{ Phone Call to Basch }

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Ring ring, Basch! A certain pirate needs to unload on you, just for a few minutes. You don't mind, do you? Of course you don't.]

((Backdated several days.))

Comments

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Does he ever mind? Nope.]

Ah, Balthier. It is good to hear from you.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Captain. I apologize, I've been a bit tied up since your birthday extravaganza. You've been well, I hope?

[The concern is genuine, though he sounds a bit terse.]

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

No need. We've all been a bit busy since then. [Like him going to rescue Lightning and all that.]

Indeed, I have been well. Have you? [Daresay, Basch might sound happy.]

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Of course. Balthier hadn't wanted to interrupt him during that important venture.]

Well enough. There's been an interesting development, however. Had I mentioned much to you about Celes' history?

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Interesting development? That doesn't sound too good.]

No, you have not. Though, by the tone of your voice this does not seem like good news.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Hm. [He makes an effort to withhold a sigh.]

Previously, there was a man from her home world here by the name of Locke. He went home a few months ago; his absence was the cause of much pain. [He pauses.] He has recently returned. It's caused... complications.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[Complications are never a good thing.. especially when he knows how much Balthier cares for Celes.]

How complicated have things become?

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

Well, given the nature of the situation, Celes has made a request for time and space to sort herself out. I can hardly begrudge her that. Perhaps what makes it most difficult is that I find it impossible to dislike this man even on principle. He's not bad.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

[More complicated than he thought. It was an interesting conundrum - he had never thought Balthier to fall so hard for a lady who might actually hate him.]

Yet he interferes with your feelings for Celes. It seems you are being the bigger man, Balthier.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

[Balthier himself withholds a sigh. It's somehow fitting, he feels, that when he finally does allow himself to fall for someone, the situation is as complicated as it can possibly be. Whether familial or romantic, his relationships always prove difficult.]

I'm rather surprised by it myself. Though I don't intend to go down without a fight.

[bearitproudly.livejournal.com]

I would not expect you to. [He'd be quite disappointed if he did, to be honest. The pirate was not one to give up so easily.]

Celes will choose soon enough. [He paused.] Though I have a feeling you might want to persuade her a bit to your side.

[theleadingman.livejournal.com]

A step ahead of you on that one, Captain. After all, pirates don't always play fair.