(no subject)

[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Ashe, Snow, Zack and Lightning
What: The l'Cie are in a bind
Where: Rabanastre, Giza Plains and the Binah
When: Morning
Rating: PG-13


Walking around the city in a white dress that, at the front, stopped above her knees, though trailed to the floor at the back, Ashe was trying her damndest to help her city get back on its feet. She'd set Vaan on duty at supervising Lowtown - a Queen couldn't go down there, or so said her advisors - while she walked the streets of Rabanastre, scanning her eyes over every damage, trying to weigh up how much of a financial hit it would be. Dalmasca was still only small. Her knee-high white boots clicked on the cobbled streets and she remained as strong in her silence as possible. It had been a while since the attack but the city still trembled on her knees.

Snow walked along with her in his typical attire, when not dolled up for a function. His boots scuffed with each step, if only because his feet were -huge-, and there was sand underfoot with each step. Every now and again, he'd nudge Ashe and nod to a man, or group of people rebuilding things on their own, "As strong as their weakest link. Too bad for your enemies your weakest link is pretty strong." he murmured the words to Ashelia, smiling, quite proud of her little kingdom. Really, Snow didn't know a lot about ruling, but the people were happy, and while others might overlook it, he saw it for what it meant.

Ashe gave a silent nod and a smile, brushing hair from her eyes. Watching as a few women began trying to lift one of the market stalls in the Muthru Bazaar, Ashe took a few jogging steps closer and helped lifting it up before walking onwards again, her right fist against the center of her torso, the other hand curled over it as she walked, her dress dragging behind her. She was trying to be strong but it was becoming difficult. Yet, each smile given to her from her people; every wave or thankful word for her aid, they all boosted her a little more each time and she soon found her voice, despite it being quiet. "The Rains are coming... we must repair homes first. Homes, and then stalls and shops."

The man nodded, and, while she was off helping lift one thing, he'd taken several stacks of boards and other things needed to fix roofs onto some low-slung houses. Snow didn't know how to repair them, but he -was- strong, so instead of walking beside Ashe as she progressed, the man simply moved from job to job, helping where he could. The Queen might not be able to get away with dirty work, but Snow was a foreigner, and a peasant at that, according to Rabanastran law. That he was courting the Queen likely didn't change his technical status.

Not for now, at least. Any progression in their relationship would change his status dramatically. Yet, that was neither here nor there. She'd stopped to watch him work a moment before a few small children ran slap-bang right into her, unsteadying her for a moment. The market seemed to fall deathly silent as everyone watched the Queen for her reaction. So, crouching to the level of the dirty orphans, Ashe brushed her gloved fingers through each of the children's hair, smiling softly. "You should be more careful, my children. You could've gotten hurt, running into an adult," she murmured. And a sigh of relief was breathed all round, as if they'd expected the tense royal to have them bloody well hung!

Snow dropped down and dusted his hands off, smiling down to Ashelia and the kids. He reached into his pockets, producing not one, but -three- apples, and a few shiny, if petty, coins. These he distributed among the kids and tousled each's hair, "I know what it's like t'have a little, so here's a little from me, mmkay? Go buy some bread or something for those apples and have a nice lunch." he had knelt as well, and, as if he was always like this, he casually straightened on child's collar, and fixed a little girl's dirty face by licking the corner of his coat and wiping it clean. Did Snow have a fondness for kids?

A chuckle as soft as the damp breeze escaped her and Ashe watched Snow with a smile. "Be sure to spend it well, children. A gift from Snow is a gift from the heavens," she whispered, grinning as the children all gasped and looked at Snow like he was an angel. After a moment longer, they all ran away and Ashe returned to her feet. "That was very sweet, Snow," she murmured, "and you have given me an idea for something that must be done once Rabanastre regains her legs." She smiled before dusting off her dress and beginning to walk again.

