(no subject)

[balthier-strahl.livejournal.com]

Who: Snow, Balthier, Ashe and Nyxx
What: Piano Lessons
Where: Rabanastre
When: Afternoon
Rating: G


Having avoided setting down on ground for quite a while, he knew he couldn't keep dodging out of things. Deciding to give Fran a break from the noise, Balthier carried Nyxx in one hand, the boy's bag over his shoulder. He knew how odd the scene was. Him, carrying a baby, looking like he'd actually been tied down. For the most part, these days, he had. Stepping inside the palace, with a smirk to the guards that always hated seeing him, he bounced the baby gently, looking around for where he expected the King in waiting would be.

He was busy practicing in the courtyard with his sword. Bedecked in full armor, the only saving grace for Snow was that his body and magic kept it, and him, very cool and refreshed, or he'd have passed out due to the heat a long time ago. As it was, his skill had grown considerably, not to mention impressively, as he had been personally trained not by one, but by two Judges.. though he wasn't entirely sure Balthier had been named a Judge officially.

It was certainly official, even if the time was short. Glancing around he paused to consider a moment more only to be met with the sight of the Queen. Ashe smiled brightly and bounded down the stairs. "You brought the baby!" She scooped Nyxx from Balthier's grasp and snuggled him up. "Indeed. Where is your Husband-to-be?" The Queen gave a soft laugh. "Follow me." Without anymore words exchanged, Balthier followed the royla to the courtyard, wary of her holding his son. He was painfully protective of his children.

Snow had been drilled by Basch not to let anything distract him in battle, and that included during his training. He saw Balthier and Ashe arrive, but he didn't stop what he was doing, going through forms he'd done many, many times over the past week. As with any good student, he adhered to the proper technique, while putting his own spin on things. Consequently, what would have been gentlemanly swordsmanship included a great deal of vicious jabs, elbow blows, and rising knees. Snow was, after all, a brawler.

Balthier watched the man with a slight smirk. "He has certainly improved. Nary a patch on the good Vaptain, but he has had years..." Ashelia chuckled lightly, smiling a moment longer than normal. "He has. Sir Basch has been drilling him hard to keep him in practise." Waiting only a moment longer, Ashe took a few more steps forward. "Snow? You have a guest." She didn't want to disturb him but there was something to be said about other Kingly traits.

He spun his sword in a breathtaking manner that Balthier had taught him, and sheathed the weapon in the same motion. As he walked over, Snow removed his helmet, holding it under the crook of his arm, panting just a bit, but with a big smile on his face. "Balthier! How are you today?" he stopped a few steps from them, beginning to work on taking off his armor. Several young boys, pages who were aspiring to be guardsmen for Queen Ashelia, arrived to help him strip the plate from his body.

Ashe chuckled as the boys came to help, most of them being orphans from Lowtown, and rocked Nyxx gently in her arms. Balthier smiled lightly, more of a natural smirk, and rested his hands on his hips. "I'm well. I am afraid we've a third for our meeting, today. Nyxx would not settle and Fran is too exhausted to keep up with both children alone. Krja is quieter, so the boy is with us, today." He gestured vaguely to the baby in Ashe's arms, still watching with a catious eye.

"Oh, well, that's just fine." he smiled warmly to Ashe and the baby, trying not to let his mind wander to a day when she might be cradling -his- son. Or daughter. Snow didn't care about the gender.. he loved kids, and had always wanted some. The fight against Cocoon had always stopped him from settling down, though.. Not like now. Finally, his armor was off and being polished. He thanked the boys, who grinned at him, and stretched, wearing a pair of light leather shorts, and a rough cloth vest that helped stop the armor from chafing. "He really is a handsome fellow, this one." he tickled under the baby's chin, and smiled indulgantly to Ashe, then Balthier, "May I?"

