Time and Tides Archives

The Strahl shot through the sky with wicked speed, curling and twisting, darting up and rocketing back down. Okay, so maybe he was a little excited to have it back. Having found it in the Port City Warjilis, Balthier was absolutely ecstatic. It wouldn't take away the pain of knowing Penelo's demise but it sure cushioned the blow.

After heading to Wutai to pick up Mjrn, Balthier and the vieran sisters headed for the Shumi Village to collect Vaan and perhaps meet with the eldest of the three viera.

Not that he was happy about the last part.

Balthier had a severe distaste for Jote. And she for him, as far as he could tell from the death stares he got whenever he was within a mile of her. She really was a sour old wench, but he suffered her for Fran's sake.

Darting towards the Village, the Strahl nestled safely and gracefully upon the ground and Balthier was first off to head to find Vaan. He had an extra blanket and warm food had been prepared on-board already. Really, if it was anyone else, he wouldn't have bothered but he had a soft spot for his protege.

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Ever since Mjrn heard Vaan's voice over the sky phone, she was both eager and reluctant to reach his side. She had not thought to see him again, after he had disappeared before her eyes. That he had returned to Gaia was a relief...and yet, the reluctance could not be denied. It was not his fault, but she did not look forward to telling him about the epitaphs, about the loss that weighed so heavily on her heart. He seemed to know nothing...yet, such news would reach him eventually. Better that he hear it from one he knew.

As soon as the airship landed, Mjrn exited with all due haste at Balthier's side. Vaan's state upon arrival worried her, and she would not relax until seeing that he had received aid. Jote was not kind to humes, but at the same time, Mjrn did not believe her sister would be so cruel as to allow Vaan to freeze to death.

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woodguardian.livejournal.com

And indeed Jote was not cruel. She had a heart hardened against Humes, but she would not refuse one who needed help. Not like this and even if he had been rude in days past.

As soon as she heard there was a visitor, she requested to be allowed to see him and though she remained in the shadows at first, once she realized who it was, she quickly made her presence known. She carried another blanket just on the off-chance that the visitor didn't have proper clothes. It appeared she was right on that assumption.

"So... the gods would that we meet again."

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Vaan nearly fell asleep next to the elevator. The place he had been dropped at was some kind of lavish hotel or something. Well, in Vaan's eyes it was lavish. Either way, he took a seat on the cushioned bench, curling up in the blanket and burying his nose in it. His cheeks were rosy from the warmth in the room and the blanket as he warmed up.

He perked up, a bit sleepily, when he heard the elevator land and 'ding!'. He grinned when he saw Balthier and Mjrn walk out of the elevator first. "Balthier! Mjrn!"

He turned when he heard Jote's voice and grinned slightly. "Guess so," he replied, taking the blanket with a nod of thanks.

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Fran followed moments later. It seemed their little party was growing by the day. At least there was more room on board the Strahl. The Decadance barely had enough room for her and Balthier, let alone anyone else.

Upon stepping out of the elevator, Fran's gaze settled upon Vaan, especially on those rosy cheeks. He certainly seemed a lot different now to in his post on the network. Amazing what a little warmth could do for someone.

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A small smile settled on his face at the sight of the boy looking a little better than he had been. Of course, he didn't look in top form yet. Draping the third blanket about the boy, Balthier grasped his shoulder firmly.

"Good to see you, Vaan." Of course, there was Jote, right there, actually being nice to a Hume. Had Hell frozen over?

Nodding politely to her, he kept his smile pleasant. "Jote. A pleasure as always."

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"Vaan!" Mjrn's expression relaxed into a smile and for the moment, she could almost forget what needed to be said. She followed Balthier, looking Vaan over. He certainly seemed to be in better shape than before, to her relief. When she was close enough, Mjrn gave into impulse and hugged Vaan. His earlier loss, and everything that had accumulated since then, threw down any barrier of reserve she might have had.

Pulling back, she nod. "I am glad to see you are in better condition. I had worried...."

The third viera standing nearby did not go unnoticed and Mjrn glanced over to her eldest sister. This was not at all how she imagined her eventual visit would be. There was much to say...but not here, not like this. She smiled for her as well, still glad to see her regardless. "Jote...."

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woodguardian.livejournal.com

Jote noticed the other guests a moment before Vaan said anything. The fact that he seemed so calm about it made her wonder what had gotten into his head, but it wasn't her place right now. For the moment, she stepped back towards the shadows, but she didn't completely disappear into the darkness yet. Her sisters were here and that... other Hume, and Jote was interested in what they would do.

She glanced over at Mjrn and then Balthier as they spoke to her, and nodded once in turn to each of them. "The gods of this world would that we all meet again." Though she didn't outright say anything, a warning glance was spared to Balthier.

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Vaan smiled to Fran when she revealed herself too before clutching the third blanket. He thanked Balthier. He was getting warmer faster now, his nose was even pink. But he was also getting sleepy and tired now. He made a surprised noise when Mjrn suddenly hugged him. "Mjrn..." He mumbled. "'M okay. Really."

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Fran turned her attention to Jote, quirking her eyebrow with a smile. "It seems you mellow towards Humes in your old age." She was teasing of course. And this time anyone would be able to tell that, even someone who didn't know her. "I thank you."