"Hmm? What's that?" he stood, smiling to his Queen, and took her hand impulsively, walking along with her fingers laced in his. Sure, it might seem a little boorish to do so, but Snow was a coarse kinda guy sometimes. He was glad the kids liked their gift, though.. The blonde hated to see little ones suffer, and they were part of the reason he fought so hard to liberate Pulse.

She was perfectly contented with how he took her hand and the Queen smiled gently. "I must explain. When I was seventeen, almost four years passed, there was a dreadful war. The one in which Rasler died and Basch was named King Slayer for his brother's murdering my father..." Sighing slightly but shaking that away, she swallowed hard. "And two years prior to that, Dalmasca suffered a horrid plague. With these two events, many children were left orphaned, some without even brothers nor sisters to watch over them." Ashe gestured over a wall that looked down at Lowtown. "They reside in Lowtown... but I shall not let them suffer much more. These children need a mother; I shall be just that. No longer will I allow them to starve nor sleep rough," Ashe explained, determination thick in her voice.

Snow smiled slightly, and squeezed her hand, "It's a noble ideal, Ashe.." he didn't say one way or the other whether he would help, but he already knew that Ashe would know he wasn't about to leave and not help her out. "Orphans need parents as much as those lucky children who have them, after all."

"I understand their pain; my mother was taken by a plague. Not that one but a plague when I was seven years. My father was murdered ten years later..." Ashe squeezed his hand in reply, smiling lightly. "I see... so it seems they shall have a father also?" Ashe gave a gentle laugh and leaned into his side, smiling as they walked. Stepping up onto a higher wall, Ashe kept his hand. "We've a lot of children, Snow..." she whispered, looking out at the city.

Snow nodded slightly to her question, and again to her statement, "I've had worse reasons to do things." he stated it simply, as he looked out over Rabanastre with her, every bit as regal in that instant as any nobleman he'd seen at the ball the other night. The blonde wasn't trying to appear that way, but his passion to protect things glittered in his eyes, every bit as passionate about that as anything else.

Ashe leaned down, having a little height on him thanks to being stood on a wall, and she caught his lips with her own, kissing him sweetly. "You are truly my strength," she breathed against his lips before standing straight and hopping down from the wall. "Dalmasca's children are her Queen's children... and with that, they are your children. We shall fight to protect them with all our might." And suddenly, out in the distance, in the direction of the Giza Plains, thunder cracked and lightning shimmered in the sky. "The Rains."

The man returned her kiss and sentiment with a nod, then glanced over to the horizon, frowning slightly. "I can handle that.. I think." he pulled away from Ashe and summoned the Sisters in their motorcycle form, mounting up and smiling to her, "Comin' with me? I need a high place to work some magic." he knew basics about weather, and given that the storm was working up over warm Rabanastre, he was going to cool things down a bit. There'd be water, but no fierce winds or lashing gales to hurt anyone while the city was in shambles.

Ashe scrambled to sit on the back, wrapping her dress around to save herself getting caught in the Sisters' tyres, and soon clung to Snow's back. "The rain is worst in Giza, we get small showers over the city. The deserts are hit by violent, bitter nights. Sandstorms are more common, as well," she explained, giving him the gist of how Dalmasca's weather worked. "The Nomads will leave Giza for Rabanastre yet there are desert collonies that must remain strong."

"Right.. I'll get to the top of a hill, and make sure it's all nice, cool rain this time." he sped along through the streets, but only really ramped the Sisters' engines up when they passed the city limits, screaming out onto the Giza Plains. The weather was rapidly worsening, and Ashe's dress would likely be soaked quickly.

She didn't really mind. She was used to these Rains. In truth, every summer that they came, the Queen would escape her bounds and flee to the Plains, ever since the year of her corrination. She just loved the feel of the rain against her skin. Once they were upon the Giza Plains, Ashe directed him to the highest point, smiling lightly the entire time.

He turned the bike as he stopped at the highest point, and smiled back at her, kissing her cheek. "Don't worry, this won't take long, and at least this time, while it rains, it'll be calm. No storms or anything like that." It was then that Snow displayed the depth and breadth of his powers, lifting his hands at the sky and channelling his innate gifts out at the growing storm, stealing away the warm air with his cold focus. The winds died down, and instead of rain being driven into them, it just fell, albeit more coldly. It was a very subtle, but intense, scene.

