{ Ten - Phone Call to Celes - Action in Figaro } (Slightly Forwarddated)

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[After escorting Basch and Noah to Narshe and paying Penelo a visit in Lindblum, Balthier has one more order of business to attend to, this time without company. Ring ring, Celes!]

Comments

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Having only just recently gotten back, Celes is cleaning things in her room and scowling about a certain sky pirate. For once, she doesn't check the ID before she answers.]

Celes Chere speaking.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Well, she seems in somewhat better spirits than the last time they met. Balthier supposes that will change the moment she realizes who she's speaking to. Honestly, he's never seen anyone get so bent out of shape over someone being a gentleman before.]

Celes. This is Balthier. Are you engaged at present?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[his suspicions are correct. She almost slams the phone down, but respect for the moogles has her actually not breaking this one.]

Of all the goddess-cursed-

Why do you want to know?

[That'd be a "no."]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier withholds a sigh. As predicted, her ire had been raised simply by the sound of his voice. Well. What an interesting dance this had become. He made certain to keep his own voice calm, even.]

I only wanted to speak with you. Is that so difficult to imagine?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[How is it this idiot manages to get under her skin so easily? She takes a breath.]

I don't know, considering how we've met previously, I'd think simple conversation would be beyond us.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

You say that as though our previous meetings were nothing short of dreadful. Personally, I found our first conversation to be pleasant enough, the encounter with the Spherimorph to be painless aside from the creature itself, and your assistance and experience quite welcome in Alexandria. Perhaps I've rung for the wrong Celes Chere?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Speak for yourself, Balthier.]

You talk like you know me.

[At least she isn't pretending that she knows him.]

Our first conversation was fine. I'll give you that.

[The rest of it is a case of "he needs to figure out when she doesn't want his help."]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Sigh. So negative, Celes.]

I confess, I don't know you. That's part of the trouble. I find you absolutely puzzling. My very existence seems to offend every fiber of your being, and I cannot stop wondering over just what I could have done to slight you so terribly.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She pauses for a minute, walking towards the window. When she answers, she sounds genuinely curious, not sarcastic at all.]

That's really bothering you?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

A bit, yes. I apologize if I offended you in some way, Celes. That was certainly never my intention. I rather like to think of myself as a gentleman, and I certainly have nothing less than respect for you.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Damnit, she'd honestly rather just be annoyed with him forever. This back and forth with her feelings is getting stupid.]

What do you propose, then? A sit-down therapy session?

[She... is trying to hold back the snark, honestly trying.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Not quite what I had in mind, though I'm curious as to what I might do to avoid your ire.

A favor, if you will, love. Step out onto your balcony?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Will you-

[Breathe, Celes. Being called something of a pet name is not the end of the world. Just equate this idiot with Edgar and move on.]

What for?

[Even as she does so. Wait a minute... is that what she thinks it is up there?]

What in the world-

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[A distinct thud sounds behind her, the sound of boots hitting the stone tile of the balcony, and all of a sudden there's an arm around her waist from behind, rainbow-colored rings betraying its owner. He is, however, careful not to be invasive as far as inappropriate touch, and far gentler than your average kidnapper even as he grabs the ladder hanging from the ship hovering above them and begins to hoist the pair of them upwards.]

For a bit of a demonstration, if you will. No worries, you'll be back before sunrise, with no harm done.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Okay, not what she was expecting! Despite her training and background, she can't help the slight yelp - which is accompanied by a jab towards her attacker's stomach with her elbow, though she gives that one up once she realizes that Balthier is the only thing keeping her from falling. she may be annoyed with him, but she's not suicidal or stupid.]

What in the name of the Warring Triad is up with you people and kidnapping? Is that some prerequisite for being a man of the air?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

So you have done this before. [His manner remains rather cavalier despite the circumstances, even as he pulls the both of them up into the ship proper and closes the door behind them.]

It's in the job description, I'm afraid. Worry not. I don't intend to harm you in any fashion, or keep you long.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Last time it was intentional.

[She rolls her eyes and pulls away as quickly as she can once they're inside.] So why me? You can't pretend it's just to get to know me. [She turns back to face him then.]

Don't fool yourself. It's not you I'd be worried about.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

No, I confess, it's not just to get to know you. I could do that easily enough with the help of the SkyPhone, should you care to answer in the future. [He puts both hands up to show he means know harm, rings glinting in the glow from the cabin's overhead light. His reasoning had seemed much more sound when he'd been discussing it with Captain fon Ronsenburg, he had to admit.]

