[ action/video ]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

[ There's a man standing who looks rather disoriented and out of place in the business district of Lindblum. He's leaning heavily on what appears to be a staff, and his gauntlet-ed hand is clutching a couple of gyshal pickles which he is eying oddly. He also seems to be either unaware or distinctly ignoring the smell that allowed for the large space around him. Or, that could simply be because he looks to be in pieces. He fiddles with a 'skyphone' device he'd received from the moogles. ]

[ It had been a couple of days since the moogles had found him near-dead. It was rather sad, Noah thought, that the only species he'd done nothing against were the little pompom'd people. Grateful, nonetheless, that they'd helped get him back on his feet, even if he couldn't remember everything that had happened before.]

[The video was zoomed up close on Gabranth's face face, and a small, dark-red spot was coagulating at the right-hand corner of his lip.  He seemed somewhat off, like he was hunched over, unusual in a man who'd always had perfect posture.  He'd taken a bite out of one of the pickles, and after a quick jolt for the kick, a relaxed expression flashed across his face in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment before his expression hardlined again.]

As I am to understand, I've been transported to a world known as 'Gaia'. I seem to have arrived here in Lindblum.

[ His face seemed to twitch a moment, as if the next thought that came to his head is rather revolting. It morphs into a small, self-deprecating smirk. ]

My most sincere apologizes to those among you who are disappointed. It appears that I get rather cheated out of everything, death included.

[ A drop of blood drips down from the corner of his mouth. ]

Comments

[Video]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Noah it is, then. [He'll have to work on nipping his habit of using titles as nicknames in the bud. Balthier chooses to say nothing more of the empire, not wanting to press a subject that is so delicate for the both of them.]

Indeed, or I shall be in short order. Certain events have kept me more or less earthbound since my arrival, but Fran and I will be up to our old tricks again in no time. And what will you do here in Gaia? No need to decide right away, I suppose, but I assume you are rather like your brother in having a desire to feel useful. I can hardly blame him.

[Video] and just FYI, I <3 Firefly

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

What? And I was most certain you could fit the Strahl in your pocket and carry it with you wherever you went.

[It was a joke, an old one, that he was 't even sure Baltheir would remember, from his days as a judge before he'd gone off to be a sky pirate.]

As to what I will be doing, first I'll be resting. As dearly as I wish I could wave my hand and feel fine I'm afraid I don't recover quite so easily. And even if I'd tried, Basch would probably hunt me sown and sit on me until I'd rested enough to be well.

Afterwards I don't rightly know. Probably stay with Larsa, as he has returned, until he decides he needs me no longer.

[He pauses a moment, thinking back.]

Basch has ever needed to be useful. I was that way once, and I still would love to serve, but I've recently been less than pleased with what I've been used for.

[Video] <3!!! I feel everyone should!

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[The joke rings familiar for Balthier, if a bit hazy and far-away. Regardless, it draws a smile from him.] I was quite fortunate to find that Fran already had the Strahl in her care when I arrived. It has mostly been used to ferry our lot to and fro as of late, but as things seem to have calmed, there are foreign ruins and untold treasures in this place that call to me.

[Balthier listens with interest, nodding once to show that he agrees with Noah's decision to rest. Injuries like that are not to be ignored.]

Perhaps... [He pauses, thoughtful.] ... that is the beauty of Gaia. The silver lining, if you will, even if we have been pulled from our rightful places. This world allows a second chance to those of us who wish it, freedom to those who would sever their ties to the past.

[Video] <3!!! Indeed. Though refuse to believe the movie exists. Wash can't die.

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

More freedom, perhaps if less knew that pat, but a new start, regardless the circumstances is not something I plan to take lightly.

It's good to hear that /someone/ is around to keep you in line. And that you still have the faithful girl [the ship]. I never pegged you for a ferryman, though. You seem ill-suited.

[He tilts his head back, relaxed and thoughtful]

You'd be surprised, Balthier. Beauty, however faint it may be, is found where you seek it, even in the darkest of circumstances. [Basch was sick and injured and emaciated in th oubliette, but he was alive, and some days that had been all that kept him going.]

So, tell me, how rich are these treasures that call you with their siren voices? I've never been on a treasure hunt. You'd been up to some daring deeds when you had first started your... 'high-risk trading' business, or so I've heard.

[Maybe he'd heard stories. And maybe he had still been in contact with Zecht. And maybe Vayne hadn't known about it because he was just that damn good. Maybe.]

[Video] *wore Save Wash buttons with her friends to every vieiwing* ;_;

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Ill-suited, indeed. It was only out of necessity, there were things that needed to be tended to much more quickly than public transport would have allowed. My brief stint as ferryman is behind me now, however; piracy suits me much better.

[He smirks.] I cannot be sure until I've seen them with my own eyes, I'm afraid, but it's terribly exciting, have a whole new world available to explore, rich with history and long-forgotten treasure. I regret that there are still corners of Ivalice I had not yet laid my claim on, but perhaps that day will come. Until then, I will make use of the time I have here in Gaia.

