Taka
AlteredTundra
Cyadical
Asura
Xiro Zean
Lemons
Izurich
ThatCharacter
Kero
Mcmolly"The sands! The sky! The bare skin on today's youth! All of these and more on Stigma's very own Calyx Beach! This secluded area designed specifically for the highest priority visitors to the fair capital is barricaded in by several natural cliffs. Glittering in the water, one could clearly see the many pieces of water magicite, as well as the much bigger, clearer water crystals that often wash up on the shore. As such, any and all magicks are strictly prohibited ten feet from the waterline. Of course who needs magic when you have the beach?!"
Lorenzo's sales pitch seemed to have sold the group, and while Emiri was still unsure about the situation, she ended up getting pushed into a changing room along with Nadeline and Savayna. The three girls were the only ones in said changing room, though Nadeline and Emiri were checking the rack of many swimsuits available for rent. They had various types and colors that spanned the entire spectrum, though maybe it was because of having so many choices, the girls found themselves at a loss. String bikinis, tankinis, one pieces, two pieces--Emiri wondered why there were so many types. She personally just did not know which one to pick, though every time she thought she found one that was decent, Nadeline would complain that it was too modest.
Fearing that Savayna would lost her patience, Emiri tried to sort through them quickly. Nadeline had (finally) chosen and was peeling off her clothes, folding them neatly and placing them into her rented locker. The blonde slipped on her swimsuit, and once she was done, she twirled around, obviously very pleased with her selection. She looked at Savayna and then at Emiri, and let out a wistful sigh. "I see who's got it going on." She grumbled, patting her smaller chest. Emiri couldn't help but agree. The white bikini Savayna wore made her already pale skin look so feminine, her platinum blonde hair tousled gorgeously. If she didn't know any better, she would have guessed she was a model. Nadeline paid more attention to her curves, underneath all that armor the woman was packing a killer body. "Emi, why don't you just pick out a bikini, too? We could all match!" She told her, happily wrapping her arms around her waist.
"What?! No, no, I...I don't really have the body for that." Emiri immediately shot down the idea as she continued searching through the rack.
"Hmmm? Whaaaaat?" Nadeline sang, grabbing her breasts. The brunette let out a shriek of surprise as the blonde fondled her. "Hmmm, your chest says otherwise..." She cheerfully informed her. "I mean the worst that could happen are these puppies popping out, though I think you'd be doing the male population a favor..."
"N-Naddie! Please! Stop!"
Nadeline released her breasts, though she grabbed her waist and tackled her down, pinning her to the ground. Emiri let out a wail, though to her horror, Nadeline sat on her stomach. She began stripping her, despite the brunette's protests. They created quite a ruckus though the only person there to witness was Savayna (and Nadeline could care less about her opinion on the stripping anyway). Within minutes Nadeline climbed off of Emiri and stood up, though she pulled the now bikini-clad brunette into a standing position. She felt so violated and exposed. Nadeline pulled Emiri's hair into two low ponytails, and put her own in one higher one. "Mother and Father already have a spot under an umbrella, so let's get going!" Nadeline cheered, taking Emiri's wrist and dragging her out, despite her protests.
Meanwhile Grant sat under the giant beach umbrella, safe from the sun's rays. Calyx Beach had some people here and there, though they managed to get a good spot. He let out a huff, pulling his sweatshirt over his shoulders, his black swimsuit secure on him. He watched as Lorenzo set up a beach chair all too enthusiastically for Karolina, who was clad in her own open hoodie, though she wore a very simple, short blue dress underneath. She thanked him as she sat down, opening the cooler to get a water bottle. Lorenzo himself bore all, tanned skin against some orange swim trunks. He pulled out some sunscreen, offering it to his younger brother.
"The sun isn't strong today, but you never know." Lorenzo told Grant as he started rubbing some on his much paler skin.
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Emiri stared at the necklace in Jaakuna's hands. There was something she definitely didn't think she would be seeing again. She reached out for it but hesitated, as if afraid if she touched it, it would disappear. Her fingers grasped the chain, feeling its cool touch to her fingertips. She looked at Jaakuna, her expression slightly confused, but she took the necklace from him. She played around with it for a little bit, unsure of what to say. She didn't deserve his confidence. He really believed in her. Taking in a small breath, she put the chain over her head, letting the necklace dangle onto her skin and she stood up.
"I hope you're right." She told him, extending her hand. "Let's join up with the others for now. When I'm ready...I'll go back."
"Wesley, perhaps we could use the break, considering so much has happened." Nadeline replied to Wesley's concern. "Besides, as long as we are in public, Reia wouldn't think about attacking...yet." She was craving a day off. They had worked tirelessly the past few days without much reprieve, so while she would usually agree that it was too dangerous, she really, really wanted to take just one day off.
Lorenzo let out a cheer, though he pondered for a moment as Savayna mentioned the Phon Coast. "The Phon Coasts' waters are more refreshing, though Stigma's waters are clearer--at the shores we have water magicite instead of regular rocks, it makes the waters cleaner." He clapped his hands together, finally getting off of Grant. He pulled his little brother up from the ground, dusting him off lightly. "I'd recommend going to Calyx Beach, it's a little more reserved, so to speak. Mainly rich folks and nobles occupy it, so it won't be too crowded."
Karolina nodded, standing up. "Oh, how fun, we haven't been to the beach in some time, not since Emelia was here, anyway." She mused.
Nadeline perked up at her mother's statement. "She's with us, she went to see Lord Andre, though." She said.
"How nice, I know he misses her terribly. But we all have our reasons for doing the things we do, even if others can't understand it." Karolina lightly patted some dirt off of Grant's shoulder. "Someday I hope the family can reconcile, it's just terrible to see your loved ones so sad. I wonder how much she has grown?"
"Hopefully not too much, she's too pretty as it is!" Lorenzo declared.
Grant shot him a look. "You are ridiculous, I hope you know that."
"I hope you're right." She told him, extending her hand. "Let's join up with the others for now. When I'm ready...I'll go back."
"Wesley, perhaps we could use the break, considering so much has happened." Nadeline replied to Wesley's concern. "Besides, as long as we are in public, Reia wouldn't think about attacking...yet." She was craving a day off. They had worked tirelessly the past few days without much reprieve, so while she would usually agree that it was too dangerous, she really, really wanted to take just one day off.
Lorenzo let out a cheer, though he pondered for a moment as Savayna mentioned the Phon Coast. "The Phon Coasts' waters are more refreshing, though Stigma's waters are clearer--at the shores we have water magicite instead of regular rocks, it makes the waters cleaner." He clapped his hands together, finally getting off of Grant. He pulled his little brother up from the ground, dusting him off lightly. "I'd recommend going to Calyx Beach, it's a little more reserved, so to speak. Mainly rich folks and nobles occupy it, so it won't be too crowded."
Karolina nodded, standing up. "Oh, how fun, we haven't been to the beach in some time, not since Emelia was here, anyway." She mused.
Nadeline perked up at her mother's statement. "She's with us, she went to see Lord Andre, though." She said.
"How nice, I know he misses her terribly. But we all have our reasons for doing the things we do, even if others can't understand it." Karolina lightly patted some dirt off of Grant's shoulder. "Someday I hope the family can reconcile, it's just terrible to see your loved ones so sad. I wonder how much she has grown?"
