(no subject)

[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Snow, Ashe, Basch and Balthier.
What: Ashe is kidnapped!!
Where: Dalmasca
When: Mid-morning, in the calm before the next storm.
Rating: PG


Well-recovered, and very pampered by his lover and her staff of maids and whatnot, Snow smiled and stretched, changing into his normal clothing of long coat, boots, and bandana. Of course, he also wore pants, and the rest of his things, he hummed on his way to the main hall of the palace, where Basch could usually be found when he was around. Snow had a plan. He raised one hand and grinned broadly to his 'comrade in arms', "Hi! How're you?" he wasn't sure if the man was masquerading as the Archadian Judge or not.

Basch was stood against the wall outside Ashe's audience room, in the main hall. He wore all of his armour aside from his helmet. It seemed the Queen had informed the staff of who he was and made threats that if he was exposed she'd have the snitch hung. It was a rare thing to see a hanging in Dalmasca, that was more Archadia's style, but Ashe never made jokes about hangings. The man had several people who knew who he really was but, as far as anyone was concerned, he was Judge Gabranth. Honestly, that name didn't bother Basch, as Gabranth was his mother's maiden name, but it bothered him that people thought him an evil man. "Hello. I am well. How do you fare?" Part of him urged himself to bow but he stopped himself as he recalled Snow wasn't king. Yet.

Snow fingered the amulet he now wore, the 'Crystal' glittering in the light of the Palace, and smiled to the Judge, "I'm doing pretty good, Gabranth." he was a little leery calling him by name when not in private, "I have a thought in mind, though.. since I've stressed Ashe out so much with being ill and all.." he leaned in close, a tantalizing whisper of treason leaving him, "How does one kidnap a Queen?"

At first, Basch was startled but he stopped himself from over-reacting. "Hmm... well, if we speak upon Queens in general, it is a difficult task to be sure. If it is Ashelia you wish to kidnap, luring her under false pretense may be your best bet. Although, she is rather small. You could pick her up." A slight smirk came to his face and he ran his fingers through his newly cropped hair. He'd been growing it out but noticed his helmet was too tight with it longer, as well as the fact that people called him by his real name, recognising him easier.

Snow chuckled at Basch's comment, "Well, the problem is those mother hen guards of hers.. d'you think there could be an 'emergency', where they're needed to do something? I think I could kidnap her from there. You'll be in charge, for the week or so we're gone, but you've seen her.." his face was earnest, and he put a hand on his friend's armored shoulder, "She stresses out easy, and doesn't let it go as fast.. She needs a break, y'know?"

"Indeed she does. I... have a friend. He may be able to cause a disturbance that they must attend to." He pondered for a moment, drumming his fingers on his armour. "He is rather an amusing character and Ashelia trusts him well, so I doubt she'd be greatly put-out by him." Now, how would he get to the orphan to tell him of such things? He wasn't exactly welcomed in Lowtown...

The blonde chuckled softly, and smiled, "Thanks Gabranth." he looked around, wondering if his plan would go off without much of a hitch.. "I'm about to go find her, so the sooner this can happen, the better I think. I dunno if we'll stick around Ivalice, I might take 'er elsewhere, so you could institute a search, for realism's sake."

"Mm. I shall. Ashelia is in a meeting in her private office. She asked that no one disturb her but I suppose she would not mind were you to join her. It is an old friend of ours she meets with." With that said, Basch bowed his head, grabbed his helmet and headed for the door, thinking fast on how he could get into Lowtown without a gang of orphans trying to take him down. He didn't enjoy harming children, after all.

Snow nodded and grinned, heading off towards Ashelia's office, absently flexing and clenching his fists, though it was more an exercise than anything else. He felt pretty safe in the palace, and the Shiva Sisters tended to lounge around in the courtyard when left to their own devices. He knocked twice on the office door, and then slipped inside, gently closing the door with a chuckle.

