Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
She looked up to the sky and blocked the sun with her hand as she sighed. This was it, the end. She gave a half smile and dropped her hand as she turned around.
It wasn't the first time he would leave her to fend for herself, but she knew it would be the last. He thought of her as a sister and she had been willing to pretend. But it was getting harder to pretend now and Penelo was anything but selfish.
Penelo wanted a life with a husband and children and Vaan still wanted to fly, so she'd let him go. She hadn't even shed a tear when she told him and he had breathed a sigh of relief. Her parting gift had been a kiss to his cheek and the two feathers that once graced the end of her braids. He simply said 'later' with his trademark smile.
The Galbana's glossair rings were in action, not that Penelo was going to change her mind. She started walking from the hanger into the Aerodome and paused for a brief moment at the archway. She dared to look back once more and gave a silent laugh, it was empty. She continued on her way.
Entering into the Aerodome, she was greeted warmly by a handsome young man with raven black hair and an armor clad Judge Magister. She smiled at them both.
"Penelo, I had received your reply and decided to greet you in person." Larsa Ferrinas Solidor's now deeper voice spoke fondly.
"Thanks Larsa," she replied softly.
"You will truly accept?" the blue eyed man asked apprehensively.
"Yes Larsa," Penelo nodded her head with a smile. "I'll marry you."
The now seventeen year old man beamed as he swept her into his embrace which she returned with genuine affection. She did love the young man, enough to marry him, but she knew in her heart he could never replace Vaan. She didn't want him to and she knew he understood.
The Judge Magister had removed his helm to congratulate the two and Penelo smiled at the familiar face. The three began their trek to the transport that waited just beyond the Aerodome. Penelo stopped briefly to adjust the ties on her braids that were now coming loose.
"Penelo, where are your feathers?" the familiar gruff voice of Basch questioned curiously.
"I kissed them goodbye," she said with a gentle shrug and placed her hand in Larsa's.