Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“Yes, actually, I do find this a waste of time.” Levi bluntly said. She was every bit as serious too, as seen from her face.

Francis looked to her obviously appalled by Levi’s words, but he did not engage that further. “Your eminence, I report that since the clearing of your brother and his friends, the reception has been met with favorable responses. Among the commoners, Jackson — erm, I mean Jaakuna — is widely popular, especially the famed Pirate and former Leader of Balfonheim, Lannit, and his wife, Wendy. They are prominent members of Old Archades. I believe that Archadia is heading in a great direction, Emperor Roman. Perhaps your father’s vision of peace between the three great empires of Ivalice may just be realized, but I’m rambling.” He admitted, which was true.

Levi yawned. Truly, she wasn’t interested in this in the very least, but she spoke. “So, Jackson is regarded highly, big deal! We still have that little problem about the strong mist that took the form of a shadowy-smoke yesterday. Or are we not even going to address that?” She said clearly disinterested in what Francis was saying.

---

When the discussion went on the topic of most likely encountering at least one of the three known(to them) members of Utena in Nabudis. As Grant would say that, he would tread on thin ice as he would mention Lola wanting her ‘pet’, which Emiri instantly responded to by saying that next time she will have her, as she would state that she wanted to get her for her little stunt. Grant would ask about Nabudis and while Jaakuna and Savayna drew a blank, but they put on their thinking faces, Wesley, however, looked down, squeezing his fists.

“Nabudis…” He angrily said, “it’s the place where man’s obsession with power came to be. My father showed me the ruins and it’s by far one of the most horrific sights I have seen, especially after the story I was told by my father. He said that men, most likely of Archadian descent, experimented with Nethicite and wanted to see how far it could be maximized and that’s where a lot of people died from the Midnight Shard’s power.” Wesley said clearly still plenty angry about what happened. He would then proceed to slam his closed fists(pinky side down) on the table. Wesley’s expression was the angriest anyone saw him get. “Those fucking bastards.” And there it was, Wesley’s first time cursing, but there was more to the story that Wesley was letting on and it would be plainly obvious at how emotional he was about it.

Ripples in Reality: A World in Lines

Yeah, it's been good to me. Doing a lot of posting in other rps and playing some Skate 3, so all is goody good for me. How about you? :3

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Everyone just watched Grant and Nadeline guess and guess and guess about what Lola’s power could be. Wesley didn’t know what to think. Sure, some of them were good guesses, but they were having way too much fun with it. Wesley just shook his head at it. Savayna also didn’t know what to think about it. She struck her face with her palm in a ‘I can’t believe it’ way. Jaakuna was just glad that Emiri didn’t get in on this or else he would be forced to also palm his face.

When it seemed that they were done, Grant would bring up the possibility that if she was a dominatrix. Wesley took his gaze to Savayna who was getting more angry as they went on. Wesley gulped and would mentally say This can’t go well.. As he said that in his mind, Savayna stood up and whacked both Nadeline and Grant in the head. “GODS YOU GUYS! STOP ACTING SILLY AND BE SERIOUS!” Her voice raged through the dining room and instantly, everyone would fear for their life. Savayna would then kiss Grant on the forehead and smile so cheerfully at him. “Sorry I had to hit you.” Her closed-eye smile probably confused him.

---

“He’ll see you now.” The assistant said. Levi and Francis would go in and once they made their way right before the steps in the office, they would stop.

“Emperor Roman, Judge Levi here.”
“Emperor Roman, Judge Francis here.”

They both bowed their head and would raise it after a few seconds. They came to the view of Roman sitting down and they couldn’t help but take notice of the stack of paperwork on his desk. Levi smiled a bit as she found it a bit amusing that Roman was having such a tough time with the paperwork.