I recognized something in you that I had, I admit, been feeling myself not so long ago, and was part of my aforementioned need for distraction. Now, your business is your own, and I will not pry. I know better than most the importance of keeping secrets. But you rather struck me as needing to allow yourself to relax. Perhaps it was the caustic nature of your end of each of your conversations that lead me to believe so, but there you are.

[He gestures broadly.] I offer you a few hours to enjoy the view. Whatever or whomever has done you wrong, forget them for a time.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She listens to him warily, arms folded over her chest. She wants to stay angry with him, wants her barriers to remain up for her own protection and peace of mind, but with every word he says, she finds that she ....can't. So she just turns away and finds the closest window.]

It's hard to forget the world you're living in.

[She tosses the rest of his words around in her head, trying to figure out how to answer.] So, not only can my cold nature not deter you, but you're now comparing us? That's a first. Most people would find it easier to fear me.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

It is. I recall how difficult it can be.

[He almost mirrors her own stance, folding his arms over his vest and curling his fingers over the edge of his sleeve.]

I don't fear much, I suppose. Not even things I rightly should. What sort of leading man would I be if I scared easily, hm? I would take far fewer chances and thus have no interesting tales to tell.

pinning with permission :3

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[He's close enough that she can tell where without looking at him. She listens to his words, muscles tensing.]

You're not afraid of me, then?

[In one swift motion, she turns, balancing her weight with the ease and agility of someone who's been trained to be a fighter for her whole life. Reaching out, she keeps her weight centered as she pins Balthier against the wall. One hand pins his arm back while her other presses her lower arm against his throat. She's not doing it enough to actually hurt him, but she definitely knows how to make it uncomfortable for him. Meanwhile, her weight is still back and centered on her left leg; her right knee is in a position to make his life not very pleasant should he try to retaliate.]

Maybe you should be.

[She holds the position for half a minute, looking him straight in the eye so he can see her cold expression, before she releases her hold and turns away to walk a little further into the ship.]

Tell me, have you ever killed anyone?

[It's a question that probably seems to come out of nowhere, but she has a point if he'll listen.]

*fans self*

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[His back ends up pressed against the cool steel of the wall, and though his expression shifts slightly, his lips set into a thin, hard line, he remains calm throughout her demonstration. It's largely painless, if uncomfortable, but he still feels some degree of relief when she eases up on his windpipe. Though not concerned that she might actually make an example of him, he doesn't say as much. Clearly, the lady would like to prove a point. Once free, he straightens and brushes his hands off against each other, tugging at his shirtcuffs to straighten them.]

I have. More times than I care to count. Sometimes personal, sometimes not. [His tone is casual, cavalier, despite the fact that her question immediately brings Dr. Cid to mind. A painful memory, at best.]

I'm not surprised to hear that you have, as well, if that's where this is leading. Just because I don't fear you doesn't mean I don't believe you're a woman to be feared. I've seen enough evidence to the contrary. A man would have to be off his rocker to cross you intentionally, love.

:P XD

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[It's fortunate for him that he doesn't try to test her. She's in no mood to deal with it.]

Somehow I doubt someone like you would ever consider murdering someone in cold blood.

[Well, he's got half of her point right.]

Sounds like you could use a new rocker, in that case. [She sighs and finally turns back to him, arms back across her chest.] Fine. What is it you want to know about me?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He raises a brow at her.]

I wouldn't be so certain. Just as I don't truly know you, you do not yet know me.

[Her remark about his questionable sanity is enough to get him to laugh, though he makes an attempt to smother it. He ends up smirking, instead.]

This certainly wouldn't be the first time I've done something that's called my sanity into question. [He looks pleased as she turns to face him. Progress.]

I was being truthful before. I won't pry as to the reasoning, but it's clear that things have been difficult for you. [He's unsure of using the word, but he recognizes heartache when he sees it. He's been dealing with the same, concerning a couple of different sources, himself.] I am fortunate enough to have wings I might use when I need to clear my head. ... as I thought we might become friends, I wanted to offer you the same courtesy.

[He turns towards the helm, looking back to offer her a wink over his shoulder.]

And I must be honest. It's not every day I meet a woman who finds me infuriating rather than charming. It's given me something to think about. [It's maddening, quite frankly, for all his efforts to be friendly.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She inclines her head in acceptance of that.] True.

[She doesn't follow him right away, too busy tossing his words around in her head again. He's making no sense. Why spend the time to get to know someone who finds you infuriating, especially if you barely know each other? Isn't that the time to leave one to one's own?]

Why are you so interested in someone you barely know? [She pauses before finally following him to the helm.] You remind me of Edgar. His charms don't get very far with me, either. [Then again, he isn't usually truly flirting with her. He just wants to get a rise out of her.]