Author's Note: Thanks for reading! :D
I have never played Revenant Wings, so this post FXII story will not reflect anything that happened in that game!
.• SAVE THE QUEEN •.
Chapter 2
Captivate Me
You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me
My Immortal- Evanescence
She glanced up at him and was about to turn back to the navigation panel when she noticed something. Her eyes instead, remained fixed in his direction. The warm sunshine was streaming through the Galbana's windscreen, bathing the young man next to her in a warm glow.
What was it that she saw?
She furrowed her brow in concentration, a comical expression for the dancer's delicate and feminine face. She blinked slowly, taking in his profile. Vaan's jaw had grown stronger as had all the rest of him. Though he still wore his white-blond hair in the same cropped mussy style, he suddenly looked different to her somehow. She spent so much time with him over the past year that she had failed to notice how much he had changed. He didn't look at all like a boy anymore. This thought stirred a strange new feeling inside her and she looked quickly away.
Penelo poked at a few buttons needlessly, feeling strangely awkward in what was normally a perfectly comfortable silence between them. He reached out with his bared arm and pulled back on the lever that shifted his airship into auto-pilot. The movement of his hand pulled her attention back toward him. She watched as Vaan moved to a more comfortable position in the pilot's seat, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes.
Once again, she found her herself observing his form. She took in the pleasant, familiar features of his face then let her eyes wander lower. She noticed blond stubble around his jawline while he dozed quietly. When had he started shaving? She couldn't help but wonder. Then again, Vaan would be turning 19 soon and that realization made her shake her head in wonder. She noticed how masculine his throat was, with the protruding adam's apple that all men had. She watched it moving gently as he spoke to her.
The realization that he was speaking suddenly snapped her out of her reverie.
"Huh?"
...
He turned his head slowly toward her and opened one eye. Vaan saw that she had shifted the position of her body in his direction, leaning toward him and staring with wide innocent eyes. He answered her expression with his own, drawing his eyebrows together in confusion.
"What are you doing?"
She blinked then looked quickly away from him, and this puzzled him even further.
"Pen, How close are we to Rabanastre?" He repeated his initial question, wondering why she hadn't heard him the first time.
"Oh, ummm...," She began poking at the buttons on the navigation panel in a manner that he thought was much rougher than necessary. "Wow, Vaan we are almost there actually." She smiled at him and he thought she looked nervous.
Damn, no time for a nap.
He peered forward through the glass and saw that they were indeed flying over the Dalmasca Westersand.
"Is everything ok, Pen?" He reached up and scratched his head, a little nervous habit he did anytime he asked someone a personal question. "You're acting kinda funny."
Her cheeks flushed pink, "No I'm not."
He smiled then, finally understanding the reason for her behavior.
"It's ok, I know what's on your mind Penelo." He reached out and rested a hand on her knee.
"You do?"
"I'm kinda nervous about landing our ship at the palace too, but it's also pretty cool."
"Yeah," She let out a relieved sigh. "Let's just hope we have a smooth landing."
She gave him a smile and a nod, then the young sky pirate and his partner began making preparations to land at the private air-hanger of the Royal Palace of Rabanastre.
Ashe had awoken this day with a nervous, fluttering inside her tummy. Any one of the people she was expecting today would be cause enough for her eagerness. The fact that they were all closing in on her at once, however, was almost more excitement than the young queen could contain. She wouldn't let it show of course, but she couldn't deny to herself how much she had missed her friends. Especially, once she had started counting the hours until their arrival.
She felt a wave of gratitude for her uncle.
Sitting at her vanity, Ashe began brushing through her freshly washed pale hair. She went through her grooming routine, giving herself extra time to make sure she looked as polished as possible. Once satisfied with her hair in long loose layers about her shoulders, she walked to her large wardrobe and pulled the elaborately detailed doors wide open.
It was unlike her to fret over her clothes, but this morning she had tried and discarded several outfits before making her final choice. She settled on a more casual ensemble that was reminiscent of the days when she was a princess and her beloved father still sat upon Rabanastre's throne. A long skirt of pale shimmering fabric sat low on her hips paired with a sleeveless bodice and sandals that laced up her ankles. The queen knew she was showing more skin than usual, and the idea left her feeling quite pleased. She finished by adding the essence of sweet smelling cactus flower to her throat and wrists.
