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Mcmolly"It's surprising, really." Lorenzo murmured into his cup of coffee.
Grant raised his glass to take a swig of his juice, though he hesitated slightly. He placed it down and let out a small sigh. "It's too bad...I actually liked Vincent."
The pair of brothers sat in Lorenzo's bedroom, seated next to the bed. Breakfast was laid out in front of them on a large, silver tray. The room was overly bright, as every window and door had been thrown open to invite the sun inside. The gentle breeze blew through every once in a while, giving the feel of being outside despite the roof and walls around them. Grant and Lorenzo were seated right next to one another, quite relaxed. In the bed sat Karolina, Lorenzo's wife. Her golden curls cascaded around her, her pale skin giving her the look of an angel despite being very sick. The three had agreed to have breakfast together, as the poor woman was worried about her daughter escaping from Grant. The news of the Archadian general's betrayal was also the topic of gossip: no doubt it would spread like wildfire, though they made sure to keep a lid on it as best they could.
Karolina looked at Grant curiously. "What do you mean?" She asked him.
"Reia is not happy about both Nadeline's disappearance and the girl escaping. It's clear that the general aided them. I am sure the truce has taken a hit for the worse." He sighed a response, though looked at his hand. "Not to mention I'm sure Archadia isn't too happy that I possess the Esper. It's a shame, really, I thought with our combined forces we could actually achieve something."
"The entire thing seemed shifty in the first place." Lorenzo announced. "I bet they're planning to back-stab us as we speak!"
"Even if that were true, tensions are much too high to act in haste." Grant reminded him.
"I'm telling you, this whole thing is a mess waiting to happen!"
Karolina shook her head, clutching her blanket tightly. "Oh Nadeline...what could she be thinking, going with a criminal like that? I'm so worried..." She whispered, her voice wavering.
The two men fell silent, looking at one another. Lorenzo took her hand in his, giving her a reassuring look. "Emelia is with her. I'm sure no harm will come to her..." He shot Grant a look.
"I suppose that's my cue to leave." Grant spoke, rising from his seat.
"What? Where are you going?"
Grant stopped before the door, looking at Lorenzo. "Archades. Let's see if I can salvage this little alliance. Despite whatever has happened, the Emperor is not a fool. Perhaps we still have something to offer to them...and something to gain."
It was dark. Very dark. No matter what she did, she could not see in front of her. She opened and closed her eyes several times, as if things would clear up if she did so. And yet, her hands felt something in fron of her, like a cloth, but lighter. She yanked it off her, and to her surprise, the entire room was in white. White flowers, white benches, people dressed in white--including herself. Was this a wedding? It couldn't be, there was also red. Red dripping off the flowers, red on people's bodies. And yet she walked down the aisle, as if it were perfectly normal.
Her groom turns to her, his hair dripping red as well. His smile is so gentle, and it is so unlike Grant. She placed her hands on her hips, waving around at everything. "You've gone and ruined everything! You know I have always wanted a white wedding!" She yells at him, clearly displeased.
He bows his head down, and takes both of her hands. "You must forgive me, I could not help it. The red stands out so beautifully, do you not see?" He holds up a white rose to show her.
She snatches it from his grasp to inspect it, and she tosses it over her shoulder. In lands on the ground, melting and becoming a small pool. She stomps on it several times, though to her dismay, now her dress has been splattered with red. How dreadful! She turns back to Grant, only to see him brandishing a knife. The scene changes all around her, and she is back in the holding cell of the Ark. Except the white and red remain, the red staining just about everything. She looks at her dress, now ruined, though she notices that her shoulder seems to be dripping with blood.
"Be a good girl and sit still." Grant tells her, advancing on her.
She trips over her dress, landing on the bench. As she tries to sit up, she realizes somehow her arms are chained above her head. It cannot be! When did this happen? She looks at Grant with a small frown on her face. "Sit still? You're going to hurt me! Why would I do that?"
He ponders her words, though he snaps his fingers, having an idea. "You're absolutely right! We're missing someone, aren't we? I'm the bad guy, you're the princess...but who's the hero?" He asks her, now placing his hands on his hips and turning away from her. "Oh hero! Where are you? The princess needs your help!"
"Help! Help! I need help from...wait, who did you say was the villain?" She asks.
To her surprise, the person before her has changed. He looks the same from behind, but now, his black hair has become blonde. And as he turns, his dark eyes are now green. Jaakuna smiles at her, raising his knife.
"I'm the villain, don't you see?"