Ashe's silver eyes darted from her companion to settle on Snow and she jerked to stand, her face flushed. She'd been mid-sentence but cut herself off. "Snow... I told Basch I... hn... come, I wish you to meet a dear friend of mine." Moving around the desk, she crossed the room and grasped Snow's hand, pulling gently to get him further into the room. Ashelia wore a very pale cream dress that came to her knees and hung off her shoulders but, as usual, wore no shoes. "This is my very dear, dear friend, the Sky Pirate Balthier."

He'd been sat across from Ashe with his feet up on her desk, as they discussed their current trials and tribulations in life, though when Snow entered, Balthier lowered his feet and stood. Donning a white shirt and tight leather pants, as well as dress boots, the pirate even wore his glasses this day, which pretty much showed he was tired, if you knew him well enough. "A pleasure. Queen Ashe has told me much of you," he murmured in an accent distinctly not Dalmascan, offering a bejewelled hand to Snow.

Snow smiled to Balthier, who seemed pretty clean-cut for a pirate, even a Sky Pirate, and took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Snow Villiers," he tilted his head to one side, and looked Balthier up and down appraisingly. Ashe's dear friend? Well, he seemed like he might be good enough in trouble to be able to help her.. That was what mattered to Snow; that his Queenie was safe. She'd already done so much for him, after all. "Much about me, hmm? Well, I hope it was all flattering."

Ashe was quite glad Balthier had aleviated his bad mood to be polite to Snow. Honestly, she'd quite expected the opposite but the pirate was always full of surprises. "Of course it was flattering, Snow. I would never speak ill of you. Least of all to this hedonist." She smirked slightly, though it was quite strained considering just how exhausted she felt.

The pirate quirked an eyebrow, watching Ashe for a moment, noting each shift in her posture when this man was present. It seemed she leaned closer to him and stood taller. "Hedonist? You wound me, my dear, truly." A rather wicked smirk was given back to the Queen before he returned his gaze to Snow. "It was flattering. You've naught to worry about. The Princess-- excuse me, the Queen has not a single ill word towards you." Crossing his arms after removing his glasses, the man stood silent, studying the ways Ashe changed around Snow.

Snow flashed Ashe a comforting smile, "Ah.. I wasn't that worried. The worst you could tell him is that I'm a terrorist and an ex-patriot, but Team Nora's tryin' t'help my people, not kill 'em, so we've kinda got the right side of it. Besides.." he took her hand, and kissed her knuckles gently, "If you ever had anythin' bad t'say about me, I know you'd be honest, so I could work to fix the problem."

"Somehow, I do not think telling Balthier you are a terrorist would make much affect, seeing as he is Gaia's most notorious criminal," she smiled softly as her hand was kissed, yet after a moment, she withdrew her hand and let it find her rings on her necklace. "I apologise for the conversation ending so abruptly, Balthier. Perhaps we can continue another time? Give Fran my sincere wishes of health and I do wish to see your son when he is born."

"Shoving me out the door, Ashelia?" A playful smile came and he took the hand not around her jewellery, kissing the back of it before leaning to kiss her cheek. "I shall tell Fran and I shall bring my son to meet you when he is born." With that said, he nodded once, politely, to Snow. "Oh, and Ashelia? Worry not. Things have a way of working themselves out. I'd know better than most." He moved to the door and headed off, giving a certifiable 'up yours' to Ashe's guards on the way out.

Snow blinked at the exchange, and tilted his head. When Balthier was gone, he smiled softly to his Queenie, and wrapped her up in his arms, "What is it you're worried about this time, Ashe..?" he looked concerned, as he didn't want her to snap under the weight of her kingdom.

"Oh, nothing. It is just funds for work on Lowtown. What with the added damage sustained during this Heartless attack and the last. I am trying to rework the budgets for everything yet I may need to ask a neighbouring country for financial aid..." Wrinkling her nose, Ashe sighed softly, moving back to her desk and rustling through her papers. "Archadia is in unrest due to Lord Larsa being unwell and Rozarria is not in the habit of lending out their gil. I could possibly speak with President Loire in the continent Esthar..."

