The princess would finally release Wesley, hastily wiping away her tears. She remained next to him, letting out a slight hiccup as she smiled at him, though it was then she finally noticed the rather luminous flicker behind his eyes. Her hand reached out, lightly touching his cheek. What was this? She was relieved to hear that he felt fine, but something was different about him. Nadeline's own eyes widened as she stared into them. They were so bright, it was actually a rather startling contrast to his previous, darker eye color. 

Emiri, on the other hand, sent Jaakuna a rather scathing glare, but at that point, she had decided she had enough as she would once again pick herself up. Holding her hands behind her back, she gave Wesley another smile. "[color=pink]I'm glad you're feeling alright! That's a relief![/color]" She told him cheerfully as she backed towards the door. "[color=pink]All this joy is...kinda making nature call though. I'll be right back![/color]"

Nadeline opened her mouth to call out after her, but Emiri had slipped past everyone and gone out the door. She let out a sigh, although she would turn her attention back to Wesley. "[color=coral]Wesley...I never knew you were the head of the Brotherhood,[/color]" She wanted to wait until he had rested more, but the matter was too urgent otherwise. "[color=coral]Who is the Protector? Caeru and Sanguine made it clear that you needed to know that whoever they are, they came for them.[/color]"

[hr]

Lorenzo had sat back down, nearly dozing off, but Reia wouldn't let him. He became quite grumpy as a result, though th epair would stop their fighting as Aloa would waltz in, uncaring for the guards that told her not to go in. The blonde Empress would stand, Lorenzo remained seated, though he grinned. "[color=darkorange]You made it![/color]" He stated cheerfully.

Aloa rightfully ignored him, and he pouted. "[color=plum]I felt it best to come inform you that Wesley has awakened,[/color]" She stated, mainly speaking to Isabelle.

"[color=darkorange]Why didn't you say that sooner?![/color]" Lorenzo jumped up from his seat, energized. "[color=darkorange]That's great news![/color]"

Reia nodded in agreement, though she would take a seat once more. "[color=turquoise]Perhaps we can put this discussion to the side for now, I'm sure you want to see your son,[/color]" Reia told Isabelle, though she watched Lorenzo run out. "[color=turquoise]...Please forgive my idiot brother.[/color]"

[hr]

The trip to the bathroom was entirely uneventful, although as she exited, she found herself reluctant to return. She couldn't stand Cassandra being all over Jaakuna. Just thinking about it got her mad again, but right now, she didn't want to cause a scene in front of Wesley. Shelet out a small groan, though she would only just notice how dark it had gotten. Was it truly the end of the day already? It felt like it had been stretched out a lot longer, and as she eyed the moon out the window, she noticed she wanted nothing more than to end the day.

Looking away, Emiri noticed the bouquet under the window. It was filled with an assortment of flowers. She knew the blue ones were called Morning Glories, and the red ones looked a lot like Galbana Lilies. She wasn't too sure about the rest, though her thought was interrupted by something taking a hold of her foot. She looked down to see a hand firmly grasping her ankle, a pair of red eyes in the shadows. "[color=gray][i]I found you, Emiri~[/i][/color]" It sang. She let out a scream of terror, trying to back away only to fall backwards. As its body would form, she tried to crawl away, though instinct drove her to start kicking with her other foot, with the last hit kicking it square in its face. "[color=gray]OW![/color]" It yelled, coming into the light, and only then did she realize it was Keiran as he dragged himself out of the shadow, laying on his back and laughing madly.

"[color=pink]You--You--[i]jerk[/i]![/color]" Emiri yelled at him as he would let out of her foot, but not before managing to catch the other one before she could kick him. "[color=pink]Why would you scare me like that?! I nearly had a heart attack![/color]"

"[color=gray]It was supposed to be payback for that little stunt in Archades. That wall really hurt! And your stupid boyfriend weighs a million pounds,[/color]" He said, grinning as he would get to his feet. He would hook his hands underneath her arms and pull her to her feet, only for her to turn around and slap him. That much he deserved, though he was surprised when she would bring both hands, slamming them on his chest. Those didn't hurt, but she was just so angry he just let it happen. As the last punch landed, he stopped it just by holding out his hand, catching her wrist. "[color=gray]Hey, what's wrong? You couldn't have missed me that much.[/color]"

"[color=pink]Why were you even here, anyway?[/color]" She asked, still staring down.

"[color=gray]Aloa told me to. She was icy as always, and I'm pretty sure it only served to make Queenie even madder, but...what's wrong?[/color]" He found himself repeating his question. When she wouldn't reply, he rolled his eyes, patting her head. "[color=gray]Ah, Queenie still draping herself all over Darcone? Jealousy isn't a pretty thing, you know.[/color]"

"[color=pink]I just want to go home.[/color]"

"[color=gray]Home? Stigma?[/color]" He asked, confused, though he seemed to understand. "[color=gray]What happened to 'being honest' from now on?[/color]"

That got Emiri to look up at him, surprised. "[color=pink]How did--never mind, I forgot you 'know everything about me', that conversation was really personal![/color]" She couldn't help but snap at him.

"[color=gray]If you're not going to tell me what's wrong, then I have to look for an answer![/color]" He insisted, crossing his arms. "[color=gray]Or don't, fine, whatever. What'll you do now?[/color]"

Emiri shrugged. "[color=pink]I don't think I can stay civil there. I think I'll go see how Reia and Lorenzo are doing,[/color]" She stated, motioning for him to follow.

"[color=gray]Okay. But, uh, I don't want Queenie seeing me, so...I'm staying out of sight,[/color]" He said, following behind her and sinking into her shadow.