Her silver eyes never once left his form and she even let out a gasp, shivering slightly as she adjusted to the colder rain that saturated her clothing, filling her boots. Snow really was incredibly powerful; Ashe found it slightly intimidating, though she loved Snow and any ferocious, weather-changing, magical abilities would be set aside for that fact. Still, it was damn impressive to watch him work this way.

Unfortunately, Snow had never been away from Pulse. He'd also never used his magic so much.. away from Pulse. The man wavered, his vision blurring and the telltale purpling of mageburn crawling up his arms. That was minor, though, and shouldn't have made him pass out with a fever enough to make his skin warm to the touch, but he did collapse, and he was running that fever.

With a slight gasp in shock, Ashe ran to his side, kneeling in the orange-brown dirt as her dress got all dirtied up from it, craddling his head on her lap. "Snow?! Snow, what's wrong?! Speak to me!" Her hands could feel how his skin was warm. Like a normal person, but this wasn't normal, not for Snow. "Gods..." She had no idea how she'd manage keeping him safe and fetching help... unless, of course, she called for Ultima...

When Snow collapsed, the Sisters, ever watchful, broke apart and stood protectively over him and Ashe. Since he had taken up with her, they'd grown to like the small woman, and looked down with distinct worry. They were still there, though, and waiting for some kind of order. They didn't act on their own, unless Nethecite was nearby, so they waited.

As she noticed the shadows of the Sisters, Ashe looked up with pleading eyes. "H-help... I beg of you. Help me take him to the city; he needs to be seen by a doctor..." Ashe trembled, choking down tears as her gaze fell upon Snow again. Her fingers ran through his hair and she sobbed slightly at the heat he gave off. That wasn't normal! She wanted him to feel cold under her fingers again!

On the plus side, the growing storm had already broken, giving way to a gentle rain that would continue for the normal season, with little in the way of harsh winds or damages. The Sisters scooped Snow up, transforming beneath him so he was slung over the middle of the motorcycle, then they waited, an open invitation for Ashelia to drive them back.

She trembled and sat astride the motorcycle, gripping on as though she'd be thrown from them like a bucking chocobo would fling its rider. Snow wasn't supposed to be the weak one. She needed him as strong as ever. He was her strength and if he di--... Ashe stopped that train of thought and clung to the bike, her dress all tucked up, coating her legs in brown sand and mud as she rode.

Zack laughed a little, throwing himself to the side on the deck. He was panting, and slick with sweat, and that last blast had been a little close for comfort. Sure, he knew it wouldn't hurt him, but Lightning had specifically told him to dodge it. Apparently he needed work on twisting out of the way of spells. "That all ya got, Lightnin'?" he turned slightly, and patted his backside, before scurrying away.

Lightning grinned and let a bomb swell in her hand. "Dodge this or it will hurt." Her bombs were not made of electricity, they were gravity, they'd sting. Swinging her arm like she was winding up a pitch in baseball, Lightning launched the bomb at him, following it up with a shock of lightning as it began to rain. "Few more minutes and we'll head in!" she called to him, huffing hair from her eyes.

"Yeah yea-- h'oshit!" he flung himself to the side as the bomb exploded, nearly taking him in, and disappeared off the side of the Binah. With a grunt, he flew back up over the bridge a few feet from where he'd gone off, backwards, his semi-invisible waves of thunder blasting from his hands. The man cut the flow, turning in the air rather gracefully, and landed in a crouch. "Phew.."

Laughing, Lightning held a cheeky grin then furrowed her brow as the rain got colder. "Hmm... familiar..." she murmured to herself. A second later, Lightning planted her feet firm, raising her arms in the air. "One day, you might just be able to do this;" and at that, Lightning closed her eyes and focused. The sky darkened and while the rain remained icy, the sky split with forks of golden lightning, the whole atmosphere sparking before a loud, frighteningly dangerous crash of thunder rumbled through the air.

