shiva_dancing_backup | [Thread: Ongoing.]

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[Thread: Ongoing.]

Who: Balthier, Fran, Basch and Snow. Briefly Ashe.
What: Setting off on a journey
Where: Rabanastre onwards...
When: Morning
Rating: TBA

NOTE: Let's do the order Balthier/Fran/Ashe/Snow/Basch when we get into it and when things progress we'll do Balthier/Snow/Basch/Fran?

He wasn't impressed. It'd taken a lot of convincing and Ashe had had to pay him a considerable amount before he agreed to it. Yet, in the end, he'd allowed the two men passage on his airship, for that substantial fee, and a promise of more upon their return. It was enough to support himself, Fran and their children for a good few years to come, really. Standing in the doorway of his airship, dressed in tight leather pants, a white shirt with the sleeves rolled back and boots, Balthier had his arms crossed over his chest and a disinterested expression on his face.

Carting their supplies onboard, Basch glanced Balthier over. "Try to look anymore laidback and you'll find yourself falling over," he murmured, smirking at the younger Hume. He had a new sword, since he'd leant his to Snow, but he was more than content with the weapon. It was large enough. Besides, he also had a bow, and he was quite certainly adept with that. Basch was dressed in his brothers armour but he had on his own clothing beneath it. He planned to remove the armour later on, when he was able to. Still, even without the helmet, no one would mistake him for himself. He was Noah Gabranth, after all. Not Basch fon Ronsenburg.

Ashelia was pottering about nervously outside the airship, surrounded by guards. "You'd better keep him safe. All of you. I shall not forgive his death." Her tone was hard but her face showed just how nervous she was. Her pale pink dress swept the floor as she moved, but she seemed to appeal to Fran more than anyone else as she stepped towards the motherly Viera, giving an awkward smile. "I know you are the only one mature enough to take charge on this journey, simply for your gender and birthright. Please, Fran... watch over him?"

However, all in all, it looked to be a pretty safe journey, especially with Balthier at the helm. The sky was clear, the course was set and nothing seemed particularly threatening, just yet. Things should run smoothly. Right?

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Fran cradled Nyxx in her arms; the infant was actually asleep for once. It was a rare occurance at the moment it seemed, and Fran intended to savour it. She almost wished it was just her and Balthier so they could sleep the day away, but an adventure may be fun, to get some normality back into their lives.

Krja clung to her leg. The little girl was beginning to learn the emotions related to shyness, and hiding behind mommy was her current way of coping.

"We shall look after them both. Do not worry. We shall return them safely to you, Highness."

Ashelia nodded smiling lightly. "Thank you, Fran." She exhaled a little, smiling over at Snow before looking at the children. "She's getting taller and taller by the day. I recall her so much smaller..." Such was life in a palace. You never got to see your friends much.

"And the young one; he looks well. He looks like Balthier," she chuckled softly, always keeping her voice down to not wake the baby.

Snow smiled, and gave Ashelia's arm a small squeeze, "We'll all be just fine, Ashe. I'm just off to Bikanel, and learning the sword from Basch." he absently touched the weapon on his hip, still finding it somewhat awkward, considering he usually just punched things. He could also mix items, like any Al Bhed, and had some skill with rifles... but otherwise he was clueless in battle. Still, he repertoire was considerable, for a man his age. He'd seen war before.

"Your kids are adorable, though." he smiled interestedly, squatting and extending his hand to Krja, behind Fran's admittedly shapely leg, "You're.. Krja, right, Little Miss? I must say, you are the prettiest little girl I've ever seen." his smile was warm; Snow got on very well with children, a good sign to those looking for it.

The Judge finished loading up their things, occassionally swapping a playful glare or a thump or slap with Balthier, always tending to play around with the man. When it was all ready, he headed down towards the group, smiling as he ran his hand through his cropped hair. He noticed Snow's interest in the children.

"We're loaded and ready to move," he murmured, giving Fran a smile, resting his hand on her shoulder as he leaned to look at Nyxx. "He is quite his father's son, isn't he?"

Balthier had retreated inside the airship, starting up the engines and ensuring the course was set. Smiling lightly, he hummed to himself an Archadian tune. So, he was quite satisfied with the payoff. Could you blame a pirate?

Even one as filthy rich as he was?