Ashe left her rooms and began making her way toward her uncle's guest quarters, wanting to check in and see how the event planning was coming along. As she walked gracefully along the corridor she noticed that several of the stationed Dalmascan guards were having difficulty keeping their eyes to themselves. Being in a playful mood, she decided to add just a touch more sway to her hips. She held back a small smile as her thoughts turned to her odd collection friends. She listed them in her mind: The boy emperor, two orphans...two sky pirates...and an Arcadian judge. Her step faltered when the last person flashed through her mind. To Ashe, he was no judge. He was a Captain in the Order of Knights of Dalmasca; her father's most revered knight in fact.
Basch
She stopped walking completely. A wave of fear, anxiety and excitement rippled through her, almost making her body feel weak. Years ago, when he had resided here at the castle she had been terribly smitten with him. She had memorized every detail of his flawless face and every curve of his muscular body. She remembered with dream-like wonder the fleeting moments when she had pressed her lips against his...and the garden...the night in the garden. Immediately, Ashe pushed that thought away. Her behavior had been wrong and he had made that fact clear to her.
The man that helped her and her new friends restore Dalmasca just one year ago, had been that same knight, yet changed. Her heart ached as she thought of the scars that covered him now, the brutal one covering the left side of his face was the most obvious; Ashe felt his deepest scars, however were ones invisible to the eye. Something about him was so much darker now; it saddened and scared her.
She thought of his deep voice with his subtle Landisian intonations, and an idea occurred to her. She turned on her heals and made in the opposite direction, toward the palace kitchens.
Corliss was extremely busy this morning. With important guests arriving early on top of the grand upcoming event, she and the rest of the kitchen help were working hard. The area was bustling with activity and the noise inside had reached a near din. Pots were banging, knives were chopping and urgent commands were being called out.
The pudgy woman raised a hand to her forehead, wiping a trickle of sweat from her brow. She adjusted her white bonnet and was about to start back on the cockatrice egg pudding when she saw Ashe making her way through the flurry of activity. A few of the kitchen help were too busy to notice her, but most stopped what they were doing to bow graciously at the presence of their queen.
She saw a look of apprehension on the young woman's face and went forward to welcome her. Realizing it was too noisy in this area to share a word, she beckoned for Ashe to follow her into one of the large pantries off the main kitchen.
"To what do I owe this unexpected visit M'lady?" Corliss looked somewhat relieved by the short break and took the opportunity to grab a small cheese board and begin fanning her rosy cheeks while she waited for the Queen to respond.
Ashe looked around and wrung her fingers together anxiously. "Corliss, I am sorry, I didn't realize you were so busy...I should go...it is nothing."
"Nonsense!" The cook looked at her sternly. She could see that the princess wanted to ask her something so she urged her gently. "What is it that you need dear?"
The girl cleared her throat nervously, "Remember when you used to make the Landisian Kuchen with northern tapan berries? I would like to request one...to honor one of my guests."
Corliss stared at Ashe with her mouth slightly open. She remembered the sweet bread very well, but more than that, she remembered who she used to make it for.
It took her a moment before she could find her voice, "Yer Majesty?"
The young woman just smiled at her, looking hopeful.
The cook furrowed her brow in thought, then added regretfully, "I'm sorry M'lady but we don't keep northern tapan berries on hand...anymore." She added the last word cautiously. The queen looked disappointed, but then perked back up when the woman quickly added, "Don't worry dear, I can use another kind of berry and it will still be every bit the Landisian Kuchen that you remember."
She was pleased when she saw the genuine happiness on Ashe's face.
...
She watched the girl leave the kitchen and couldn't help wrinkle her brow in concern. Not having time to waste though, she barked orders to one of her kitchen hands. She handed the egg pudding to the girl to finish then turned to make her way to the pantry of baking goods. She would not be passing the job of making Landisian Kutchen to any other; Corliss would be making it herself, and she would make sure it was perfect.
After meeting briefly with Ondore, he had insisted that she not concern herself for the rest of the day with details surrounding the upcoming ceremony. He nearly ushered her out of the meeting room where planning was going on in earnest. She had tried to argue, but he had assured her that everything was under control and he would send for her if the need were to arise.
Now Ashe was wandering the garden again, wishing that she could find a way to relax on her rare day of leisure. She had just begun gathering a bouquet of rare, sweet smelling Galbana Lilies from the garden when the unmistakable hum of a descending airship reached her ears. She shielded her pale eyes with her hand and looked up into the bright blue sky above the palace. The unmistakable form of Vaan's ship could be seen lowering slowly toward the airship hanger.
