[Phone call to Balthier]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Pick up Sky Pirate, boy means business!]

Comments

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

[Balthier is totally not in the right situation to be picking up phone calls... he's kind of under an engine... but oh well.]

Something I can do for you, Irvine? [Yeah, a lot of background noise for you, cowboy.]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Barely can hear you]

Everything alright over there Balthier? Sounds like a train is on top of you

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

No, not a train. An airship. [Give him a minute, he's getting out from under the engine... ...and he's out. It's still noisy but not as bad.]

Well then, what is it?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

It's about the job we did.

[A sigh]

I won't get into details about how this is destroying me keeping a secret from my friends and being all dodgy about my leaving empty handed.

Short story, it's time to pay up.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Then we should find a place to rendezvous. Somewhere hopefully inconspicuous. I'd rather we weren't seen together, for obvious reasons.

And as for how the secret is damaging you, I've got much the same issue, especially considering I have a royal princess at my throat.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[A chuckle] Good to see we're in the same sinking boat.

But a place to meet would be a good idea. Any suggestions on the place?

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

I can go wherever, airships are useful things you see, so you decide a convenient place that wouldn't arouse suspicion on your part.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I cannot.

Currently the Garden is heading towards Troia [Hold on he's fiddling with the device] Zan-Zanarkand? If you can find it on map, I say we meet there, far away from my friends. Though it might take me a while to get there.

Plus I'll have to make up another lie

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Zanarkand is fine. I'll be there when you need me to be.

And why must you lie? Are you not a grown man? Simply tell them you are going out and leave it at that.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

You've not dealt with my friends enough have you? They're worse than an inquisition!

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

...I married Selphie, didn't I? [Yes, he will always hold that over your head.]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[A grumble over the line] Don't remind me

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Jealous that I got there first, Irvine?

Believe me, I'd sooner it never happened. She's delightful, but I am certainly not willing to play husband to anyone.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[A chuckle] Never say never Balthier, who knows maybe miss right is just waiting for you to say I do.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Not when I am a single man, Irvine. [Oh. Wait. He never did tell you Fran dumped him, did he? Oops?]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Single?

What about-

...oh...

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

...yes. Well.

It's better we don't discuss that...

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Right, probably it isn't

So...[Awkward moment now]

I'll see you in Zanarkand then?

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

[Awkward moments are NOT fun.]

Yes. This Friday.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I'll be there!

...[Silence]

You take care of yourself, Balthier.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

And you, Irvine.

My apologies for involving you in such dramatics. Had I known it would cause such unrest with your friends... [Yes, that's as close to "I'm sorry" as he's coming.]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about, if anything I could have said no and let you do the job solo. But then what kind of friend would I be.

...I just hope it was worth it.