Xaviers!

"I... err... well... So you gonna take her to the festival?" he asked after awkwardly searching for something less sappy to talk about.

"I mean, if she's feeling up to it I will, but I won't force her. I'm not sure if she's feeling up to, er, public appearances just yet."

"I more than get that. Gettin' back into the world after somethin' negatively affects the way you see yourself in the mirror isn't easy."

"Especially for a beautiful princess, I assume."

"Given that her face is on a lot of posters in her country... yeah, I don't think it's very easy for her at all." Jez said as she reflected on an aspect she hadn't thought much of before, or at least not to a great enough consideration.

"I can't even imagine living on a pedestal like that, with people prepared to use violence to knock you off of it. All over somethin' you're born into."

"I lived with her pretty much the entire summer, and I don't think I know even a quarter of what kind of pressure she's under. She really is made of sterner stuff than most, that's for sure."

"I certainly couldn't handle that kind of pressure without lashin' out at somethin'."

"Maybe I should take her to the danger room, or one of those places that let you break plates and microwaves and stuff. Though that's not really addressing the problem, it might help her vent...."

"I'm not exactly the poster child for healthy copin' strategies, but it's definitely better than takin' things out on other people. That just leads to loneliness," he said as if he'd learned that lesson the hard way.

"Yeah, and while I don't think she's been doing that yet... it might be best to get that energy and those feelings out before it has a chance to happen. Maybe the festival will present her with some opportunities to unwind. I'll have to bring it up when I see her later tonight."

"Hope to see you two there. It'll be wild and fun. Should be healthy to see how us common Western folk party too."

"I'll do my best to convince her. I hope you and Ainsley have a great time too." The girl offered Leo and Robin a little wave before she resumed her trip down the hall.