Hello everybody! Back with a second chapter...and quite soon, too. I feel bad. I didn't work on my On the Road fic because I was too wrapped up in this. My apologies if anyone out there is reading that one, too, waiting for an update. Anywho! I'm sick with a cold, but I have a hair appoitment at four and I'm going to go see that new movie SHUTTER at nine. Yay!
Anyways! Let me reply back to those who reviewed!
pika pika paradise: Awe...thankies! I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I aim for that...to keep them in character as much as possible. It just helps everything flow, ya know? Well...you're an authour/authouress, too, so yeah. You know. (love your story, by the way!) I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you. ;.;
Black Night Luster: YOU ARE STALKING ME!! O.O Honestly...you read all my stories? And you just starting playing Final Fantasy XII!? But...this story...may have spoilers. Not for sure on that yet. That, however, is why I cannot tell you why they're calling Basch Gabranth. Sorry. You'll just have to hurry and beat the game if you want to find that out.
3: Vaan? On top? ...ew...that would be WAY awkward! Like...muy malo...yeck. Ha ha. I honestly could never picture that in a million and one years. O.o
Seidou: YAY! :huggles: Another person who dislikes Balthier as a seme! I love you all...so much! It's strange, though, is it not? Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter, too!
Okay! Now! After the disclaimer, do enjoy!
Disclaimer: WHY WON'T THEY SELL THEM TO ME?! Oh wait...:reads through fic: That's why.
Part two: Witness
There were shouts and yells amongst the prison when a fight broke out between two inmates. After a guard was injured when they tried to intervene, there was more bloodshed as they two continued to fight back and forth, one of them having taken out the unconscious guard's weapon and beating the other repetitively over the head. Not all of the guards carried about guns and swords as their weapons – mainly only higher-ups who had the joy of carrying or assisting the inmates back to cells. Otherwise, the 'watchdogs,' as most referred to them as, carried around blunt wooden weapons, nevertheless, they were quite dense; enough to cause serious injuring if needed.
Balthier, however, cared to take no part in watching the bloody brawl as he stood leaning against the wall, trying to block out the shouts. The consistent burning and stinging from the lashes on his back were not allowing any comfort as he tried to get at least some amount of rest. Lying down was not an option; the sand grains in fresh wounds…. He shuddered at the thought and tried his best to get comfortable while standing. He was distracted as the bulky inmate to his left continued to stare at him through the bars, a strange grin on his face – the same one he had been giving the sky pirate for the past twenty minutes. He shifted as he tried to ignore him, not feeling the need to get himself into any more trouble. He was in enough of that as it was – last thing he needed was an inmate wanting to bash his head in with one of those blunt sticks.
Just as he felt himself drift into a slight sleep, the inmate laughed suddenly, though not truly a laugh, more like a scoff. He nodded his head to the man on the other side before speaking.
"If you want to come over here, I bet I can take that back pain of yours away," he said, that smirk still on his face.
Without even opening his eyes, Balthier replied. "I'd rather not."
The guy paused before continuing to speak. "What? You'd prefer to stand there and do nothing?" This question was purely rhetorical, but nevertheless, Balthier answered.
"Very much so. Besides, I very much doubt I'd be any more entertained over there than I am standing right here."
"I can that put boredom to good use."
"I highly doubt that."
The guy scoffed and racked the iron bars that separated him from the sky pirate. "You're a spoiled little thief, aren't you?" Not waiting for a smart-mouthed reply, he turned and walked to a different part of his cell, out of Balthier's sight. He was quite thankful for that.
He yawned and turned to face the opposite direction, his back towards the opposite cell. From a little ways away, between the shouts of the other inmates, he could hear the sound of a clanking steel suit of armour.
Just what everyone needs. Rozarrian imperials ought to shut them right up, he thought, wishing that they would have done so sooner. However, that was not the case and as the clanking metal came closer, he heard it stop right outside of his own cell.
"Wake up, thief," someone said; their accent thick.