The blonde tapped the side of his head, and tilted it to one side, "Have you thought of your other patrons? Your city is the port for many, many pirates, Lightning and Balthier included.. Not to mention Clan Centurio, and the merchants who make their business in your markets. Have you tried to petition them for such funds?" he spoke softly, as he always did when trying to advise her. Snow knew that the Queen knew so much more than him, but his viewpoint was fresh, and could sometimes be useful.

"Getting pirates to give up their riches is like asking a moogle to stop saying 'Kupo!'. It's very difficult and ends messy." Ashe flicked through a few more pieces of paper before she paused on one. "Bhujerba. My uncle Halim is the Marquis. I am sure he would see his niece's country prosper... and we do have a trade agreement..." The Queen pinched the bridge of her nose, ruffling more paperwork as she went through it.

Where was that diversion? Snow could just about -see- the stress piling up on Ashe. "Hey..? Do me a favour, Queenie? Can you go over there and lemme know if the Sisters are outside?" he smiled faintly, innocently. He really planned to arrange the papers in such a way as to let Basch handle business while they were gone.

Ashelia shifted from her place, sighing slightly again as she moved to the window, brushing the silk curtains aside to look out. She scanned the gardens, finally noticing the Sisters near the hedge maze. "Mm, they are stood near the hedge maze." Watching them for a moment more, she pondered the idea of allowing Ultima time to stretch her own legs but that Esper was trouble. She thought too highly of herself to stay put.

He blinked. That wouldn't do.. and he knew they listened to Ashe sometimes. "Call them closer? I don't really like them out of hearing range.." he surreptitiously arranged the papers to show what Ashe was trying to do, scribbling a note to please, please, -please- have it taken care of.

Ashe nodded slightly and stepped onto the window ledge, pushing the window open. Whistling with her fingers, she got their attention. "Come closer! Snow wishes you to be near." With the order followed, the Queen leaned out the window slightly, frowning. "What is...?" Hopping down, she headed for the door, slipping her shoes on first. Ashe pushed the door open. "What is going on? Why are you all panicking?" Her words were to her guards and they replied that a street urchin was rampaging with an Esper around the city. Ashe's maids were even panicking.

Snow gasped, and dashed across the room with a grin, heaving Ashe up over his shoulder and intoning dramatically, "Shiva~! I need you!" sensing his intent, they shifted to their motorcycle form, and Snow hurried down the stairs. Anyone who looked got a hurried explanation that they were to get to the palace and hide, there was an Esper going nuts, and he was taking the Queen to safety. They got to the bike, and he straddled it, putting Ashe across his lap and driving off like the wind.

As she was swept off her feet, Ashe squealed and clung to the back of Snow's coat, completely shocked by the sudden movement. Before she had a chance to speak, Ashe was on Snow's lap and they were hurtling off at breakneck speed. "Snow!! What in Gods' names...?! I am sure it is only Vaan and Belias! There is nothing to panic about!!!" Her face showed just how ticked off she was. There was work to be done, damnit!

The man smirked, and patted her bottom, "Oh, I'm not panicked." he sounded calm even travelling at speeds that could kill at any wrong turn, and he put on a devious, almost lecherous smirk, "This is all according to plan, Queen Ashelia. You have been kidnapped, you see, by Snow Villiers, leader of the infamous Team Nora~!"

"This is no time for jokes, Snow!" Ashe frowned deeply, clinging to him as they sped off. "I've work to do! Dalmasca cannot run herself!!" She really wasn't amused. Ashe hadn't thought that it could've been a good thing to get away from the palace and it was quite obvious she needed the break. She was cracking under the pressures of being Queen, lover, leader of an army, and mother of fifty or more orphans.

Snow gave her a serious look, "Who's joking? You've been kidnapped, to parts unknown. I have already informed Gabranth. Now, you can go easily, and I will do me best to ensure your enjoyment, or you can struggle, and I will do the very same thing." his tone changed to a warm one, "I love you, and Queen or not, you're still human. And you need a break." there was a type of no-nonsenseness to his tone that would have pissed Lightning off.

