ff-kh-luvrgrl: finish one chap and move on to the next!
wuts up?
my mom'll kill me if she finds out i'm doing this instead of homework, but oh well! (actually, she'll kill me if she finds out i'm doing this PERIOD...) ((shrugs))
Disclaimer: And so it shall be disclaim-ed!
once again, this chapter is dedicated to ExileFromLife and kelly116. thanks so much you two for kicking my sorry butt into gear!
ON WITH THE FIC!
OoOoOoOoO
Remember me?
chapter 9
November 1, 2007
OoOoO
((Vaan POV))
After finally gained enough attention from the people in Bhujerba, I was led into a room at the back of a bar by a baanga.
"This is the one, Havharo," the Baanga says, yanking my arm to bring me closer to the Havharo guy. "Says he's Captain Basch, he does!"
Havharo snorts. "He would sooner pass for the king."
"I knew he weren't no captain! That was a mean trick to be playing," the baanga berates me angrily.
"If at trickery it ended, it would end well enough. But why this boy, and why Captain Ronsenburg? And explanation is due, and I will hear it. The Empire's hands grow passing bold indeed."
"A shame if they learnt the Marquis trafficked with the likes of you," came a familiar voice, and I fought the urge to grin as I turned to see Balthier swagger in. "Agents masquerading as guides. A hideout at the back of a tavern. Not exactly earning high marks for originality, are we?"
"Now you've done it!" the baanga began, but Havharo looked surprised, then held up his hand.
"Wait!" he ordered, and the baanga complied. From behind Balthier, Basch stepped out into view. "So Basch fon Ronsenburg does yet live. I knew there must be more to it, but to find you at the end of this tale... Ah, to see the Marquis' face when he learns of it."
"I should like nothing more," Basch informs him. "I would meet him, and see for myself."
"How say you, my Lord?"
"There is little to be said," a guy with a lion-ish appearance said. "I shall arrange a meeting with the Marquis. We shall expect you at the estate."
OoOoO
((Balthier POV))
((A/N: just to warn you: the dialouge will be a bit chopped up in this section - at least, at times it will - because Balthier insists on inserting his own thoughts during the dialouge, even though he doesn't vocalize them. sorry for the interruption))
As we walked in, I saw the Marquis sitting at his desk. The attendant that we had met earlier was standing by the Marquis, who looked directly at Basch as we entered.
"Sir Basch fon Ronsenburg," he said, nodding to Basch but ignoring the rest of us, "It was not so very long ago that I announced that you had been executed."
"And that is the only reason I draw breath," said captain responded.
"So you are the sword he's strung above my head." Alright, just who are we talking about now, Marquis? "Vayne has left not a thing to chance. And?" Ah. Well, that clears my question up... well, one of them anyways.
"A leader of the Resistance has fallen into Imperial hands." And just how would you know this, Captain? "A woman by the name of Amalia." Ah, her. I wonder, though, why did Vayne seem so interested in her? How can she possibly be so important to the Resistance? "I would rescue her, but I need your help." Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?
"This Resistance leader - this Amalia. She must be very important." So I have already gathered, my dear Marquis. Glancing over at Basch, I see him bow his head slightly before the Marquis continues. "You understand I've my position to consider."
"Would you let us see Larsa?" Vaan interjects. Vaan, you must learn some patience. I think I can help him with that... in a very interesting way... "He's got my friend with him."
"I'm afraid you're too late. Lord Larsa's cortege has already rejoined the Imperial detachment. I'm told they will depart for Rabanastre upon the arrival of the fleet this eventide." Well, at least she'll get home.
"What are we waiting for?" Vaan says, mostly to Fran, Basch and I.
"For you to calm down," I say, giving him a look. In return, he offers me a weak smile.
"Captain Ronsenburg," the Marquis says, grabbing everyone's attention. What is it now? "Surely the exigencies of position are not lost on you." What? Wait a minute... "Why indeed, you should find the enemy's chains... an easy burden to bear." He wouldn't!
"Wait!" I burst our, but I see Basch glance at Vaan and then look at me guiltily for a moment before tearing his eyes away.
"Sorry." No! "Can't be helped." Before I can stop him, Basch draws his sword, pointing it at the Marquis.
"Summon the guard!" the Marquis orders. "They're to betaken to Judge Ghis."
The guards are on us instantly, cuffing us before we can even utter a single word of protest. Damn you, Basch. You just had to involve Vaan.
OoOoO
((Still Balthier POV... he's fun to write for!))
"The prisoners, my Lord," an Imperial says as we are led - unwillingly, of course - toward one of those Judges. As we finally stop, the door behind us opens again, a woman - uncuffed - being led to us, although she is only a few steps into the room before she sees Basch. From here, I'd say the look on Amalia's face is one of anger, but I could be wrong.
A moment after she had paused, she continues toward us. Excuse me, toward Basch. "Majesty-" Basch begins, but is cut off by Amalia slapping him on the check. Do that again - he certainly deserves it!
"After what you've done! How dare you!" Amalia begins to rant. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"Come now, come now," Judge Ghis say, interrupting her little rant. "Have you forgotten your manners? This is hardly the courtesy due... the late princess Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca."
"Princess?" Vaan asks incredulously, and Fran and I exchange puzzled glances.
"To be sure, she bears no proof of her former station. No different than any mean member of the Insurgence."
"The Resistance," Amal- excuse me, Ashe states firmly.
"The consul asks the ministry of the disthroned royal family in restoring peace to Dalmasca. Those who foster instability and unrest, who claim royal blood without proof... they shall meet their fate at the gallows. There are no exceptions."
"I will not play puppet to Vayne!"
"King Raminas entrusted me with a task," Basch informs them. "Should the time come, he bade me give you something of great importance. It is your birthright: the Dusk Shard. It will warrant the quality of her blood. Only I know where to find it."
"Wait," Ashe commands. "You took my father's life!" No, he didn't... "Why spare mine now? You would have me live in shame!"
"If that is your duty: yes."
"Stop being so stubborn!" Vaan says, interrupting their little spat. "Keep on like this and you're gonna get us all killed."
"Don't interrupt!" the princess commands. Suddenly, the magicite in Vaan's hands begins to glow.
"What?"
"Vaan. That stone," is all Basch is able to get out.
"I-it was in the palace treasure."
"Well, well," the Judge laughs. "Splendid! You've brought the stone with you! This spares us a good deal of trouble."
"Don't give it to him!" Ashe commands Vaan. The Imperial guards keep her back. Vaan looks toward Fran and me, and I nod my head toward the Judge, indicating that he should hand it over. He nods, then turns to the Judge.
"You have to promise: no executions," he says as he hands the Judge the stone. The Judge waits until Vaan has stepped back to speak.
"A Judge's duty is to the law. Take them away. Lady Ashe is to be quartered separately," the Judge says, studying the stone.
Guards surround us and force us to follow them, taking the Princess elsewhere.
This will be interesting.
OoOoOoOoO
me: sorry about the length! Also, I apologise if there are any mistakes in actions (except those I have deliberately changed), but the script i'm going by is somewhat old, and it only has dialouge from the cutscenes (which is why a bunch is missing.), and it doesn't really say what they are doing. (it has a few of the actions, but not much.)
also, i'm pretty far ahead of this in my gameplay. (first i was behind, now i'm ahead... I'm never in the right place!) I'll try to catch this up, and then the chapters will likely be much more descriptive, and I'll probably write scenes for the boss fights (at least).
please review, and i'll try to get the next chapter up soon!