He groaned, realizing that it was nothing more than a heavy armoured guard. However, Balthier did not bother to open his eyes.
"Is it time already?" he replied in a sarcastic manner.
He felt a sudden jolt in his side as the guard jabbed him beneath the ribs with the stick-like weapon. Yet, when Balthier's eyes jerked open, it was not the guard that was wearing a heavy suit of armour; the guard was dressing much like the other commons guards. The one dressed in all armour was none other than Basch fon Rosenburg. Once Balthier was jerked out of the small amount of rest he had had, the guard nodded in approval and looked to the Judge.
"Be quick."
Basch nodded and the guard turned, shouting for all the other inmates to 'quiet themselves' as he walked away from the duo to try and split up the brawl going on three cells down. The Judge shook his head before turning to look at Balthier who was giving a slightly queried look. There was a moments pause before either one spoke.
"So, what might I ask brings you to this wonderful paradise?" Balthier asked as he looked around his cell.
Basch frowned slightly. "A message from Penelo speaking of your current situation." Balthier only shrugged. "Word has it that you have stolen a prized item. Would it be too much to ask of you to give complete detail on how you managed to end up here?"
Balthier shook his head. "Not at all." At his carefree reply, Basch gave him a somewhat annoyed look, but waited for him to continue. "Quite a misunderstanding really."
At this, the Archadian Judge raised a brow. "How so?"
"Simple. I have not stolen anything as of late. Why, Fran and I had barely stepped foot on Rozarrian soil when we were ambushed by a group of imperials. They confiscated the Strahl and arrested me on false charges. What more is there to know?" He saw the look the older man was giving him and shrugged. He had a sense that Basch did not believe his words and claims of innocence. He sighed and shook his head. "You know me not."
"It would appear as such."
Balthier gave no reply; he only released a breath of air and looked down at the sands beneath his feet. There was a loud clanging on the metal bars that separated his cell from the other cells around him. Both he and Basch turned and adverted their eyes to the cell on the right. Apparently, another brawl broke out between the occupants of the cell and it did not appear as though anyone was winning. One of the inmates bashed the other's head against the bars, his head making a crack as it hit them. Basch turned and saw a guard running towards the cell. He pulled out his baton and began banging it on the barred door.
"Knock it off in there!" he yelled at the two.
It had no effect and they continued to go at it, fists making contact with flesh and bones. The cheering shouts and yells in the prison became more pronounced when this second fight broke out and they continued to cheer it on.
"They act like that of animals," Basch commented and Balthier only nodded in agreement.
"And not just the inmates, either."
Basch jerked his head and looked back to the sky pirate, wanting to ask, but not feeling the need to press matters. He cleared his throat, getting Balthier's attention. He glanced off over Basch's shoulder before quickly looking back to the Judge.
"So, do tell me you're here to tell me they've proclaimed my innocence," he spoke rather hastily. At his actions, Basch could not help but raise a brow. He shook his head, slightly bothered at his manner.
"Balthier…."
"Time's up, thief," a guard spoke from behind Basch. He came up to the iron gate and took out a double-sided key. He inserted the key into the lock and Balthier could not help but release a sigh. Basch looked to the guard who was accompanied by two others – the others, however, were armed with guns rather than the baton the lesser guards were equipped with. As he opened the gate, Basch directed his attention to the guard.
"Is he being released?" he asked, obviously confused as to what was going on.
At this, the guard snorted as he opened the door. The two armed guards stepped into the cell and grabbed the brunette's arms; forcing them behind his back, they bound his wrists with rope and shoved him out of the cell. He grunted as he stumbled forward before looking back at them and shaking his head.
"Careful. Quite fragile, you know."
"Where are you taking him?" Basch asked and the lesser guard turned to face him.
"Interrogation."
It was a simple answer and one that left Basch deeply concerned. As they turned and began heading off, the shouts and cheers that had somewhat subsided picked back up again, this time louder than before. It was at this moment that Basch caught a glimpse of the sky pirate's back – the long gashes that were strewn over and over, some still bleeding. His pulse quickened and as the cellmates in the other chambers roared, he turned his head to look at a rather bulky inmate – the same inmate that was in the cell to the left.
