Author's Note: It seems there's been some confusion as to why Tainean calls herself the fourth child of Emperor Gramis. It's simple really. Tainean is the fourth child, while Larsa is the fourth son. So, really that makes Larsa the fifth child. I hope that cleared that up. Sorry if it wasn't clear enough.

RATING CHANGE: Rated M for this chapter only.

Chapter 11: A Wicked Game

Larsa met Penelo and Basch in the sitting room of the Dalmascan Palace shortly after they had left the room. Penelo was curious to know what Ashe had needed to talk to him about, but she knew better than to ask. She didn't think it had been a serious conversation, for Larsa looked somewhat energized. He smiled when he saw her and Basch waiting for him, quietly.

"Thank you for waiting for me," he said, kindly, when he saw them.

"It's not like I had anything else to do," Penelo replied, playfully, "You do remember promising me a dinner, right?"

Basch watched this exchanged between them, as Larsa smiled widely and said, "I don't remember us competing… are you forfeiting before the task is even presented?"

Penelo tilted her head thoughtfully, but Basch awkwardly cleared his throat. "My Lord," he said, "I've been assigned a guest room here at the palace. It would be wise for you to do the same."

Penelo was slightly downcast at this, she was looking forward to Vaan's cleaning again. Larsa only shrugged. "Yes, yes," he said, thoughtfully, "I will later on."

"I will for you, if…" Basch grinned, "You have other plans in place for today?"

Larsa nodded. "Yes, thank you, Gabranth."

Penelo was watching outside the window, allowing the two to talk. She wandered over to it and stared out at the Dalmascan garden surrounding the palace. In amongst the budding brush and brightly colored pedals, however, lay an open patch of ground covered in light sand. She watched as two men of the Dalmascan militia sparred with each other, and she immediately had an idea. "Oh… Larsa," she called, lightly, "You said you wanted to compete?"

She heard Larsa's light footsteps come up from behind her, and saw him glance out the window from the corner of her eye. Upon seeing the sparring competition, Larsa immediately said, "Well, of course, that type of competition would not put us on equal grounds, Penelo. How about something a little less… violent?"

Penelo smirked. "What? Are you afraid that I'll beat you?" she said, turning to face him, mischievously.

"Well, no," Larsa said, rather honestly, "It wouldn't be fair because you're a woman and I'm a lot stronger than you are… so –,"

"Larsa, please don't tell me that you would go easy on me?" Penelo smirked, putting her hands on her shoulders. Larsa had the greatest temptation to glare at her and call it a duel, but instead he remembered his propriety. "Well, yes… I would," he said.

Penelo raised an eyebrow. "Well, don't," she said, simply, "Fight like you mean it."

Larsa came to stand before her now. He was glad that he was a little taller than she or it would not have worked the way he planned it. He was also glad that they were quiet alone in the sitting room now, otherwise he would not have even attempted it. Their faces were very close now, and he (finally!) looked down on Penelo's face, she in turn was looking up at him.

She did not know what to expect. She had been teasing him shortly before and now he stood only inches away from her. She could feel the warmth from his body seep through her light Dalmascan clothing, and her heart began to pound in her chest. She looked up to meet his warm, grey gaze, refusing to back down. She did not know what he was trying to do, but she figured it was his way of trying to intimidate her. If he only knew how much she adored him and knew that he would never in his life even think of harming her, he would not have expected this to work.

"Larsa," Penelo whispered against his neck, trying her best to stable her voice. However, Solidor temptation was at work, and her breath was caught in her throat. She felt his arms wrap around her with one hand on the small of her back, while the other busied itself with on of her braids. She didn't know how to react to this, except what instinct told her. She leaned him and pressed her lips against his.

Larsa kissed her gently. He almost lost to his own game when he found himself lost in the moment. However, he continued his play and trailed his hand down from her hair and drawing one long caress down her spine to where the other hand lay in the small of her back.