"Hopefully not too much, she's too pretty as it is!" Lorenzo declared.
Grant shot him a look. "You are ridiculous, I hope you know that."
Nadeline nodded at Wesley, happily. Something about him actually saying it made her feel somewhat giddy.
"Excellent to hear!" Lorenzo proclaimed happily, slapping Grant's head. He promptly ignored his younger brother's death glare and grinned. "It's still early, but I have an idea. You all must be weary from traveling so much. We should go to the beach!"
"You can't be serious." Grant muttered.
As Jaakuna sat down next to Emiri, she wiped away her tears. She leaned her head against his shoulder, hearing him talk about the garden.
"Nadeline and I planted these." Emiri pointed to the lilies. "They're a symbol of fortune and purity in this country. She thought if we planted a lot of them, it would help the patients get through their illnesses. So we got down, digging through the dirt, and planted them all here." She laughed a little. "But we didn't realize that we covered every inch in only lilies. There wasn't any room for any other flowers, and the other parts of the garden didn't have any lilies since we planted them all here. Grant apologized about a hundred times to the hospital staff and made sure to donate the fountain. Lorenzo got the statue--it's supposed to be the matron saint of healing, or something, I don't really remember."
Her smile faded, and she found herself holding his hand again. His touch was comforting to her, like a security blanket. "I should never have come back. I turned my back on my family and my duty as their daughter. I should have tried...I should have done something, anything. I could have asked for help...but I didn't." Emiri continued softly. "The day before my wedding, I decided that I had enough. I sold a few pieces of jewelry that I had--a pair of diamond earrings, a bracelet, and two rings Grant had given me--and I fled the country that night. I didn't say goodbye to anyone or let them know I was leaving, I just left. I didn't expect to see any of them again...I never imagined coming back, either." She looked up at the sky. "When I saw Nadeline in Bhujerba, she was angry with me. She was really angry...but I expected it. We never really talked about me leaving, though, and when we ran into her again in Rabanastre, she was glad to see me. It was as if...as if I had never left, we picked up right where we left off. When we were on the Ark and Grant came to see me at my cell, do you know what he said? 'I missed you', he said. Never mind that I had basically left him waiting at the altar, he says 'I missed you'. I couldn't believe it. And now I return here, back to the place where I was born to see my father, and he isn't angry. Not at all. He tells me that he's happy to see me. All of them had every reason to hate me for leaving, and instead none of them held it against me. It...It makes me wish I had never left."
She sat up properly, looking at Jaakuna. "Even now...even now, I should have confronted her, but I didn't. I ran away again. I haven't changed at all."
"Excellent to hear!" Lorenzo proclaimed happily, slapping Grant's head. He promptly ignored his younger brother's death glare and grinned. "It's still early, but I have an idea. You all must be weary from traveling so much. We should go to the beach!"
"You can't be serious." Grant muttered.
As Jaakuna sat down next to Emiri, she wiped away her tears. She leaned her head against his shoulder, hearing him talk about the garden.
"Nadeline and I planted these." Emiri pointed to the lilies. "They're a symbol of fortune and purity in this country. She thought if we planted a lot of them, it would help the patients get through their illnesses. So we got down, digging through the dirt, and planted them all here." She laughed a little. "But we didn't realize that we covered every inch in only lilies. There wasn't any room for any other flowers, and the other parts of the garden didn't have any lilies since we planted them all here. Grant apologized about a hundred times to the hospital staff and made sure to donate the fountain. Lorenzo got the statue--it's supposed to be the matron saint of healing, or something, I don't really remember."
Her smile faded, and she found herself holding his hand again. His touch was comforting to her, like a security blanket. "I should never have come back. I turned my back on my family and my duty as their daughter. I should have tried...I should have done something, anything. I could have asked for help...but I didn't." Emiri continued softly. "The day before my wedding, I decided that I had enough. I sold a few pieces of jewelry that I had--a pair of diamond earrings, a bracelet, and two rings Grant had given me--and I fled the country that night. I didn't say goodbye to anyone or let them know I was leaving, I just left. I didn't expect to see any of them again...I never imagined coming back, either." She looked up at the sky. "When I saw Nadeline in Bhujerba, she was angry with me. She was really angry...but I expected it. We never really talked about me leaving, though, and when we ran into her again in Rabanastre, she was glad to see me. It was as if...as if I had never left, we picked up right where we left off. When we were on the Ark and Grant came to see me at my cell, do you know what he said? 'I missed you', he said. Never mind that I had basically left him waiting at the altar, he says 'I missed you'. I couldn't believe it. And now I return here, back to the place where I was born to see my father, and he isn't angry. Not at all. He tells me that he's happy to see me. All of them had every reason to hate me for leaving, and instead none of them held it against me. It...It makes me wish I had never left."
She sat up properly, looking at Jaakuna. "Even now...even now, I should have confronted her, but I didn't. I ran away again. I haven't changed at all."
If this is a joke it is not funny.
One had the nerve to disrespect a superior (how idiotic can you be), one was more interesting in the airship rather than the mission (the attention span of a goldfish probably), and one was either a philosopher (why) or one of those pro-life granola hippies (why would you even). Charlotte groaned inwardly, though she couldn't help but shake her head. This was seriously the team she was stuck with. She half expected to find several people pop up with hidden cameras. Except that she was very well aware that this was (unfortunately) very much reality and not some cruel prank. Taking in a deep breath, Charlotte crossed her arms, trying to remain focused on the mission. Except that said mission was jeopardized by her less than sane teammates. Oh, she knew she would be on a team, but she expected them to be, oh I don't know, relatively professional?
"No questions here, sir." Charlotte half spoke, half mumbled in disbelief at her group's rather...odd questions. Why, oh why did she have to get stuck with the one group full of idiots? She only prayed that at the very least they were capable in battle. She wasn't going to cover for anyone, she definitely didn't want to get stuck babysitting anyone, and for one reason or another she felt very bad for their instructor. He certainly had his work cut out for him. At the very least, she would make sure she was no burden to him.
One had the nerve to disrespect a superior (how idiotic can you be), one was more interesting in the airship rather than the mission (the attention span of a goldfish probably), and one was either a philosopher (why) or one of those pro-life granola hippies (why would you even). Charlotte groaned inwardly, though she couldn't help but shake her head. This was seriously the team she was stuck with. She half expected to find several people pop up with hidden cameras. Except that she was very well aware that this was (unfortunately) very much reality and not some cruel prank. Taking in a deep breath, Charlotte crossed her arms, trying to remain focused on the mission. Except that said mission was jeopardized by her less than sane teammates. Oh, she knew she would be on a team, but she expected them to be, oh I don't know, relatively professional?
"No questions here, sir." Charlotte half spoke, half mumbled in disbelief at her group's rather...odd questions. Why, oh why did she have to get stuck with the one group full of idiots? She only prayed that at the very least they were capable in battle. She wasn't going to cover for anyone, she definitely didn't want to get stuck babysitting anyone, and for one reason or another she felt very bad for their instructor. He certainly had his work cut out for him. At the very least, she would make sure she was no burden to him.
Why do I feel like Charlotte is the only sane person in this group
"I don't know how things work in whatever dreamland you come from, boy. The reality of the matter is that we all have our responsibilities. Whether we like it or not we have our parts to fulfill. Not that I would expect a disgraced prince to understand." Justine spoke, placing the newspaper back on Andre's lap. "I won't stand here and be painted as the villain. If she's content on being your whore then fine."
