A/N: I apologize. I've been slacking.

Disclaimer: Though tragic, I don't own FFXII

XxX

Rising from her position on a moss covered log, she looked out over the wood to get a better look. After all, it wasn't every day that a ship came careening out of the sky.

Sure enough, the ship came into contact with the ground, sending shrubbery across the land. Birds erupted from the trees, screeching raucous caws in fear.

She hopped off the log, landing on the soggy earth without so much as an underfoot squelch. Perhaps this was worth investigating. At the very least, she could pick through whatever supplies were left in the ship.

XxX

Balthier scowled, as frigid rain pelted his body. This was certainly not what he'd hoped for.

He turned around, wiping rainwater from his forehead as he inspected the ship once again. The once polished and gleaming ship hull was now scratched and sodden with mud and tree limbs. The nose was stuck deep in pool of black, sticky mud, and both wings had taken considerable damage. The engine sent off black plumes of smoke that mixed with the brumous, rain laden clouds above.

Balthier came to the conclusion that they'd landed in some forest—in the middle of a rain storm. Moss bloomed over every log, and every tree trunk in sight. Around 10 meters above, there was some sort of wooden plank path, which was also covered with moss and greenery. It was pure luck that the ship missed the path altogether, and landed a few meters in front of a tree trunk. However, there was no hope in climbing up to it, as the rain soaked moss covering all the trees offered little traction.

Balthier sighed. The crash had happened nearly half an hour before. Immediately upon impact, the ship creaked with the horrible sound of compacting metal, and the stripping of gears. Of course none of this was matched with the horrible high pitched wail coming from Nono in the seat next to him, even well after the ship had landed.

As the two of them wove themselves through of the jumble of ship parts, Nono declared that they were doomed and never to see anyone from civilization again. Balthier recalled it being nearly fifteen minutes before Nono stopped his speech of the immense suffering they were about to endure. A break only came when he spotted three slightly winded moogles appear from the brush.

They paused for a moment, catching their breaths before running up to the ship. They gave Balthier a glance before seizing Nono and pulling him off to the side. Balthier watched in wonder for a time as they chatted amongst themselves. Occasionally one would look up, but quickly returned to the conversation.

Balthier rested his hands on his hips as he waited for Nono to finish. Maybe he was asking the other three to fix the engine. From the gestures and jumps the moogles were making, he couldn't tell for sure.

A bit later, Nono nodded and waddled over to where Balthier stood, and cleared his throat.

"Well, Ffamran, it's been fun, but my services are needed elsewhere, kupo. Looks like they need help building a bungalow of some sort. A bungalow, Kupo! Can you imagine? Anyway, kupo, I'll have to catch up with you later."

Balthier had opened his mouth to protest (that was his mechanic after all), but in a flurry of awkward movements, the three moogles, along with Nono disappeared into the green brush.

He was alone, in some unknown forest, with a ship partially stuck in a pool of muck.

Yes, Balthier indeed, was in trouble.

XxX

Several hours had ticked by now, and Balthier had long given up on the idea of fixing the engine. A while ago, he'd decoded to give the thing a once over, and perhaps get it to start. His efforts, however, were rewarded with an explosion and a squirt of muck to the face. Any and all thoughts of fixing the engine had since made their way to the back of his mind.

Presently, he sat up against the side of the ship, the right wing over head sheltering him from the rain.

He looked out over the area the tall trees leading his eyes to the bridge above. With a sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Was there anyway out of this mess? Apparently leaving in such a haste had more negative results than simply forgetting to tell his father good bye.

A plan would have been good, not to mention a map, and a good deal of other supplies would have been quite beneficial. He rubbed his face. At least the rain had died down to a tranquil mist, and the clouds above, though still gray and heavy with rain, parted a bit to let some sunlight hit the ground below.

Balthier frowned standing. Maybe there was something back on the ship that could help him find a way to get out or at least distract him for a while.

He stretched, taking notice of the wet fabric of his shirt sticking to his skin. He shook his head, mumbling something about a change of clothes, before walking to the other side of the ship. However, his plans were interrupted. Balthier swallowed, ducking back behind his spot under the wing.

He could just barely make out a tall figure inspecting the outside of his ship.

Balthier swallowed hard.

The thought of being robbed hadn't crossed his mind, and thus he hadn't thought of bringing any weapons with him (it seems he was lacking a bit in the preparation aspect of things lately).

Balthier held his breath as he took another glance at the figure. It was making its way toward the front of the ship, or at least the portion that wasn't buried in the mud, and looked around the left wing.

Balthier squinted, trying to make out some of the features. He might as well know what kind of person he was up against. Leaning out a little more, he decided that the figure was definitely female. He frowned. Something wasn't quite right. He stretched his neck out a bit more, trying to see through the thick mist.

...long white ears, height and stiletto clad feet, along with the claws and dangerously curving bow...

His visitor was a viera.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Balthier wanted to keep creeping around the ship and avoid her at all costs.

However, it was his ship, and having it stolen would leave him stranded. Not that he already wasn't, but it was principle.

Swallowing again, he decided that maybe reason would work. Viera, were sensible people. after all... weren't they?

He made his way around the ship, meeting the viera on the other side. She looked up at him with minimal curiosity.

Balthier cleared his throat. "I see you've noticed my ship."

The viera frowned, turning her attention back to the hull. "It seems you crashed it. The engine is clogged with mud, and there is significant wing damage."

Balthier tipped a brow.

That was odd.

"I don't suppose you know how I could fix it, do you?"

The viera smiled. "Perhaps."

The corners of Balthier's mouth curled. Maybe this situation was turning out in his favor.

"However," she turned toward him fully and placed one of her clawed fingers on her hip. "If I do help you with your ship...what's in it for me?"

Balthier had to physically force himself not to frown. He didn't have a gil to his name right now (another one of those things he'd forgotten to bring).

Rubbing his chin, he contemplated. He couldn't loose this chance. There weren't many other opportunities of him getting out of here on his own. What could he possibly offer a viera, who could really just take the ship if she wanted to?

"How about this," Balthier said motioning toward the ship. "There's an extra seat, and I could use a co-pilot. Think of it as...a partnership; no strings attached."

The viera pondered this for a moment, during which time, Balthier's nerves tensed.

After a time, she folded her arms before nodding. "It will suffice."

Balthier smiled, extending his hand. "Balthier."

Fran hesitated for a minute, before grasping his hand. "Fran."

I hope that was a satisfactory end to chapter 2! I would greatly appreciate it if you'd take a few moments to review!