[Thread; Closed]

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Characters: Penelo and Balthier (open to Fran if she wants)
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Balthier catches up to Penelo in Alexandria.
Location: Alexandria
Date: January, 1804
Warnings: Balthier?

There was something bittersweet about Penelo's return to Alexandria. It did not lie in the wintery chill outside, but the one that ate away at her inside. First that horrible fight with Larsa, and then Vaan vanished entirely. It was nearly all too much to bear, but she'd already spent her tears last night, after leaving Ashe and little Shain. Deep down, she knew she just needed to be strong, and she could get through this too. Losing people she cared about was becoming a regularity in her life; a fact she would have to just deal with. She thrust her chin up in the air, physically willing herself to buck up and move on. There was nothing else to do but move on.

She paused by the flower seller in the main square. The woman had been so kind to share her business space with Penelo for the sake of her cafe. When asked if she was going to reopen it, Penelo's answer was vague. While she had the opportunity to begin anew, her heart just wasn't in it. Truthfully, she felt as if she'd been set adrift, with nothing to guide her to solid ground.

Feeling bad for the woman, whose business was sparse from the chill, Penelo bought a single bloom of a red flower she did not recognize, and walked away, nose inhaling deeply of the sweet fragrance. It reminded her of promises of visiting gardens someday, which made her face fall, as well as another slow trickling tear. Why was it that she was always left to pick up the pieces on her own?

Comments

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Having visited Ashelia and her husband to congratulate them on the newborn, Balthier had taken the time to re-explore Alexandria and stock up on whatever supplies were needed aboard the Decadance. Things were going generally well as of late. Despite his aprehensions towards the relationship turn he and Fran were undergoing. He was aware of his feelings but the very idea of monogomy and the such sent a horrible chill down his spine.

Although, the very fact that all he wore on this day was his leather pants and a white shirt could've caused the cold feeling.

Gloved hands adjusted the gun holster about his torso and Balthier glanced over what supplies he'd gotten. They seemed good enough. Attaching the pouch to his belt, the pirate continued his walk, spying Penelo. Tempted to call out to her, he held himself back as he noted the tear upon her face.

Now that just wouldn't do. Striding closer, Balthier took his place in front of her, lifting her chin gently and brushing away the tear with his thumb as he spoke, "Whatever has happened to cause tears from someone so graceful?"

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Balthier's appearance before her, took her by surprise, but not nearly as much as his question. Why was she crying again? Jealous of Ashe? Hurt by Larsa? Missing Vaan? Suffering without a clue who she was or what she should do anymore? All of them really.

In response, she put up a valiant effort to smile. Despite his reputation, Balthier really was a soft touch, on occasion. But all she managed was half a smile, which then caused her bottom lip to tremble as she fought off crying more. It was silly and unhelpful to be this emotional over something she couldn't put words to.

"I don't know what to do," she finally admitted, too ashamed to even look at him.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

The attempt at a smile caused a frown to find its place on his brow. Now she clearly wasn't okay, considering how her lower lip quivered. She was on the verge of crying outright and, well... he didn't deal well with crying women, regardless of how many he'd suffered.

"I will tell you what you do. You shall come with me to the inn and you will explain what in the world has caused this." He didn't sound all to impressed and, if he found out someone in particular had upset her, he'd deal with it.

Whilst he sincerely found the girl attractive, Balthier saw her more like a younger sister, as he did with Mjrn, and no one was allowed to harm his sisters. Any older brother would do the same and whilst Penelo didn't have hers, he'd have to fill in.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo consented to Balthier's direction, without arguing. Unusual for her to take things quite so meekly, but sure enough, she followed him to the inn, grateful beyond belief for the respite from the cold. A desert dweller had no business living in a place that experienced true winter.

What she didn't do is wait until they were well indoors, or even settled to talk. "Vaan's gone," she offered by way of explanation. Not that it nearly covered the full spectrum of what was troubling her. But it certainly felt like the final pebble that broke the chocobo's back.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"I'd noticed. His presence is usually rather an imposing one," he murmured, opening the door of the inn for her as they arrived, a frown settled on his brow. As much as he hated to admit it, Balthier rather adored Vaan and missed his puppy-like behaviour.

Once they were inside, Balthier ordered an ale and 'whatever the lady wants' from a barmaid before pulling out a chair for Penelo at the table furthest from the door. He believed they needed privacy for this, especially if she was going to cry. He didn't handle that at the best of times. Crying in public would be a new level of difficult.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Drinking wasn't a habit that Penelo had taken to. Yet another sign that she was not as cut out for the sky pirate's life as some others in her acquaintance. Her request for something warm drew an amused and disbelieving look from the barmaid. Normally it would have riled the girl into some sort of retort, but she barely noticed.

