A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Zaz9-zaa0..Here's Zirenne again love...hope you like it! Comet
Other Character Counter: 4
Chapter 57: Oaths of Anger
Zirenne looked up. Strange. She thought to herself, her eyes straying towards a view of the ruins of Bahamut. She had had this feeling before, and it always never meant well, but this was the first time these "feeling" came to her so rapidly and suddenly.
"Something is not right?" she muttered herself, pulling on the end of her now short locks as force of habit.
"You know, if you keep doing that somebody's bound to notice you're not her," a masculine said from the doorway and Zirenne wrenched her eyes from the view to smile at the newcomer.
"General Venitol," she greeted, a smile played about her lips. "You know as well as I do that you'll never let anybody come close enough to notice that I'm not Queen Ashelia." She stood up from one of the couches that decorated the Queen of Dalmasca's spacious office and bit back a sigh. It was probably because she hasn't seen the outside of this room in a month and could only feel fresh air outside in the balcony. Thank Ahnas for that balcony, because Zirenne wouldn't have been able to stand it if she couldn't even see outside.
Not that she was complaining. After all, she was dressed in clothes that would almost cost her entire business back in Phon Coast and she didn't have to cook for herself for once, but it was awfully tiring to stay cooped up in an office filled with books, when she had no patience in them. She'd much rather be outside, bargaining.
When Zirenne came to return Vaan's ship in Rabanastrre, she had no idea she would be summoned to the Royal Palace and meet the Queen of all people. She just did a favor, as Vaan had asked of her, Zirenne never bargained for this.
So what was she supposed to do, when the Queen of Dalmasca asked-no, ordered- her to do this thing for the good of Dalmasca, who was Zirenne to decline? It was not her fault that she did bear a strong resemblance to the Queen of Dalmasca, absent the rather stern look the Queen always bore and Zirenne's own dark blue eyes. All she had to do was cut off her much longer hair and dress up in the Queen's own clothes and she looked exactly like the Queen albeit a rather more relaxed looking one.
"You know I never did notice how you bear an uncanny resemblance to the Queen," General Venitol's voice floated into her thoughts interrupting Zirenne's musings.
"Especially when you frown like that," Venitol's tanned face was split into a teasing grin and Zirenne had to smile at that.
"There," Venitol said with some satisfaction wearing the grin still and waving Zirenne to sit down. "That's much better. You must not let her Majesty's spirit totally overcome you Zirenne. One of her is enough for Ivalice."
Zirenne laughed out loud now. General Venitol had proven to be quiet the amiable companion. When Queen Ashe declared that most of the time Zirenne would stay in her office and only emerged for meal times or for when the people of Rabanastrre required the presence of the queen from a distance, Zirenne could not help the panic. She knew she could refuse, but Queen Ashe was certainly an intimidating creature and Zirenne could not even begin to cross her.
So Zirenne took the orders quietly and had been more than surprised when the young general did make quite an effort to be pleasing to her, recognizing the great effort the Queen had asked of her. It helped greatly that the young General seemed to be of her age and possessed a certain personality that made him approachable no matter his rank. Zirenne had relaxed somewhat at that.
"You make it sound as if you despise her," Zirenne said through her giggles and was amused when Tevan shook his head in mock-horror.
"I would never despise my queen and liege. I only fear her." He added with a wink which sent Zirenne into laughter again. Then the doors opened, abruptly stopping any reply Zirenne was about to make.
"Hey, it's good to hear you laugh again!" A rather cheerful voice chirped as a young woman bounced into the room. Zirenne could not help laughing again at the cheerfulness in her voice. The young woman gave Venitol a cheery wave before flopping herself down next to Zirenne. The young woman had short, almost too short inky black hair, that flopped around her heart-shaped face in a bob and kept away from her face by a large blue bandanna whose ends could be seen sticking out at the back of her head. She was wearing a bright green top that revealed her midriff, a typical Rabanastrran style with cream colored shorts that did not even reach the middle of her thigh. She had yellow fingerless gloves that covered up half her forearms arms and her right arm was covered by some sort of net material. Her boots were white and were streaked with more than a little mud. Strapped to her back was a ridiculously large shuriken that Zirenne knew could skewer a wyrm whole if Yellie willed it.
"Yellie, you know you're not supposed to do that without permission," General Venitol admonished with a stern look when the young woman brought both her feet to rest upon the low ornate table that served as a centerpiece for the entire ensemble of couches and chairs in the Queen's office.
