What [i]didn't[/i] happen? There was a tiny part of her that wished he hadn't brought it up, but it was more than obvious that for the first time in a long time, she was tired. There was no escaping it, and even as she let herself relax for a moment, Shion realized she didn't even know where to start. 'So my lover who I had murdered is supposedly a being bent on drowning Ivalice in darkness, did I mention he could possibly come back to life too? What'll that do to our relationship?' was not where she wanted to go with this, but as her mind swimmed around in the many thoughts occupying her head, she realized she had stayed entirely silent the entire time.
 
Breaking it with a soft groan as she would sit up properly, she noticed his staring. "[color=deepskyblue]The transfer was successful;  he now bears Belias' Sigil, though the gods revel in my frustration as we are now forced to cooperate with [i]it[/i],[/color]" She decided to inform him, but she couldn't quite hide her displeasure. "[color=deepskyblue]Apparently it created something that went out of its control--as these things tend to happen--and thus it falls on Jackson to make an attempt at purifying it to its former self.[/color]" She seemed weary, a hand to her forehead as she spoke.
 [hr]
Grant's eyes widened, a look of genuine surprise on his face. "[color=darkorchid]Well, the sun's color is actually closer to white--[/color]" He began, though Emiri would throw him a glare so threatening that it effectively halted his sentence. "[color=darkorchid]I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that it would do you well to bring back some of that previous confidence you had before — some, not all.[/color]"

Emiri had a sneaking suspicion that Grant was starting to get on Jaakuna's nerves. Grant's cluelessness didn't help things, though she figured she would do her best to alleviate Jaakuna of him. Coming to a halt outside one of the doors, Emiri would lead Jaakuna in, though when Grant would try to enter, she would hold out a hand to stop him. Lightly pushing him back, she would then close the door in his face, turning around to face Jaakuna. Inhaling a deep breath, she tried to think of something she could do to cheer him up. It took her a moment to realize the sound of water could be heard, though rather than a room as she had thought, the room was dimly lit with the exception of a tank that went from the floor to the ceiling. The blue light that the tank emitted was a quiet tone,, a contrast to the red Jaakuna wore, though it matched the expression of doubt he wore.

Taking a step forward, she placed her hands behind her back. "[color=springgreen]I figured you could use a break from him,[/color]" She explained, though she realized she had no idea what to say. Shifting nervously, she looked him in the eye. How she wished it was her instead of him; doubt was a familiar thing to her, and she was so used to it. But he was always so sure. Always… “[color=springgreen]He does have a point. They’re all waiting for you to ‘return to normal’, so to speak. But that’s not really how that works, is it?[/color]”

[color=ed1c24]”I get what you’re trying to do. I get what Grant and just about everyone else is trying to do as well, but just because I have this sigil, it’s as if I’m the [i]only[/i] one who has to do this.”[/color] Jaakuna sighed, giving Emiri a glance before having returning to the empty vastness of the other side of the room he had been staring at before. “Why is it always me?” 

Now he was just complaining.

She stared at him for a moment, though an idea popped into her head. “[color=springgreen]Well...if you don’t want to, maybe I can?[/color]” She suggested as she approached him, frowning. “[color=springgreen]Someone needs to do something. Does it really matter if it’s you...or if it’s me?[/color]”

[color=ed1c24]“Not a chance in hell.”[/color] Jaakuna retorted sharply.

That was an expected response, but the way he said it… “[color=springgreen]I’m sorry,[/color]” She muttered an apology. “[color=springgreen]I just wanted to help, I can’t stand seeing you like this. I just thought…[/color]” She stopped for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. “[color=springgreen]I know how you feel. It just sucks being in that position. I never wanted you to feel that way if I could help it.[/color]”

Great now he was feeling guilty. 

Jaakuna turned to Emiri, his hand on her shoulder as he gave her a smile. [color=ed1c24]”It’s not your burden to shoulder. It sucks, but I know everyone is right. Besides,”[/color] he sighed, [color=ed1c24]“I think I can understand why I’m the one who has to do this.”[/color] Jaakuna thought about what he just said. And as he kept his eyes on Emiri, it hit him. [color=ed1c24]“The same thing could’ve happened to you like it did to him.”[/color]

To him? What? She looked at him, confused for a moment, though it took her a moment to realize what he meant by that. “[color=springgreen]Even if that is the case, even if you think you’re being forced into this--I’m right here,[/color]” She said, her hand on his.  “[color=springgreen]If you’re right, and this is something you have to do, it doesn’t mean you’re alone. All this time, you’ve been protecting me, so now it’s my turn. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you this time.[/color]”

[color=ed1c24]”Since when did you get this confidence? Did you use a sapping spell and steal mine away?”[/color] Jaakuna half-joked, chuckling.  After a moment of it fading into silence, he let out a sigh as his eyes looked down at her hand on his before going back to her gaze, simply smiling at her.

“[color=springgreen]It’s nice to be on this side for once![/color]” She admitted full heartedly, returning his smile. “[color=springgreen]All about balance, right?[/color]”