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McmollyThe city of Stigma was surrounded entirely by water, its architecture run mostly by magic. It opposed Archades in nearly every way possible as it relied on nature as opposed to technology. As they walked, Emiri couldn't help but find herself getting nervous. This beautiful place had once been her prison, but only now that she had been away from it for so long did she see its true beauty. The three Rozarrians didn't quite share the same awe that the two Archadians and Dalmascan had, though that was mostly because they had indulged in it almost every day. Still, Grant was almost glad to be home.
As they reached the central city, the group was approached by a small group of giggling girls. At the front was a gorgeous little girl whose hair was black as night, her brown eyes shining and putting Emiri's to shame. She was just so cute! Nadeline knelt down to that she was eye level with her. "Why, if it isn't Mikaela. How do you do?" She asked her gently.
"Welcome home, Princess!" The entire group chanted, though a majority chose to stare and whisper about her companions. Mikaela promptly shushed most of them, and turned back to Ndeline with a sad expression. "Um, you should know, Princess, your Mama collapsed. She was taken to Utena Hospital yesterday."
She felt her heart sink. She should have known. Still, she managed not to make even the slightest bit of worry appear on her face. "Thank you for telling me, I'll be sure to go see her right now." She told them cheerfully. Grant felt a pang of guilt, he couldn't really believe it.
Mikaela nodded enthusiastically, though she then looked at Emiri. She copied Nadeline, kneeling down. "Lord Andre is there, too." Mikaela told her quietly.
Emiri didn't respond, though she and Nadeline both stood up. "Alright, we will be on our way now, so run along." Nadeline told them, and the giggling girls said goodbye in unison and left. "To Utena, then." She sighed, leading the way. The hospital had actually been right by them, located right behind the central complex. It appeared to be a very small building. "Utena is divided into several buildings." She explained, though she put a finger to her lips. "We must keep our voices down, the doctors and nurses are very strict here."
Once they were inside, they were treated to a great contrast from the outside. The walls were decorated very simply, though a lush inside garden was spread all over the pathways and walls. Nadeline approached the front desk, where she would speak to a dark haired man. "Good morning Joesph. Where may I find Karolina?"
The man looked up, though he smiled at Nadeline. "Good morning, Your Highness. Karolina would be in her usual suite at the top floor, although..." He trailed off as he looked at the group.
"Could you please make an exception? It's this one time, I promise."
He thought for a moment, but nodded. "Of course Your Highness. Please proceed." He waved to a security guard, who nodded as well.
Nadeline turned back to the group. "Okay, whoever's coming with me, let's get going." She said, leading Wesley, Grant and Savayna to the elevators.
At this point Emiri approached the front desk. "Excuse me, where might I find Andre Iniabi's room?"
The man checked his computer, then pointed to a hallway. "Just go down the left hallway, it should be the second room."
"Thank you." She murmured. She took Jaakuna's hand, leading the way.
Roman listened carefully to Hamut. His offer was tempting, and he admitted it had been on his mind since Savayna had mentioned it. He just hadn't the time to properly investigate it. He let out a sigh as he crossed his arms, looking at his grandfather. "Fulfill my duties...Grandfather, if only it were that simple. Though I am sad to hear about Vincent." He spoke slowly. "I had always thought that maybe my brothers were free of Father's lust for power, but..." He closed his eyes for a moment though he opened them shortly afterwards. "Alright. Tell me what you know."
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Savayna didn't exactly quell her worries, though Nadeline still chose to drop it. Instead she would resignate herself to pondering about whatever it was that Lorenzo wanted. She decided not to worry too much about it, but it was still something worth thinking about. She half wished she had actually seen Vlyn back in Archades, she knew she would have been able to get the whole story out of him. But there just hadn't been enough time. Speaking of time, it would be some time before they reached Stigma. She didn't think much of it, but it was time to kill, and she never was the patient type.
Emiri turned her attention to Jaakuna, who had asked about his attire. She giggled a bit, waving his concerns away. "What, because we're to meet with Nadeline's father? I'm sure your normal attire would suffice." She paused for a moment, thinking about her own father again, though it drifted onto her mother. "Just be yourself, right?" She asked, taking his hand in hers.
