{ 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!]

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[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Like saving the world instead of destroying it suited me better.

[She tips her head back and swallows the rest of her wine at once. It's a fair amount of wine, to be sure.]

So, what's next on the agenda? Planning on kicking me out any time soon?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Well, I thought I might tie you up, toss you into the back of the Strahl, do away with all this polite business and issue a letter of ransom to your friends in Figaro, but then I decided that might not be the best idea if I planned to keep my internal organs in fact.

The evening is yours. We stay as long as you wish to stay, depart when you wish to return home.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She raises her eyebrows at that and manages an incredulous laugh.] You're quite right about that. Your organs and limbs should thank you for that. I wasn't a general just for show, you know.

[But she's honestly smiling now and nods at his words. The evening progresses nicely until they've both decided enough is enough and it's time to head back to the airship.]

Thank you, by the way. This was... nice.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

I assumed not. Empires don't exactly hand out such titles as party favors.

[He smirked; the atmosphere was far lighter than it had been when they had first departed, for which he was glad. That was, after all, the point of this excursion. However, if they wanted to reach Figaro before dawn, they would have to get moving before long. He held the hatch open for her once they had reached the ship, closing it securing behind him once he himself had boarded, and made his way towards the cockpit.]

There's no need to thank me. [He smiles.] I thought you could use the distraction. I'm glad it was enjoyable for you. It was quite pleasant for me, as well.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She makes her way to the second seat and sits down again, marveling once more at the beauty of this thing.]

How odd. You were right.

[On which count, she's not going to say right away.]

Let's just hope Edgar didn't need me. If he finds out, he'll tease me into the ungodly hours of the morning.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He offers her a knowing smile as the ship lifts off; he supposes he'll get the same brand of teasing from Basch at the very least, if not Fran and Noah as well.]

Well. If he asks, you can tell him you were out for a walk and some much-needed air, rather than being whisked away by an incredibly dashing sky pirate.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She snorts in amusement.]

Somehow I don't think he'll believe me, but I'll keep that in mind for the future. Minus the dashing part.

[Because seriously? Vocabulary. Her lips are twitching again. She is amused.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He raises a brow in challenge.]

Oh? Do you have a better descriptor in mind?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Infuriating comes to mind.

[And that is a teasing smirk being thrown his way.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He laughs.] At least allow me some dignity and use 'insufferable.'

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Now why would I do that? Seems too easy for you.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

And we cannot have that, can we?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head and her smile fades a little bit. They've been honest all night. He's been nothing but kind to put up with her. The least she can do is offer the same in return.]

His name was Locke. I've... lost count of how long it's been since he left. A month? Maybe more.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[And there it was. She had mentioned him earlier, if only very briefly, and had passed over the nature of their relationship, but this confirmed his suspicions. No wonder the woman had seemed to radiate heartbreak. Uncharacteristically somber, he nodded once, sparing her a brief glance before turning his gaze forwards again as the ship dipped to glide beneath the clouds.]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's a terrible thing, to feel so deeply for someone and then just... have them pulled beyond your grasp. [He frowns.] Gaia is a world of second chances, but also very cruel in that it keeps many from their loved ones.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

He's better off at home than here. He can kick Kefka for me.

[She's not looking at Balthier now, staring resolutely out at the sky and whatever landmasses they're passing over.]

It's better now... than it was. It's that funny thing they call healing. [That's right, Celes; brush it off.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he'll be glad to do it twice for you.

[He glances her way a second time, noting that she has directed her attention to the view. He cannot fault her; the view is one of the main reasons he so loves the sky.]

They do say time heals all wounds. I'm still waiting to find if it can ever relieve the sting completely. At least he did not go of his own accord.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[That gets her to glance his way. Was he... did they share something else?]

I'm sorry... [A soft sigh as she turns back to the view.] No. It wasn't his choice. But at least if he's home, I know Garland can't touch him.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

My thanks. Out of one frying pan and into another, then. At least we now know that you are all successful in your homeworld. He'll be safe. [He knows that doesn't make it hurt less, but Celes has the right way of thinking -- focus on what's good, lest bitterness eat you alive. Now it's his turn for a pause.]

I wonder if not seeing them at all... hurts more than seeing them most every day.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

He's not stupid, either. He'll make it count.

[Another glance and a small frown.] I don't know. Sounds like we should compare notes on that sometime.

[Horrible joke, but... what else can she say?]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Another pause as he considers how to proceed, frowning. He's never spoken of it plainly to anyone. Not to Fran, not to Penelo, not to the Captain, not even to the girl in question. They had discussed it in their own roundabout way, where everything that needed to be said was kept between the lines. Basch knew. Perhaps voicing it for once would help.]

... it was a shock, to come to Gaia and find the Lady Ashe reunited with Lord Rasler. He's been dead two years in Ivalice. ... I felt guilt, when he left Gaia several months ago. As though some part of me had wished for it without my permission. In truth, I wish him no ill. With him, she is happy, and that means more to me than I can say.

A princess and a pirate would have been a poor match, anyway. [At last, he may be starting to believe it.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She appreciates his honesty. Rarely does she get so honest with anyone, let alone expect it in return. For a moment, she doesn't quite know how to respond.]

That won't stop it from hurting. But at least... she is happy. She is strong, a good friend. She deserves such happiness.

[Another pause as she figures out what to say. This comfort thing is not her thing at all.]

And so do even the pirates of the worlds. I... ["Hope it gets easier."]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He offers her a smile of thanks in return -- quite genuine, if weary.]

It's been... better, since he returned to Gaia a second time. Her life is complete once again, and her son has his father. When he had gone, it was difficult, watching her suffer and being truly unable to do anything to ease her pain. But I am truly happy for them. I hope Gaia will be kind to them in the future.

[He glances her way.]

Even the pirates? Perhaps we do.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Most everyone does, oddly enough. At least, that's what the Returners at home and the people here in Gaia have taught me. A lesson that took... about three years or so to learn, but I think I've managed it.

[That might be a small, teasing smile she's offering to him.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[He can't help but chuckle at her tongue-in-cheek assessment.]

Imagine that. Most everyone, you think? I'm quite tempted to agree.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

That puts our agreement factor up a notch. We should be careful, or we might not have a reason to argue in the future.

[Not that... she will honestly complain. When did she get so comfortable with him?]