Ashelia gave a sigh and just settled against him, grasping on tightly. "I am capable of devising when I need a break, Snow. I've important matters to attend to. How am I supposed to speak with Uncle Halim if you have kidnapped me?" She frowned and rested down more, feeling the wind sting her pale skin where it was uncovered. "Where are we even going, Snow?"

"I suppose you shall speak with him when you are returned, safe and sound, to Rabanastre. I know it shall be traumatic, but perhaps you shall develop a syndrome where you will find me pleasing." he smiled, and held her against him, humming as he guided his Eidolon, "And no, you don't seem to be able to figure out when you need a break. Breaking doesn't mean it's time for a break." he looked worried, but kept his eyes to the horizon as he drove, "I dunno where we're going. Away. Someplace scenic and nice, where you will relax. Or else."

"Or else? Are you threatening me, Sir Villiers?" Ashe gave a tired smile and rested on him more, sighing gently. "You know I enjoy your company, Snow." A soft sound escaped as she held back her tears. She wasn't ready to cry about him almost leaving her. It was too sore a subject, after losing Rasler and now having Snow almost go too... it was painful. Ashelia closed her eyes, holding tight to him as they moved.

"Yeah. I figured I stressed you out way too much.. so now I'm stealing you. So yeah, if you don't start enjoying this kidnapping, I might send you home in pieces, Queen Ashelia." he slowed down enough to shift her into a sitting position, and kissing her cheek, "What do you think about Spira? I hear it's nice."

Ashelia curled her arms tightly around him, resting her head against his chest. "Spira is pleasant. I met you in Luca, remember? I haven't seen much else of it." The young Queen settled more now she was upright. "I'm sure we could spend a day or two there." Really, how long was Snow planning to have her kidnapped? It wouldn't do well to be away for too long...

"A week." he said it simply, still speeding along at a brisk clip, "I informed Basch.. er.. Judge Gabranth, that we would be gone for a week, and to inform people that you were missing. A search will be mounted." and countries worried about Ashe would assist her kingdom. Snow did have -some- understanding of things, "But we will be gone for one week."

"A week?! And... searches?! No. Absolutely no!" Ashe wasn't prepared to have half of Ivalice searching for her. it was enough that people still accounted her as weak for the lie about her committing suicide, but having search parties after her was just madness. "Snow, please, Basch knows little about what I've been working on." A pout formed as she looked at him but she knew there was no reasoning with him.

"Too late. It's already done. What's the penalty for kidnapping the Queen under false pretenses? Vaan was there 'cause I asked Basch to make a diversion." he knew it was probably something silly, like being hung, but then again it might have been something simple like flaying.

"Kidnapping the Monarch under any reasons is punishable as I see fit. My father had a man whipped for it, yet he never once had anyone hung." She smiled slightly. "I wish to be as good as he was at ruling Dalmasca." She settled on him with a soft smile, laughing gently. "Vaan, Basch and Balthier are three men I should have damn well imprisoned. All three of them are good for nothing but trouble."

"Basch, Vaan, and Balthier shall all be on my call list, then, for the next time you need a good kidnapping." he pinched her hip playfully, and kissed her cheek, moving her up on his lap on the bike, smiling faintly. "You rule Dalmasca very, very well, Ashe."

"Not as well as my father did. I will always be compared to him... which is perhaps partly why I wish to aid those in Lowtown more than I have been." Ashe scrunched her nose up a little, grasping tightly to Snow as they sped along. "My father helped them a little but the plague took hold two years before his death, and he was rather aged by then..."

"With a mother like you, Ashe, our kids will do just fine." he smiled, well aware that Lowtown needed their help. That's why he asked Basch, in charge while they were gone, to handle it. He figured it would get handled. "You might be compared to him by others, but as a foreigner, I'm impressed."

