A Little Help From Friends

"What?? Vaan's been acting strange? How so?"

Penelo and Ktjn were sitting on some boxes in the Sundries' storage house. The Viera could sense from pure instinct that Penelo was not her normal self.

"Penelo…?"

"Oh, I'm sorry….I was just thinking…"

"Come on now, let's hear it."

"Well, I'm not sure if he knows it, but I know the stains on the bathroom floor aren't from spilled shampoo."

"What do you mean?"

"He…leaves the bed every night and goes off the bathroom…I really wish he didn't do that thing when I'm around…"

"You two sleep in the same bed, right?

"Yes, we do, but don't get any ideas."

"Well, it is a simple matter of a Hume-boy reaching maturity. Is it not natural for a young man such as him to masturba…?"

"Shhh! What if someone's listening??"

Ktjn chuckled. "Oh, Penelo. You have far more to learn about men."

"Obviously I'd know more if I lived for a century and a half, like you."

"Do not remind me of my age! It is a harsh reality for me as it is!"

"Ok, ok."

"So, about your boyfriend's little pleasuring problem…"

"He's not my boyfriend! Just…a childhood friend…"

"Uh huh. Any more lies to tell me darling?" the Viera grinned, her chin resting on her palm.

"We just…look after each other ok? It's always been like that. Nothing more…"

"Yet you tolerate him sleeping aside you, let alone pleasuring himself, presumably to you…"

"I don't know that! But…he was holding my underwear when I went back to the apartment to see if he was alright."

"Exactly."

"Ktjn…."

"Yes dear?"

"I'm not sure what to do…" Penelo looked at her feet. "I…"

"…like him but you're not sure how to express it or when?" Ktjn raised her eyebrow.

Penelo nodded shyly.

"Poor girl…" The Viera patted the Hume girl o the head. "But I will tell you this. If he does in fact want you in his undressed embrace, but at the same time shows restraint in the most, well, preferable conditions for him, means that Vaan has respect for you…and with respect, an honest relationship. He's a good boy dear, you should appreciate that."

"So…what are you saying I should do?"

"Believe me, I'm not the only one who wants to see you two become one," she leaned back on a stack of boxes. "My question is, why have you not taken the initiative in the past?"

"Well, sure, he's predictable…predictably brainless. But…in a situation like this? I have no idea how he'll react."

"So? Men love a forceful woman."

"But this is Vaan! He's not normal! I mean…well….umm….he's special."

"To you perhaps." Ktjn chuckled.

"……..yes."

"Alright, alright…not a one to tease are you? Well, it just so happens that I know a most effective way to determine his level of attachment to you."

"How?"

Ktjn leant over and whispered into her ear.

"What?? Are you sure?"

"Positive. Subtle, emotional, un-invasive."

"And I guess…I just wait for his reaction?"

"Yes. That will determine everything. Might even determine how many bases you will clear tonight."

"Ktjn!"

"Ha ha, oh…wait…is that him back there? Hellooo Vaaaan!"

Penelo swiveled around in a flash. "Vaan??! How long were you there?! How much did you hear the…"

The random female store clerk looked awkwardly back. "May I help you?"

"Huh? Wait…...Ktjn!!"

The Viera was already half-way out the door. "Good luck dear, I am counting on you!"

The two teenagers walked wordlessly back to their flat with Penelo holding the black box as before. Vaan could feel the tension in the air, but at the same time, could feel the tension within himself growing as he continually suppressed his desire for her.

He recalled his talk with Migelo; though the Bangaa was his legal parent, he never spoke to him on such serious terms before. Though Migelo himself was surprised when Vaan approached him with something that did not have to do with sky piracy, he did his best to advise him according to Vaan's profession.

The verdict being that a close, personal relationship between partners was something that he should not pursue.

Vaan based his argument upon Balthier and Fran's relationship, one that he believed was farfrom platonic. But he was soon made to realize that two sky pirates had to be perfectly aware of the likelihood of not being able to see each other again, if danger was to come their way. Such a loss would be unbearable for either of them, considering their previous experience of losing their respective families.