Ah, that was right, Jackson was Jaakuna. It was quite a change, really, but Roman supposed he would just get used to it. Yes, it had been a very long time since the family was together, and now that could never happen since his father was dead. He remembered hearing the news, though he felt indifferent. His mother had been sad for reason she knew not, but it was no his place to question her. Those thoughts would be put aside, however, as his grandfather revealed the real reason he was here. It was surprising, of course, and he couldn't help but wonder why Hamut would be telling him this.
"Grandfather...surely, you jest?" Roman said, though he knew he was very serious. "To even suggest a thing...you would ask that I usurp my brother's position? I know that you and he had never truly seen eye to eye, but...if this is your intention, you must realize my position on this." He stopped for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "It may be in my blood, but I don't know if Archadia would ever accept me. My bastard status is not exactly public, and even then Vincent or even Jaakuna could take the throne from me at any moment."
Emiri turned her attention to Jaakuna, who had asked about his attire. She giggled a bit, waving his concerns away. "What, because we're to meet with Nadeline's father? I'm sure your normal attire would suffice." She paused for a moment, thinking about her own father again, though it drifted onto her mother. "Just be yourself, right?" She asked, taking his hand in hers.
Ah, that was right, Jackson was Jaakuna. It was quite a change, really, but Roman supposed he would just get used to it. Yes, it had been a very long time since the family was together, and now that could never happen since his father was dead. He remembered hearing the news, though he felt indifferent. His mother had been sad for reason she knew not, but it was no his place to question her. Those thoughts would be put aside, however, as his grandfather revealed the real reason he was here. It was surprising, of course, and he couldn't help but wonder why Hamut would be telling him this.
"Grandfather...surely, you jest?" Roman said, though he knew he was very serious. "To even suggest a thing...you would ask that I usurp my brother's position? I know that you and he had never truly seen eye to eye, but...if this is your intention, you must realize my position on this." He stopped for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "It may be in my blood, but I don't know if Archadia would ever accept me. My bastard status is not exactly public, and even then Vincent or even Jaakuna could take the throne from me at any moment."
In all honesty, Emiri wasn't even sure if she wanted to go. Too late to back off now, of course. She decided to clear the table, picking up everyone's now empty dishes and washing them in the sink. How many years had it been since she even saw her own father? Was it six or seven? Surely he was disappointed in her. She wondered if he would even want to see her. That thought got to her, and she suddenly felt very depressed. Would he be happy? Gods knew she wanted to see him. But she didn't want him to feel ashamed of her actions. He'd tell her that running away was never the solution to anything. With that thought in mind, she did get a little more courage. She would go to see him, and accept whatever reaction she would get. If he was ashamed, she would bear it, if he was angry, she would understand.
Nadeline didn't much like the idea of Savayna accompanying them. Grant was Lorenzo's brother, so it made sense, and while Wesley may or may not have been welcome, he was a gentleman, so he wouldn't dare disrespect anyone if they didn't deserve it. But Savayna was...a brute. She looked at the other blonde. furrowing her brow a bit. "Do behave, I'd rather you not disrespect my father." She told her sternly. She was not kidding, if she so much as even hinted at any disrespect for her father, she would make sure that she would never hear the end of it.
Grant coughed slightly, patting Nadeline's arm. "There, there, Lorenzo is a very understanding man." He told her flatly.
Roman nodded at his grandfather's words, gesturing to the seat before him. "Not since Jackson's wedding to Savayna, I believe." He replied, lightly bowing his head to the old man. "Tell me, grandfather, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit? I know you are a busy man." He politely asked. The two got along to an extent, though out of the three sons, Roman had always been the more respectful one. Ironic, considering he had every reason not to be, but that was the blame of his late father and not anyone else. He waited patiently for an answer.
Nadeline didn't much like the idea of Savayna accompanying them. Grant was Lorenzo's brother, so it made sense, and while Wesley may or may not have been welcome, he was a gentleman, so he wouldn't dare disrespect anyone if they didn't deserve it. But Savayna was...a brute. She looked at the other blonde. furrowing her brow a bit. "Do behave, I'd rather you not disrespect my father." She told her sternly. She was not kidding, if she so much as even hinted at any disrespect for her father, she would make sure that she would never hear the end of it.
