Upon sitting down the first thing that the Everion did was greet the ever so annoyed Nizael. She didn't immediately greet him as it would be the proper thing to do, her steady gaze didn't even have an ounce of respect in it. After a brief bout of silence, she spoke up.
– "Greetings Lord Everion... It is truly a pleasure for the Bavel family to accept your presence in our humble dwelling," Nizael spat out a mouthful of pleasantries with a blank look on her face. Each word she spoke caused the corners of the Everion's mouth to twitch. He was about to speak up before Nizael spoke once more. "Truly, your presence enlightens us on the paths we must take in life, I am overjoyed to have your greeti-"
– "Enough already. How many times must I tell you that you need not behave in such a fashion?... Speak to me how we used to," The Everion interrupted her over-the-top formalities giving her an annoyed sigh. Nizael who was just saying random compliments looked toward him, confused and she tilted her head before nonchalantly speaking to him.
– "If you say so old man. How's everything going? Are you still keeping the future a secret?" Nizael quickly changed her tone and spoke casually to him. She changed lanes so quickly that it was as if her prior words were never spoken. Taking notice of the look of annoyance on his face, "I was just messing around, this celebration was just so tedious, I thought to cheer myself up a bit," She explained.
– "Why are you always like this," The Everion sighed at her response. His smile twitched at being called an old man by her. "Also we're of similar age, if anything you're an old woman," He declared.
– "At least I don't look all that old, look at you, covered in wrinkles. Guess the work is getting to you," Another carefree response escaped her lips.
Nizael's lighthearted attitude earned a giggle from the little girl sitting by the Everion's side. She, like the rest of the Everion's immediate family, was sparkling brilliantly. When she sat next to the Everion she seemed to have earned the ire of the rest of the family as a young man from the family was glaring at and the rest clenching their fist. The girl exuded a more regal sensation rather than childlike, she was sharing a similar gaze towards the celebration as Nizael, and she had just arrived. – "I always find your presence much more enjoyable than these festivities grandmother Nizael." The girl spoke in a manner of familiarity while addressing Nizael.
Hearing her use meaningless pleasantries with a brilliant smile placed upon her lips made Nizael hold back another sigh. – "Your words honor me, young lady. Though I only remember having one grandchild and you are not her. Refrain from calling me that, you were not permitted to say that," She responded kindly while lecturing the girl, ignoring her tone of familiarity. Though the girl was from the Everion's family, she and her family though deserving great amounts of disrespect, did not have the level of respect tantamount to the Everion's. This fact meant that the Bavel family could disrespect them to a certain degree, as long as there is no physical disrespect, though that would never happen with the Bavel family.
The girl listening to her gripped the table cloth slightly as she forced herself to keep the smile on her face. – "Right, I apologize Nizael. Tavella tends to get overly friendly at times, this is her first event since she awoke from her previous plight." Before Tavella could say any more the Everion spoke on her behalf with an apology, giving her a little wink. and mouthing some words to her.
– "Now that you have reminded me. I heard you were left in a state of unconsciousness after being subjected to poison. How are you faring?" She asked her with a curious gaze.
– "I'm doing much better now thanks to the care of our Everion. I thank you for worrying about me, General Bavel." Tavella switched her tone. Taking this as a chance to interact with Nizael she decided to speak to her more respectfully, this brought a slight smile to the Everion's face as he watched her.
– "Oh? You call me general? Very few people refer to me in such a way these days especially children your age." her interest in Tavella was now piqued.
– "Of course, I have a great deal of respect for you General. I have read about your exploits, it stood out to me when I read of when you and a squad of twenty soldiers delved into Asora's Rift."
"I read that you conquered an ancient metal giant and dragged it back to the Everion's Blolanc. Making it the contemporary Titan of the Everion. Though it was regrettable that a majority of the company accompanying you lost their lives in the rift."[1]
Watching Tavella's every movement while she spoke Nizael could see through her motives held behind this discussion. The girl was trying to get in her good graces and gain her support, she was scheming something. A young child like her was scheming something, this made her much more interested.