Ashe quickly grabbed several more lilies then made her way toward the palace.
"Can you believe we are going to stay in the Royal Palace as guests!?" Penelo made her way behind Vaan out of the Galbana, slinging a bag over her shoulder as she went.
"Whoa." Vaan breathed the word quietly so only his friend could hear.
As the two teens descended the stairs of their airship they were greeted by none other than Marquis Halim Ondore IV, flanked on either side by several uniformed Knights of the Order and cloaked members of the Senate of Dalmasca. Vaan looked apprehensively at the official looking royal assembly that waited to greet them, but Penelo reacted gracefully.
She curtsied respectfully before the regal gray haired man in the center and greeted him, "Head Minister."
"Ahhhh," Ondore moved forward. "Penelo, Vaan... how good it is to see you." He bowed slowly before them with his hands clasped behind his back. "Follow me and I shall take you to The Queen; she has been looking forward to your arrival."
At the words "The Queen" Penelo turned and looked at Vaan with an excited grin.
...
Penelo had the fortune of visiting with Ashe a few times over the last year so she was not as surprised as Vaan at the first glimpse of her. When she noticed Vaan gaping, she gave him an annoyed look and slapped him once under his chin.
"Close your mouth Vaan."
He took an additional moment to collect himself, then grinned and moved toward the two lovely blonds that were reaching out to each others hands and saying hello.
...
The two teens informed Ashe that though they had not been able to catch up to the sky pirate and the viera, they were still fairly sure they would receive Ondore's invitation. Ashe didn't pry, as she knew many things about the sky pirates would always remain shrouded in secrecy.
The queen had delighted in Vaan's excitement, when he unceremoniously drug her to his new airship and gave her a lengthy and detailed tour of his craft. She stifled a laugh as Penelo stood out of his line of sight and made mock motions of his excited ramblings, doing an extremely good imitation of his hand gestures while he talked. She was opening and closing her mouth like a fish, when Vaan spun around and caught her in the act. After several moments of the boy chasing his highly evasive partner around the small ship, the airship tour was finally complete.
Next, the three of them enjoyed lunch on one of the palace balconies. Seeing that her friends were tired and in need of freshing up after their long journey, Ashe had personally shown them to their adjacent guest quarters.
"Rest as long as you like, but please do join me for dinner this evening." Ashe gave a courteous nod of her head.
Both Vaan and Penelo poked their heads back out of their guest rooms to look at her.
Vaan nodded eagerly and Penelo exclaimed. "We wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Ashe smiled to herself as she heard Vaan shout to his friend, "Pen! Get in here, you gotta see the size of this bathroom!"
Ashe returned to her own quarters and was about to lie down for a moment herself when a knock sounded upon her door. Wondering if another guest had arrived, she hurried over and opened it, finding an assistant to the senate standing outside.
"The Marquis has requested your presence in the meeting room Your Majesty."
She hid her disappointment at the news perfectly, and allowed the man to lead her to her uncle.
...
The senate had prepared several cards that required only her signature and she sat down and obediently began artistically signing her name to the notes. She was just about to touch the tip of her quill to another piece of parchment when one of her Royal Dalmascan guards approached the doorway.
Several members of the senate looked up and the soldier saluted them. "Permission to speak."
"What is it?" Ondore spoke first, getting a disapproving glance from Cobus Serhan. It was obvious to Ashe that the head of the senate felt the Head Minister of Bhujerba was overstepping his bounds here in Rabanastre.
The soldier informed the room, "An Archadian vessel is requesting permission to land at the palace."
The gathered men began to murmur amongst themselves.
"They say the Emperor is aboard." The soldier cleared his throat.
"Permission is granted." Ashelia spoke up before anyone else had a chance.
The soldier gave a brief nod and hurried back the way he had come.
The queen glanced down and noticed black ink had been dripping off the end of her pen and pooling on the parchment under her hand.
Basch watched the familiar landscape of Dalmasca grow ever larger through the glass. His gray eyes took in the form of the Bahamut where it had come to a final rest just outside the city walls. Next, his gaze moved to the Royal Palace. The sight of his former home filled him with so many different emotions, he was unable to sort out what he felt. Instead he took a deep breath and placed his brother's black metal helm over his face.
...
