“[color=ed1c24]You can’t be serious?[/color]” 

That was the only thing that Jackson had to say in response to Cassandra’s stipulation. Sure, he expected someone of her reputation to give him an absurd prerequisite. Cease all activity of ARchadian expansion? Okay, that would’ve been easy. Surrender all firearms and weapons until you leave Rabanastre? Again, that’s not not unreasonable. But this--this was something that Jackson didn’t see coming. Not only was it completely unacceptable, but he did not like being blackmailed into marriage. Maybe it was what it required to ensure peace. 

As he looked at Cassandra, Jackson sighed rather noticeably . There was nothing coy about it, though he would find his center a moment later. He had to approach this with tact. Channel your inner Roman, Jackson. Channel that sense of wit and diction that your brother has. Hell, channel Vincent--just without all of the violent tendencies. Leave that at the door. You can do this. You can win her over. You feel great. You. Can. Do. This.

“[color=ed1c24]Surely there’s another way we can broker peace, my queen,[/color]” Jackson finally said.

“[color=mediumpurple]Oh, I was to understand that you wanted a treaty between our countries.[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]You know I do. I’m sure your mother has informed you.[/color]”

“[color=mediumpurple]Oh she has, but you see, with my brother marrying Nadeline, that only covers a truce between Rozarria and Dalmasca. Your former wife and Prince Grant will secure Rozarria and Archadia, but what about Dalmasca and Archadia? Unless you know a Dalmascan female of royalty who could marry a royal Archadian male, then there is no other way.[/color]” She stated, approaching Jackson closer.

As she spoke, Jackson thought--just for a moment--that he had no way out of this. Then, as if like a punch to the face, he was struck by an idea.  “[color=ed1c24]If it would please her majesty, may I offer you an alternate solution?[/color]”

Curiously, Cassandra glanced at Jackson. “[color=mediumpurple]It is your right, so don’t be shy on my account.[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]I may have to leave for Archadia. However, if all goes well, you may get your marriage yet.[/color]”

Cassandra appeared to be thinking on it long and hard, though after a moment, she nodded. “[color=mediumpurple]Very well, you have permission to leave. But be back here before sundown tomorrow.[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]As you wish, my queen,[/color]” Jackson bowed his head, kissing her hand. “[color=ed1c24]I must inform my friends before I leave, though, so may I escort you back into Wesley’s room?[/color]”

As she would nod, giving him all of the permission that he needed,Jackson took her arm, hooking it with his as he would walk with her back to Wesley’s room. He opened the door for her and as they would walk in, the first thing they would see was Emiri and Grant. Upon seeing the former, Cassandra gave her a smug grin.  The Queen knew the Time Scion was going to be bothered by seeing her and Jackson’s arms locked. 

While the moment lingered, Cassandra noticed the lack of the abomination. “[color=mediumpurple]Alistair! Where is the Abomination!?[/color]” She snarled, scanning every inch of the room as she looked around for Keiran.

“My Queen..I-I don’t know. He was here a minute ago.”

Jackson knew what happened and he looked to Emiri. Again, he borrowed Belias’ power of telepathic thought. [color=ed1c24][i]You used your power again, didn’t you?[/i][/color] Jackson sent the thought to Emiri, giving her a scolding glance, then sighed. Though, only briefly, Jackson looked to Wesley. While he used Belias’ powers, he heard something. It was..odd. Something was beating inside him, but it wasn’t his heart. Whatever it was, it had his attention. 
[hr]
Truth be told, Savayna wasn’t at all sure what the relationship between these three--well, two since the ginger wasn’t talking--was. They definitely seemed acquainted, but it was obvious to the Ice Queen, after Nadeline had spoken that nothing about this friendship was friendly. Of course, she jested. No friends would attack them. Laughing it off, Savayna brandished her weapon, though she noticed no movement from either the blue-haired man nor the red-haired one.

And thus began a game of the minds; a game that Savayna was not skilled at. Thankfully, for her, Nadeline was a pro at mental warfare.

“[color=dodgerblue]Oh,[/color]” an audible gasp--low as it was--came from the blue-haired man. “[color=dodgerblue]So, you’ve completely unlocked it, huh? I’m impressed. Truly, this is most wonderful.[/color]" The man said, raising his hands up. In both those hands a literal white flag was raised. “[color=dodgerblue]Sanguine, it’s time.[/color]”

“[color=darkred]As you wish, Caeruleum,[/color]” Sanguine said, his voice deep and bassy.

When their eyes met, there was an exchange of words that Savayna couldn’t make out. However, when they finished, both began to glow with the same color of magick as their hair color. Immidiately, a field of mist surrounded them. It not only made Nadeline’s crown to disappear but the trident that Savayna had drawn a moment ago was also gone. 

“[color=lightblue]What gives?[/color]”

“[color=dodgerblue]Many apologies,[/color]” Caeru regretfully said, “[color=dodgerblue]I couldn’t run the risk of Zodiark hearing our conversation. Please, Princess Nadeline, we mean you no harm. This was the only way I could ensure complete privacy.[/color]” Caeruleum stated, then switched his focus to Savayna. “[color=dodgerblue]And my apologies for hitting you too hard, Lady Savayna. I had to make it look convincing.[/color]”

Okay, Savayna was officially confused. This was too much mental warfare for her. In response, Savayna threw up her hands, signally she officially gave up.

Caeruleum laughed, though his eyes would stay upon Nadeline. “[color=dodgerblue]I know you’re thinking this might be some kind of trap, but I assure you that this is no trap. I do this on the behest of my master.[/color]”

“Zodiark?”

“[color=dodgerblue][b]He[/b] is no master of ours,[/color]” Caeruleum snapped at Savayna, his voice sharp. “[color=dodgerblue]He has tainted the name of our organization. He and that Creature have done so many horrible things to this land. No, he is not [i]our[/i] master. The one we serve knows truly what must be done no matter the costs. He understands our role in the war to come is meant to be as ambiguous as possible.[/color]”

Savayna scratched her head. “[color=lightblue]And who might that be, exactly?”[/color]

“[color=dodgerblue]The one we serve is a friend to many. He is a hero of Ivalice. He is the future king of this country, Wesley Henry Alexander.[/color]”