With that Justine exited the room. Andre let out a low groan, running his hand through his hair. This was not how he had hoped things would go. He picked up the newspaper again, looking at Jaakuna. "This is an issue that can't be solved easily, young man." He told him simply. "Years of abuse and neglect don't go away in one day. That's why I was so surprised to see her here. Gods know I don't deserve my daughter's return. But I am just as much to blame as my wife is. I let myself get caught up in work, I let my warrior side take priority over my father side. I failed them both, as a husband and a father. If I had been around, I would have noticed how far my wife's abuse was to my only child." He looked at the door wistfully. "Not even in my dreams would I have imagined Emelia walking through that door to see me. I was so sure she'd curse me for never being there for her."
He paused for a moment, though he reached for something he was wearing underneath his shirt. He pulled out a necklace, its chain golden in color. On it was a very old looking key that was clearly aged, and next to it a small heart shaped locket that didn't look as old, though the years weren't too kind to it. He took it off, placing it in Jaakuna's hand. "I think you should go find her now. This will help her, I think." He told Jaakuna quietly. "Tell her it still has some courage left in it, if she wants it."
Nadeline stared at Wesley in disbelief. Did he really just ask her out? Wait, why was this such a big deal, it's not like they didn't like each other already. Something about this made her blush slightly though she wasn't sure what it was. She felt everyone (read: her mother and father) staring intently at her. She avoided Wesley's rather intense gaze (why was that making her so uncomfortable?!) and she felt uncharacteristically shy for some weird reason. "It...sounds fine..." She mumbled as she tried to regain her composure. She felt like a young schoolgirl getting asked out by her crush.
Grant stared at Nadeline, letting out a small sigh. "Sure." He replied curtly to Savayna's question.
"Congratulations, I'm sure your children will be beautiful." Karolina clapped for Grant.
"Lady Karolina...please don't--" Grant started, but it was too late: Lorenzo had already walked over to him. He mimicked his previous action with Wesley, placing both hands on his shoulders, though while Lorenzo have him a rather serious look, Grant just looked back at him, an annoyed expression on his face. "Don't even--"
"She's too good for you bro." Lorenzo stated as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Bro, shut up.."
"Well now I know you're not gay."
Grant closed his eyes, clearly irritated. "You have three seconds to back up and take your hands off of me."
"Don't mess this up, bro,"
"Dear gods, Lorenzo, shut the fuck up."
Lorenzo let out a rather savage yell, pulling Grant off his chair. The raven haired man didn't seem too surprised at this, though when Lorenzo went to punch him, he blocked it with his hand. The blonde's eyes gleamed, his fist now gripping Grant's hand. He yanked his brother towards him, wrapping his arm around his neck and now trapping him into a headlock. Obviously Grant had been prepared for something else, and realizing he was trapped, he let out an irritated sigh. Lorenzo started ruffling his hair, at which point the younger brother started flailing around. "I'm sorry, did someone forget who the big brother was?" He laughed maniacally.
Grant flailed under his grip, torn between escape and his hair getting messed up. "Damn it Lorenzo! Cut it out!" He yelled back as he struggled to get out of his grip.
Lorenzo did stop for a moment, though he pointed at Wesley. "If I hear my daughter so much as sigh in displeasure, you're next, bro." He warned him.
"Are you saying you want him to pleasure her, darling?" Karolina asked him curiously, obviously enjoying all this a bit too much.
"WHAT?!" Lorenzo practically threw Grant to the ground, realizing what he had said. "Noooo! Now they'll think I'm promoting them having sex!"
"Well we do want grandchildren, darling."
"I suppose, dear..."
"You're crazy, I hope you know that..." Grant muttered as he started to get up, though Lorenzo promptly stopped him by sitting on him. "Get off."
Lorenzo began eating apples with Grant as his new chair. As much as they were probably enjoying making Grant uncomfortable, Nadeline needed to know the answer to why they were here. She was summoned here for a reason, afterall. "Mother, Mikaela told me you collapsed." She said, addressing the issue. "I don't understand, you look well to me."
The woman nodded sadly, finishing taking the skin off the second apple. "It was the only way to meet with you in safety, sweetheart." She told her, now looking to her husband. "Darling, won't you please explain the situation to Nadeline?"
Lorenzo was about to eat another slice, though at his wife's request he huffed. He did put the piece down and sat up properly, facing the group (though still on top of an irritated Grant). "When she says safety, she means in public, believe it or not." He explained, looking at Nadeline. "The Council wants to dethrone Reia."
Both Grant and Nadeline showed shock at this, though Grant was the first to speak. "But why? Both had gotten along well at this point."
"One way or somehow they found out Reia cannot bear children. This is a serious issue for someone ruling a country, you see." Lorenzo said, watching Karolina. "If a woman in a royal position is measured only by the ability to bear children and marry a husband, what good is an Empress who has no husband and can never bear heirs? It isn't right, but this is the way things are done here in Rozarria. My elder sister Reia ascended to the throne after my brother murdered my father in an attempt to claim the throne. He would have succeeded...if Grant did not bear witness to it."
Grant folded his arms, not appreciating that one of his secrets was just outed. Nadeline looked at her father. "What does that have to do with me?" She asked him curiously.
"The Council is trying to decide who will be Reia's successor, you or Grant." He told her, now looking down at his brother. "Normally I would be next, but with Karolina's state I need to have a constant watch on her, and the stress of it might make her ill. It is not a risk I am willing to take, so even if they named me Emperor and crowned me, I would immediately abdicate and pass it on to the next person. Rumor has it that Reia has dispatched assassins to take you and Grant out."
Nadeline let out a gasp. Would her aunt really do that to her? She couldn't believe it, she hoped her father wasn't serious, but she knew at this very moment he was. She looked at Grant, who looked back at her, though he then turned his attention to Lorenzo. "Is she aware that we have returned?" He asked.
"Of course not. So long as you are in the streets of Stigma, you are safe. The people of this city love both you and Grant, she would not dare to make a move even if she knew you were here. You are both safe. Once you leave, however, I cannot say the same thing...of course, I can't say she hired them yet, but she will soon." He let out a low groan, pouting at Karolina. "What a mess, isn't it, dear?"
Karolina nodded as she finished slicing the apple. "Indeed it is, darling."
With that Justine exited the room. Andre let out a low groan, running his hand through his hair. This was not how he had hoped things would go. He picked up the newspaper again, looking at Jaakuna. "This is an issue that can't be solved easily, young man." He told him simply. "Years of abuse and neglect don't go away in one day. That's why I was so surprised to see her here. Gods know I don't deserve my daughter's return. But I am just as much to blame as my wife is. I let myself get caught up in work, I let my warrior side take priority over my father side. I failed them both, as a husband and a father. If I had been around, I would have noticed how far my wife's abuse was to my only child." He looked at the door wistfully. "Not even in my dreams would I have imagined Emelia walking through that door to see me. I was so sure she'd curse me for never being there for her."
He paused for a moment, though he reached for something he was wearing underneath his shirt. He pulled out a necklace, its chain golden in color. On it was a very old looking key that was clearly aged, and next to it a small heart shaped locket that didn't look as old, though the years weren't too kind to it. He took it off, placing it in Jaakuna's hand. "I think you should go find her now. This will help her, I think." He told Jaakuna quietly. "Tell her it still has some courage left in it, if she wants it."
