I awoke up alone, to the smell of coffee and bacon. The view from the balcony showed that the sun had not even begun to rise. I walked into the small kitchen, and Basch was standing at the stove turning bacon in a pan. He cooked me breakfast, how cute. There was a sad silence spread about the room through the sound of cooking bacon. I poured myself a cup of coffee (which was much better than the communal coffee Zargabaath brews) and let the caffeine bring me to alertness. A short stack of pancakes accompanied by bacon and eggs found their way in front of me and I began to eat. It was the best breakfast I had ever had. The pancakes were fluffy and buttery, the bacon was crispy, and the eggs were cooked to perfection. It tasted like heaven. We ate in silence, not because we were angry at each other, but we did not know what to say. I could not bring myself to say goodbye. I didn't want to.
By the time I finished getting ready, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. I was on my way to slip out the door when Basch stopped me.
"I'm coming with you," he said. He wore the same red shirt and pants that he wore on our first date. I made no argument. I wanted him to see me off, and I knew he would. He put his winter cloak on his shoulders and held the door for me.
We walked with our fingers entwined the whole way. Our breath was visible in the near winter chill, and the silence between us was comfortable. While we were waiting for the skycab, I noticed he didn't have gloves. I pulled mine off, put them on his hands, and he gave me a quizzical look.
"You'll get frostbite," I said as he flexed his fingers. The skin on his hands were beet red and I took them in mine, "Better?"
"Your hands will get frostbite as well," I shook my head.
"Not on my life, call it a perk," The sky cab came, and I flashed the driver some sandalwood chops. I sat down next to him, but he pulled me into his lap, and I let my head rest against his shoulder. His orange-leather scent relaxed my muscles and I wanted to doze. Basch, however, had other plans. His kisses tingled against my skin, and his arms tightened against my waist. I responded with a kiss of my own and tightened my grip around his neck. After a half an hour of snogging, my drowsy state could not go any more, and I slept on Basch's shoulder for the remainder of the ride.
I woke to Basch rubbing my back and laying soft kisses to my neck. "You're awake," he said, abruptly stopping, "I knew you would wake if I did that."
"Are we there?" He nodded, sensing my renewed tension. We left the cab, and walked not even five minutes to the aerodrome. I bought my ticket on the first ship to Bervenia, which was leaving in ten minutes. I led Basch into a quiet corner to say goodbye.
"I suppose this is goodbye," I said.
"I suppose it is," he said moving to give back my gloves.
"Keep them. I have crates full," I pulled him into a tight embrace and kissed him, "I love you, Basch"
"And I love you. Take care of yourself."
"I'll see you at the gala. Not even Ashe would kill me in front of that many people."
"I'll be waiting," The boarding call sounded, and I walked across the gangway into the ship with my feet feeling like lead.
As soon as I stepped upon the ship, I headed to the Chief Steward to secure a cabin. The cabins looked like a room at the inn. I stripped of my coat and threw it on the desk chair, along with my vest. I flopped onto the bed and a wave of depression washed over me. I fell into a fitful sleep for the rest of the flight. I awoke a half an hour before landing, put on my vest and coat while the ship made its decent.
Bervenia was as freezing as it always was in the winter months, but my wool coat kept me warm. Fang and Gabriel stood waiting for me. My brother must have sent them word. Without an utterance we immediately boarded the fortress.
I went straight to my quarters, and strapped my blades to my waist. I knew I couldn't take the risk of being unarmed. I touched the wall that revealed my study and sat heavily in the wing-backed chair. The Madhu I pulled from the drawer helped ease my worries. Underneath the bottle was a vid disk. I put it in the player and tears streamed down my face as I watched. "Ffamran!" I called running up to him. He was on his way to rejoin the guests at his birthday party, and I was not invited. He was turning fifteen that day.
"What is it, Demia?" he asked."I've got something for you," I said fishing out a small box, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you," he opened the box, and inside was a lace trimmed hankerchief, "I shall wear it cose to my heart," he said, holding it to his chest.
"You're welcome, be sure to sneak me loads of cake."
"I will. Now hurry back to your room before mother finds out you left."
"Okay. See you later Ffamran!" I woke with a start, not remembering falling asleep, to the sound of someone in my rooms. I walked out of my study with both blades drawn to see that Ffamran had entered my sitting room with Alix and Fran in tow.
"You know the rules, Alix," I said, and he scampered off. I collapsed onto the sofa, not being able to stand straight anymore. The world started to spin, but I could make out the look on Ffamran's face as he regarded me.
