happy and then she started going on about how dare him show his face around here. Obviously it was the alcohol talking and it would be evident as she would start whining and just doing all sorts of shit like foot-stomping. Jaakuna couldn't help but notice that Emiri was slightly frightened and she would ask who the woman was and Grant would reveal to her who she was and Jaakuna laughed as Emiri made the comment about how she wasn't acting like a princess.

"Come on now, Nadeline. Let's go home, you're obviously drunk." Jaakuna said as he would try to get her to come with him, but she refused obviously.

As Jaakuna just couldn't help but look at Nadeline as she went off about how she was furious with everyone about keeping secrets, though she only mentioned the guys, which meant that she found out about how Jaakuna made Grant and Wesley promise that they wouldn't tell their respective woman about Emiri's power. it didn't help that the alcohol in her system was making it even worse, more so than how she normally would be. By the time that Nadeline had started punching GRant's shoulder, Jaakuna just shook his head at how sad Nadeline was being.

As Jaakuna was about to say something he just looked around to see if anyone was watching(they were), he would catch some familiar faces in the entrance to the bar. "Well finally you got here." Jaakuna would speak aloud.

"JAAKIE!!!!" Lannit instantly started to run and jumped to tacklehug Jaakuna, whom in which would raise his leg up and Lannit's face would meet Jaakuna's foot, which caused him to be sent flying out of the club, to which Wendy and the others would simply sidestep him.

"My poor honey."
"More like dumbass."
"A pity"

Wendy, Savayna, and Wesley respectively said as they just shook their head at Lannit and they noticed Jaakuna over by Emiri, Grant, and Nadeline. Savayna was happy to see Nadeline, but WEsley turned his head in shame. No doubt that Nadeline was still incredibly mad at him.