Nadeline stared at Wesley in disbelief. Did he really just ask her out? Wait, why was this such a big deal, it's not like they didn't like each other already. Something about this made her blush slightly though she wasn't sure what it was. She felt everyone (read: her mother and father) staring intently at her. She avoided Wesley's rather intense gaze (why was that making her so uncomfortable?!) and she felt uncharacteristically shy for some weird reason. "It...sounds fine..." She mumbled as she tried to regain her composure. She felt like a young schoolgirl getting asked out by her crush.
Grant stared at Nadeline, letting out a small sigh. "Sure." He replied curtly to Savayna's question.
"Congratulations, I'm sure your children will be beautiful." Karolina clapped for Grant.
"Lady Karolina...please don't--" Grant started, but it was too late: Lorenzo had already walked over to him. He mimicked his previous action with Wesley, placing both hands on his shoulders, though while Lorenzo have him a rather serious look, Grant just looked back at him, an annoyed expression on his face. "Don't even--"
"She's too good for you bro." Lorenzo stated as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Bro, shut up.."
"Well now I know you're not gay."
Grant closed his eyes, clearly irritated. "You have three seconds to back up and take your hands off of me."
"Don't mess this up, bro,"
"Dear gods, Lorenzo, shut the fuck up."
Lorenzo let out a rather savage yell, pulling Grant off his chair. The raven haired man didn't seem too surprised at this, though when Lorenzo went to punch him, he blocked it with his hand. The blonde's eyes gleamed, his fist now gripping Grant's hand. He yanked his brother towards him, wrapping his arm around his neck and now trapping him into a headlock. Obviously Grant had been prepared for something else, and realizing he was trapped, he let out an irritated sigh. Lorenzo started ruffling his hair, at which point the younger brother started flailing around. "I'm sorry, did someone forget who the big brother was?" He laughed maniacally.
Grant flailed under his grip, torn between escape and his hair getting messed up. "Damn it Lorenzo! Cut it out!" He yelled back as he struggled to get out of his grip.
Lorenzo did stop for a moment, though he pointed at Wesley. "If I hear my daughter so much as sigh in displeasure, you're next, bro." He warned him.
"Are you saying you want him to pleasure her, darling?" Karolina asked him curiously, obviously enjoying all this a bit too much.
"WHAT?!" Lorenzo practically threw Grant to the ground, realizing what he had said. "Noooo! Now they'll think I'm promoting them having sex!"
"Well we do want grandchildren, darling."
"I suppose, dear..."
"You're crazy, I hope you know that..." Grant muttered as he started to get up, though Lorenzo promptly stopped him by sitting on him. "Get off."
Lorenzo began eating apples with Grant as his new chair. As much as they were probably enjoying making Grant uncomfortable, Nadeline needed to know the answer to why they were here. She was summoned here for a reason, afterall. "Mother, Mikaela told me you collapsed." She said, addressing the issue. "I don't understand, you look well to me."
The woman nodded sadly, finishing taking the skin off the second apple. "It was the only way to meet with you in safety, sweetheart." She told her, now looking to her husband. "Darling, won't you please explain the situation to Nadeline?"
Lorenzo was about to eat another slice, though at his wife's request he huffed. He did put the piece down and sat up properly, facing the group (though still on top of an irritated Grant). "When she says safety, she means in public, believe it or not." He explained, looking at Nadeline. "The Council wants to dethrone Reia."
Both Grant and Nadeline showed shock at this, though Grant was the first to speak. "But why? Both had gotten along well at this point."
"One way or somehow they found out Reia cannot bear children. This is a serious issue for someone ruling a country, you see." Lorenzo said, watching Karolina. "If a woman in a royal position is measured only by the ability to bear children and marry a husband, what good is an Empress who has no husband and can never bear heirs? It isn't right, but this is the way things are done here in Rozarria. My elder sister Reia ascended to the throne after my brother murdered my father in an attempt to claim the throne. He would have succeeded...if Grant did not bear witness to it."
Grant folded his arms, not appreciating that one of his secrets was just outed. Nadeline looked at her father. "What does that have to do with me?" She asked him curiously.
"The Council is trying to decide who will be Reia's successor, you or Grant." He told her, now looking down at his brother. "Normally I would be next, but with Karolina's state I need to have a constant watch on her, and the stress of it might make her ill. It is not a risk I am willing to take, so even if they named me Emperor and crowned me, I would immediately abdicate and pass it on to the next person. Rumor has it that Reia has dispatched assassins to take you and Grant out."
Nadeline let out a gasp. Would her aunt really do that to her? She couldn't believe it, she hoped her father wasn't serious, but she knew at this very moment he was. She looked at Grant, who looked back at her, though he then turned his attention to Lorenzo. "Is she aware that we have returned?" He asked.
"Of course not. So long as you are in the streets of Stigma, you are safe. The people of this city love both you and Grant, she would not dare to make a move even if she knew you were here. You are both safe. Once you leave, however, I cannot say the same thing...of course, I can't say she hired them yet, but she will soon." He let out a low groan, pouting at Karolina. "What a mess, isn't it, dear?"
Karolina nodded as she finished slicing the apple. "Indeed it is, darling."
Nadeline could have been struck down where she stood and the gods would have been much too merciful. She needed to take matters into her own hands, and her mother was not helping matters. At all. She was encouraging this. What did she ever do to deserve this?! To her horror, Wesley admitted their kisses. She could have killed him. Why would he ever admit that?! Now she'd look like a skank! Or worse! How bad did it look that they've kissed but never gone on a date before?! It was too much, too much. Her face was probably as red as Wesley's. She couldn't take much more of this torture.
Wesley's words had shot through Lorenzo like an arrow. He backed away, somewhat disoriented by Wesley. He dropped to his knees rather dramatically, and remained there for just a moment. He then let out a wail, crawling back to his wife and placing his head on her lap again. "Dear, did you hear that?! They've kissed! I can't believe he deflowered my gorgeous daughter already! Has he no shame?! Why must I be a grandfather so young?!" He wailed dramatically. "I'm just not emotionally ready for him to get her pregnant yet! Why doesn't he understand?!"
Karolina patted his head understandingly. "But darling, it's young love, the most beautiful thing in the world." She told him as she gently raised his head so he would look at her. "Why, isn't that how we were? So young and foolish...and then we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Don't you think they would want to partake in that kind of happiness?"
Lorenzo sniffed. "But I'm not ready! It's too soon! Too soon!"
"There, there, darling, I'm sure they'll have plenty of grandchildren for us to spoil."
"But what if he takes her back to Dalmasca, darling?!"
"Oh my, you have a point there dear. Perhaps we could move?"
"Ah! Of course! We could be there every step of the way, I'm sure Dalmasca would be good for your health as well! Oh, this is why I love you, dear~"
"And I love you just as much, darling~"
Oh gods someone please put her out of her misery. Nadeline couldn't believe the conversation at hand. She let out an exasperated sigh, putting her head in her hands. Please someone, anyone, just make it stop!
Grant looked at Savayna with the most serious expression he has ever had. "Unfortunately, yes."
