Fall into Ecstacy

Chapter 6: Escaping the Palace

by Kaasan Faerlyte. B

Disclaimer: I do not own FFXII.


It was a grueling swim to the island, but we had escaped unnoticed. A drizzle of rain began half way across and steadily increased into a torrential downpour by the time my feet touched bottom again. My knees almost buckled with exhaustion.

Larsa slogged past me towards a large boulder jutting out of the water on the shore. The monolith of stone was twice as tall as he and weather worn where waves had crashed against it repeatedly. He paused to survey the island and then vanished behind the rock.

I sucked in sharply and staggered through the hip deep water to catch up. It was lucky that is was raining hard enough to conceal the noise I was making and that the guards standing watch under the gazebo were too busy arguing about something. In their defense, no one in their right mind would've attempted the swim we had just made.

Basch would be shaking his head right now had he been here. No soldier under his command would get away with it.

But he wasn't here and I was starting to feel cold, very cold. Larsa had reappeared and was waiting by the boulder as I approached, stumbling over unseen stones on the lake bottom. We were close enough now to the cliffs of the island that the guards would not see us now, but there was still no sign of a ship.

"This way." Larsa indicated and pressed a button on a concealed panel imbedded in the cliff-face. A door slid open, revealing a set of stairs leading down into darkness. Dry, musty air wafted from within, tickling my nose as we entered.

My hands reached for my swords uncertainly. "Doesn't seem like anyone's been down here in a while."

"No one has ever had to escape the palace." Larsa remarked. He fired up a lamp and held it up to illuminate the way.

The corridor was old and ruggedly shaped, the steps having been chipped from the very stone through which the tunnel passed. There were no signs of technology or life within, nor was there sound.

"A last resort." I murmured, examining the passage cautiously. "Do you think it's dangerous?"

"It shouldn't be." Larsa replied and set off down the stairs. "They closed the tunnel off where it goes into the underground. That was a century ago now."

I bit my lip apprehensively as I followed, "The ship isn't that old, is it?"

"I don't know, to be honest." Larsa confessed. "However, I doubt it's that old. My brother was down here just before his death and everything was in working order then."

I frowned slightly and kept one sword on hand, just incase. There were some awfully big spider webs hanging in the nooks of the passage. They only collected dust now though.

We were three levels down when the passage finally flattened out and emptied in a large, circular cavern fully lit and powered. It was the first evidence of modern technology. There was a control panel for operating the bay doors, which apparently were right beneath the gazebo, and a flat landing pad on which our ship awaited.

Larsa punch a button on the wall and more lights blinked on to reveal the mystery ship.

My jaw fell open with a gasp; it was a steel-enforced, wooden sailing ship!

Larsa stepped towards it, gazing curiously up at the antique contraption. It was nothing like anything we had ever seen – an ocean faring ship, sleek and narrow, bearing massive white solar sails and rigged to roam the skies. These had been out of commission for at least a century.

I stared, awe-struck.

"Marvelous!" Larsa exclaimed, intrigued. "I have read about the great warships of old, but I never thought to see one in my time."

My legs suddenly felt weak, "I can't fly that."

"Why ever not?" Larsa asked, surprised. "It's not very big."

I groaned inwardly, "The size isn't the problem. I can barely manage the controls on a modern airship, let alone a relic."

Larsa shook his head emphatically, "Old it may be, but they are revered still for their quality and endurance."

"So why does no one build them anymore?" I inquired, scowling.

"The building of these ships was an art-form." Larsa explained wistfully. "And all the artists have long been dead, their knowledge dying with them. New technology always leaves the old behind."

I sighed, eyeing the ship dubiously. Pucker up, Penelo. This is the only chance we've got. Basch is counting on you!

"I'll try." I said firmly and approached the ship. It was some sixty feet long with two masts and quarters for the captain located at the back. On the aft deck was a raised table of some kind and a rudder wheel. I stopped at the foot of the rope ladder hanging from the deck to admire the artisan woodwork.

