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

[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.]

[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.

[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?

[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.]

[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.]

He seems to lay it on a little thick. I'm not half so interested in skirt-chasing as he appears to be. [Balthier smiles to himself as he slides into his usual seat, making himself comfortable. He gestures to the vacant seat to his right, usually occupied by his navigator, offering it to her.] Have a seat, if you wish. The view is spectacular.

Quite frankly, I don't take rejection well, even for something so seemingly trite as an offer of friendship. I pride myself on being a good judge of character. I don't make such offers to everyone I meet. [He pauses, smirking. Though her dislike of him has been a nagging, incessant irritation, it's had other effects, too.] Besides. I rather like a woman who can take care of herself.

Appearances can be deceiving. [She hesitates for a minute before finally sitting down in the vacant seat. It is a nice view, she has to admit. And in spite of it all, she's starting to relax a bit. Part of her hates how calm he can make her feel at times.]

I never said I'd reject it. I just wanted to know your reasoning.

You mean you like warrior women? Here I was thinking we were a small group. [That might be a small twitch at her lips... or it might just be his imagination.]

[A-ha. He saw that. He glances her way, clearly amused.]

Few and far between, to be sure. I have nothing but admiration and the utmost respect for a strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. They're very attractive qualities, I must admit.

I don't use the title of "general" much anymore. There was a time I went by nothing else, but here... Gaia is a fresh start. I don't need that following me.

[She glances out of the window to be sure he doesn't see the flash of regret that crosses her face, though he probably can catch it anyway. And then, before she can stop herself:]

How do you do that?

Then leave it behind you. The title isn't what makes you who you are, after all. You don't need it to be considered strong.

[He glances her way a second time.]

Do what?

No. It's only a tiding of fear, after all.

[She fidgets just a little bit. Terra suggested asking.]

One minute you're infuriatingly calm and polite, enough to make me want to smack some sense into you, and the next I find myself relaxing. How do you do it?

[She is so not used to this.]

[He smiles and makes a flippant gesture with his right hand.]

Talent, I suppose.

Truly, I don't know. You're not the first to have asked me such a question. I am as honest as I can allow myself to be. Is my being polite so offensive? Perhaps you relax only because you've realized I mean you no ill.

You still have control of the airship. There's plenty of time for you to change your mind.

[Not that she's inviting him to do so. But she's perfectly aware of the fact that he could.]

Or maybe it's the fact that you're maddeningly difficult to figure out.

Am I? I confess, I've been told that before, too.

I'll do my best to aid you in deciphering, if you like. You, too, are not so easy to read. Quite a feat.

Maddeningly. Stupidly. I could say I'm easier to read now than I was two years ago. [That's Locke's fault. She pauses before turning straight to look through the front.] And the more you try to help, the more confused I'll get. I think I'll just work this one out on my own, thanks.

Very well, then. Best of luck. [He smirks again in reply, facing forward.]

For you, the best I can figure is that my being a gentleman is offensive because you perhaps feel I do not respect you.

[How can he read her so well??]

Not true at all!

No? Then why, I wonder, do you find my manners so distasteful?

[She flounders for a minute, trying to come up with something.]

It's not- You just surprise me. That's all. And the last time somebody not Edgar called me "love," they were trying to seduce me. That didn't end well.

I apologize. Force of habit. You'd hardly be the only one to earn such a nickname; Penelo hears it quite frequently.

[He flashes her a knowing smile.]

However, I still believe my first guess was correct.

I'll just... get used to it. As long as you aren't acting on it.

[Her silence on the subject says enough.]

[He chuckles.]

If you don't mind my asking, what messy end did the last someone who acted on it meet?

The flat side of the general's fist. Of course, this was back in the army and beheading was looked down upon.

[Okay, she might be exaggerating about the last part - she wouldn't have killed the guy - but the fist through his nose part was real. ]

Can't remember if Setzer called me that or not when we first met...

[He laughs again.] I suppose he had that coming. As good a reminder as any to continue minding my manners.

[He raises an eyebrow.]

Setzer? There's a story here to be told, I see.

Or I might turn you over my knee. [That's definitely a smirk.]

He didn't tell you?

pinning with permission :3

*fans self*

:P XD

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Did they talk about it? >.>

Terra and Celes? yes XD

\o/

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fans self