The tension could be cut with a knife. Justine couldn't believe the nerve of this boy before her. He had no idea of their struggles, the hardships they face, who the hell was he to judge? Andre looked from Justine to his daughter, though his eyes landed on his wife. Years of hearing nothing from their daughter, and this was the way she treated her? He was to blame, of course, but he couldn't believe how she was acting. Emiri released Jaakuna, walking over to her father. "Papa...I'm so sorry..." She told him quietly. After that she looked back to Jaakuna, tears streaming down her face. "You're wrong...I...I haven't changed at all..." She told him with a sad smile. Before anyone could react, Emiri ran out of the room.
She didn't even know where she was going, anywhere was better than there. She ran out the hallway, out of the hospital and into the pathway that led between the different buildings of the hospital. She found herself running off the path, however, and into the gardens. For one reason or another, it felt very familiar. She finally stopped at a secluded part of the gardens, a small fountain before her. A statue sat in the middle of the water, its hands clasped together in prayer as two angels were above it. The place was filled to the brim with lilies of all colors. She sat down, hugging her knees, and just cried. She hated herself so much right now.
Wesley's words had shot through Lorenzo like an arrow. He backed away, somewhat disoriented by Wesley. He dropped to his knees rather dramatically, and remained there for just a moment. He then let out a wail, crawling back to his wife and placing his head on her lap again. "Dear, did you hear that?! They've kissed! I can't believe he deflowered my gorgeous daughter already! Has he no shame?! Why must I be a grandfather so young?!" He wailed dramatically. "I'm just not emotionally ready for him to get her pregnant yet! Why doesn't he understand?!"
Karolina patted his head understandingly. "But darling, it's young love, the most beautiful thing in the world." She told him as she gently raised his head so he would look at her. "Why, isn't that how we were? So young and foolish...and then we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Don't you think they would want to partake in that kind of happiness?"
Lorenzo sniffed. "But I'm not ready! It's too soon! Too soon!"
"There, there, darling, I'm sure they'll have plenty of grandchildren for us to spoil."
"But what if he takes her back to Dalmasca, darling?!"
"Oh my, you have a point there dear. Perhaps we could move?"
"Ah! Of course! We could be there every step of the way, I'm sure Dalmasca would be good for your health as well! Oh, this is why I love you, dear~"
"And I love you just as much, darling~"
Oh gods someone please put her out of her misery. Nadeline couldn't believe the conversation at hand. She let out an exasperated sigh, putting her head in her hands. Please someone, anyone, just make it stop!
Grant looked at Savayna with the most serious expression he has ever had. "Unfortunately, yes."
The tension could be cut with a knife. Justine couldn't believe the nerve of this boy before her. He had no idea of their struggles, the hardships they face, who the hell was he to judge? Andre looked from Justine to his daughter, though his eyes landed on his wife. Years of hearing nothing from their daughter, and this was the way she treated her? He was to blame, of course, but he couldn't believe how she was acting. Emiri released Jaakuna, walking over to her father. "Papa...I'm so sorry..." She told him quietly. After that she looked back to Jaakuna, tears streaming down her face. "You're wrong...I...I haven't changed at all..." She told him with a sad smile. Before anyone could react, Emiri ran out of the room.
She didn't even know where she was going, anywhere was better than there. She ran out the hallway, out of the hospital and into the pathway that led between the different buildings of the hospital. She found herself running off the path, however, and into the gardens. For one reason or another, it felt very familiar. She finally stopped at a secluded part of the gardens, a small fountain before her. A statue sat in the middle of the water, its hands clasped together in prayer as two angels were above it. The place was filled to the brim with lilies of all colors. She sat down, hugging her knees, and just cried. She hated herself so much right now.
Justine had half a mind to slap the girl again, though she was interrupted by Jaakuna. Emiri watched him, slightly in disbelief. She couldn't believe what he was saying. No, she could believe it, it was very much like him. As he looked at her again, she could only look back. She gripped his hand tightly, trying to take his courage again. Justine, on the other hand, wasn't amused. She wrenched her hand from Jaakuna's grip, glaring at the two of them. She scoffed, grabbing the newspaper Andre was reading, and she waved it in front of Jaakuna.
"Let me tell you something, young man." Justine decided to educate him. "Do you see my husband here? This is an almost weekly to bi-monthly occurrence. He works for his country every day, sacrificing everything, putting his life on the line so that this girl--" She pointed the newspaper at Emiri. "--Could have a roof over her head. So she could eat. And play. And do whatever it was that she pleased. Her father and I worked nonstop to clothe her, bathe her, make sure she had nothing but the best. And you know what she does? She throws it all away, and for what? To live like a dog? She could have had a much easier life than her father and I did, instead she chose to throw it all away."
Emiri squeezed his hand, slightly hiding behind him, clearly ashamed of herself. She was right. She was so right it hurt.
"Justine, that's enough." Andre warned her, moving to stand up. He winced slightly, grabbing his ribcage. "Shit..."
"Papa, stay still, you're not well." Emiri told him quietly, her voice wavering, though she did look back at Justine.
"Even now, you let someone else speak for you." At this point Justine eyed Jaakuna. "If I were you, I wouldn't get too comfortable. It's only a matter of time until you do something--anything--and she will abandon you just like she abandoned us."
No, no, that wasn't true. She didn't abandon them. She didn't. But...it was true. Everything she said was true. Feeling the tears in her eyes, she her head on Jaakuna's shoulder, her whole body trembling. A doll after all, because the words wouldn't come no matter how hard she tried. She wanted to tell her--and her father--that she didn't want to run. She didn't want to leave them. She was wrong, she was wrong! It was her fault! She was such an idiot, why would she ever come back? Why did she even bother? She had expected this would happen, and it did.
They haven't even gone on a date. Not even once. This silenced both Lorenzo and Karolina, who looked at Nadeline with shocked expressions on their faces. Grant couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow. Lorenzo never shut up, so this was a first. A very long silence ensued, so much that you could probably hear a pin drop. Lorenzo slowly raised his head from Karolina's lap and stood up. He walked over to Wesley, placing both of his hands onto the prince's shoulders. His expression was completely blank, expressionless. A tension then formed int he air so thick one would need a chainsaw jut to hope to be able to grab it. Lorenzo stared into Wesley's eyes, a look so serious and deep even Nadeline started feeling nervous.
And then the tension was cut.
"Are you telling me my beautiful little girl isn't good enough for you to even take on a date?!" He yelled angrily, shaking Wesley's shoulders. "Have you any idea how many suitors in a day she gets?! Every man and even some women compete daily just to get a glimpse of my daughter's beauty! Men clamor around her every time she steps out of the castle, women swoon in her precnese and wish to know her daily rituals in a pathetic attempt to be like her! And you're telling me that you haven't even gone on a date?! Are you a fool? Are you a joke? ARE YOU EVEN A MAN?!"
Karolina nodded in agreement. "You can't be too slow these days, Miss Glacie is right, you just never know how the world will be these days~"
Nadeline couldn't believe what she was hearing. One moment he was begging her not to leave him and not to have children, the next he was yelling at Wesley for...something she didn't quite understand. She groaned, stomping her foot on the ground. "Mother, Father, stop it, you're so embarrassing!" She whined.
Grant let out a sigh, clearly unfazed by this. He found himself looking at Savayna, offering a shrug. "At least they're entertaining." He told her.