The bow was a stylized dragon head with wings that reached back to flank the stern of the ship. It had a low hull and a narrow body for speed. An anchor rope tethered the ship to a cleat bolted to the floor of the landing pad, though the ship appeared to be resting on two Y-shaped steel bracers.

Sliding my sword back into its scabbard, I took hold of the highest rung that I could reach and climbed up on deck.

There was a lot of dust. The ship appeared to be stocked with all the necessities for an extensive trip though. Whether they were still good after all these years was another matter. Larsa did say that his brother had checked everything.

I went straight to the captain's wheel, hoping fervently that I'd find something resembling an on switch–there had to be control panel for the ship, right? All airships had those.

To my immense relief, there was a panel. It reached around the steering wheel in a large half-circle. Map information, navigation, coordinates--everything a pilot needed to know was all right here in the computer. There were button panels for various other things too that I only had time to glance over.

Maybe I can do this.

An old key was inserted beneath the wheel and set to off.

My hand reached out hesitantly to grasp it, but stopped short. I glanced down below to where Larsa was waiting patiently.

"Are you ready?" I called.

Larsa nodded with a smart salute, "Aye, captain. Opening bay doors."

The ground gave a shudder and a mechanical grinding sound emanated from above as the ceiling suddenly parted. Shouts of alarm caught my attention, followed by a terrified shriek falling towards the deck of the ship. It stopped with a thudding crunch as the body hit the wood.

But the second guard had not fallen. I looked up, but he was nowhere to be seen.

My hand reached for the key and gave it a turn. The ship sprang to life with lights, rising from its braces with a low murmur from the engines. I grasped the wheel reflexively and breathed a great sigh of relief. It was working! The ship hovered above its braces now, awaiting a destination.

Now I understood the tether rope.

Something hit me from behind, knocking me to the floor and the ship lurched violently forward. My head screamed agony in the back where the blow had landed and my vision blurred, but my attacker had been momentarily thrown off. I struggled to regain my bearings, but my head swam with confusion and pain. I was certain I would be dead at any moment, but someone intercepted my assailant.

A skirmish ensued and I was able to sit up shakily. The stars cleared and I tenderly felt the bloody gash on the back of my head. It stung to the touch, but a quick heal sealed the wound.

Larsa appeared at my side his sword returned to its scabbard and the second guard dead not far away. "Are you hurt?" He asked worriedly and gingerly helped me to my feet. "You took quite a blow."

"Thank you, I'll be ok." I assured him, shaking myself off.

Larsa smiled, but his eyes belied a lingering concern and...something else. It was gone in a blink and he turned to examine the controls of the ship, "Not quite what I was expecting. Modern controls fused with old mechanics."

"I hope they work." I murmured skeptically and grabbed the wheel with shaking hands. "Are we detached?"

"Affirmative." Larsa replied and took firm hold of the railing.

I inhaled deeply and eased on the thrusters. "Here we go."

The ship creaked and groaned as it began a slow ascent into the dreary sky above. Rain thudded against the planks and slapped the sails. A swift wind caught hold and shoved us forward with surprising speed. I had to use both hands to hold the ship from keeling.

"We're still rising!" Larsa shouted over the din of rain and an echoing thunderclap.

We were indeed rising and at a most alarming rate. I had sorely underestimated the sheer power of the winds and now it was running wild with us. There were simply too many controls that I didn't have the time to understand!

My arms trembled with terrible exertion as I strained to keep us upright against the maelstrom of wind throwing us about. I could see the palace now straight ahead of us, but we were flying erratically and I had only a guess as to which was the Western wing of the palace. Larsa was too busy clinging for dear life to the railing and I had greater problems.

"Come on!" I gritted out.

Panic settled in the pit of my stomach, creeping up my spine and into the back of my skull. We would crash into the palace if the ship maintained its current trajectory. After several agonizing seconds of button mashing, lever pulling, and frenetic steering with a few expletives thrown in, by some miracle that I couldn't claim as my own, the ship slowed to a heart wrenching stop mere inches from the wall.