Penelo shivered at his light caress and kissed him deeper. She tangled her hands in his soft, brown hair, even though she was fighting for control over herself. She could smell his scent, that sweet smell that, unbeknownst to him, drove her crazy.

Just as they parted their lips, Penelo looked into his grey eyes again, grinning. He was smiling back at her, but it was a mischievous smile that played about his lips; a look that Penelo had never seen on him before. Just as she was beginning to wonder about it, his hands that had been at her waist moved quickly to her ribs.

Penelo doubled over in the torture, trying to free herself of his hands. In the fight, both Larsa and Penelo ended up on the floor. Larsa had her pinned and was tickling her until tears began streaming down her face with laughter. All the while she had been screaming and shouting for him to let her go and to stop, and he finally did so.

She finished her laughing fits, before sucking at the air in attempt to catch her breath. She was laying flat on her back, with her hands pinned over her head by one of Larsa's hands. She had also attempted to kick him, and so he ended up actually sitting on her stomach to avoid the desperate flailing limbs.

Larsa looked down at her with a grin, and she back at him, scowling. "That was a wicked thing to do, Larsa," she wept, tears still streaming down her face.

He let her arms free and got off of her stomach. "Well," he said, "you have to admit, that was a competition we both could have lost at."

Penelo sat up, supporting herself on her elbows. Larsa felt bad enough to wipe away the lingering tears and help her stand. To both of their surprise, someone said, "That was a display if I've ever seen one," Basch was leaning on the doorframe idly, "Lord Larsa, if I hadn't known you two were friends, I would have thought you were actually torturing poor Penelo."

Larsa chuckled softly and Penelo straightened out her shirt, which had been pushed up her stomach in her attempt to free herself. If Larsa had not have been wearing his gloves, he would have made sweet contact with her bare skin. She had crossed the room so that she was standing a safe distance away from Larsa.

"Well, I have a room secured for you," Basch informed, "It's on the fourth floor. You should find it easily enough."

Penelo raised an eyebrow and thought about the actual size of the palace, let alone a single floor would be ten times the size of her and Vaan's old run-down renter. Yet, Larsa just smiled and thanked him before turning to Penelo, "I believe I owe you dinner?" Penelo only grinned in reply. She was trying to keep the safe distance with him, but he was moving closer to her now.

"I promise," he said, balling his hands into fists, "I will not tickle you any longer."

"How can I trust you?" Penelo smirked, remembering this as one of their first intimate conversations. Larsa stopped walking so that he was a very long arms-length from her and said, "Because I give you my word." With that he outstretched a hand to her.

Penelo smiled warmly at him, but before taking his hand, like she thought she was supposed to do, instead she found something colorful and dazzling lying over the white fabric of his glove. She gasped in surprise when she recognized it as the beautiful crystal she had shown him yesterday. She had always wanted that specific one, but she never had the spare cash to get one, Vaan made sure of that.

"Oh, Larsa!" she said, taking the shimmering rock gingerly from his hand and admiring it, "It's beautiful. Thank you."

Larsa nodded. "It's what I went to get this morning," he said, "If I had not been sidetracked I may have given this to you sooner."

"Oh, well, in that case I'm not angry at you anymore for leaving me then," Penelo said. She knew it had been the wrong thing to do. Immediately, Larsa's eyes widened, as he said, "You were angry? Oh, Penelo, I'm sorr –,"

"I was only joking, Larsa," she said, quickly, "You don't need to apologize."

Larsa grinned. "Well, I suppose I will have to make up for my lost time this morning?"

"I don't really know what to do," Penelo said thoughtfully, "there's so much in Rabinastre, but nothing that is really that exciting. I've already showed you the places I like to see, and the shops…"

Larsa watched her for a moment, waiting for her to come up with something. Suddenly, her face lit up and she said, "Oh, we could go and hang this in the ship!" she said, holding up the crystal.

