Show and Tell
You could say it was a normal day at school. Except, it wasn't. Today I brought something that no one else has ever brought to school before, and it was Balthier. I had no idea where he came from, I was just casually waiting for my bus when 'bam!' out of the bush came this strangely dressed Englishman. I was going to ignore him, but I was far too intrigued in the man who just suddenly appeared. He also didn't know where he was. I thought he was mad.
The man pulled himself out of the bushes swearing under his breath. His accent was distinctive. English I think. He brushed off the dirt from his butt and adjusted his cufflinks and looked at me with an odd expression.
"And who may you be?" His accent was much more distinctive now. I looked at his strange clothing as he looked at mine.
"Uh…Liz? And who are you?" I said trying to sound polite. Before he answered he looked around patting his pockets. Looked like he had lost something.
"Where the hell am I?" He asked himself then looked back at me. "Balthier."
"I'm sorry?"
"My name. Isn't that what you asked?"
"Uhm, yeah." I squinted from the strange name and crossed my arms. He brought out his hand.
"Nice to meet you." I hesitated then brought my hand out shaking it slowly. He swiveled around hastily and started looking around the bush he appeared out of shuffling through it.
"What are you looking for?"
"A teleport stone. I think I had one in my pocket. You don't have any that I could borrow?" I narrowed my eyes in confusion.
"I don't think so." I scratched my head nervously. "What are they anyway?" Balthier looked up from the bush, confusion in his eyes. Before he could speak I stepped forward. "Where are you from?" I asked shoving my hands in my blazer pockets from the cold wind. He stood up. He was really tall compared to me now he was standing straight.
"Well, I spend most of me spare time in The Royal City of Rabanastre." I looked around then looked back at him.
"And where abouts is that? Is that in Hobart?" He gave me a very weird look again crossing his arms.
"Hobart?"
"Okay. Lets start over. Where did you come from and how did you suddenly appear in this bush?" He looked back at the bush and back at me.
"Well Vaan was fiddling with a teleport stone and I ended up here. I told him so many times to not fiddle with those things."
"And Vaan is a friend of yours?"
"Pfft, more of an acquaintance who was tagging along." Before I could ask more questions he interrupted. "So what's this Hobart you speak of?"
"Well basically you're in it. Ever heard of a place called Australia? Tasmania?" He shook his head. Now I was confused. The bus started approaching and I glanced at Balthier.
"Well long story short, I need a teleport stone to get back. And soon so I can get back to my businesses in Dalmasca." I signaled the bus.
"Why don't I take you to school with me? You may find one lying around there?" The main reason I wanted to take him to school was because I was interested to find out what the day could be like with this strange man. He shrugged and followed behind me onto the bus. I paid the driver $1.20 and watched Balthier.
"Do you take gill?" He asked politely bringing out strange coins. Before the bus driver could say anything I pushed in front of Balthier.
"Let me pay for that." I said laughing nervously. I handed the bus driver an adult's fare of $2.40.
The 20 minute bus trip went surprisingly short. Balthier talked about his duties back in Dalmasca. I told him about Hobart, but there wasn't much to say. Hobart is a bit of a hole now that I think about it, but I still love it.
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So basically here I am now at the front gates of the school with Balthier at my side. Seeing my school is in the middle of a busy town, his confused face nearly made me laugh. I walked ahead casually holding the straps of my school bag and he followed slowly looking around observing everything. I turned around facing him.
"Hurry up or we'll be late!" Balthier stopped looking around and quickly followed behind me. We started walking up a few steps when he paused.
"Won't people find it strange that you have brought me to your school? From what you told me on the bus, this is a private 'all girls' school. I don't think I'll be too welcome." I stopped walking and thought for a bit.
"Good point"
TBC..
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