Hero

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Grant watched Savayna rather curiously. She seemed like she had something on her mind, but he couldn't be sure what it was exactly. At her request he would nod, though for some reason he didn't think she really meant it. It was very odd for him, he couldn't really think of why either, but he knew she had wanted to say something else, something more. Still, nothing more was said, and so he would get to his feet, pulling Emiri up with him. Nadeline would take her leave, making her way to the armory. While it was nice using something different, she missed her rapier dearly--it had been a present from her beloved, after all. Still, she couldn't help but keep the mysterious feather she had found in her hair again, however. Something about Black Magic was just so exhilarating, so vicious. It was a stark contrast to her usual soothing White Magic.

As the trio would prepare to leave, Grant would have Emiri sit at the table in the dining room. He's wander over to the kitchen and begin making some tea, hoping it would at the very least soothe her nerves. When he turned around, he found himself face to face with Nadeline, geared and in her usual attire. She looked cheerul enough, though he recognized the look on her face. "Yes?" He asked, awaiting her words.

"Emelia--Emiri is in a very sensitive and vulnerable place right now." Nadeline told him quietly, her voice rather hushed. The last thing she wanted was for Savayna to walk into the conversation. "You are not the right person for this, but we have little choice. Wesley is the one who will get the next Esper's location, I would stay but I think it's best if I met his family, and Savayna...is not exactly the nurturing type. That leaves you...but of course, we get to the issue. I would like to think you and Savayna are an item, but we both know that any little thing can either solidify or completely dissolve whatever it is that you two have. I'd also like to think you've changed for the better...and you have definitely proven yourself time and time again. But sometimes opportunities arise...ones that we may or may not see."

Grant almost didn't believe what she was telling him. "Opportunity? What the...you act like Jaakuna is gone or something, he's just finding himself is all." He reminded her, crossing his arms. "He will come back. He has to. For her sake."

The princess shook her head. "Well just like you and Savayna are in the air, this little act has left them in the air as well. Who is to say he will come back tomorrow? Next month? Next year? Who says he will even come back? Those questions are exactly what is going through her head right now. Don't you see how much of a wreck she is? The girl feels abandoned right now. So maybe her emotions can lead to...things happening."

"Nadeline, what is the point of all this? Why are you telling me this?"

"My point is, so long as you and her are together, alone...don't go doing anything idiotic, and don't let her do anything idiotic either." She warned him. "Otherwise you'll ruin three relationships...the one between Jaakuna and Emiri, the one between you and Savayna, and the one between you and Emiri. Not to mention Wesley and I will be very disappointed in you."

"Thank you, Mother." Grant replied rather sarcastically, going back to the tea. He picked up the pot and turned back to Nadeline. "You have nothing to worry about. Just do what you need to in Balfonheim and I will try to keep Emiri calm, at the very least." Nadeline nodded and promptly left. He couldn't believe Nadeline. He was better then that, and Emiri was dedicated to Jaakuna. And he liked Savayna. Really liked her. Even if he just realized she was an afterthought. Oh boy...

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As the trio walked back to the duo, hastily trying to regroup herself and failing miserably. Nadeline hadn't seen the brunette so shaken in her life, it was somewhat bizarre. Still, every cloud had its silver lining, because Nadeline absolutely adored the way Wesley spoke to her so gently. He was truly a saint, if he had been a blonde she would have deemed him a true angel. She noticed how quiet Grant was and didn't take it as a good thing. She wanted to think it was nothing, but her previous thoughts hammered at her head. Her eyes connected with his, and to her absolute delight she found only confusion. Good, Grant was as terrible at comforting people as ever, which meant the situation would go nowhere. That was good and bad. Good because she didn't have to worry (hopefully) about any of his lingering feelings, bad because he might just make Emiri feel worse.

"I understand." Emiri nodded at Wesley as she quietly responded, highly appreciating his idea.

