Author's Note: If you haven't already done so- and if you're interested- I have another fiction out called "Calamity of the Serene". Its a dark action/adventure story featuring BaschxAshe as well as a love triangle between Vaan, Penelo, and Larsa. (Other pairings, too, but things will be spoiled if I tell you).

Thanks to everyone for their loyalty to my fic's and the wonderful reviews. Really, I really appreciate them and take them all to heart. :)

The beginning of this chapter takes place at the end of Ashe and Vaan's conversation on the bridge in the Jahara. Remember? It's night out and they look at the stars.

This chapter is VaanxAshe, implied RaslerxAshe, LarsaxPenelo, and implied VaanxPenelo. And is sappy as all hell.

( M A S Q U E R A D E )

Chapter Eight: The Hope

The Jahara

The Night After Ashelia Sought the Garif's Help

Four Months Before Vayne's Defeat

"Know what? I'm through with it. I'm through running."

Ashe turned her head towards Vaan, amazed he had spoken this much thus far. Usually, words that tumbled from his mouth were obtuse and unperceptive. Yet that evening as they stood on one of the many Jaharan bridges beneath the sea of stars, Vaan had shared some of his deepest emotions, and Ashe was left feeling astonished. Vaan, she discovered, was more than the naive child that she had thought he was. He in reality was more than base revenge- he was a representative of the people of Dalmasca, and he gave Ashe a genuine feeling of hope.

His words made Ashe want to defend her country all the more- if not for herself, than for him.

"I'm ready to find my purpose," he continued, raw emotion rich in his voice. "To find some real answers; some reasons. If I stick with you, I think I will."

She wished she could promise him he'd discover the answer's he needed, but she wasn't sure if she would find the solutions to her own problems. She bowed her head slightly before him, signifying her regret. "I wish I knew."

"I'll find them."

Ashe turned away, choosing instead to watch the reflection in the pool of water before her. She could count thousands of stars that were reflected, each burning and pulsing brightly. She looked further down into the reflection and could clearly see her and Vaan standing on the bridge. Not only that, but Vaan was looking into the water as well, and their reflections locked eyes. Ashe quickly glanced away, suddenly feeling out of place beside a Dalmascan commoner in the middle of the desert. With a low sigh she turned to face him again.

"You have... changed," she stated, a slight frown forming across her lips.

He glanced towards her as well. A smile danced across his lips when he heard her words, and he almost appeared to be proud of the accomplishment. Shrugging, he said, "You've changed too, you know."

She was curious. "Oh? How so?"

He hesitated, and she noticed how frightened he was to answer her question. He thinks I will reprimand him for his words, she thought in silent horror. To calm his nerves, she took a step closer to him and placed her left hand tenderly on the crook of his arm. He glanced down at her touch and then back to her kind face.

"...You seem nicer," he stated, uneasiness present in his voice. "You kinda acted more bossy before, like you were better than us."

She was taken back by his comment, and allowed her hand to slip from his arm and down to her side. Her mouth parted with shock, and she blinded hard. Her voice came out filled with hurt. "Better than you?"

"I don't know," Vaan fumbled over his words, an intense blush slowly creeping over his cheekbones. "You ignored all our opinions, I guess. You seem like... you respect us now."

Am I really that bossy? Do I really seem like I feel I am above them?

"So I see," she muttered, lowering her gaze to the wooden bridge beneath them and turning her body away from his.

She could feel his gaze hot in her back, but she forced herself to ignore him. What did he know, after all? He didn't know her; he didn't know anything about who she was. His comment meant nothing.

Then why was it bothering her so much?

"Do you see the Prince in me?"

His words startled her. She spun on her heels, her mouth falling open as she peered at him with genuine interest. "Rasler?"

He nodded, wiping at his nose with the back of his hand. "Yeah. Maybe that's why you think you see him and then see me. Maybe I... remind you of him."

"That is an absurd notion," she snapped, almost angry.

His face drew back, and he was obviously hurt by her quick retort. Instantly, she felt bad. She hadn't meant to snap at him. His words had just surprised her, that was all. Besides, it was an absurd notion; her Rasler was nothing like the boy thief. Rasler had been noble and sweet and genuine. Vaan was-

-Well, I suppose he is all of these traits, as well. Just in a different form than that of Rasler. A more innocent form. He is really good-natured, Vaan is, but...

She sighed, and stretched her arms out horizontally from her sides. He flinched at first, almost as if he was afraid that she would smack him. But there was no anger in her gesture. Instead, she was trying to signify her willingness to be open and friendly to him.

