(no subject)

[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier, Fran, Vaan, Nono and a baby moogle
When: Over the course of a day
Where: Rabanastre, The Strahl, Besaid
What: Seeking out Vaan’s aid
Rating: PG



Fran stirred from a peaceful slumber. As she blinked her eyes open, the weight of the situation they were in tugged at her mind. She gave a sigh and looked at Balthier's sleeping form. He looked so peaceful, so beautiful. She reached out a hand stroking his hair. Her body had a dull, but pleasant ache to it.

At the touch to his hair, his eyelids flickered and he shifted with a slight groan. He smiled as his eyes met Fran's reaching out to stroke her cheek. "Morning, Love." He murmured softly, smiling just as gently at her.

Fran leaned into his touch. "Good morning. How did you sleep?" She asked, shifting a little closer to kiss his cheek.

Balthier stroked her hair as she kissed his cheek. "As well as can be expected." He replied, looking at her.

"We have survived the night. This is something to be thankful for." She smiled softly. "We should travel to Rabanastre. Speak with Vaan."

"Why would we need to speak with the boy?" He shifted slightly, frowning at the idea of even having to get out of bed.

"We cannot travel freely without the risk of being hunted down. He can. He can act as our eyes, our ears. He could speak to Larsa for us. I believe we can trust Vaan."

Balthier sighed, stretching his arms above him. "Do we even need to think of speaking with Larsa? The boy is a liar, an Imperial, a Solidor." He closed his eyes, rubbing one.

Fran sighed and sat up. "Is that truly what you believe, in your heart?" She asked, reaching for the hairbrush to comb through her tangled hair.

"We've learnt not to listen to my heart, have we not?" He shifted slightly before throwing the covers off himself and walking, entirely naked, to the bathroom.

Fran followed, also naked, moving to sit on the edge of the tub. "That is not a proper answer."

"I know not what to think, Fran. What to believe. Perhaps I should become a devotee to religion? It may clear my mind." He chuckled, stepping into the shower rather than filling the tub.

Fran stepped in with him, despite the shower only being tiny. "You? I cannot see you as the religious type." She rested her hands on his chest. "We will figure this out and we will overcome it."

Balthier kissed her nose. "Of course we will." He smiled and began cleaning his skin. "I can be religious. I called for the gods last night, did I not?"

Fran flushed a little. "I do not think that counts as a prayer." She stole the washcloth from him. "Turn around."

Balthier turned to face the shower wall, rolling his eyes slightly. "It is the nearest to prayer I shall ever get." He replied, smiling softly.

Fran started to wash his back, leaning in to kiss his shoulder. "Not that I'm complaining you understand."

"You would not rather you had a man upon whom you could rely? A man whose connection to the gods matched that of Viera to wood?" He asked, leaning one arm on the wall.

Fran continued to wash his back, her hand faltering a little. "Your connection to the gods matches my own to the wood. That is good enough for me. Besides, I can rely on you. Never once have you abandoned me when I have needed you."

"Until recent days, of course." He replied, glancing down to his feet as the water ran over the two of them.

"Never have you abandoned me." She repeated, stepping back to begin washing herself.

Balthier turned and took the cloth from her hand. "We'll agree to disagree on that, hm? Turn."

Fran turned so her back was to Balthier, moving her hair out of the way, resting it over her shoulder.

Balthier began washing her back, his hands gentle on her dark skin. "...We cannot go to speak with Vaan, Fran." He finally said, realising that he'd be arrested within moments if they just waltzed into Rabanastre.

"Then let me go alone. I shall disguise myself if I must." She let out a sigh. "We cannot do this without aid."

Balthier finished on her back, stepping forward to press his chest against it, reaching around to begin washing her chest and stomach. "There are two things you cannot disguise, love." He teased.

Fran reached up, pulling her ears down with her hands, much like a rabbit would to clean them as she leaned back against Balthier.

Balthier looked up at her face without her ears stood upright. She was still as beautiful but it was not his Fran. "You know I shan't let you out to see him alone, Fran."

"Then come with me. Wear a disguise and keep your mouth shut. There are many who know your face and voice, but many more who know you by name alone."

Balthier nodded once then began to shampoo her hair. "Are your ears still tender?" He asked, being careful not to touch them.

"Not so much." She let go of them slowly, letting them go back into their upright position. She reached out, resting her hands on top of Balthier's, working them through her hair.

