Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
Basch stared out at the vast stretch of sand as he took a handful and let if sift through his fingers. There was never any doubt in his mind why it was called the sandsea, but he worried for the others in his party that did not seem equipped to deal with the elements they were certain to face. He began his short speech warning them all that should they need to rest to speak up and he pointedly looked at the two youngest party members.
"You don't need to worry about me I'm tougher than I look." Penelo quipped lightly with a well placed hand on her hip staring him in the eye.
To say she took him by surprise would have been an understatement and he laughed in spite of himself. He watched her lips upturn into a smile and she joined him in his joviality.
"Indeed you are." Basch barked out in his laughter.
She was refreshing from all the seriousness that seemed to cloud over the faces of the other group members.
True to her word, she did not once back down nor complain about all the trials they faced leading to the Tomb of King Raithwall. She certainly proved more than once she could hold her own in a battle against fiends. She also took it upon herself to bring a little bit of lightheartedness to all.
A well placed foot as they trudged sent Basch sprawling on his face spitting out sand. As he pushed up from the ground indignantly, he glanced around to find the culprit amidst the multitude of snickers. He was met with a small hand which he took gratefully and allowed her to help him to his feet. He smiled at the twin plaited girl in thanks.
"You know Basch you really should speak up if you need to rest." She said seriously as her eyes met his own.
Laughter erupted from the rest of the party members as the captain's mouth dropped open. She merely cocked her head to the side and smiled at him sweetly before turning on her heel and started to resume their trek.
"I believe you've finally met your match Basch." Vossler grinned coming up behind him slapping a hand against his shoulder.
"Indeed." Basch muttered under his breath as he watched her tread through the sand.
It would be another hour before they would break for the evening and he made a point to sit near her during their meal. As stealthily as he could manage, he stretched out an arm and tugged gently on one of her plaits.
He watched her from the corner of his eye as she made no indication that she felt anything. Then a huge smile began playing across her lips as she finally turned towards him and burst out laughing. He couldn't help but join her.
As the rest of the party looked at them as though they had gone mad, Basch thought to himself that this platinum blonde wisp of a girl was without doubt quite refreshing.