"I shall take that as quite the compliment, as most everyone has said he looks like me." He chuckled then gave a slight nod. "Do be careful of his ears. The fur has yet to grow in properly so they are still very tender and somewhat sore." Then, gesturing to the tiny tail on his son, he sighed slightly. "Try not to touch his tail. It is a little damaged from his birth. It will be fine in a few more weeks, but it is quite sensitive right now." Gently handing over the baby, Ashe was careful not to touch any of the places Balthier had mentioned, hoping not to upset the pleasantly quiet child.

Snow was equally gentle, if not moreso due to his size and strength. He was well aware of how easily children could be hurt, and he cradled the baby almost expertly in one arm, supporting his head deftly. "Aw.. heh, he's still so tiny. Well, he should grow up to be quite the charmer, considering his parents.." a few moments were spent simply cuddling and holding Nyxx, before his eyes drifted back to Balthier. Snow had a faraway smile, and indeed he had been imagining holding his own children.. "Er.. excuse the delay, it would seem my mind wandered. Having just caught it and caged it back up, I must ask, what do you wish to do today, Balthier?"

Ashe stood with a smile on her face that told of many different things she'd been thinking. She was suddenly so sure of Snow's ability to be a father. Just the way he held Nyxx told enough. Balthier shook his head slightly. "What I wish to do is get thoroughly sotted and perhaps cause some trouble, yet that is highly inappropriate with Nyxx in my care... so, I've decided between two options. You may choose. Would you rather we paint or I show you how to play the piano?" He'd leave the decision up to Snow, as it was of entirely no matter to him which they did. He knew Ashe had the supplies and equipment for both, so he was fine either way.

He blinked, then thought for a moment.. "Well, how about the piano? I'm afraid I don't know how to play any instruments, so I would be as green as any novice, and likely frustrating.." he glanced to Ashe, and then back to Balthier, "I have heard talented musicians play, though, and have always envied the skill."

"The piano it is then." He gave Ashe a light nudge. "Have you no work to attend to, Your Majesty? Honestly, if this is what you royals do all day, it's no wonder wars are started," he smirked at her as she gave him a sour look. "If we were all pirates, there would still be wars." She smiled lightly at him. "Pirate I may be, but far more civillized than most. Fear not; I've no intentions on -this- King, Ashelia." Balthier gave her a cheeky smile and she sighed softly. "Of course not. I do have work I must attend to, however." Tiptoeing, she kissed Snow's jaw then gave Balthier a mock glare before slinking off, leaving Balthier to smile back to Snow. "Come, we've a piano to play."

Snow watched the exchange, raising a brow slightly when not being watched, looking neutral when the attention shifted to him again, "Hmm?" a smile at the kiss from Ashelia, and he watched her go, "Yes, the piano. I believe I know where we might find one." he chuckled, rocking the baby gently and looking to Balthier, "Do you wish to carry him?" he could tell how protective the pirate was.

"Ah... yes..." He scooped Nyxx from Snow's hands, resting the boy against him and supporting him with one hand, letting Nyxx's Vieran instincts control him as he clung like a little monkey to his father's vest. "My apologies if I appear sour to others holding my children. Fran and I had many difficulties with Krja, leaving us both exceedingly protective. Myself moreso." He walked with Snow, sighing softly, giving a slight twitch to Nyxx's decision to snuffle at his neck.

"I understand completely." he thought of the Lowtown children, wishing he could safeguard them all from life's hardships, having seen plenty of children suffer in his time.. But he knew they were tough kids, fixing Lowtown would be the best thing he and Ashe, as 'parents', could do for them. He smiled and walked with Balthier, "I must thank you for your time, though, Balthier. It must be vexing indeed to try to teach someone with such ingrained habits." he had had to practice in front of a mirror for hours just to be able to speak in such a way without busting out laughing.

Balthier sighed slightly. "Indeed. I suppose that it mustn't be entirely amusing for you, either, to have an Archadian biting at you to speak properly and carry yourself differently. Still, we all make sacrifices for those we love." He nuzzled at Nyxx a little, smiling softly. "I used to have a severe fear of drowning, due to my home country being high up and entirely away from water, yet when Krja was endangered, I refused to allow that fear to overcome me. This was one of many sacrifices I have made for her." He'd make many more, too. "When she was cut from Fran's womb and her ears were removed, I shot my own brother. Sacrifices are a part of life."

