Long time, no see...

It had been a long and, frankly, rather strange journey here.  She'd traveled a great deal throughout her life, but something about the company met along the way prickled at the back of her mind.  The witch had been...well, captivating.  

But she didn't have the time to dwell on that at the moment.  No, the lingering unsettled feeling would have to be picked apart in private where analysis and introspection could be done in earnest.  Right now, she was doing her best to display the pride and confidence that came from her upbringing.  

As the child of Talon, Jaqueline had been to the Antivan Royal Palace many times.  That didn't stop her from appreciating the beauty of this one.  Still, though, the whole place was so far from home.  Things weren't stable there...but this place felt so isolated.  Of course, that might be why Fran stayed.

She was escorted to a large room, with two comfortable chairs stationed in front of a fireplace that radiated warmth.  She dipped her head in thanks to her escort, who did not acknowledge the gesture.  Instead, he just stood against the wall, carefully watching her for any signs of aggression.  It made sense, she supposed.  After all, she was from Antiva...and the daughter of a Talon no less.  The fact that she had grown up with Fran and her family didn't make much of a difference - especially considering how duplicitous the crows were known to be.  

Jaq internally cringed.  She wasn't a crow...but she knew she'd never be able to escape the shadow they cast on her life.  She shook off the thought...one more thing pushed away until later. 

She took a seat in one of the chairs, crossing her legs demurely and resting her hands atop her knee.  She always hated being so closely observed, but she'd stood next to her father enough times to know how to behave under such scrutiny.  Still, though, she hoped Fran would join her soon.

Word had reached Franziska that she had a visitor, and she would not drag her feet. The Princeling of Antiva's laugh could be heard before they entered the room; a plump Ferelden maid held snugly off to one side. The room was warm, and Fran patted the maid's head and whispered something to her, before the other woman left them. And Franziska really took in the room before her, eyes wandering across the single figure to be found. Out. She waved a hand at the guard, dismissing him without a second thought.

The door closed behind the guard, and Fran grinned, Jaq! How was the trip? They crowed the words, walking slowly to pull the other woman into a hug. Crows might be duplicitous, but Franziska was overly friendly until she had reason to be otherwise.

Jaq rose and hugged Fran, virtually glowing with relief and genuine happiness.  

[color=#7CD98A]"It was..."[/color]  She searched for the right words.  Interesting?  Unsettling?  Nothing seemed to quite fit.  [color=#7CD98A]"unusual.  Uneventful for the most part until the last leg."[/color]  That was mostly true...she'd come across a little bit of trouble, but that was sort of par for the course these days.  It wasn't anything she couldn't handle.  

She moved on, more curious about her friend than about the witch that seemed to protect her.  Guard her?  

[color=#7CD98A]"How are you?  You're so missed!"[/color]  A thought lit her face.  [color=#7CD98A]"Oh, I brought a letter from Enzino.  He said that I must deliver it on pain of death."[/color]  He didn't say death, but the things he had said certainly couldn't be repeated in public.  Or private.  And oh god, not in front of his sister.  

Jaqueline was so grateful that her years of training had included how to keep a damn poker face.  

She withdrew the letter and handed it over.  The sealed envelope was simple, with  [color=#44b8ff]"Fran the Man"[/color] scrawled in her brother's elegant script on the outside.  Should she open it, the note inside would be equally plain, reading [color=#44b8ff]"Wish you were here for me to pester.  Be safe."[/color]  Like most things Enzino did, the note had clearly been something that amused him.  

After handing over the note, Jaq let her eyes scan the room in marvel.  [color=#7CD98A]"This place is so beautiful."[/color]  The question "are you trapped here" did not make it to her lips.

Franziska laughed, Was it? What happened near the end? She enjoyed hearing about the adventures of others; though Byron did not hold her captive here, she was aware that it would be most unwise to take off on adventures of their own.

They had a kingdom to run.

The letter and her brother was mentioned, and offered. The words were simple, and she chuckled quietly, tucking it into her lapel. Ah, Enzo. Funny as always.

Fran followed Jaq's gaze, shrugging. It's not Antiva. But the architecture is different enough that it's beautiful. Nowhere could beat home.

Jaqueline smiled at the question regarding her journey.  Fran had always had an adventurous streak...and Jaq felt a pang of sadness that the pair couldn't just take off and find some sort of incredibly dangerous trouble to get into.  The sadness was immediately followed by the smallest amount of relief that her father hadn't chosen her to inherit his position, though that relief was small in comparison to the hurt she felt from being overlooked. 

[color=#7CD98A]"I met the most captivating woman...a witch.  And when I say captivating, I mean dangerous in every sense of the word.  She seemed to know you and, moreover, be protective of you.  You'll have to tell me exactly what sort of friends you're making here."[/color]

Jaq really did want to know.  Something about that woman seemed so...important.  She wasn't sure what, but it was there nonetheless.  

Of course, she also wanted all of the other gossip.  Fran might be far from familiar territory, but people and politics tend to be universally complicated.  