Emiri jolts awake, sitting up and grasping her shoulder. She breathes in and out heavily, gasping for air, until she realizes where she is. She was in the Ifrit, where she had fallen asleep. Letting out a great sigh of relief, she looked at her hands. They were still shaking. What a dream...rather, a nightmare. She held her head in her hands, trying to calm herself down. It was just a bad dream, it was not real. But it was so weird, so out there...why did she have it, anyway? She was safe from Grant, far away from him. But in her dream, Grant did not harm her. Jaakuna did. Jaakuna killed her.
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Their kiss ended, and when it did, he held her close to him still. He told her how he remembered a dream--could he mean the paradis he was trapped in? For the slightest moment, she froze up. Did he remember what she had said to get him out of it? She didn't mean to reveal her scars, but she secretly hoped he would have forgotten about them. That and in case anything like that ever happened again, she could still use it as leverage, so to speak. Her worries went away, however, as she looked at him. She brought a hand up to his face, wiping away his tears. She touched his cheek gently, looking into those green eyes of his. She could probably stare into them all day, if she could. He looked so happy, as if the day's events hadn't affected him at all. This moment of peace, she was thankful for.
"Hold onto it." She whispered.
"Hold onto it." She whispered.
Apparently it was more then okay.
He kissed her again. He seemed to do that a lot. Not that she minded...just that he always managed to surprise her. Why was it always a surprise? Perhaps the day's events had caught up to her. She pushed them all aside mentally however, wishing only for the moment. She really felt like she could melt in his arms, her heart racing against her chest. It was so foreign, but she really, really enjoyed it. Maybe too much. But that wasn't a bad thing, right? No, it was in a good way. He felt so warm, so close. He was right here with her, that was all she needed. She fought for this moment, and the next, and it was just so worth it.
He kissed her again. He seemed to do that a lot. Not that she minded...just that he always managed to surprise her. Why was it always a surprise? Perhaps the day's events had caught up to her. She pushed them all aside mentally however, wishing only for the moment. She really felt like she could melt in his arms, her heart racing against her chest. It was so foreign, but she really, really enjoyed it. Maybe too much. But that wasn't a bad thing, right? No, it was in a good way. He felt so warm, so close. He was right here with her, that was all she needed. She fought for this moment, and the next, and it was just so worth it.
He was serious. She half expected him to start teasing her, but there he was, just looking at her. She nodded, releasing his hand temporarily as she sat down, her legs dangling off the bed. She unlaced her boots, somewhat fumbling in her sudden nervousness. She slipped them both off, placing them side by side, and she crawled up next to him. She laid herself down on her side, facing him, and unable to hide her red face. What was she getting so worked up for? She wasn't sure, but her heart was beating like crazy. She looked up at him with her big, nervous violet eyes, a blush still on her face.
"Is this okay?" She asked him, unsure. She wasn't entirely sure how two people slept in the same bed. She often enjoyed sleeping alone most of the time and was not used to having to share a space. Not that Jaakuna's bed was small, the issue so to speak was having another body on the same bed. But people did this all the time, right? She recalled Nadeline and her sharing a bed, once, but that was a long time ago, and she distinctly remembered getting kicked off and having to sleep on the floor.
"Is this okay?" She asked him, unsure. She wasn't entirely sure how two people slept in the same bed. She often enjoyed sleeping alone most of the time and was not used to having to share a space. Not that Jaakuna's bed was small, the issue so to speak was having another body on the same bed. But people did this all the time, right? She recalled Nadeline and her sharing a bed, once, but that was a long time ago, and she distinctly remembered getting kicked off and having to sleep on the floor.
Stay with him? As in, sleeping together? In the same bed? Emiri felt her face turn slightly red at his request. It was sudden, that was for sure. That and she wasn't quite expecting that. She watched him, her eyes searching for something, and she recalled his paradise. She wondered if he remembered any of it, or did it fade away once he had been freed? She felt her face turn redder as she recalled their relationship there. Still, she didn't feel like she could really refuse him. It was such an honest, simple request. It would be a good way to make sure he didn't disappear again.
"If...if that's what you want..." She mumbled quietly, trying not to show her embarrassment as she diverts her eyes. It was weird, she didn't usually feel so embarrassed, but it was such a direct request.
"If...if that's what you want..." She mumbled quietly, trying not to show her embarrassment as she diverts her eyes. It was weird, she didn't usually feel so embarrassed, but it was such a direct request.
