The room was magnificent. Everywhere that Fara looked was beautiful and decorated. Every person was in their finest and having a grand time. Still, it made Fara feel uncomfortable because she knew under most of those expensive dresses and custom made suits were dark secrets, and it was her job to find out if any of those secrets could help them catch a break with this mysterious Peaks organization. She made it to the far side of the room, Vaan and Penelo headed to the left side. Vaan turned and gave Fara a wink. She smiled in return. She knew he was going to have a lot of fun tricking these people out of their secrets.

Soon Basch came up to her. "You look stunning in that dress. I knew you would" he said smiling kindly at her.

"Thanks" she replied, touching the smooth fabric. "You look exquisite yourself. These people won't know what hit them."

"I think you might be enjoying this a little bit too much" Basch joked "You're becoming quite the con-artist."

"Well I'm only doing it to save the world so I think my karma will balance out in the end" she replied.

"Look that one is eying you now" Basch said pointing at a young man in the corner looking at Fara "I suggest you start. Maybe tonight we will finally get somewhere."

She nodded and walked over by him, giving him an encouraging smile.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, looking a little nervous. Fara nodded and went off with him.

The night continued like this for a while. Fara learned very little, but she was having fun. She looked for her friends and saw only Basch. She walked up to him again. "Where did everybody go?" Fara asked.

"Vaan and Penelo slipped out about 15 minutes ago. And I have not seen Fran or Balthier" he trailed off looking at someone over his shoulder, "Ah speak of the devil there he is now." He pointed over her shoulder and Fara turned around. Balthier was chatting with a pretty blonde girl over by the buffet table. Fara felt her stomach turn a little, but she ignored it. Of course Balthier would have the girls all over him. She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a handsome man extending his hand to her. He had dark hair and dazzling grey eyes. She smiled and accepted his hand. Basch raised an eyebrow to her and walked off in search of a partner of his own. The music started and she began to dance.

The man was very good and led her well. "It seems like you know how to do this" he said smiling at her "most of the time I have girls stepping all over my feet." Fara laughed and said "Well this isn't my first time."

He smiled and said "I can tell."

"It's nice to be able to forget yourself for a while. The world seems so troubled these days." She said, trying to lead him into spilling something, if he did know.

"Isn't there always trouble?" he replied smoothly.

"Maybe. But it seems worse these days. After Queen Ashe was restored to the throne I hoped there would be a long and prosperous peace, but I have heard strange rumblings of trouble once again. Many assassinations and strange sightings" she probed.

"Ah so you noticed" he replied, "most people are not as astute as you. Maybe it's not as bad as you think. Change is not always a bad thing, perhaps it is time for a changing of the guard. Our rulers have dark secrets that the masses do not know." Fara stopped dancing and looked at him. She led him off of the dance floor and asked "What do you mean?"

"Now is not the time for such talk. My name is Brant by the way." He replied.

"I'm Fara, but I could you to explain what you meant?" she asked.

"Maybe, if you come upstairs to someplace quieter I can explain to you" he answered running a finger along her collarbone. She stepped away quickly. This man probably knew something, and she might flirt for the cause, but that was as far as she would go. She figured Brant probably wanted to take her upstairs for another reason. "No thank you" she said firmly.

"Oh come on. I promise it will be nice for you" he said taking her hand firmly. She pulled away. Brant looked like he was starting to get angry, but he was pulled away quickly by someone behind him. "I believe the lady said no" a smooth voice said. Balthier stepped up and put himself between Brant and Fara. "And I believe that this is none of your business" Brant replied. He pushed Balthier hard and Balthier took a step back. Balthier smirked a little and said "I was hoping you would do something idiotic." Balthier punched Brant hard in the chin. Brant fell back, crashing into a couple dancing. He got back up looking furious. "Who do you think you are?" Brant yelled.

"I think you should stop, you are making a scene" Balthier replied coldly. Brant looked behind him and made a come here motion with his hands. Out of the crowd a group of large men came up and stood behind Brant. "Hmm it seems this just became a little bit more complicated" Balthier said. One of the men lunged at him, but he ducked and elbowed the man in the jaw. Another came at Fara but she kneed him in the stomach and pushed him to the ground. "Run" Balthier said and took Fara's hand. He led her through the crowd and out the door. The men were following them. They ran through the corridors laughing. They eventually left the men and collapsed a deserted hallway. "It's just like old times" Fara said smiling at Balthier. He smiled back and said "I would not have it any other way." Fara leaned her head on Balthier's shoulder. "I did miss you" Fara said picking up her head and looking him in the eyes. "I know you did" Balthier replied taking her hand in his and smiling. "And I missed you, every day." They got up and walked back to their rooms. "Good night" Fara shouted after Balthier. He nodded in return. Fara went to bed, happier then she had been in a while.