Fran gave a soft smile to Ashe, and then to Snow as he joined them, giving a slight laugh as Krja retracted further behind her. "She has only just discovered shyness. Before she was an ever confident monster."

With Snow's coaxing, Krja slowly began to come out from hiding, waddling over to him on tiny, clawed feet. She curled her tiny hand against his extended big one, giving him a bright smile.

Fran laughed softly at Basch's words. "Mm. Alike his father in looks and temper. The boy has powerful lung. I warn you now. You may wish for ear plugs come night time."

Ashe chuckled lightly, watching Krja and Snow. "She has indeed gotten shyer. It is sweet on her." She laughed softly, before leaning down to kiss Snow's cheek. "You'd all best be off. As should I. I've got so much paperwork to do..."

The Queen sighed a little, wiggling her bare toes against the ground, hidden beneath her pale dress.

Snow patted Krja's head, and kissed her little fingers gallantly, "You are quite a sweetheart. I think we'll be good friends, hmm?" he grinned good-naturedly, then stood and turned to Ashe. He took her in his arms when she sighed, finding it easy to show her affection, and dipped her slightly, giving her a long, lingering, passionate kiss, before setting her on her feet again.

"I'll miss you, Queenie.." he mumbled against her mouth, holding her for a long moment.

Basch averted his gaze, clearing his throat slightly before giving Fran a polite smile. "I shall go and accompany Balthier. I'm sure I can be useful..." He turned then, heading inside the airship, standing behind Balthier, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You certainly got your payoff from Her Majesty."

"As it should be, Basch. I'm worth my weight in gold, after all," Balthier smirked over his shoulder at the Captain turned traitor turned Judge. "Would you not agree?" The Leading Man laughed, waiting in his seat comfortably. Offering any of the seats, except Fran's, to Basch, Balthier smiled softly.

Still, he looked exhausted.

Krja soon ran back behind Fran once Snow let go of her fingers. This new sense of shyness seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, moreso since she returned from the Wood.

"Ashe... You are sure you shall not join us? I am sure you and I could find something to do while the boys do whatever it is they have planned." Fran asked, knowing that neither Ashe nor Snow truly wanted to be apart for long.

Ashe smiled as she was kissed and when Fran spoke she shook her head. "I have too much work to do. I've got what seems like a thousand fittings for my dress this week. With Snow away, I can get it done."

With that on her mind, she took a step nearer the Viera. "Fran... would you be a bridesmaid for me? I'm quite sure that I'd only have you and Penelo as such."

Snow stood back from Ashe, giving her her privacy to talk to Fran. He, in turn, leaned around and waved Krja over with a grin, taking off his bright blue arm-bandanna. He held it out for the little girl, "Every little pirate needs her hat, right?"

He'd squatted again, and it seemed Snow was quite interested in getting to know the shy little Viera girl. Well, Viera-Hume cross, but she looked plenty of both.

Sitting in the seat behind Fran's so he could continue speaking to Balthier without staring at the back of his head. "Worth your weight in hot air, I'd say." A smirk situated on his lips.

"You do realise that we will have the future King of Dalmasca aboard? Would it be futile of me to ask for your best behaviour, pirate?" Basch watched Balthier with fondness, as well as the general hardness he had to his face. It was the face of a war-weary soldier with a big heart.

"Hot air? Basch, you wound me deeply," he drawled, rolling his eyes with a slight smirk that he never lost. Not unless something serious was happening. "I'll behave as perfectly as ever. I'm no Giza Nomad, I know social graces. Perhaps better than you, Judge Gabranth."

That said, he stood, passing Basch with a smooth hand through the ex-traitor's cropped hair, and he grasped the voice modulating device. Clicking a button, he rested against the doorway. "All aboard. I'll take off without you, otherwise. This means you, Fran." His tone was playful and he set the device back swiftly, returning to his seat.

Krja took a few steps forward once more, taking the arm-bandana from Snow shyly, placing it on her head with a happy giggle.

Fran rolled her eyes a little at Balthier's voice. "Would not be the first time." She muttered to no one in particular. She turned her attention back to Ashe. "As for your question. It would be my honour." She gave the Queen a smile. "And do not worry. I shall make sure your future husband returns safely."