Jaakuna had nearly pulled the brunette with her; by whatever miracle, she did not fall. Still, she gladly pulled him up, taking an arm of his over her shoulder, and the two shuffled out of the medic bay. Emiri took her time helping him to his room as she did not want to push him too hard. The trip was a short one, and soon she was easing him into his bed, letting him lay down. Somehow through all this, she had still managed to have kept holding his hand--or had she grasped it when she let him down? Either way, she felt his warmth, and was happy. It wasn't empty like before, he was back. He was back with her now.
That thought alone was enough to invigorate her, and she couldn't help but thank the gods for this. He was awake. No energy, sure, but that wasn't something that a good rest could not fix. She hoped he wasn't hurt elsewhere, though she was sure Nadeline would look him over (she doubted she would trust IRIS' medical knowledge, but who knows). Right now, he seemed okay. Tired, but okay. That was all she needed for right now.
"Welcome back." She told him with a small smile on her face, taking his with both of hers. "You're here with me. For real now."
That thought alone was enough to invigorate her, and she couldn't help but thank the gods for this. He was awake. No energy, sure, but that wasn't something that a good rest could not fix. She hoped he wasn't hurt elsewhere, though she was sure Nadeline would look him over (she doubted she would trust IRIS' medical knowledge, but who knows). Right now, he seemed okay. Tired, but okay. That was all she needed for right now.
"Welcome back." She told him with a small smile on her face, taking his with both of hers. "You're here with me. For real now."
Nadeline looked at Jaakuna worriedly, her eyes darting from him, to Wesley, to the machine. Aloa never mentioned this happening! She bit her lip, praying to the gods that this would pass. And then, suddenly, the beeping stops. She almost screams, but realizes it's her nerves deceiving her: the machine had gone back to sounding how it was before, just not as loud. She had almost fainted from the fright, and at the moment was clinging onto Wesley's arm so tightly her nails were probably digging into him. And then, it happened--Jaakuna opened his eyes. She let out what was half a cheer and yell of relief, and she squeezed Wesley tightly. Oh, the gods had heard her prayers, he was awake!
Emiri's own eyes shot open, and she let out a gasp. What had happened? Where was she? As she looked around, her eyes adjusting to the light, she saw (heard) Nadeline's shrieks of victory, Wesley's face, Savayna's relieved look, and then she saw him. Jaakuna was looking right back at her. It was then she realized that somehow she had still held onto his hand. She let out an immense sigh of relief, putting her head down and squeezing his hand as tightly as she could. She hoped it hurt, because she nearly had a heart attack. "Thank the gods..." She murmurs lightly.
Nadeline ceases her cheering, clearing her throat. "Alright, now that that's settled, everyone to their rooms, now." She orders each one of them, clapping her hands."Gods know we all need the rest--all of us." She stresses, triumphantly grinning from ear to ear.
Emiri looks up at this, blinking at Nadeline. "All of us? Jaakuna should rest here--"
"In the comfort of his room. Take him there, that's the doctor's orders." She dismisses Emiri, though at this point she exits the room. The adrenaline was just about to wear off, and she wanted to fall into a bed and just sleep.
Emiri lets out a sigh, and puts her head down again. Rest sounded pretty good.
Emiri's own eyes shot open, and she let out a gasp. What had happened? Where was she? As she looked around, her eyes adjusting to the light, she saw (heard) Nadeline's shrieks of victory, Wesley's face, Savayna's relieved look, and then she saw him. Jaakuna was looking right back at her. It was then she realized that somehow she had still held onto his hand. She let out an immense sigh of relief, putting her head down and squeezing his hand as tightly as she could. She hoped it hurt, because she nearly had a heart attack. "Thank the gods..." She murmurs lightly.
Nadeline ceases her cheering, clearing her throat. "Alright, now that that's settled, everyone to their rooms, now." She orders each one of them, clapping her hands."Gods know we all need the rest--all of us." She stresses, triumphantly grinning from ear to ear.
Emiri looks up at this, blinking at Nadeline. "All of us? Jaakuna should rest here--"
"In the comfort of his room. Take him there, that's the doctor's orders." She dismisses Emiri, though at this point she exits the room. The adrenaline was just about to wear off, and she wanted to fall into a bed and just sleep.
Emiri lets out a sigh, and puts her head down again. Rest sounded pretty good.
I take it back, I take it back, this was a terrible idea!
The sudden eruption of the Mist had caught her completely off guard. She threw her hands above her head, and as everything disappeared, she felt herself panic. This was definitely not normal, nor was it a good thing. As she looked around, she could see everything fade, until she was surrounded by darkness. She couldn't tell if she was floating or falling--she felt so damn confused. And yet, she had one thing on her mind, and one thing only, and that one thing was no where in sight. She opened her mouth to speak, and that was when she heard him. It came from below--he was falling!