Zack looked around with wide eyes as she stood still and controlled the weather~! Sure, Zack had known she was way more powerful, magically, than he was.. but this blew the man's mind. Even with Mastered Materia, you couldn't control the forces of nature. "Whoa.." the word came out breathy, and he stood right up, sweat rolling down his bare torso, before the boom of thunder nearly knocked him over.

A moment later, however, as another ripple of electricity rolled through the sky, Lightning's legs grew weak and she fell. Straight to her knees with a hideous cracking sound before the rest of her body followed suit and she hit the deck, her right hand extended across the metal floor, reaching for Zack before her fingers grew lifeless. Her eyes slipped shut and her skin seethed with heat, her breathing erratic.

"Lightnin'?" Zack yelped, and rushed over, ignoring the lightning that struck the ship, "Lightnin'!" he picked her up, looking at her, aware of both the heat rolling off her and the lifelessness of her body. Oh crap... he wasn't a doctor, but he knew when he needed one, "Fuck..! Alright.. uh.." he kicked open the nearest hatch, and leaped into the airship, pressing his elbow into an intercom, "Anchor us to the Aerodrome. We're landin' whether Miss Queen-Thang wants us to or not. Lightnin' needs a doctor, Xaon, so do it fast!" the airship lurched, the Moogle quite apt at following the Captain's orders. Zack, cursing all the while, took her to the medical bay, where he was met by Kiri, who fretted over Lightning, "Take care of her for me, Kiri. I gotta get her help.." she nodded, fast friends with Lightning and worried sick.

As the Shiva Sisters hurtled into the city, Ashe's eyes caught the image of the Binah pulling into the Aerodrome. Cursing under her breath, she gripped the handlebars tighter. "I do not need to deal with them..." she hissed under the hum of the magical motorcycle beneath her. Sighing heavily, she looked around as she tried to decide what was the best option for Snow. The royal doctors would probably be useful but even Old Dalan might be a better aid.

Zack, still topless, his Buster Sword held easily in one hand, and a frown on his normally smiling face, burst from his ship. "Hold it right th--" a guard began, but the flat of the huge blade slammed into him, denting his armor, and sending him sprawling, "That's enough of that right the hell now." Zack spoke calmly despite his apparent anger, and sighed, "I need a doctor. Now." he paused, as no-one was moving to assist him, "Please!"

As Zack gave such an outburst, Ashe frowned and leapt from the bike, hitching up her muddied skirt and brushing her mousy hair from her eyes as she ran over to him in the rain. Maybe... Maybe Lightning might be able to help Snow. "Zack! Where is Lightning?! Something happened to Snow; he collapsed and has a fever...!" She could see the distress in his face. "What is wrong? What's happened?!"

He shouldered the Buster Sword, and despite his glare, as he approached, guards ringed their Queen, ready to die for her. Zack, sighing, stood his ground, "We were practising on the Binah, and she cast a big spell, then hit the deck, out like a light. She's got a superhot fever, and I can't make 'er wake up." he stared as he listed the same symptoms, and shook his head, "The hell? Same thing with Snow?"

"Yes... he was trying to sooth the storm a-and... he..." Ashe's tears began again, "May I bring him aboard your airship? I shall have all my doctors work to help them both... please, I beg of you..." Ashe trembled before looking over at the Shiva Sisters and soon running back to them, straddling the machine and bringing Snow's lifeless form up to Zack as proof of her words.

Zack didn't much care for Ashe, truth be told, but she was in the same boat he was. The person she cared about was in a bind, and needed help. "Yeah, roll that thing into the cargo bay. The medroom's got two beds, so Snow can have th'other one. Kiri'll be able t'take care've'm both, especially if there's a doctor.." he stepped aside, glaring at the guards, "I've enough troubles right now without them, though. They can't come."