"Isn't Vaan working on the ship?" asked Larsa curiously. Penelo shook her head. "No, they're working on the Strahl."

Larsa nodded, just in time to have his arm stolen again. Penelo led him out of the palace and they retraced their steps back to the aerodrome. It was less crowded this time, and the private garage, well, warehouse, was empty save for two ships and Balthier, Fran and Vaan, all of whom were working around the Strahl.

Vaan waved at them when they entered and asked, "You coming to help?"

"Uh, no, Vaan," Penelo smirked, "We have other things to do –,"

"Ah, Larsa, hand me that, would you?" Balthier called from under the ships hood, "I'm afraid I can't easily slip out of this and grab it myself."

Penelo watched Larsa go toward the Strahl, pick up a tool of some sort and it to Balthier obediently. "Thank you," he said, "Fran, start the engine. I want to see how she goes."

Larsa was about to turn around, but Balthier called him back. "Not so soon, Larsa," he said, after Fran had started the engine. It started beautifully, but then made a hiccough sound and died. "Yup, that's what I thought," Balthier muttered to himself, "Vaan tighten that nut, there you go… now."

The Strahl's engine was massive. Balthier lay under one side of it, while Vaan on the other and they worked according to Fran who sat comfortably in the pilot seat awaiting orders. Larsa suddenly found himself running back and fourth between Vaan and Balthier, aiding them by handing them certain tools. Penelo stood off to the side, grinning all the while. She eventually decided that Larsa was going to be there for some time, seeing that Balthier wouldn't let him leave and kept shouting orders at him every now and again. She wandered up to the pilot and navigator's seats and placed herself in Fran's usual spot.

Fran glanced at her, curiously. "You and the boy? I had thought that he had disappeared from Rabinastre to stay in Arcades?" she said.

"He's a really good friend of mine, Fran. We had kept in touch these last few years, and finally I was able to make it out to him," Penelo explained, as she watched him and Balthier exchanged tools again. "I'm glad he's not fighting with Balthier," Penelo said, absently, "Those two never did get along. Why are they now?"

Fran crossed her arms. "I had a… chat with Balthier about his behavior around the imperial. I know Larsa means well, but Balthier can push people to the limit sometimes. The last thing we need is another doubling of his bounty."

"Larsa would never do that," Penelo said, "He's too…"

"Soft, I know," Fran said, waving her explanation aside, "I wasn't talking about him."

Penelo understood immediately. "Tainean?"

However, Fran shook her head. "Leas," she stated, simply. "What?" Penelo breathed. "Tainean is soft too. It strange that she and Larsa are the only ones who seem to be level-headed in that family. No, Leas is more a concern," Fran continued, "Balthier and I knew her long before we met Tainean. She's very… manipulative. I don't trust her."

Penelo nodded, and watched Larsa scold Vaan for dropping something heavy on his foot. "I wonder if Larsa knows this," she thought, aloud, "I'm sure that the temple is very confidential. He wouldn't want someone untrustworthy going with us."

"But Tainean trusts her," Fran said, sadly.

Penelo nodded. "Like Larsa trusted Vayne."

"No, Larsa, not that one," Vaan said, pointing from under the ship at a tool lying halfway across the garage, "that one."

Larsa scowled. "Well, why didn't you say so?" he mused, just holding the tool a little out of reach for Vaan, who was stretching to the best of his ability just to touch it. Larsa grinned and watched him struggle.

"Bring it a little closer," Vaan spat, "Oh, come on, stop that!"

Larsa didn't move. "I didn't get an apology from you when you dropped that Occuria forsaken thing on my foot," he teased.

"It wasn't that heavy!" Vaan snapped.

"It felt like a tone when you dropped from such a height!" Larsa retorted.

"Boys, play nice," Balthier grunted from the other side of the ship. Larsa reluctantly gave Vaan the tool, and the Dalmascan shot him a glare.

