Penelo wandered down the halls of the small inn they had decided to stop at. Their journey was ending, she could just tell. Soon, Ashe would be queen and Rabanastre back to the way it was before her parents died.
'And Larsa shall be Emperor... Of the country you hate...' Her mind said in a cool voice.
The young lord had indeed become a close friend of hers over travels. Sure, he would never mean just what Vaan meant to her, but he was a good companion, well above those of his age in intellect and social graces, though Kytes behavior may just be young for his age... Penelo was unsure.
She has wished to speak to Ashe about this, her becoming queen and Larsa Emperor, mind you, not Kytes behavior, though Ashe could perhaps offer insight on that too. Penelo had started to view the soon-to-be queen as a sister, relying on her for advice and insight into things she had questions on as well as just chatting to have fun to pass time on their travels.
"Ashe?" Penelo knocked, waiting for an answer. This stop, it had been Ashe and Balthier's turn for individual rooms, leaving her to share with Fran and Basch with Vaan. She didn't mind that it was usually Fran or Ashe who would get their own rooms, after all they were older and they did have a lot more things than she did. "Are you there?"
Hearing no reply after a minute or so, she left and went to the lounge, hoping to run into the others. They might have seen Ashe or she might be with one of them.
"Pen!" Vaan called with a wave when he spotted her, giving her a grin. "Basch was just going to show me some new battle moves. Maybe you could ask Fran to show you some more magicks and we can practice together?"
She smiled, his enthusiasm catching on. "I would love to, but I need to talk to Ashe first. Have you seen her?"
Basch came over to the two then, not allowing Vaan time to answer. "Are you coming?" He asked Vaan, with a dip of his head towards Penelo in greeting following his words.
"Penelo says she can't find Ashe." Vaan told him quickly, ignoring his question.
Basch's frown deepened. "Are you sure she isn't sleeping?"
Penelo nodded. "I knocked pretty loud, and you know she's a light sleeper… I haven't checked with Fran or Balthier yet though. Maybe she's chatting with one of them somewhere?"
"Perhaps…" Basch trailed off, a little scowl on his face that went undetected by his young companions. "Well, as soon as you find her, let me know. Vaan," he motioned for the boy to follow him.
She crossed her arms as they left, puzzled. She did not think her friend would seek out Fran or Balthier, but they were the only two options left unless Ashe had gone missing which would be a terrible scenario indeed.
"You seem troubled." A voice said from behind, causing Penelo to jump slightly. Turning, she was met with the cool gaze of Fran. "Is something wrong?"
Penelo shook her head. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I can't find Ashe… Have you by chance seen her?"
Fran paused before answering, though it went unnoticed by Penelo. "I have not since this morning. I wish you luck on your search, however." She dipped her head and continued past Penelo towards the bar.
Letting out a sigh, Penelo headed towards Balthier's room, hoping he would have some clue. Otherwise, she knew Basch would fly into a panic, and they'd have to search for Ashe to make sure she was okay and not in danger. She did think it was sweet how Basch looked out for her friend, but she also knew it drove Ashe up the walls with his constant need to watch her every move.
Approaching Balthier's door, Penelo thought she heard noise coming from inside. So, at least she knew where Balthier was and wouldn't have to try and search for him to find Ashe. Though she would never admit it to anyone, she found Balthier rather attractive, though she knew well enough not to let those thoughts get the best of her, after all, he was a few years older than she, and his heart would always belong to the skies. At least, she told herself that, knowing that her feelings for Vaan were much more than what could ever come out of a fling with Balthier.
"Balthier?" Penelo knocked a bit uncertainly on his door. "Are you there?"
She heard a muttered curse and a scurrying sound. She wondered for a moment if he was alright or if something had happened to him during the day. Her mind debated over opening his door to see if he was fine, but before she could do so he did, a smirk on his face as he stood shirtless in the doorway, blocking the view inside. Penelo felt her cheeks heat, and she was sure she was as red as a tomato.
"Hello, Penelo. Was there a reason you stopped by?" He asked, arms crossed as he leaned slightly against the doorframe.
