Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
A/N: Alright, a break from my normal torment. Here is a cute little piece that I started writing well over a year ago and just never bothered doing much with it, until now. With great help from Lady Penthier (who is a fantastic beta,) this piece will finally see the light of day. It's meant to be lighthearted, so I apologize before hand if any of the characters seem a bit 'not themselves.' I can only hope you will be willing to forgive me long enough to read it through. This will be another multi-chapter piece and a rather short one at that. I do not expect it to go past 10 chapters total. Well I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter One: What?!
Penelo carried her knapsack over her shoulder and hummed a little tune as she made her way out of the aerodome and into the city proper. It had been a year and half since she had last been here and the city really hadn't changed that much.
She wound her way around the tall buildings and stopped a few times to inspect some wares being peddled, but she didn't linger. Penelo was visiting today and Penelo loved to visit.
Vaan had decided to sit this visit out because he was still uneasy around them. Penelo thought he was being silly, but then again this was Vaan. I mean really, Larsa was no more likely to throw him in prison than he would Penelo. Not that they wouldn't deserve it, but Larsa was pretty good about looking the other way when certain Archadian treasures went missing and they never took anything that Larsa himself thought important.
Penelo arrived on the steps of the Palace and took a breath in admiring how tall it was. Why Archadians felt it necessary to challenge the sky was beyond her, but it was beautiful all the same. She smiled and made her way up the steps to the two guards standing watch.
She introduced herself and the guards nodded and asked her to wait as one went inside to announce her arrival. Penelo settled herself on the top step and continued her cheerful humming, stopping every so often to ask a question of the remaining guard who answered her inquiries politely. She'd learned long ago that even Imperial soldiers were people too.
When the other guard finally returned, Penelo and Syril, as the guard was named, had fallen into an easy conversation. The other guard simple motioned her inside as Penelo waved goodbye to Syril and walked through the double doors.
She was greeted by yet another guard who was to escort her to the royal drawing room. She waved goodbye to the unnamed guard who nodded politely and resumed his post outside.
Penelo started immediately chatting up the new guard. This one seemed rather talkative and learned that she was from Old Archades and was here to help support her family.
It was rare that one met a female guard in Archades and Penelo had always figured them to be gruffer. But by the time they reached the drawing room, the two were discussing the best way to remove stains from white clothing.
The two entered the drawing room and the guard announced Penelo's arrival. The blonde then turned and gushed her gratitude to the guard who stammered a welcome in return and left.
"Must you always torment my guards?" The amused voice of Larsa Solidor toned from his desk.
"I wasn't tormenting. It's a long walk and I would prefer to talk rather than stare at the back of someone's head all the way. Besides, she had a really great idea on how to get wine stains out," Penelo grinned.
"Wine stains?" Larsa turned his head towards her grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey, when you have to do your own laundry then you'll understand," she chided and walked up to his desk leaning over.
Larsa gave a short laugh, "Unless my citizens find reason to remove me, I am afraid that will not happen."
"I could always have a talk with your Judge Magister and tell him you're interested in learning," she bantered back.
"You wouldn't dare!" Larsa exclaimed indignantly.
"I will if you don't get up from that desk and come give me a hug this instant."
"Penelo," the soon to be fourteen-year-old whined. "I am far too old for this."
"You are never too old for hugs, Larsa Solidor. So this instant young man," Penelo chided him as he made a grimace and stood from his chair.
The raven-haired young emperor reluctantly made his way over to the platinum blonde girl and placed his arms around her hesitantly. Penelo made up for his lack of enthusiasm by wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. Larsa's face blushed as he allowed her to kiss both his cheeks and sighed with relief when she let go.
"You know, there will be a day when you won't mind kisses from a girl," she teased playfully.
Larsa sputtered as his face went an even brighter shade of red. He had now found interest in a paper on his desk and was studying it fiercely. Penelo merely shook her head and grinned.
"So, you're getting taller." Penelo giggled.
"Yes, that happens." Larsa said with a nod still not looking at her.
"Soon you'll be taller than me and then I won't be able to pick on you so much." Penelo sighed and Larsa chuckled finally looking at her.
"Though I doubt you will allow the tables to turn to anyone's favor other than your own." Larsa smirked and Penelo laughed.
"Ah and speaking of favor, here." Penelo said as she reached in her knapsack and pulled out a small golden figurine, handing it to him.
"Oh thank you." He gushed. "You have no idea how much trouble the owner is giving both Gabranth and myself over its mysterious disappearance."
"Well tell him to not leave it out in the open next time and it won't wander." Penelo grinned.
"In his safety vault is not out in the open, Penelo."
"It is when he leaves the combination on a piece of paper right next to it." Penelo grinned back.
"Well thank you all the same." Larsa sighed. "I do wish you would give up sky-pirating."
"It's something to do. Besides, someone has to keep Vaan in line." Penelo said with a shrug.
"This brings me to another point. Are you ever going to stop mothering him?" Larsa said with a grin.
"If he'd ever grow up." She sighed and settled herself on the top of Larsa's desk.
The blue-eyed emperor made to protest but was interrupted by a guard announcing a very important matter had arisen. Larsa looked to the door to see an aged man carrying a bundle of blankets being ushered in by the guard and a lesser Judge.
"What is the meaning of this?" Larsa questioned the Judge.
"This man claims he has something that belongs to Judge Magister Gabranth." The Judge spoke.
"And why bring this matter to me first then?" Larsa questioned sternly.
"Show him." The Judge barked to the old man.
The old man moved the blankets ever so slightly to reveal the pudgy face of an infant not more than a few months old at best. Penelo gasped and slipped down from the desk to get a better view. She slowly made her way to the old man.
"May I?" she asked politely and the man sighed in relief as he handed the sleeping infant to her.
"Explain please." Larsa said tersely.
"My Lord, my tenant, she was ill, gravely ill and just recently passed on and I have no means to keep the child and thought perhaps the father would be willing…" The old man pleaded.
"What does this have to do with Gabranth?" Larsa interrupted impatiently.
"My Lord, he is the father." The old man again pleaded as the lesser Judge towered over him.
Larsa grumbled as Penelo made cooing noises to the infant. This was not a situation that could be resolved easily. After all, technically the child's father was also dead, but to admit such would be a disaster. He would certainly be removed by the public if they found out he has an old member of the Dalmascan resistance posing as his brother. He most certainly would be doing his own laundry then. Life just wasn't fair sometimes.
"And how do we know you speak the truth of the matter?" Larsa scrutinized the old man.
"My Lord I have no reason to lie. It is his, I swear." The old man pleaded frantically.
The old man looked uncertainly to the pacing lord and the young lady who held the babe. Penelo simply was studying the child intently now.
"Larsa?" she questioned softly.
"What is it Penelo?" Larsa sighed in agitation.
"This baby is his," she said as her blue eyes locked with the young lord.
Larsa now only had one thought on his mind. 'Great, just great.'