Without really thinking, she somehow managed to dive after him. No matter how close she got, he seemed like he was so far away. I'll protect you, I promise. Her own words echoed into her head, and she willed herself to go faster. Closer, closer still, and soon, she found herself grabbing his arm. Somehow (which she really did not understand or know how) she managed to grab his hand, grasping it tightly. "I'm here! I'm right here!" She called out to him, doing whatever it took to not let go. "I'm not leaving without you!"
As she finished her sentence, a bright light began to glow from her hand holding him. It started small, but it grew more and more, brighter and brighter. She squinted through it, grabbing Jaakuna now with both hands. "Jaakuna?!" She called out, but she couldn't hear her own voice. JAAKUNA!" The light grew brighter still, until it full on blinded her. At this point, she didn't know what was going on anymore, and soon that bright light faded away to darkness. The last thing she remembered was holding his hand--she would never let go.
The sudden eruption of the Mist had caught her completely off guard. She threw her hands above her head, and as everything disappeared, she felt herself panic. This was definitely not normal, nor was it a good thing. As she looked around, she could see everything fade, until she was surrounded by darkness. She couldn't tell if she was floating or falling--she felt so damn confused. And yet, she had one thing on her mind, and one thing only, and that one thing was no where in sight. She opened her mouth to speak, and that was when she heard him. It came from below--he was falling!
Without really thinking, she somehow managed to dive after him. No matter how close she got, he seemed like he was so far away. I'll protect you, I promise. Her own words echoed into her head, and she willed herself to go faster. Closer, closer still, and soon, she found herself grabbing his arm. Somehow (which she really did not understand or know how) she managed to grab his hand, grasping it tightly. "I'm here! I'm right here!" She called out to him, doing whatever it took to not let go. "I'm not leaving without you!"
As she finished her sentence, a bright light began to glow from her hand holding him. It started small, but it grew more and more, brighter and brighter. She squinted through it, grabbing Jaakuna now with both hands. "Jaakuna?!" She called out, but she couldn't hear her own voice. JAAKUNA!" The light grew brighter still, until it full on blinded her. At this point, she didn't know what was going on anymore, and soon that bright light faded away to darkness. The last thing she remembered was holding his hand--she would never let go.
Had she overdone it? Emiri watched Jaakuna, suddenly regretting her little plan. And yet, the air around them had changed--though whether it was for the better or worse, she knew not. Still, she could not deny it--it was working. She couldn't stop, she had to keep going, as much as it pained her to see him like this. She looked at him sadly, shaking her head. "You can't remember what you've never seen." She told him quietly. "You need to see the truth, Jaakuna. All this...this isn't real. None of this is. Maybe someday it will be, but right now...right now, we need to go back together. Back to reality." She told him, more determined.
"Please believe me, I know it may sound out of place and it may be painful, but I would never lie to you! So please, remember what happened! You must come back to reality with me!"
And once again, Wesley had another 'score' on Nadeline.
As he held her, she could feel his struggle, his pain, his own kindness. She was a fool afterall, not really realizing his feelings. She was so caught up in her own frustrations and fears that she didn't even give his a chance. He was strong, much stronger than she was. It was comforting to feel herself in his arms. Everything would be fine. Everything would be okay. This was just another test, wasn't it? Another struggle they had to overcome. She wrapped her own arms under him, pulling him closer, as if it would make a difference. She did not want to let go, she did not want him to let go, either. If only time could stop for this moment, just for this one moment, she could die the next and have absolutely no regrets.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, though she wasn't sure why she said it in all honesty.
"Please believe me, I know it may sound out of place and it may be painful, but I would never lie to you! So please, remember what happened! You must come back to reality with me!"
And once again, Wesley had another 'score' on Nadeline.
As he held her, she could feel his struggle, his pain, his own kindness. She was a fool afterall, not really realizing his feelings. She was so caught up in her own frustrations and fears that she didn't even give his a chance. He was strong, much stronger than she was. It was comforting to feel herself in his arms. Everything would be fine. Everything would be okay. This was just another test, wasn't it? Another struggle they had to overcome. She wrapped her own arms under him, pulling him closer, as if it would make a difference. She did not want to let go, she did not want him to let go, either. If only time could stop for this moment, just for this one moment, she could die the next and have absolutely no regrets.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, though she wasn't sure why she said it in all honesty.
