Party

Selene Rafrasion sighed as she leaned against the wall watching the crowd. What she wouldn't give to get rid of this dress, or at least the corset and heels. This was a friends wedding however and she'd promised to not only behave but look the part of the well bred young lady she was. Natal had been a friend since they were very young children stealing sweets from behind the cook's back. She'd been the daughter of her mothers Lady's Maid. Such a life time ago, Selene thought. Through the best and worst Natal had been there for her and even when she'd left that world and life behind her friend had never once asked why or tried to make her explain anything. Selene still adored her for it. She looked around the room shifting uncomfortably. The whole affair was lavish to the point of ridiculous and her dress weighed a ton. It was pretty to be sure with it's yards of multi-hued white and pink fabric and delicately embroidered gold and silver birds and flowers. After so many years wearing only the most practical of clothing Selene had come to realize that pretty and practical rarely went hand in hand when it came to clothing. How in the Abyss had she ever worn stuff like this everyday, all day?

A familiar figure cutting through the crowd caught her attention. The all black ensemble made the blond do a double take, just to be sure. What was that damned Sky Pirate doing here? As Balthier made his way to the gift table Selene moved toward him with every intention of demanding just that answer. She made it all of a handful of steps when another guest took her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. Ice blue eyes continued to track the Pirates steps however as Balthier moved a few more times throughout the crowd stopping to talk here and there with people but never moving close. As soon as it was polite to do so Selene excused herself but now she'd lost sight of him. Deciding it was best to get some fresh air, if only to help her forget about the damnable man, she headed for the balcony.

Selene was leaned against the railing enjoying the view of the gardens and doing everything in her power to NOT think of a certain Pirate when the familiar, cultured drawl of the mentioned Sky Pirate interrupted her thoughts. "Well, well. I thought it might have been you- that dress really does not become you my dear." Selene let out a small growl of annoyance as she turned to him. Balthier was leaned casually against the doorway back inside, arms crossed. He really did cut a wonderful figure in black. His clothing as always well tailored and fashionable, and far more formal then anything she'd seen him in before. Though she noticed he still skidded on the edge or propriety by wearing his jewelry. Not that he was ever one for propriety.

"Not my choice." Selene wrinkled her nose as the mention of her dress. "What are you doing here Pirate?"

"I should be asking you that." He pushed off the frame. "What's the mark this time Selene?"

"Mark?" Selene backed up as he stalked forward. He appeared angry. Why she couldn't fathom, she hadn't done anything... well yet.

"Yes, your mark? What are you after here?"

"I don't have a mark." She crossed her arms stubbornly. Balthier quickly caged her in when she made to slide around him. Backing her up against the rail, hands on either side her her. Using his larger body to block the petite blond's escape.

"Oh?" He raised an incredulous eyebrow leaning in. "And I am to believe that am I?"

Selene flushed at his closeness, by the Fates he was handsome and she would be hard pressed to find any hot blooded young woman who wouldn't envy this position right now. She made a point to focus instead on the collar of his shirt and the nearly invisible whorls of embroidery that decorated the neck. "Believe what you want." She prided herself on keeping a steady voice. "It hardly matters to me."

"It should."

"And why is that?"

"I may play this sort of game nicely over a worthless bauble like your locket but I won't allow any of these kinds of shenanigans in a place such as this."

Selene glared at his collar. "Are you threatening me?"

Balthier tucked a finger under her chin tilting her head up. The hard, glaring, ice blue eyes of the thief met the serious green/gray of the sky pirate. "Is there a reason I should?" he part asked and part challenged. "I am not a man to cross Selene. There is very little that will set off my temper but harassing a friend of mine in anyway is a one of them. Now I am only going to be polite about this one last time... one are you after here?"

Selene knew she should just admit she was a guest and be done with it. But now her back was up and she didn't care to explain anything... not to him. "The only thing I'm after is my locket, so unless your next words are to tell me you're handing it back- this conversation is done." She shoved past him and went inside before he could stop her.

Balthier watched her go, so the kitten thought she had claws did she... interesting. He followed her, he'd have to keep a close eye on her tonight. Jaffe was a very good friend and business partner. Not to mention very wealthy and in a crowd like this...if anything went wrong... he'd be disgraced. Balthier knew Jaffee would recover from it quickly but that was beside the point. It would not happen, not while he was here. He headed back inside with the determination to see nothing went wrong tonight.

Selene was still fuming when she was asked back to the dance floor. Completely focused on forgetting the encounter she deciding that dancing the rest of the night away and leaving irritating Sky pirates to their own business sounded like a very good idea.

Balthier watched her dance and laugh for a couple of rounds. The dress really was a hideous but he admitted, Selene somehow still make a very lovely vision, one he couldn't trust not to cause trouble. So as he continued to mingle among the guests he kept a close eye on his little Moon Thief. Eventually charming a relative of Jaffe's pretty bride to taking a turn around the dance floor with him.

Selene might have determinedly lost track of the Pirate but she could still feel his eyes on her. Right now she had a different issue. One the made her very very thankful, for the first time that night, for the layers and layers of the 'monster dress' as she kept having to politely reminder her less then sober dance partner to mind her toes and keep his hands at a proper height on her waist. Reminder herself that smacking someone out of the blue would be very embarrassing to Natal and her Groom. By the time a hand laid on her shoulder to cut in Selene was ready to kiss her savior. At least until she turned around, her words of thanks turned into a groan of 'not you'.

Balthier chuckled. "Come now is that any way to greet your saviour?" He teased as he pulled her from her current partner and into the steps of a waltz.