Yellie scoffed and waved her hand dismissively. "It's just Zirenne, Tevvy. No need to get your pompom into a twist." She grinned at General Venitol cheekily.
Tevan rolled his eyes but didn't say anything, but then something in Yellie's words registered. "Tevvy??" he asked incredulously angry making both Zirenne and Yellie to collapse into giggles.
"You know, you're such a sour fruit for somebody young." Yellie remarked tapping her chin thoughtfully and grinning cheekily at Tevan. "But then you're a general and I'm but a Chocobo Knight, so what do I know."
"Oh cut you're mock-modesty, Yellie." Tevan growled but it was teasing. "You just want us to compliment you again."
Yellie's response was another cheeky grin but she didn't say anything. Believe it or not, Yellie was more than a Chocobo Knight, the elite Dalmascan cavalry the Queen had established since she took the throne. Yellie was the youngest Chocobo Knight as much as Venitol was as the youngest General. Much more since Yellie was the leader of the Chocobo Knights. Something she was extremely proud of.
"Is there something you wanted Yellie?" Zirenne asked now and had to roll her eyes good-naturedly at Yellie's obvious exaggeration. Zirenne waited patiently and Yellie muttered something about "rubbing off behavior" before she turned serious for once.
"Nuube called a meeting," she said in her chirpy voice though her face was serious. "Cypher's coming too."
Tevan and Yellie exchanged looks now and Zirenne could feel the sudden tension. There were four people who made up the heads of Dalmascan Forces. The Head of the Dalmascan Army, exclusive of special divisions such as the Chocobo and Dalmascan Knights, was General Venitol, and Yellie commanded the Chocobo Knight division, and there were two others. Admiral Cypher led the Air Force of Dalmasca while Sir Nuube, though he did not see battle any longer because of an injury that caused him his leg, was the grand master of the Dalmascan Knoights and also served the entire army as one of its strategists.
Zirenne had met the two others as well, but unlike Yellie or even General Venitol, she never found the two particularly friendly. Sir Nuube had a presence that could only be described as intimidating and Admiral Cypher was often snobbish. Zirenne had made sure that her dealings with either of them were kept at the minimal.
The three didn't need to wait long because soon the arrival of the two military men indicated that there was something grave afoot. Zirenne had that feeling again and she gave Yellie a rather frightened look before standing to greet the tow newcomers.
Admiral Cypher entered first, clad in dominant colors of white and gold and with a style of dress that could only be described as elaborate. With his long white coat that reached his ankles, the gold clasps were left open to reveal his crisp white trousers as well as polished white boots. Typically Dalmascan with his deep blue eyes as well as golden blond hair that was slicked back, Admiral Cypher was a very dashing young man though he bore a slightly haughty expression and he looked at Zirenne with cold eyes.
The man who followed Admiral Cypher was both older in experience and age. Taller than even most men like Admiral Cypher and General Venitol, Sir Nuube instantly commanded attention the minute he entered room. Muscular and broad shouldered, Sir Nuube wore a body suit of deep maroon, decorated with several buckles. His spectacles were round and were perched on the end of an aquiline nose. Eyes that were sharp and piercing were partially covered by long bangs often side swept. The rest of his hair was bound at the back of his head into a few dreadlocks and a very high ponytail. But that was not enough to make it known he had long hair, for the ponytail, which was braided into intricate knots reached past the knight's back and threatened to touch the floor. He carried a silver metal cane on his right hand which what supported him as he limped.
That was not the only thing that drew Zirenne's attention. For Sir Nuube limped that much was certain and he was not completely human anymore. For the arm that did not hold the cane was clearly something made out of machine, the silver glistened and drew attention to the stark contrast of the maroon of his body suit. What more was the silver machine leg that replaced Sir Nuube's right leg, long and alien in a body that was supposed to be all flesh?
Zirenne did not know what circumstances led to Sir Nuube's injuries, but she did know that it must have been very grave indeed. The machine arm started from his left shoulder and the machine leg was attached to his body from the pelvis down. The several buckles across Sir Nuube's chest now had a purpose and that was to keep his mechanical parts intact with his body.
The only thing Zirenne knew was that Sir Nuube served the Dalmascan Forces ever since even before Archadia began the colonies.
Zirenne eyed the two men warily now, her blue eyes strangely tensed. She had stayed in the Palace to know a meeting of great import when she saw one. And since the leaders of the Dalmascan Military Faction were gathered here, then it would mean something has happened that would more or less likely that would bring about war.
