{ 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

Did they talk about it? >.>

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[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.

Terra and Celes? yes XD

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

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.

\o/

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

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.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

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.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

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.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[How can he read her so well??]

Not true at all!

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

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

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[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.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

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.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

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

[Her silence on the subject says enough.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles.]

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

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

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...

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[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.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

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

He didn't tell you?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Another laugh, this one sounding rather surprised.] Watch yourself. I might enjoy that.

As a matter of fact, he did not. Though I'm not terribly surprised, we didn't have much time for smalltalk during our first meeting.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[Face, meet palm.] You really are Edgar.

Our first meeting was just like this one right now, only that one was set up. We wanted to lure him out so he would kidnap me so we could have access to an airship. He lost a coin toss and he's been our ally ever since.

[...Leaving out SO MANY details.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

You have to admit, pet, you did walk right into that one.

[He raises a curious brow.] So you are experienced in this kidnapping business. Tell me, how does this kidnapping measure up so far?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Goddesses, did you take lessons from him or something? [And now he can see why Edgar delights in doing this to her.]

I wasn't kidding. It's got the bonus of being a surprise this time. Either way, I'm getting airship access, so I'd say it's about medium-level for now.

[Take the airship somewhere special and she might be tempted to kick it up a notch or so.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

I suppose we're cut from a similar cloth, though I feel I have far better taste.

[He cants his head towards her, the corners of his lips still turned upwards.] You must admit, the view is spectacular. Have you eaten?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

And he would say the same of you.

I suppose I can't deny that. And I did have something earlier, but something tells me, you'd rather I said no.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head.] The night is young. There's something else I'd like to show you, first.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She turns her head to give him a raised eyebrow as the only answer.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He simply smiles in reply.] We'll be there shortly. You'll see.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

You like your secrets, don't you?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Trust me. It would not be quite as breathtaking if I told you.