Snow walked for a time, and sighed gently, "Indeed.. Sacrifices are essential to reminding us why the important things are important.." he remembered Serah, and felt his heart wrench, taking his breath away, and was silent for a long moment. Finally, he spoke again, "I change myself to be a proper King for Dalmasca, and a worthy man of her Queen.. I am worried, though, that one day I will have to make a choice that takes me away from Ashelia.. I cannot cross such a bridge until I come to it, of course.. but it does worry me." he was confiding in Balthier for the same reason he did with Basch; they were friendly to him, they were men with their own problems, and seemed wise enough to offer sound advice.

"Should you need to decide between Ashelia and something she would also deem important, I am certain Her Majesty would waste little time in allowing you the right choice. She is a woman of wisdom, despite her age, and with her dearest advisor being a man I know exceedingly well, she has grown increasingly more righteous." Not that she wasn't sickeningly so, already, sometimes. Honestly, there had been times, during their journey, that he'd have liked to have smothered her with a pillow in the night, but he understood her reasons, so he'd refrained from it. "Still, should it be something she believes herself capable of aiding you in, she will do so, whether you like it or not."

"Of course. I just do not want her thinking that my interest in her is purely for the merits of building an army capable of completing my objective. I do think better of her than that, though.." the problem was that the last time something bad had happened, the theft of the Nethecite, Ashelia had immediately thought such about him.. Snow didn't care to repeat the experience.

Balthier chuckled, smiling slightly. "If she believed that of you, she would not marry you. Weak to falling in love, she certainly is, but weak to the truth, that woman is not. Should she ever see you with ulterior motives, she will swiftly put an end to things." Likely meaning she'd put an end to him. As they headed inside, and out of the sunshine, the infant in his arms took in a sharp breath before wailing at the top of his voice, right by Balthier's ear. "Oh... for Gods' sakes. Nyxx, we cannot spend all day outside..." He bounced the boy gently, frowning slightly. "The Viera in him..." he stated to Snow.

Snow laughed softly, and nodded, "Then let us hurry. The piano, at least, is in a room with windows. We can have a maid bring a crib for him to rest in the sun, or something, to appease those mighty lungs." smirking, Snow patted Balthier's back, and hurried his step towards the room with the piano.. it also had thick rugs, and several mounted fiends, along with tapestries and other art..

Balthier rocked Nyxx but when Snow patted his back he would admit it knocked him slightly off balance. The man had huge hands and despite being six foot tall, Balthier wasn't the burliest of men. Catching up with the King to be, he instantly took Nyxx towards the window, using one hand to push it open and let the baby get the scent of the outside air. "Honestly. His sister is more Viera and she wasn't like this. Even in heat, Fran isn't like this." He did wonder if it was his own desire to forever see the sky that made Nyxx this way.

"Perhaps it's not the Viera in him, but the Sky Pirate." Snow mused, chuckling, "You might be a little more burdened than you were before, but you are hardly tethered. Your family lives on an airship, and speaking from experience aboard the Strahl, fresh air and sunlight are never far, the breeze in your face can be constant, if you want it, and the feel of being in the sky is incomparable." he strode to the other windows, throwing them open and taking deep breaths of the desert air.

"Hn... quite possible." Sitting himself on the edge of the window sill, he looked out, his eyes drawn naturally to the sky. By which point, Nyxx had also settled against him to watch the sky. "It makes me wonder if I was the same at his age. A bundle of noise that refused to take no for an answer." Pretty much how he was now. Still, he was going to have to wait for a maid to bring him a crib before he began his lesson.

"At that age? Heh, the Leading Man must not pay attention to himself most days. Ask Fran, you are like that constantly. It's endearing, though." he spotted a maid on a lower balcony, and waved at her, "Could you have a crib brought up, please?" she blushed at the King in Waiting asking with a please no less, and nodded, bustling off. "He does seem settled now, though."