"Mt. Bur-Omisace has been attacked." Sir Nuube spoke and his voice was stern, but not harsh, just distant. He eyed the obviously younger people as if daring them to question the information.
Zirenne gasped. "When?" Mt. Bur-Omisace was the place where she worshipped. She was a follower of the Light of Kiltia even if she was a hunter. To hear of it attacked again in the span of three years was too much.
"Only a few days ago." This time it was Admiral Cypher who spoke and it was with his cold and chilling voice.
"The Queen?" General Venitol asked now.
"We do not know if she was there though based upon her latest message she and her party had been planning to go there."
"There has been no missive yet," Admiral Cypher added next answering Yellie's next question.
"What does this mean now?" Zirenne asked suddenly sounding fearful. She knew something had happened. She wasn't just this prepared that it would be this bad.
Sir Nuube exchanged glances with the other three leaders and nodded.
"A war is stirring," he added after a pause. "When Rozzaria got wind of the attack on Mt. Bur-Omisace they declared that it was a breach of the peace treaty signed by the Kingdoms of Ivalice two years ago. They have claimed that they need to stop Archadia's nonsense by force."
"But that's silly!" Yellie's voice was frustrated and she even went as far as stamping her foot. "Everybody knows that Rozzaria's been after Archadia since the beginning. Everybody knows Rozzaria's just using this as an excuse to end Archadia once and for all!"
"Be that as it may, there's no stopping it now," Admiral Cypher said in a calm voice.
"Has the Marquis sent any news?" General Venitol's voice was grave and serious and he was not smiling for once.
Sir Nuube shook his head. "We are expecting his visit in a couple of days. He knows that his niece is out there and he has decided to check upon the state of Dalmasca. For now, Bhujerba's neutral."
"What about here?" Zirenne's voice was soft and withdrawn and she had stood up from the couches now to gaze outside the ruins of Bahamut again. "Where does Dalmasca stand?"
An awkward silence fell upon the group as the four exchanged glances. It was only the Queen who could declare alliances in war and seeing as she wasn't present; the task now seemed to fall upon her clone. A large burden to bear, the fate of a country, a people, a kingdom. Zirenne closed her eyes now, as if realizing the fullness of the task set upon her. She was but a humble merchant hunter! Things like state affairs should not even touch her grasp! And now here she was, asked to make a decision that would nonetheless change the course of the future. How was she to live up to that?
"I will not make this decision," she declared softly but surely. "I am not your sovereign. I am a servant of her Majesty, and only she can make decisions such as this. For now, I suggest we make no move, but be ready and wary. Dalmasca is the only home we have. We lost her once, I'm not sure I want to lose her again."
XOXOXOXO
There was grass, though it was grass to the touch but to her eyes it was black as jet and it did not rustle when the wind swept past it. The grass reached up to her waist and she felt the coarse brush as she walked slowly past the jet-black field. She felt strangely cold, as though she was numbed all over, and there was an incessant pain searing through her chest, it felt like a long cold shaft which had pierced her chest.
She stilled hers tracks, and placed a hand on her chest in an attempt to assuage the pain she felt. As her palm gently touched her exposed flesh the pain suddenly vanished. Puzzled, she uneasily continued forward. The moon shined its entire splendor upon the black field. She was alone, though she did not feel loneliness. Her unease peaked higher and she started looking around suspiciously. She felt she was being watched.
The moon shined a beautiful blue upon the jet field. She stopped, and looked about. She was surrounded by rolling hills all of which coated with the jet grass. She tried to smile, for the spectacle was hauntingly beautiful, but no matter how hard she tried she could not. Then she tried to frown, but she could not. Her breathing suddenly became deep. She felt something cold coil around her, the unseen grip on her chest tightened and she could no longer breathe. Her eyes widened in horror. She gasped for air, but no air would come, she tried to scream but she could not. In panic, she tried to feel for the unseen malignance which coiled her, she tried to free herself.
'And now, you join us.' A voice said. The voice was almost inaudible but the words were not merely murmured and she understood, somehow, her panic subsided. Then, a thought crossed her mind, what if it's him? Then her panic peaked again.
She tried to turn her head, to see who it was who spoke to her. Something kept her head from turning, and then she suddenly realized that she was paralyzed. Her terror was mounting, she could feel her heart rupture, but she still lingered.
'It's alright now…' the voice said soothingly. Now the voice was clear, the voice was oddly familiar to her ears.
That voice!