Grant coughed slightly, patting Nadeline's arm. "There, there, Lorenzo is a very understanding man." He told her flatly.
Roman nodded at his grandfather's words, gesturing to the seat before him. "Not since Jackson's wedding to Savayna, I believe." He replied, lightly bowing his head to the old man. "Tell me, grandfather, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit? I know you are a busy man." He politely asked. The two got along to an extent, though out of the three sons, Roman had always been the more respectful one. Ironic, considering he had every reason not to be, but that was the blame of his late father and not anyone else. He waited patiently for an answer.
"Send him in."
The order was short, curt, and had the slightest hint of urgency. Roman sat in his seat, awaiting the arrival of the Judge. This was certainly unexpected. How many years had it been since he had seen his grandfather? He leaned back in his seat, awaiting the grand entrance of the man who intimidated most of the world. Roman pondered what the reason behind the visit was. He cleared his desk, leaving it free of litter, though he did pick up the letter he had received from Lorenzo. He looked at it once more, letting out a small sigh as he placed it in the drawer of his desk.
Nadeline smiled sheepishly. "I thank you." She said, secretly delighted at Wesley's embarrassment. She only hoped everything would go well. She wouldn't let it bother her for the moment, she needed to remain calm. Grant said Mother was getting better. At the same time, she knew of times where she would be fine one moment and on the verge of death the next. Meanwhile Emiri wondered if she should mention her own desire to see her father as well.
"I...have some business in Stigma as well." The brunette announced quietly. "It's nothing too urgent, but I'd like to look into it."
Grant assumed it had to do with Vlyn's note. "In which case this is a field trip." He mused lightly, finishing his coffee. "I'd like to see what Lorenzo wants, as well." He said slowly.
Nadeline looked at Grant for a moment. "Do you think it's urgent?" She asked, slightly worried.
"It's important." He replied rather curtly. "We may as well all go, then."
The order was short, curt, and had the slightest hint of urgency. Roman sat in his seat, awaiting the arrival of the Judge. This was certainly unexpected. How many years had it been since he had seen his grandfather? He leaned back in his seat, awaiting the grand entrance of the man who intimidated most of the world. Roman pondered what the reason behind the visit was. He cleared his desk, leaving it free of litter, though he did pick up the letter he had received from Lorenzo. He looked at it once more, letting out a small sigh as he placed it in the drawer of his desk.
Nadeline smiled sheepishly. "I thank you." She said, secretly delighted at Wesley's embarrassment. She only hoped everything would go well. She wouldn't let it bother her for the moment, she needed to remain calm. Grant said Mother was getting better. At the same time, she knew of times where she would be fine one moment and on the verge of death the next. Meanwhile Emiri wondered if she should mention her own desire to see her father as well.
"I...have some business in Stigma as well." The brunette announced quietly. "It's nothing too urgent, but I'd like to look into it."
Grant assumed it had to do with Vlyn's note. "In which case this is a field trip." He mused lightly, finishing his coffee. "I'd like to see what Lorenzo wants, as well." He said slowly.
Nadeline looked at Grant for a moment. "Do you think it's urgent?" She asked, slightly worried.
"It's important." He replied rather curtly. "We may as well all go, then."
Emiri looked from Nadeline to Savayna. Why were they looking at her like that? She felt slightly embarrassed, as if they both knew what had happened. Savayna had more of a teasing look while Nadeline had a more mischievous look on her. She turned away from the two, getting her own food, though when she sat down at the table she could feel everyone's stares. "Nothing is more refreshing than a morning shower." She responded to Savayna's question, though perhaps she had given herself away, because Nadeline looked like she had revealed something extremely scandalous. "What?"
The blonde haired girl bit her tongue, though now that Jaakuna was here, now could be a good time to ask him. "Actually, I have a request." Nadeline spoke, putting on a more serious face. "I need to be taken back to Stigma, the capital of Rozarria. My father has requested my presence there...it's not something he normally does so it's been on my mind." She admitted, looking at Jaakuna.
