"[color=plum]That will be convenient, should Cassandra have a change of heart,[/color]" Aloa was grateful for Isabelle's statement. That about covered any hole regarding the Treaty Blade, and Shion could rest easy. Fluffing her hair, she caught sight of her Empress frowning. "[color=plum]Something troubles you?[/color]"

"[color=turquoise]On the contrary. However, I will take advantage of this and collect my thoughts. Perhaps with this we can properly draw up a proper treaty,[/color]" Reia stated, pulling the sheets of paper before her, pen in hand. "[color=turquoise]I am glad Jackson is finally using his head, but it could use some adjustments. Leave me be, I will remain and see to it that this situation is treated properly as soon as things are ready.[/color]"

The viera bowed deeply, leaving her Empress as she would follow Lorenzo's tracks. The man was shouting something in blissful glee that could be heard throughout. Her ear twitched--so the prince required her presence as well? How interesting.

[hr]

Lorenzo bolted through the halls, showing an inhuman speed as he would cheer rather loudly. If Weston was awake, that meant happiness for his beloved daughter, if his daughter was happy, he was happy, if he was happy, then gosh darn it that meant there was reason to celebrate. As he turned the corner, he slammed into an unsuspecting Emiri, the pair tumbling to the ground. He immediately jumped up to his feet, showing a boundless energy as he pulled Emiri up, dusting her off.

"[color=pink]Huh? What--hey![/color]" She cried out as he took her by the hand and dragged her with him. She stumbled over her footing, nearly falling, though as they neared Wesley's room she finally tripped. This did not slow Lorenzo down for even a moment, though she did notice Cassandra being escorted out of Wesley's room. No doubt she'd get amusement out of this, but she had other things to worry about as Lorenzo practically burst through the door, finally dropping Emiri as he skidded to a halt, panting heavily.

"[color=coral]Good gods, Father, we're about to have a very serious discussion,[/color]" Nadeline whined, once again upset at her father embarrassing her. “[color=coral]We could hear you shouting the entire way![/color]”

"[color=pink]Owww...[/color]" Emiri wailed, rubbing her now sore backside. "[color=pink]That was mean...we could've just walked here...[/color]"

Grant rolled his eyes, though Nadeline had a point. "[color=darkorchid]Nadeline's right. If you can excuse us for just a moment, then you can do whatever you please to your...future-son-in-law.[/color]"

Lorenzo would push his hair out of his eyes, winking at his younger brother. “[color=darkorange]I had to come and see it with my own eyes!.[/color]”

“[color=darkorchid]...what?[/color]”

“[color=darkorange]My precious Nadeline’s happiness is what I value above all else! If she so much as sheds a single tear, then I have become a failure as a father! But then the time comes where Nadeline’s happiness is no longer my burden, passed on to whatever unfortunate bastard decides to marry her![/color]”

Emiri stood up, looking at Lorenzo with an exasperated expression. “[color=pink]That’s a rather harsh way of putting it.[/color]” She stated.

[color=mediumpurple]“I never thought I would agree with the Time Scion, but she’s right, Prince, Lorenzo,[/color]” Cassandra stopped Alistair from moving on just to say that. The brunette couldn’t help but give Cassandra a rather sour look, almost glaring.

“Princess, please we must go. His Majesty strictly ordered me to escort you to your room and get Lady Aloa for him. I cannot--”

“[color=mediumpurple]You don’t need to bother yourself with such a simple task,[/color]” Cassandra stated, looking to Lorenzo. “[color=mediumpurple]Prince Lorenzo, be a dear and fetch the Lady Aloa.[/color]” Cassandra rubbed his hand, giving him a seductive wink.

Lorenzo eyed Cassandra, though he held a mischievous glint. “[color=darkorange]Simple, eh?! Just the way I like it! You leave it to me, I’ll be right back![/color]” He yelled as he ran out, running towards the right side of the hallway.

“[color=coral]I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that she manipulated my father so easily, or the fact that he fell for it without hesitation,[/color]” Nadeline was clearly displeased.

“[color=mediumpurple]Take notes, Nadeline,[/color]” Cassandra approached Nadeline, holding her hand with a smile, “[color=mediumpurple]the way to get a man to do what you want him to do is easy with the right glances. How do you think I got Jackson to accept my marriage counter proposal?[/color]” Suddenly Cassandra felt the glare from Emiri. “[color=mediumpurple]Oh right, you didn’t know that, did you. Whoops.[/color]” Cassandra shrugged, stringing Alistar away as the two of them went to her room, leaving the others to ponder on the bomb she just dropped.

Grant shook his head, though a familiar face would appear but a minute later. Aloa looked at the room, noticing all eyes on her. “[color=darkorchid]Whoa, that was fast,[/color]” He admitted in surprise.

Aloa raised an eyebrow at him. “[color=plum]I beg your pardon, Highness?[/color]”

Emiri bit her lip as she realized what had happened, trying to suppress her snickering. Nadeline let out a groan, burying her head in her hands. How was she supposed to put up with such humiliation?! It hadn’t quite clicked for Grant, a puzzled look on his face. “[color=darkorchid]Lorenzo just went looking for you.[/color]”

“[color=plum]I did not see him. I had come from the meeting hall after informing Isabelle of Wesley’s condition, though it seemed she had other matters to attend to, as I arrived first,[/color]” Aloa said. 