Suddenly, all the pain, the constriction and the paralysis disappeared, however the cold remained. She did not feel relief even though she thought she would, she could only think that she felt.
Slowly she turned around. A man stood before her, clad in armor of white and gold, his silver eyes were sparkling and his smile amiable. He did not look any different from when he left her, all those years ago. Spiky almost smoke-grey colored hair coupled with his rounded cheeks that made him look younger than he was; that was no doubt on who this person was. She could not believe what she beheld.
'M-my Prince.' She whispered. She could feel her knees weaken, but she did not buckle.
Another smile graced his lips, the same smile 'It is all right, because you, Princess…' she felt another throb when he called her "Princess", his term of endearment for her.
'I am what?' she asked in a fearful tone. There was a doubtful look upon her face; she did not know what to think.
The suddenly the moon turned red and the sky was bathed in a deepening crimson. Then the jet-black fields of grass erupted into a colossal murder of crows which swarmed her, clawing and pecking at her. She tried to defend herself, flailing at the crows, then, she heard the voice speak, his voice clear against the loud beating of wings and cawing.
'…It's all right, because you are dead.' Then Rassler's specter was engulfed by the crows. And soon after, they overwhelmed Ashe. And that is how she came into the great beyond, the void known to all as death.
XOXOXO
Ashe woke up to the sounds of screaming. She tried to block out the sounds of the screams that pierced through her senses, not understanding why there was screaming all around her.
"Ashe!" A rough voice filled with anguish bolted through her mind and Ashe did not realize she had her eyes closed until she felt them open. Vaan's face was contorted into an expression of unadulterated pain, sorrow and anguish. It looked foreign in his face that was usually open and smiling.
Ashe felt herself reaching for him, in an attempt to smooth out his anguished features and she barely grazed his skin when she felt herself falling, the blackness enveloping her once again.
I don't want to go back there again…were her last thoughts…
XOXOXO
"Ashe?" a soft voice almost like a caress whispered in her ear, disrupting her thoughts as she raised her face to soak up some of the warmth of the Dalmascan sun. She continued to ignore the voice even when she felt the person sit beside her and continue to whisper in her ear.
"If you don't look at me you might not get your surprise," the round, rumble of a voice spoke in a teasing tone and a light poke on her side making Ashe laugh a bit.
Ashe opened her eyes and took a sneaking glance towards the young man sitting beside her. Like her, he looked like the very epitome of satisfaction. He was dressed in lightweight clothes, perfect for the sweltering heat that blew in from the two deserts surrounding Dalmasca. He looked at her with silver grey eyes, those eyes that Ashe would never have thought would light up her day whenever they sparkled, and smiled at Ashe. It was small and rather secretive, as if he knew something that she didn't.
"What?" she asked out loud. He knew she did not like surprises.
Rasler laughed out loud now, but didn't say anything. Instead he leaned his back on his arms against the bench they were sitting at, stretching his long legs before him and turned his own face into the sun. Ashe remembered that he didn't used to like the sun that much and preferred to stay in the shade. But after almost six months of marriage, he changed to love Rabanastrre and her, she would like to think.
Ashe almost berated herself as she watched her husband soak up the sun just like she was doing, a delighted half-smile on his face as the sun cast golden hues across his boyish face. She swore that she would never fall prey to the base emotion of falling hopelessly in love, but now here she was, positively making moogle-eyes at her husband.
Ashe tried to reason to herself that it was not wrong falling in love with your husband. After all, he was her husband, falling in love seemed the right enough decision, but Ashe could not help feeling more than a little apprehensive.
She had learned to love his somewhat reclusive nature, his easy smile whenever they were together, his behavior as a prince of Dalmasca and a prince to their people. His easy manners as well as his boyish features often told her that everything will be all right in the midst of the shadow of war dangling before their heads. She had learned to love his somewhat almost desperate gestures for her to pay more attention to the matters of the state, and she did try her best.
In fact, she had just gotten out of a very heated meeting with the council of Rabanastrre and she had delivered a rather passionate speech about continuing to use chocobos as means of both transportation and trade within close countries. The birds survived excellently amidst the heat of the desert and if they were to resort to something more complicated, such as Sleipenir like ther Nabradians and the Rozzarians, Rabanastrre would be wasting its coffers for something that could be avoided.