"So, who are you betting on, Larsa?" Balthier said, from behind a monstrous radiator. Larsa raised an eyebrow.

"Betting? I wasn't aware of any type of competition," he said, smugly remembering his and Penelo's tickle war earlier. He smiled slightly to himself. Vaan could not see him, for he was stuck behind a very large tank-looking thing.

"There's a race tomorrow morning to Nabradia," Balthier explained, "With Fran and I against Leas and Tainean."

"Oh?" Larsa raised an eyebrow. "Who are you betting on, Vaan?" he said, humoring the pirate. Vaan grinned, "Well, obviously Balthier and Fran."

"Well, in that case," Larsa said, viciously (if that's even possible), "I will put two hundred gil on Tainean and Leas."

"Heh," Balthier chuckled lightly from behind the metal body of the ship, "Be prepared to loose it."

"I recall you saying that she's a fair flier," Larsa retorted.

"Oh, fairer than fair, Larsa, but their ship is a little… well, old," Balthier said, throwing a dirty cloth over his shoulder and dusting his hands off on it.

"Are we done?" Larsa asked, he had lost tract of the time. Balthier nodded, saying, "Yes, you can go now."

Penelo had climbed down from the ship and noticed the men were finishing up. Larsa met her halfway. She had already put the crystal in the ship, and so they prepared to leave for dinner.

Penelo had shown him a restaurant she had never been to (she couldn't afford it) and had always wanted to go. Larsa agreed to take her and they entered the restaurant. A waiter seated them near the window and took drink orders. "Some of your sweeter wine, please," Larsa said, glancing over to Penelo, who raised an eyebrow as the waiter left them.

"I thought you didn't like wine?" Penelo said, curiously, remembering his facial expressions when Migelo had served them the driest wine possible.

"I don't mind the sweeter ones," he admitted, "but that wine that Migelo serve us was rather dry for my liking."

"Don't ever let him hear you say that," Penelo grinned, "I think he would poison himself to hear that he served the Emperor of Arcadia a terrible wine."

"Well, it is a delicacy in this country, no doubt," Larsa commented, "but it just didn't suit my personal tastes. I prefer sweeter tastes than that."

Penelo blushed. She didn't know whether he was hinting to her or whether he was simply making a comment. I better get my mind out of the gutter before it gets me into any trouble, Penelo thought, and then another voice screamed, but rent is cheaper in the gutter! She nudged her thoughts aside, for Larsa was asking her a question now. "You don't mind going to Nabradia again, do you?" he said, uncertainly.

"Oh, no," Penelo said, "I was going to ask you that. You seemed hesitant on volunteering."

"I'm sorry about that," Larsa said, "I was still getting over the shock of things. My reaction time was not what it usually is, I admit, I was rather confused."

"Fran and I were talking while you were helping with the ship," Penelo said, uneasily, "She says that she doesn't trust Leas. I think she wanted me to warn you that she feels… uneasy around her."

"Far enough, I guess," Larsa nodded, "We've only just met them."

Penelo shook her head. "I know Fran, Larsa, she wouldn't say this just to spread gossip," she persisted, "We can't trust her to come with us."

"Unfortunately," Larsa began, "Tainean is rather fond of her. I am under the impression that those two are not easily separated. If she is indeed untrustworthy, I'm sure the party can handle her. What was it again? King Raithwall and the Stilshine of Miriam?"

Penelo smiled at his ability to remember barely fragments of conversations, for she would not have remembered it otherwise. She nodded and let him continue. "I'm sure there is little we can't handle, Penelo," Larsa said.

They ordered their dinner and began talking about past events, getting caught up on the last eight years. It seemed that they had not been able to put everything into a letter. Indeed, there was much more description to their lives than words could put in writing. Penelo found that listening to Larsa calmed her, even if he was talking about politics and treaties, how they bored him half to death but he still found they held much importance to the role of peace in Ivalice.

