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[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Ashe and Basch
What: Discussing Dalmasca's Queen.
Where: Ashe's balcony, Rabanastre.
When: Morning.
Rating: G


Stood on the balcony, over looking the desert where the Sky Fortress Bahamut stood as a constant reminder of Dalmasca's pain, Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca watched the sky. Draped in a dress made of Nomadic Silk, shimmering white with silver woven into it, the fabric reaching the floor. The dress hung off her shoulders and the rings on her necklace shimmered in the sunlight, as did the jewels in the small crown she wore. Resting her hands on the edge of the balcony, the Queen pondered everything that had happened recently. All the paperwork, the lack of funds, the disaray of the city... almost losing Snow... they were mounting up on her and she was tensed considerably more than usual.

The Judge Magister was set on returning to Archadia for a few days, as was his routine. A week or so in Dalmasca, a week or so in Archadia then back and forth between the two places. It was so he could keep his eye on both Larsa and Ashe. Though, he knew Snow was doing his job well as Ashe's suitor, he took it as his place to keep Ashe's ears closed to the words of her people. They were beginning to wonder if Ashe was 'living in sin' with Snow. Whilst it was none of his business, Basch assumed that was the general gist of it, but knew Ashe would be greatly troubled if she was forced into either marrying or leaving Snow if she heard the words of her subjects. Stepping out onto the balcony, he held his helmet under his arm as he stood at Ashe's side, silently.

Her gaze remained on the Fortress and she let out a soft sigh. "Dalmasca is strained. Her Queen is... not as capable as she believed." It was a lot to admit to Basch but she trusted him deeply. It was something she probably wouldn't admit to Snow, for the fact that she hated worrying him. She didn't like telling Snow things that would worry him. She wanted to show him she had strength enough to rule her country and do so without crumbling and with the grace and poise any good Queen should have.

A soft frown settled on his brow and Basch slid his hand through his hair. "Majesty; you are a woman, a Hume, before you are a Queen. Perhaps it is time you rested." Glancing to her, he frowned slightly more. "Does Sir Villiers know of your feelings towards your power?" It seemed that she should've been telling Snow these things, despite how honoured he felt that she was willing to relay some of her emotions to him. He understood her reluctance to tell Snow but he knew she really should.

Ashelia shook her head, sighing softly. "I do not wish to worry him. I will rest when Dalmasca can. She is in despair. How can I rest when she needs me?" The Queen gave Basch a gentle smile, looking up at him. "Telling Snow would just worry him, and that is something I do not wish to happen." She returned her gaze to the Sky Fortress, watching the airships that flew by it to reach or leave the Aerodrome. There were animals that had made the tower a home and Ashe told herself almost every day she saw it that she'd go and walk the halls of the Fortress but she never did. Not once in two years.

"I understand..." Basch gave a single nod but made no point to push her on the subject. It was nearly impossible to change the young royal's mind. "I make for Archadia in an hour. I will return at the end of the week, as usual." It was his routine and he would stick to it. "As I informed you, Lord Larsa has been returned his heart. He is unwell and does not recall a lot of the past two years, but I am working with him to regain these thoughts," he explained, pressing his armoured hands to the balcony edge too.

The Queen gave a nod and rested her hand over his for a brief moment. "I am glad Lord Larsa is no longer without heart. His trust for his brother was both endearing and his fatal flaw." The young woman curled her fingers around her necklace, watching the sky for a while longer. "My people; they believe I live sinfully with Snow, do they not?" As much as Basch tried to protect her, her maids told her the words of her kingdom.

Basch was startled at first, angered that she'd found out but worried that she would be hurt by it. "They do, Your Majesty. They speak of marriage yet I know Majesty is not yet ready to repeat her wedding day." Well, that was what he assumed. He didn't really know that for sure but he didn't know if she'd be prepared to marry four years after the marriage and death of her first husband.

"I am unprepared, only for the fact that I have yet to know Snow long enough. I will admit only to you that I am truly in love with him, yet we still have a lot to learn about each other," Ashelia smiled lightly and looked out upon the Sky Fortress again. "Perhaps one day we shall wed, a day I truly look forward to, yet I will not impede his journey and his goal with talk of marriage or heirs."

He gave a sigh and settled back against the balcony edge, facing the door back into the palace. "I understand your wish not to stand in his way nor sway his path but you must consider yourself, Ashelia. You may be Queen, and it may be expected of you both, but if you truly wish for marriage, then you should speak with him." He wasn't entirely sure she'd even consider speaking with him on that. She never would, if he had to guess, as it'd mean she would damage someone's quest, someone who she loved.

Ashe remained silent for a long while before simply turning to head to her desk inside. "You will miss your flight, Basch." Without anything else to say, she sat at her desk and began to go through her forms. She had enough to deal with without thinking about her broodiness or desire to be both wife and mother. She wasn't prepared to put that pressure on Snow so early in their relationship.

Basch sighed and followed her in, slipping his helmet on. "Very well, Your Majesty. I shall see you in a week." With that said, Basch turned for the door. He knew how that woman worked by now and she quite obviously had avoided answering because the answer was not the one that would please eveyone else. Truly, he knew she'd never say anything to satisfy herself.