Larsa waited patiently for the door of the airship to open. As the airlocks let loose with a hiss and the door began to descend, he turned to the Imperial guards that were gathering around him.
"It will not be necessary for you to escort me any further."
He silenced the verbal protests with a motion from his white gloved hand.
"I will send word when I am ready for a return ship. That will be all."
Larsa made his way down the stairs to the tarmac and Basch stepped in line directly behind him. The judge heard one of the commanding Imperial officers begin to make a remark under his breath. He turned his his head slowly and fixed the man with unseen eyes. The soldier immediately fell silent.
The judge shortened his stride to match his lord's and followed the boy along the red carpet that lead toward the main entrance to the palace. A group of people stood waiting to welcome them; he raised his eyes and caught his first glimpse of the queen.
As he had hung dying in the bowels of the Nalbina Dungeons, he had experienced many feverish visions of Ashelia. The woman that stood before him now was more devastatingly beautiful than even his fantasies of her had been. She was greeting Larsa and he watched in awe as her delicate hands wrapped themselves warmly around the emperor's. His lord was now as tall as Ashe and as he lifted the queen's fingers to his lips and kissed her there, her pale eyes shifted to Basch.
Her eyes remained on him as he lifted his right arm and placed it over his armored chest. He then slowly bowed his head low before her, being sure not to rush his motion of respect in the least. When he lifted his head, she was still watching him, and as he lowered his arm she spoke to him in a soft voice.
"Welcome."
After a few moments of greeting them warmly, Ondore excused himself and proceeded back to the meeting room with the few members of the senate that had accompanied him to the tarmac. Ashe noticed that Larsa's eyes were red and puffy and decided to escort the men from Archades to their quarters so they could get settled. The emperor would be staying in the most elaborate guest suite that the palace had to offer, his rooms were virtually the same as the ones Ashelia herself resided in. He thanked her when they reached his rooms, and he assured her that after a nap he would be more than ready for the gathering this evening.
...
Larsa's door shut with a soft click, leaving Ashe alone in the hallway with the tall statue of a man, garbed in a full suit of black armor. She tilted her head to one side and looked at him closely, trying to catch a glimpse of anything about him that was recognizable under the dark, menacing helm.
"Would you like to see your quarters?"
"Aye." His helmet turned in her direction, and Ashe couldn't help but smile at the very familiar sound of his voice. "Thank you, Majesty."
...
She led him further down the elaborately decorated corridor. The path was a very familiar one and as she neared the large door near the far end she heard the uncertainty in Basch's voice.
"Highness?"
She turned to look at him, a knowing look on her face, "You remember this room?"
"Of Course," he shifted his feet to a stop and didn't come any closer.
Ashe opened the door and walked into the beautiful room. It looked the same as it always had; the over-sized canopy bed was covered with luxurious silk bedding. A chase lounge sat on the far side of the room, along with a writing desk and a large wardrobe. The queen's favorite feature, however, had always been the glass paned doors that led to a large balcony. She walked over to them and pulled them open, feeling the breeze lift her hair off her shoulders and ripple her sheer skirt against her legs.
She walked out to her familiar place on the terrace and glanced over the castle grounds, then she turned back to face Basch.
...
The judge stood frozen in the entryway to the room. His eyes traveled over the soft bed that he knew Ashe had lain in on countless nights. He looked back to the woman on the outside balcony and watched as she turned and leaned her back against the balustrade. As her body turned, the breeze caught her hair and the filmy fabric she wore. Once facing him, her hair blew forward, the silver strands dancing across her silky skin. She lifted one hand to her forehead and caught her untamed locks so she could gaze in his direction.
He couldn't move, couldn't speak.
She pushed herself off the railing and made her way back to him, her face beginning to look apprehensive.
"Would you prefer a different room?"
He roused then, realizing that he was being rude. "This is to be my quarters, Highness?"
She nodded and slipped her small hand into his large metal glove. "Yes, please come in." She gave his arm a gentle pull.
"But..."
She laughed softly, realizing why he was confused. "This is no longer my room. I stay in the rooms that used to be my father's."
Basch remembered King Raminas' suites well.
Of course, her rooms are there...she is the Queen.
He allowed her to lead him inside and he turned slowly to face her as she quietly closed the door, leaving the two of them alone inside. He tried not to back away or shift his body in an uncomfortable manner as she approached him. He stood his ground until she came within a hands breadth from his chest. With her this close and him being so much taller, he had to tilt his head down at a steep angle to continue looking into her face.