"Let me tell you something, young man." Justine decided to educate him. "Do you see my husband here? This is an almost weekly to bi-monthly occurrence. He works for his country every day, sacrificing everything, putting his life on the line so that this girl--" She pointed the newspaper at Emiri. "--Could have a roof over her head. So she could eat. And play. And do whatever it was that she pleased. Her father and I worked nonstop to clothe her, bathe her, make sure she had nothing but the best. And you know what she does? She throws it all away, and for what? To live like a dog? She could have had a much easier life than her father and I did, instead she chose to throw it all away."
Emiri squeezed his hand, slightly hiding behind him, clearly ashamed of herself. She was right. She was so right it hurt.
"Justine, that's enough." Andre warned her, moving to stand up. He winced slightly, grabbing his ribcage. "Shit..."
"Papa, stay still, you're not well." Emiri told him quietly, her voice wavering, though she did look back at Justine.
"Even now, you let someone else speak for you." At this point Justine eyed Jaakuna. "If I were you, I wouldn't get too comfortable. It's only a matter of time until you do something--anything--and she will abandon you just like she abandoned us."
No, no, that wasn't true. She didn't abandon them. She didn't. But...it was true. Everything she said was true. Feeling the tears in her eyes, she her head on Jaakuna's shoulder, her whole body trembling. A doll after all, because the words wouldn't come no matter how hard she tried. She wanted to tell her--and her father--that she didn't want to run. She didn't want to leave them. She was wrong, she was wrong! It was her fault! She was such an idiot, why would she ever come back? Why did she even bother? She had expected this would happen, and it did.
They haven't even gone on a date. Not even once. This silenced both Lorenzo and Karolina, who looked at Nadeline with shocked expressions on their faces. Grant couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow. Lorenzo never shut up, so this was a first. A very long silence ensued, so much that you could probably hear a pin drop. Lorenzo slowly raised his head from Karolina's lap and stood up. He walked over to Wesley, placing both of his hands onto the prince's shoulders. His expression was completely blank, expressionless. A tension then formed int he air so thick one would need a chainsaw jut to hope to be able to grab it. Lorenzo stared into Wesley's eyes, a look so serious and deep even Nadeline started feeling nervous.
And then the tension was cut.
"Are you telling me my beautiful little girl isn't good enough for you to even take on a date?!" He yelled angrily, shaking Wesley's shoulders. "Have you any idea how many suitors in a day she gets?! Every man and even some women compete daily just to get a glimpse of my daughter's beauty! Men clamor around her every time she steps out of the castle, women swoon in her precnese and wish to know her daily rituals in a pathetic attempt to be like her! And you're telling me that you haven't even gone on a date?! Are you a fool? Are you a joke? ARE YOU EVEN A MAN?!"
Karolina nodded in agreement. "You can't be too slow these days, Miss Glacie is right, you just never know how the world will be these days~"
Nadeline couldn't believe what she was hearing. One moment he was begging her not to leave him and not to have children, the next he was yelling at Wesley for...something she didn't quite understand. She groaned, stomping her foot on the ground. "Mother, Father, stop it, you're so embarrassing!" She whined.
Grant let out a sigh, clearly unfazed by this. He found himself looking at Savayna, offering a shrug. "At least they're entertaining." He told her.
Karolina smiled gently, though once she took back her hand from Wesley she resumed peeling apples. "The pleasure is all mine Your Highness, Miss Glacie." She replied cheerfully as she finished, now carefully slicing pieces off the apple. Lorenzo nodded, obviously sharing his wife's sentiment but more focused and eager to get his apples. She placed them down on a plate and began peeling a second apple. Lorenzo would throw his arms up in the air as he took a slice from his plate, popping it into his mouth. He munched on it carefully, though he would take the moment to inspect both Wesley and Savayna carefully.
Grant rolled his eyes, clearly displeased with his brother. The blonde haired man shot him a grin. "Nuh-uh Grant, you can't have any no matter how much you beg, Karolina got them especially for me." He told him, sticking out his tongue.
"Don't be ridiculous, I never said I wanted any." Grant scoffed, crossing his arms.
"You'll have to excuse my baby brother, he doesn't voice his wants and needs, so you have to guess them." Lorenzo advised the group wisely, nodding his head as he ate some more apple. "He's so uptight and serious, it makes me feel like a prince."
"You ARE a prince, idiot." Grant said, placing his hands on his knees.
"Which reminds me...A Dalmascan Prince, An Archadian General...quite the interesting crew you have." He told Nadeline thoughtfully. "I'd advise you against using your full name, Ice Queen, remember you're in Rozarria. Your fame proceeds you." He told Savayna as he ate another apple slice.
Grant coughed slightly, deciding to have some revenge on Nadeline from earlier. "You know, Lorenzo...Nadeline is seeing this prince."
Lorenzo jumped up from the bed, taking Nadeline's hands in his. "My most precious daughter is seeing someone?! Say it isn't so! Say it isn't so!" He wailed, clearly distraught as he placed his head on her lap. "It can't be! Next thing you know they'll be getting married and moving out and having children--oh, NOOOO! I CAN'T BE A GRANDFATHER YET! NADELIIIIINE!" He yelled dramatically, shaking the girl's shoulders. "Rethink this! You must! You're too young to have children! Your mother and I are too young to be Grandmother and Grandfather!"
Grant snickered lightly as Nadeline shot him a glare. She looked at her father, snatching her hands away from him. "Father, please, get a hold of yourself!" She yelled at him.
Lorenzo gasped. "Nadeline...you yelled at me..." He whispered, though the waterworks came back. He crawled over to Karolina, placing his head on her lap. "Dear! We've lost our only daughter to a man we don't even know! How did this happen?! Why am I such a failure as a father?!"
Karolina only smiled, patting her husband's head. "There, there, we knew this day would come, darling." She sniffed, dabbing her eyes with a napkin.
"Mother! Not you too!" Nadeline whined, her face red as she was clearly embarrassed.
Lorenzo looked at Wesley with watery eyes. "Wh-why would y-you do th-this to me? W-We d-don't even kn-know one another!" He told him, lip trembling.
"Be sure to have as many children as possible while you're still young." Karolina chimed in rather cheerfully. "Oh, my lovely Nadeline, you've grown so much~"
Andre took Jaakuna's hand, though he gripped it tightly. He studied his hand for a moment, though he did squeeze it a bit. He shook his head, as if Jaakuna had said something he didn't like. "Hmm...your swordsmanship needs work." He mused lightly, though he released Jaakuna's hand. "I am Andre Iniabi, Emelia's father. Though I suppose you already knew that." He frowned slightly at this point, looking between her and Jaakuna. "I suppose...it's good to know you haven't been alone all these years. How long has it been? I don't even remember."
Emiri took Jaakuna's hand again, intertwining her fingers between his. "Five or six years, Papa...though I don't really remember, either." She admitted rather sheepishly.
"That would make you...twenty three, almost twenty four." He said thoughtfully.
She squeezed Jaakuna's hand nervously, trying to take some of his courage. "Papa, I...I'm so sorry I've been gone all this time...and...you didn't deserve that." She told him, her voice shaking somewhat. "I thought you...you would be angry with me..."
"I told you, I'm just glad to see you again." He reassured her, though he noticed how she was holding hands with Jaakuna. "Who did you say this man was, Emelia?"
Emiri bit her lip lightly, though she did smile at her father. "This is my boyfriend, Papa." She informed him cheerfully.
