Telling Nadia and Jean about their decision might have seemed like a most trivial act, without any important or exciting meaning. At least if one didn´t know what this decision would mean for Grandis and her gang as well as for Nadia and Jean. Despite her boastful, pigheaded nature, Grandis clearly considered all possible options before coming up with this decision that would certainly change the course of fate in a crucial way for Nadia and Jean, and most importantly for Grandis herself. She had to delve deep into her soul and her conscience, carefully considering the results for her and her two loyal henchmen. And even if these results would put her own life at risk, there was no way she could betray her conscience and make another decision. After all...she somehow changed after her "peace agreement" with Nadia and after she saw Nadia treating Jean with so much respect. That made her think about her own life, and she slowly realized all of her mistakes she had made in the past. Like the mistake with her husband; the mistake of having been a thief for so long...and the mistake of having accepted this mission, having agreed to steal Blue Water and to abduct Nadia.
But all this did not matter anymore. Now, she would finally be able to get over her past and to start a new life, and this was going to be the beginning: defying her employer and joining her "foes" in order to defeat him. She would help Jean and Nadia to reach their goals and to escape that vicious circle she had been trapped in for so many years...
Standing in front of Nadia, with Jean sitting on the palm of her right hand, she took a deep breath before she was finally able to tell the two about her plans. Nadia and Jean, on the other hands were looking at Grandis curiously, as their eccentric new friend seemed to feel uneasy about something, but they would find out soon enough, as Grandis began to speak.
"Nadia...Jean...we really had a hard time deciding on this, and we considered all possibilities. But now, we know one thing for sure. We...we would like to join you on your search for the truth about Blue Water, and to solve the mysteries clouding your past, Nadia."
That surely was surprising for both Nadia and Jean. A few hours ago, she and her two minions were trying to abduct her and to steal Blue Water, and now...now she was talking about joining her and Jean on their journey! That was certainly a quick change of the situation, and Nadia herself wasn´t quite sure what she was supposed to think about this. The memory of Grandis keeping Jean a prisoner inside her belly was still more than fresh, having transpired just an hour ago. And she still remembered the hatred she felt for Grandis at that moment, as she tormented Jean in an unbelievably cruel way. And yet, Nadia changed her opinion about Grandis after this incident, and after she willingly brought Jean our of her own belly, she realized that this vile and cold seeming woman wasn´t a bad person at all. She was just misguided, but not evil. Nadia knew exactly that terrible events must have taken place in Grandis´ past that made her the thief she was. Of course, Nadia knew this woman for just a short time, but she could see by now that there was more behind Grandis than her appearance and her behavior gave away. Nadia was able to perceive such things, and it also happened when she saw Jean inside Grandis´ stomach, crying and cursing her. She knew that deep inside, Jean still loved her, and she was proven to be right in the end, although that moment really was a terrible experience for her. So now, that woman had changed her mind completely and somehow underwent a transformation from a vile and foul female super-villain to a loyal (?) and likable friend. Despite this surprising and obvious change in Grandis´ heart, Nadia would accept her offer to help her solve the mysteries surrounding her past. Not only because she was willing to accept Grandis a friend now, but also because of her obvious knowledge concerning Blue Water. There must have been a reason for Grandis wanting to steal Blue Water so badly, and this interest in her precious stone certainly went beyond her thievish instincts. In any case, she would be a great help for them.
Jean, on the other hand, wasn´t too keen on Grandis´ offer to say the least. In fact, her unexpected words somehow managed to release Jean from his state of lethargy and depression (still because of the kiss he didn´t receive...) and to practically blow him away. He stood up from the soft ground of Nadia´s palm and stared at the woman who made him suffer in such a cruel and unimaginable way, with her two minions standing behind her. Unlike Nadia, Jean was enraged at Grandis´ offer. How could she propose coming with them on their journey as if they were good friends, as if nothing happened? These people were trying to kidnap Nadia! They hurt her feelings in some terrible ways, and that woman...that mean woman caused him a traumatic and nightmarish experience he´ll probably never forget, which would always remain inside his soul as a scar. The horror of having been swallowed alive (which was, by the way, not exactly horror when he was swallowed by Nadia) and being held captive inside Grandis´ digestive tract was something no 14 year old boy should ever go through, although that might sound cynical. But not only caused him this experience pain, grief and anger. It almost got him killed. When he fell onto the surface of Grandis´ intestines, weakened, hurt and exhausted, he was beginning to think that this was going to be his end. The only things that kept him alive were his shining will as well as his unsurmountable love for Nadia. Thanks to this, his weakness did not overcome him completely, and now, he was together with the love of his life again. Still, it was impossible for Jean to forgive Grandis. Not after all he had to go through just because of her. But...it was already clear that he would let Nadia decide. He considered her to be the "leader" of the duo, anyway. Ever since they decided to go on this search for Nadia´s origins, he accepted this role of hers. It was the only possible choice, anyway. How could someone who was smaller than an inch lead them on a dangerous journey? Besides, he trusted Nadia with his life. So even if he wasn´t keen on Grandis´ company at all, he would still accept Nadia´s decision. Their goal was to find out more about Nadia´s parents, the place where she was born, the true meaning of Blue Water and its power...simply everything. And there was no way that he would have allowed his complaints and his problems to threaten the solution Nadia´s most powerful desire that was anchored deep within her soul, as well as this single question Nadia had to suffer from since she was a small child: "Who am I?". Although Jean could not possibly relate to this identity crisis Nadia must have been having all her life, he knew how terrible it must have been for her to live every day without even knowing her true identity. Breaking through this fog of uncertainty was most essential for her, and Jean would have done anything in order to help her solving the great mystery surrounding her very existence. To him, loving someone also meant to overcome personal feelings in order to make the one you love happy. And seriously, if there was one thing in this world Jean wanted much more than anything else, then it was to see Nadia being happy.
After a rather long and awkward silence, Nadia finally gave an answer concerning Grandis´ offer.
"Grandis...why do you want to join us? Why this decision all out of a sudden?"
"We have our reasons. Let´s just say that we want to help you. And I...I want to make up for the mistakes I´ve made. I want to atone for my sins, even if that might be impossible."
Jean turned his head away in disgust. What was that woman thinking? Words were meaningless and could never make up for the suffering he had experienced. And right now, he couldn´t forgive her, anyway.
"I am sorry, Grandis, but I need to know more."
"..."
"I want to know why you were trying to steal my amulet and to abduct me. You seem to know more about all this, you cannot fool me. I beg you, I...I must know."
Nadia tried to remain factual amidst this rather emotional situation. It was all about her past, after all, so she had to try everything in order to get at least some hints. Grandis had somehow expected this, and she knew that she had to tell Nadia everything about her employer, his goals and Nadia´s role...even though Grandis was aware of the fact she and her two minions were just mere pawns and supporting actors in all these events. Her employer...he was certainly up to something big, something Grandis had not the slightest idea about. But still, those things she knew might enlighten Nadia´s path at least slightly, so she decided to talk about everything.
"All right. What do you want to know?" Grandis then asked, obviously willing to answer Nadia´s questions.
"Everything. I want to know why you were trying to get Blue Water. I want to know who hired you for this job. I want to know everything you know about the stone, your employer...and me."
"Hm. That´s quite a lot, but it´s all right. I´ll try to answer your questions the best I can."
Even though slight hatred was still swelling inside Jean, he couldn´t help but awaiting Grandis´ story eagerly. Some background informations about Nadia really did interest him, after all. Both he and Nadia were bracing themselves for some revelations that would hopefully make everything at least a bit more understandable.