"Good idea." Grant said, though it was clearly obvious he was not too happy with the idea since it was clear he was not good at comforting her. "We'll stay here in Archades, whenever you guys finish just come back and...we'll...all join you." He said rather hesitantly, trying to stay optimistic.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Shoot. Nadeline felt like she should watch how she said things, Savayna definitely didn't look too happy. She was more then happy when Wesley would rescue her, and Savayna didn't look like she wanted to completely throttle her, so that was good. The princess nodded in agreement at Wesley's statement showing her agreement. Honestly, Savayna didn't have anything to worry about, anyway. Emiri properly ended her engagement to Grant for Jaakuna, and that was that. Right? Yeah, besides Grant was completely into Savayna. Just because Emiri may be in a vulnerable place right now that didn't mean anything was going to happen. Sure she had been effectively abandoned by the love of her life and left a crumpled emotional mess but that didn't mean anything.

Wow that sounded absolutely terrible.

"I just...he wouldn't have left if I didn't yell at him..." Emiri mumbled, sniffling lightly. "I drove him away...I should have been more understanding, I should have listened, and now he's gone to who knows where?!" She whined, her voice making it clear that she was liable to burst into tears at any moment.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Grant watched the trio leave, though it all honesty he hadn't expected Emiri to get so close to him. Literally. He almost called out to Savayna but at the same time Emiri clung onto him tighter. Boy was this slightly awkward. What made it so was the fact that he realized that he missed it. No, he needed to kick that thought out of his head right now. It was funny, both Emiri and Savayna were the same height, but Emiri felt somewhat smaller for some reason. The somewhat familiar scent of lavender felt so nostalgic, too. Savayna often wore cherry blossom perfume. Cut it out. He mentally scolded himself, gently pulling Emiri away from him.

The brunette let out a hiccup, her tear streaked face looking at him, watery violet eyes looking absolutely hopeless. "It's my fault he's gone...isn't it?" She asked, still crying.

"Don't...don't say that." He responded, lightly wiping away her tears. "It's no one's fault, Emiri. This is just something he needs to do. You have to understand and be patient."

Nadeline looked at Wesley and Savayna, lightly crossing her arms across her chest. Great, now Emiri was an emotional mess. Perhaps it would be understandable, or maybe Nadeline expected better. Did that make her seem heartless? She followed Wesley out, letting him drag her along, though she wasn't too happy with it. "And then there were four..." She muttered, clearly displeased. "Or three. Perhaps it would be best if we let Grant handle Emi, clearly she isn't doing well." She paused for a moment, realizing what she said. "What I mean is...Maybe we should go on to Balfonheim, Grant can take care of Emi. We can leave them here, in case Jaakuna comes back." She suggested to the pair.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Emiri stared at the ceiling as IRIS played out Jaakuna's message. Had she really come off so angry? Of course she had, she yelled at him, didn't she? A pang of guilt hit her, and the feeling of dread cloaked her uncomfortably. This was her fault, wasn't it? Even as she listened to Jaakuna's voice, she found no comfort in it. She wanted to hear the words from the real thing, she wanted to apologize a hundred times for being so rash. The silence and tension was thick in the air. It was suffocating. No, that wasn't it. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. She didn't know what to do. Jaakuna was gone. He wasn't here. Where did he go? Why did he have to leave her? Why did she leave him yesterday? She should have stayed.

Nadeline finally looked away from Emiri, lightly clearing her throat. Obviously the girl was in dismay. Still, this presented a bigger issue. "I presume Jaakuna left of his own free will. There isn't anything we can do...we can only hope that he finds himself as he says and believe in him." She stated to the group rather clearly. "That leaves us with one less member, but the Espers are still at large. We must continue with our mission."

Grant crossed his arms, looking at Wesley. "You said someone at Balfonheim could assist us with that, correct?" He asked him. "Then that should be our next move."

