"You remember the plan. I will be at the northern most window watching. I will know when you are ready."

I fitted a black mask over my eyes, while shrugging into a golden and red dress coat with my other arm. Fran watched, somewhat amused, as I struggled with the heavy coat, until I gave up adjusting the mask to use both arms. Once the dress coat was neatly over my shoulders, i fitted the mask again. Though Fran insisted that I wear a full-face mask so there would be no possibility I could be recognized, I decided against it, and adorned a thin-fitting mask that outlined only my dazzling eyes.

"What was that Fran? I was a bit occupied."

"The plan." She patiently repeated. "Remember it, and try not to get carried away."

"Carried away? Why would you ever think that?" Fran's eyes twinkled knowingly.

"Just a thought."

I parted ways with the viera and joined the crowds of humes in the busy streets. Tonight, the flow of traffic was mostly going one way- towards the castle in the center of Rabanastre. Many others were dressed in similar, masquerade attire. I couldn't have picked a better theme either. Because of the style of party, I was able to not only wear a mask to hide my face, but I was given the chance to play dress-up.

I had gone with a golden and red color scheme. A crimson coat with golden threading, a crimson hat, and black dress pants to accentuate the thin lines of my mask. I could already hear the women gasping as I passed. I would turn, and trace my fingers along my hat while giving them a quick bow. Then I would walk away to the sounds of delighted squeals. Oh, how I missed that sound!

I couldn't help but grin. Fran had warned me not to get carried away, but that meaning could be interpreted many ways. Her definition of 'too much' was slightly off from mine.

We finally settled with a plan. After…acquiring her hoverbike, she seemed in a better mood. I swear to the Gods I caught her humming one time as she fiddled with it, but she claimed it was just the engine.

Tonight, she was finally taking her baby for a ride, while I walked along the streets. We had…acquired an invitation to a royal party, though I'd taken it only moments ago and had not the time to yet look at what kind of party, and I walked inside the ballroom with ease. This did come naturally, I suppose. The slow, brief tip of the hat as I passed my invitation to the guards collecting them at the door, and a courteous kiss to the hand for the servant girl who offered, but was gently declined, to relieve me of my coat. No one looked twice at me, except the women.

The main ballroom was more extravagant than Archades. It was so, because of its simplicity. The ceiling was domed, and sections were glass and open to the night sky above. A chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, dazzling the dancing crowds with thousands of multicolored sparkles. The floor, despite the hundreds of pairs of feet, was polished and shining like a golden sea. And the plethora of sea creatures were awake and thriving.

A glint of light caused me to wince. The light faded, then flicked on again, moving out of my line of sight. I raised myself tall in the crowd, swiveling my head to look. Finally, I caught sight of the glimmer again.

It came from a young woman's earpiece. Like a chandelier, the light would catch in the hanging earring, and bounce into the eyes of unsuspecting onlookers. The girl was smiling, which brightened her flawless complexion even more. She was wearing a large mask made from white feathers that formed the shape of a butterfly, which covered her entire face except her eyes, mouth and chin, and a triangular bit of her forehead. I was instantly curious. As I approached her, swimming through the crowds, a catchy tune started from the orchestra. A dance tune, none the less.

As I approached, she turned away to speak more clearly to her friends. They were the first to see me, and put their hands to their mouths to hide their wide grins.

"Excuse me." I greeted. The girl turned to see me. I bowed low, lifting my hand palm-up. "May I have this dance?" Her brown eyes widened, and she nodded excitedly.

"Mm-hmm."

I led her onto the wide, white-marble center of the dance floor, and pulled her into a wide spin.

"My name is Montblanc." I introduced. "May I ask yours?" She smiled shyly.

"Ashelia."

"A pretty name, for a beautiful woman." That earned a few laughs.

"I'm only fifteen- tonight."

"Well, I'm only seventeen." I clarified. "Lovely night for a birthday." She nodded happily.

"Yes. It is wonderful." She said that right while staring into my eyes. I wonder if she was still talking about the party. "Montblanc- is that an Archadian name?" She asked. I lifted my arm so she could twirl under it.

"Why do you say that?" I asked casually, though the pit of my chest tugged in nervousness.

"Your accent in Archadian. I assume you are from there?" This girl was quick. I'd forgotten how my speech stood out in the other countries.

"It's true lived there for a few years, until I moved to Dalmasca. I was there long enough to pick up the accent. Do you not like it?" She gasped sharply.

"No, no, it's not that. I find it quite pleasant."

Pleasant, eh?

"It's just that the times right now are difficult with Rozzaria."

"Are you affected that much?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yes. I haven't really spoken to my Father in months. He's been so busy."

"Your father? Is he fighting in the war?" She nodded again.

"Yes. Well, he is, just from here."

"From here?" The spotlight suddenly fell upon us. I froze in place, my arms feeling suddenly cold around the girl's waist. She stepped away from me with an embarrassed smile.

"Now, for the reason we are all gathered here tonight! To celebrate the fifteenth birthday of our beloved Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca!" She laughed, looked at my shocked expression from over her shoulder.

"I told them I didn't want them to use my full name- it's quite embarrassing!" I shrugged, in lack of any better gesture. I had been dancing with the Princess? If Fran had seen me, she would tan my hide like a barmaid-

Oh no, Fran!

I swung my head to the northern window. I could just barely make out her attractive silhouette against the dark night and colorful glass. I didn't have time to so much as raise my arm to halt her before the building shook as the first fireworks exploded into the sky.


I took the hover bike quietly past the guards and up to a tall, stained-glass window on the northern side of the ballroom. I turned off the glocair rings to the point where they hardly glowed at all, and just appeared like another stream of discolored light coming from the window. I put one leg standing on the windowsill, and leaned to the side to look down into the room. It was brightly lit from single chandeilier, and thousands of small fairy-lights lining the hall. Each figure was distinctly silhouetted in the light, and I found Montblanc easily.