Needless to say, Ashe had won that argument and the council had agreed to keep in the Moogle Chocobo Wranglers within the vicinity of the city. Ashe was feeling particularly good about herself. She never thought she would participate in something state-related. And to come out right and victorious, now she knew what it Rassler said about winning against old codgers. She had come out to revel in her triumph for a little while in her favorite garden before going out to find Rassler to tell him the news with the hopes of making him feel proud of her, but the sun had felt so good on her skin.
"I heard what you did in the council today." Rassler's deep voice interrupted her musings and she looked up. She had wanted to be the one to tell him, but it was better she guessed that she didn't have to recount everything. She wasn't sure yet what his reaction would be. Ashe could almost slap her forehead in consternation. She never thought about what others thought of her before, preferring to mind her own business, but she found relying on Rassler gave her a sort of release. A feeling of belonging to someone that she hadn't felt for a long time since her mother had died. Not even with her father. She could not even bear to think that Rassler did not feel the same thing about her. So she would stay quiet about her little revelation, preferring to remain his friend rather than risk having his constant incredulous gaze at her. It was better that way, she thought.
"You did?" she now asked, trying to shake her blush. "I suppose I did more than offend them…" she trailed off, not looking at him but back out into the garden. "I couldn't help it; they were being completely unreasonable…"
"I agree," Rasler's calm completely devoid of chastisement snapped Ashe away from her rambling.
"You do?" she asked with more than incredulity in her voice. Rassler sensing her tone turned to her and his face was a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"How many times must I say, Princess," Rasler began in a admonishing tone. "You can expect me to be on your side all the time. You can tell me anything without fearing I would scold you."
Ashe felt herself blush and looked at her hands in embarrassment. She continued to stare at her hands not saying anything and heard Rassler give a small sigh of exasperation before she raised her head to meet his eyes. She blinked rapidly to find his face so excruciatingly close to her own.
"I'm proud of you, princess." He whispered, capturing her grey eyes with his own. He smiled making his eyes sparkle. "That's why I have a surprise for you."
Ashe could not help frowning as he leaned back again, with that infuriating half-smile on his face. "You know I don't respond to treatment of me as if I were but a child." She grumbled making a pout unconsciously.
Rasler chuckled under his breath but otherwise said nothing but, "Think of it this way as a loving husband doting upon his beautiful wife."
Ashe blushed furiously at the compliments. More so his statements of his being a loving husband. He was certainly that, though he may never spoke of it to Ashe.
"Close your eyes, princess." Rasler ordered softly, jarring Ashe's thoughts. She looked up at him skeptically as he stood up from the bench. Rasler chuckled again at her suspicious look.
'Do not fret, princess. I will not do anything improper." He winked and Ashe had never seen him so playful before. He leaned in to whisper into her ear from behind her. "I did promise a surprise to you and I cannot give it if you won't comply."
Ashe frowned again. "You know I don't like surprises." She grumbled but nonetheless complied with his request, by shutting her eyes, clearly shutting her vision from the brightness of the sun.
She heard Rasler chuckle again but this time he didn't say anything. There was a silence for a few minutes, and it was enough for Ashe to attempt to open her eyes but Rasler's hands on her shoulders stopped her.
He was not wearing any gloves today and his hands felt warm and smooth against the exposed skin of her shoulders, left bare by the dress she wore for the day. Then with swift but gentle movements, she felt Rasler fasten something around her neck, brushing his hand at the back of it as he did so before straightening up and telling her to open her eyes.
Ashe opened her eyes to be greeted by one of the most surprising pieces of jewelry she had ever come across. It was neither superfluous nor completely extravagant; in fact it was rather simple. But that was not drew Ashe's attention, causing her eyes to widen and her mouth to open slightly in surprise.
It was silver alright, and of the lightest materials, the pendant was carved into the shape of a miniature chocobo, running on both its legs, plumes out as if caught by an invisible breeze. Ashe plucked it from where it rested against the top of her breasts, marveling at it. It was neither too big that it will catch attention, nor was it too small as if it were insignificant. In fact it seemed that it had been made of her and she raised her eyes to meet Rasler's surprised by the unfathomable expression on his face.
"Do you like it?" he asked softly still not breaking into the grins he had been giving her earlier and Ashe could only nod. She was surprised to hear Rasler let out a soft breath.
"I was afraid you would not like something so simple. But I wanted to give you something you like and something from me. Something that you could keep with you always." Ashe was more surprised when a slight blush covered his cheeks. It was clearly the most adorable thing she had ever seen and she felt a smile tug her lips when he looked away now.
