S h a r d s

by Swamp-Eyes

[InGame.Drabblish] Ashe doesn't know if she's more irritated by Basch's excessive cold deference, or Balthier's absolute lack of it [.25. Old Archades] ::BalthierAsheBasch::

17. Sacred Mt Bur Omisace

.-°-..-°-. S h a r d s .-°-..-°-.

.Shard 17.
Sacred Mt. Bur Omisace

.-°-..-°-.

White inconsistent smoke filled Ashe's nostrils while she stood there staring at the now absent Gran Kiltias' throne. They had been in that room for several minutes, and since the process had been slight and gradual, she hadn't noticed that the strange incense coming from the decorated urns, which was probably one of the main causes of Anastasis' dreams, was affecting herself, too. When she moved a pace, it felt like fluttering in the middle of nothingness - without knowing how, she stumbled somewhere, and found herself with her arms cascading down, the tip of her left hand's fingers caressing the surface of the artificial green pond beyond the low marbled wall, breaking its transparent total stillness.

The only reason why she hadn't fallen into the pond, even if she wasn't getting it at all, was that an amused Al Cid was holding her, trying his best not to be too invasive - but the princess was almost a dead weight.

"Lady Ashe..?" his built-up voice sounded incredibly far, even when he turned her to him, just to stare in her blank eyes.

"Dalmasca's desert bloom can't stand a bit of hallucinogens"
Balthier's sarcastic voice was the last thing which could reach her, but the Princess was far too gone to catch the hint of hostility towards Al-Cid in that sentence.

In Al Cid's arms, thousands and thousands images started running through her mind, but she couldn't ascertain which were real, and which weren't - places, the greed pond, a lotus flower, woods, people surrounding her, Viera - red and blond -

"She's fine - let me handle this" Basch spoke.

Ashe extended her hand towards him, and in a moment of lucidity saw a drop of water falling from her thumb.
And in the moment after, she was not gripping on Al Cid - she was at home.

.-°-..-°-.

Author'sNote: Fun fun fun.. I think Al-Cid had a potential.. well honestly I think almost everything had a potential in FFXII, but ended up flattened anyway.. so.. aw. People say Balthier disliked Al Cid .. ahah I agree.. he had such a face while looking at him :)

Swamp-Eyes