Andre looked at Jaakuna with a rather curious expression. He opened his mouth to say something, but the door opened. A gasp was heard, and Andre's attention was to the visitor. Before Emiri could see who it was, she felt someone grab her shoulder. She was forcibly turned and promptly slapped across the face. She winced, but as she opened her eyes, she realized who had hit her. "Justine!" Andre called out, clearly alarmed. A woman of reddish blonde hair and violet eyes had slapped Emiri cleanly across her face. Justine stood before Emiri, an expression of anger on her face, though it was very controlled.
"How dare you...how dare you show your face around here?" She asked, her voice low. Emiri raised a hand to her cheek, clearly shocked. She couldn't believe she was face to face with her mother again. She couldn't believe she hit her again. Why couldn't she say anything? She felt like she was frozen in place with her feet rooted to the ground. Justine scoffed, shaking her head. "You disgraceful, foolish child...it isn't enough that you flee like a coward, now you come to bother your father. Have you no shame?" She asked, every word biting into Emiri.
Grant rolled his eyes, clearly displeased with his brother. The blonde haired man shot him a grin. "Nuh-uh Grant, you can't have any no matter how much you beg, Karolina got them especially for me." He told him, sticking out his tongue.
"Don't be ridiculous, I never said I wanted any." Grant scoffed, crossing his arms.
"You'll have to excuse my baby brother, he doesn't voice his wants and needs, so you have to guess them." Lorenzo advised the group wisely, nodding his head as he ate some more apple. "He's so uptight and serious, it makes me feel like a prince."
"You ARE a prince, idiot." Grant said, placing his hands on his knees.
"Which reminds me...A Dalmascan Prince, An Archadian General...quite the interesting crew you have." He told Nadeline thoughtfully. "I'd advise you against using your full name, Ice Queen, remember you're in Rozarria. Your fame proceeds you." He told Savayna as he ate another apple slice.
Grant coughed slightly, deciding to have some revenge on Nadeline from earlier. "You know, Lorenzo...Nadeline is seeing this prince."
Lorenzo jumped up from the bed, taking Nadeline's hands in his. "My most precious daughter is seeing someone?! Say it isn't so! Say it isn't so!" He wailed, clearly distraught as he placed his head on her lap. "It can't be! Next thing you know they'll be getting married and moving out and having children--oh, NOOOO! I CAN'T BE A GRANDFATHER YET! NADELIIIIINE!" He yelled dramatically, shaking the girl's shoulders. "Rethink this! You must! You're too young to have children! Your mother and I are too young to be Grandmother and Grandfather!"
Grant snickered lightly as Nadeline shot him a glare. She looked at her father, snatching her hands away from him. "Father, please, get a hold of yourself!" She yelled at him.
Lorenzo gasped. "Nadeline...you yelled at me..." He whispered, though the waterworks came back. He crawled over to Karolina, placing his head on her lap. "Dear! We've lost our only daughter to a man we don't even know! How did this happen?! Why am I such a failure as a father?!"
Karolina only smiled, patting her husband's head. "There, there, we knew this day would come, darling." She sniffed, dabbing her eyes with a napkin.
"Mother! Not you too!" Nadeline whined, her face red as she was clearly embarrassed.
Lorenzo looked at Wesley with watery eyes. "Wh-why would y-you do th-this to me? W-We d-don't even kn-know one another!" He told him, lip trembling.
"Be sure to have as many children as possible while you're still young." Karolina chimed in rather cheerfully. "Oh, my lovely Nadeline, you've grown so much~"
Andre took Jaakuna's hand, though he gripped it tightly. He studied his hand for a moment, though he did squeeze it a bit. He shook his head, as if Jaakuna had said something he didn't like. "Hmm...your swordsmanship needs work." He mused lightly, though he released Jaakuna's hand. "I am Andre Iniabi, Emelia's father. Though I suppose you already knew that." He frowned slightly at this point, looking between her and Jaakuna. "I suppose...it's good to know you haven't been alone all these years. How long has it been? I don't even remember."
Emiri took Jaakuna's hand again, intertwining her fingers between his. "Five or six years, Papa...though I don't really remember, either." She admitted rather sheepishly.
"That would make you...twenty three, almost twenty four." He said thoughtfully.
She squeezed Jaakuna's hand nervously, trying to take some of his courage. "Papa, I...I'm so sorry I've been gone all this time...and...you didn't deserve that." She told him, her voice shaking somewhat. "I thought you...you would be angry with me..."
"I told you, I'm just glad to see you again." He reassured her, though he noticed how she was holding hands with Jaakuna. "Who did you say this man was, Emelia?"
Emiri bit her lip lightly, though she did smile at her father. "This is my boyfriend, Papa." She informed him cheerfully.
Andre looked at Jaakuna with a rather curious expression. He opened his mouth to say something, but the door opened. A gasp was heard, and Andre's attention was to the visitor. Before Emiri could see who it was, she felt someone grab her shoulder. She was forcibly turned and promptly slapped across the face. She winced, but as she opened her eyes, she realized who had hit her. "Justine!" Andre called out, clearly alarmed. A woman of reddish blonde hair and violet eyes had slapped Emiri cleanly across her face. Justine stood before Emiri, an expression of anger on her face, though it was very controlled.
"How dare you...how dare you show your face around here?" She asked, her voice low. Emiri raised a hand to her cheek, clearly shocked. She couldn't believe she was face to face with her mother again. She couldn't believe she hit her again. Why couldn't she say anything? She felt like she was frozen in place with her feet rooted to the ground. Justine scoffed, shaking her head. "You disgraceful, foolish child...it isn't enough that you flee like a coward, now you come to bother your father. Have you no shame?" She asked, every word biting into Emiri.
Roman let out a small sigh, a hand to his forehead as he processed the information he was given. It was something, that much was for sure. The truth was something he never would have guessed, though he was unsure what to do with said information. He looked at his grandfather intently, a somewhat weary look on his face. He sighed once more, now placing his hand on his chin. What a situation. "Responsibility...it falls on me, then." He said slowly, thinking. "Vincent...how you've fallen. When I was outcast from Archadia, it had been a relief and a sorrow. Relief because never would I have to be in the battle for the throne. A sorrow because I would not see my family. And now, in a cruel irony made by the gods, I will see my family...only to usurp the throne...the gods toy with me, they do." He put his hand on his desk. "Alright. I accept your proposal."
Emiri stopped before the closed door in front of her. All she had to do was open it and she would see her father again. Putting her hand on the door handle, she took in a deep breath. Opening the door, the room was revealed. It was quite small and decorated almost entirely in white. The open window blew the beige colored curtains to the side gently. Her heart nearly stopped as she saw her father on the bed. He was reading a newspaper, his eyes entirely focused. It had been so long and yet he remained exactly as she recalled him.
"You can leave my lunch there, Loraine." He said, still reading the paper.
Emiri released Jaakna's hand and walked forward, stopping just before the bed. "Papa..." It came out almost as a whisper.
The brown haired man's eyes wandered over to her, widened. He put the newspaper down, his expression now one of pure disbelief. The two looked at one another, silence filling the room, though what kind of silence it was no one really knew. Finally, Emiri broke the silence, but she didn't do it with words. She let out a small gasp, raising her hand to her mouth, and felt her tears. She didn't even realize she had been crying.
