Hey there all! Well I've decided many Fanfictions like to portray Balthier as a suave and sexy Captain Jack Sparrow type guy, but I want to pull out the darker side of him. And how I'm going to do that is with Seri, me lovely opposite personality! Don't be frightened haha! )
Disclaimer: I don't own FFXII, Captain Jack Sparrow, or Balthier, or anyone else, EXCEPT lovely Mariserilla or Seri )
Waking up to feeling the sun shining on my face was a rare occasion for me, especially since I barely slept. Blinking back sleep I looked around to find myself sleeping on my pallet in "my apartment". I still had all my clothes on, minus my boots, and I was covered in my blanket. Peering around the room I notice a large gun and a belt with two pouches on either side.
"Whose stuff is this? Wait…what happened last night?" Then it hit me, Balthier was here last night. He had come back to me. After so many years!
"But where is he? Did he leave…well he has to come back. His effects are here." Getting up from the warm pallet I move slowly over to my water basin and wash my face and my hair, pulling the unusually evil hair into a loose bun.
"Ugh you stupid hair…I should just cut you off!!" I said in annoyance glaring at my reflection in the broken mirror on the wall.
"Nah, I rather like your rats nest."
Spinning on my heel I turned to the door to see Balthier walking in holding a piece of fruit, chewing on it slowly as he appraised my appearance, which made me blush a frightening red at his gaze.
"I thought you left." I said bluntly.
"No. I was checking up on Fran, and the Strahl. A few more days and we'll be air worthy, yet again! The leading man can't be stuck on the ground too much, love." He said warmly coming up behind me and wrapping his free arm around my waist.
"Great, well hurry up then." I growled out bitterly.
Standing uncomfortably against him for a moment I pull away and went to pull on my boots.
"Why in such a rush?" He stared at me quizzically, totally ignoring my earlier statement.
Shrugging I get up, stamp my feet; to get the boots comfy, and head to the door. He also grabs his effects and follows me. Grabbing my arm snuggly he pulls me against him.
"Balthier I don't have time for you! Just because you came back doesn't mean a thing for me." I was afraid to look in his grey eyes that searched my face carefully.
"I'd suspect otherwise. Have some fruit. Then we can go see Fran." He said softly, offering the fruit to me.
Glancing at it I took it, breaking from his hold and started moving down the creaky stairs saying, "I can't, I've a job to do. I hunt marks for a living..."
"Oh a hunter, eh? Well then that just spoils all the fun I had planned for you," He said smirking making sure that I saw his smirk as I munched on the fruit he had gotten for me.
Blushing again I swiftly move into the already crowded streets to the Sandsea Tavern. "Well we can see Fran really quick anyways. She's in the Sandsea waiting for us. You do have time to meet her correct?" he was walking beside me brushing against me occasionally when the crowd was too crowded to not touch.
"Yeah," I said absentmindedly. He just glanced at me.
Opening the door for me as we entered the Sandsea, he grinned at me roguishly. Ignoring him I looked toward the balcony to see the viera sitting there watching everyone placidly. As we reached her she stood and said, "Balthier, this is the woman you always mutter about in your dreams." Her tone was that of a matter of fact way instead of a questioning way.
Blushing a deep red, than I'd ever seen on him he quickly said, "Oh what?! I don't talk in my sleep…what are you talking about Fran? Ahem. Well um…Fran this is Seri, an…old friend of mine. Seri, Fran." He said gesturing from Fran to me.
I watched him but he wouldn't meet my eyes as he sat down next to Fran and I sat opposite of him. Not a moment too soon Vaan and Penelo trouped up and sat down next to us.
"Hey there Balthier! Fran. Who's this? Your girlfriend Balthier?" Vaan said peering at me slyly, but I keep my eyes away scanning the people in the room to keep my emotions from being revealed.
"Damn it what is wrong with you people?!" And with that he stormed off to the bar his ears a hot red from embarrassment.
