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The Ultimate Technick
"Larsa!"
The black-haired Archadian turned around at the familiar voice. "Vaan, Penelo!"
"We've been looking all over for you," Penelo told him, half-accusingly, planting her hands on her hips.
"Ah, I take it you haven't thought to search the Consul Chamber?" he questioned, amused.
"No," Vaan frowned slightly. "I thought you'd guys be done with that for a bit."
Larsa shook his head. "No, unfortunately. There is a lot of work to do to make sure this peace between our two empires is secure."
"Yeah, but it's been like, four days," Vaan complained, crossing his arms behind his head. "You'd think Ashe would let you guys take a break."
Larsa smiled apologetically. "I am sorry, but the Queen of Dalmasca wants to get everything done as soon as possible."
"Well, don't let her wear you down," Penelo cautioned. Vaan nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Penelo." Larsa looked around them at the sound of metal boots on the flooring and spotted Captain Basch approaching, wearing the armor of the Judge Magister. He mentally grimaced, but was careful not to let it show on his face. He was already getting tired off the endless meetings, but it wouldn't do to worry his friends. After all, it was his duty and he would not shrink from it.
Even if it was getting decidedly unpleasant.
"Ah, Captain Basch -- pardon, Gabranth. Is it time already?"
It was going to be a bit difficult to get used to calling the man by that name.
Basch stopped next to Vaan, resting a hand on the orphan's shoulder in silent greeting. "I'm afraid so, Lord Larsa."
"Well then, I shall be on my way. Penelo, Vaan, I will see you later."
He left among a chorus of goodbyes, already mentally preparing himself. If he recalled correctly, this would be the meeting with what was left of Dalmasca's ministers to discuss trade benefits between Dalmasca and Archadia.
Vaan watched the retreating back, allowing his frown to fully show. When the straight and unwavering back had vanished around the corner he turned to Basch.
"Have they given Larsa a break at all?"
Basch shook his head, shifting the helmet to his other side. "No. Lady Ashe and the rest of the senates on both sides have been very demanding of everyone. Including themselves."
"Yeah... but... how is he holding up?" Penelo voiced her concern. "I doubt he and Ashe are even getting enough sleep, everything's been so busy!"
Basch paused for a moment, thinking. "He has been a little on the tired side." His fingers tapped a rhythm on his helmet as he thought for a second before looking at Vaan and Penelo, a gleam in his eyes. "I daresay he could use a little excitement to break up the monotony of rule."
Vaan grinned. Weeks of working with the one he'd once thought traitor allowed him to pick up the unspoken hint. "You got it. C'mon, Penelo!"
He grabbed the girl's wrist and dragged her off amidst her protest and demands to know what was going through his mind this time. Basch smiled and shook his head before sliding on his helmet. He had best show up to the meeting as well, just in case he needed to prevent Ashe from killing a certain street urchin.
xXxXx
"-and so Western Dalmasca will allow Archadian citizens and airships to pass through its lands, provided that they show no aggression. Should there be any disputes-"
Larsa Solidor started to tune the Senate out, resisting the urge to drum his hands against the table in sheer boredom. To prevent it from happening during a lapse of attention and breaking the image of an attentive Emperor, he clasped his hands together.
It was beyond him why they couldn't just put the proposal down on paper and allow him the freedom of reading it instead of having to listen for what seemed like hours to the two sides argue over what was too lenient and what was too strict. Mostly what he was doing at this point was sitting with Ashe at the head of the table to show his support for the peace between the two empires.
But, oh, did everything have to be so boring?
As if answering an unspoken wish, a loud knock sounded at the oak door. Larsa couldn't help being amused at the sour look that crossed the senator's face, irked at something interrupting his speech. Standing and looking over at Basch who was minding the door, he nodded to the captain.
Inclining his head in acknowledgement, Basch moved to the doors and opened them a crack, leaning out to see who it was. The murmur of voices could be heard, but it was too quiet for Larsa to catch anything.
A moment later, Basch pulled back in and hurried around the table to Larsa's side, ignoring the stares of the twenty-some senators. Leaning down, he whispered into the young Emperor's ear.
"An urgent issue?" Larsa glanced over the table and then at Ashe, sitting patiently beside him. "Are you sure it takes precedence over this meeting?"
Basch nodded. "I can assure you, my lord."
"Very well." Larsa tried to inject some regret in his voice, but truthfully, he wasn't all that disappointed. He would do almost anything to get away from the dullness, even if it was only for a few minutes while he sorted out whatever had come up. Probably another minor clash between his own soldiers and the residing guard. At least it would be more straight forward then this current meeting full of double and quadruple meanings.
Stepping away from his chair, he bowed slightly to Ashe. "My apologies for the interruption, your majesty; senators. Please, continue without me. I will return as soon as possible."
With Basch escorting him, Larsa walked over to the door. The captain opened the door for him and as the young boy slipped through the opening, he leaned down and whispered.
"Take your time, my lord; I can take care of things here. And be yourself, for today."
With that, he closed the door, leaving Larsa staring at the wood, puzzled over the cryptic words. What on earth had his bodyguard meant? No matter, he had other things to attend to. Mentally shaking himself, he turned to face his caller.
Only to step back in surprise.
"Vaan!"
"Took you long enough! I thought Basch wasn't going to get you to come." The pale-haired boy grinned, crossing his arms and looking quiet smug with himself.
"But then," Larsa stumbled, trying to gather his thoughts. "Then there is, ah, no urgent issue demanding my attention?"
