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[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Characters: Fran, Balthier
Progress: On going
Summary: Fran goes to pick up her partner
Location: Outside Lindblum
Date: March 1804, backdated to when Balthier arrived back in Lindblum
Warnings: Balthier



Fran landed the Strahl on the outskirts of Lindblum, cloaking the airship as she did so, hiding it from view – one of the Strahl’s most useful features, especially in their line of work. She exited the cockpit, collecting her bow before stepping off of the Strahl onto the grassy lands just beyond the Dragon’s Gate.

Despite her neutral expression, she was actually nervous at meeting up with Balthier again. He may not have been gone long in terms of Gaia’s time, but from what she had gathered so far, they had long been separated in Balthier’s time. Would things be awkward? Would they simply be able to pick up their partnership and carry on as ever before? She had butterflies in her stomach as she reached the gate, pausing to await Balthier’s arrival.

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[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Having had to dodge a fair few people, he finally found himself striding towards the Dragon's Gate, a smile brightening his face at the sight of his partner. Damnit, he'd missed her. Even her sarcasm and nagging. Even if she was sometimes his worst enemy, Fran was his best friend and the viera could always work him over regardless of their tiffs that happened on occasion.

Making his way closer, his smile turned to a smirk once he was near her and Balthier tilted his head, giving her the once over.

"Well? For me, it's been a rather long time. Do I not get affection of some form?" And without a response from her, Balthier cupped her face in both hands and kissed her. "Now, have you kept her safe?" He took the cloaking device controller from her and pressed the button, feeling his inner child awaken at the sight of his true love. The Strahl.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

The kiss caught Fran off guard, when really it shouldn't. She knew Balthier enough to know he would do as he wished, when he wished. She folded her arms across her chest once the controller was taken from her, tilting her head to one side, watching Balthier and then the Strahl.

"She is in perfect working order. The one thing she lacks is her captain. She pines for him."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Without a response to his partner, Balthier headed into his airship, his eyes lit up with wonder and a hint of nostalgia. He'd missed this airship far too much and now he was home he was going to make a point of checking over every inch of the craft. It wasn't that he didn't trust Fran, but he trusted himself better when it came to knowing what it was that he wanted and he liked.

He also knew the Strahl better than anyone else and once Fran was on board he cloaked the airship again, heading straight through to the cockpit and sliding into his seat with a fond smile. Starting her up, the purr of the engines brought a smirk out of the smile and he tilted his head to look at his partner. "Well? You've to inform me of exactly what the hell is going on here."

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Fran slid into the co-pilot's seat - a seat she hadn't used since Balthier was arrested and subsequently dissapeared. She crossed her legs at the knee, watching Balthier briefly, before settling back in her seat, letting her eyes drift shut, shutting out everything but the sounds around her for a moment.

"I shall do my best to explain. Though I am not so sure I understand it all myself." She opened her eyes to once more turn her attention to Balthier, as she began to explain their Gaian journey so far - arriving together, the time jump, Balthier and Selphie's 'Joining', the stone creatures, Memoria, Vayne's death, Balthier's arrest, his bridge building with Cid. She left out the details of their own failed attempt at a relationship, however.

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

The explanations were thorough, detailed without being wordy and precise, exactly like Fran would give and it still made about as much sense as a Rozarrian in the Imperial Army. Still, he asked no questions simply because questions didn't make it to his mind yet. He was likely still in a state of shock and if he had questions he'd ask them as they came. Trying to force one now would end up making him say or ask something stupid.

During her explanations, Balthier fired up his airship and took to the skies, absently trying to decide if he knew anywhere they could go. He'd been here before and while bits and pieces of her account brought images to mind he couldn't remember anything particular. After a few moments of silence once she was done and he'd thanked her, Balthier looked towards his partner with a gaze he only showed her. It was childish, something rather filled with concern. "Where do you suggest for a destination? I... am afraid I recall next to nothing."

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

The Viera reached out her hand, touching her fingertips to Balthier's cheek tenderly for the briefest of moments, before drawing her hand away. "It is best that we flee Lindblum and avoid any of the major towns and cities until the want for your head upon a spiked pole passes."

She once more leaned back in her seat. "Mayhap we could pay your father a visit, if you are ready to see him? Otherwise, mayhap we should choose somewhere quiet, where we shall remain undisturbed. Just the two of us, perhaps?"

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

The touch was so strangely out of place and Balthier would've been rather confused by it if she hadn't claimed they'd been here together and he'd gone missing. He wasn't so certain he believed everyone else that had said it but his trust in his partner was unwavering and she deserved his word. He trusted her, therefore he had indeed been to this world before-- he simply couldn't remember when or how.

Quirking an eyebrow at the suggestion of a visit with Cid, Balthier didn't bother responding to her. He'd sooner gouge his own eyes out with a rusty spoon but she claimed he had a relationship of substantial importance with Cid now. Perhaps he'd look into it at a later date. Instead, he simply coded in the directions to the nearest small settlement and began to fly.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Fran pushed herself to her feet once the Strahl was comfortably on track. A sadness lingered in her eyes, but she had no plans to mention it. Instead, she rested a hand on the back of Balthier's seat. "I shall leave you to reacquaint yourself with your lady."

She turned and started to walk towards the door. "Call me if you need me."