My heart was now lodged in my throat and my knuckles were numb from gripping the spoke handles so hard, but for the time being we were safe. It felt like I'd passed a test and, having proven my worth, was now free to do as I pleased.

"You did it!" Larsa exclaimed, noticeably impressed.

I took a long, deep breath, and let out a shaky sigh of relief, hoping fervently that I never had to try something like that ever again. Unfortunately, our journey was only half over and promised more of the same. I would have to land us eventually.

One step at a time, Penelo.

"There." Larsa pointed urgently.

A stroke of luck hand carried us to the West wing of the castle where Basch was to meet us, and even more fortuitous–Basch was there and still standing. He wore the armor of Judge Magister Gabranth now and he was not alone on the balcony.

Larsa scrambled across the deck to where the rope ladder dangled. "Try and bring us over head." He indicated to where Basch stood resolutely before a growing mass of enemy fighters. They had him cornered against the railing.

"I'll try." I mumbled.

Strangely, the ship seemed almost to react before my hands had moved, as if it had heard and understood. I had to be imagining things, of course, and I didn't have time to imagine things so I ignored the funny inkling in the back of my mind. The ship responded compliantly and I was able to bring us around, up, and over the balcony ledge.

That in itself was enough to draw the enemy's attention long enough for Basch to get a jump on them. Sigmund was there, standing well out of range amidst his devout followers, but he made no move to engage. His eyes, filled with a rage that belied his calm exterior, were glued to the craft that had suddenly appeared from nowhere to thwart him.

In the instant that our gazes met my blood ran cold as ice. In it was pure hatred, biding its time for the opportunity to strike. He cowered from battle now, but only from the understanding that he would not win...yet. A new sense of urgency gripped me.

An arrow flew past my nose by centimeters and I ducked behind the controls. Where was MY bow when I needed it?! "Damn it!"

Then I heard Larsa shout, "Go Penelo! Go!"

I sucked in a sharp breath and bolted to my feet as arrows continued to fly overhead. My hand slammed on the accelerator with enough force to break it, but it endured the punishment and the ship sprang out from under me with startling speed. I barely caught hold of the wheel before the ship flew out from under me.

Shouts of alarm were falling rapidly out of ear shot as we vanished into the darkness. I had finally regained my footing when Basch staggered exhausted up over the railing with help from Larsa. The ship was moving at such a pace that neither of them could stand without an anchor, but at least they were safe.

I had more immediate problems to deal with--they never ceased, those problems of mine. The rain, which until now had gone relatively unnoticed by me, was now impossible to ignore. Each drop was a sharp stab of pain against my skin, forcing my head down as I tried in vain to see ahead of us. With or without the rain I couldn't penetrate the fog and darkness all around; I was flying blind.

My eyes strayed to the radar screen abruptly. Tiny dots of light had appeared and were trailing after us from behind. I gasped, clenching my hands hopelessly, and let out a groan of frustration. They were mad! We'd all die in this blindness!

"How do we fare?" Basch appeared beside me, his helmet removed, and a tired grimace on his face.

"They're following." I managed breathlessly.

He nodded grimly. "I suspected as much."

At least they didn't appear to be gaining on us, but at our present rate I'd crash us into a mountain before I ever knew the damn thing was there. I had to shield my eyes as I stooped to examine our coordinates and formulate some semblance of a plan. Naturally, we were on the edge of the most extensive mountain range in all of Ivalice. I could have screamed had it not been for the sheer force of wind power that sought to drive each breath back down my throat.

There were two options; slow down and risk being caught by our pursuers, or take to higher skies and change direction, but to where? My legs, bare and numb from the steel bite of rain and rushing air, started to buckle beneath me. I grasped the panel in attempt to catch myself, but my hands, too, failed me. The night's endeavor's had finally caught up with me it seemed.

Cold, harsh metal closed around me as I was sliding to the floor and I vaguely acknowledged Basch beside me. He lifted me up and supported my weight until I could get my feet back under me, though I was reluctant to do so even with help. I wanted to lay down and die I was so tired and cold.