"Excuse me? I pay more than enough attention to myself. I just have... other things to occupy myself with. No Leading Man will get far without watching over his supporting cast." It was only a few moments before a crib was heaved into the room by four maids, who set it down by the window. Standing, Balthier rested the child in it, tugging it nearer to the window to let Nyxx see out. Once that was done, he seated himself at the piano. "Now; I expect you've little to no experience, correct?"

"Perhaps, but I don't think you expect to pay attention to what you consider to be your normal attitude, my friend." he smiled faintly to Balthier, teasing the man a little bit. To each maid in turn, he smiled, "Thank you, ladies." they bustled off again, an efficient lot, and then Snow turned back to Balthier, "None, besides hearing others play."

"We shall start with the scales?" A soft sigh escaped him as he brushed off the teasing. He never took teasing well, but took it as graciously as possible. Playing out the scales, he gave a slight shrug. "The very basics. Perhaps a demonstration?" He wasn't sure whether Snow would rather start with the very basics or learn by doing, as such, and simply learn pieces.

He smiled to Balthier, and nodded, sitting on the bench and leaving room for the other man, "Alright.. er.. would it be better to learn bit by bit, or just try to learn to play whole scores once I have the basics down?" like with Basch, Snow was going to throw himself headfirst into this, and learn it.

"Well, it depends what kind of man you are. If you've the patience to sit through repetitive, gruelling, sometimes tedious lessons of the same basics over and over, then by all means, do so. Personally, I was too active a child to sit and repeat things which forced my tutor to teach me whole pieces at a time." Making himself a little more comfortable, he ran his fingers over the keys before playing a very official sounding piece. Pausing after only a few moments, he looked at Snow. "Archadia's National Anthem. The first piece I mastered. Quite simple, in fact."

Snow, blinking, looked at the keys for a moment. He couldn't use the same ones as Balthier, but after a moment longer, he placed his fingers on the keys, and played a passable, if lower key, rendition of the piece Balthier had played. "I see.. well, it is a lovely piece.." Snow was watching his fingers with slight consternation.. But they seemed to just know where to go, honestly.

"Quite. Rather pompous in my opinion, yet such is Archadia." Shifting to his feet, he gestured for Snow to sit in the center of the seat. "Perhaps Dalmasca's National Anthem would be safest. If you were heard playing Archadian music, it is like you would be lynched." He knew how disliked his people were, even if he was quite accepted by Dalmasca. "Now, rest your hands here and... here," he leaned over Snow and placed his hands where he wanted Snow's to be. Removing them a moment later he began to explain how he wanted Snow to move his fingers. He spoke almost like it was a set of battle moves, hoping Snow would be able to recreate the pleasant little piece.

Snow focused for a moment, internalizing the things Balthier was saying, until he could envision what he thought the music should sound like, though in his mind it was more a warbling of colour on a canvas. Honestly, Snow was gifted in some artistic pursuits, but warfare had been his life since he was young. He played, unsure of the notes, but following and trusting Balthier's instructions, doing quite well indeed for someone who'd never played.

"Slower," he almost ordered this of the man, setting against the piano with his arms crossed. "Perhaps an analogy involving sex might be easier, as there is no man alive that cannot grasp the concept." Pausing, he drummed his fingers against his elbow. "Just take it slowly. Envision the piece as a woman. Rush, and she will be entirely unsatissfied, likely sound painful and be bitter for the duration. Pacing yourself is like to be easier on everyone."

Snow's cheeks coloured slightly, as he remembered just how he handled Ashelia when they were in bed together. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, reset his hands, and opened them again. Snow began to play at a more proper speed, taking his time and stroking the keys almost lovingly, the rich tones of the piano taking shape into the Dalmascan national anthem.

"Good. Better, not perfect, but a lot better." Balthier crossed his arms on top of the piano, watching Snow's hands. A smirk settled on his lips as he was quite sure that blush was due to thoughts on Ashelia. "More confidence. You are a King! Have the confidence of one! Show the world just what you are made of." He gestured as he walked around behind Snow, his arms being used to emphasise his words. Then, sliding to perch on the edge of Snow's seat, he smiled. "You really are a natural."