"Heh... thank you, Snow." Ashelia smiled gently and rested her head on his shoulder, shivering slightly at the wind against her skin, though she made no complaint about it. She was just a little amused that they were doing something so outrageous. If the aids, guards and maids knew, they'd be entirely unamused and she'd end up with lectures from the older men. Which annoyed her since, gosh darn it, she was the Queen!

And Snow was a terrorist, he could do whatever he wanted, even eating ice cream for breakfast if he so chose~! "You're very welcome, my Ashelia." he hugged her with one arm, and smiled sweetly, "Well, is there anything you want to do in particular? I could take you to my desert, if you like."

"That would be very nice, Snow. I'd also like to see the temples." She smiled a little more then. In fact, that had been the whole point of her first trip to Spira. See the temples and return home. Yet, she'd gotten side tracked with a Blitzball game and then met Snow... well, suffice it to say, the trip didn't go as planned.

"Alright.. we'll hop a boat from here to Besaid, and have our own little pilgrimage." the man pulled the motorcycle to the side, screeching to a halt and startling several people. "We're here at the docks, by the way."

Blinking a little, Ashe indeed noticed they were at the Dalmascan Westersand Docks. "Ah..." Steadily, Ashelia removed herself from the bike and stretched slightly. A lot of people looked at her as if they'd seen a ghost. Mostly because Queen Ashelia did not -ever- travel this far. Not in the past two years. "I've heard and read a lot about Spira and their past. I wish to experience it now..."

Snow got off as well, dismissing the Sisters, who shimmered and vanished into the symbol on his arm. Stretching, the blonde looked around with a grin, "Well now.. how is my little ransom victim?" he winked playfully, and kissed her cheek, ignoring the staring people.

Ashelia smiled softly, glad she wasn't wearing a long gown and instead a smaller dress. It was never useful to walk around in those things in the sand. "I am fine..." She looked around the sky, spotting the sun and nodding slightly. "Then next boat will leave very soon. It is almost midday." With that said, she walked to the woman who ran the payment system for travelling here. Fishing a gil pouch from her cleavage, Ashe paid for both her and Snow then smiled as she took the tickets.

The blonde was always fascinated by her ability to store things in her breasts.. Then again, he might just have been interested in her breasts. Either way. He smiled sweetly in return, and rested a hand on her wrist, then took her hand in his, squeezing gently. "Good timing, hmm?"

"Mm, it is." She squeezed his hand back then took a few steps towards the water's edge, looking out for the boat. She could see it coming in at quite a speed. "I do wonder just what I am supposed to wear during this entire week?" She quirked her eyebrow at him, smiling playfully. Really, she had spent a lot of time in the same clothes, bathing in lakes during her travels, but she wasn't used to that way of life anymore.

The man laughed softly, and raised a finger, "How about we pick up something nice to wear in each town with a Temple? Starting in Besaid?" he wanted to make her happy, and maybe an outing like this would do that for her. "Sound like a plan?"

Ashe gave a firm nod, smiling brightly. It seemed she'd gotten over the initial shock of being kidnapped by her suitor and now she was quite looking forward to the trip. "Even if there are no Fayth at the temples, I wish to pray at each one." It might've been a whim but she wished to know just how it felt to pray at a temple that actually held a religious aspect. She'd visited three buildings that were once religious, but only the temple on Mt Bur-Omisace was anything near to religious now.

"Then we'll stop in each one, and you can pray." he sounded indulgant, but really, he was just trying to make Ashe forget her worries and problems. Smiling, he kissed her cheek, and led her onto the boat once it was ready for arrivals, marking their destination on the map the greeter held. "Awright~! What not?"

The man who held the map handed Ashe a key and bowed low. "This is the key to your room, Your Majesty. Please enjoy your stay on the S.S. Heios. She was named for your late husband." With that said, he said something quietly to himself. Ashelia nodded slightly, swallowing thickly as she took the key and headed further towards the cabin area.