I swallowed hard and willed myself to stay awake. You can do this–just a bit longer.

"I think I can lose them if we gain altitude." I said, concentrating, and grasped Basch's arm reflexively as the prow lifted. The ship was beginning its ascent, higher and higher, till the rain was hail and snow. I had no way of knowing how high a ship like this could fly and I didn't relish the idea of freezing to death, but I had to shake the pursuit before I could slow down.

At 6000 ft. I leveled the ship and slowed it down. It was so very cold up here. My body was trembling, I couldn't feel anything.

"Here." Basch draped his cloak over my shoulders and handed me the staff that I'd entrusted into his care.

"T-t-thank y-you." I could barely speak. The staff sent a spark of warmth up my arms and through my body to the very tips of my toes. I felt mildly rejuvenated–enough that I thought I could get us the rest of the way to...wherever it was we were going.

I glanced at the map thoughtfully. Rabanastre was a long trip South West, but of all the choices open to us, that seemed the most likely course. Ashe was not only a friend that could be trusted without question, but she was a powerful ally, and Larsa was in need of allies. It would mean taking a longer detour from rescuing Vaan and the others, but it was a risk I had to take.

"I've set course for Rabanastre, if that's alright." I told them tiredly and guided the ship back down for lower, warmer altitudes.

"Good." Basch replied calmly. "That is our best chance."

My sub-conscious gave a start as I caught his eye for a moment, inadvertently gauging his reaction. His gaze had become distant and almost pained, perhaps reveling in old memories of the woman he left there. I felt my heart clench for reasons beyond my comprehension, and which were downright embarrassing. What was it to me how he felt about Ashe? It had never bothered me before.

"How long will it be?" Larsa asked.

The air was already feeling warmer and the sky had begun to lighten. I cycled through the computer, punching in numbers and calculations until the requested information appeared, "According to this, two days." I answered. "Assuming we've got enough fuel and that nothing goes wrong in between. They'll probably be looking for us."

Larsa frowned, "Will they not catch us before then?"

"Not if I can help it." I answered determinedly. Of course, I'd never out run a flier of any kind in my entire life, but then I'd never tried either. The ship was fast, regardless of its years–if we could maintain speed and avoid stopping, they would not catch up. Unless they sent ships from ahead of us, but I wasn't prepared to deal with that possibility at the moment.

"You will need rest." Basch said pointedly and his eyes strayed briefly to my legs, which were still quite bare save for my under garments, "And I believe these are yours, madam." He pulled out the harem pants that I'd forgotten about until just now.

"Oh!" I blushed fiercely and hastily snatched them from his hand to cover myself. I thought I heard what sounded like a chuckle from my left, but I didn't dare look up until I had modestly covered myself again.

By then Larsa was smiling openly, "If it's any consolation, you have very fine legs to look at. I'm sure neither of us minded."

My head snapped up so fast that I'm sure I sprained something. I stared at him, stricken thoroughly speechless. Basch hadn't spoken a word either. From the murder in his eyes I would not have relished being in Larsa's shoes.

The Emperor paled slightly, his brow furrowing in confusion, "What are you looking at me like that for?" He demanded defensively. "Do you not agree?"

Basch's jaw tightened, "My Lord, your behavior is inappropriate to your station and I certainly would not state out loud such a thing if that were the case."

I frowned, latching onto the one portion of his statement as only a woman could, and ran with it, "What's that supposed to mean? If that were the case?"

Basch stopped so abruptly he visibly choked on whatever he was about to say next. He stared at me blankly, his mouth agape in a futile attempt to respond, but nothing came out. It was a moment before realization dawned and his face contorted into a flustered scowl. "Penelo, I-" He was trying for the chastising tone, but failed miserably at it and simply fell silent. There was no right answer to that question.

Then Larsa burst out laughing and Basch shot him a reproving glance, which did nothing to stem the young man's mirth. In fact, it may have intensified the volume.