Grant raised his eyebrows, intrigued. Had that been the topic of the message Vlyn had passed on? He was somewhat surprised, though. Gods knew how bad Lorenzo was at putting Nadeline on a leash, he always insisted that she be free to do as she pleased. Emiri was also surprised at this, though she stayed quiet. Maybe it would be a good chance to see her father again, though she prayed that she wouldn't have to see her mother.
The blonde haired girl bit her tongue, though now that Jaakuna was here, now could be a good time to ask him. "Actually, I have a request." Nadeline spoke, putting on a more serious face. "I need to be taken back to Stigma, the capital of Rozarria. My father has requested my presence there...it's not something he normally does so it's been on my mind." She admitted, looking at Jaakuna.
Grant raised his eyebrows, intrigued. Had that been the topic of the message Vlyn had passed on? He was somewhat surprised, though. Gods knew how bad Lorenzo was at putting Nadeline on a leash, he always insisted that she be free to do as she pleased. Emiri was also surprised at this, though she stayed quiet. Maybe it would be a good chance to see her father again, though she prayed that she wouldn't have to see her mother.
Nadeline groaned inwardly, trying with all her might not to get into the conversation. Grant was a big boy, he could take care of himself, although she had a feeling Savayna was bothering her more than she was bothering him. She caught Wesley's look, though she let out an exasperated sigh. Stay civil, stay civil. She reminded herself, though she realized she ran out of food. Now what?! She looked and saw Grant's less than pleased look, though he caught her looking at him. She begged him non-verbally not to say anything, and he shot her a look that said 'she started it'. By whatever miracle, however, Grant merely scoffed and chose not to comment. He knew his integrity and worth and had nothing to prove to Savayna. Though the nickname was getting less and less amusing each time.
The blonde haired girl got up, taking her plate and Grant's empty cup with her. She poured him another cup of coffee. "Thank you." He replied rather gratefully as she went back to wash her own plate. He could already feel Savayna's piercing look, though as he was about to say something, the arrival of the golden couple interrupted his thoughts.
"Good morning!" Emiri greeted the crew cheerfully as she and Jaakuna walked in, bearing a smile.
Nadeline was somewhat relieved; she hoped Jaakuna could quell Savayna.. "Good morning." She replied, though she paused, inspecting the brunette. Why was her hair down? The difference was somewhat staggering, since she grew it out she always complained how heavy her hair was and how it made her feel hot and sweaty. Yet there it was, over her shoulders and down her back, though she did notice her scrunchie on her wrist. That and that smile of hers was too happy. The satisfied kind of happy. The kind of happy that--nope, she stopped that thought right there. Looks like it was good that she decided against mentioning them after all.
Emiri caught Nadeline staring. "What?"
The blonde haired girl got up, taking her plate and Grant's empty cup with her. She poured him another cup of coffee. "Thank you." He replied rather gratefully as she went back to wash her own plate. He could already feel Savayna's piercing look, though as he was about to say something, the arrival of the golden couple interrupted his thoughts.
"Good morning!" Emiri greeted the crew cheerfully as she and Jaakuna walked in, bearing a smile.
Nadeline was somewhat relieved; she hoped Jaakuna could quell Savayna.. "Good morning." She replied, though she paused, inspecting the brunette. Why was her hair down? The difference was somewhat staggering, since she grew it out she always complained how heavy her hair was and how it made her feel hot and sweaty. Yet there it was, over her shoulders and down her back, though she did notice her scrunchie on her wrist. That and that smile of hers was too happy. The satisfied kind of happy. The kind of happy that--nope, she stopped that thought right there. Looks like it was good that she decided against mentioning them after all.
Emiri caught Nadeline staring. "What?"
Nadeline let out a somewhat irritated sigh, as if she had been the one insulted. Honestly, the prospect of gaining allies SHOULD have been a good thing, although she knew that while she personally enjoyed Grant being around, she was well aware that the rest of the group wouldn't. However, she had expected this from Jaakuna, Emiri, even Wesley (who she applauded for putting up with him), she actually expected this least from someone who had technically been in the same boat. Still, even Savayna's less than amusing nickname was getting on her nerved. She kept on eating, if only because she knew if she had a moment's reprieve she'd want to tear Savayna a new one.
Grant looked at the general with a rather blank expression. "I just said I can cook." He replied slowly, though he did pause thoughtfully. "Does that mean in Archadia the men are the ones who are expected to cook for the family?"