– "Indeed it was a shame that they could not survive. But it is truly a surprise that you are so committed to your studies. The last that I heard you locked yourself in that tower of yours and you would not lay a finger on a book or tome at all." There was an evident change in Tavella's character, so she dug a bit with this question.
Tavella slightly gritted her teeth at the question, she took a moment to answer the question. – "...I wasn't there because I wanted to be..." She mumbled under her breath at first. She seemed to be slightly glaring at the rest of the Everion's family. – "I thought it should be about time that I educate myself of the world, I'm already in my fifteenth cycle and war is on the horizon. I must prepare myself." She admitted.
– "Truly, you are quite the aberration." Remarking on her strangeness she spoke and laughed out loud.– "Fine, I shall give you what you wish. The Young Miss of the Concordia house shall be invited back to my estate in two days. We will talk again in more detail shortly. I'll introduce you to my granddaughter." Nizael declared.
Upon her declaration, Tavella had to hold herself back from exclaiming in joy while feeling the daggers her family was staring into her. With the finishing of her last sentence, Nizael arose from her seat before turning in the direction of her grandchild's studio. She saw a blob of red hair approach and enter through the door in a scramble, this brought a slight chuckle out to her lips. She wanted to head up the stairs and spy on the children — though her plans were impeded by the roar of an engine that brought an all-familiar memory to the front of her mind.
The dangerous and familiar sound of an assault ship engine was whirring outside; from above the hall — and there was the sound of multiple, most likely a squadron. Chaos and confusion erupted within the hall, and the families thought of rushing out to attempt an escape.
– "Raise the Ephemeral Barrier! Prepare the Lacra Barrier! And bring out the anti-aircraft weapons!... and protect the families." Nizael began barking orders while she rushed herself upstairs to Lulu's studio. The sound of reverberating banging and crashing rang out and passed through her ears – it worried her. Her daughter and husband could protect themselves, but her granddaughter, Lulu: could not. Even though Lulu was being guarded, Nizael had told Tilikum to do something, so her current guards were less than adequate to protect her; The situation worried her.
In the corner of her eye, she saw a calm Tavella standing still next to the Everion who was surrounded by his armored soldiers. Her face seemed to be overcome by realization, and then contorted into a look of anger. It was surprising – even more so when she started sprinting following the same path as Nizael.
– "Return to the Everion's side immediately Tavella Concordia!" Although she was confused Nizael still ordered Tavella to return to safety.
– "I can't. She's in danger, I must rewrite her fate with my own hands." Tavella, instead of listening to her, was mumbling things that didn't make an ounce of sense to Nizael.
There was a large crash that came from the studio — following it was a stream of fire that blew the door off. With the door now gone Nizael could hear coughing and sobs of pain. Her complexion visibly paled as she hoped what she was worrying about was wrong. Upon reaching the doorway, Nizael and Tavella witnessed a dreadful situation transpiring within the room.
There was a broad opening in the transparent ceiling that went to the floor to form a slight crater within the area centering the room, within the crater was a towering figure made of complete metal. Standing near the crater was a small bruised figure with a wide forehead and crimson hair; She had blue flames oozing from her right arm. Behind her – was a pushed-over wheelchair and a mop of long messy and bloody blue hair shrouding the crying figure of Lulu sprawled about on the ground – she was wounded and was barely keeping her wails in check.
Lulu's head swerved in Nizael's direction, she tried speaking but could only choke on her words. Seeing the recently more cheerful Lulu sprawled out in agony while covered in fresh blood caused a Nizael to snap. – "Lulu, I'll protect you don't worry, Tavella," Trying to keep calm Nizael attempted to comfort Lulu. Seeing her efforts fail she called out to Tavella.
– "I understand. I'll get her somewhere... safer than this." She quickly responded to her.
There was a confusing amount of worry within her eyes, she hastily followed after Nizael and carefully approached Lulu, who was trembling from pain.
– "No-no-no. Why... again, I don't want to... I don't." Lulu was constantly murmuring to herself as tears streamed down her face – She didn't seem to be able to hear any of what Nizael said.
The scene in itself brought a dark look to both Tavella and Nizael's faces.