"Do not misunderstand," she explained, her voice emerging from her throat in a soft, compassionate tone. "In you I do not see Lord Rasler. Instead, I see something much greater."

He peered at her curiously. "Greater?"

She nodded, drawing her arms in and hugging them against her chest. "In you I see what I have been fighting for- what I must restore Dalmasca for. You see, Vaan, you are my hope. How shall I ever succeed in my goal without having my hope by my side?"

Her words seemed to effect him deeply. He visibly stiffened, biting down on the corners of his mouth as if he wished to prevent himself from crying. He took a step towards her, and she didn't back away. Instead, she welcomed the closeness of his body. He was within two feet of her, holding her eyes with his own, and Ashe was suddenly aware of the intense blue of his wide eyes. She could hear the gentle sounds of the water beneath them, and the crickets playing their gentle melodies. She could feel the stars shimmering down onto them. This is far more romantic than I ever thought it could be.

As she stared back into his eyes and felt the warmth radiating from his very soul, she suddenly missed Rasler dearly. But somehow, she knew that he was right there, right before her- staring into her eyes.

Perhaps Vaan was very much like her lost Prince, after all.

Without warning or reason, Ashe snapped her head forward and planted a quick kiss onto Vaan's right cheek. She pulled back as quickly as she had gone forward, latching her hands over her mouth as she felt an unpleasant warmth spread across her own cheeks. Oh, Gods, what am I thinking?

Vaan's cheeks burned as brightly as hers, and her impulsive move caused him to retreat a step or two away from her. Completely humiliated by what she had just done, Ashe quickly turned away from the boy once again and mumbled something that resembled an apology. Before giving him the chance to respond or fully react, she dashed away from him, off the bridge, and back towards their camp.

As Penelo watched from the campfire as Ashe raced blindly away from Vaan, she could feel her own flesh burn; not with humiliation as Ashe and Vaan's had, but with anger.

Who does she think she is, Penelo wondered with passion. How dare she kiss Vaan! Doesn't she know that he's mine?

"I daresay," came a young voice from behind her. She spun quickly, alarmed by the intruder, only to discover that the voice was from that of Larsa. She instantly relaxed. "You do look ready to pounce and kill."

She blushed furiously from his comment, as she had been completely unaware that someone had been watching her reaction. She hadn't even realized she had made any reaction at all. She gestured back towards Vaan, who was now slowly trudging off the bridge with a happy smile on his handsome face. "I just don't want to see him get hurt."

Larsa appeared amused as he approached her. He knew that she was lying through her teeth, despite the rather impressive act she put on. Damn him, Penelo swore mentally. Even for a twelve-year-old boy, he is incredibly smart and cunning. Nothing escapes him.

With that thought in mind, Penelo suddenly imagined Larsa grown and as ruler of Archadia. With such traits, she knew he would make a grand Emperor.

"Alright," she finally admitted, shutting her eyes and clenching them tightly together. With a sigh, she added, "I just wish I had the confidence that the Princess has. I wish I could just kiss Vaan and think nothing of it."

There was the sound of rustling before her. Opening her eyes and glancing down, she was startled to see Larsa kneeling directly before her. Bewildered, Penelo went to take a quick step backwards, but Larsa had snatched her hands into his and was now holding them tightly between his gloved palms. He stared at her smooth, delicate hands for a moment before giving them a gentle squeeze. He glanced up towards her with the same genuine look on his face that he always seemed to have.

His words were filled with determination: "Penelo. One day, long from now, when I am older, I will give you the opportunity to demonstrate the courage in which you desire to have. But I pray that you would use this opportunity on my cheek, and not on his."

Well, she wasn't sure what to make of that. She could feel her eyes widen from surprise, and she swallowed hard. "But, um, Lord Larsa? You're--" just a kid.

He knew what she was thinking- cunning bastard- and smirked at the expression on her face. "I will not be a boy forever, you understand."

"But, I--" She was at a loss for words. Here was one of the most brilliant people she had ever met, brother to her great enemy, and he was nearly admitting that he had a small crush on her. Vaan was suddenly far from her mind.

He chuckled so softly that she could barely hear him, and gave her hands one last squeeze before releasing them and standing. Tilting his head sideways, he flashed her a grin full of white teeth. "Have hope, Penelo."

And, as Ashe had just done to Vaan, Larsa turned on his heels and moved away from the awestruck girl, leaving Penelo to her own surprise and great confusion.

Author's Note:

On the next episode of Masquerade: Basch must learn to trust the sky pirates, and Fran helps Ashe control her lust for power. Fran x Ashe, as well as platonic Balthier + Basch.