“We are here for the mandatory meeting that always must take place between the Judges of Archadia with their new emperor. I know that Judge Hamut is busy and Judge Ixion is busy with other matters, so that leaves us.” Francis said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It was true that they knew nothing about Lola. They definitely knew some stuff about the other two current members that they knew who were in Utena, but Lola remained a mystery. Jaakuna didn’t know what to think on what this Lola chick could do and Savayna didn’t get much aside that she has big o’tities. So, she was also drawing a blank. Even when Grant would mention the fact that she mentioned a pet and that pet being Emiri, Savayna didn’t think anything of it, nor was she now.

Wesley, unlike the rest of the group, was actually thinking real hard and a theory came into his mind. “This might be a long shot, but what if the answer of what Lola can do was right in front of us.” He said.

Jaakuna looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Elaborate oh dear prince?” Jaakuna said.

Wesley chuckled at Jaakuna’s remark. “Okay, so she obviously has this very weird obsession with Emiri and having her as her pet, right?” He rhetorically asked. “Okay, so what if her power lies within exactly that: pets. I mean, what if she can someone control the bodies of her so-called ‘pets’, like a puppeteer.” Wesley probably wasn’t making any sense. The theory itself was way out there.

Jaakuna didn’t know what to really think about that, but it was at least something for them to discuss. “I don’t know, that’s kind of out there.” JAakuna said. “What do you guys think?” Jaakuna asked the rest of the group.

---

The morning sun gleamed down upon Archades. People were out and about just doing their morning routines, whether it was walking to work or whatever, they all just did it cuase it was their duty as citizens. Above in a flying limo, there were two people doing their morning routines: Judges Levi and Francis. The two of them were on their way to their first meeting with their new emperor, Roman. However, the way there would be a while, so Levi thought she would just pick at Francis’ mind for a bit.

Levi picked up a glass of champagne, and her legs were crossed. “So, I’m sure you’ve heard Francis, right?” Levi asked smiling at Francis.

Francis looked at her intrigued and confused. “I do not know what you mean, dear Levi.”

She smiled and was genuinely surprised. “Oh, dear you actually haven’t.” She laughed as if she was dying to tell him.

He saw her laughing, but he knew not what for. “No, I don’t. So, why don’t you enlighten me.” He said with a slight hint of annoyance under his breath.

She set the glass on the table. “It’s about your dear son, Michel.” She said.

Francis now turned his expression from slight annoyance to full annoyance and slight anger. “What about my son? Did something happen to him?” He asked as if desperately wanting to know.

She smiled. “No, it’s nothing like that. “ She said leaning back against the couch, arm along the top of it and she looked to the window. “I just heard this little rumor that he’s now with an assassin group known as Utena.” She lightly said.

Francis’ eyes widened and he was in such disbelief. It wasn’t the fact that his son joined a group — he fully supported his son to be his own man. No, it was the group he chose to join. “Of all the--” Francis couldn’t believe it. “--are you sure?” He asked Levi wanting to make sure.

She rolled her eyes over to Francis and shrugged. “Like I said, it could be just a rumor, but why should it matter? Your little Michel is becoming a man now and he’s sure to have a time of his life with the sluts of Utena, would he not?” She said as she playfully smiled and laughed.

Francis was not in a laughing mood and this wasn’t a laughing matter. “That’s quite enough, Levi. Until I find out more, this does not leave these steel doors, do you understand me?” He said pretty much ordering her.

“Fine, I have no interest in your personal affairs either. Just thought I would let you know.” She said.

Francis definitely didn’t like any of this. “Where did you hear this rumor?” He asked her.

“I have my sources”
“Tell me!”
“Fine. I have a spy in the Viera Village of Eruyt.”
“I thank you, Levi.”
“Yeah, just don’t make a big deal of it.

After Levi told him, Francis’ flying limousine arrived at the Archadian Palace and as it landed, the two of them would get out of it. They walked into the Palace(more like a building, but whatever), and as they would ascend six floors, they came to the seventh. They would inform Roman’s Assistant that they were there to have their mandatory meeting with the new Emperor, Roman. The assistant would inform them to wait where they were standing as he would go inform Roman.

