[color=ed1c24]“You and me both.”[/color] Jaakuna let out a sigh of sadness. Oh, how he missed his baby. More importantly, he missed hearing Iris’ voice. If there would be anything accomplished out of this trip, it’d be that he and the Ifrit get reunited. But for now, they had more important things to tackle. Specifically, getting to Roman as quick as possible.

Jaakuna had gathered what he needed and pulled Emiri along as he went for a sprint. In his haste, Jaakuna may or may not have activated his mist and blazed up, creating a rather noticeable hole in the door and rushed past Savayna and Shion, causing them to be left in his dust. Additionally, Jaakuna would rush past everyone and burst through the doors, leaving a path of total destruction as he yelled with glee and excitement. 

Once out of the aerodome, he and Emiri (mostly him) would not worry about the hassle of using an aircab. Instead, with Emiri in his arms, Jaakuna sprouted an aura of fire and would take flight, speeding past all aircabs and miniature airships that had been flying. 

[color=ed1c24]“I hope this is fast enough for you, my darling!”[/color] Jaakuna yelled out from the excitement, turning and twisting as he played keep away with oncoming traffic.

Meanwhile, in the airship, everyone was all in a frenzy as their supposed prince had left all with minor burn injuries. Savayna looked at Shion with a sigh. [color=lightblue]“I bet you regret not taking separate airships.”[/color] Savayna said to Shion, sighing annoyingly.
[hr]
The journey through the city made Wesley feel a little at ease. Stigma had always been a staple for the pride of the Rozarrian people. To see it not only withstood the onslaught of the invasion that took to Ivalice’s soils throughout the night but all Rozarrians - military and civilians - were working together so their city may return to its former glory at some point in time, Wesley felt his queen’s pride as well as every ounce of pride that came from Grant and Lorenzo.

When they stepped through the Castle gates and walked in the castle itself, there was a brief moment of conversation between some servant by the name of Mariano. Apparently, the meeting with the council had already begun. Wesley didn’t know what this meant, but as Grant noted that Karolina knew how to stall, Wesley noticed Nadeline’s sigh of relief. Despite that, however, it didn’t stop either of the Rozarrians from heading to the Council Meeting Room.

Upon entering, Lorenzo made all come to a pause as he brought his wife into an embrace. Wesley couldn’t deny the entertaining factor of when Lorenzo and Karolina were in each other’s arms. There was something infectious about it - so much so that Wesley glanced at their daughter, giving her a sweet smile.

[color=fff79a]“And to you, Karolina.[/color]” Wesley gave a similar smile to his future mother-in-law.

Shortly afterward, the meeting would continue with all taking their seats. Wesley took a seat on the far left with Nadeline, Lorenzo, Karolina, and Grant following to the right. Across from them were four men who all looked to be in their mid-life, though one by the name of Arcturus seemed to be older than the other three. They seemed to be devoid of outward emotions. They seemed to be the types that were excellent at hiding their true intention. Wesley knew men like these. He [i]was[/i] a man like them.

After letting out a muffled chuckle, Wesley simply minded his tongue as the conversation started with a bombshell he’d suspected Nadeline was going to tell them. While she did mostly keep it to herself, there had been suspicious that she’d inform the council. Given what happened to them in recent days and how she’s most likely carrying his child, it was an obvious choice from anyone with inside knowledge. Though, as Wesley had noticed from the councilmen, they didn’t seem to share Wesley’s approval.

And to be frank, Wesley thought they were a tad harsh on her. However, Aurelio seemed to be more understanding of it, if not a tad uninformed. Thankfully, Grant would enlighten them about Jaakuna’s treaty and how, even as this meeting took place, they were in the process of getting it started. Added to that, Wesley did find it mildly amusing how, no matter what either of the four men said, they would be silenced by a correction from either Nadeline or Grant. And when they would bring up an alternate solution, they would, again, be thrown off-guard. There was absolutely no denying that Wesley had found the entertainment value in this.