Ashe turned her gaze upon the guards and all but hissed at them. "Go. Now." From there, she rode the motorcycle aboard the Binah and into the cargo bay. Removing herself, she trembled, pressing her hand to Snow's cheek. "Please, do not die, my love..." she whispered before stepping back. "Sisters, please, take him to the medical room. I... I..." and then she fell silent, her hands shaking as she looked upon her lover.

Zack walked by as the Sisters unfolded themselves, and carefully carried Snow down the hall to where they would go. The SOLDIER raked his fingers through his hair, and looked at Ashe, "We need a couple of doctors in here.. neither've us knows what's wrong at all." his tone was carefully neutral, and for the normally friendly man, that was odd. "I don't really like you, and you don't like -me-, but.." he managed a comforting smile, "We like them. We can put aside what we think of eachother for that, right?"

Ashelia blinked a few times. "But... I do like you. Both you and Lightning... I have great respect for how daring you both are. What happened, it is in the past..." She curled her fingers around the wedding rings on the chain around her neck. "The past is best left to rest..." she sighed softly, "I shall summon my doctors and I shall return." At that, the young Queen turned, aiming to leave.

"Oh~! Uh.. well, I don't exactly not like ya.. I mean, lookit Rabanastre? If you're that good t'your people, y'gotta be pretty awesome. I just figured it sounded better to not like ya if you didn't like me." he rubbed the back of his head, wishing he could have explained that one better.

A slight, weak laugh escaped and Ashe gave a single nod before running from the Binah. She didn't go far. Instead, she demanded her guards fetch the doctors and within moments Ashe was aboard the airship again, heading into the infirmary. Shaking a little, she looked at both wounded fighters. "Gods... it is... it must be something to do with who they are, Zack. We've had many foreigners from all over Gaia but... none from Pulse or Cocoon until these two showed up."

"Think we should fly on over and see if we can't find someone who knows how to fix this?" he spoke levelly, though in a more friendly way to the Queen. "And c'mon, I'll getcha something of Lightnin's to wear instead of that muddied up dress." he turned and trotted up a set of stairs to the upper hallways, leading the way to his and the blonde's room.

Ashe followed him, the heels of her boots clicking on the ground. "Thank you, that would be most welcomed..." she brushed her hair back from her eyes and shivered a little. "Do either of them have family in Pulse or Cocoon? Snow... never speaks about anyone from there but Lightning and the team they share." Sliding her long, white gloves off, Ashe let out a nervous, shaking breath.

Zack nodded, pushing the door open and turning to the wall, hanging his huge broadsword on it's pegs, and turning to the wardrobe that was Lightning's. He searched through her clothes until he found something slightly conservative; a small skirt and a shirt that showed off midriff. He didn't know if she needed anything else, "Er.. socks and stuff in the bottom drawers, and th'bathroom's over there." he pointed, then grabbed a towel off the door of his wardrobe, rubbing sweat off his body, then pulling on his SOLDIER uniform's turtleneck, and buckling his harness on.

She gave a nod and mumbled her thanks, taking the clothes. She headed into the bathroom and, moments later, she returned. She wore the white shirt and dark brown skirt with her white boots. It was odd, since she'd never worn any clothing that wasn't Ivalician and these were very different to her own. She'd borrowed Lightning's hairbrush to fix the mess of her hair then gave Zack a weak smile. "Th-thank you... I'm finished now..."

Zack returned the smile, and mounted the Buster Sword on his back, huffing slightly and making sure his shoulderpad was on right. "Okay.. uhm.. I'm not sure if going back to Cocoon is the best choice, but we gotta. Problem is the little airship we keep in our cargo bay, well, we swiped it from 'em. Might be a bit of trouble getting in." he spoke as he led Ashe to the living room/kitchen of the big ship, and took a seat, after telling Xaon to guide the ship towards Cocoon.

Ashe walked along with him, her hands clasped together in the center of her body as she did. "Cocoon... hmm..." As Zack mentioned the problem with the smaller airship, Ashelia laughed slightly. "That sounds vaguely familiar... not to worry; I have much experience with piracy, courtesy of Balthier and Fran. Though, fledgling pirates such as you and Lightning may not even know who they are..." she let her gaze fall but soon took a seat across from him.