Not surprisingly, he was on the dance floor. Also not unlike him, with a young girl. I picked her out as one of the more lovely in the crowds, and one of the only around his age. She had a content smile on her face, as she rested her cheek against his shoulder while he gently turned in place to the music.

I thought I felt my stomach lurch slightly, then dismissed it just as quickly. No, that could not be the Princess. Even that thick-skulled hume would do no such thing.

The sky above me shook as a colorful explosion lit up the dark night. It was soon followed by a crimson burst, that spread wide through the air like a brushstroke. I marveled at the lights for a few moments more; at one of the hume creations that was not meant for war, but for pure pleasure.

…Though it had been created from a side invention of gunpowder, so…

I threw my heel into the stained glass, shattering it, then threw a metal cylinder against the ceiling. A glaring white light filled the ball room as I flew the hover bike back towards the entrance.

A light bomb. They were easily mistaken for awry fireworks. It had been my idea.


I shielded my eyes just in time not to be blinded. As the crowds screamed, I raced over to the table of presents and snatched the crown topper. I'd memorized the path out, and when I reached the doors, which were clear since the guards had raced inside to defend the royals, I tripped over Fran's hoverbike.

"You'd best to sit up now." She called, over the clamor inside. Suddenly my stomach heaved as we rapidly ascended, though both my legs were dangling in the air.

"Fran!"

"Yes?" She asked. I clung onto the seat, digging my nails into the leather.

"You couldn't have spared another second!"

"Do you prefer one foot or two?" She suddenly asked. I ground my teeth together.

"Let me think, do I still own that pair of silver-toes boots, because if I did, then I think they match better when I wear two."

"A guard was about to chop your foot off by the ankle…" She spared a look at me. "With or without your silver-toed boots."

She finally slowed enough so I felt it safe to clamber into the backseat. We quietly returned to the airship, and took our seats as pilot and navigator.

"You're certain she's working properly?" Fran looked at me. "Yes, then." A few switches were flipped, the ship glowed and hummed, and we were airborne in moments. "She didn't even need to warm-up." I breathed. Fran smiled.

The ceiling of the aerodome opened wide, and we expelled from the hanger and into the open air.


I stepped outside, down the stairwell and into the square of light that illuminated the dark snow below. I took an uncertain step, and my heel sunk deep into the soft drifts. A fresh snow had fallen recently. On the last step, sat Ffamran. When my shadow fell over him, he touched the jeweled crown and set it in his lap.

"You have not yet shown me our catch." I said. Wordlessly, he handed it to me with giving it a second glance. "Rozzarian amber and blush diamonds." I said, tapping the stones with my fingernail to produce their distinct chime. "Why are you displeased? For first catches, I would argue most would feel better." He took it back and held it around the edges.

"…I…don't feel bad." He said meekly. I waited until I sighed. "I don't know. Why should I know how it feels?" He then faced me and frowned. "Aren't you cold?" I shook her head, tossing my furry ears and hair gently.

"Today was eventful. I am going to retire. You should do the same." I backed away up the stairs, reluctantly willing to leave him to himself.

He had never stolen, it seemed. Why should he have? Everything he required was surly handed to him without charge or compensation. Why had it not been enough for him? Why did taking things without something in return excite him so much?

I looked back once again, and watched him come to a stand. But he froze again, like a statue that had shifted positions, and stood on vigil.

Perhaps he was hungry. Humes often became weary from a lock of nourishment. I entered the cooking area and realized we had not eaten a proper meal all day.

"Ffamran, come inside." I said, pausing to lean in the direction of the stairs. After a moment, I heard his heavy footsteps, and the stairs fold and seal behind him, cutting off the cold gusts. I handed him a plate, swathed in desert wolf meat and oatmeal. His eyes instantly brightened.

"You cooked for me?" He clarified. I turned my back to him as I served myself.

"I used my fire magic to heat our leftovers, and put a plate under it. Call it cooking if you like." When I turned again, he had not moved, but was smiling. He backed away from me, all the way to the bedrooms. I heard a brief clatter as his arm swept across the tabletop, clearing it of maps and old drinks.

"My dear, you have inspired me." He said, reaching for one of the higher cabinets for something. He gasped and produced a sealed bottle from the far reaches of the stash. "A-ha! There you are…" He waved for me to follow him, and pulled out a chair for me in front of the table. He did not wait for me to sit, before setting a glass before me and emptying the first drops of the wine into it.

I finally sat, seeing nowhere else to go.

"Thank you for this lovely meal. And good company." He said, raising his cup. I lifted my own and tapped it against his.

He took up conversation, as his stomach filled and his frostbite healed. I set the wine bottle out of his reach after his words became too blended to understand. Finally it became quiet, our plates cleared and lights dimmed.

"I wonder what my Father is doing now." He said. "Probably talking to rocks still. My leave meant nothing to him, maybe a good riddance, but nothing…" he looked to where he had placed the crown. "I don't know what I am even doing. My first catch is a girl's birthday party crown." He exhaled sharply, and chewed on his lips. "What am I doing, Fran?" He asked, his chocolate eyes wide and red.

I guided him out of his seat, and to his bed.

"At this moment? You are going to sleep." He rolled onto his side, looking away from me, and tucked his hands under his pillow.

It seemed that his earlier behavior was not entirely due to hunger after all.


A/N~ Haha, a lot of people thought it was over after they stole the hoverbike, but alas! No! Character development is not complete, and our poor Ffamran is not yet ready to be called Balthier, and Fran is still...confused to the strange ways of the humes. they have a bit of a ways to go still.

Thanks for reading! happy Thanksgiving!