"Oh, yes there is!" Vaan quickly countered. "The urgent issue that you need to attend to is the state of your health. I mean, I caught you totally by surprise and you couldn't even come back with a smooth answer."
"Yes, well, that is-"
Vaan waved his hands, cutting off the dark-haired boy's meager protesting. "Never mind all that, alright? You're having the day off, and that's final."
Seeing that Larsa was still hesitant, he sighed and grabbed the other's hand and proceeded to pull him towards the nearby staircase. "Penelo's waiting. And besides," He grinned again, winking at Larsa. "I'm suppose to be a sky pirate remember? Capturing people of high rank is what we do. So, consider yourself kidnapped."
Larsa laughed, finally following the Dalmascan under his own power. He really should be going back to the meeting... But Basch had told him he would take care of things, and besides, a day with Vaan and Penelo was worth a whole year of ruling as Emperor. He didn't have to watch what he said or did.
He could, like Basch told him, be just himself.
"Tell me, sky pirate, where are we going?"
Vaan smirked, waving to Penelo who was waiting at the top of the stairs. "Just wait and see!"
xXxXx
Three hours later, Ashe had finally been able to call the meeting to a close with some satisfactory resolution. Only after the last senator had filed out the room did she allow herself to slump in her chair and let out a loud groan, rubbing her eyes.
She looked up as Basch came to stand at her side, pulling his helmet off. She didn't even bother to straighten in her chair, even though it was a very unlady like position for her to be in. At this moment, she couldn't care less. She had done some very unlady-like things in the past two years; one more wouldn't matter.
"How is my lady faring?"
She waved a hand in the air. "Oh, don't ask Basch. The Archadians want free access to the mines, the Dalmascans demand full autonomy, Rozarria declares they will have nothing to do with either side if we so much as place a one percent tariff on their merchants... need I go on?"
Basch smiled. "Please don't, my lady. Having to stand through it all once was enough for me. I'm not too eager for a reenactment."
Ashe had to laugh at that, finally pushing herself straight. She looked over at the empty chair beside her, suddenly remembering.
"Oh, Lord Larsa... he never came back did he?" she looked up at Basch and the captain shook his head. "Where did he have to go?"
Basch twitched, shifting his feet slightly and Ashe narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Basch..."
Her interrogation was cut off before it had even begun. Shouts and squeals in familiar tones echoed through the hall and the open doorway. A moment later there was a clatter of feet, the excited chatter of speech and then... silence.
Ashe stood up, her eyebrows drawn in puzzlement. "Was that... Vaan and Penelo?" she asked no one in particular, walking towards the open doorway. Basch quickly followed her.
As she neared the door another round of squeals and shouts could be heard. But instead of ending with the clatter of feet like the last time, the chorus was interrupted by a shout.
"Ahh! Watch out!"
There was a loud thump of something hitting the floor, then two more muted thumps afterwards. A clamor of words rose up, each voice speaking and laughing at the same time, the refined Archadian accent intermingling with rough Dalmascan speech.
"-Oww, Penelo--!"
"-I am sorry, I couldn't quiet-"
-ouch, my arm!"
"-get off!"
"-maybe we should of-"
"-you're squishing-"
"-are you saying I'm fat, Vaan?!"
"-how rude, Va-"
"What in all of Ivalice is going on here?" Ashe thundered, not sure what to make of the tangled pile of bodies at the foot of the stairs.
The three teenagers jerked in surprise, not having seen her exit the room. At the sight of Ashe, Larsa's eyes widened and he quickly scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over Penelo's legs as she tried to do the same thing while Vaan's flailing only made things worse. It took nearly a minute of flurried activity before the three of them were on their feet.
Ashe opened her mouth to repeat her question, but Vaan beat her to it.
"What does it look like? We're sliding down the banisters! Want to join us?"
His grin only served to further Ashe's anger. This was the palace of Dalmasca, her father's palace! Not some playground! "Sliding down the banisters! By Ifrit, Vaan! Have you nothing better to do than to waste Lord Larsa's time with such... such frivolous activities?"
Vaan raised his chin stubbornly, his eyes hardening. "Larsa's younger then any of us," he retorted, and Ashe flinched at the undertone bite that clearly said back off!
"Just because you can go four days without any fun, doesn't mean you have to drag Larsa down with you. Come on, guys."
Turning his back on a Ashe, Vaan lead the others down the hallway. Larsa gave her an apologetic look but made no effort to resist as Vaan pulled him along.
"Hey Larsa, did I ever tell you the time I actually snuck into the palace?"
The group had vanished by the time Ashe finally recovered from being talked back to. "That-that Vaan! Who does he think he is, dragging Larsa along as if-" She halted and suddenly whirled around to face the man standing behind her. "Basch! You were involved in this, now I see! How could you? We need Larsa there as Archadia's leader to clear the path to making this peace treaty last!"
Basch shook his head. "That may be, my lady. But nothing came up that truly required Lord Larsa's attention. Please remember, he may be the Emperor of Archadia, but he is also a boy of just thirteen summers."
Ashe halted her next rant, struck by the reminder. "Oh... yes..."
Basch adjusted his helmet more comfortably and offered his arm to her. Lord Larsa wasn't the only one who could use a break.
"In the meantime, I heard that the gardeners have added some new rose designs in the Terrace Room. Would her highness care to join me?"
The End
...for now?
Constructive feedback is welcomed, flames are not. I hope you enjoyed this story, and I would love to hear your reactions to it and what you thought of it. I did my best to portray the characters correctly. At the moment this is a one-shot story, but if any plot bunnies come up I'll be sure to post another part.