Chapter 6 – In Flight Entertainment
The pair of sky pirates sat within the cockpit of the airship, their eyes focussed on the control of their path. The man leaned over to peer at the screens that his partner was monitoring then said,
"We're making good time."
"There is still a way till Bervenia." The viera replied.
"Right. But it is getting late," the man continued as he turned back to his position and looked out at the darkening sky, "We might as well take a break. I rather feel like grabbing a bite to eat."
He got off his seat and headed out of the room slowly, making it obvious that he wanted her to follow. Fran ignored his silent suggestion and instead continued to work.
"It's on autopilot and you know this old girl can look after herself." Balthier remarked as he stuck his head back into the room, "Come Fran."
The viera looked around, she have a feeling that something was wrong. But it wasn't strong, it felt like a tiny movement in the background, something that distracted but wasn't worth paying attention to. She frowned, and turned back to the monitor, there wasn't anything in sight that could interfere with their trip and all the gauges showed that the ship was running normally. She mentally shrugged to herself, then got up and headed off to join her partner.
Fran entered the makeshift kitchen and dining room find Balthier at the stove. She smiled at him; it always seemed amusing to watch him cook, it just did not fit his 'leading man' image. He returned her look then turned suggestively to a pile of vegetables and said,
"Dinner might take a while if I have to do all the work myself."
"That is fine. I can wait." She replied seriously, and Balthier couldn't cover up the crestfallen look that came upon his expression.
"But, since you are planning on a meal soon, I suppose I shall assist." She added with a mischievous smile as she headed over to the counter and began to peel a potato. Balthier leaned over her shoulder and said with a grin,
"Now with all the viera I could choose from, why did I end up with the cheeky one?"
He was about to move in closer to her when the door opened, causing them both to turn in surprise. A moogle entered.
"Nono! What are you doing here?!" The sky pirate asked in both surprise and exasperation. The moogle looked taken aback as he noticed the couple, than began to rant,
"Sir! The others say you perished within the Bahamut! I didn't know what to do so I decided to continue taking care of the Strahl in your memory. I was working late on her and took a nap, now I have just awakened and found the ship in flight! I came by wondering if somebody had decided to take her for a trip and instead find that you both are very much alive!! …unless, of course, I must have perished within the ship and rejoined you..."
The pair of sky pirates had to stifle a laugh at the moogle mechanics' dilemma. Balthier was finally able to say shakily, "You're alive Nono, and so are we. Right now we're off for the Cache of Glabados."
"Right oh sir! I see treasure hunting is back on the list! I had better go and tune up the works for long distance flying!" He turned to leave as the sky pirates exchanged a glance, then Balthier called in a semi commanding voice, "The airship is fine! Now come back here, sit down and have some food!"
"But sir! I must check the engines and-"
"Sit down Nono."
The moogle turned up to look at the face of the stern sky pirate, then stepped back into the room. He walked over to the table and seat down, still twitching slightly as if he planned on making a run.
"And stay sitting." Balthier added as he turned back towards the cooking pot, keeping one eye on the seated figure.
The food was laid out on the small table and wine was poured. Balthier raised his glass,
"For saving Rabanastre and a good haul in Bervenia!"
"A haul of a physical type." Fran added with amusement as they recalled the last time they had thought they were in a holding of absolute wealth. Balthier grinned at her then downed his entire glass in one gulp.
The meal proceeded smoothly, expect for one incident where Nono jumped up in panic with a cry of, "There's something wrong! I must go check-" 'Thud!!'
A leg had appeared from under the table into his path of flight. Balthier tried to hide a satisfied smirk as he concentrated intently on his plate. Fran only raised an eyebrow to the situation, but could shake the feeling that the moogle was right; something had been nudging at the edge of her senses all day. She had decided it might have been the presence of the unfounded moogle on the airship, but it was still there, and she just couldn't, for the life of herself figure out what it meant.
She tried to convince herself that it was the aftermath of the events on the Bahamut. Her senses were just shot from the fear and tension she had suffered. There was no point in worrying the sky pirate when he was in a good mood, especially since this was their first hunt for a long time. She glanced over at him surreptitiously and saw he was no longer able to control his laughter as the moogle searched for the cause of his fall. The feeling would be gone by morning she decided as she stood up and began collecting the dishes.