Nadeline nodded, agreeing with Grant. She was also glad he pressed on as she had. Jaakuna would be alright, this much she knew. She looked at Emiri, who had taken her eyes off the ceiling. The brunette wobbled and swayed, much to her alarm. She turned to her, having a somewhat concerned look on her face. She didn't look well when she had bumped into her earlier, and this news only made her look worse. Grant noticed to, and to everyone's alarm, he rushed forward; it wasn't until he caught Emiri that Nadeline realized what had happened. Emiri had fallen, a look of desperation on her face.

"Come back..." Emiri whispered in a rather hushed and pleading voice, looking at the ceiling. It looked like with everything that had happened, this had been the straw that broke the camel's back. As expected, she started crying, burying her face in Grant's chest, hugging him as she sobbed.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"What does it mean to lose?"

The question had come somewhat out of the blue. As the pair sat in Emelia's room, sitting side by side on her bed, she had decided to ask him a question. Grant frowned slightly, though it was not out of displeasure, rather being one of thoughtfulness. He stared at the wall for a moment, thinking carefully. Emelia didn't expect her question to warrant such effort. There had been nothing for the pair to do; the wedding rehearsal was said and done, every detail had been taken care of, and all that was left was, well, the actual wedding. Still, it had to be postponed for another few days, though this was somewhat of a relief as now everyone could scrutinize over every little detail for the millionth time. Emelia didn't care much, but she found herself thinking. She decided to ask Grant; he was one of the few she could ask things and not get scolded for it.

"Well." Grant started slowly, lightly scratching his head. "It means...something you used to have is no longer in your possession. Though that isn't to say it is just physical. You can lose a lot of things that you cannot grasp. Memories, emotions, sense of self..."

She nodded politely. "Anything? Is that why people are so afraid of losing things?"

"Of course. Losing things is much too easy." He admitted. "Recovering them is often a very long and arduous process. Even gaining things isn't too easy...that's why people treasure them." He would take her hand as he spoke, his thumb lightly running over her engagement ring. "That is why we value the things we do. People rage, drown in sorrow, their hearts ache when they lose precious things."

She looked at him, violet eyes on gold for a moment. "Ii don't...think I have ever really lost anything too important."

Grant smiled, lightly kissing her. "I hope you and I never have to experience that."

A surging pain jolted Emiri awake, causing her alarm. She let out a somewhat muffled cry of pain, grasping her head. Every part of her body felt the pain this time, and not just her head. She panicked slightly, still half asleep and unaware that she was no longer dreaming--or rather, no longer remembering her past. After a moment, the pain ceased, leaving the brunette gasping for air somewhat. She felt like an immense weight had been pressing against her chest. She was terrified. Another moment passed, her breaths now even and her body now calmer, though her mind was still hazed somewhat. She let out a low groan, absolutely hating herself. Lola's touch was like a ghost on her body, and nothing she did or thought could erase it.

She sat up, her hair threatening to free itself from her ponytail. After Jaakuna had left, the group went to bed wordlessly. It had truly been a day from hell. She considered sleeping alone and even went to the empty room, but after tossing and turning for a while she found herself going to Jaakuna's room anyway. He was so still, she didn't know if he was even asleep or awake. She did remember wrapping her arms around him, whispering that she loved him over and over and over, as if that would somehow make him better. It was so stupid. He didn't need to hear her stupid words, he needed real help. Maybe in some way it had been a way to comfort herself more than him.

The brunette let out a long sigh, brushing her hair off her face. She was drenched in a cold sweat. It was then that she realized how quiet it was. Normally with all her thrashing and crying she would have woke Jaakuna up. Actually, he was always up before she was. Only then did it hit her to look to his side of the bed, and she realized he was gone. Her heart froze for a moment, not believing her eyes. "Jaakuna." She stated breathlessly, as if saying his name would summon him. No, no, why wasn't he here? "Jaakuna..." She repeated, tears in her eyes. After another second her body acted without her input. She practically threw off her sheets, ripping her dress off from last night and pulling on the first dress she saw. After hastily stuffing her feet into her boots and getting cut in the process (her dagger was still inside and she didn't bother taking it out) she ran out of Jaakuna's room.

