How Dr. Seamus Nathaniel Fawkes came to posses Balthier's knowledge on the subject of Viera Mating rituals

Timeline: Just after Balthier saved the YPA-GB47 Combat Fighter, soon to be Strahl, from the scrap yard , before he left Arcades.

"Ah Sweet freedom. You my dear are going to be my wings and fly me the hell away from this Bloody Empire and that lunatic that use to be my father. To think those idiots were going to scrap a perfectly magnificent airship like you."

Balthier looked over the airship he had just saved from being shredded into so much scrap metal "Hmm, she's going to need some work…a completely new engine I feel, and I should really upgrade her weapons system…I don't have much left after buying her off the scrap yard. I need a lot more Gil to restore this thing. The faster I can get it the better…"

"Ah so you've bought an airship." Came a voice.

Balthier turned to see a familiar friendly face.

"Ah Professor Seamus." Balthier smiled as his old Academy Professor approached "Yes indeed I have."

"The rumors are true then. You are leaving." Said the Professor solemnly. "Turned in your resignation from Judgeship and everything. Even cut all ties with your colleagues and acquaintances in the Empire Government. I can hardly believe it. You, my best and brightest pupil with the most potential I've seen of anyone for a long while…graduated two years early from The Arcadian Academy of Knowledge and Wisdom with honors…the youngest man ever to reach Judgeship…what a waste."

Balthier's smile faded as he sighed heavily "I'm no longer your student so I don't have to listen to your lectures any more."

"I wasn't going to lecture…" sighed Seamus "I understand your reason for leaving. But it would be better for a man like you to stay in this sheltered world that is Arcadia. Imagine, you, a creature with your Father's intelligence, cunning and skill combined with your Mother's looks, wit and charm, out loose in the real world. I shudder at the thought."

Balthier laughs "Flattery won't get me to stay old man."

"I know I know." Seamus nods "You've made up your mind. There's no stopping you once you've made up your mind to do something."

"Balthier!" called a voice from the ship.

Balthier and Professor Seamus looked up at Fran standing on the hull.

"What's your analysis Fran?" Asked Balthier

Fran jumped down from where she was up on the hull and landed in front of the two men.

It gave the Professor a bit of a start "Oh my."

"She not in bad shape." Says Fran "Though many of the key components have already been salvaged from her. Here's a list of what we'll need."

Fran handed Baltheir a clip board to look over. As he took it he smiled slightly noticing Professor Seamus unconsciously staring at his Viera companion.

"Fran, you remember Professor Seamus." Balthier said casually, breaking the Professor from his gaping.

Fran tiled her head in a slight nod. "Yes, Dr. Seamus Nathaniel Fawkes, Professor of Natural History and Anthropology at the Arcadian Academy of Knowledge and Wisdom…you look well."

"Why thank you my dear thank you…Yes, yes I'm very well." the Professor stammered "you look well as…um… well." He gave a nervous laugh

Balthier couldn't help but smile wider watching his wise old mentor prattle on like a school boy over a woman such as Fran.

Fran turned her attention back to Baltheir "Another thing, Xander has agreed to let us use his workshop…for a price."

Baltheir sighed "And what price is that?"

"Your research and designs for airships." Said Fran

"Oh is that all? He can have it." said Balthier "He can have the whole lot and anything else he may want to pillage from my study."

Professor Seamus laughed "Everyone said you should have taken the position at Draklore in the airship division. You're a genius when it comes to the fine art of airship design. It always has been your true passion and calling."

"Right." Said Baltheir "And if I had taken that position, my passion would have died a slow agonizing death, having to design the most magnificent masterpieces alloy and steel can make only to see them scraped over some trivial little thing like wing design." Baltheir looked up at the ship he had saved from such a fate. "Those idiots have no appreciation for art and craftsmanship."

Seamus smiled "And I suppose it had nothing at all to do with not wanting to work under your father and distinguishing yourself from him."

Baltheir only gave his old professor a sideways glance.

"Well then." Says Fran "I'll tell Xander your answer and bring the parts list to him."

"Right then." Nodded "I'll head over to the Moogle Mechanics Guild. Nono always said if I ever built an airship of my own he'd help me out…"

Fran gave a nod turned and headed out.

"Fascinating creatures, Viera." Commented the Professor when Fran had gone. "Such a beautiful race, and what knowledge they must accumulate over their long years. Oh how I envy the time they posses."

The professor turned to Baltheir "My dear boy, you've known Miss Fran for some time now. Surely you know something of the Viera race."

"Sorry," Baltheir Shrugs "she hasn't really told me much of anything about her people. She says 'that was all another life.' 'The past is past' and all that. Won't tell me a thing…" Baltheir laughs "the only thing I know about is…ah." -Light Bulb- "hmmm…well there is that…"

"What, my boy?" Professor Seamus presses "Tell me. Any little bit of knowledge or insight you may have about their mysterious race would be a great contribution. Our scientific journal is renown and famous for gathering rare information on species."

"Well I don't know." Said Balthier "I'm not sure the Viera want anything to be known about their society. Why else would they stay so secretive about it?"

"Oh come now." Urges Seamus. "We only wish for insight and to have a better understanding of other cultures. Pursuit of knowledge for the better good. You know the mantra."

"Yes, yes I know." Says Balthier "But still, if I tell what I do know I'd never have a moments peace from other…enthusiasts."

"I can site you as an anonymous source, no one would have to know who you are. You know our sources confidences are always kept." Implored the Professor "The Society would pay you handsomely for any information you have about the Viera. It would be the first article of fact written about them since the Sage's Knowledge Guild wrote that short piece ages ago."

"Well I guess if our identities are kept secret…" contemplated Balthier

"Yes, yes. You have my word." The professor, excited

"And it would be for the noble cause of spreading knowledge, wisdom and understanding." Said Balthier thoughtfully

"Yes, my boy. A noble cause indeed." Seamus getting more and more eger

"Well then." Balthier gave a sly smile and put his arm around Professor Seamus's shoulders "How much do you think your renowned scientific journal would pay for information about Viera Mating Rituals?"

A LOT that's how much. X3

And thus Balthier got enough money to rice out his new airship and make the Strahl into one sweet ass ride XD

P.S. Fran didn't care about Bal telling the Professor about Viera Mating Rituals. She's rather indifferent about that sort of thing…plus Bal didn't tell him about anything too personal or intimate…only the facts from a strictly scientific perspective. Very Discovery Channel XD

Tell me what you think thus far…no point in continuing if no one's interested…