Another Prompt from a friend. Including two versions of the ending since I can't decide which one I like better.
Choices:
"Selene are you even listening to me?"
Selene looked away from the rain outside the drawing room of the Rafrasion house. "Sorry mother.." She murmured
"Selene, I know why you did what you did, I even supported your decision to leave against my better judgement. But the war with Archadia is once again over for the time being and it is time for you to remember, you are a Rafasion and with that name comes duties, responsibilities, which includes making a good match. Now I would appreciate it if you could please look at..." Her mother trailed off seeing she'd once again lost her daughter. "SELENE!"
"What!?" Selene snapped from her thoughts turning to meet the eyes of her mother. While she did not have the same tall, willow like build of her mother, seeing her other features was like looking in a mirror. Even more so now that the deep tan caused by the harsh Dalmascan sun had faded her skin back it it's more natural light olive tone.
"Pay attention. Please."
Selene mumbled another apology and tried to listen to what her mother way saying. But all she heard was blah blah and blather. Something about arrangements and parties, duty...honour..yada yada. The more she listened the more she began to wonder if coming back here was a mistake, Balthier would have let her stay if she'd asked, maybe. Her eyes drifted from the rain on the ground to the skies above. Getting lost in another time, another place.
"This is about him isn't it? That man is the reason you're head is in the clouds." Her mother's voice cut through again.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play me the fool girl. I know full well your dalliances with that Pirate, Balthier." The word spat like a curse.
"I see your spies well earned their wages." Selene said dryly "I do hope they're worth the money."
Her mother continued as if she hadn't spoken "While I am not going to judge you for the odd distraction or two, it was hardly love. So it's high time you stop moping around like a love struck school girl and remember your place..."
That made her more angry then it probably should, "I think I'm going to call it a night. Good evening mother." Selene left the room, ignoring her mother's indignant call behind her.
~~~~~~~~~
Selene lay awake in her room well into the night, she thought it would have been easy..forgetting her life before...to fall back into the way things had been before the most recent war. She wondered how long it would be before the next, how long before she had to run again...but then why bother coming back if it was only to run again? Would she even bother the next time around? Perhaps her mother had been right, Balthier had hardly tried to stop her when she'd made the choice to come home just as he'd made no effort to contact her since. Selene played with the tiny communicator Fran had handed her when she left. In a spur of the moment she flicked it on. When Balthier's sleepy voice came over it in a yawned out greeting her heart burst with warmth, just as her nerve failed her. What was she doing? Selene flicked it off, without a word said. She couldn't...there were duties she had, responsibilities and...and that was her mother talking. Selene rolled over, determined to sleep. Foolishness...just utter foolishness.
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Selene passed the next few weeks in a haze barely hearing a word her mother, or anyone for that matter, said. Nodding only when her mother was looking for an agreement on something. She played the picture perfect daughter with regal grace. Portraying the gentle softness required of a proper Lady of her House in her looks and manners. Gods how she hated pink, but her mother insisted and she as the dutiful daughter obeyed. Even when her mother announced the arranged match with some nobleman whose name and rank Selene ignored, beyond again agreeing with the nod of her head and a grateful, obedient smile plastered on her face Selene did nothing to break the facade. Hoping if she played the role long enough eventually she would again feel human in it. But every night she still found herself taking out that tiny little communicator, that small piece of metal that reminded her that for only one section of time in her life she'd felt really alive. Some nights she'd flick it on though Balthier never answered again, but most she'd just curl up with it in her hand praying for the courage to do as her heart bid and cursing herself for being so weak as to consider it.
ENDING 1)
It was one of those late nights while Selene lay in the dark of her room, holding the communicator for dear life that her room exploded in sound and light. It took several moments for her eyes to adjust and her ears to place the familiar hum of the Air Bike to the scene before her.
"You called my dear Moon Thief." Came a smooth, cultured, drawl from the lights.
"Balthier?" the lights moved from her windows, Fran at the controls, Balthier sitting with a smug look on his face."What is this?"
"This?" he waved a hand "I do believe this is what they call a rescue." He held out a hand. "But I am afraid we must not tarry too long, it appears as if our appearance has rather upset your families guards. Unless you'd rather stay?"
Selene turned as her door burst in her mother and the ground guards "Selene! What is the meaning of...you can not be serious!" Her mother shot glares at both Selene and the Air Bike.
Selene knew then exactly was her decision was and from the look on her mothers face...so did she. "So this is it?" her mother said "You'll give up everything, your land, your title, wealth and the protections of the Family...to be the whore of some Pirate?"
Selene knew then there was no other answer she could give "Yes." she said turning and before her mother or her men could stop her she jumped from her window. Strong arms catching her, pulling her across the bike.
"Fran I do believe that is our cue to exit." Balthier said, holding Selene close to his chest with a hand on her waist.
Selene didn't look back as Fran turned the bike from her home and left.
"My Lady do we chase them?" one of the guards asked
Selene's mother shook her head. "No...no let them go where they will. Send word to all the local Air Ship Docks. They are to be hindered in anyway."
"Yes Ma'me."
ENDING 2)
Selene drifted down the stairs early one morning, expecting a morning like any other so it was with great surprise she heard voices from the breakfast room. Not just any voices but her mothers and...Selene pushed open the door with a bit more force than was necessary. Sure enough her ears had not deceived her. There, sitting in her Breakfast room making idle chit chat with her Mother was none other than Balthier. He looked so different with his formally cut clothing, proper shoes and no jewelry...but it was him...looking every inch a finely bred young man of prestige and wealth.
"Oh Selene...really...we have a guest do try to act like a Lady and not hurried maid." Her mother chided.
"You..." Selene started her eyes only on the man behind her mother, but Balthier put a finger to his lips behind her mother's back. Right...her mother may know of the Pirate's reputation, might even have a vague knowledge of what he looked like. But as he was now, looking like that with no Fran at his side, there was no way she'd put anything together.
"Selene this is Ffamran mied Bunansa of Archadia, his father was a well renowned scientist as well as a minor noble in the Empire."
"So why is he here?" Selene had to ask.
"Oh Selene have you heard nothing I have said over the last several weeks?" Her mother sighed. "The Emperor Larsa of Archadia and our own Emperor Margrace have long been talking about tieing several minor houses of both nations together. Our house included. This is the man put forward by Emperor Larsa and agreed upon by Emperor Margrace."
"Meaning what exactly?" Selene focused her attention on her mother
Balthier's voice answered her, drawing her back to him. "Meaning Lady Rafrasion." He said smoothly, coming forward to take her hand, raising it his lips, his green eyes meeting hers, a smirk playing on his lips. "That by the end of next week, we will be husband and wife. If that is agreeable with you of course."
Selene smiled her mind finally catching up to the meaning of his words. "Of course Mr. Bunansa"
"I think you can call me Ffamran." he winked. "Selene"
"Ffamran." Selene said softly, smiling at him.
"Well I shall leave you two to get better acquainted. I have wedding preparations to see to." Her mother pranced out with a happy little flourish. Closing the door.
"By the Gods." Balthier breathed, his posture slumping a bit. Breaking the rigid line he'd been keeping his shoulders and back in. "I thought we'd never be rid of her."
Selene opened her mouth to speak but quickly found her lips otherwise occupied before she could say a word. She wound her arms around his neck as one hand settled on her back, the other tangling in her hair- dislodging the pins holding it up. Her tongue wound with his, returning the kiss with as much fervor as it was given. Pulling back before their embrace could be taken too far Balthier hugged her close. "Come to the skies with me."
"Yes." Selene breathed out. "A thousand times over..yes." she hugged him back.