[thread; closed]

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Characters: Balthier, Fran and Al-Cid
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Al-Cid needs a ride
Location: Wutai
Date: January, 1804
Warnings: Too much sparkle in one place?


He couldn't say he was amused with Fran for simply making an accord with Al-Cid to pick him up without clearing it with him first (he was the Captain and the pilot, after all) but Balthier had complied with her word and taken wing to the sky, set for Wutai.

The trip had been long but Balthier was quite accustomed to flying for extensive periods without much of a break. As the aircraft landed in Wutai, Balthier scanned the area, seeing all the damage that had been caused by Kefka. It was becoming tedious to see such damage and he was getting rather tired of even hearing his name. Everything seemed to be about this pathetic little clown. Although, he was glad that the lack of his presence meant Dr. Cid wouldn't be getting into a battle anytime soon.

Killing the engines, Balthier looked to Fran. "Let's find the Rozarrian and leave before that damnable fool tries my patience. And I do not mean Kefka."

Comments

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Fran had quite expected to make this trip alone. It was never a wise idea to have a Rozzarian and an Archardian, both with egos as big as a country in the same place for long. Yet, she couldn't simply leave Al-Cid stranded, especially since she had give him her word.

Rising from her seat, she grabbed her bow and made for the exit. "Please try to be on your best behaviour," giving him a look that practically begged him not to cause any trouble.

She stepped off the airship, glancing around at the damage, giving a low whistle. "The clown certainly doesn't do anything by halves..."

[suavesunglasses.livejournal.com]

It was entirely possible that Al-Cid was a bit too inwardly gleeful about Fran's agreement without bothering to check with Balthier first, but that was shoved aside in favor of helping the people of Wutai. While he had been hasty to leave on account of Vayne's presence, Al-Cid had managed to form a nice relationship with several of the people of Wutai. They had sheltered him during the attack, and he could now be found speaking with one of the children, kneeling down to get close to the little girl's level.

The airship's arrival hadn't gone unnoticed, of course, and at the approach of Balthier and Fran, Al-Cid stood. Patting the child on the head and murmuring something to her, she ran off and Al-Cid turned and began to walk toward the sky pirates. He was in rougher shape than usual (there were a few lines of ash across his face and on his clothes), but still looked rather good, all things considered.

"And yet the damages are better than they could have been. There are survivors, for one thing." Smiling grimly, Al-Cid dusted off his hands. "I would greet you both properly, but I am afraid I am... a bit of a mess."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Balthier quirked an eyebrow at the state of the place but, mostly, at the state of the prince. "Perhaps you should make use of the facilities aboard my airship." While his words sounded kind enough, his tone stated he was simply unimpressed and the pirate swiftly turned to return to the airship.

Al-Cid was the entire opposite of him, yet they were frighteningly similar at times. Both charming, both a hit with any and all women, both so sure of themselves yet they were from entirely different nations and ones that were forever warring. Regardless of his lifestyle, Balthier was brought up a typical Archadian and, at times, it became difficult to kill all of his old habits.

Returning to the Decadance, Balthier jogged up the steps, expecting Fran would lead the prince aboard and, once they were all present, he looked Al-Cid over. "Fran will show you where you may clean up. If you've something to say, I'll be in the cockpit." That said he turned to make for his Captain's seat.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Fran rolled her eyes at Balthier's attitude. She loved the man dearly, but there were times when he simply drove her crazy, and not in the good ways. Would it hurt him to play nice for a short time, really? Couldn't he simply play at being nice for the sake of one journey?

She rested the flat of her palm against Al-Cid's arm lightly, giving him a nod. "Come. I shall show you to the bathroom." She looked him over, leaning to wipe a smudge of ash from his cheek. "Are you injured at all? My magicks are limited here... but I could fix you..."

[suavesunglasses.livejournal.com]

As far as Al-Cid was concerned, Balthier could go jump down Cúchulainn's throat. While normally he would welcome the banter between them, he simply wasn't in the mood now. Being unable to do anything while a madman slaughtered innocent people and set fire to their town... All he had been able to do was help afterward, and while he was a bit of a mess because of it, he did not regret it. If Balthier couldn't handle that, then the Archadian in him was perhaps stronger than the pirate fully realized.

That said, it was Balthier's ship, and so Al-Cid simply ignored him and turned to Fran. "No, I am fine; just covered in ashes. I thank you, though, for your concern... and for your aid."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Dealing with the controls of the airship, Balthier gave a deep sigh at the gauge that informed him fuel was low. Glorious! Now he had to go and shovel coal into the roaring, hot engine.

Shifting to his feet, Balthier passed Al-Cid and Fran, offering the prince a polite nod, heading right for the engine room. "This airship tries my patience, Fran. Perhaps we could find a better mode of power...?" His suggestion was made just before he vanished inside the engine room, leaving the door open to let some air into the stifling heat.

It was rediculous how hot it got in there.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

At Balthier's words, Fran gave the slightest of chuckles. She knew Balthier would never be happy with any airship other than the Strahl, but he was right, these primitive models were far more hassle than they were worth.

Turning her attention back to Al-Cid, Fran gave another smile. "Please, make yourself at home. I had best help Balthier less he complains about the heat for the rest of the day."

[suavesunglasses.livejournal.com]

Nodding to Balthier, Al-Cid chuckled a bit before looking back to Fran. "I shall leave you to your work. I daresay I, too, have had enough of heat. Thank you once more, Fran."

Gently taking her hand, Al-Cid kissed it once. He wasn't attempting to seduce her or anything of the like, simply expressing his gratitude to a beautiful woman. "I shall attempt to remove myself from the smell of the madman's carnage for now." Turning, he stepped away toward the ship's bathroom, quite ready to get all the ash off of him.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Rolling his eyes both at Fran's words and the actions of Al-Cid, Balthier began work on sorting out the fuel for the airship. He didn't need Fran to help him with anything. He was the one who'd get up in the middle of the night to deal with fuel or sort out anything that could be going wrong. While she was indeed the Strahl's main mechanic (well, Nono was but the two of them worked together), Balthier knew a considerable amount more about this airship.

He spent ages examining the engine. He hated the damn thing, but he knew exactly how it ran.

Putting in more fuel, he sighed heavily. He was exhausted from the flight but knew they had an equally as long a flight back and while Fran was able to fly airships, he was posessive over what was his.

Still, he'd pass it up in seconds for the Strahl.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Fran gave the softest of laughs as Al-Cid kissed her hand. It seemed even one as stoic as her wasn't immune to the man's charm. She turned away and entered the engine room, leaning back against the wall, holding out a clean cloth to Balthier. "How is she running?"

She would never admit it out loud but she did feel rather... unnecessary when it came to the running of this new ship.