To her surprise, he laughed. He actually laughed. "My little girl...all grown up...come here, please." He asked, holding his hand out. "Please come here, Emelia..."
Emiri let out a small hiccup, though she forced herself to stop crying. She approached him, though let him take her hand. No matter how old she was, his hand always looked so big. He looked at her so gently, looking so happy. She didn't expect this at all. She thought he would yell at her, curse her, get angry, get frustrated. But he was smiling. "I...I heard...about your battle...the-the explosion..."
"Ah, yes, I did get caught in the blast, but it'll take more than that to take out your old man." He grinned, lightly wiping away the tears from her cheeks. "I'd go through it a hundred times if it meant seeing you again."
She almost cried again. She felt so guilty. "D-Don't say that..." She muttered.
He grinned at her, lightly patting her hand. "I didn't think the gods would answer my prayers, yet here you are. Look at you! You're a grown woman already!" He admired her face. "Look at how beautiful you turned out. Though...I don't think you gained much height, did you?"
Emiri blinked at him, though her face turned red. "Papa!" She whined, clearly embarrassed.
He let out a hearty laugh, though he did finally notice Jaakuna. "Oh? And who is this?"
The blonde felt Wesley's hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him. He seemed worried. "Mother is an ill person, remember? This happens a lot." She admitted quietly, focusing on the elevator. She didn't want to say much, if only because she maybe did not want to jinx it. Once the doors opened, she led the group to Karolina's room. Nadeline opened the door quickly, clearly worried about her mother. To her surprise (and the other's no doubt) her mother looked perfectly fine as she sat upon a chair next to the bed, lightly humming as she peeled apples onto a small table in front of her. Lorenzo, his arms crossed as he watched her. He was the one in the bed, not looking very pleased.
"Be patient my love, I'm almost done." She had told him softly.
"I know, just...the food here is so terrible." He whined rather comically, dramatically flopping down onto the bed.
She let out a chuckle, though she noticed the group at the door. "Darling, we have visitors." She told him, lightly prodding him with the knife.
Lorenzo sat up immediately and let out a cheer. He jumped off the bed, running to Nadeline and grasping her around her waist. He swung her around (much to her chagrin) a few times, though once he put her down he pulled her into a very tight hug. "My princess! My baby! You've returned to me!" He yelled happily, not quite catching Nadeline's exasperated look.
"Father! Please!" She complained, trying to wrestle free of Lorenzo's grip.
"But I've missed you so!"
"Now, now darling, be careful or you'll hurt yourself again." Karolina lightly chided him.
Lorenzo pouted, though he did finally release Nadeline, instead turning to the group at hand. "Hmm...two familiar faces and my baby brother. AH! GRANT!" He suddenly yelped, and to Grant's horror the man pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"Unhand me!" Grant ordered. "Lady Karolina! Please!"
Karolina stopped peeling apples, placing her hands on her hips. "Darling! That is enough! Lay out some chairs for our guests or you will not get any apples!"
At her word, Lorenzo released Grant and did exactly as she said, laying out four more chairs for everyone to sit on. He then plopped back onto the bed, grinning from ear to ear. Nadeline let out a rather exasperated sigh. "This is my father, Lorenzo, and my mother, Karolina." She introduced them to Wesley and Savayna.
Emiri stopped before the closed door in front of her. All she had to do was open it and she would see her father again. Putting her hand on the door handle, she took in a deep breath. Opening the door, the room was revealed. It was quite small and decorated almost entirely in white. The open window blew the beige colored curtains to the side gently. Her heart nearly stopped as she saw her father on the bed. He was reading a newspaper, his eyes entirely focused. It had been so long and yet he remained exactly as she recalled him.
"You can leave my lunch there, Loraine." He said, still reading the paper.
Emiri released Jaakna's hand and walked forward, stopping just before the bed. "Papa..." It came out almost as a whisper.
The brown haired man's eyes wandered over to her, widened. He put the newspaper down, his expression now one of pure disbelief. The two looked at one another, silence filling the room, though what kind of silence it was no one really knew. Finally, Emiri broke the silence, but she didn't do it with words. She let out a small gasp, raising her hand to her mouth, and felt her tears. She didn't even realize she had been crying.
To her surprise, he laughed. He actually laughed. "My little girl...all grown up...come here, please." He asked, holding his hand out. "Please come here, Emelia..."
Emiri let out a small hiccup, though she forced herself to stop crying. She approached him, though let him take her hand. No matter how old she was, his hand always looked so big. He looked at her so gently, looking so happy. She didn't expect this at all. She thought he would yell at her, curse her, get angry, get frustrated. But he was smiling. "I...I heard...about your battle...the-the explosion..."
"Ah, yes, I did get caught in the blast, but it'll take more than that to take out your old man." He grinned, lightly wiping away the tears from her cheeks. "I'd go through it a hundred times if it meant seeing you again."
She almost cried again. She felt so guilty. "D-Don't say that..." She muttered.
He grinned at her, lightly patting her hand. "I didn't think the gods would answer my prayers, yet here you are. Look at you! You're a grown woman already!" He admired her face. "Look at how beautiful you turned out. Though...I don't think you gained much height, did you?"
Emiri blinked at him, though her face turned red. "Papa!" She whined, clearly embarrassed.
He let out a hearty laugh, though he did finally notice Jaakuna. "Oh? And who is this?"
The blonde felt Wesley's hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him. He seemed worried. "Mother is an ill person, remember? This happens a lot." She admitted quietly, focusing on the elevator. She didn't want to say much, if only because she maybe did not want to jinx it. Once the doors opened, she led the group to Karolina's room. Nadeline opened the door quickly, clearly worried about her mother. To her surprise (and the other's no doubt) her mother looked perfectly fine as she sat upon a chair next to the bed, lightly humming as she peeled apples onto a small table in front of her. Lorenzo, his arms crossed as he watched her. He was the one in the bed, not looking very pleased.
"Be patient my love, I'm almost done." She had told him softly.
"I know, just...the food here is so terrible." He whined rather comically, dramatically flopping down onto the bed.
She let out a chuckle, though she noticed the group at the door. "Darling, we have visitors." She told him, lightly prodding him with the knife.
Lorenzo sat up immediately and let out a cheer. He jumped off the bed, running to Nadeline and grasping her around her waist. He swung her around (much to her chagrin) a few times, though once he put her down he pulled her into a very tight hug. "My princess! My baby! You've returned to me!" He yelled happily, not quite catching Nadeline's exasperated look.
"Father! Please!" She complained, trying to wrestle free of Lorenzo's grip.
"But I've missed you so!"
"Now, now darling, be careful or you'll hurt yourself again." Karolina lightly chided him.
Lorenzo pouted, though he did finally release Nadeline, instead turning to the group at hand. "Hmm...two familiar faces and my baby brother. AH! GRANT!" He suddenly yelped, and to Grant's horror the man pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"Unhand me!" Grant ordered. "Lady Karolina! Please!"
Karolina stopped peeling apples, placing her hands on her hips. "Darling! That is enough! Lay out some chairs for our guests or you will not get any apples!"
At her word, Lorenzo released Grant and did exactly as she said, laying out four more chairs for everyone to sit on. He then plopped back onto the bed, grinning from ear to ear. Nadeline let out a rather exasperated sigh. "This is my father, Lorenzo, and my mother, Karolina." She introduced them to Wesley and Savayna.
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