Oh dear, it seems my drabbles are getting shorter and shorter. :/ Oh well, here, have a little somethin' from the vault. XD
"Mayhap an hour before we reach Ridoran," Balthier announced to the crew at large. Seven people, myself included. When has the Strahl ever held so many? "You would do well to make sure you're prepared."
They filtered out, heading to their separate cabins to double-, triple-, and in the Captain's case, probably quadruple-check their equipment, sharpen their swords or gather their magicks. Within minutes, it was just he and Fran at the helm.
"Quite an adventure we've got ourselves caught up in, hmm?" His tone was deliberately glib, but her eyes said she wasn't fooled.
"Let us hope it turns not a tragedy."
"Yes, leading men have a nasty habit of getting bumped off in those.."
"You fear for your life?" The quirk of an ivory brow spoke volumes of her skepticism.
A quick flicker of a grin tugged at his mouth. "Me? No. A story must end sometime, and I think old age would ill-suit me."
She answered him with a rare, warm smile.
Silence fell for a moment, his fingers making a study of the arm of his seat, his touch always full of admiration for his airship.
"The Strahl would suffer a sorry fate," he murmured. She turned her head, granting him her attention again, and he continued at a much less certain pace, "If I should die.."
"If you should die," she echoed, her voice soft with the weight of her words. "It is because I no longer draw breath with which to call you back."
Their eyes met and they shared another smile. Reaching out, he grasped her hand and squeezed, a silent affirmation. Where you go, I go.
He turned back to the control panel, checking their destination again, just to be sure.
"Who shall take her, if we survive not?"
"The boy, naturally." There was no question of that. If Fran couldn't take his ship, he would trust no-one else to treat her as well as Vaan would. The viera nodded at his answer, approval clear in her eyes.
"He will love her well."
"Not half so well as I do," he answered, "But well enough."