"You," he called to the whooping inmate. The man turned his attention to the Archadian Judge. "Where are they taking him?"
At the comment, the imprisoned only laughed, mocking how clueless the Judge was. "Where they take everyone they 'interrogate.' To the platform so everyone can hear their public confession…when they make one that is."
"By what means?"
This caused the inmate to smirk. "It is a "public" confession," he said simply as he turned in his cell and walked to the back, to another set of iron bars that blocked the exit. Every cell in the prison was designed in the same manner. To the front of the cell was the interior hall, where inmates were hauled to and from almost daily. It was this area the guards patrolled. However, to the back of each cell, a clear view of the platform was their scenery. From this angle, every prisoner could witness another either being publicly executed or giving a public confession. For those in the main interior, the platform was unable to be seen from the angle.
Basch inhaled and stepped into the empty cell of Ffamran Mid Bunansa, seeing clearly the platform at which the inmate spoke of. Currently, the only one on or near the platform was a bangaa standing in lightweight armour with a side pocketed dagger and, what appeared to be a whip that was attached to the other side of the uniform. There was a loud bang that sounded as though a large door slammed open. The cheers and shouts from the inmates seemed to intensify ten-fold and Basch's eyes adverted to the only movement in the area – Balthier was being escorted, one might say, to the platform, his forearm being gripped rather tightly. The armed guard practically had to drag the sky pirate up the wooden stairs to reach the base of the platform and when they managed to reach the top, he shoved Balthier in front of him, under the wooden pole that had a chain and a rope attached to the very top. The guard grabbed the rope and tied it through the rope that was already binding his wrists. Along with that, he took the chain and attached it to the rope, giving it a hard tug and making sure it was firmly in place. He went around the side and cranked a lever that had Balthier's arms raised above his head, escape now futile.
As the guard stepped off to the side, the bangaa stepped forward and unraveled a thick, leather whip. He cracked the whip once, causing louder whoops and yells to be heard from the inmates that surround the dome like arena. He watched as Balthier's expression became tense. He tensed his jaw and shut his eyes, balling his hands into fists, waiting for the first strike. He was given one last chance to confess, and when he did not, the bangaa pulled his arm back and sent the leather whip slashing against the other's back. Basch could only stand there in the empty cell and watch in horror as his own ally was mercilessly tortured in front of hundreds of humes – the entire Rozarrian prison.
As the leather continually cracked against the bare skin of his comrade, the Archadian Judge was unable to move and watched, horrorstruck, as Balthier's energy began to drain. With each lash, his face was overcome with immense pain, but not even once did he yell out.
At the end of it all, the binds were removed and two armed guards grabbed each of the sky pirate's forearms, dragged him down the stairs of the platform and there was a crash as the door slammed shut. The other prison mates had practically gone wild while they watched, and when it ended, mocks were made. Basch basically glided out of the cell and looked around; waiting for the two guards to return, and hoped that Balthier was at least all right. After what he just witnessed, he could not imagine that had been done to him more than once…but even he knew it had been.
Finally, the two guards returned and practically threw him into his cell, slamming the iron door shut and locking it. As one of the guards walked away, the other turned to face Basch.
"He's all yours, now."
With that, he turned on his heel and followed after his comrade.
Basch jerked his head towards the prisoner who was trying to gather back to his feet. When he did manage to stand up, he stumbled slightly before shaking his head and turning to face the Judge. He sighed.
"Now...what was it we were discussing?"
Basch did not reply, only gave him a remorseful look.
"Balthier…"
"That is what they call me," Balthier said as he waved his hand in a slight circular motion.
Once again, the Judge fell silent. The other only shrugged, waiting for him to speak.
"Just make the confession and get it over with."
Both turned to look at the speaker – the same man in the cell to the left. Balthier sighed and shook his head.
"I believe I've already said that I would not confess to something which I did not commit."
