Title: Easier to Run
Fandom: Final Fantasy XII
Rating: PG
Summary: Fran regrets, Basch waxes philosophical, and Balthier doesn't listen very well.
Warnings: Umm...bad title, summary, and possibly incoherent story? (shrug)
Disclaimer: I don't own FFXII, nor am I affiliated with Square Enix. But if I owned those guys...well, Basch and Balthier flirt in the game already, so it's halfway done. Heh.
Author's Note: I do apologize if this story doesn't make much sense, or if some of the words get repetitive. For the first time in a while, I just went with what I felt, because I actually wanted to get this one out, which might be why it turned out the way it did. Either way, I think I like it. And who can say no to a little moment between Balthier, Fran, and Basch? Not I! (snort-giggle)
As the party reentered Golmore Jungle, Lente's Tear in hand, Fran paused at the hidden entrance to Eruyt Village. After years of nagging doubt, she finally knew--her place truly was in the hume world. This was a fate she did not want Mjrn to share, even though her sister longed to leave the Wood. Fran would not have it, however. Running away from your home, your past...was never the answer. That she knew by now.
She turned, eyebrow raised slightly, upon hearing Penelo scream. The eyebrow fell and was replaced with a smirk as she sized up the situation. The young Rabanastran had merely been surprised by the two wandering treants, though the golems intended no harm. The quiet of Eruyt was enough throw off anyone, Fran had to admit. She watched the three younger ones as they attempted to sneak quietly by the creatures, despite how unnecessary it was. She gave one last glance at her former home before making to follow them.
"We never stop running," she heard Basch say.
The viera realized that her other two companions were not up ahead with the younger ones. Instead, they hung back near the path to Eruyt where she lingered.
"If you're referring to those jellies in Henne, or the incident with Ba'Gamnan in Lhusu, those were perfectly appropriate times to run," Balthier said. "Besides, it's part of a sky pirate's job to know when to fight and to flee."
The former Dalmascan captain shook his head. "That's not what I meant. We never stop running from our pasts, except those of us who have nothing to run from."
Balthier looked thoughtful. "Well my past usually involves bounty hunters, so I think I have perfectly good reason to run from it."
Fran looked at her companion, studying his features. If she hadn't been able to tell just from looking, she would've known from the feeling in the pit of her stomach; he was hiding something. He was running himself. She knew his place of birth, but she had never known the reason for his appearance in Balfonheim. "Bounty hunters aside, running away is never worth it." With these words, she couldn't help a glance back at the village.
Basch nodded. "Hmm. I myself am tired of running. But then...confrontation hasn't exactly worked out for the best either." He chuckled. "It seems there is no sure answer."
"Of course not," Balthier said in his usual flippant manner. "The only dependable thing about the future is uncertainty. I would think all of us would have learned that lesson by now."
With one more--and hopefully final--look at the place she once called home, Fran began following Vaan, Ashe, and Penelo. "Better to face the future and brave the unknown than live with regret."
The knight followed her silently, readying his sword.
Balthier watched them both, feeling the discerning stares they never gave, the ones they didn't have to. He sighed and quickly checked his equipment. Deciding to go with the fransisca, he caught up with Basch and Fran.
He would have to face his past eventually, that he knew, but they did have other matters to attend to, like seeing the Gran Kiltias. Archades could wait until then.
END