Then, Larsa seemed to stop, and Penelo backtracked to what he was saying about the Senate. He seemed to be thoughtfully pondering his next words, and Penelo watched him curiously. "Queen Ashe posed an interesting solution to the Senate problem, which I hope you will approve of," Larsa said, with a grin.

"They're trying to set you and her up for a marriage? I got that much out of the meeting, but…" Penelo trailed off. How terribly embarrassing that had been for both Ashe and Larsa.

"Yes, well, they've overstepped their bounds," Larsa said, simply, "but I'd like to ask you something… a solution, but I would need your help to play it out properly."

"Well, I hear you're an excellent actor 'Lamont'," Penelo mused. Larsa blushed slightly.

"So, I've heard," he agreed, "I would like to ask you: would you mind if I… hinted to the Senate that I'm already engaged?"

Penelo raised her eyebrow. "Well, as long as it's not Fran, I'm fine with it," she said, and they both burst out into fits of laughter. Larsa finally shook his head, and said, "No, I was going to suggest you?" Penelo grinned, "That would be fun," she said.

Larsa nodded.

There food arrived early and they ate in silence. It was not an awkward silence, Penelo's dinner was delicious and her feet were once again playing around Larsa's ankles. He did not make a move to stop her this time, and she grinned. They shared the wine too, and Penelo was surprised that this one was very tasty, not as bitter as the last one. Larsa too seemed to be enjoying it.

When the waiter took their plates, a dessert menu was placed on the table and Penelo raised her eyebrow at the front picture of a delicious looking fudge and strawberry drizzle plate. She licked her lips, and noticed Larsa watching her. "Are you still hungry?" he grinned, pushing the picture towards her as if to tease her into agreeing.

Damn my weakness for chocolate! Penelo thought, with annoyance as she gave into the temptation. Larsa nodded to the waiter and asked for only one desert. When Penelo gave him an inquiring look, he shrugged, saying, "I won't be able to eat the whole thing."

"Are we sharing then?" Penelo suggested, a wicked grin playing about her lips.

"If you don't mind," Larsa replied.

"I call the strawberries!" Penelo said, quickly when the plate of fudge chocolate and strawberries was place before them. Her eyes widened and she took up the spoon enthusiastically. Larsa watched her, and before she could even take the first strawberry off the plate, Larsa stabbed at one, playfully, and it hung on his fork before her face. "You're rotten, Larsa," Penelo said, narrowing her eyes on him, as he teased her with the berry by letting it linger there on his fork. Larsa grinned, but to his surprise Penelo leaned forwards as if waiting for him to feed her.

She's had too much wine tonight, he thought rather amused. However, he found himself obeying her unspoken wish by bringing the strawberry to her lips and allowing her to take it off with her teeth. Larsa, you've had way too much wine, Penelo thought to herself as she leaned back in the chair, chewing on the sweet berry.

They continued to share the dessert. Larsa continued to steal the strawberries, but Penelo almost always won them back by giving him a puppy-eyed look across the table, to which he would almost always obey and feed her. And the times he didn't obey, he would get a good, swift kick in the shin, so naturally, Larsa learnt quickly to give her all the strawberries. Larsa always was a quick learner.

By the time they had finished the dinner event, they had finished one bottle of wine between them and were beginning to feel very, well… drowsy. Larsa, being younger, had been affected by it the most and was rather… flirtatious towards Penelo. Penelo was used to this from whenever she had had to drag Vaan away from the Sandsea after he had finished celebrating a vanquishing of a big hunt. However, Larsa's style was a little less touchy-feely than she had witnessed during those times, and she found herself wishing he was more so. At least then, she would be able to deal with it like she had on many other occasions: push him away and give him a firm warning.