At that point, Emiri burst out laughing. “[color=pink]Lorenzo ran off to the right! Aloa came in from the left! He’s going to run around on a wild goose chase![/color]” She snickered, enjoying the distraction.

“[color=ed1c24]What an idiot,[/color]” Jaakuna commented. “[color=ed1c24]I can’t wait to rub this in his face,[/color]” Jaakuna spoke a moment later, joining Emiri in a joint burst of laughter.

“[color=darkorchid]That…[/color]” Grant trailed off, though he placed his hand on his forehead. “[color=darkorchid]It’ll certainly keep him occupied, at least…[/color]”

Wesley also couldn’t hide his chuckling on the events that had transpired, though he did have to do something about his sister. Obviously being in charge has changed her. “[color=fff79a]At long last, we’re all here,[/color]” Wesley signalled Jaakuna to close the door. Though he sighed, he did willingly. “[color=fff79a]Please gather around, I need to tell you all something. It’s about what I found out when I was in my coma.[/color]”

“[color=plum]Pray tell. Your condition was certainly curious,[/color]” Aloa stated, leaning against the wall. “[color=plum]After Zalera stated that it was intentional, I couldn’t quite fathom why.[/color]”

Nadeline frowned at Wesley. “[color=coral]What is it that you’ve learned?[/color]”

“[color=fff79a]I had a similar reaction, Aloa. At first, I was furious at Hashmal after he purposely put me in a stasis of sorts, but he explained it to me. He told me exactly why he did it and what the reason it was for.[/color]”

“[color=ed1c24]Which was?[/color]” Jaakuna interjected, raising an eyebrow.

“[color=fff79a]It was to fuse my mind with The Wood,[/color]” Wesley revealed, looking directly at Aloa. If anyone knew of this, he knew it was her. “[color=fff79a]This is why I asked that you be brought here, Aloa. This is why we all needed to talk. Everyone of us, in some way, has began the journey of bonding with The Wood. Hashmal told me it is our destiny. This is why the Espers have chosen us. They know us to be worthy of such a power.[/color]”

“[color=plum]You mean the Word of Ivalice,[/color]” Aloa stated, her arms at her sides. “[color=plum]The Wood--Golmore Jungle--is one of many voices of Ivalice. She communicates with those that bind themselves to her. As my people are the ones that seclude themselves in the Wood, they alone hear her words. I am surprised that you understood so much--it is not often that humes today are even aware of the Word of Ivalice.[/color]”

“[color=darkorchid]Why is that?[/color]” Grant asked.

“[color=plum]Hearing Her voice is no easy feat. It has been some time since I have heard it, though one does not reach out to the Word--she reaches out to you. Until now, that is,[/color]” She explained, motioning towards Wesley.

Wesley let out a cough, though he laughed shortly afterward. “[color=fff79a]I imagine that’s what I heard.[/color]” 

“[color=lightblue]Heard what?[/color]” 

“[color=fff79a]It was..an echo of sorts. It was layered several tons over, so I don’t know what exactly it was. Not even Hashmal could tell me, but he deduced it was, as Aloa said, the Word of Ivalice.[/color]” Wesley looked to Jaakuna, who seemed deep in thought. 

“[color=fff79a]I...think I heard it to. Or maybe not.[/color]” Jaakuna hesitated, unsure exactly if what he heard was it or not.

“[color=coral]I don’t believe I can agree on hearing any voices,[/color]” Nadeline looked disappointed.

Emiri thought to herself, trying to see, though she would perk up. “[color=pink]Ah, just before, I thought I did! But...I didn’t get a message or anything...I think?[/color]” She put her hand to her chin, trying to think.

Grant couldn’t recall any situation like that, disappointed as well. “[color=darkorchid]But...what does it mean, exactly? Chosen? Destiny? What is it all for?[/color]”

That was one thing Wesley didn’t know the answer to. He asked Hashmal a few times during this..process, but even he didn’t know. “[color=fff79a]I’m afraid to say that not even Hashmal knew the answer to that. The most he knew about it was that we, the Chosen Ones, are destined to bond with the Word of Ivalice.[/color]” Wesley stated,looking to his beloved, then to Grant, Emiri, Savayna, and Jaakuna. “[color=fff79a]Some of us have while others haven’t. Though, as it happened to me, we all will go through our own metamorphosis.[/color]” Suddenly, Wesley gripped his head, lightly grunting in agony.

Bonding?

For some reason, Emiri didn’t exactly like Wesley’s choice of words. Maybe it was coincidence, but something about it just didn’t feel right. Still, she had to put the thought to the side as she watched Wesley. Letting out a gasp, Nadeline immediately reached out to Wesley. “[color=coral]What is it? What’s wrong?[/color]” She asked, her eyes wide with concern.