Snow blinked at the man's words, and rubbed Ashe's shoulder, giving him a little frown. That was a bit of a damper on the trip's beginning, truth be told, but the blonde wasn't going to let that stop him. Once they were nearer to the cabins, he pulled the Queen aside, "Are you okay..?"

"Oh, yes, there was a boat named for my father and one for myself, also. I was just... hoping we'd get the one named after me. The S.S. B'nargin." She smiled up at him, tucking some hair behind her ear. "It is just a little bit of a sore subject that everyone assumes I am entirely past Rasler's death. It may have been four years ago but... ...oh, listen to me, becoming a martyr. Come, let us see our room."

The blonde knew she wasn't entirely over Rasler, and figured that his recent sickness had her on edge. "I don't know why it's so trivialized.. but it's not just you that gets that, Ashe.. it sucks, but I've seen men in my team die, and people get over them fast.. their mothers never do." he looked haunted for a moment, looking away, and sighing. He didn't either. Nor did he outlive the despair that took those women when he had to tell them their sons were dead.

"Mm. It is most difficult when death is forced upon you. My father and Rasler were killed within months of each other, weeks perhaps, and it was soon made knowledge that I had taken my own life through despair." She wouldn't point out that it was her Uncle Halim that had said she'd killed herself. It was her family's dirty laundry and it didn't need airing out when it had been dealt with. "You never get over it, you learn to live with it."

"That's right.." he managed to smile at her, though his eyes still had a faraway look to them, "Well.. is this our room?" he smiled, and nodded to a well-made, locked door.. Hell, even the lock was well made. "You gotta learn to take that with ya everywhere.. just in case."

Ashelia nodded and unlocked the door, pausing as she stepped in the doorway. The room was quite obviously the royal suite but it was decorated just as any room in Nabradia would have been. Which made her a little nostalgic to her times when she visited Rasler's country. "Hmm... Nabradian decor. It has been a good few years since I saw this form of decorating. It died with Nabradia..."

Snow knew what Nabradia was, and silently cursed people for their insensitive nature. "We.. can find another room, if you're not comfortable here.." the blonde smiled, and took the Queen's hand in his. He figured she might just be -upset-.. by the memories and reminders of her late husband.

"No, it is fine. Undoubtedly, the other rooms are likely to be dressed the same way." With a smile, she raised his hand to her face and kissed his knuckles gently. "I am fine. It does not upset me. In fact it is a breath of fresh air to see such beautiful decor still alive and well, even as Nabradia lays in ruin." She stepped more into the room, sitting herself on the bed. "It is nice to be reminded of the good times with him and share the good times with you."

Snow nodded with a slight smile, "Well.. if you're sure it doesn't bother you.. it just seemed a tad insensitive, to me." he shrugged, putting his hands on her shoulders after climbing onto the bed behind her, resting on his knees and rubbing her shoulders slowly. "How does it feel to be kidnapped and held against your will, hmm?"

Ashe made a soft sound. Her shoulders were tensed and aching from the stress she underwent every day, but she never made complaints. The Queen just wasn't like that. "Mmn... it is rather pleasant, actually." The young girl tilted her head back to look at him, smiling brightly at him. "I'm beginning to be grateful that you stole me away."

He kissed her lips sweetly, then settled onto his rear, legs splayed to either side of the Queen while he worked her shoulders. His touch was hardly expert, but he did know a thing or two about pressure points and how to cause, or ease, pain. He moved slowly, and kept his fingers stiff, massaging her muscles in a way that might almost have been painful, but would make the ache go away. "Well, that's good. Perhaps next time your foreigner boyfriend won't have to kidnap you onto vacation hmm?"

As his hands moved, Ashe would admit it was uncomfortable at first but it soon became relaxing and the woman hung her head, making a quite, appreciative sound. "Perhaps next time we will be able to actually plan a trip, rather than needing to kidnap me away from Dalmasca." A soft smile came to her lips and Ashe's eyes fell closed as he worked away the tense aches.