He was in the kitchen. The dining room. The lounge. The medic bay. No, no, no, and no; Emiri searched the entire ship rather frantically, her panic only rising as she checked each room. Her footsteps running through the halls would catch Nadeline's attention, and the sleepy princess forced herself out of bed to check what was happened. As she exited her room, Emiri nearly crashed into her. "Emi, dear, what is--" She asked groggily, though she was cut off.

"Jaakuna--he--he's not here!" Emiri squeaked, her voice cracking slightly, though before Nadeline could react the brunette nearly shoved her to the side.

"Jaakuna? Wait!" That certainly woke the princess up, though before she could act Emiri had already beamed out of the Ifrit, no doubt to look for the missing Jaakuna. "Oh for the love of--" She huffed, irritated though she immediately began to bang on everyone's doors. Grant was the first out, wide awake and alarmed. "Jaakuna is missing, everyone get up!' Nadeline hollered, banging on Wesley's door.

"What? Where could he have gone?" Grant asked, eyes wide.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Awkward couldn't begin to describe the trip back to the Ifrit. It wasn't enough that the day had been horrible, the night had been ruined and now that all the adrenaline was gone, Emiri felt downright miserable. How and when did things escalate to the way they were now? Why did these things have to happen? It was one thing after another, no breaks in-between. It was as if some malevolent force was behind all this, torturing them unneededly just to see who would crack first. It was just too cruel. As they sat around the table, the silence felt suffocating. Her head hurt; now that she was calm, her little stunt with Lola caught up to her, it seemed. Then Jaakuna would announce that he would leave, and as she connected eyes with him, she just didn't know what to say. She wanted to cry, though.

"Left? Left where? Isn't this your airship?" Grant asked, earning him two slaps on the back of his head. "Ow!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Jaakuna." Nadeline would tell him, though she would admittedly come out rather strong as a result of her anger. "This is not an issue you can take on alone. We are your friends and allies, we won't abandon you in your time of need." She said, looking at the rest of the group. "We can overcome this together."

"For now, could we please...please just call it a night?" Emiri asked, though it came out more like something between a beg and a plea. "I can't even think right now." She admitted, her head aching something fierce now.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Somehow, someway the blue haired woman had rid Jaakuna of his demonic form. It was amazing, so to speak; what kind of power did she possess, truly? Nadeline couldn't help but feel there was more to her, however. Even the barrier had fallen, at which point Wesley and Savayna immediately stepped in front of Jaakuna, most likely protecting him from the woman. Grant eyed the woman, and he joined Savayna, crossbow at the ready. Nadeline shortly followed, though Emiri stayed put, staring at Shion. The blue haired woman watched as the group surrounded Jaakuna. It was admirable, yet foolish. Zodiark had not been completely expelled from the man, and Shion had every intent to finish the job. She eyed each one of them carefully, though when Jaakuna stated he could finish her, she actually let out a small chuckle. She dispelled her blade, returning it into the two original katana. She began to walk towards the group, no doubt earning several weapons aimed at her.

At this point Emiri stepped forward, standing between the group and Shion. To her surprise, the woman held out her arm to her side, dropping one of her weapons. Rather than dropping to the ground, it instead fell into a pools of light. She stopped right before Emiri, the much taller woman looking down at her. She lifted her arm up and pointed to her hair. The blue rose glowed once, though more importantly was a single rose petal at the tip of her finger. Jaakuna would surely notice; it was the last one, and she had not used it yet. Emiri looked at it, somewhat confused, but knew this was somehow important. The woman was obviously communicating with Jaakuna and only him.