Snow returned his smile, and played through the piece again, and then a third time, taking Balthier's words to heart. He had all kinds of confidance, though with Ashe, he tended to be somewhat shy, at times. This time, though, he decided that he was already in line to be King, like Balthier said, and didn't need to impress anyone but his bride, who was already smitten with him. That was uplifting, and indeed his playing improved.

"Yes, that's it." He almost seemed surprised and reached to rest his hands over the higher keys, playing the accompanying part to it. It was faster and more complicated but went well alongside the main Anthem. His face seemed to change from his usual smirk to a serious, almost serene expression, his rings a blur of colour as he played. He was certainly impressed by Snow's ability to pick up things quickly, and while the Anthem was fairly simple, it was still hard work for a beginner.

The blonde frowned slightly, trying to keep up with Balthier's playing, while taking the right time to make his own piece sound good. With each repetition, he seemed to pick it up more succinctly, his head swaying slightly with the rhythm of the piece. "Mmh, you're good at this, yourself."

"I've been playing for twenty one years. I should be." He gave a slight smirk, a twinkle in his eye that always seemed present. "Piano from the age of three, painting from four, violin from five, the flute from six. From there, science lessons in abundance and soon swordplay when I became a Judge at fifteen." The youngest Judge, and for only a year at that.

"Very impressive repertoire, and now you're a free flying Sky Pirate to boot." he smiled respectfully, and went through what he remembered of his own childhood and skills. Balthier would be one to notice that Snow Villiers was a very dangerous man indeed, judging from what he claimed he knew how to do. Terrorism called on bold men, though, and though he saw his acts more as justice for all, the government claimed otherwise.

"Then, of sorts, we are brothers in arms. Sky Pirates of my calibre are oft called terrorists." He didn't honestly see it as such, but that was just how it was. "Although, any murders I commit are entirely for personal gain, which is where we greatly differ." He knew that a lot of people saw him as a wolf in sheep's clothing, as such. A murderer and thief, a predator, disguised as a gentleman. Now that he would agree with.

"Indeed.. when I have to kill," which was often in the past, "I did it to further our goals. One day, my homeland will be free of Cocoon's tyranny, and both Cocoonites and Pulsites will be able to live in peace with one another." he spoke passionately, having finished the piece of music once more and stopped playing.

Once Snow stopped, he continued, with a piece he'd composed himself, though he maintained eye contact with Snow through their conversation. "An admirable cause, I'm quite sure. I am afraid my lifestyle is hardly as righteous. Still, I personally believe that everyone has it in them to be a pirate. Any moment of selfishness is simply a window into piracy." He smiled quite cheekily, returning his gaze to the piano as he played the solemn, haunting piece.

"Indeed." Snow laughed softly, listening to the piece, thinking for a moment, and striking up a slow, low undertone for it, playing as he felt, rather than what he knew, as he spoke, "We do not have to hold ourselves to one or another's standards, Balthier. You and I.. we're both men, and friends I'd like to think. It hardly matters if what you do is for personal gain, or for passion for freedom, or anything else.. We aren't at odds, after all."

"Ah, but there may well come a time we could be. I have very little loyalty to anyone but myself, and should a situation arrise where It is in my own best interests to betray Ashelia or yourself, I do hope you will expect the worst of me." It surprised him when Snow began playing but Balthier didn't falter or pause, simply continuing to play the piece. "Hmm... you have quite the ear for accompaniment. This piece is called Child of The Dream Weaver."

"But of course, you are a pirate after all." he smiled gently, "Child of the Dream Weaver..? I see. Well, I hope you don't mind my accompaniment." he continued to play, thinking as he did so.. Really, Snow was picking this up rather well, and with practice, would get it down easily.

"Indeed." He smiled slightly as he played, his eyes on the keys. "It fits rather well. A little different to the accompaniment I originally composed, yet uniquely fitting. You are indeed a natural." Bringing the piece to its close, he lay his hands further down the piano to show Snow where he wanted them. "Put your hands there." He'd have him play a specific song that Ashe would find appealing most of all. Yet again he spoke his instructions.