"Fran... do Viera dream?" He asked, frowning at how foolish the question sounded so late in their partnership. He ran his fingers through her hair as she guided his hands.

Fran gave a nod. "They do." She leaned into his touch more, rolling her head side to side as her hair was worked with shampoo. "What makes you ask?"

Balthier reached up and took the shower head from it's holder, using it to rinse off her hair. "Curiosity. I was just recalling the dream I had this night passed."

Fran closed her eyes and tilted her head back so no suds would get into them. "What did you dream?" She asked.

"I dreamt of the time we met and I... think I dreamt of a death." He frowned slightly, being sure to get all of the suds out of her hair.

Fran turned suddenly to face him, cupping his cheek. "Death? Whose? Yours?" She asked, looking more than a little worried.

Looking quite shocked and a little afraid of her reaction, he nodded. "Mine. It was a little frightening but I am sure it is simply an affect of the situation..."

She kept her hand on his cheek, her free hand resting on his shoulder. "How... what happened? Tell me?"

"Execution. More precisely, hanging." He replied, almost wanting to back out of her grasp but knowing he was unable to in the small shower.

"I will not let that happen." Fran replied, letting go of Balthier to step out of the shower. She wrapped a towel around her waist and moved to sit on the edge of the tub, wringing excess water out of her hair.

Balthier paused a moment then replaced the shower head. He stepped out of the shower and began drying himself with a towel. "If I am captured, no doubt it will be done within the hour."

Fran squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, before staring at the tub. "I will not allow you to be captured then."

"I hope that is something we can achieve." He replied, ruffling his hair with the towel. He sighed softly before moving to have a shave and brush his teeth.

Fran continued to wring her hair out, hands trembling a little.

Balthier worked swiftly and in moments his skin was soft and his teeth were sparkling. Once he'd finished, he moved to the bedroom, slipping on underwear. "Fran... how exactly am I disguising myself?"

Fran moved to the bedroom, walking to the wardrobe, looking through it. "I do not know. Something to blend in, but also hides your head a little."

"Blend in..." He looked at his clothes with both eyebrows raised. "This is a task that defeats me." He chuckled, petting his fingers through her hair.

Fran chuckled and pulled some of the rare plainer garments from the wardrobe, setting them in Balthier's arms. "Try these."

Balthier looked at the attire he'd been handed. "This is unnatural." He commented, moving to get into the clothing. "A hat would be useful... or some sort of hood."

Fran dug further through the wardrobe. "You need better disguises." She commented dryly, tossing a hooded top at him.

Balthier caught it with a chuckle. "We got rid of our disguises when we helped save Ivalice, if you recall." He replied.

Fran pulled a black cloak from the back of the wardrobe, shaking off the dust. "Not all of them." She pulled on one of Balthier's white shirts, pinching it in at the waist with a belt like a short dress.

Balthier smiled at her outfit, pulling on his hooded top and moving to stand by her. "These are still a problem." He commented as he gently pet a hand over her ear.

Fran moved to get some string, tying it around both ears, before tugging them down and tying the end of the string onto the belt. She then put the cloak on, pulling up the hood, ears now vanished from sight.

Balthier looked at her, his head tilted slightly. "You look Hume." He teased, smiling at her. He slipped on his glasses, turning to look at himself in the mirror. "Not nearly close enough to 'Balthier', I look like a... Solus." He frowned.

"Is that not the idea of a disguise, my dear Solus?" She asked, resting her hand on his arm.

Balthier chuckled. "And what is your name, Hume woman?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Fran bit on her lip in thought. "My name is Azalia."

"Mm... pretty. I prefer Fran." He replied, taking her hand. "So, Rabanastre?" He asked, tilting his head.

Fran smiled at him. "Rabanastre." She confirmed, moving to the cockpit.

Balthier followed and slumped into the captain's chair. He began pressing buttons and soon enough, the Strahl was on course for Rabanastre.

Fran sat in her own seat, scratching at her ears beneath the hooded cloak lightly.

Balthier glanced at her as he flew the Strahl. They were not that far from the Estersand, it'd be easier to drop anchor there. "Careful, those ears will make an appearance if you fidget with them."

Fran frowned a little. "It's uncomfortable." She pouted, getting up from her seat. "Landing or sliding down the chain?"

