Author Notes: Inspired by a certain quote from Reverent Wings. I do not mind Flames as long as they specify what exactly they don't like. If you don't like one of my stories please say so because otherwise I don't know how I am supposed to improve my work. Disclaimer: Characters are Square Enix's not mine.

Fran had long grown tired of the Hume tradition of giving gifts. It seemed they would press their acquisitions upon a person at any given opportunity. Many were the events to provide such an excuse. She would not mind if the gift was useful but to be presented with flowers and diamonds? What was she expected to do with such things? She was certain she could not fight countless foes with roses. However, she did put diamonds to use – they fetched a fair price.

When she had first entered the Hume's world their obsession had amused her...slightly. Such things were present in the Wood but it was a rare occurrence – something to be grateful for. Viera do not treasure materialistic items therefore the rare gift would be an object that is useful in their daily lives. A gift may offend some Vieras. Jote was one such Viera. Jote was a strong, independent Viera. If someone was to give her a gift she would fear they felt she was dependent on them. Fran had learnt this...the last time she had done such a thing...Jote had been mad...Fran would never willing inflict so much pain upon herself again.

Humes too had rules. It is considered...rude...to return, discard or sell a gift. This still puzzles Fran. If they were so attached to the object why did they give it away? If an object is in your possession then you are free to do as you will, are you not? Fran takes heed of the Hume's emotions. Politely, she accepts the gift. Discreetly, she disposes of it. She was almost proud of herself for tolerating this tiresome Hume tradition.

It seemed to be mostly the males of the species who presented her with gifts. It was only in recent years had she begun to understand this. It was because they were... attracted to her. When she had first realised this she had shuddered. The very notion of her becoming romantically linked with a...Hume...it had made her physically sick.

Had... now, she realized it was just their way. A gift is a friendly, manipulative, Hume way of showing affection. Even her companion bestowed gifts upon her. Although, his gifts were...different...different in ways her intelligent Viera mind could not comprehend. It was worrying...Fran disliked not being to grasp something so simple. Before she had met him, she had believed she knew everything there was to know about gifts.

Nothing he had given her was meant to impress her. Nothing. Not the rainbow feather they had acquired from their first hunt together. Nor the wayward broken arrow from their first meeting. Not even the beautifully decorated poetry book. He had once travelled all the way to Golmore jungle just to bring back a part of the Wood. He had wanted her to feel at home in the Strahl .Often had she wondered about the purpose of these odd trinkets.To remind her, perhaps?



Like every gift she had accepted everything with a polite nod and the obligatory word of thanks. She may, if she could muster it, smile. It faintly pleased her to see him smile in return. She enjoyed the way his thin, subtlety soft lips...ssh, she was becoming distracted by little, trivial things. She had been in the Hume world too long. To think such things about a man – let alone a Hume man! - was to insult the Wood. She must abandon these feelings like she disposed of the feeble Hume gifts.

Except... she never did dispose of Balthier's gifts. They remained...safely hidden in a box under her bed. How...childish...