"I assume I have your word as Queen of Dalmasca?" he kissed her neck sweetly while he worked, his lips brushing against the Queen's skin, "I don't know if I'll quite get away with stealing you the next time. Granted, I may even be arrested when I return you, if Gabranth hasn't concocted a suitable reason why I was driving off with you in tow."

"I am sure he has thought of something. He is quite quick at devising stories." She relaxed more, lacing her fingers on her lap and enjoying the way he worked her muscles. "You have my word as Queen, though perhaps my word as your lover holds more worth." She smiled lightly, her hair falling forward to expose the entirity of the back of her pale neck.

"Mm.. it holds more worth to me, personally." he kissed another spot of her neck, and continued squeezing and rubbing her muscles, his hands hardly shy about touching her, "I'd rather think of you as my Queenie than my Queen anyway.." he kept his voice low, just for her ears, the tantalizing promise of their intimacy present in his actions as much as his tone. Snow, honestly, was a caring person, much as he tried to hide it from the world at large.

Ashe turned in her place on the edge of the bed and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "Snow... I am so very glad I met you. I never believed I would stand to be with anyone after Rasler and, while he still holds a place in my heart, you are the one I am in love with." It was a sincere confession from a woman who tried not to show her feelings most of the time.

The blonde blushed, albeit faintly, letting his hands drop from her shoulders to take her hands in his, smiling to Ashe. "Heh.. I didn't think I'd find someone t'be serious about.. I mean, there've been gals in my life, but never anyone important.. I never wanted to up and die, or get 'em hurt by doin' what I do.. I mean, there's Lightnin', but she's more a sister t'me than anything else. But you.." he kissed her lips softly, "Yer th'one I'm with, 'n I love ya too."

Ashelia knelt up on the bed, curling her arms around his neck and leaning to kiss him a little more firmly. "Snow, I want to apologise." She frowned, looking down at the sheets for a long moment before returning her gaze to him. "I have been neglecting you because of my work and I have been distant because of what happened to you... I am sorry," she frowned a little more, but pressed another kiss to his lips.

He wrapped his arms around her with a smile that said he hadn't even thought like that, a confused look coupled with the loving expression he tended to wear when looking at Ashe. "No.. you've been neglecting yourself, Queenie.. You always made time for me, and I can come and go as I like, but you.. never take a break, and stop to remember that a Queen is just.. a woman, the ruler of a Kingdom, but still just human. Like me, like the Captain of this boat, like any of us. You need to relax sometimes, and let things flow." he touched her forehead with one cool hand, working his magic on her to give her the feeling of a sheet of icy water passing over her, though it was just a temperature variance.

Ashe shivered a little but smiled, grasping the back of his hand to kiss his palm. "Perhaps I've been a little negligent of myself..." She settled to sit down again, kicking her shoes off as she did. "I understand I am but one Hume yet Dalmasca is more than just bricks, stone and sand... she is full of people, even those outside the city, that rely upon me for their lives to be smooth. I fear so many things could happen; another plague, another war, another Heartless attack..."

He pressed a finger to her lips, and gave her a serious look, "Ashe. If the Heartless wish to attack again, they will. Disease comes, and goes. Wars.. wars will happen no matter what you try to do. You take on too much, trying to stop the flow of things you cannot change. Look at it differently. If you fear plagues, then work on cures. If you fear attacks, train defenders. If you wish to be a good Mother," he looked at her warmly now, "Because you and I have many children right now.. you must remember that they are people, not just bricks and stone and sand. Your people rely on you for comfort, yes, but the comfort of knowing they are safe under the rule of a compassionate, competant woman. They can care for themselves for the most part, beyond a little help, but knowing you are a good Queen, and you are, is what unites them to your banner."

The Queen settled as he spoke then laughed gently, nodding slightly. "Thank you, Snow. You always set my mind at ease." She smiled at him, resting down but drawing her knees up to her chest, making her already small form look positively tiny against his size. She really did find Snow's words comforting. Even though she wanted to cradle each of her people like fragile infants, most of them were capable and able to care for themselves and their families and friends, as long as the city stood strong. Which, despite what disarray she was in, Rabanastre stood strong and tall. It really comforted her to know that an outsider, a foreigner, like Snow was able to see it.