The assistant would press a button on his desk. “Emperor sir! I have Judges Francis and Levi here to meet with you. Shall I send them in?”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The morning was a good one for the most part. Aside from a few tossing and turning , the group had a good sleep with their significant other. They would definitely be woken up by the loud sounds of Savayna waking up Grant. Once everyone was awake, they would make their way into the Royal Dining Hall to which they were presented with a glorious breakfast. They were joined by Lorenzo and Karolina. All throughout the breakfast, Lorenzo would keep on implying that he would love to bond with Wesley. It didn’t take an Archadian Scientist to figure out what Lorenzo meant by that. He wanted to duel Wesley. As much as he would love to see what Lorenzo was made of, Wesley politely declined.

When breakfast was over, goodbyes were given and when Emiri finished washing and drying her hair, everyone left. They were sent off by the maids and butlers as well as Nadeline’s parents. They walked through the streets, and it only took them about ten minutes to get to the Aerodome. They would board the Ifrit and after two minutes of everyone getting settled in the dining room, the ship took off on Jaakuna’s command to Iris to set a course to Nabudis. There was slight talk about how to get there and after Nadeline would mention that the safest way would be through The Salikawood. When that was settled, Jaakuna would tell Iris to set a course for The Salikawood and not Nabudis itself. When that was settled, they all sat down.

As they all sat down, Nadeline would reveal that Reia would remain on the throne, but only as a public face. She further stated that despite these developments, Vlyn informed Nadeline that the group of assassins known as Utena have their own agenda. She further said that Reia may have hired Lola, but the others definitely had their own reasons for doing what they did. She also said that there’s a chance for the group to encounter Utena in the future. Wesley knew that much to be true, but he still didn’t like it. Nadeline continued and said that the one called Meli showed a rather unique shadow manipulating power. Everyone thought real long hard about it. That’s when Grant would just ask what the others can do.

As Jaakuna and Savayna looked at each other, they knew exactly what Michel could do, but Savayna more than Jaakuna. Savayna sighed and spoke. “Michelangelo von Sicarius, son of Second Judge Magister Francis “Fenrir” von Sicarius. He started as a promising member of the Sicarius family. “ She said, “being the son of a judge, Michel spent most of his days learning about every ins and outs of Archadia. He was later taught how to sneak and kill by Levi, who then pretty much made him her second-in-command. He is young, but a worthy foe. I even took him under my wing last year. His mastery over Black Magick is even beyond anything I’ve seen from anyone. Though, his real strength does not lie within magick, but influence. Even though he is barely a man, his influence stretches far beyond anything that I’ve seen. “Savayna sounded displeased at the path that Michel had chosen. “I would fear him the most. Michel has many allies and since he is the son of a judge, he could very well be more dangerous than anyone we have encountered yet.” Savayna said.

As Wesley listened to Savayna, he seemed very disturbed by what she said, but mostly because that he was the son of a judge and even more so, taught everything he knew about sneaking and killing. Yes, this disturbed Wesley immensely.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As they looked at each other, and she gripped his hand with her own, she returned his words with her own. Jaakuna just kept thinking on what Justine said about Emiri's powers. Would she really be stuck in time for good if she were to use her powers in such a way again? Jaakuna didn't want to think about it, but the more he resisted thinking about it, the more he found himself doing it. He didn't want to lose her and if Jaakuna was given the option, he would be stuck in time with her if it came to it. He didn't care about what was to come of him if he did get stuck in time with her. All that mattered to him was that he would be with her forever. Jaakuna said nothing, he just closed his eyes, repeating her name as it got softer and softer.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When he led her out, both Jaakuna and Emiri started to dry themselves off. Jaakuna would begin with his hair as he ran the towel all through it until it was damp. Then he ran it across his torso, arms(and pits), back, and his entire lower body. Once he was fully dry, Jaakuna went over to the dresser, which seemed to have some pajamas. Jaakuna would just pull out a pair of black sweats and that’s it. He wore no boxers or anything. He just slipped those black sweats with a white stripe going down the middle-side of each pant leg.