The blonde haired girl nearly choked on her food. Apparently Grant had either ignored the insult or completely missed it. And judging by his now rather curious expression, she was pretty sure it flew right over his head.
The shower took a little longer than she had expected. Besides the obvious intentions, the actual bathing was somewhat difficult to pull off between Jaakuna's strenuous bathing techniques that both intrigued her and put her to shame (exactly how many times does he wash and rinse his hair?), her own embarrassment of him watching her shower (which was weird, considering they had just done it and she had no qualms of his lips all over her body) and the suggestion that they soap one another up (it almost led to another session, though by whatever miracle they managed to contain themselves). Eventually, she decided to end it when he thought it'd be funny to suddenly turn the water all the way to freezing as she was finally rinsing herself off. The two exited the shower, now clean, though the mirrors were cloudy and the bathroom was hot. She hummed lightly as she dried herself, and she was half tempted to suggest that they dry each other. Alas, time was ticking, so to not take the risk of being interrupted (and surprised no one came knocking while they were in the shower) she tucked that thought for another day.
Making sure to dry herself properly, Emiri strained her hair to get rid of any excess water into the sink as she continued to hum. Once done, she took her brush and began hacking through her hair, attacking whatever tangles lingered until her hair was smooth. She threw a towel over her head as she put on her boots, and towel dried her hair until she deemed it good enough. Her stomach let out a growl of protest, most likely because it was probably past breakfast time. She then paused, wrapping a towel around her body as she rummaged through her bag for clothes. She pulled out a somewhat frilly, off the shoulder white dress and pulled it over her head.
"Ready." She yawned slightly.
Grant looked at the general with a rather blank expression. "I just said I can cook." He replied slowly, though he did pause thoughtfully. "Does that mean in Archadia the men are the ones who are expected to cook for the family?"
The blonde haired girl nearly choked on her food. Apparently Grant had either ignored the insult or completely missed it. And judging by his now rather curious expression, she was pretty sure it flew right over his head.
The shower took a little longer than she had expected. Besides the obvious intentions, the actual bathing was somewhat difficult to pull off between Jaakuna's strenuous bathing techniques that both intrigued her and put her to shame (exactly how many times does he wash and rinse his hair?), her own embarrassment of him watching her shower (which was weird, considering they had just done it and she had no qualms of his lips all over her body) and the suggestion that they soap one another up (it almost led to another session, though by whatever miracle they managed to contain themselves). Eventually, she decided to end it when he thought it'd be funny to suddenly turn the water all the way to freezing as she was finally rinsing herself off. The two exited the shower, now clean, though the mirrors were cloudy and the bathroom was hot. She hummed lightly as she dried herself, and she was half tempted to suggest that they dry each other. Alas, time was ticking, so to not take the risk of being interrupted (and surprised no one came knocking while they were in the shower) she tucked that thought for another day.
Making sure to dry herself properly, Emiri strained her hair to get rid of any excess water into the sink as she continued to hum. Once done, she took her brush and began hacking through her hair, attacking whatever tangles lingered until her hair was smooth. She threw a towel over her head as she put on her boots, and towel dried her hair until she deemed it good enough. Her stomach let out a growl of protest, most likely because it was probably past breakfast time. She then paused, wrapping a towel around her body as she rummaged through her bag for clothes. She pulled out a somewhat frilly, off the shoulder white dress and pulled it over her head.
"Ready." She yawned slightly.
Am I dragging people down ;A; It's getting late where I live so you can go ahead and post, I'll throw something up when I'm in class in the morning.
Nadeline remained surprisingly neutral as Savayna walked in, though her forced smile got her curious. Grant trailed in shortly afterwards, and while he was the same Grant as always (read: nonchalant about life) she could have sworn he had a somewhat mischievous look as he eyed Savayna briefly. She hoped the woman at least apologized, regardless of the circumstances it was a very rude thing to do. For the moment, she wouldn't bother saying anything, and once Grant got what he wanted, the group ate in a comfortable silence. Grant's coffee felt like the nectar of the gods, he was so relieved to finally have some. He drank it gladly, though he did wince slightly, feeling his tongue slightly burn a bit. It looked like he had been just a little too eager.
