[Action - Contemplations of a stark raving Cowboy]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Late Night, March 4th - Galbadia Garden]

[Irvine is unable to sleep, what with the guilt weighing in over his head. Decides to talk a walk into the Main Lobby]

Damn it Balthier...Damn it! Damn it Damn it Damn it!

[Same thought repeats in his head over and over again, completely clueless to the world around him, walking and pacing around the entrance.]

Comments

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Snaps back to reality, looks at Selphie]

Selphie?

[Looks at her stuff in her hand] Late night snack? I don't think Quistis would like that.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I can't sleep. Too much on my mind. Which is a first.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I can with you. [Shaking his head] Damn it!

[A sigh, sitting down somewhere]I just feel...like I need to do something.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[He wants to tell her. Dear Hyne he wants to tell her! But he knows he can't. Waves his hand]

I doubt it. I mean it's not that I don't trust you, it' just...[rubs eyes] I don't know, just seems if I tell you, you'll hate me forever. And I can't and won't have that.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I'm hurt by that Selphie, why would I go down to second best, when I have the best girl in the world beside me?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Gah! The smile the words, he can't take it anymore!]

Selphie...[He just breaks down] I feel guilty, Balthier is in jail and...and I know I should be in jail with him.

[Face is in his palms]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[He might as well, he does trust her] Selphie...

[Turns to her and hold her hand] You have to promise me though, promise you can't tell anyone...[Head lowers] that is if you can still stomach me.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Lets go of her hand, head lowered looking to the floor, voice low and very guilty]

Balthier was arrested for assassinating Vanye alone. That's only half true. Balthier had help from an expert sharpshooter.

[A heavy sigh] Someone with SeeD training. [Head in his palms]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Shakes head] I don't know, maybe I felt like he needed the help, maybe I felt like I owed him...whatever the reason...I helped.

...[Silence]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

It was outside of all SeeD contracts, the only ones who know are me, Balthier...[Looks at her] And you now.

I'm not asking you to keep a secret for me, I just felt like you deserved the truth. If anything else.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Nods] And I did get paid...but Quistis...[That was another horrible thing to think about]

It doesn't matter, whatever happens happens. And if that means I end up in prison like Balthier or worse, then I deserve it.

[Looks away] I guess you kinda hate me now, huh?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Problem is I killed a man outside the SeeD contract, and I know if I asked Squall, he would have straight up said no.

I've got myself into a big mess. What's worse is the fact that I might bring the Garden down and the SeeD for my actions.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Balthier said to not worry, he has a plan to get out.

[Looks away, doesn't want to answer the second question]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Quistis...might know...

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

She followed me when you guys went to go pick up Sis.

I'm trying to make her think something else, but...well you know Quistis isn't the type to be fooled easy.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and I kno-

[Blinks, hears the tickling part] Wait what?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I...[He grins shaking his head]

I don't...I don't what I did to deserve someone as good as you.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Hugs her back tightly]

Love you too.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[Having just completed a late night workout in the gym, Quistis began to make her way back to her dorm, but ceased her walking when she spotted Irvine from afar. She hadn't had a chance to speak with him since before Balthier's party, and she could tell that he had something on his mind-- she had a feeling she knew exactly what he was thinking about. Slowly she approached him, the sound of her footsteps alerting him of her presence.]

Irvine.

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Froze at the footsteps, spine quivered at the voice] ...Quistis... [Looks at her] What's up?

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[She crosses her arms.]

Just finished a session in the gym.

... Are you alright?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Shrugs] Can't sleep, had a lot on my mind.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Do you want to talk about it?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I can Quistis. Especially with you.

No offense.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[She sighs.]

It's about Balthier, isn't it?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Just a nod]

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause. She looks away for a moment, before turning to face Irvine again.]

So it's true, then?

[She doesn't sound angry- instead, her voice is quiet, almost defeated.]

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

[Heart skips a little] Wh-What do you mean? What's true?

[He thinks she knows he did something, but he wants confirmation.]

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

[She perks an eyebrow at his rather jittery response. She has her suspicions, but she eases into the conversation slowly.]

That Balthier is responsible?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Why do you think he's responsible? Sure Balthier isn't the role model of the year, but you honestly think he's capable of murder?

[All in a soft tone, but stern]

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

I'll admit, I'm not familiar with Balthier. But the guards wouldn't arrest him if they didn't have reason to suspect him, no?

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

What if he was set up by someone?

[Looks away] I don't know...