Feeling more than a bit bold, she reached for his ungloved hand, making sure he was looking at her again before squeezing his hand lightly and giving him a genuine smile. "It's beautiful, and I love it. Thank you." She felt her heart skip a beat when he slowly returned her smile. Then she heard him utter something that would completely stop her heart:
"I love you."
Ashe felt herself freeze. They had never uttered those three words to each other not in their months of marriage and she had never expected them to be uttered so soon. She felt herself pull back and only Rasler's grip on hers made her give up from pulling away.
"Ashe please," Rasler's soft voice made her eyes snap her eyes back at him. It sounded pained as if he had been holding these words for such a long time already and Ashe fought back the desire to embrace him in comfort.
"Ashe…" Rasler hesitated, clutching her hand before plunging on again. "I love you. You may not believe me, but I do. When my father had arranged this marriage with your father, I agreed as it was my duty, and I never dreamed in all Ivalice that I would meet you. I think you stole my heart away on our wedding when you looked at me so trustingly, and I swore to myself I will protect you with all my being." He sighed roughly and looked up again, looking at her who still had looked like she was frozen still.
"I still do, princess." Rasler whispered, leaning forward now so that their faces were close again. "I swear to protect you with all my being and I will not rest until we have peace for our kingdom for our life together. I love you Ashe." He whispered the last words softly, so tenderly that Ashe had almost to strain to hear them.
A few agonizing minutes of silence followed and Rasler opened his stormy grey eyes to meet her own and he must have seen something in them for he pulled back now, even extracting his hand away from hers.
"Rasler.." Ashe began to speak but Rasler raised his palm to stop her.
"You need not speak. I understand your hesitation." Rasler spoke and it was a voice full of regret that Ashe could almost unblock her throat to speak.
What? The voice in her head screamed. I am not hesitating! I'm just afraid! Ashe almost screamed out loud but she could not unblock the constrictions in her throat to speak. Rasler took another glance at her awestruck face before sighing again.
"I suppose, it is my fault. I know you could not be ready to love me. After all, it has only been but a few months. And I know I should have waited but.." he sighed again and looked up to meet her eyes.
"War is looming in the horizon princess and I could not bear to go to war without ever making it known to you of my love for you." He smiled now and brought her hand to his lips. "You need not say anything, love. I'm only happy that I have spoken it to you. As for your response, I can wait for it. We have time."
Ashe opened her mouth again, this time to try to say that she loved him too, with all her heart but Rasler cut her off again and this time with that somewhat disarming smile. "Do not worry about it Ashe. I can wait." He stood up now, though he still did not release her hand as he did so. "We should get back, the others might be looking for us. Back to being the Prince and Princess again I'm afraid." He gave her a sympathetic smile which Ashe could only try to return half-heartedly. She was still reeling from his confession.
Perhaps Rasler sensed her turmoil because he leaned in and whispered. "Maybe you can come in when you are ready. I'll leave you to your thoughts." And with a kiss on her forehead that was achingly tender, Rasler whispered: "Happy six-month anniversary Princess. I hope you like my present." Then he pulled himself away gently and walked away, forcing Ashe to watch his retreating back, struggling to make the words come out that she loved him too. She had completely forgotten that they had been married for six months now and she felt the regret of not getting him anything.
Ashe clutched the silver chocobo in her palm as Rasler walked away and with the softest of whispers she uttered: "I love you too."
That was the last time it was ever spoken of it between the two of them for two days after, Rasler went to war and Ashe never saw him alive ever again.
XOXOXOX
The Strahl's engine hummed steadily as it weaved through the clouds, barely even making a sound as it flew the air. Night had fallen already and usually it would be two people who stood at the helm, one navigating while one had the controls, but this was a very different night. Only one sat at the bridge, hands almost knuckle-white at the wheel, ruby-red eyes fixed pointedly at the front, determined not to break focus. But it proved to be futile, as low-sounding colorful oaths floated from somewhere behind, coming from a voice that was steadily getting agitated. When a shout pierced through the air followed by the scared squeaks of moogles, did Fran gave an impatient noise before smartly bringing the ship unto autopilot.
Heels making the same rhythmic sound as she paced towards where she knew Balthier had confined himself in, declaring he did not need any more of her help when they barely managed to escape the Stilshrine with Fran almost bodily dragging the gravely injured Balthier from that encounter with Vaan and that strange woman.
