Thanks for reviewing, fluidstatic! Though, about the Raminas thing, it wasn't that he disapproved, so much, more that he was worried for Ashe. 'Cause he knew there was war, and Vossler might get killed. With maybe a little bit of worry for her public image as well. Eh, maybe I didn't get it across all that well.

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Respite

706 OV, 1 day after arriving at Raithwall's Tomb

Ashe braced herself as the Esper swung it's huge staff at her once again, closing her eyes against the anticipated pain. Upon hearing a clang of metal on metal, she opened them, and, as per usual, saw him standing in front of her, taking the heavy blow like it was nothing. Muttering her thanks even as he ran to strike the creature before it recovered, she sent a Cure spell his way, hoping it would be enough to hold his wounds.

At the other side of the small arena, Penelo yelped as the staff was brought towards her, jumping back as its wielder toppled backwards, its head smacking the exact spot she had been standing in. As the Mist surrounding the combatants surged, the Esper let out a low bellow, before surrendering to defeat.

As the crystal containing its power fell to the ground, the party all but collapsed with exhaustion. It had been a long fight, and Ashe suspected they'd only won due to the ready supply of Mist. A supply that was now gone. She sighed, knowing it would be a long wait before any of them accumulated enough to restore the group.

And the wait only looked to be getting worse. Deprived of his usual wit, Balthier had taken to bickering about the lack of tangible treasure in the tomb. His viera partner merely nodded as he complained like a child, too weary even to respond. Ashe too had no energy left to shut him up, and searched the chamber for other things to take her mind off the incessant sound of the pirate's voice.

She saw Vaan first, having taken upon himself to collect the orange crystal the Gigas had left behind. He prodded it curiously, only to squawk as it vanished before him. He scurried back to his friend, arms flailing, as Ashe rolled her eyes at the scene. She still didn't know why he'd bothered to come along.

Turning away once more (and trying to close her ears as Vaan's voice added to the already irritating cacophony Balthier was making), she saw Vossler sitting alone in a corner. He never did talk to the others. Only when she looked a little closer did she realise he was using the wall as a support.

The fool was hurt again. For all the lectures he gave her on asking for help rather than suffering in silence, he really was no different. If he was going to insist on taking every last hit for her, it was the least she could do to heal the wounds meant for herself, and doing so would be much easier if he just told her when he was hurt.

Shuffling over to where he sat, Ashe placed her hands on his chest, slipping them between the plates of his armour to reach the wound itself. Using the last of the Mist she had absorbed during the fight, she released a Regen spell, hoping it would act quickly enough to stop him passing out from blood loss.

He opened his eyes as the spell took effect, looking down at its caster. She looked at him as if to smile, but he remembered she had sworn not to until she had exacted just revenge on the Empire. He glanced away, once more stricken with guilt over the deal he had made.

She had no idea. But it was too late for her to know.