"Hm. He usually doesn't get mad so easily…does he Fran?" Asked Penelo, smacking Vaan on the arm for being rude. In which he replied with a stunning smile to her and she just blushed, but her hand slid onto his very subtly. I was sure the viera also noticed, and I bit my lip from smiling.
"No, only on rare occasions have I seen him mad. Maybe you should go talk to him, Seri" she said looking at me, and I could tell she was more like telling me than suggesting.
Looking shocked that she said I should go I said incredulous, "Why me? I don't want to mess with an angry Balthier…I've seen that too much. Vaan was the one rude to him anyways! Send him!"
"Huh? How long have you known him?" Vaan asked his curiosity getting the better of him than trying to stick up for himself.
"A long time," and seeing Fran's gaze on me I got up quickly saying, "Fine. I'll go. You better repay me for this!"
"Of course." Was all she would say as she went back to sipping on an unknown drink.
As I walked down the steps I heard Penelo start berating Vaan on something about Kytes stealing something or 'nother from the market.
I saw Balthier sitting at the bar looking very dark and gloomy at this point and he had a bottle of Madhu next to him.
"Hey." I said simply as I sat down on his right side.
He gave no notice just sat there staring at the wine that he was swirling around in his glass.
Staring at him I couldn't help but admire his handsome face, it was a wonder no lady hadn't already came up to him, but maybe the dark aura he'd thrown around himself was keeping them at bay…for now.
Watching his grey eyes study the wine I finally had enough of the gloom that was a stark contrast to the suave and "leading man" that he usually put up around others, that weren't me.
"Okay Balthier, what's up with you? Was it what Vaan said? Or maybe it was Fran? Or maybe you're just pissy because you haven't had a lady friend in a while!" I hissed at him my voice low but harsh.
Glaring at him I saw his grey eyes fire up as he rounded on me, his voice frighteningly calm, "That matters not if I have or if I haven't! Now just butt out! You claim to love me, you claim to have missed and longed for me since you left me that time! But now you seem to have had a change of heart! Do you tell me, do you truly love me!?" He grabbed my arm at this, his fingers pressing painfully into my skin but I didn't let him see the pain.
Glaring at him with my pale green eyes I spit out, "I don't know, Balthier! You've changed but you're still the same harsh little boy that I used to play with! Why didn't you try to come find me, huh?! Why? I fear I've lost my love for you Balthier! I've hoped for seven years, thinking just thinking and hoping that you may try to find me! At least TRY!" at this point my voice was getting louder and louder and he quickly pulled me out of the bar and into a side ally.
"Damn Seri, you're so very hard headed!! I was trying to find you! I got caught up in saving Dalmasca! Give me a break, would you?!" and at my blank but slightly puzzled look he explained, "I was there helping Queen Ashe and King Basch along with Vaan, Penelo and a few others, but I didn't want to be known, being known and someone looking up my background could be dangerous in my line of work! The only people who know are Vaan, Penelo, Ashe, Basch and you…along with my father. Who is dead."
Feeling the heat of anger fade from my body I stand there awkwardly. "Balthier…I'm sorry."
"It's fine," was his terse reply.
"This was always our problem back then, we never agreed. Maybe we're not meant to be. I mean. I don't remember my parents ever fighting, nor do I ever see others fighting as much as us." I said staring down at the cobbled street. I could already feel my heart aching over the possibility of loosing him again.
"Who am I fooling…I love this idiotic man." I thought wryly, a small smile coming to my lips.
"Does it matter if we always fight? Can't love pull us through? Can't we just work it out? Think instead of react? That might help." He chuckled softly.
I found that I loved the way he laughed and I felt myself smiling up at him so I said, "Come on…I'm sure they're wondering if I've killed you or not."
"Most likely." Grabbing my hand he lead me into the Sandsea once again.
Well, that's that. I know it's short but on Word is so much longer../ oh well. Chappy 3 will be up as soon as my awesome writer's block decides to vacate my brain. Love you all! Review if you will..it's just a wee click and a small sentence or even a "Hey I liked it" is greatly loved and treasured forever in my Save box. )