[color=springgreen][i]Why?![/i][/color]

[color=darkorchid][i]What.[/i][/color]

[color=coral][i]So that's where this was headed.[/i][/color]

Grant didn't quite appreciate Levi's rather...interesting way of performing magicks (though he put on his best pokerface, lest Savayna notice) though he had to admit his surprise as their surroundings changed around them. He looked around, entirely confused, though it wasn't until he bumped into Nadeline that he noticed the sole outsider in the room. His hand immediately went to his weapon, going so far as to take a step back, although he realized that he wasn't the only one hostile to their new place. Nadeline didn't look to pleased, though she retained her air of authority. Emiri wasn't too happy either, though she made to step behind Jaakuna, her hand on his shoulder. She didn't understand where this was going, and as she looked to the blue haired woman for an answer, she nearly screamed in terror. Saying Shion looked angry was an understatement, if looks could kill, she was pretty sure everyone would be on the ground lit on fire. Shion couldn't quite hide her absolute displeasure, though for once she remained completely silent.

Aloa would be the first to speak. "[color=plum]Choosing the lesser of two evils, are we?[/color]" She asked, a curious tone emitted. "[color=plum]What a gamble, with yourself to reap the rewards the moment someone's guard is let down.[/color]"

"[color=darkorchid]Lesser of two--are you serious?![/color]" Grant immediately protested.

[color=ed1c24]“This [i]has[/i] to be a joke.”[/color] Jaakuna said. He knew that Levi had a twisted sense of humor, but of all people-- [color=ed1c24]“Tell me you aren’t--actually, fuck that. I knew this was a trap.”[/color] Jaakuna’s eyes glimmered bright gold and his Transcendent Blade manifested in his hands. [color=ed1c24]“If we take him on together, we can end it right here and now. Who’s with me?”[/color] Jaakuna looked around.

[color=lightblue]“You know I’m game!”[/color] Savayna stood beside Jaakuna, Mateus’ trident appearing in her sword hand.

[color=fff79a]“Normally, I wouldn’t, but I cannot agree to this partnership.”[/color] Wesley announced, joining the two blond Archadians as he donned his own sword. 

Grant didn’t bother with words, immediately joining the rest of the group, weapon at the ready, though he made it a point to avoid eye contact with Levi.

Honestly, it wasn’t that Nadeline didn’t disagree, but… “[color=coral]Before we go into full on battle, can we hear what exactly their intentions are?[/color]” The princess asked her battle ready companions. “[color=coral]I can’t help but feel this is happening for a reason.[/color]”

“[color=springgreen]The reason being that this was a trap from the get-go,[/color]” Emiri pointed out.

“[color=coral]As much in line as if would be for Levi to simply drop us into a pit of despair only to get fed on by a monster, I must insist that--for now--we listen,[/color]” Nadeline was persistent.

Grant scowled at her, not quite liking the look on her face. “[color=darkorchid]And your insistence comes from…?[/color]” He asked, slightly afraid of her answer.

Nadeline sported a wicked smile, knowing exactly who to go to in order to get the rest to lay down their weapons, if only for a moment. She turned on her heel, her eyebrows high as she gave Shion a rather amused look. “[color=coral]You’ve been rather quiet through all this, haven’t you?[/color]” Nadeline invited the woman to the conversation. “[color=coral]Go on, tell Jaakuna to take it easy for a moment.[/color]”

Shion looked like she was either going to throw up or start screaming, it was very unclear what her next action would be. Taking in a very deep breath, she raised her hand, waving their concerns away. “[color=deepskyblue]It’s...not something I derive any pleasure from whatsoever,[/color]” She grumbled, though she cleared her throat. “[color=deepskyblue]We’re out of options. Even if you were to go confront the Creature now, it would result not only in your deaths, but the deaths of anyone and everyone we hold dear.[/color]”

“[color=springgreen]You realize what you’re saying,[/color]” Emiri couldn’t help but say. “[color=springgreen]You realize what [i]they[/i] have done to me, right?[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]And I’m [i]saying[/i] to [i]listen[/i].[/color]” Shion seemed to be losing whatever patience she had. “[color=deepskyblue]Does it [i]look[/i] like this is something I want?[/color]”

As their spat had continued, Venat and Levi exchanged a series of glances and some entertained chuckle. [color=36454]“As much as I’d love to show you once again I’m stronger than all of you, the Blue Rose is right. If you hear what I have to say, perhaps we all could arrive at some understanding.”[/color]

Jaakuna gritted his teeth, looking back and Shion, then to those who had joined him in what was supposed to be a badass assault. [color=ed1c24]“Fine, we’ll listen.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]“We will?”[/color] Savayna asked.