Nadeline nodded at Aloa, watching her leave. She silently thanked her, promising she would not let her down. Maybe it was wrong, or right, who knows, but Aloa was clear on what she wanted to do--and they had to do the same. One day they would be on the same side again, this she would swear. She only hoped next time they would meet she could prove herself to her teacher. To her surprise, Savayna ran after Aloa. She blinked slightly confused, but as she was about to go after her, Wesley spoke. He apologized for some reason. She actually looked uncomfortable at this point, avoiding his eyes. "I should be the one apologizing." Nadeline replied, holding her arm. "I...I am not like that, usually. I suppose I simply can't control my temper. It's just utterly frustrating...first Emiri, then Jaakuna...I couldn't help either of them. Even now, Aloa is the one helping..."
She looked up at him with watery eyes. "I ask for your forgiveness, though I don't deserve it. I'm so sorry."
As Aloa was literally turned back by Savayna, she quirked an eyebrow at the angry blonde Hume. She let out a sigh, scratching her head. "In all honesty, I did not do anything. It is up to her to try to convince him. Where he is, he lives a fool's paradise, you see...the question is not whether they will awaken, the question is will she be able to make him realize the truth?" She eyed the woman before her. "I suggest you put your emotions to the side, whatever they may be, General. You are a smart woman. Do not let them cloud your judgement."
He wasn't listening to her. No, he listened, but he wasn't hearing her. As she was about to yell at him, he started spinning her around. He really was happy here, wasn't he? Gods knew he deserved it--no, no she couldn't start thinking that way, too. This wasn't real. None of this was real. The meadow, the cottage, their marriage--none of it was real. But...how was she supposed to convince him when he wouldn't listen to her? Obviously she remembered, he didn't but what would it take to convince him?
"Jaakuna, please, you must listen to me!" She exclaimed, pulling her hands away from him. "This is...this is all wrong! We can't be married, we can't be living here...it doesn't make any sense!" She told him. "Are you telling me you don't remember murdering your father? You don't remember admitting you did it for Savayna? And I..." She hesitated slightly, but she had to give him the truth. "I...I haven't...we aren't even together! We can't possibly be married, we aren't even dating! I haven't even gotten the chance to confess how I feel, whether it was a good thing or a bad thing!"
She got closer to him, pleading him with her eyes. "You have to believe me, none of this is real! You and I...you and I aren't..." She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. What could she say? What could she do? She then realized something, looking at him curiously. She had to disprove him somehow. She had an idea, but she was not sure it would work. Only one way to find out. "...Tell me, Jaakuna...if we really are...together...then how many scars do I have on my body?"
She looked up at him with watery eyes. "I ask for your forgiveness, though I don't deserve it. I'm so sorry."
As Aloa was literally turned back by Savayna, she quirked an eyebrow at the angry blonde Hume. She let out a sigh, scratching her head. "In all honesty, I did not do anything. It is up to her to try to convince him. Where he is, he lives a fool's paradise, you see...the question is not whether they will awaken, the question is will she be able to make him realize the truth?" She eyed the woman before her. "I suggest you put your emotions to the side, whatever they may be, General. You are a smart woman. Do not let them cloud your judgement."
He wasn't listening to her. No, he listened, but he wasn't hearing her. As she was about to yell at him, he started spinning her around. He really was happy here, wasn't he? Gods knew he deserved it--no, no she couldn't start thinking that way, too. This wasn't real. None of this was real. The meadow, the cottage, their marriage--none of it was real. But...how was she supposed to convince him when he wouldn't listen to her? Obviously she remembered, he didn't but what would it take to convince him?
"Jaakuna, please, you must listen to me!" She exclaimed, pulling her hands away from him. "This is...this is all wrong! We can't be married, we can't be living here...it doesn't make any sense!" She told him. "Are you telling me you don't remember murdering your father? You don't remember admitting you did it for Savayna? And I..." She hesitated slightly, but she had to give him the truth. "I...I haven't...we aren't even together! We can't possibly be married, we aren't even dating! I haven't even gotten the chance to confess how I feel, whether it was a good thing or a bad thing!"
She got closer to him, pleading him with her eyes. "You have to believe me, none of this is real! You and I...you and I aren't..." She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. What could she say? What could she do? She then realized something, looking at him curiously. She had to disprove him somehow. She had an idea, but she was not sure it would work. Only one way to find out. "...Tell me, Jaakuna...if we really are...together...then how many scars do I have on my body?"
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