{ 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

[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.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

I've seen most of this world by now.

[Most of it. Not all of it.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Would you humor me if I asked?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Asked what? Where I've been? That'd be a long recount.

[Sure, go ahead. It's not like she has anything else to do.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He laughs again.] If I asked you to act surprised, pet. No matter. We're almost there.

[And, after a considerably brief stretch of time, they near their destination. The Strahl touches down on one of the many islands of the Skysea, anchoring just outside Port Marilith, and once the engine has been silenced, Balthier rises to his feet and offers her his arm, though he doesn't expect her to take it.]

Shall we?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Maybe. I might be convinced in that case.

[Okay, yes, she's surprised. He gets points for this choice, that's for sure. When he rises and offers her his arm, she eyes it for a moment and then decides to surprise him by taking it. Her touch is light, the touch of a noblewoman, and she waits for him to lead her.]

I feel like I should be in a dress.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He is, indeed, surprised by this course of action, and for once his expression shows it. It's not often that he's taken by surprise. He lightly lays a hand over her forearm as he leads her towards the door of the ship, removing his hand only to open it with a single push and leading her down the steps.]

No doubt you'd look lovely in one, though it's difficult to imagine any improvement. [He smiles, inclining his head towards the port.] I've only passed by here once, myself, though I hear this place is from my Ivalice. The view is like no other.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't even try to hide the smirk at his surprise. If he can surprise her, it's fair game for her to surprise him. The comment about her looks gets a half-eye roll and half-smirk. She can't rightly decide if she wants to thank him or be annoyed at the obvious flirting.]

Congratulations; you've chosen one of the very few places on Gaia I haven't been. You're right, though. It's lovely. My homeworld doesn't have anything like this.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Should I feel proud, then? [He smirks in reply, pleased.] I thought it might get your mind off-- well. Whatever it is you need relief from, this view should do the trick.