Ashe smiled to Fran, watching Krja and Snow with a soft laugh. "Thank you, Fran." She kissed Snow's cheek swiftly, taking a deep breath as she turned to set off.

Her guards and aides swarmed her, and Ashe put on her stony business face, trying hard not to show just how much this was worrying her. She could get upset in private.

"All aboard, huh?" he waved to Ashe as she was swept away with her aides, and winked to the little girl with his bandanna on, "Arr, you're shaping up to be a fine pirate little lady." he was good with kids, as many of the aides were busy telling Ashe. That was a good thing, right?

Snow stood on board and took a deep breath, feeling a little ancy. He turned back to look at Ashe, and almost immediately began to worry.. what if something happened to her? Dalmascan nobility was notorious for getting assassinated..

Basch had stood and gone to ensure Fran was okay getting aboard with both children. Noticing the look on Snow's face, he squeezed his shoulder in quite a fatherly manner. He was, after all, the oldest Hume on board. Sometimes, he felt like the oldest Hume in the Imperial army. Which he probably was. "She will be fine. Her Majesty has more strength than her ancestors. Lord Rasler is there, as well. Regardless of their situation, he wouldn't let a woman be harmed."

Now he'd stated that, he looked to Fran. "Need a hand with the children?"

Without a word, Balthier slipped between Snow and Basch like a wraith, barely even brushing either of them. Taking a quick jog down the steps, he scooped Krja up, tossing her in the air and catching her a moment later, kissing her nose.

"We're quite fine, thank you, captain." He leaned over Fran's shoulder, stroking his son's cheek, watching the infant squirm. "Fancy a swap, dear?" He chuckled, offering her the squirming one year old in his arms.

Fran gave a slight laugh. "Now, now, love. No need to get possessive. The good captain was merely offering aid." She said, before turning her attentions to Basch. "Thank you."

She swapped squirming baby for squirming toddler, nudging her nose against Krja's lightly. "Now, little one. Did you say 'thank you' to Snow for your hat?"

The little girl wriggled more, looking at Snow with big, bright blue eyes. "Ta'Chu."

"Good girl." Fran said, kissing Krja's ear stubs. "Don't worry, Snow. I'll make sure you get your bandana back later."

"I wasn't getting posessive, I just want my son," he murmured, scrunching his nose up at his wife. Snuggling Nyxx up, he held the boy against his chest, a hand supporting him by his tiny little backside, that fluffy tail wiggling excitedly. Balthier headed back onboard, smiling lightly as Nyxx nudged at his earrings with his nose, sniffling at him to get his scent, tiny ears twitching.

Looking to the largest man, he smiled slightly. "Yes, not to worry, when she goes for her nap, you'll get the bandana back." That said, he headed back to the cockpit, pressing a few more controls with his free hand.

Snow laughed softly, and waved his hand dismissively about the bandanna, as if clearing the air, "Now now, I'm not one to be taking gifts back, no siree. That's hers t'keep." he grinned to Balthier, then to Fran, thankful to Basch for his reassurance, and trying not to betray the unease he felt. Even with Rasler there, he wasn't entirely sure of Ashe's safety.. after all, the man had already been dead before!!

"Er.. well, yes. Now that we're off, I suppose we should get started with that training, eh Basch?" he needed something to do, or he'd be bouncing off the walls. Snow wasn't a 'sit around' type of guy.

Basch waited in his seat until Balthier had the Strahl in the air and flying steady before he replied to Snow. He knew how easy it was to literally bite your tongue when the Strahl took off as she was faster to start than any other ship. It'd been a design feature that had, aside from the costs, caused the airship prototype to be rejected by Archadia. It was too fast.

Once he could speak, Basch smiled and nodded once. "We shall train on the retracted wings." He looked to Fran and Balthier. "Please ensure your husband doesn't open the wings up with us on them, Fran." Basch chuckled and spoke as he removed his armour. Beneath was his white shirt/red vest/cream shorts ensemble, though it looked slightly wrong without his long hair.

Fran continued to hold Krja, finding it easier to cradle the infant until she fell asleep rather than risk putting her in the crib and having to go to her every two seconds. She gave a slight laugh to Basch's words. "I shall ensure you are safe. After all, cleaning splattered Humes off of the lands below is not my idea of fun." She teased.

"You are both welcome to use any weapon from the weaponry, save for Balthier's best gun."