The man only scoffed as he usually did. "Yeah, well, innocent or not, I very highly doubt they care to find out. They just want you confession so they can keep you here like the rest of us."
Balthier shrugged. "Lovely."
"Have it your way then, thief." With that said, the guy walked to another area of his cell, out of sight.
The sky pirate turned back to Basch who had just adverted his own eyes away from that area. The Judge shifted his helm under his other arm before speaking once more.
"You are truly innocent..." he said, trailing off as he looked at the brunette.
"It's about time you figured that out. I thought I'd have to be here all evening trying to convince you differ."
Basch looked downwards for a moment, seeming to think on something rather intently before he brought his gaze back to the other. At first, he said nothing, but after another moments pause, he finally opened his mouth to speak.
"For how long have you taken residence in this prison?"
"Well I don't very much like to think of this as my residence," he replied with a raised brow. "But I do believe it has been three days…perhaps four? Why do you ask?"
Basch did not reply, only stared at Balthier. It took a moment, but it finally clicked why Basch was giving him such a look. He shook his head and glanced off to the side.
"Since the first day?" the older man asked with a light tone. He watched as Balthier nodded his head without looking at him; his expression still calm. It was amazing how this man rarely changed his expressions. In certain aspects, it would not be such a bad thing if he were to show more emotion than he usually did.
"Where's Fran?" Basch asked as he peered at Balthier through the bars, trying to get the conversation away from the current on hand.
At this question, Balthier only shrugged and walked towards the back of the cell. "Not the slightest idea. Seeming as how I have yet to hear from her, one might suppose she has yet to find a fluke to rid me of this prison."
"Apologies," the older man said, slightly bowing his head.
Balthier looked at him and raised a brow. "What of?"
The Archadian Judge looked at him with slight remorse. "As of yet there is nothing in the Rozarrian laws that state they must release one of false accusations without confirming innocence. Or that another empire is able to take their own citizen to be tried on home land."
There was a long pause before Balthier released a sigh and glanced off to the side. "No. I suppose there would not be such a law." He turned and Basch winced when his eyes landed upon the whip lashings across the sky pirate's back – some were at such a depth that they would become scars once they were able to heal. However, less they could prove his innocence or he confessed to that which he took no part of, the wounds would have naught a chance to heal any time soon. Feeling the stares, Balthier turned back to face him and he crossed his arms.
"So, have you an idea how much longer I must endure this nonsense?"
Sensing that Balthier was trying to cover some hidden shame, Basch shook his head and looked to the side. "I know not," he said sadly. "But I will promise you this," he continued as he looked back to the brunette, "I will see that you are released an innocent man, or so, I do suppose the Rozarrians wish to keep peace with Archadia."
Balthier walked back to the barred door that blocked his exit, keeping him separate from the Judge. "I believe I should thank you properly, then," he replied, staring into the other's face.
"Knowing you are safe is thanks enough," the other said, bowing his head.
Balthier smirked slightly before he continued. "I'll do well to remember that next time trouble arises."
Basch shook his head. As silence ensued, a guard came up to the Judge. As he adverted his gaze to the guard, Balthier stared up and off to the side in the opposite direction.
"By head of counsel, I'm asked that you leave the premises," the guard said as he saluted the Archadian Judge. "Rozarrian laws state that one is only allowed forty-five minutes to visit with an accused."
Basch nodded and the guard took a step back, waiting for Basch to turn so as to follow him out of the prison. Basch turned back to face Balthier and shook his head solemnly.
"It would appear I must take leave."
"As it would seem," the sky pirate replied, moving his head downwards, but his eyes upwards to stare at the other.
Basch did a slight bow before turning and following after the guard who began walking away. He stopped short and glanced back to Balthier who had turned towards the back of his cell, staring out to the platform that he definitely felt no need to return to.
Okay! -claps hands- Another chapter down! Tell me what you think! See, I'm getting nice hits, but few reviews...so...does that mean most of you don't like it? Reviewing is how us authour/authouresses know that you like it! Don't keep us in suspense!!
Love yas!