"Hey, you're welcome. I try to do what I can for you.. you know that." he paused, then hugged her, kissing her cheek, "The Rains were light this year, hmm? I heard that Lowtown wasn't even hit all that badly this time. Perhaps next year you and I could go to the top of that hill again." he kept his voice low, trying to keep her good mood going.

"Indeed. Lowtown usually gets the brunt of it because of the sewers and the depth of the area." Ashe smiled, snuggling up a little closer, curling her arms around him. "I think that your work indeed helped but I worry you may fall ill again. It is not something I wish for either of us to relive." Really, it was something she didn't even really enjoy thinking or talking about.

He touched his amulet, and smiled, "I don't know if that'll happen again. To be safe.. we should get together with Zack and Lightning yearly and visit the lake. That way we can stay in touch, and us l'Cie can stay healthy and with our lovers." he kissed her cheek again, stroking her arms reassuringly. "Then I'll be fit to handle the Rains."

Ashe gave a nod. "That sounds like a good plan." Then, the Queen fell silent, just resting against him with a smile. She was content in just staying with him, enjoying his presence no matter what was expected of her. She knew Snow forced no expectations on her and that was why she was able to be herself and relax with him.

Snow leaned back, drawing the curled Queen up onto his chest, finding her weight slight, and manageable, holding her close. He turned to one side, putting her beside him, and curled his larger frame around hers, kissing her gently, "It'll all be alright. This Heartless thing's blow over, and then we've just got normal humans to fight. Maybe the Fayth will bless Dalmasca, when you pray."

"Perhaps they will." She smiled and stroked her fingers over the symbol on his arm where his magic and his Eidolons were spawned from. "I do wonder whether the Fayth are still there. I heard a machine by name of Vegnagun tore the Fayth stones from the temples." She wasn't entirely sure of the situation but it seemed quite sad.

"Hmm.. well, if that has been resolved, and it might have been, then the Fayth may well have been returned to their places of rest." he shivered when she touched that spot, stroking her back gently, "If not, we, as the Good Guys, will do what we can to help out, hmm? I mean, we're going to the Temples anyway."

"Indeed we shall." Ashe smiled and closed her eyes, finally feeling relaxed against him. It was a difficult task for her to really calm down and let her body just relax but being away from Dalmasca and in Snow's embrace without her work nagging in the back of her mind, it was far easier to find a settled state and feel comfortable. Especially with no way off the boat anyway.

Snow yawned softly, always finding it easy to relax in Ashe's embrace, ever since the first time they'd been near one another, and nuzzled her neck. He squeezed her gently in his arms, and kept her as safe as he could, and indeed she would likely notice that it was his back that was facing the door to the cabin.

Ashe really did notice he tended to sleep with his back to the door. Even back at the palace. It was likely to do with his want to protect her and Ashe found it was rather sweet of him. In truth, she had felt far safer in her palace since Snow became a resident. It was much more pleasant than it had been, too. She'd been quite a distant person but he'd changed her. He'd brought her out of herself. Being the only remaining member of the Dalmasca line, things got quite lonely around the palace.

Snow never had put much stock in name or rank, though he had never scoffed at her lineage or anyone else's. Rather, it allowed him to feel comfortable, even equal to Ashe, despite her being a Queen and he being simply a terrorist commoner. Sure, he was an l'Cie, but that didn't amount to much outside of Cocoon. But with her, he didn't like how she'd shut herself off from everyone, and had done his very best to remind her she was human. It was gratifying just to see her smile at breakfast, to him anyway.

Settling down, and drifting asleep, Ashe would've admitted openly that having him there, even if it had been for but an hour a day, made her happier. She was more willing to hear suggestions from her aides and advisors, and she tended to have a form of friendly chatter with her maids. Though, she was quite starved of adventure and Snow's kidnapping had helped to change that.