Jaakuna reluctantly nodded. [color=ed1c24]“If you try anything funny, you’re dead.”[/color] He warned Venat.

[color=36454f]“Oh but of course!”[/color] Venat seemed to comply with Jaakuna, offering him a smile. [color=36454]“Ah, where do I begin?”[/color] He pondered on that for a brief moment before having an ‘a-ha’ moment. “Oh yes, let’s start with the obvious: I sent the Creature to the Tomb to retrieve the Dynast Dome for me.”

“[color=darkorchid]Which backfired. Horribly.[/color]” Grant couldn’t help but point out. “[color=darkorchid]And instead of retrieving the relic as you would have hoped, it decided to take it for itself and essentially doom all of Ivalice.[/color]”

[color=36454f]“Oh..”[/color] Amid all of the animosity, Venat had just realized something. [color=36454f]“A shame that you sound like yourself now. That girly tone suited you better.”[/color]

How the hell did he know that? Grant scowled once more, though he was effectively silenced. Feeling some pity for him, Emiri decided to pick up where he left off. “[color=springgreen]So you fucked up. Now what?[/color]” She asked. 

[color=36454f]“I’ve figured, of anyone, you’d pick up on the obvious, Time Scion.”[/color] Venat sighed, disappointed in Emiri. 

She refused to back down. “[color=springgreen]Enlighten me.[/color]”

[color=36454f]“We work together and get the Dynast Dome away from the Creature.”[/color] He stated rather casually.

“[color=springgreen]Wait--we--’[i]we[/i]’?![/color]” She was completely flabbergasted. “[color=springgreen]You can’t be serious![/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]Oh, he is,[/color]” Shion assured her bitterly.

[color=ed1c24]“Yeah that’s not going to happen. I’d rather take my chances with the Creature than [i]ever[/i] team up with the likes of you.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Seconded.[/color]

[color=fff79a]”Make that thirded.”[/color]

[color=teal]“Just hold on,”[/color] Michel used his portal to appear between Venat and the anti-Venat club. [color=teal]“What makes you think you could be any help to us? You said you sent the Creature to the Tomb of Raithwall to retrieve the Dynast Dome for you, but it decided the relic was too valuable, so it decided to keep it for itself. Am I correct?”[/color]

[color=36454]“You are.”[/color]

[color=teal]“And, as I’m sure you know, we have no idea where the Creature is nor why it made that decision. And I’m guessing you don’t either. If you did, then why send Levi to fetch us?”[/color]

[color=36454f]“All true, but you’re leaving one thing out.”[/color] Venat said, looking at Michel, [color=36454f]“While you may all hate me(and with good reason), unlike the Creature, I do not wish you any [i]real[/i] harm. I simply require the Dynast Dome to return me to a form before this crusted version of myself you see right now. The Creature, however, wishes to use it for something too evil for even my standards.”[/color]

“[color=springgreen]Uh huh, and as soon as you get what you want, we get thrown to the side or worse--you go ahead and take advantage of our guard being down and strike![/color]” Emiri huffed.

“[color=darkorchid]Having six sacrifices to whatever concoction to return you to whatever you used to be, and then you get to do whatever [i]you[/i] desire,[/color]” Grant added, unconvinced.

Nadeline seemed to remain composed. “[color=coral]I’m not concerned with the ‘why’ of the matter, I’m more interested to know if you have any concrete plans to take the Creature head on,[/color]” The princess said. “[color=coral]Perhaps then you’d have a chance at gaining the attention of my comrades.[/color]”

Venat smirked, eyes focused on Nadeline. He admired her bold confidence. Not all humes remained calm in front of him, especially those who had an axe to grind against him. [color=36454f]“I do have a plan — one I’m sure will interest three of you here a great deal.”[/color]

Three out of eleven? How convenient. Shion exhaled a breath, placing her hands on her hips. “[color=deepskyblue]Which three?[/color]” She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Venat smiled. “You, your protege, and your right-hand woman.” He simply stated.