He was full of surprises, wasn't he? She ignored it as she began to walk, though she ended up stopping in her tracks, something calling out to her in the distance. What was that?

[hr]

“[color=deepskyblue]We’ll stop here.[/color]”

The comment resulted in a grateful sigh, though Vlyn would quickly take a seat in the shade of a tree. Shion remained standing, her eyes ever alert. He wondered if she had sensed something he did not, though he honestly found himself not quite wanting to know the answer to the question. It wasn’t that the monsters of the Feywood were a challenge—Shion made them comparable to the Dalmasca Westersand Wolves in that regard—but the trek had been quite long. He wasn’t entirely sure if making camp would even be safe, but she had said to stop, and so they stopped.

Vlyn rummaged through his rucksack, finding water. He offered some to Shion, who politely declined. He hadn’t seen her eat or drink in some time, how did she accomplish such a feat? His question went unanswered as he picked up something nearby. How? Whatever it was, it seemed to have reached them quickly. As he made to stand, Shion would place one hand on the hilt of her sheathed katana, her expression amused. What about this was amusing, again?

The woman smiled, her free hand tossing her locks off her shoulder. “[color=deepskyblue]You beings are certainly a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?[/color]” She called out to the darkness. “[color=deepskyblue]Stay in the shadows if you wish, though know that I will strike.[/color]”

Vlyn tried to see who it was that stepped out of the shadows, only to reveal a rather tall woman. Her skin painted entirely gray, her eyes darker than the sky above them. Her white hair contrasted her surroundings greatly, though she didn’t look like she was trying to pick a fight. She had one hand on a nearby tree, the moonlight illuminating her impressive silhouette. “[color=ivory]You knew I was behind you. Why wait until now to call me out?[/color]”
 She asked, curious. “[color=ivory]Unless…you truly didn’t know?[/color]”

“[color=thistle]The Feywood is dense in Mist. It’s easy for a minion of Zodiark to blend in,[/color]” Vlyn couldn’t help but point out as he would stand.

She smiled. “[color=ivory]Were I the assassin, you would be right. But that is not my way—all must be held to equilibrium. And…[/color]” Her voice trailed off as she would step forward with no fear. “[color=ivory]I thought I would like to see you one more time.[/color]”

Shion scoffed, narrowing her eyes. “[color=deepskyblue]To think you of all people would be the one to stand in front of me like this…how dare you?[/color]” Was that an angry tone Vlyn heard? “[color=deepskyblue]Have you come to mock me? Or are you foolish enough to try to take the sword as your ally tried in the mines?[/color]”

“[color=ivory]You did do quite the damage there. But no, I am well aware of the power you possess—and my lord knows you possess the blade. What I would like to know is why you’re bothering trying to reseal an Esper who has grown out of its chains?[/color]” She frowned, a thoughtful look on her face. “[color=ivory]And so I’ve come, seeking answers.[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]If your master knows, then there is no need for me to say a word. I will come for him,[/color]” Shion stated, withdrawing her blade. “[color=deepskyblue]And believe me, even if you’re the one to stand in the way, I will strike you down as well, Sophia.[/color]” 

She looked sad at Shion’s words, clasping her hands together. “[color=ivory]Don’t you see what we’re trying to do? Why bother on a hopeless world bent on destroying itself? If you could reconsider…surely my lord would find mercy for you as well.[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]I’d sooner die than get on my knees and beg before such a tyrant. Don’t play innocent, life is not so black and white that any one being is able to determine the fate of millions of lives,[/color]” Shion stated. “[color=deepskyblue]His arrogance knows no bounds, his very existence a mistake. If your master continues to fear me, then he shouldn’t send his minions to do his bidding.[/color]”

“[color=ivory]I speak the truth when I say I came of my own accord. If I should be scorned for this, so be it. But why throw your life away when it can be used for a greater purpose?[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]My life is but for one purpose: to cleanse the world of that entity. That was decided the moment I gained Ultima’s blessing, and further cemented the day he was freed from his shackles. Even if I am not the one to land the decisive blow, I will make sure he falls.[/color]”

Sophia fell silent, staring at Shion. Her lips would curve into a smile, and understanding look on her face. “[color=ivory]I see now…you realize you don’t have the power to fell him. Perhaps if you had kept Ultima and became her host, but as you are now you’re well aware of your lack of power. So you’re betting everything you have on Belias’ host, are you?[/color]” She asked rhetorically. “[color=ivory]I thank you for answering me. This must be why my lord has not eradicated you yet…but Shion, unlike the others, you and I are on equal terms. So if he wills it, I will take your life.[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]You’re welcome to try. Leave me now, I have nothing more for you,[/color]” Shion turned her back to Sophia, much to Vlyn’s surprise.

The white haired woman clucked her tongue, walking over to Shion and wrapping her arms around her. Vlyn’s eyes widened, though he noticed Sophia still smiled. “[color=ivory]You know…he could always bring back Arvia and Rio. Wouldn’t you like to see them again?[/color]” She asked her quietly. “[color=ivory]It would be nice if we were all together again, like how we used to be.[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]That would serve only to desecrate their memory. And as you’re well aware, neither you nor I are the same as before,[/color]” Shion bitterly reminded her. “[color=deepskyblue]I will not repeat myself: leave. Now.[/color]”

She nodded, much to his surprise, and as she would walk backwards, slinking into the shadows once more, her Mist all but vanished. Shion scoffed once more though she would take a seat next to where Vlyn stood, her back to a rock. He had half a mind to ask what the hell just happened, but as he would sit, only silence accompanied them.