"Basch."
The sound that came from her delicate lips startled him. No one had called him by that name in a long time. He was surprised when she raised her hands and placed them on each side of his face. He wondered briefly what it would feel like if her hands were touching his skin instead of his cold, iron shell. She slowly began to lift the helm from his head.
...
His reaction was quick and Ashe let out a small gasp as his huge gloved hands closed over her wrists, stopping her motion. They stood frozen that way for a moment before she spoke again.
"Basch," her voice was barely a whisper.
His hands that held her wrists tightened for a second more, then he hesitantly released his grip.
She slowly extended her arms upright and lifted the mask completely off of the man before her.
Her eyes wandered over his face taking in every detail. His lips, nose, eyes, beard, every part of him was so familiar. Yet she still stared in wonder; he was painfully beautiful to her still, as he always had been. She gently ran her fingers over the scar that marred the left side of his temple. A twinge of guilt crept up as she remembered slapping him on this very side of his face, adding additional injury to the long years of torment he had endured. Her gaze moved to his golden hair and her fingers followed. It was cut very short and she couldn't help but slip her fingers further back to feel it.
"Your hair."
As the words escaped her lips, she remembered it was the very thing that Basch had said to her when he had seen that she had cut off her own hair. Basch seemed to remember as well, for a small smile hinted at the corner of his mouth.
She remembered giving him the Anneau de la Sûreté, the charm made of her hair to protect him from the upcoming battle. He had pushed back the hood of her cloak and seen her hair... and she had kissed him.
She realized he was beginning to look somewhat apprehensive. Whether due to the prolonged touch of her fingers or the memory of her kiss, she wasn't sure.
She quickly dropped her hand and spoke then in a lighthearted tone.
"There is someone I would like you to meet."
As she listened to his metallic footfalls behind her, she found herself deeply wishing that he did not have to hide under the dark armor as his brother Gabranth. She longed for the days when Basch was a Knight of Dalmasca, free to come and go as he pleased; greatly revered by everyone in the palace.
The thought of Basch's twin brother stirred up dark and very mixed emotions in the queen. She actually tried very hard not to think of Basch's brother Noah...ever. In the end of the great battle to save Ivalice that they had all endured, he had chosen to help them and fight at their side. He had shown true remorse and, most importantly to Ashe, it seemed Basch needed him to be somehow vindicated.
But underneath all that, she still deeply hated the man. He had brutally murdered her dear father along with Vaan's brother, which would remain forever, an unforgivable act. Gabranth had also left his own brother, a man she cared deeply about, to pay for the crimes. It was because of him that Basch had been tortured for years, because of him that Basch was now thought of as a traitor, because of him that Basch would forever hide his face.
It was because of Basch, however, and his love for his brother Noah that Ashe had somehow found the ability to forgive.
As they neared the kitchens, Ashe discovered the flurry of activity had entirely disappeared. This did not surprise her. She knew Corliss always did most of the cooking early in the morning before the heat of Dalmascan midday was at its most brutal.
She did find a young kitchen maid dozing by the great ovens and as Ashe approached her, the girl nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Your Highness!" She quickly curtsied then let her eyes fall fearfully upon the huge Archadian judge behind the queen.
Ashe leaned in and spoke softly into the servant's ear; the girl nodded understanding then hurried away.
...
Basch couldn't help but wonder what this was all about when he started to hear a high-pitched sound coming from somewhere beyond the servants quarters. The sound continually grew louder until a small creature burst through the swinging kitchen door with his chubby arms held outstretched like a miniature airship. The judge's look of surprise was completely obscured behind his face guard. The tiny boy shot around the base of one of the kitchen islands and nearly careened into Basch's shins before he came to a sliding halt. The curly haired toddler's mouth popped open and he started to gawk upward along the large body in front of him. He looked afraid to reach the face of the man before him, and once he did, he jerked with fright and began to back slowly away.
"Ian," Ashe whispered and bent down toward the boy. "This is Judge Magister Gabranth."
"Noooo!" Ian pointed a finger at him, turned and made to run away.
The queen scooped him up off the floor, and the baby quickly whipped his head around, making sure he had the scary thing in the kitchen squarely in his line of sight. The judge watched as Ashe bounced the little boy consolingly and made gestures toward the helmet he wore. Basch glanced around and decided that they were quite alone in the kitchens before he quickly slipped his fearsome helm off his head and tucked in in the crook of his arm. The little boy was completely amazed by his transformation.