"I could have handled it." Selene sniffed.

"I know." His lips twisted up into his usual smug smirk. "Question is however, why didn't you? He was out of line several times. You had every right to smack him and walk away. No one would have said anything." He leaned down. "Or perhaps you would have preferred turning him into a toad." he added lowly

"A toad? Well now there's a thought. Unfortunately that particular curse can only be broken when the one who casts it kisses said toad." She wrinkled her nose. "And I for one hate toads... no matter their form."

"Are you serious?" Balthier had to ask, not entirely sure she wasn't pulling his leg.

Selene rolled her eyes. "Of course not. I hardly have the power to turn every annoying person in my life into a toad. Which is very good for you."

"Insulting me now?"

"Well ignoring you has seemed to fail me."

"What are you up to Moon Thief?"

"You mean besides trying to enjoy my evening."

Balthier gave her a flat look as he answered with a simple. "Yes." The dance would be done soon and he was sure she'd bolt the second it was.

"You really want to know what my mark is tonight?" Selene asked

"Of course."

"Alright I intend to walk away from here tonight with the most precious treasure this night has to offer."

"And that is?" Now we were getting somewhere. The dance ended and she smiled at him. Balthier felt his heart skip a beat at the look on her face. Gods the woman had a stunning smile.

"Figure it out." She winked then did just as he thought she would, she bolted. But not before leaning up and kissing his cheek. Balthier shook his head and hit the refreshment bar. Which was where Jaffee joined him. A tall, dark man with an easy smile.

"I see you've met Selene."

"You know her?"

"Not very well but she's a close friend on my wife's and quite a charming one at that. Why?"

"No reason." Bathlier shrugged. "She is a mild acquaintance of mine, one I was surprised to see here this evening." So she'd been a invited guest, interesting. If she was invited though it begged the question of why she said she was going to be leaving with a precious treasure.

Jaffee laughed. "I see the Fates have been working hard again." He patted his friends shoulder. "Come old friend. Let's share a drink over the card tables in the other room. And you can tell me all about your 'acquaintance' with this friend of Natal's."

"Not that sort of acquaintance." Balthier chuckled

"Balthier I have known you far to long to think that a pretty girl like that would be anything but that sort of acquaintance to you."

Balthier shook his head and followed his friend. "Or perhaps you can tell me more about this woman who has managed to land the 'most eligible' bachelor in the underworld as her husband."

"Perhaps, but I imagine your story is more interesting."

"Perhaps."

By the end of the evening Balthier was in the middle of saying goodbye when he caught sight of Selene again. Thankfully out of the monstrosity she'd worn earlier and into something that made her much nicer to look at. She spoke softly with Natal as the two women shared a hug.

"Are you sure you'll be alright Sel?" The young bride was saying. "I know it's not far to your Inn room but it is rather late. You could stay, we have plenty of guest rooms."

"I'll be fine." Selene said letting the other woman go "Now go enjoy your wedding night."

"I know but..."

"Would it make you feel better if she had a escort?" Balthier asked cutting into the conversation.

"I hardly need..." Selene started to protest but Natal wasn't listening anyway.

"Oh would you? Thank you Balthier I would feel better knowing she wasn't wandering the streets alone at this hour."

"It would be my pleasure." Balthier gave her a polite but devastating smile as he raised her hand and kissed the back of it. "Madame."

"Didn't either of your listen to me? I said I don't need a..."

Balthier took her arm in his. "Come along Selene, let's leave the newly weds to the rest of their evening."

He had a point so Selene let him pull her along. Waving her good byes they walked silence as she waiting until they were a distance away before she dropped his arm... well tried to. He held her hand tightly. "Let go."

"Not yet." Balthier replied. He was very much enjoying the walk.

"I am not taking you to my Inn."

"I am not asking to you." Though he sort of wished she would

"So let go." She tugged again, trying to get her arm loose.

"Give me what you stole."

"Stole?"

"The most precious treasure you were talking about." Anything to keep this lasting a bit longer.

"Oh that."

"Yes that. If you give it over now then I can still return it to Jaffe before...what are you laughing for?" He asked her as she started giggling.

"Tell me Balthier, did you enjoy this evening?"

Now he was confused. "What kind of question is that?"

"A very important one. Just answer me."

"Of course I did but what does that have to..." He paused, eyes going wide.

"Now you get it." She smirked. "After all not all treasures are material things Pirate."

Now it was his turn to laugh. "No..." He stopped meeting her eyes. Sneaking little Moon Thief. Making his stress over nothing. "No they're not."

Selene cocked her head at him, "You still have my hand." She reminded him, eyes wide when his hand slid along her cheek, tangling in her hair as he cupped her head. "What are you doing?"

"Punishment. For your little game." He smirked leaning in.

Selene brushed bright red. "Ummm... Balthier this isn't really..."

His lips brushed over her jaw suddenly, by her ear. "Sure I can't convince you to let me take you to your Inn room?"

"I..." Damn it her voice was thick and his cologne was very nice. She could bury her nose in his shirt right when and there and breath deeply. "I really don't think it's a good idea."

He pulled back. "Then I suppose this is goodbye." He raised her hand and kissed the back of it. "Good night, my little Moon Thief."

"Good night." She said softly as he walked away. Heart hammering...what the hell just happened anyway? And just how the hell could that damned Man go from being such an irritation to something she...Selene shook her head. What the hell? "Not like it means anything anyway." She muttered going on her way.

Balthier wasn't sure himself was possessed him to do that. But he had come to one more realization tonight. That woman was dangerous, in more ways then one.