Jaakuna would soon make his way over to the bed, to which Emiri would claim that it was softer than his own. Jaakuna highly doubted that, so he would go and lay onto the bed. Once his legs and back were on it. He didn’t want to say it, but he would have to agree with Emiri. The bed was softer, the cushion absorbed more and still held the shape. Oh how Jaakuna felt like he was on a cloud right now. “You’re right. Mm…” He said as he felt so relaxed. He laid on the bed arms extended and legs also. He would turn his head over to Emiri and see her looking at him. He would turn to his side, his left/top arm reaching over to her face, and he gently caressed her hair with his hand. He smiled at her, eyes barely open. “I love you so much.” He said, his body shifting closer to her.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

When she made that joke about him staying in Archades while she went off in the Ifrit, Jaakuna smiled. He wanted to tickle her right then and there, but he didn’t. He just let out a laugh. That’s when she would answer his question and say that she would find it hard to give up the hunter life, but she would then say that cause of the life that she chose led up to meeting Jaakuna. As he would listen, he found himself smiling, but in the nostalgic kind of way. It was almost two weeks ago, but Jaakuna felt like it was forever ago. So many things have happened since the time he arrived to collect a bounty from Vlyn till right now. He just couldn’t believe all the shit that had happened to him, to her, to their friends, and just everything. Truly, Jaakuna was so nostalgic at this point.

Jaakuna got his head off of Emiri’s shoulder and he would cup up his hands and fill them with water. He would run it over his head, and his hair was forced back, revealing his bare forehead. A slight moan of relief was released from his mouth. His hair was trained to go back, so it stayed there, but he would shake his head and the water would land to Emiri. He looked to her as he would stand up, hands supporting him as he navigated through the bottom of the tub. He would then place one leg out and hand extended to her. “Shall we get out now? Unless you rather prune all up?” He said smiling and releasing a chuckle.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Jaakuna chuckled at the mention that Emiri didn't remember her own birthday, but he would cut it. It was then that she would answer his question about whether or not she would stay in Rozarria. She would stay that she couldn't stay to live there anymore. To visit maybe, but not live. She told him that after the taste of freedom has graced her lips, she wanted to have more of it and do that with Jaakuna. That's when Jaakuna looked at her. He just smiled at Emiri, not wanting to take his eyes off of her. "Of course that's alright with me, but what if I do end up on choosing to go back to Archadia? Would you be fine with that even thought you just said you wanted to learn more about Ivalice?" Jaakuna asked her.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As they relaxed in the tub, Jaakuna laid his head upon Emiri’s shoulder, and she would then rest her head. As she would do that, Emiri would tell him that this was probably going to be the last time that they would be able to relax like this. Instantly, Jaakuna knew what she meant by that. With Zodiark only giving them three days until he would supposedly take over the world as their new god. Jaakuna would just think about all of that and that’s when Emiri would just speak about what will happen when everything was said and done. Jaakuna then thought back to the discussion he had with Justine.

“About that..” Jaakuna said leaving a slight moment of silence there. “When I requested to talk to your mother, I pretty much told her that when everything is all said and done, I would like for all of us — you, me, her, and your father — to just sit down and openly talk about everything.” Jaakuna said as his eyes would look up to her. “I also told her that…well I would propose to you properly.” And then he said it. Jaakuna would then think back on what Justine said about Emiri’s power and he would not say anything about that, but he would say something else. “Oh, and happy birthday, my darling~” He would say so gleefully.

As he would, he thought about what she said about his family and if he would go back to Archadia. “I don’t know if I will go back. It’s true that for the first time in three years, I’m on good terms with my family and I definitely could go back if I wanted to, but for some reason, I don’t think I do want to. If this was three years ago, then maybe I would say differently, but a lot has changed — I’ve changed, and I think it’s for the better.” Jaakuna said as he wasn’t sure exactly what he would do. “I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” He said, “how about you? You think you would like to stay in Rozarria when this whole mess is done with?” He asked her