Larsa's buzzed state was little trickier to avoid, however. If Penelo thought Larsa was good with words before, she had never imagined what he would be able to accomplish simply with words when he had a bit of alcohol in him. Penelo found herself smiling dreamily at him whenever he decided to make a very elaborate compliment towards her. Some of his compliments, though she did enjoy them, would have been something she knew Larsa would not have said if he were sober.

And so, Penelo just smiled and nodded every time he used one of these extremely wonderful and flirtatious comments on her.

Though Larsa could walk and function as usual, Penelo had the slight suspicion that he would not remember to ask for his room at the palace and so sleep somewhere not meant for an Emperor; like a couch in the sitting room most likely. Penelo wouldn't bare it if a member of the Senate or spy were to witness that and speculate something completely abstract over it, so she walked him to the palace herself to ensure that he knew where he was going.

It seemed that Larsa was very functional and did remember to ask for his rooms. Penelo was surprised by this, as he asked, without needing her to remind him, a soldier at the entrance. "Basch said it was on the fourth floor," Larsa said to the soldier, "I need to know which one it is."

The soldier nodded and muttered a number to Larsa, who nodded in turn showing that he understood. "And the lady Penelo also has a room reserved," the soldier informed them. Larsa and Penelo were taken by shock for a moments pause before Larsa replied, "Oh?"

"Fourth floor also, beside Lord Larsa's room," the soldier replied.

Larsa looked to Penelo. "I wasn't aware that Basch had reserved one for you as well," he said, "I guess it makes sense if we're going to wake up early."

Penelo nodded. "Saves me from walking all the way back through Rabinastre," she said, positively.

He led the way through the palace and Penelo couldn't help but gaze idly at all the wonderful paintings and artwork throughout the palace corridors. Even the flooring had an ornate design etched into the colorful tile. She was glad that Larsa was leading, because Penelo would have lost her way by this time. They had made so many turns and climbed, well, four staircases and finally they came to one of the many closed doors along, what looked like, a quiet residential hallway.

Penelo figured it was her room because Larsa said, quietly, "This is as far as I will take you, Lady Penelo."

Of course, she noted the humor in his voice when she realized his room was the next door over. She smiled at him, "Well, thanks, Larsa," she said, happily, "For the crystal and the dinner. I hope you get a better sleep without Vaan bothering you."

Larsa laughed, "I'm sure I will," he said, "Well, good night, Penelo."

He took her hand and kissed the top of it, then back away, leaving her to stare after him somewhat in shock. Penelo raised an eyebrow at his sudden departure. Larsa closed the door behind him and faced his rooms, silently. It was quite large with a fire place and a balcony looking out onto the gardens.

Larsa knew Penelo was most likely still staring at the spot in the hallway where he had left so suddenly, but he also knew that if he had kissed her there he would not have had the self-control to stop himself before they went too far. He could feel the wine dulling his mind as he stood there staring at his empty room, and he knew that he would not have forgiven himself if he had bed her drunk. Even she, he was sure, was feeling the alcohol, and he would not take advantage of her in such a state.

Instead, he walked to the end of the bed where his robes were laid out for him, changed and fell into bed. The moment his head hit the soft pillow he had fallen into a deep, comfortable sleep.

Author's Note: Yay! Another chapter done! I promise you, next chapter will have a lot more... action. grins evilly. Warning the next chapter will be rated M for mature teen/adult situations. If that disturbs you, I apologize before hand. (possibly let me know if you really don't like that type of L/P interaction and I will change it for you). Other than that, full sail ahead!

Great reviews! I love them all! I must let you know that this story is almost done, and I really appreciate everyone who's reviewed/read so far. I was a little disappointed to hear that my OC's are not necessarily a favorite of the story. Indeed, I did write this to be a all round Larsa/Penelo, but I had a few people calling for plot and those two characters are apart of a bigger story (yet to be posted if you are interested). If you recall from my first few posts, I said that this plot of Larsa/Penelo is actaully a side-plot to a broader fic. Thanks! And I love you all! blows kisses