I whirled away from both of them, arms crossed defiantly. "Oh forget it." I grumbled and sat down in one of the chairs behind the control panel to look for the auto pilot. Dawn wasn't far away and I was nearly asleep on my feet, not to mention cold. Only a long, hot bath could draw out the frigid ice in my veins, but I was all out of those at the moment.

Larsa and Basch disappeared below shortly after, engaged in a heated discussion regarding proper conduct and responsibilities of an Emperor, none of which had been evident just moments ago. That was all that I heard as they left and then I was alone.

I set a course due south, hoping to avoid some air traffic by taking the indirect route. If they assumed we were heading to Rabanastre they would be on watch. We would be harder to track that way, or so I was theorizing. I really would've liked to ask Basch about strategies, but the foolishness of my earlier behavior had sunk in and I was reluctant to initiate that dreadful confrontation.

What I needed was sleep. Sleep and warmth. I hugged Basch's cloak close, inhaling the scent of leather and a slighter, less noticeable fragrance. It put my mind at ease and I pulled my feet onto the edge of the chair, which was big enough for two, watching idly as the sky passed by. The clouds were finally breaking and with them came the sunrise.

My eyelids were drooping just as the sun was cresting the horizon with the first light of morning.

I woke up some seven hours later and had not only Basch's cloak, but several blankets all piled on top of me, and it was blissfully warm. The day was clear and bright. We were flying some 2000 ft. above ground–not as high as I would've liked, but there had been no problems yet.

"Alas, she has awakened!" Larsa bounded out of nowhere, beaming brightly.

I levitated off the seat a good five inches, thoroughly launching my heart into my throat. "Larsa!" I cried, startled and threw a blanket at his head. "Don't do that!"

He laughed heartily and sat down across from me in the second chair, the blanket wrapped regally about his shoulders. "I trust you slept well?" He asked after a moment.

I yawned satisfactorily, stretching the kinks out of my arms and shoulders, and nodded, "I feel so much better."

Larsa smiled, understanding, "Yes, it was a rough night for all of us."

I glanced over inquisitively, "How is Basch?"

"Basch?" Larsa echoed in amusement, "Nothing slows him down, you should know that. He's asleep now though. I relieved him of guard duty an hour ago."

"Oh." I trailed off, brooding.

Don't be so sure of that. The truth was that I had seen Basch slow down, right about the same time I was ready to collapse completely. That same place where we had nearly lost our lives was soon to be a tomb for Vaan, Balthier, and Fran if I didn't find a way to help them.

What if they didn't have the days to spare that I was taking in order to fly Larsa to safety? Then they would die and it would be my fault. The life of an Emperor outweighed the lives of the common people, and I didn't have the heart to turn down a friend that was sitting right beside me.

"Is everything alright?" Larsa asked suddenly.

I blinked dazedly, clearing away thoughts of dread and hopelessness, and put on a fake smile. I wasn't prepared to tell anyone else yet. Basch and Larsa had enough to deal with as it were without me throwing more kindling into the fire.

"Of course." I answered all too brightly. If he didn't catch that lie I would not believe him to be the Larsa that I knew three years ago. He had an eye for detail that was borderline scary.

Larsa was true gentlemen though and wouldn't dream of pressing the matter, even from a friend. He smiled back and let it go without a word. So we spent the hours catching up on the past and trading our stories of woe and triumph. It was pleasant conversation and I enjoyed it just to listen to him speak. He had such a way with words that I was surprsied he had no lady in waiting.

"Actually, I'm glad you asked." He said to me then and I had an inkling that I'd made a dreadful error.

I would wish later that I'd never brought the subject to his attention, but silly Penelo and her romanticism just couldn't stand it and had to bring it up. I certainly wouldn't be going down in the history books as one who was wisely spoken. More like I'd go down as the biggest dolt to grace the face of the earth, or at least the most foolish. I'd been vying for that spot since this morning.

At first I could only look blankly at him, wondering why one earth he was so eager to bring this subject up with me. Not that I had to wonder that hard, but I really wanted to pretend that the conversation wasn't going where I suspected it was about to go.