Seldom did she sink into self-pity, nor was Penelo precisely to that point, but Balthier had asked, and out of some strange compulsion, she felt the need to ask, "When am I going to stop losing people I care about?"

She felt low. As low as she had when Vaan and the others had fought Velis, when he'd turned into nothing more than a monster.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"Warm? Good heavens, and you call yourself a sky pirate," he teased, after seating himself across from her, crossing his arms atop the table.

Her question caused a frown and Balthier sighed gently. "I'm afraid that's a question I cannot answer; I've asked it myself quite a few times." He'd lost his older brothers and his mother; he'd shot his own father and whilst that man was now in Ivalice and they were attempting to repair their crumbling ties, he couldn't tell her that.

Reaching across the table, Balthier clasped a gloved hand over hers, squeezing slightly. "You've still got Ashe, Basch, Fran and I. And Larsa, though I wonder as to where your little lost puppy is today."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"That's part of the problem," she sighed, even while taking comfort in Balthier's hands holding hers. "I called myself one for the first time. And Larsa, he..."

How to even explain what was said? It went from a small swirl of wind to a raging sandstorm in a matter of moments. The things he said were so awful. Even as mad, and hurt as she was, she couldn't betray him by telling everything. There was just too much.

"We're just too different. And he was pretty final."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"There is nothing wrong with calling yourself what you are. You're a sky pirate, regardless of whether you have your partner or wings."

His hazel eyes darkened slightly at the mention of a possible perpetrator for part of Penelo's sadness. "What did Larsa do?" His voice remained as calm as ever but, being a veteran pirate, his thoughts turned instantly to how he would deal with Larsa.

He wasn't going to just let it slide. "Final? About what, exactly? Certainly you're different, but so are Fran and myself."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo bit her lip, and traced a finger around the table. "It was really my fault. I told him I don't trust Gabranth, and from there... we both said some horrible things." If she could, she'd take back the topic, but it was too late for that. Then again, Larsa had called her ill-mannered. Just remembering that was enough to fire her up enough for a spark to light her blue eyes. She did mean what she said about not apologizing for not trusting him.

Her delicate shoulders shrugged, as the irritation fled as quickly as it had flared up. "Final, about us. Our friendship." And whatever it was I thought we were growing. She swallowed hard and looked away. "He doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Balthier's eyes narrowed at her words and he squeezed her hands again. "It is your personal right to distrust, Penelo. If the man hadn't killed Reks and King Raminas, or tortured his own twin, I'd have said you were irrational, but he is rather a cruel being."

He was, however, surprised that Larsa would end things like that. "Your relationship," he corrected absently as the barmaid brought their drinks. Taking a long swig from his own, Balthier sighed heavily. "The boy is a pure fool if he would do such a thing."

A fool for now he would answer to Balthier.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

She had the good graces to blush, quite a lot, at the correction, and she nodded slowly. The arrival of the drinks provided Penelo with a much needed distraction, and she cradled the warm cup in her hands, making a study of its milky contents.

Finally, she pried her gaze away from the cup and managed a weak smile. "It's okay though. I can take care of myself. Once I figure out what I'm going to do." A small sip of the milk went down, sweetened with honey, and little hints of vanilla. "I think the problem's with me. I never really thought of myself as a sky pirate until I got mad at Larsa, just Vaan's friend or Vaan's partner. So now I'm not even sure what I am."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Balthier pondered for a moment and then, without permission, as it was his damn airship, he spoke; "You are always welcome aboard my airship. She's a far cry from the Strahl but pleasant, nonetheless."

Emptying his glass in one swift swallow, Balthier set the thing aside and rested back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest in rather a relaxed manner, despite his contemplations of ill-mannered intent towards Larsa. He indeed planned to sort the boy out for harming her like this. He was angry, yes, but at least it hadn't been more severe. It was never good to make Balthier an angry man.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Balthier," she answered him with a tiny smile. It was in its own way declining the offer, but it made her feel better to know that she could ask if there were a need. She still hadn't quite gotten over her fear of flying. "I think I better stick to the ground while I can."

Since Balthier had sunk into silence, she too took a moment to consider what to do next, while slowly savoring her own drink. "I enjoyed watching the kids for the day in Lindblum, and Burmecia is overrun with children right now. I might go there." The rain was eternal, but she could make herself useful that way.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"As you wish. Just understand that the offer will always stand. Just call on me." He returned her smile, his hands tucked away under his arms as they crossed tight against his chest. He would indeed fly from wherever he was to pick her up if the need came. She was a dear friend and much like the nearest thing to family he had.

Hearing of her plans, Balthier wrinkled his nose at the idea. "And suffer all the rain? I would never have taken a desert child like you to be fond of it, but I suppose your motherly instincts have taken over, hm?" Okay, so perhaps he was teasing a little now but he felt she needed cheering up.