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mooglenet_backup[Collecting Penelo had been a brief affair, as the girl could not spare much time away from home now that she had a royal wedding to put together. The rest of the trip to Warjilis had been uneventful, and once they had touched down at the docks, Balthier was the first to alight, reaching for his phone in order to contact Ashe, per her request. He glanced over his shoulder at those assembled as he held the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up.]
The princess mentioned that if we gave her name to the guards, they would already have instructions to show us through. Any volunteers, while I attempt to alert her of our arrival?
The princess mentioned that if we gave her name to the guards, they would already have instructions to show us through. Any volunteers, while I attempt to alert her of our arrival?
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[Action]
Date: 2011-02-09 06:46 pm (UTC)[She inhaled; Delita was yet to make an announcement, and now they had arrived to greet her. The contents of her stomach rose to her throat, knowing the news would have to be broken to her friends. Knowing the pity they would feel for her. Ashe's finger hovered over the button - stayed, while it persistently rang. More likely than not, there would be a knock at the door before her finger chose to act.]
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-09 07:52 pm (UTC)[Penelo stepped away to talk to a local then returned with a small bob of her head.]
It's that way.
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-10 12:16 am (UTC)Thank you, Pen. [He looked in the indicated direction before walking past her, tugging at his shirtcuffs as he went.] She's not answering. I have a bad feeling. Something's amiss.
[It was entirely possible that she was simply too busy to respond, but his instincts rarely failed him, and something in him felt this simply was not the case.]
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-10 01:43 am (UTC)Let us make haste then.
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-10 07:15 pm (UTC)[Finding her hands without strength, the princess struggled to shift one shutter enough to look out over the port, the sunlight offensive to her reddened eyes. And there she saw them in the distance, their characteristic walks unmistakeable. Like a statue she stood, silent and pale, until they grew closer and the shutter was replaced, returning her into darkness.]
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-11 02:48 am (UTC)Her Majesty is expecting us. [He turned his attention back to the guards.] If you would be so kind as to admit us? If she would rather keep to herself, then she's welcome to deny us an audience, but she has been expecting us for some time, and we've traveled no small distance.
[He offered the guard a polite smile as the latter stepped aside and ushered the group in with a sweep of his arm.] My thanks.
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-11 03:12 am (UTC)What's going on?
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-11 03:16 am (UTC)Though he was certainly polite about it, he tried to turn us away, insisting that Ashe was not receiving company. He has no reason to lie that I can see, but perhaps we should prepare to be persuasive, hmm? There's something afoot here. I sense bad news on the horizon.
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-11 11:18 pm (UTC)[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-12 06:53 am (UTC)[He is not going to be part of that. He will not break into Ashe's residence.]
If it is bad news, we should see to her Majesty. I shall not have her alone.
[ action ] sorry!
Date: 2011-02-12 10:08 am (UTC)Gathering what semblance of composure she had, the instruction was passed to allow the party entrance within her residence, and a young servant girl opened the door. Upstairs, Ashelia listened, waited in indecision.]
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-12 06:59 pm (UTC)[They had made it no further than the foyer, having been ushered in by the guards but otherwise left to their own devices. Under normal circumstances, Balthier wouldn't have thought to press onward without being properly received, but he was growing increasingly concerned and impatient, and so when the servant girl Ashe had sent opened the door to step in from the main hall, he spoke out of turn.]
Now see here. We know there's something afoot, and insist upon seeing Her Majesty. I assure you, there will face no consequences for letting us pass, I'll-- [He pauses as the servant girl smiled politely and cut him off with a quick clearing of her throat, his hand paused in mid-air as he had been about to promise to persuade Ashe not to punish her for defying orders.]
"The Lady Ashe has requested that I show you through. This way, please." [She turned and started back into the main hall, beckoning for the assembled group to follow her as she lead them towards the audience chamber.]
[Balthier cleared this throat, straightened his cuffs, and followed without further argument.] Easier than we perhaps thought.
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-13 03:41 am (UTC)I hope she's alright.
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-13 10:20 pm (UTC)[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-14 07:41 pm (UTC)Ashelia looked young - so very young - pale with the exception of her eyes, reddened with grief and sleeplessness. Approaching them, yet keeping back, she could not meet their eyes. Not for the sympathy she would see within.]
Rasler -- [She faltered, took a breath as quietly as possible.] He... he is --
[Attempting to voice her loss proved too much, too brutal a reality and a tear spilled free, streamed down her cheek. She didn't notice it, nor the fingernail welts forming in the back of her hand.]
... He is gone.
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-14 07:57 pm (UTC)And then he remembered. Those were the same eyes that had greeted him when Rasler was brought home the first time. Then words confirmed his suspicions. Basch's eyes closed, his head turning away. Once more he could not prevent Rasler from leaving the world, even though this time was through no fault of his own.]
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-15 04:01 am (UTC)[Penelo knew all too well and too keenly what a horrible situation this was for Ashe. When Edward vanished, it was like the world fell out from under her, not knowing if she'd see him again, or if he'd even remember. Worse still, Rasler vanishing meant he'd returned for nothing more than a grave and it grieved the dancer's heart for her friend.
She rushed over to stand beside Ashe, wanting very much to hug her but knowing better than to do so. Penelo settled on briefly touching the young queen's arm.]
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-15 06:27 am (UTC)A grievous loss for all of us. My deepest condolences, Princess. [He did not venture to say more, not yet. Rasler's return to Ivalice meant his inevitable and tragically premature death. For some, returning home would be a joyous occasion, but not this time.]
It looks, then, as though we came to Warjilis at the perfect time. [Others were free to disagree with him on this point, but if he knew one thing about Ashe, it was that she was incredibly stubborn and very private about her pain. If left alone, that was a tremendously dangerous combination.]
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-16 12:36 am (UTC)[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-16 05:50 pm (UTC)I - I knew the possibility, I -
[Ashelia's weary head lowered in an unconscious attempt at dignity, but her knees began to buckle, forcing her to sink down upon the nearest chair.]
[ action ]
Date: 2011-02-19 06:13 pm (UTC)[He spoke up finally, pushing himself past grief and doubt and guilt. As much as it pained him to see that Rasler was gone, Ashe was the one in more emotional pain than him. He would see to his own grief later. For now, his duty was to see to Ashe.]
Your Majesty... if there is anything we shall do for you...
[Action]
Date: 2011-02-20 09:07 pm (UTC)Absolutely. Though I think it's safe to say Her Majesty would not call on us in this time of grief; so I will rephrase. We'll be around.