Larsa heaved a great sigh and reclined his head against his hand. "My advisers, of course, are adamant that I marry as soon as possible." He said, waving a dismissive hand. "But I'm barely 17 now and the idea is, to be honest, quite horrifying."

"I suppose it would be." I agreed softly. We all walk our own paths, but none of us escape the life altering questions that plague us day in and day out. "But I'm sure there are plenty of nice girls out there who would make an, uh, an ideal wife."

That sounds ridiculous.

Larsa didn't appear to be paying much attention for his eyes brightened, as though he had come upon a revelation of some sort. "Oh, but I don't have time for all this courting business. I'd rather avoid all that and choose someone with whom I'm already familiar with."

There was a hairball in my throat, I'm sure of it, and it was growing in size. I felt my hands fidgeting restlessly with the slit hem of my pants. Oh please don't say what I think you're about to say.

He was looking at me expectantly now. I muffled a nearly indiscernible, "Uh huh", doing my best to sound completely disinterested, but it didn't appear to be deterring him.

"I've been thinking," He began slowly, watching me with speculative eyes that were far too cunning for their own good. "Perhaps you would–"

"No." My face was turning red as I burst out before he could finish. "I don't think so."

Larsa was quiet for a while, but I could still feel his gaze on me. "Forgive me." He said at last and reached over to grasp my hand in his, squeezing it affectionately, "It was a foolish thing to request. I'm a terrible when it comes to women, you see, and you...you are a friend, and I like you already. I just thought..."

I looked over at him, suddenly understanding. "An easy solution, right?"

He grimaced slightly at that, but nodded. "Yes. I am sorry."

"You do realize that it would never work." I stated bluntly, but I smiled. "Not in a million years."

Larsa laughed at that. "You're probably right." He conceded. "I should never have entertained such a silly idea."

"It's alright." I assured him. "At least you're honest."

"After you turned me down, yes." He pointed out reluctantly.

"Don't worry about it. We're friends anyway, like you said." I insisted and stood, piling the left over blankets onto the chair. I neatly folded Basch's cloak and tucked it under my arm. "I think you should live and rule the way that you see fit, not the way others do."

He smiled faintly, "I'm relieved that someone agrees with me on that point."

I winked and kissed him on the cheek. "You'll be a great ruler, Larsa. I know you will."

"I will try." He murmured quietly as I left.

It was nice to have some time to myself to explore without having to rush. I hadn't even been below deck yet or into the captain's quarters. There was something indefinably cozy about the ship, no matter where I was. The wood, the sails–they emitted a homely feeling of warmth and safety. I wondered if maybe it had something to do with the artisans who had so lovingly created it.

While perusing the bunks I made a quick stop at Basch's cot to return his cloak to the rest of his ensemble. His armor was stacked in an orderly fashion at the foot of his bunk with the helm resting on top. It seemed to look at me now, beckoning that I satiate my curiosity. I had always wondered what it was like to wear all that heavy metal.

I approached almost cautiously, as if the armor were alive, but that was silly. I bit my lip and hefted the helm into my hands. It was heavier than I expected and cold as ice. How could he stand it?

Weighing it in my hands, I contemplated trying it on. My gaze slipped surreptitiously at Basch's still form asleep on the bunk, and averted my attention back to the helm. I lifted it over my head and peered inside, but there was nothing to see and certainly nothing to jump out and bite me. So I put it on and found myself inexplicably grinning like an idiot.

The thing was far too big of course and I could barely see as a result. Still, I wished that a mirror had been on hand just to see if I looked as ridiculous as I felt parading around in Basch's helmet. Sometimes one just needed to let loose a little.

But who needed a mirror when there was a witness to offer his opinion instead?

"I dare say it suites you." He said.

I yelped in surprise, spinning in mid air at the sound of a voice whose owner I had thought to be sound asleep. Unfortunately, the helm was top heavy and the sudden movement effectively threw off my balance, not to mention spun the helmet around so that the eye holes were now on the back of my head, and then I went crashing into a hammock, which promptly flung me seat first onto the floor.