"I told you, when the last rose hits the ground, your death would have come." Shion spoke outloud, the petal spinning above her finger. "Know this, Jaakuna--everything you saw tonight was only a fraction of my power. You have yet to see what I am truly capable of. So to rebuke your statement...no...you could not 'take me'. I told you before, you assured my victory the moment you insisted on taking more power from Zodiark." She informed him and the group as the rose petal returned to the flower in her hair. She then looked at Emiri before her. Emiri raised her Diamond Sword in response. "Step aside. I need to finish the job."

"I think you've done enough." Nadeline replied as-a-matter-of-factly. "Or do you wish to draw more attention to yourself? The Archadian soldiers will arrive at any moment."

Shion let out the smallest sigh. "If you insist. I am more than ready for battle." She replied, readying her katana in her usual stance. "I can easily finish you all before the soldiers arrive." This woman possessed a strength like no other, Emiri was sure of it. A fight right now would only be suicide. As Shion poised herself before her, it seemed something in the distance caught her attention. "You have all been spared. Be sure to thank the gods that you didn't have to cross blades with me." She stated, backing up. A pool of darkness appeared behind her, and she stepped back into it, falling through and disappearing.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Lola rolled her shoulders, letting out a small sigh. "Jaakuna, eh? Yeah...probably."

Meli looked at Lola rather incredulously. First she thought her boyfriend was nuts but apparently Lola was just as crazy. That or the girl of time had made her hit her head. "The fuck you mean probably?"

"Well, I TOLD you Zodiark was lurking in that guy's head." Lola sighed. "Come on, let's get going."

Meli raised an eyebrow, though her shadow opened up on the floor. "Jump in, then." She instructed, doing exactly as such. Lola shrugged at Michel though she followed suit.

---

Emiri and Nadeline first looked at Savayna as she asked Grant, though their attention then split from the prince to Wesley. The way Savayna asked made it seem as if Grant had known something. That would mean that he had kept a secret from them. It then clicked in the princess' head that this had been what they had been keeping a secret. If looks could kill, Nadeline would no longer have a fiance. Grant knew he would somehow get blamed for this and he remained as silent as an Elemental as the three women glared at him. Nadeline may have relieved him temporarily by glaring at Wesley but he was well aware that she would return her look soon enough.

"You can't possibly be serious." Nadeline broke the silence left after Savayna spoke. "Honestly, you two knew about this?"

'Wait, you guys knew about it?" Emiri asked, surprised. "Why in the world wouldn't you say anything?"

Grant perked up slightly, though he had a rather defensive tone. "It wasn't like he wasn't going to say anything, Jaakuna wanted to tell the group." He paused for a moment, looking at Emiri. "He's not the only one with something that should be addressed."

Nadeline's rather scathing glare turned to Emiri. "What is he talking about?" She demanded to know.

"I don't know what he's talking about." Emiri replied. "And don't change the subject!"

"Listen, the point is that it was going to eventually be told...just got...derailed." Grant murmured in response, looking to Wesley for help. Their attention was soon turned to the battle (much to Grant's relief) though it was not for a good thing. It seemed that Jaakuna had transformed even further, much to the horror of the group. Shion was pushed back a distance, though she remained steady. For her, this would be a good warm up and an idea to how Zodiark would be in battle. It was time to get serious. The woman held onto her mega holy blade tightly, several rose petals disintegrating at once. From her back a light simmered though did nothing for the moment. Her flower in her hair became more complete looking, and Shion held her blade aloft.

"The power to conquer demons--" She spoke, slowly swinging her blade around in a circle, leaving a dozen sword lights in place. As her sword came in full circle, she pointed her sword in the air. "Emundabi!" She pointed the sword at him, and the swords circled around the demonic Jaakuna. Several of them remained circling him, though they would glow and fire off beams of light. The remaining swords went in physically, swinging in from different directions.

Final Fantasy VIII: Tempus Veneficarum [7/10 Slots]

Damn it Xerox when a woman tells you to hold on you grab onto her for dear life! *shakes fist angrily* Thousands of boys around the world shake their head at you in disappointment!

Also what are we shipping? I like ships.