"I... Um, you see, um...I can't find Ashe." The last part came in a nervous rush, and she felt as if she could die from embarrassment, especially since she couldn't seem to break her gaze from his shirtless form. "Basch and I were looking for her and I knocked at her door but she didn't answer and no one has seen her so… Have you?"
Balthier raised an eyebrow. "The princess has vanished, hmm? No, I cannot say I've seen her... However, if I do I'll let her know you're looking for her, okay?" Penelo nodded, tongue tied, and he laughed. "Is there anything else?"
"No... Just Ashe," Penelo said. "So I... I should be going."
Balthier waved and moved so he could close the door. While Penelo did not mean to peek into his room, she could see just the slightest bit of the floor and… Oh gods, was that Ashe's skirt lying on the ground in there?
She remained fixed in place for a few minutes after the door closed, trying to wrap her mind around what she just saw. Ashe had never told her anything was happening between her and Balthier, and she was sure that it would have been mentioned at least once in their conversations but then again, Basch was always around and he would have more than likely disapproved. Plus, her skirt on his bedroom floor was a pretty good indication… And that meant… Oh gods, there go her thoughts down a path she didn't want them to go. She wasn't sure if her face could get anymore red, and she was certain she was going to die of embarrassment for interrupting whatever it was that was happening there.
She quickly scurried away from the room and her way to the lounge. Sitting near the fireplace, she spent quite a few minutes trying to rid herself of that mental image before Vaan, Basch, and Fran all entered.
"You okay, Pen?" Vaan asked as he sat down next to her, concern in his eyes. "You look a little flushed. Maybe you should sit a little farther from the fire…"
"I'm fine, really." She spoke quickly. "You don't need to worry about it."
Vaan looked at her for a while and then shook his head. "Okay, I won't. So, any luck finding Ashe?"
Basch turned towards their conversation then, hoping Penelo had found her.
"No… I couldn't find her."
Basch looked concerned, though he and Fran shared a quick glance.
"Did Balthier offer any clue?" Fran asked her.
"I... Never asked him," Penelo said quickly. "Now if you'll just excuse me I need to get some wat-... Oh! Ashe!"
Penelo was shocked to see Ashe come in from the front door of the hotel, wearing her traveling cloak and a rather loose pair of pants. But…hadn't she just been in Balthier room?
"Penelo," Ashe smiled, seemingly confused by the girls surprise. Ashe turned to Basch and hung her head.
"I'm sorry for vanishing but I needed to pick up some thread." Ashe held out a bag with a bobbin of hot pink thread in it.
"Ah, good! You're back," Balthier smirked, now fully dressed, his eyes shining. He discretely winked at Penelo then waved to the others before sauntering into the room. Penelo was just getting more and more confused. Had he known where Ashe was or had Ashe been with him? "Did you find the same color? I can't finish patching up your skirt otherwise." Balthier held out her skirt, revealing a small hole in it to the others.
"I think it's right." She tossed the thread to him.
"You can sew?" Vaan laughed, though Penelo knew Vaan was only teasing him because he himself could not even stitch up the tiniest seam.
Balthier nodded. "Can't you?"
The two bickered for a few moments while Basch and Ashe stepped out of the lounge. Penelo was now thoroughly confused; having thought Ashe was with Balthier and now knowing she was out shopping…
Ashe entered the room with Basch in tow, a frown on his face. Fran turned to Ashe, raising her brow slightly. "Penelo had been wishing to speak with you."
"Had she?" Ashe turned to Penelo, giving the girl a small smile and a wink like Balthier had done earlier. "I wasn't aware of that. Can we speak after dinner?"
Penelo nodded, still confused about just what she had gotten herself into. Had she been wrong? And why then had Ashe winked at her just now and Balthier winked earlier? Perhaps it was best if she just let it go and didn't try to figure it out.
It wasn't until later that night, well after her and Ashe's talk, that Penelo realized something: The pants Ashe was wearing were the same Balthier had been when he answered the door.