And then there was silence–long, unbearable, silence. I began to wonder if the voice had been a figment of my imagination and I had just made a complete idiot out of myself for no apparent reason, which all things considered was better than having a witness to such a debacle. But that hope was soon crushed by the unmistakable sound of movement from the bunk across from me.

Basch, to his credit, was making a valiant effort not to laugh, but the longer I sat there stunned out of my mind, the harder it was for him to hold it.

It was all that he could take when I finally voiced my woes with a pitiful, "Ow." and gingerly rubbed my sore behind.

I deserved it of course. Every bit of it. What on earth had compelled me to do something so ridiculous? If I hadn't felt so silly doing it in the first place I might not have reacted so horrified when, to my embarrassment, I was discovered. Truly, someone had it in for me today.

When at last Basch had regained his composure and I still could not see for I had neglected to right the helm since my blunder, he knelt in front of me and removed it himself. I covered my face in my hands and let out a long, agonizing moan of despair.

"I think I'm going to die now." I said.

"Please don't." Basch replied sincerely, "I'm just relieved that you escaped the ordeal unscathed."

"Ha!" I snorted, "You'll find what's left of my pride somewhere over there." I pointed lazily in the direction where I'd been standing earlier. My eyes narrowed suddenly and I dropped both hands to glare at him, "You were just so relieved that you had to burst out laughing first?"

Basch was fronting a stern mask at that, but it cracked under the heat of my accusing stare and he chuckled. "My dear, you really should have seen yourself."

"Oooh!" I steamed as my humiliation and the red tint of my cheeks both deepened. I would never live this down. "You don't have to rub it in you know! I'm such an idiot."

There was a long, unsettling pause wherein I felt myself being studied with a most astute interest. When Basch finally spoke his tone was thoughtfully subdued, "No more than I." He said.

I faltered, "W-what...?" I found myself astutely aware of our close proximity now that my embarrassment was momentarily forgotten, and as the silence continued the space between us shrank. His breath tickled my skin and a tingling sensation spread all through my body in the sudden anticipation of something I had never entertained until now.

My eyes widened and fear trickled down my back as realization dawned. What am I doing?!

We both pulled away, as if having shared the same thought. I swallowed hard and forced a feeble smile, but it was confused and disoriented. "I-I'd better go." I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Basch cleared his throat uneasily, "Yes."

"...should check on the, uh, the coordinates...and, oh! The fuel! I almost forgot." I sprang to my feet, having discovered a real reason that would drag me away from the unfamiliar ache now growing beneath my chest. It didn't want to go.

But it just wasn't proper, was it? I headed for the stairs, but I couldn't help stopping at the bottom to glance behind me. What if I'd hurt him? Or worse, what if he had taken it the wrong way?

Basch smiled distantly though, as if nothing had happened. "Go on. I will be up later"

"O-ok." I left, a small burden lifted for the time being.

It occurred to me as I was climbing up on deck that I was starving...and that this ship probably never used fuel.

Author's Notes: I know I said I thought I'd have quicker updates, but my job took a bad turn and I lost all my privileges, including my computer and writing. That hasn't been going well. Buuut, I really enjoyed this chapter and I'm back into writing mode. I'm going to force myself to start the next one as soon as I get this posted because I like this story, so don't worry. I will finish this and I promise this time--that's right, I'm promising--that the next update will be quicker (assuming that this chapter gets some love from you guys). I don't have time to be procrastinating like this. Oh, and I can't remember if they actually had sailing ship-like airships, so bear with me if I messed that up.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed it and reviews makes me incandescently happy, so for pete's sake don't leave me hanging. If you have to tell me it's BAD, I'd just assume hear about that too rather than nothing at all. It's the only mail I get you know, haha. Thank you everyone. I realize that some writers make a point to respond to every review they receive and that I have not done so in the past--however, if any of you would like me to respond, I am more than happy to.

Take care,

Faerlyte