(no subject)

[balthier-strahl.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier and a ghost from the past
What: A king is found?
Where: The Westersand
When: Mid-afternoon
Rating: PG


Splattered with both the blood of a Siren mother and the goo from her baby-cocoon thing, Balthier had headed back from the Nam-Yensa Sandsea. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened, only felt like he'd been tripping out and had a bad high. It was a strange feeling but walking barefoot through the desert without a weapon was dangerous. Killing a monstrous resident, he acquired their weapon and soon managed to wash off most of the goo in an oasis, sitting at the water's edge, sighing. His head pounded as he stared into the water, having a short break before he continued back towards Rabanastre. How long had he been gone? Hours? Days?

A slight, unusual breeze fluttered through the Sandsea. The ghostly figure approached Balthier, taking a seat beside him. The ghosted figure of the late Reddas, King of Pirates. "It would seem the young pirate has lost his way."

Balthier looked at Reddas before rolling his eyes and flopping to lay back on the sand. "And the hallucinations begin!" He sighed, covering his face with his arm.

"I ensure you, this is no hallucination." Reddas paused a little. "You are needed Balthier. Your place is not here."

"I gathered that. I've a pregnant wife and a daughter to provide for," he murmured, frowning as he shifted to sit up, brushing the sand out of his hair. "I am quite sure you're a hallucination. What else would you be? And why, in Gods' names, am I speaking to you?!"

"And a son." Reddas added. He paused once more. "You speak because I need your help."

"Mm... and a son," he murmured, folding his arms on his bent knees. "Why in Gaia would a deadman need the help of a pirate? You never did make sense to me, Zecht. Ah, I mean Reddas."

"Hm. Two can play at that name game, Ffamran." The ghostly figure rubbed at his head, looking out across the oasis. "Balfonheim. She needs a new charge. A new king."

"Don't call me Ffamran," he almost hissed, soon glancing away. At the mention of Balfonheim, he scoffed. "Indeed she does. Last I heard, there were riots."

"She needs a king who is respected and well known. A man... like you, Balthier."

Balthier's eyes snapped to look at Reddas and he scoffed slightly. "Balfonheim? Me? Hn... you're barking at the wrong ex-Jedge, my late friend."

"There is no one else who is suitable for the job. Balthier... You are the best and most infamous Sky Pirate in all of Gaia."

"There are a lot of other pirates, Reddas. What makes it that I should be king? Honestly, it's hard enough to keep me in one place longer than two days..." He shook his head slightly.

Reddas frowned. "The Sky calls for you. She has chosen you." He shifted to stand. "The offer is there. Do not let fear of commitment stand in the way of your throne."

Balthier shifted to his feet too, frowning at Reddas. "You give me such an offer, without true reason, yet still do not aid me in returning to my family. And there I thought you were a friend," he teased, smiling slightly.

"You say I am but a hallucination... what possible aid could I offer?" Reddas replied. "Go. Find your Strahl and your wife. The baby comes."

Balthier nodded, smiling. "Thank you. I will... try to do Balfonheim the justice you gave her." He snatched up his weapon and ran. He ran straight for home.