Fran was not a human. She did not succumb into paltry emotions such as irritation nor annoyance, but when she was angry, she knew everyone should very well stay away. When Balthier made that decision to take the Stone from the Emperor Larsa, she had been surprised but stood by him as always. She was more than displeased to learn that he merely took the Stone for the gil that traitorous Senator had offered him. It was neither honorable nor fair and she had thought Balthier would be above such pirate-like behavior despite calling himself a pirate.
Now they had tried to do the same thing on Vaan and the others again and Fran could not help her anger surface. She had been with Balthier for more than three years and the Viera had never seen him attach himself to a group of people as closely as he had done with Vaan and the others. Balthier had been happy then, that much as Fran could tell, she had noticed that he was not overly fond of solitude despite having her around and it had gladdened her that he had friends apart from her. What she knew of humans, they could never be too alone for too long.
Fran now purposely walked towards Balthier's cabin. It was clear that his injury was not grave or she would not have let him order her away, but sounding from the oaths and the rather scared faces of the moogles, this behavior was entirely different from Balthier. Perhaps his betrayal of his friends had affected him more than he would admit. Fran did not bother to contemplate it now. If Balthier failed to dress that wound properly because of his wandering thoughts, she did not relish the thought of having to seek a professional healer in a hume town, only to be recognized as criminals and locked up in some cell. It was a very good thing she was of the Eruyt village and she did know a thing or too about healing.
"Are you all right?" she asked now unnecessarily as she stepped into the room that smelled highly of blood mixed with Balthier's usual perfume and human scent. Balthier was sitting upright on his bed without his shirt on and cursing heavily on the large gash that started from the top of his shoulder down his arm.
"Fine." Balthier growled through his teeth when he saw that it was Fran and not some meddlesome moogle. But then he cursed again when the blood started to ooze from the cut into his sheets.
Fran would almost sigh exasperatedly were she human, but she did not say anything but proceeded to retrieve the poultices of herbs they each kept a stock of in their bedrooms for emergencies such as this.
"Hold still." She ordered firmly as she made her way to his bed and grabbed his injured hand roughly, making Balthier curse.
"Damn, Fran!" he hissed through his teeth as the pain surfaced again. Fran was not unruffled but just raised her eyebrows at him. He had never cursed her before whenever he was angry. Everything and everyone including himself, but never her.
When Balthier realized what he had done he seethed and looked away. "My apologies," he muttered under his breath but it was loud enough that Fran picked up on it with her Viera ears.
Fran gave a nod making her snow-white hair follow her movements, but otherwise didn't say anything and began cleaning his wound.
"I told you I'm fine." Balthier spoke in a tight voice as he saw what Fran was doing. Fran raised her eyebrows again.
"It sounded as if you weren't." she replied smoothly, proceeding to bandage the gash. It wasn't deep and it would heal quickly enough if he stayed still, but Fran knew that would not be the case. All humans were skittish, even her Balthier. It was to be expected.
Balthier gave a grunt but otherwise said nothing as Fran continued tending to his injuries. After she was done and he had tested the bandages to see if they would break, he gave Fran a grateful look. "Thank you." He whispered, his anger gone now and his eyes had the color of melted honey, a vulnerable look Fran had not seen since they had left Archades for the first time.
Fran merely gave him a hint of a smirk before straightening up and made to leave the room but Balthier had quickly captured her wrist with his uninjured hand.
With curious eyes, Fran looked at his hand wrapped around her wrist before looking to meet his eyes. They were hard again, closed off and withdrawn.
"Fran about what we are doing…" Balthier started but Fran cut him off.
"You have your reasons." She said and she said them without emotion but her eyes told her what she really thought of his actions for the past several days. Balthier raised his own eyebrows at her and gave another frustrated growl but otherwise released her wrist. He was dressed swiftly and was out the door. Fran followed him after, albeit a little more sedate.
"I have a question." Fran's accented voice pierced the air after the few minutes of flying in silence. Balthier looked up from where his eyes were trained before him and schooled his features into his usual smirk.
"You know you never have to ask my permission to be curious Fran." He drawled then turned back to look at the night sky, not revealing anything in his eyes. Fran did say his eyes revealed most of his emotions.
"Who are you doing this for, Balthier?" Fran's question was blunt, straight-forward, very typical of her. It was only thanks to the fact that Balthier was used to this that he did not start at her question.
"What are you going on about Fran?" Balthier replied lightly, making it sound carefree. Fran gave a soft hiss but soon answered just as lightly.
"Who are you betraying your friends for?" Fran's voice was devoid of curiosity now and for once there were hints of concern laced in her tone.