"Touch my gun and you'll know how it feels to take a bullet in a very unpleasant place," he murmured, pressing autopilot and rocking his baby son gently.

A smirk settled on his lips. "If you wish for real training, two Judges are better than one, are they not? Although... it was the real Gabranth that trained me with a sword."

Snow laughed softly and rolled his shoulders, smiling to himself, "If you want to help me out too, I would be grateful for it. At some point, I need to learn how to speak more like a Dalmascan.. I think my accent is still -way- too foreign to put people at ease, y'know?" he sighed, resting his hand on the pommel of his somewhat awkward weapon.

"That, and swords.. I guess. And anything else you three think I should know t'be a proper King." Snow was really earnest about this.

Basch chuckled, shaking his head. "And the way you wield a sword shows it was my brother that trained you. All attack, no defense. Still, that is how he has always been, I expect, Fran?"

The Judge turned and picked up a lighter sword than the one strapped at his hip. It'd be fairer if he taught Snow how to handle one-handed blades first. "Anything else? What do you suppose, Pirates? Any clues as to what you believe makes a proper King?" Basch knew Snow would need a lot of work for, as nice and kind a man he was, he was a little too rough around the edges, at the moment, to be a King fit for Ashelia's side. Then again, he was a little biased.

"Are there any hard and fast rules for a proper King?" Fran asked. "For one, royalty should not hang around with vicious, wanted pirates; yet our dear Queen has no problems with it."

She continued to rock Krja to sleep. "As long as Ashe is happy, her people shall be happy too."

Balthier rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Ever the romantic, eh, Fran?" He muttered something in Archadian, a language he didn't often speak, but tended to when there were a lot of people around. Looking at Snow, he shook his head a little more.

"You must speak like a King, I hardly expect you have the etiquette a King should have and aside from swordplay and strategic knowledge, you must be able to conduct yourself as a King would." He had a lot of experience with Kings, after all.

Balthier twitched as Nyxx bit his earlobe. "Not to worry; I'll show you how to be a man worthy of royalty."

Snow smiled in amusement at the back and forth between the trio, and nodded to Fran, smirking, "Well, I have my own pirate friends besides you.. Though they seem to be in cahoots with the Nabradians, not that that's a problem." he rubbed his stubbly chin, thinking, "As for that.. Balthier, well, I'd love t'learn how to act good and proper for Ashe. I mean, I know she doesn't mind me now, but I ain't just gonna be around 'er, right? There're all kinds've people in Dalmasca who expect me to be as good as she deserves."

Snow looked around at the assembled people, "Present company included."

Basch certainly knew where Balthier would start. Personally, he didn't mind the way Snow spoke, but he knew one of the pirate's pet peeves was bad elocution. Along with grammar and ennunciation. Yeah... he was sure Balthier would start there.

The Captain turned Judge smiled at Snow's words then slapped a hand on his shoulder. "We shall have you in good shape by the time we return. I shall show you swordplay, Balthier will teach you how to behave like a noble and Fran will... show you whatever we miss." He smiled to the Viera before opening the Strahl's door and making a very dangerous jump to reach the folded back wing, steadying himself in the breeze.

Fran gave a raised brow at Basch's words, but said nothing. She held Krja in one arm, reaching out to take Nyxx from Balthier with her free arm. "Do try not to get any blood on the Strahl, it is such a nuisance to wash off." She all but teased.

It was quite nice to see the men getting along so nicely, even if she felt a little left out. She wouldn't voice her feelings though. These days, she was a mother, and that had to be her first priority.

He reluctantly handed Nyxx over. Balthier wasn't worried for his safety or some such thing... he just prefered having the boy near. Almost like a comfort mechanism, even if he was cocky, self-assured and pretty well put together. Nyxx and Krja were like his comfort zone.

"Fran? Well, of course she will teach our King-to-be how to dance. I'd do it myself but I prefer my male partners to be smaller. A lot smaller." Perhaps it was a slight dig at Snow's height but it was a little bit of a private joke to Fran, too, concerning Squall's height. Or lack there of.

When Basch exited and Snow likely followed, however, Balthier remained inside with his wife and children. "Am I the only one with a desire to open wing?" A wicked smirk came to his face as he returned to his captain's seat, swiping Nyxx back on the way.