"Whoa!"
Ian started squirming violently in Ashe's arms. She laughed and walked up close to where Basch was standing and sat the boy on the counter.
"Ewwww," Ian got up really close into Basch's face and started inspecting the huge scar over his eye.
The judge decided to get comfortable, so he grabbed a stool and slid it over so he could sit and let the boy continue squeezing and pulling at his face.
...
Ashe watched the two for a moment then glanced over and saw the freshly baked Landisian Kutchen on a platter. A large bread knife, a small stack of plates and some cotton napkins were arranged neatly alongside. She almost bounded over to the dessert in her excitement. Quickly, she sliced off several large pieces and put them on one of the plates. She returned and eyed Basch and the little boy for a moment. The man was speaking very softly and the boy was excitedly telling him about the different scars he had too. Like the one on his elbow. Basch looked at the nearly invisible scar and exclaimed with mock amazement. She sidled up next to the pair.
"Ian, tell the judge to close his eyes."
"Close your eyes!"
Basch closed his eyes, with a smile and a small shake of his head.
"Tell the judge to open his mouth."
"Open your mouth!"
Basch drew his features together suspiciously before finally opening his mouth... just a little.
Ashe leaned toward to Ian and whispered, "Put this in his mouth."
The man made an apprehensive face, but still kept his lips obediently parted. She laughed as Ian shoved the entire serving of Kutchen into his mouth instead of just a small piece, or even just the corner. Basch gagged a little, making her laugh even harder.
They heard the sound of footsteps quickly approaching the kitchen and the judge quickly reached up and slid his helmet over his head. Ashe could hear him under the helm, chewing heartily on the generous amount of bread in his mouth. He swallowed thickly and she knew he was probably greatly in need of a glass of water.
Corliss entered through the servants doors and found a very odd arrangement of people gathered close together in her kitchen. The first person she noticed was the very tall and menacing looking Judge Magister of Archades, next she saw the delicately beautiful young Queen of Dalmasca wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, and finally, there was the young orphan boy of a servant girl that had pastry smashed between his fingers.
She came to a stop and lifted her eyebrows, "M'Lady?"
Ashe opened her hand toward the judge and began introducing him as Gabranth. She was interrupted by Ian, who spun toward the cook and shouted at her excitedly while pointing at Basch.
"He has two ugly faces!"
Ashe burst out laughing again, but older woman was horrified. "Where are your manners child!?"
She began stomping toward the boy when she glanced down and noticed the trio had been munching on the dessert she had prepared. She eyed the judge curiously, then looked at Ashe.
"So this Gabranth is the special person you requested the Landisian Kutchen for?"
Ashe's checks flushed a shade of pink at her statement and the woman couldn't help but notice the judge's dark head twist and look down at the girl.
The queen cleared her throat and nodded. "Yes, thank you... it's wonderful."
The servant nodded and gathered the boy into her arms then turned and made her way toward the exit.
"You truly outdid yourself this time Corliss." Basch spoke before he realized what he had said.
The woman stopped with her back to the queen and the judge for some time before she spoke without turning around.
"Thank you Sir, I hope you enjoy your visit to the palace..." She turned then and smiled over her shoulder at him. "And it's wonderful to have you home...Captain."
Without another word, she pushed through the doors and left the kitchen.
Though disappointed that Balthier and Fran had failed to arrive, Ashe could still hardly contain her excitement. Ondore had told her that he had arranged for a special evening out on the tournament field for herself and her special guests. He let her know the arrangements were very private and that no one would bother or interrupt the intimate group for the rest of the night.
She had already directed Penelo, Vaan, and Larsa to meet her at the field, located on the other side of the grand chocobo stables. Now she found herself outside the door of her former knight. He too, had needed some rest after the long flight, but Ashe couldn't resist disturbing him any longer. She lifted her hand and knocked softly upon his door.
She heard some rustling from inside and she bit her lip as she waited for him to answer. A short moment later, the door opened inward and once again she found herself looking at the masked helm of Gabranth.
She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head in disapproval. "That won't do."
He mirrored he motion of her head and responded, "No?"
"What other clothing did you bring?"
"Clothing... Highness?" Wearing anything other than his judge's armor had not even entered his mind as an option while visiting the queen.