It took a while for Vaan to accept this truth, but for him, his thoughts were far from concluded.

Vaan unlocked the apartment door, and held it open for Penelo.

"Thanks…" she said gingerly, and stepped in.

Vaan checked the security conduit, as he always did upon returning home. The hangar bay door light was flashing.

"Penelo, the hangar door was closed when we left right?"

"Yeah, what's the problem?"

"Well, if it was then, then why isn't it now?"

They could hear a faint hum of an airship engine coming from further down the apartment. It was distinct; a sound that the two frequently heard on their previous adventure; the Strahl.

As Vaan and Penelo rushed to the hangar door, they could hear the all-too-familiar voices coming from within.

"So Fran, is my present on its way yet? Or are you going to make me beg like last night?"

"Some patience have you not? Our 'deliverers' will be but a moment. Come to speak of it, here they are now."

The two amateur sky pirates burst in. "Balfran! It's been sooooo long!" Penelo squealed.

"Lovely," Balthier sniffed. "Our groupies have come up with names for us already. What a task it is being popular and all…"

"Oh?" Fran raised her eyebrow. "And what are you to say about names? It is I who must always awake to such things as 'honey bunny' and 'Easter Chocolate'."

"I know you love it," the pirate grinned.

"And what you love can only be expressed by my tongue." Fran ran her slender finger down Balthier's chest.

"Upon many other things," Balthier teased. "But I assure you, love will be but a fraction of the sensations you will feel once our privacy is restored."

"EHEM," Vaan coughed. "Your box?"

"Aye," Fran turned and motioned Penelo over. "Forsooth, I would have presented this in person, but provided you enjoy some variety once in a while," She took the box and handed it to her partner. "I assumed it would interest you more this way."

"Hmm," Balthier thought for a moment. "You read me well…but, it will all depend on what is inside…" He lifted the cover.

In it, placed in a red velvet cushion, was a small clear vial. He picked it up. The purple liquid within it swirled around, a glowing mist floating through it.

Fran gave him a sly smile.

"Am I not the most blessed man in all of Ivalice?" Balthier said at last, passing the vial in between his fingers.

"What's that?" asked Penelo, tilting her head.

"A rare potion, savored by both experienced and inexperienced alike," Fran stated. "An amplifier of the senses it burns, deep within…filling the body with a refined feeling..."

"But, what exactly is it used for?"

"That," Balthier reached into his pants pocket. "Is for you two to decide."

He pulled out a similar looking bottle, and tossed it toward Vaan.

"It is of an older sort, and now that I have a replacement, I will need it no longer. There is some left in it I assure you, and I do hope you will put it into some good use."

"Shall we be off then?" Fran began walking to the Strahl's boarding ramp.

"Of course." Balthier said, swiveling on his heels.

"Hey! What am I supposed to do with this??" Vaan shouted, waving the vial around.

Just as Balthier stepped into his ship, he turned around and smiled. "As some would say, 'read the label'. I believe everything will become clear in time. I'm counting on you."

The hatch closed behind him, and the Strahl lifted in the sky, its engines humming and kicking up dust all over the hangar. Within a few moments it main engines kicked in, and the two sky pirates departed as fast as they had appeared.

"Well, that was weird," said Penelo, brushing the dust off her pants. "So, what does the label say?"

"Hold on a sec…" Vaan squinted. "It says…'Mojo Maximus: Super Strength Aphrodisiac. Caution: Keep out of reach from virgins."

Vaan looked up awkwardly at Penelo. "Well…umm…."

Penelo sighed. "Do you…want to go back inside?"

She walked briskly to the hangar door and disappeared inside. Vaan's heart was pounding, eyes wide.

"Is this going to be it??" He wondered. "Reacting like that can only mean one thing…"

Vaan, sweating hard, walked cautiously after her, and closed the door.