Snow gathered himself, and leaped out after Basch, landing in a skidding crouch and catching himself before he slid off the wing. He straightened up, and smirked to Balthier, "Ah, well, I would be more the student than the partner, Balthier. You've got a lovely partner already." a gentlemanly nod to the Viera, and he turned his attention to Basch. Snow was light on his feet, and agile despite his size, so it was easy to balance, though the way he drew his sword was abyssmal and would likely have gotten him run through quickly in a real fight.

"How's this?" he looked to Basch for immediate correction, raising his brows.

"I pity any man taught to dance by you, Pirate," he joked to Balthier before turning away to watch Snow.

Practically grimacing at Snow's draw, he cleared his throat. "Dreadful, if I am entire honest, My Lord." He stood at Snow's side, rather than across from him, and drew his weapon in a clean, swift motion. As he did, it gave a ringing sound against the sheath.

"If you draw your weapon like that in battle, you will be easily disarmed and run through by your enemy."

Fran sat down in her own seat beside Balthier's captain's seat, cradling Krja across her lap. "While it may entertain boredom for a short while, I do not much fancy the task of explaining to the Queen why her future husband and Knight have perished."

She glanced at Balthier for a moment. "Best behaviour, please?"

His finger hovered over that control for a brief second before Fran suggested best behaviour. Sighing, with a slight pout, he settled back in his seat, kicking his feet up and nestling Nyxx against his thighs, watching the boy wiggle and his bald ears twitch.

"Honestly, if it was anyone but Basch on the wings, I would open them. Best behaviour has never been a thing of mine. You know that well." Still, he'd been pretty damn well behaved recently, especially concerning his bedding habits.

Snow nodded, and sheathed his sword. With a determined look, he drew it again, not quite producing the ringing of Basch's, but he did manage to get it out smoothly, without fumbling the blade like a chump. He held it a little unsteadily, trying to balance on the wing at the same time, and winced when the tip dipped.

The blonde was no quitter, though, and sheathed the sword once more. Setting his jaw, he tensed, pulled, and followed through firmly, bringing the sword out in a sharp arc. Still not as good, but the man showed definite improvement. "Jeez.. you guys make this look easy.."

Watching Snow repeatedly draw his sword, Basch would admit it was indeed pitiful to begin with but was gradually improving. "'Tis years of practice, My Lord. Quite a many few years." He was, after all, almost forty and going well for someone in the military. Not many made it to that age.

"Enough of your draw. We shall practice parrying and blocking." It was pretty simple to engage in swordplay. Whether or not you survived was a different matter. So, reaching into his pocket, he drew out two sword caps, placing one on the end of his own and reaching out to cap Snow's. "'Twould be a dire shame should I return you to Her Majesty with a wound I inflicted myself."

Fran leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Balthier's head. "You have been most well behaved lately, love."

She gave him a smile and rocked Krja a little more. "The sprite is fast asleep, I shall lay her down for a short while." With that, she stood and left the cockpit to take Krja to her own room.

Balthier sighed. "I know. It has been dreadful. I havent had sex since... well, since the last time you and I did it. Before Nyxx was born." He shook his head and stood, following her out to the bedrooms, taking Nyxx to their room and settling him in his crib before returning to the cockpit, settling in his seat with a sigh.

Honestly, he was far too behaved for himself.

Snow nodded, and smirked, "I daresay, again, that she'd have the both of us hung." a running joke between the two, ever since the Tonberry King encounter. He swung his sword experimentally, and smiled, "So, what, I try to hit you with my sword while trying not to get hit with yours?" really, Snow could handle a sword when it came to using his bare fists, but using a weapon was entirely different..

Basch chuckled at Snow's joke, giving a slight nod. "Indeed, she would." He'd been there to witness her anger a lot in the past few years. If they returned and Snow was injured because of him then they'd both be in for it. Honestly, two grown man so fearful of a young woman's wrath was more than just amusing.

Raising his sword, he drew his free arm back, standing in the perfect stance for fencing. "Aye, 'tis the plan. Worry not, you shall not get a hit on me," Basch replied, fully confident of that fact. "Do be cautious, however. Whilst the tips are capped, the edges are not, and are still quite able of severing a limb."

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[Thread: Ongoing.]

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Start new order? Balthier/Snow/Basch/Fran?

Sure!

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