[Plot] Sparking Joy

[Narrator]

A black car, with Symkarian diplomatic plates, rolled up to the front gates of Xaviers University.

Out stepped a man in a long black...cape? Cloak? Something between the two. Wearing dark sunglasses and staring at the university with a disapproving frown as he began to make his way up the drive.

[Narrator]

The man -- whoever he was -- continued his walk up the drive, stopping to check a map of campus. He nodded, and then started heading for the dorm rooms, picking up his pace as he went.

[Narrator]

The man, whoever he was, reached the door of Katarina's dorm room, and started knocking.

"Ello? Ello? Katarina? Is Her Highness in today? Ello? Ello?" he said, continuing to constantly knock.

[Samantha McManus]

"You know," a voice from down the hall says, "The last person skulking about that room turned out to be bad news."

[Narrator]

"Ah, yes, we are all very sorry to hear about the trials and tribulations our darling Katarina has gone through.

But I am not to be bad news! I am the bringer of good news! A fresh start; a rebirth; the first step on the next part of her journey!"

It was just lacking a dramatic breeze or a sunset to stand in front of.

[Samantha McManus]

"Which is why you dressed for a funeral?"

[Jacques Ciseleur]

The man laughed, taking off his glasses, and flung his cape open dramatically, to reveal a multi-colored suit underneath.

"I was told to arrive inconspicuously, and so inconspicuously I have arrived! But now that I am here, allow me to introduce myself -- I am Jacques Ciseleur, master sculptor and documentarian of the history of our glorious nation, long may it reign."

[Samantha McManus]

"How inconspicuously are we talking? Is she expecting you?"

"Don't lie, by the way. The prince tried."

[Jacques Ciseleur]

"She is, yes. I know she is eager to repair the damage so she does not have to wear that awful Latverian mask around anymore, and I came as quickly as I could safely get away from my other arrangements."

Sam wouldn't detect any obvious signs of dishonesty from the man, per se, though he also wasn't just providing her with every piece of information.

[Samantha McManus]

"Is she expecting you now, or didn't you bother to ask her schedule?"

[Jacques Ciseleur]

"Well, I may be an hour or two late, but art arrives in it's own time, you know?

Oh dear, is she in class? I would have expected her to take time off with her disfigurement, but I suppose it just goes to show you the pluck and determination inherent in the Karkov line," Jacques nodded.

[Samantha McManus]

"I can find her," she says, her eyes fluttering for a moment as she casts her mind out over campus.

[Narrator]

It wouldn't take too long to locate Katarina -- she was in Braddock Manor, in the basement where the heavy-duty equipment for metalwork and the like were kept.

[Samantha McManus]

"...she's not at class," she says with a frown.

"Come with me."

[Jacques Ciseleur]

"Certainly," Jacques nodded -- the concept of being led by someone less important to meet a member of royalty wasn't entirely a new experience for him.

"It is a very nice campus you have here, you know. Different, yes, but quite picturesque," he said, making casual small talk and missing Sam's frown completely.

[Samantha McManus]

"I hope you're light on your feet, Mister Cisleur. We're going to have to be quick about this," she says as she starts briskly down the hall for the stairs.

[Jacques Ciseleur]

In an instant, Jacques' rather goofy demeanor fell away. Well, at least somewhat.

"Is there a problem then, gospođica?" he said, quickly falling in line behind her.

[Samantha McManus]

"I'll apologize after if she's just snogging someone down there."

[Jacques Ciseleur]

"I would not want to be the one spreading rumors," Jacques said, mildly. "But I take it that you do not feel that is the case?"

[Samantha McManus]

"It doesn't exactly scream 'secret snogging spot' to me."

[Jacques Ciseleur]

"Ah, when I was young, you would be surprised what could serve as a 'secret snogging spot' in a pinch," Jacques said, wistfully.

[Samantha McManus]

"Just keep up," she sighs, as they exit the building and start across campus.

[Narrator]

Jacques kept up as the two quickly crossed the quad, headed for the Princess and the other Jacques...