[color=sienna][i]You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?[/i][/color]

[color=fff79a][i]It’s hard not to. These men, try as they might, are having the most difficult time in getting what they want. As far as I’ve heard of them, they’ve made Reia’s life hard, which in turn had made her into a difficult person. If anything, I am a firm believer in--[/i][/color]

And as Wesley was cut off mid-thought, Aurelio implied something that got Wesley’s attention. 

On the subject of Nadeline’s [i]other[/i] reasons, he saw through the subtlety on her part about how she was bearing his child and the councilman, despite his attempt to not insult her, had flat-out accused Nadeline of being a common whore - something she corrected him that she wasn’t. That didn’t matter to Wesley, however. This man, no matter his nobility status, talked down to [i]his[/i] queen. If there was one thing Wesley could not and would not stand, it was anyone disrespecting the love of his life without them paying for it.

[color=sienna][i]Proceed with caution.[/i][/color]

Wesley heard Hashmal’s words and he cleared his throat. Even after Nadeline had explained it, they seemed as stubborn as any Rozarrian was. Wesley eyed all of them. They all made him sick. These kinds of men who had no business ordering around those in power what they should do in their personal lives. Telling Nadeline that she couldn’t marry him because it was a fantasy. To think that their hearts have grown stale and empty that they couldn’t see to Nadeline’s reason.

Well, fortunate for them, it was not only her place to speak.

[color=fff79a]“Forgive me, Noble Council. I know I am not familiar with all of Rozarria’s traditions, but is it not stated in your laws that, should an heir find a suitable partner, they are free to choose what they want to do no matter [i]where[/i] it’ll lead them, correct?”[/color] Wesley seemed to recall from memory as he looked at each of them. Wesley leaned back into his chair, resting his head lightly on his arm, eyes still on the councilmen. [color=fff79a]“There was a time where the Rozarrian Council [i]encouraged[/i] the heir to seek foreign partners. So, pray tell, when did you forsake the traditions your forefathers fought so hard to establish?”[/color] Wesley asked them as he remained in his seat.[hr]
Inside the Emperor’s Tower, Roman had been busy at signing order after order. Isaiah, as First Judge Magister, oversaw each order. They were anywhere from building permits to pardons for wrongly-convicted criminals. There were at least five piles of them and Roman was only halfway through the first stack of them.

He let out a sigh, looking out the window, admiring how far the repair had come. With as much technology that was at their disposal, the restoration of Archades should be completed within a month. Of course, that’s assuming the city doesn’t take another massive hit. Thankfully for them, Archadia’s allies have been helping with the renovation. 

As he had his eyes on the buildings, he noticed an odd shine coming from the central building. [color=gold]“It might just be me or…”[/color] Isaiah noticed it was coming closer and closer. Only was it as it came into full-view did he realize what it was, or rather, [i]who[/i] it was. [color=gold]“Get down, my Emperor!”[/color] 

Isaiah didn’t have enough time to warn Roman in time, so he tackled the man to the ground as the blazing aura had came bursting through the window in a crazed, excited laughter, setting the piles of papers ablaze,  and nearly burning the door to the office too. Thankfully, [i]he[/i] had a control of his speed.

[color=gold]“Jaakuna, what a pleasure to see you.”[/color] Isaiah tried to say that as genuine as he could, but given the circumstances, he couldn’t very well mean it the way he had hoped.

[color=ed1c24]“Damn babe, now talk about a landing!”[/color] Jaakuna, who had completely ignored his cousin, looked at Emiri in his arms, with a wide smile. [color=ed1c24]“We almost bit the dust there with that aircab holding those Viera. I swear, if I hadn’t done that spiral, they’d be toast.”[/color]

[color=gold]“Did you hear me!?”[/color]

[color=ed1c24]“Not to mention, getting here was a real test of speed and strength.”[/color] Jaakuna was still in his own zone until he felt something zap him, which sent him face-first into the door and unconscious.

[color=orangered][i]Good going, dumbass![/i][/color]

[color=gold][i]Oh shut up, will ya?[/i][/color]