She couldn’t quite contain her laughter at that point, her eyes positively venomous. “[color=deepskyblue]You’d dain to step down from your throne and ask [i]me[/i] for help?[/COLOR]”” She asked. “[color=deepskyblue]How beautifully ironic.[/color]”

“You’re letting your anger cloud your natural intuition, Blue Rose. You’d be best to calm down.” Venat suggested, doing as Shion had asked him to, and he approached her, phasing through Michel and the others. Before they could even do anything, he was in front of Shion. He leaned in to her ear, the stench of his mist quite possibly numbing Shion’s senses. Though it surely would’ve been hard to handle, he would whisper fifteen words into her right ear and as soon as he did, he would appear back in his throne.

Amber eyes would widen as she took a step back. There was a mix of both fury and disbelief in her expression, though after a moment, fury took over. She took a few steps forward, almost as if she was going to confront him, though instead she turned back to the group, a deadly look in her eyes. Without bothering to explain anything, she would return to the group, dragging Jaakuna with her a few steps towards the throne.  To her surprise, Emiri had taken Jaakuna’s hand, halting her progress immediately. 

“[color=deepskyblue]This doesn’t concern you,[/color]” Shion informed her, pulling Jaakuna towards her. “[color=deepskyblue]We need to speak. Alone.[/color]”

“[color=springgreen]And you expect me to just accept that?[/color]” Emiri asked, incredulous as she would tug him back. “[color=springgreen]Clearly, you’ve lost your mind.[/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]This is not up for discussion.[/color]” Shion insisted, pulling on Jaakuna’s other arm.

“[color=springgreen]You’re right, there’s nothing to discuss! Leave him alone![/color]” Emiri yelled, pulling him as well.

“[color=deepskyblue]Stop acting like a child![/color]”

[color=ed1c24]”Ladies..please, there’s enough Jaakuna to go around—”[/color] He said, but was interrupted by their continued squabbling.

“[color=deepskyblue]Shut up! This is serious![/color]” Shion snapped.

“[color=springgreen]Let go of him![/color]”

“[color=deepskyblue]You let go![/color]”

“[color=springgreen]No, you![/color]”

Nadeline let out a groan. “[color=coral]Tell me this isn’t happening right now…[/color]”

“[color=darkorchid]He’s enjoying himself,[/color]” Grant noted.

“[color=coral]Enjoying himself--Grant! Stop them![/color]” She told him.

He laughed. “[color=darkorchid]I am [i]not[/i] getting in the middle of [i]that[/i].[/color]”

Levi appeared between Grant and Nadeline. “Is it always like this?” She asked, giving Grant a spontaneous massage with her hands.

“I’m afraid so--Wait, what do you think you’re doing!?” SAvayna just noticed Levi having her hands on Grant.

“He looked stressed, so I’m helping my dear [i]brave[/i] knight feel relaxed.”

“He’s not yours, you slimey bitch! He’s [i][b]mine![/b][/i]” Savayna yelled, grabbing Levi by her hair as she yanked her away from Grant.

Grant shuddered, though he managed to slip away from the pair of women, and despite his better judgement, he realized they were just wasting time. “[color=darkorchid]He said he needed three, so clearly they have something to talk about,[/color]” He said, trying to coax Emiri.

“[color=springgreen]Nothing could be so important I’d just leave Jaakuna![/color]” The brunette insisted.

The blue haired woman dropped all pretenses, though she would also release Jaakuna, glaring at Emiri. “[color=deepskyblue]All of you, out. Now.[/color]” The order was absolute, no arguments would even be considered.

Aloa’s ear twitched, though she clucked her tongue. “[color=plum]How truly troublesome…[/color]” She sighed. “[color=plum]Best to do as she says, run along, children.[/color]” Nadeline compiled a little too easily, though Aloa knew her princess always sought out every possible solution before making a decision, and for this she was glad.

Grant could already see Emiri’s protest brewing in her mind, and would kneel down in front of her. As Emiri opened her mouth to protest, instead of words, a yelp came out as she found herself on Grant’s shoulder. “[color=springgreen]What--Hey! Put me down, Grant![/color]” She flailed, reaching out for Jaakuna. “[color=springgreen]I don’t like this! Jaakuna! Don’t let them use you![/color]” She yelled out as Grant would lead her away.

As it proved to be unavoidable, the rest would follow suit. Wesley joined Michel with a sigh as they joined their respective significant other and Savayna couldn’t help but mutter some obscenities as she was the last to go. Even Levi made herself scarce has she disappeared into a portal of mist.

And all the while, Jaakuna waved to Emiri. [color=ed1c24]“Love you too, dear!”[/color]

“[color=plum]That poor woman,[/color]” Aloa shook her head slowly, giving Jaakuna a look of pity. “[color=plum]Her concern falls on deaf ears.[/color]”