"I assure you, no one will be seeing you tonight other than a few good friends. Now hurry up and get changed." She smiled at him and pulled his door shut leaving him standing inside staring at the door.
...
The black leather pants and boots and the white, long sleeved cotton shirt that he wore underneath his armor made a reasonably casual outfit, he decided. He glanced nervously down at the helmet sitting on the table and he realized it had been a long time since he had walked in public as himself. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and for a brief moment saw his brother looking back at him. He shook his head to clear the strange image from his mind and once again, he saw only himself with his hair cut far too short. Though there was not much that needed to be done with hair this length, he ran his hands through it anyway, making sure he was presentable. He stood back and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt.
Satisfied, he went to the door and pulled it open.
Ashe was leaning against the tapestry covered wall opposite his door, looking bored. She looked up when he stepped into the hall and he noticed as her head jerked back toward him in a double-take.
"Will this be acceptable, Highness?" A look of genuine concern passed over his face.
She looked him over carefully, then gave him a curt nod. "Yes, that will do." She began walking in a brisk pace toward the back stairs. "Come this way will be more private."
She was having a hard time recovering from the sight of the man that had stepped into her vision moments ago. She walked briskly, keeping him behind her and out of her line of sight. She tried to remember if she had ever seen him wearing pants like that...or a shirt like that before. She wasn't sure, but she did know that she liked what he was wearing...very much.
Too much.
When they reached the doors that led to the courtyard Ashe turned and watched him walk the rest of the way along the corridor to where she stood. He was looking at his boots. When he saw she was looking at him he left his head lowered, but raised his eyes to meet hers, lifting his light colored eyebrows in the process. She grinned and held out her arm, gesturing that she would like to be escorted. He stopped beside her and looked over her face briefly.
He held his arm out to her and she weaved hers through his.
"Shall we?"
He nodded and opened the door for her, and they passed through together into the cool moonlit night.
...
Ashe looked up at his profile as they walked past her father's grand chocobo stables. She wondered if this brought memories back to Basch and if so, were any of them happy? Around the next bend, the games lawn came into view and Ashe let out a gasp. The sight before her was no less than magical.
Like an oasis in a sea of dark green, a large canopy had been erected. Just outside each of the four corners, huge urns held flickering magicked green fire. Glow crystals of all shapes and sized had been strung around the perimeter of the open sided tent; other crystals had float cast upon them and they lazily moved on invisible air currents. The luminescent shapes floated around and about the area like giant fireflies. A huge decorative rug had been laid under the tent to soften the dark green grass for her guests.
As the Queen and the former Knight approached, Penelo looked up from the buffet that was adorned with beautifully prepared and displayed food.
"Ashe!" Penelo came forward and her smile turned to a look of shock when she recognized the man that walked by her side. "Basch? Basch!"
She flung her arms around him in a huge hug and though surprised, he responded and placed an arm briefly around her in return. Both Larsa and Vaan smiled at them from what looked to be another table that held an assortment of wines from all of Ivalice. Basch made a small disapproving sound in his throat as his young charge raised a glass toward them in welcome.
Just then, a smooth sophisticated voice came from the shadows on the far side of the setting. "The party has officially begun."
Balthier sauntered into sight and straight up to the beautiful queen with Fran following elegantly behind him. Balthier looked almost exactly the same, still polished and devilishly handsome; Fran, however, had changed. She was wearing a white lingerie type dress over matching white leg armor. It reminded her of the clothing she had seen on several of the viera in the Eruyt Village. Her hair was different as well, cut somewhat shorter and hanging silky smooth and straight over her shoulders. Ashe thought Fran had never looked lovelier.
The pirate took her hand in his and gave the back of her hand a soft kiss. "Princess."
"Hey Balthier," Vaan yelled from over by the buffet, his mouth completely full of some kind of roasted meat. "Ashe is a queen now."
"Yes, but to me, she will always be a princess." He whispered only to her and gave her a wink.
Next the pirate clapped Basch roughly on the back then announced, "What's to eat, I am simply starving."
...
Ashe smiled and watched as her friends greeted each other warmly; A thought passed through her mind.
Tonight will be perfect.
Another Author's Note: Awwwww... this is the happy part! Sorry to say things are going to get nasty. (Let's just say, I will never get one of those Say No to Basch Abuse tassels.) Poor Basch. :(