"Those two? Eh, th'Viera stole my sword, and I broke Balthier's jaw for it." he spoke nonchalantly, "And can you really say were 'fledgling' pirates? We stole that rock of yours, y'know." he muttered the last part, "Even if it was by accident.." he smiled lightly, and shrugged, "Either we'll get in without trouble, or we'll get in."

"Oh? I do not suppose Balthier took that well. He does so hate injuries to his face. Yet, we cannot blame him. He's awfully pretty for a man..." the Queen laughed lightly then rested her folded arms on the table, giving a nod to Zack's words. "I may ask to borrow a weapon? My swords are in my palace and I've no skill for black magicks. My limit is white alone..." she mumbled.

"I've got some throwing knives.. a coupla balanced axes for dual-wielding, and a foil I swiped off one've yer guests when the Heartless cut loose in yer party." he laughed a little, "As for Balthier's pretty face.. well, he keeps on with lettin' out his little invasion fleet, and that Viera chicka might just rip off his face."

Ashe blinked a few times, giving him the blankest expression. She honestly had no idea what he was talking about. "His... invasion fleet?" Obviously, even with her experiences with pirates, Ashelia was far more innocent than she led people to believe. "I've no idea what you speak of, but I am to assume it is something Fran is not amused by?"

"Wedding tackle, twig 'n berries, meat and two veg, junk, skinflute.. y'know?" he raised his brows, obviously enjoying the euphamismic barrage he'd unleashed. "I wouldn't be amused if my partner slept around so often. It'd make me feel unloved."

Ashe blushed to no end and let out a laugh, covering her mouth. "Oh... well, I am sure that is something none of us can control. Balthier is no one's man but his own. Even I was fool enough to play prey to his attacks. Before he and Fran were together, of course..." the Queen let out a soft sigh before her gaze fell. "You... do you suppose they will be alright, Zack? I am... I'm terrified of losing him..." she whispered, closing her eyes to stop her tears.

Zack laughed lightly, "Ah, well, I'm sure ya had a good time. Don't get me wrong, I was the same way as Balthier before I got this." he lifted his shirt to show the mass of scars that would have had to have killed him, then rolled it back down, and crossed the room. One hand on her shoulder, he even seemed like a gallant Captain, "I don't plan on losin' my Lightnin' to anythin', and if I don't bring Snow along for the ride she'll kill me. You're coming too, so that's two 'Never say die's, and two sick folks. We'll make it, easy, and they'll be fine." he looked into her eyes, his charming smile infectious, "I promise."

Ashelia smiled as Zack did but, a second later, she took in a shaking breath as tears ran down her face. "I'm sorry... I do not normally cry..." she choked a little on her breath and swallowed thickly, "it is just that, after losing my first husband, and what happened with the ball... I cannot lose Snow... I just... I cannot..." she shook her head hard, her hand curling tightly around the rings on her necklace.

"Shush now. It'll be fine." he actually took the Queen into his arms, and hugged her firmly, not bothering to let go while she was still crying. He idly wondered if it was the right thing to do.. Snow would comfort her, and Lightning might kill him for hugging some other girl.. Not that her possessive jealousy was a bad thing.. Zack loved it. It made him feel very special.

Ashe trembled and clung to the back of Zack's uniform, burying her face in the chest of the man holding her. "Nh... promise me that. Please, I beg of you, Zack... promise we will save them," she murmured, her eyes shut tight as she cried into him. She knew that if Snow was okay, she'd be in his arms, but with Snow and Lightning in such a way, she'd have to hold Zack up while he held her up.

"I promise, we'll save the both of them. No matter what." he spoke firmly, and he was intense enough that it would likely have spooked some people. He was doing a good job holding up, but he was rapidly losing ground to panic about this. Zack really didn't know what to do, and planned to go to Lightning's parents over this.