“[color=fff79a]I think it just might be my lack of strength. Hashmal told me the awakening wouldn’t be easy, though I suppose he didn’t say [i]how[/i] difficult it would be.[/color]” Wesley laughed it off. “[color=fff79a]I will be alright, though there is one more thing we need to address,[/color]” Wesley said, coughing, “[color=fff79a]I need to know about this marriage proposal, Jaakuna.[/color]” Suddenly, Wesley’s tone shifted from a general seriousness to a more personal, overprotective brother one. “[color=fff79a]What exactly were you thinking![/color]” Unlike him, Wesley’s voice rose an octave.

And suddenly, as if out of the blue, the attention was back on Jaakuna. “[color=ed1c24]Whoa, whoa, whoa! It’s not like that--I swear![/color]”

“[color=coral]That--that was real?![/color]” Nadeline exclaimed, alarmed.

“[color=pink]He certainly seemed to be enjoying himself,[/color]” Emiri grumbled, her tone rather dark and dangerous.

“[color=darkorchid]Something about a unification between Dalmasca and Archadia,[/color]” Grant recalled outloud. “[color=darkorchid]It’s an intelligent idea, though I can’t say I approve of all the displays of public affection. Truly, you have no shame, Jaakuna. I’m disappointed.[/color]”

“[color=coral]What displays?! What?![/color]” Nadeline squeaked, her hands on the sides of her head. “[color=coral]Jaakuna, Cassandra isn’t even of age! What were you thinking?![/color]”

“[color=pink]His excuse is ‘I had to do it’,[/color]” Emiri stated, fuming.

“[color=darkorchid]Honestly, I could have sided with him, but it was the amount of times he did it that got to me,[/color]” Grant admitted, though he looked at the wall. “[color=darkorchid]They were alone for an awfully long time, too…[/color]”

Aloa raised an eyebrow. “[color=plum]Love shouldn’t be confused with passion,[/color]” Would be her input.

Apparently this was ‘blame Jaakuna day’, which led to Jaakuna’s rather sour expression, staying quiet for he didn’t want to further anger everyone, but by the time Aloa had added on, he just about had it. “[color=ed1c24]Okay, first off, Cassandra is very mature for her age. Her...assets make her seem older than she actually is.[/color]

“[color=darkorchid]That answer isn’t going to help you in court,[/color]” Grant pointed out.

Ignoring Grant’s comment, Jaakuna continued. “[color=ed1c24]Secondly, she was threatening war between the three nations. Did you honestly expect me to do nothing? I swear, it’s like you guys don’t even want the damn treaty to happen![/color]”

“[color=pink]She also tried to kill me![/color]” Emiri burst out.

“[color=lightblue]But she didn’t,[/color]” Savayna would point out.

“[color=coral]I  think I got the impression that Cassandra likes Emi very much,[/color]” Nadeline suddenly realized.

“[color=lightblue]Oh yes, much like how Emiri just [i]loves[/i] Lola, isn’t that right Time Wizard?[/color]” Savayna snickered, earning a glare from Emiri.

“[color=ed1c24]And for the last time, it not like I’m going to marry her. I offered her an alternate solution. She agreed.[/color]”

“[color=pink]THAT is news to me![/color]” The brunette scoffed, crossing her arms.

“[color=ed1c24]If you weren’t so damn stuck in your ways and leave the room before I got the chance to tell you, then you might’ve known, but [i]no[/i], you had to pout away.[/color]” Jaakuna also scoffed, crossing his arms too.

Emiri uncrossed her arms, a serious look on her face. He didn’t get it, did he? She felt everyone looking between herself and Jaakuna, not knowing what to say. She shook her head at him, but she had enough. She walked up to him, as if to say something, anything, But the words wouldn’t come, her eyes diverted to the floor. She shook her head once more, opening the door and taking her leave of Wesley’s room.

Grant scratched the back of his head, though he looked at Jaakuna. “[color=darkorchid]It’s tough when misunderstandings arise out of good intentions,[/color]” He said to no one in particular, though he would look out the window at the dark night. 

“[color=ed1c24]What just happened?[/color]” Jaakuna scratched his head. Sometimes he was baffled at Emiri’s actions sometimes. She got mad at him when he didn’t do anything wrong and when he explained himself, he still was in the doghouse. “[color=ed1c24]There’s absolutely no winning when it comes to her.[/color]” Jaakuna kept scratching his head, though he would scoff.

“[color=fff79a]Love is not a game; it is a journey. Only when you truly understand your other, then may you never feel confusion in their actions.[/color]” Wesley recited an old scripture he recalled from his youth.

“[color=ed1c24]Uhh..[/color]”

“[color=lightblue]He means go after her, you dumbass![/color]” Savayna, though not as tactful, translated the meaning of what Wesley said. Kind of.

“[color=ed1c24]Oh..right.[/color]” Jaakuna laughed slowly. He took his leave, following Emiri out of Wesley’s room. Though, as he would, Isabelle would walk in. “[color=ed1c24]Hi Ms’ Wesley’s Mother,[/color]” Jaakuna had good reflexes because he sidestepped, “[color=ed1c24]bye Ms’ Wesley’s Mother~[/color]” Jaakuna waved to her as he went after Emiri.

“[color=orchid]Did I miss something?[/color]” Isabelle asked, blinking at the others, confused about what she just walked into.