Balthier for more than a few minutes was silent and Fran had gone back staring at the navigation screen before Balthier's voice floated towards her Viera's ears that it was almost inaudible:
"Do you even have to ask that question?"
XOXOXOX
"What do you mean you don't have the Stone?" For once Vladimir Ortal's voice was not cooled into the tones of aloofness but let out in shouts of anger.
"I mean Senator," drawled the person before him, arms folded and bandaged and eyes that regarded him disinterestedly were anything but intimidated by his anger. "That we do not have the Stone. There was a clash that we were not expecting and this Stone you're looking for is already buried somewhere underneath the rubble of what was once the Stilshrine of Miriam."
Ortal brought an angry fist now on the hardwood of his desk. "Careful Senator," the sky pirate advised lightly, still with that uninterested tone. Ortal was too angry to care.
"We had a deal, pirate. You were to get that stone for me! And now you have the gall to stand before me without a Stone!?!?" Ortal could have been spitting in rage with how red his face was.
Balthier looked at him unflinchingly. "Our deal was that I get it for you, but since we could not, you need not pay us Senator. I am a reasonable man, so there would no need for you to pay me." A smirk flitted about his lips making the Senator angrier.
"I'll show you reasonable! Scipio!!" Ortal shouted in pure anger over the heads of the Viera and her human companion. Minutes later the door opened and in sashayed a masked man dressed impeccably for a judge majister for a Judge Majister.
"You hollered, Senator?" the man drawled lightly, his own playful smirk playing about his lips as he gazed upon the tow newcomers with crimson eyes. Balthier's only response was a raise of his eyebrows and Fran merely tossed her white hair.
"I want you to take this two confounding bloody pirates to the dungeons. They have committed a crime against Archadia!" The Senator was shouting profanities now and the others present in the room merely raised their eyebrows at his absurd behavior.
"Really?" Scipio asked completely light-hearted. He gazed at the two pirates before turning back to an apoplectic Senator Ortal. "I never would have guessed."
It was obvious that Judge Majister Scipio enjoyed poking fun at the Senator and it was really quite surprising that Ortal did not notice this subtle mockery. Any right-minded fool would notice it. But apparently Ortal was not right-minded. Just a fool. Balthier could not help smirking at it.
"I demand you arrest them at once!" Ortal was still shouting.
Before Scipio could say anything, the subtle movements from both Fran and Balthier caught their attention.
"Now here is where we reach a little snag, Senator." Balthier's voice was still light but it held more than a little warning. "On what basis were you going to arrest us exactly? I am no longer a citizen of Archades which means both Fran and I are not under your jurisdiction. And we have not committed a crime that you had not a part in. So if you really want to arrest us, I'm afraid you would have to come along too. But that is not what you want is it?" A smirk played about Balthier's lips again as he said this and Fran merely shifted in her stance, one hand on her hip and gazing at Ortal with her ruby-red eyes. Ortal's eyes widened but otherwise did not say anything.
"Well, since apparently we cannot arrest them Senator, I suggest we let them go." Scipio cut in smoothly, voice cheerful and bright. He made shooing motions with his hands. "Of you go now! It was nice meeting you!"
Balthier and Fran exchanged glances but nonetheless turned around and slowly left the room, much to Ortal's agitation.
"What on Ivalice's name are you doing?!" He rounded on Scipio. "I do not take kindly to anyone countermanding my orders!!"
"Will you calm down Senator?" Scipio continued lightly and if it was possible, it seemed as if he rolled his eyes from behind the mask. "I have the Stone that you are looking for," he remarked lightly. His eyes turned towards the closed door from where the two sky pirates disappeared through.
Ortal looked at him disbelievingly, his little eyes bulging in confusion. 'What?' He spat.
"My little game, Senator." Scipio winked. "I enjoy sowing seeds of dissension and making lives unnecessarily miserable."
"How did you get it? How did you get the stone?!" Ortal demanded. He ignored what Scipio had said as to why he had let them go, he didn't care about his game, all that mattered to him was his ascent to power.
"My secret, won't tell you, never will." Scipio sneered mischievously.
Ortal began to redden in anger. He opened his mouth to speak but Scipio cut him.
"You know you must really control your temper." He grinned at the Senator in an infuriating grin again before he too made his way towards the door. "Those two will not even make it to their ship, I guarantee you." With those suddenly chilled voice Scipio left the room, whistling a tune of his own conjuring.
A/n: This is a very filler-chapter but it had to be placed. See you next time!