"The meal is great, Wesley." Grant complimented him as he lightly aired his tongue out.
Nadeline perked up curiously. "How did you know he was the one that cooked?"
"Miss Glacie was on her way to the kitchen as I was, so she couldn't have done it. Haven't seen Jaakuna or Eme--Emiri around, but the food is warm, so it wasn't either of them." He replied, though he did smile a bit at his next statement. "And last I checked, you couldn't cook if your life depended on it."
"Eh?! That's...That's not fair, you can't cook either!" Nadeline whined.
"I can't cook anything extravagant, but basics, yes I can. You on the other hand, would burn your eggs." He reminded her.
Nadeline let out a low whine, though she did notice Jaakuna and Emiri were missing again. Still, she didn't exactly want to repeat last time's fiasco, so she said nothing.
Jaakuna's eagerness was written all over his face. Emiri couldn't help but grin at it. It seemed this time, however, he would take the initiative. Once they got under the water, he pressed her against the wall. The textiles felt cool under her skin, making her skin tingle between its coolness an the water's warmth. His kisses on her neck made her melt, and she let out a moan of approval. She never knew she was so...sensitive there. She held onto him as he lifted her leg up, though in honesty it was a substitute since she obviously had no blankets to grip. She bit her lip, one of her hands on his back, the other lightly gripping his hair, though her grip would get tighter as he kissed certain spots.
"The meal is great, Wesley." Grant complimented him as he lightly aired his tongue out.
Nadeline perked up curiously. "How did you know he was the one that cooked?"
"Miss Glacie was on her way to the kitchen as I was, so she couldn't have done it. Haven't seen Jaakuna or Eme--Emiri around, but the food is warm, so it wasn't either of them." He replied, though he did smile a bit at his next statement. "And last I checked, you couldn't cook if your life depended on it."
"Eh?! That's...That's not fair, you can't cook either!" Nadeline whined.
"I can't cook anything extravagant, but basics, yes I can. You on the other hand, would burn your eggs." He reminded her.
Nadeline let out a low whine, though she did notice Jaakuna and Emiri were missing again. Still, she didn't exactly want to repeat last time's fiasco, so she said nothing.
Jaakuna's eagerness was written all over his face. Emiri couldn't help but grin at it. It seemed this time, however, he would take the initiative. Once they got under the water, he pressed her against the wall. The textiles felt cool under her skin, making her skin tingle between its coolness an the water's warmth. His kisses on her neck made her melt, and she let out a moan of approval. She never knew she was so...sensitive there. She held onto him as he lifted her leg up, though in honesty it was a substitute since she obviously had no blankets to grip. She bit her lip, one of her hands on his back, the other lightly gripping his hair, though her grip would get tighter as he kissed certain spots.
Yeah, the woman had a fuse the size of her pinky finger. It looked like the nickname was here to stay. It was more of an annoyance than anything, but he wasn't about to stoop down to her level. Nope, he was better than that. At her threat, it was his turn to chuckle slightly as he placed one hand on his hip. "I've met plenty of strong, capable women on the battlefield, the fact that you're female is irrelevant. So try again, sweetheart." He yawned as he spoke, though it was unintentional as he had yet to get his coffee. "Mmm, I hope there's coffee, I could sure use a cup." He said outloud as he began to walk to the kitchen.
That got his attention. She felt somewhat encouraged at this point, only offering a light giggle in terms of response. Practice makes perfect, and for one reason or another she was getting somewhat excited. So she decided to take the initiative once again. Emiri lightly flipped her hair over her shoulder, though at this point she pushed the covers off of her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, getting up as she did so, and so she walked over to the bathroom door. She looked over her shoulder at him. "Coming, darling?" She asked him curiously as she waited for him.
That got his attention. She felt somewhat encouraged at this point, only offering a light giggle in terms of response. Practice makes perfect, and for one reason or another she was getting somewhat excited. So she decided to take the initiative once again. Emiri lightly flipped her hair over her shoulder, though at this point she pushed the covers off of her. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, getting up as she did so, and so she walked over to the bathroom door. She looked over her shoulder at him. "Coming, darling?" She asked him curiously as she waited for him.
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