Bhujerba
Ashe rushed down the hall late that night. They had been able to escape the Leviathan, but wounded Judge Ghis in the process. Commandeering a small imperial airship, they had made their way to Bhujerba to talk to the Marquis about retrieving the Dawn Shard. The negotiation had turned negative and now Ashe had to find a way break away and continue her quest to restore her kingdom. Alone
She found the dock where Balthier's airship was docked, just waiting for someone to come a take it on another adventure. She snuck inside, found her way to the cockpit and sat down, hoping to find a way to get it to fly with as little fuss and commotion as possible.
But her attempt failed when the all to familiar voice of Vaan was heard.
"What are you doing? This is Balthier's ship"
She resisted the urge to add him to the ever-growing tally of men she was smacking.
"I'm going to retrieve the Dawn Shard. It's the proof that I need. I know where it's hidden. I'll return his airship later"
"Are you crazy?" came the reply.
"No but I'm damn close enough to be considered so" she thought, holding back the retort, so instead she answered
"This is something that I have to do! For myself and all those who have fallen." She felt selfish saying it but she honestly felt that she deserved to do something for herself for once.
" I will not be made to hide! I will fight alone if I must"
Then Vaan said the very words she had told herself over and over until her father's murder,
"You still have Basch right?"
Her defenses instantly came up and she was about to enter a potentially rude fight with Vaan when a voice said,
"That's quite enough your majesty."
Both stopped and looked around, spotting Balthier holding an intercom that changed voices.
"What do you think? A bit over the top?" He repeated the last sentence that had left Ashe's mouth. Her voice filled the cockpit, while Balthier's spoke into the mic. He smirked.
"I'm leaving you with the Marquis" he stated and turned away, waiting for her to follow obediently. Her mind raced, she would not stay, she needed to stop hiding. That's when the idea raced out of her mouth,
"Suppose if you kidnapped me? You're a sky pirate aren't you? Then steal me, is that so much to ask?"
Noticing his interest was peaked she prepared herself with the answer to the obvious question,
"What do you have that I would want?"
"The Dynast Kings Treasure"
While Balthier measured the possibilities Basch appeared.
"Kidnapping royalty is a serious offense." Looking to Balthier he said,
"It won't do much to lower the bounty on our head"
"How much is the price on your head these days I wonder?" Balthier quipped back as Basch made his way up to Ashe.
He stood before her. She could feel the old longing of wanting to reach out and hold him in her arms, but reminded herself that those days and dreams should be long gone. He still had to prove himself to her.
"Allow me to escort you in Vossler's place"
Unable to find words to aid her once sharp tongue she nodded. Soon Fran and the young girl whom they had looked for, Penelo came aboard.
When Penelo and Vaan had finished bickering. Fran looked around,
"It is settled. We should leave before the Marquis realizes she's missing", she walked through the door frame of the cockpit with grace and added
" Like proper kidnappers"