There was something else, too, and thinking about it made her stomach tighten.  It was a lot like the feeling of wrongness she felt when there were darkspawn about.  But they were in the city, in the castle no less.  She could think of only one explanation for it and she desperately didn't want that to be true.  She hoped Fran would be able to explain it some other way.

Franziska tilted her head thoughtfully, though only one person came to mind. I think you met Morrigan, the Witch of the Wilds? We asked her to advise us about the Blight, because Byron had carefully explained that no-one could control the Wild Witch. They did not tell her, or hire her, they asked of her and paid her for her services.

She's... pretty dangerous? But Byron says we're on good terms. She shrugged as if it meant nothing. You still seem... uneasy, though? Did someone follow you?

The guard had left the room; but not the vicinity. Though the king was forgiving, the guardsmen had not wanted to test how forgiving he might be.

Jaq nodded slowly and bit her lip, aware that it communicated far more information than she'd normally find acceptable.  Fran had always known things.  

She forced a slight smile, the sort of thing that one does before revealing something they're hoping is all in their head. [color=#7CD98A] "It is nothing, really.  I just...had this weird feeling like...well, like something wasn't right here.  Like I had to come to check on you."[/color]  She shrugged a bit, trying to make her words seem less ominous.  [color=#7CD98A]"I get the same feeling when there's a storm approaching our house back home.  I imagine it is just that I'm so far from home."[/color]

She desperately wanted it to be that...but she already knew it wasn't.  It never was.  

She just didn't want her friend to be in danger.  

Her eyes sought Frans, hoping for the reassurance she didn't expect to find.  [color=#7CD98A]"Everything's okay here?"[/color] 

Everything's great. He's a great man. But things weren't the best; the Blight was rampant through the country. She knew that. She also knew her friend knew that.

Jacq, ever consider you might have a touch of Seer? She raised her eyebrows at the other woman. Sometimes those gut feelings, they're part of an ability. Least, that's what my mother always taught me.

She thought about shaking her head no, but there was no point in it.  Fran would know it wasn't true.   

Yes, she'd considered it - especially after Magnus had pretty much insisted that was the case.  But still...the feelings almost always seemed to be bad.  Just for once she'd like to have a sense of impending joy and sunshine.  

[color=#7CD98A]"The thought has crossed my mind...but it seems like such a strange idea.  I always figured that would be something you just know about yourself."[/color] 

She gave a half smile and wiggled her fingers as if casting some sort of magic.  [color=#7CD98A]"I can't even imagine doing some of the things I've seen done."[/color]  

Again, she looked at Fran with eyes that screamed with worry.  [color=#7CD98A]"You have lots of friends Fran.  We'd all be here in a heartbeat at just a word."[/color]

Franziska raised their eyebrows. Not always. I've been seeing a lot of people who weren't born with magic suddenly learning they've got it. I suspect the Veil between worlds being removed is changing things. Fran said this like it was the point-blank truth; perhaps it was. The Veil had changed a lot, some things noticeably and others not-so-noticeably.

It takes a lot of practice, but eventually... it's like breathing air. Fran stated, shaking their head at their friend's worry.

Jaq gave a slight nod.  [color=#7CD98A]"I'm gonna have to take your word for that.  Besides...I'm not sure how my father would react to the idea of me training for such a thing."[/color]

Or training in general.  It wasn't as if he didn't approve of it for others...just not her doing it.  Just not his baby girl.  

Not that she'd ever let that stop her before.  It just meant that it wasn't something she could actually say out loud.  Knowing Fran, she probably was already aware of all that. 

For the smallest fraction of a second, Jaq's mind jumped back to the delivery of Enzo's letter, and the circumstances she gave about his request for it to be delivered.  Once again, she wanted to wring the little asshole's neck.  But if Fran hadn't picked up anything before, letting her thoughts linger any longer was a dangerous game to play. 

A new topic was needed.  

[color=#7CD98A]"So tell me all about him...your beau."[/color]   She gave her friend a serious look.  [color=#7CD98A]"Is he actually worthy of you?  I'm not sure I believe that is possible...but I suppose making you happy is as close as one can come."  [/color]

As talk turned to Byron, Fran rolled her eyes. I mean, it was arranged, Jaq. But... I like him. He's... kinky. There was that. She grinned as she thought about it, really thought about it.

But he tries to spoil me. It doesn't... come anywhere near what I'd get spoiled with in Antiva, but...

Jaq grinned in response to Fran's smile.  [color=#7CD98A]"Kinky, huh? Sounds like fun.  Variety can be really nice."[/color]

She'd played prim and proper for most of her life...but Fran knew the truth - or at least enough of it to know she could be quite adventurous when she could be relatively assured she'd get away with it.

She shrugged in response to the comment about being spoiled.  [color=#7CD98A]"Eh.  Stuff is stuff.  Nice, but I'd rather have people than stuff any day.  People are more fun in the long run."[/color]

She leaned back in her chair with an impish grin.  [color=#7CD98A]"Speaking of fun...don't suppose you know of any completely wholesome activities we could enjoy tonight.  My father may have eyes and ears about, but it seems a waste to not experience some of the local customs while in town." [/color] Translation:  I want to get into trouble and not get caught.

With everything going on at home, Jaq was in need of a little variety.