Snow placed his hands where Balthier indicated, and played as instructed, finding the man's voice easy enough to follow. The playing was hypnotic, to him, and he soon found himself following the sound of Balthier's voice without thinking, his fingers flowing from key to key, eyes half-closed.

Balthier smiled slightly, continuing to issue commands as a maid came into the room to do the cleaning. Sweeping the woman into his arms, he began to guide her in a lively ballroom dance. "Oh! She flushed brightly and he laughed, smiling suavely. "Oh, Lord Snow! Sir Balthier has taught you the Queen's birth piece!" It brought a slight smirk to Balthier's face as he held the woman intimately through the dance.

"Birth piece?" his playing faltered for a moment as he was jerked out of the nearly meditative state he'd been in. He continued to play the piano, getting back into the swing of it, "What does that mean, anyway? Was it composed when she was born?" he looked rather interested, though he continued to watch the keys rather than Balthier and the maid.

"Indeed it was. By her mother." He swung the maid around, laughing as she giggled. "All Dalmascan royals have a birth piece and most are written by a hired musician. Mostly Archadians, truth be told, yet her mother wished to write hers, as she was the only princess." Kissing the maid's cheek, he bustled her off to do her work, soon returning to the piano. "Very few people know how to play it. I am one of... perhaps five."

"I see.." the set of Snow's jaw said he would be perhaps the sixth, and this would be the piece he practiced most often. It would mean much to Ashe, he figured, for him to learn such a song.. "It is a wonderful piece, from all I've heard.. and it does evoke a sense of the woman Queen Ashelia has become."

"Mm. Almost as if her mother predicted the strife she faced. The middle, being so solemn..." He shook his head slightly then glanced out the window, noting the position of the sun. Even for the modern watch Squall gave him and the clocks in the palace, he always gauged time by the sky. Crossing to the beg he'd brough for Nyxx, he got out a bottle, heating it with a slight Fire spell in his palm, before scooping the boy up. Pausing for a small second, he crossed to Snow. "A new lesson. How to feed a baby."

Snow chuckled softly, and held out his arms to accept the small boy, "Ah, now this is something I know I can do." he gently curled an arm around Nyxx, plucking the bottle from Balthier's hand. "Unless he's particular about the airship noises I make when getting the bottle to him." he winked playfully, at ease with children.

"Well, he does sleep best in the engine room, but he's like me for that..." he chuckled and watched as Nyxx stared up at Snow, his mouth agape, gurgling noises escaping him. "Now, be careful he does not suck in air, and do try to ensure he concentrates. Just like Krja, he is easily distracted. Especially by me, according to Fran." He seemed to be a big distraction for both his children.

"Right. No air, plenty of attention, and no Daddy." he smirked, and caught the boy's attention by pulling a face, then popped the rubber nipple into the little half-Viera's mouth. Holding it in place, Snow made soft, soothing noises to keep the boy's attention on sucking back his meal.

Balthier smiled and took this as a chance to inspect the boy's ears, gently brushing his fingers over them, frowning a little at the patches without fur. There was a soft downy feel to them but no real fur. Satisfied that there was nothing wrong, however, he rested against the piano again. A soft knock came to the door and it opened without permission as Ashelia slipped inside, eyes widening at the sight of Snow feeding Nyxx.

Snow hadn't heard the knock, as it was that soft, and so continued to coo and burble at the boy, who's eyes remained on the blonde man, though they were half closed. Content and sleepy made for a happy baby. "There's a good little guy, eat it all up."

Balthier smiled over at the Queen, noticing that look in her eye. The same look Fran had held. The young woman stepped quietly towards them, one hand curled against her solar plexus, the other wrapped over the first. "This is not piano practise, she murmured, smiling softly. She couldn't believe how natural he looked.