"You're drunk," he said more than asked. I ignored him and walked drunkenly back to my study to fetch another bottle. Ffamran followed me, and stopped me before I could reach for the drawer. "You cannot drown your problems in Madhu," he escorted me to bed and I passed out once I hit the pillow. Balthier entered the guest quarters he shared with Fran and sat heavily on the settee.
"I fear for her, Fran," he said sadly. Fran gave him a look.
"They are soul mates," she said. Balthier knew not to question her. She always somehow knew shuch things. "Just like you and I are mind-linked. However, they share a much stronger connection."
"Are you saying that she is suffering from separation anxiety?" One look from her was all he needed as confirmation. He had heard of people being soul mates. It was rare that one shared such a strong connection to another.
"She will get sick if she is away too long," Balthier gave her a questioning look, "The first time away is always the worst." The look she gave him said that Demia would barely be able to last until the week of the gala.
I woke with a bad hangover and the light from the rising sun made my head pound. I walked unsteadily to the kitchen and Ffamran stood waiting for me with an unknown beverage in his hands.
"You look like hell," he said, giving me the cup, and I stared at him. "Fran made it, she said it would help." I took a sip of the minty tasing liquid, which was like drinking tea. My head immediately started to clear. It also soothed my stomach, which had been uneasy with stress and longing.
"Thanks. Do you know where Fran is? I want to thank her."
"Check the observation deck," I went to the nearest lift to the deck and found Fran enjoying the sunlight. She probably knew I was there and I walked up to her.
"Fran? I would like to thank you for the tea." She gave me a nod in acknowlegement and I sat cross-legged next to her.
"You miss him," she said more than asked. I gave a nod in response.
"It feels like a part of me is missing."
"It gets easier with time," she said, "It is only natural."
"Are you saying we are soul mates?"
"I am saying nothing. You must figure it out for yourself, young one." I meditated with Fran until my brother shook us out of our state for dinner. We ate in the dining room and the food felt like a lump of rock in my stomach. In a few minutes I was running for the lavatory, trying not to sick up on the way.
I sat with my back to the sink in the bathroom, trembling like mad, when my brother came in. He kneeled next to me and I turned to retch again. "Is it your nerves?"
"I don't know," His hand felt cold against my forehead.
"You have a fever," he said, picking me up, and carrying me to my room. He helped me into a pair of pajamas and tucked me in bed. "I'll be right back." He came back about fifteen minutes carrying a cup of something and two letters. I sipped the tea slowly until it was gone, and grabbed the letters. The first one was from Marquis Ondore requesting my presence in an audience, and the second was from Basch. My lips quirked into a smile at the sight of his somewhat messy handwriting. Demia,
I hope this letter finds you well in Bhujerba. Larsa gave me time off, saying I looked ill, so I thought I'd write you a letter. Since you left, It feels as if a part of me is missing. Honestly, I couldn't tell Larsa that I indeed felt as ill as I looked. Ashe keeps railing on about you and I have to summon all of my self control not to lash out at her. If she was a man I'd challenge her to a duel. Even Zargabaath says she is out of control. I am afraid that she has truly turned into a Dynast Queen. It is not what her father would have wanted. She complains to me how her ministers nag her about botching up her marriage with Balthier, even if she is with his child. Luckily she is due back to Rabanastre after the gala. Larsa cannot even stand to talk to her anymore. He says that he would rather speak to Al-Cid. Enough of my ramblings, Have you spoke to the Marquis yet? He came to speak with you, but you had already left. The peace council has decided to clear my name so I do not have to live my brother's life any longer. I think Larsa and Ashe had a hand in it though.
I love you,
Basch
�
Basch,
I am happy that the Council is recognizing your innocence finally. Will you still remain Judge Magister Gabranth? Ironically, I was recovering from being ill when I got your letter, but I felt much better afterwards. Ffamran says I got sick from stress, but I believe he is lying to me. I have spoken with the Marquis and we are coming up with a plan for my safety from Ashe. I am glad to learn she has been suffering a little (Is that too mean?) Ffamran has told me that your homeland of Landis has been restored. Is that true? I am incredibly bored sitting around all day. Yesterday, Ffamran, Fran, and I found a new cache of spoils on Dorstonis. Now I am millions of gil richer! I am on the way to Archadia as you are reading this most likely. I have decided to return the week of the gala instead of the day before.
See you soon!
Demia