And then her sights were back on Vaan. "Can you walk or shall we carry you back to the Strahl?" Yes, it seemed even Fran was far too excited to have the airship back.

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Balthier caught Jote's look and gave her one back, just as intense. It wasn't that they'd ever start anything with Fran and Mjrn around, but it could happen. They'd already swapped harsh words at Garnet's ball. She disliked him, he disliked her. That was the simple fact of it and it was a silent yet mutual agreement never to fight in front of Jote's sisters.

Balthier reached to ruffle Vaan's hair lightly. "He can walk, of course. It isn't far." Sure, he said that, but if Vaan was too tired, he'd carry the boy. He'd missed their closeness.

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Mjrn pulled back from Vaan, suddenly sheepish. She glanced to her sisters, hoping that the tensions that usually rose between them before long could be spared just this once. After all that had happened, she didn't have the emotional strength to deal with it right now. Fran's thanks relaxed her a bit, though, and she nodded in agreement with that. "Thank you, Jote."

She seemed about to say more to her, but Fran and Balthier refocusing on Vaan reset her priorities also. He may be out of danger, but that weariness did not escape her. "Let us not detain him from further rest." The young viera remained by Vaan, in case he chose to walk but needed support.

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woodguardian.livejournal.com

Jote gave a nod to Mjrn and Fran each, but didn't comment otherwise. Now was not the time. Quietly, she moved back into the shadows, though she wouldn't leave the area until the others had all left as well.

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Vaan rubbed his eyes, trying to be less sleepy till he had a cot beneath him. But it was becoming harder to do with each passing minute. The trek wore him out worse than he thought it did. Which was odd because it wasn't like he wasn't used to the hard work of traveling and the like. But perhaps all the shivering and pushing through the snow was just too much work all at once.

But still, even as he swayed slightly on his feet, he looked for Jote, spotting her just before she disappeared. "Thanks Jote, really."

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Fran smiled warmly at the sight of the exhausted Vaan, quite expecting Balthier to have to carry the boy back to the Strahl. She crossed over to Balthier's side, reaching for his hand, a silent thank you for playing nicely with Jote. Or as nicely as he could play with her.

"Come. Let us get you to the warmth and comfort of the Strahl. There is much to discuss, but rest must come first."

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Frowning at the swaying, Balthier eyed Vaan with caution in his gaze. He didn't like that swaying. Fatigue was likely getting to the boy and Balthier knew the young man had his pride but perhaps it was best he was carried.

"Vaan... would you prefer if I carried you?" By far, he was the strongest of the group and the one not wearing damnably high heeled shoes. He was clearly the best option for Vaan to be carried. Of course, the last time he'd picked Vaan up was to throw the boy off a building and dangle him by his arm from a hover bike...

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Mjrn watched Jote slip back into the shadows, wishing they could have a moment...but it seemed her stay in the village would be delayed yet further, for now. She then turned her attention to Vaan, frowning a bit as she noticed the slight swaying. That caused her to automatically step in close, just in case his ability to stay upright deteriorated.

At Balthier's suggestion, Mjrn nodded as she peered at Vaan. "Your weariness is taking its toll. Perhaps it is best." She didn't want him falling over, after all, and Balthier could aid Vaan better than they, much as she ached to do something for him.

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Vaan found it embarrassing that he would have to be carried but as his eyes grew even heavier, he sleepily realized he had no choice. "Okay," He murmured, but he was smirking slightly. "But don't throw me off a building, please."

He, too, remembered that the last time Balthier carried him, it was to throw him off the palace and onto the hoverbike (and which he horribly missed). He doubted Balthier would do it now, friends just don't do that. But friends do tease and he couldn't help but do so now.

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Fran missed the hoverbike. She missed it a lot. But at the same time, she had the Strahl back and that was much more important to her. The Strahl was... home. Balthier, Mjrn, Jote, the Strahl. They were all here, in Gaia. There was little reason for Fran to desire to return to Ivalice. Penelo, Nono, Basch, they were some of the few reasons.

"Do not worry. No one shall be thrown from a building today. Tomorrow, perhaps, we shall throw you from the Strahl."

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Laughing lightly, Balthier scooped Vaan up, hooking an arm under his legs (wherever they were under the blanket mountain) and another around his back. "I may throw him from a building if he complains."

Giving Vaan that smile that stated he really wouldn't but the possibility was there, he shifted the boy in his grasp and made for the exit, slightly surprised at how the boy wasn't really as heavy as he recalled. Though, that was likely because he had a proper grip on him now, and not just a one armed hold.

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At Vaan's request, Mjrn stared at him questioningly. She couldn't tell if that was random or stemmed from some inner joke, though her sense of humor was severely blunted for the time being, anyway. When Fran and Balthier added to it, she just shook her head and followed them to the exit.

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"No throwing me off anything," Vaan murmured as he was lifted into Balthier's arms. His head dropped immediately to the man's shoulder. Now that he was off his feet and next to something warm, his body demanded sleep now. He managed to mutter one last thing, however. "Thanks guys."

Vaan was dead asleep by the time they were all in the elevator again.

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