He jerked his head up, and blinked, "Hmm? Oh.. we spent all afternoon practicing. It was time to feed Nyxx." he smiled blithely to Ashe, then set the nearly empty bottle aside on the piano, lifting the little boy to his shoulder and gently patting and rubbing his back. "How was your afternoon, Queenie?"

Balthier laughed as Nyxx's eyes instantly widened at the sight of his father and the Hume-Viera wiggled excitably on Snow's shoulder, his tail wagging fiercely. Ashe smiled gently. "I have finished most of my work. The rest requires meetings with other royals. I require a discussion with them, as they do with I, thus a meeting will be called soon." She smiled, looking very content but a little bit of impatience in her gaze.

"I see.. is this something I could be assisting you with, Ashe?" he laughed gently when the wriggling baby let out a rather loud belch, before reaching impatiently for his father. Snow snickered, and held the kid out, "Oop, looks like he's done with me, Balthier."

Balthier smiled and snuggled his son up, moving towards the window with him, pointing out airships quietly, the picture of fatherhood, despite any wrong-doings he made. Ashe smiled, her eyes draw to Balthier for a moment before she settled beside Snow on the piano bench. "It will do to have them all get to know you. However, depending on where the meeting is held, you may be required to play guard as well as King." She didn't want to be assassinated after all.

Snow's smirk turned particularly vicious, as he turned to the piano again, and began to play the Dalmascan anthem, speaking as he did, "Well, I'll be certain to wear my sword and armor, and be suitably intimidating." he had really just been a big teddybear with the kid, but Ashe would have seen him being mean by now.

"Good. I'd rather no assassinations were to happen." She smiled at the piece he played, humming softly to the tune. "You... looked very content with the baby," she stated, smiling a little more as she let her gaze find her knees. She really had been quite surprised and shocked but pleasantly so. She was, after all, a woman who valued family above almost everything.

The blonde continued to play, smiling brightly, "He is a handsome child, and loud like his father." he cut a glance to Balthier and chuckled, "I jest, but yes.. I am rather fond of children, honestly.." he wanted his own, one day. Maybe lots.

"Any child of Balthier's would be loud," she muttered at a volume just for Snow. "As am I. I... would like some, one day." She wasn't going to press the matter but she really didn't know how to bring this topic up. It was akward enough discussing it with Basch.

He paused his playing for just a moment, to pat her thigh, "Once we are married, we can worry about when to have our children." not if they wanted them.. he knew that the both of them did indeed want kids.

She gave a single nod, smiling gently as she alternated her attention between the father and son pirates to her fiancee playing the piano. She really was impressed. "Indeed. Once we are married." She smiled a little more, content to watch him play now.

Snow settled into a pattern, going from one piece to the next. The Dalmascan anthem, the Archadian anthem, Balthier's piece "Child of the Dream Weaver", and then Ashelia's birth song. When he finally drew to a close, he took a deep breath, "And that's what I learned today."

"Do be sure not to play the Archadian anthem in public, my love. The people will not enjoy it, despite how well you play." She smiled, resting her hands on the keys. "You know my birth song..." A soft smile came as she pressed at the keys. "I am afraid music was always my failure during my childhood. Art was quite my thing, instead."

"Ah.. well, I don't know yet, how well I will do when it comes to creating.." besides her ring, which had been easy really, with his magic, Snow had never made anything. Not artistically. He could make bombs, and stuff like that, though.

"It might come as easily as the piano has." She chuckled lightly, looking to him with a smile. Just that instant, Balthier came near, resting a hand on Snow's shoulder. "I am afraid I must leave. Nyxx mustn't spend too long away from Fran and I've an itch to fly..." He smiled lightly as Nyxx's tiny thumb found his mouth after a few clumsy misses.

Snow smiled, and nodded, "Certainly, Balthier. Thank you for the lesson, perhaps you can come by some other time and give me further instruction." he patted the man's hand on his shoulder.

"Indeed, I shall." He gave Snow's shoulder a light squeeze before leaning to kiss Ashelia's cheek. Once those social graces were passed, he headed for the door, rocking Nyxx on his way out, earning a soft laugh from the Queen.