[Video] Save Wash buttons? You are one after mine own heart

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

By robbing everyone blind, I'm sure.

[Noah returns the smirk with a grin]

Happy hunting to you, Balthier. I hope I'll get a chance to join you on one of your crazy treasure-hunting adventures a long time from now. Never tried being a sky pirate.

Sure you won't share just one escapade with an old injured idiot?

[Video] :D!

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier gestures widely with his right hand, palm upturned.] I would be happy to have you along whenever you're well enough, Noah. See if you can't talk that brother of yours into having some fun with us, as well.

[Video]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

Glad to have such an enhusiastic invitation. [Noah shames his head.]

You know my brother near as well as I do. I doubt he'd join in, saying it was unseemly or improper or, oh, I don't know, /illegal/ or suchlike. But perhaps with a little plotting and a dual effort... [Noah raises an eyebrow and winks.]

Well, we'll just have to see. I'll think of something.

[Video]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

I have yet to convince him that it's hardly illegal if there is no living person to lay claim to the treasure in question, and I certainly wouldn't take him to procure any items that had a current owner. He'll come around, I'm sure. I've been making great headway in convincing him to have fun once in awhile, I'm fairly certain.

Re: [Video]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

Excellent, you've already planted the seeds in his mind. Now, as much as I'm sure it will pai you to do it, what with your love for flair, you need to take a more subtle and indirect approach. Somehing that 'starts out' harmless but ends up a treasure-hunting expedition. Hmm... But what can we use?

[Noah scrunched his face up in thought. He was in his element now, maybe it wasn't the most 'good' job in the world, but he'd been head of he ninth bureau, and he had been good at it. Scary good at it. Not like Basch had ever stood a chance against his plans, not even when they were children.]

I've got an idea. We could get into some sort of fake argument. A challenge perhaps, that I, being stubborn and
mullish as Basch knows I am, refuse to rest like a good invalid and choose to go gallivanting off with you, which would then obligate Basch to tag along....

[Video/Private]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

You wound me, Noah. I can certainly be subtle if I so choose.

[Balthier smirks again. Playful deceit between brothers might be just the thing to further heal their relationship. It's all in good fun, and with both Basch and Noah already on the right path, perhaps such a game will aid them.]

Simple enough, and plays on his over-protective sensibilities. I'm game.

[Video/Private]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

[Noah notes the change in the video as making it private and follows suite.]

Tell me, Balthier, how soon can you make it to Lindbkum. And would you have any potential sites in mind. Basch is on his way over to take care of me, and if you could either transport him or come up with some ridiculous excuse to see him at the time, I'm sure we could come up with something suitably ridiculous to argue over.

[His smile now is clearly devious plotter, and one couldn't help but have sympathy for the poor child who claimed this man as a brother.]

[Video/Private]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

In rather short order, I suspect. I've none in mind at present, Fran and I need to discuss our next course of action -- I have been an honest man far too long already and must get my hands on something not rightfully mine, but she has been here far longer and knows the lay of the land better than I.

Basch and I are both in Narshe, I could easily bring him to you.

[Video/Private] We could make something awfully fun out of this.

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

[Noah gamely tries not to laugh at the young man. It isn't working particularly well.]

I'm sure making an honest living pains you terribly. You must be nearly as bad off as I am. Poor sky pirate. Bringing him here should serve nicely. Still, having a location pre-planned would be prefferable.

Speaking of the viera, how does Fran [Noah knows well enough not to call /her/ miss unless he wants certain parts of his anatomy missing] fare? I was to understand that their connection to The Wood was strong, even if they were far from it. I hope she is doing all right.

[Video/Private]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Fran fares well, though she longs to take to the skies again. I can't predict how she'll react to your presence, though I feel we both agree that you proved yourself honorable during hour last meeting. You'll see her before long, I'd be at a loss without my mechanic, as you can imagine.

[The pirate smirks.] I'll see you in Lindblum. Simply let me know when you and the Captain have caught up sufficiently and I'll do my best to stage something.

[Video/Private]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

I am glad to hear that she fares well, for her sake, yours, and the rest of the poor population of Gaia who will inevitably have to deal with you at some point in their lives.

[Noah returns the smirk with a devious grin of his own]

I shall alert you immediately when circumstances have arrangedthemsel es in favour of an excursion. [Because, as much as he'd never admit, there is a lot of healing to be done, and not all of it has to do with his physical state.]

[Video/Private]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier is perfectly happy to give the brothers their time alone, knowing all too well how difficult it can be to heal a troubled familial relationship.] Excellent. I'll be on the alert.

[Text/private]

[strays-pride.livejournal.com]

Nearly there. Wait a few minutes until our plans are settled (confirmation from Basch willene the signal) then feel free to 'intrude' upon us with any plans. Linblum's business district, bench on the right-hand side, seven meters from the central piece. You really can't miss us.

~NfR

[Text/private]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Very well. I'll be along momentarily.