"Sliding. Landing her in the sand will scratch her paint. We're not free to get that repaired." He replied, keeping his eyes on the sky.

Fran gave a nod and walked towards the hatch, pressing the button to open it.

Balthier dropped the anchor then stood and followed her. "Ladies first." He commented, making a hand gesture.

Fran took hold of the heavy anchor chain, and climbed down it carefully, before dropping to the sand below.

He followed her down the chain then straightened his clothing as he stood in the sand. "Azalia?" He held his hand out to her, smiling.

Fran took hold of his hand as if the name was the most natural sound in the world to her. "Solus."

Balthier smiled a little wider then began to lead her into Rabanastre, towards a place that would be teeming with Imperials.

Fran walked alongside him, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. She kept her eyes on the ground, but she was listening intently.

Balthier was tense as they stepped into the city. As Imperials walked by, not recognising them, he relaxed a little. "Where do you suppose he is?" He asked quietly.

Fran gave a slight shrug. "Perhaps he is at Migelo's shop?"

Balthier nodded slightly then began to lead her towards the little shop, through the streets.

Vaan, however, was headed the opposite way, talking to a younger boy as he walked. It was a normal conversation about pirates and airships.

Fran kept a firm hold of Balthier's hand, growing a little nervous as they went further into the city.

Balthier sighed slightly, feeling as if they'd never reach Migelo's, but at that moment, he spotted Vaan. "There." He spoke quietly, squeezing Fran's hand a little.

The blonde boy waved goodbye to his friend then walked onwards with his hands on the back of his neck, his elbows up in the air.

Fran let go of Balthier's hand, moving over to where Vaan stood. She grabbed hold of one of his arms, her free hand going across his mouth to silence him. "Shh."

Balthier half lowered his glasses and looked at Vaan. He raised an eyebrow before putting the glasses back properly.

Vaan nodded, eyes wide. How were they even able to have the guts to come out now? He made a gesture, suggesting they follow him.

Fran let go of Vaan with a nod, moving to once more take hold of Balthier's hand.

Balthier held her hand tightly, following Vaan whilst keeping an eye out in case Imperials approached them.

He quickly led them through the nearest gate into Lowtown then quickly took them around to the abandoned house. As soon as they were safely inside, he slid the chair to the door, pushing it up under the door handle.

Once the door was securely shut, Fran lowered her hood, but left her ears securely tied in place.

Balthier lowered his own hood and slipped his gun out, holding it to Vaan's head. "Are you with us or the Empire?" He asked.

Vaan chuckled and pushed the gun down. "The Empire, for sure." He teased. He leaned against the wall. "So, you raped Larsa?"

Fran rested against a table, folding her arms across her chest. "In the eyes of the law. Yes. Though one hardly calls it rape when both are willing, wouldn't you agree?"

Balthier frowned and leaned against the table, too. "You truly think me capable of rape, Vaan? It's bad enough Larsa has called it on me..."

"I still can't believe that... and now that there are Imperials everywhere again, there are people saying that they're glad things are 'getting back to how they used to be'."

Fran frowned. "We cannot show our faces. We cannot move freely. The first time we are spotted we will be hounded down."

"We need to make use of you, Vaan. Be our eyes and ears... and sorely, our tongue. We need you to speak with Larsa." Balthier said, crossing his arms.

Vaan nodded, scratching the back of his neck. "So... what am I supposed to say to him?"

Fran shifted a little. "We need you to find out why he has called rape on Balthier. To find out why he has done this when it was him who came on to Balthier."

Balthier glared at the floor a moment, disliking the fact that his sexual activities were more than just public knowledge.

"Okay... I can do that. What about you guys? What are you gonna do?" He tilted his head a little.

"We shall keep a low profile. Perhaps fly to further cities, away from the Empire's watch."

Balthier nodded a little. "If we fly from Ivalice, no doubt we shall find a place where our names are but legends."

Vaan frowned slightly. "What am I supposed to do when I have the information from Larsa?" He scuffed his shoe on the floor.

Fran sighed and moved to lean against Balthier's arm. "We shall find you. When the time is right. Whatever you do, make sure no one finds out you are 'conspiring' with us."

"Yes, you won't need to search for us, you simply will not find us. When we need you, we will find you." Balthier leaned on Fran in return.

A weak smile crossed his face. "Okay... I'm gonna head out first. So I'm not seen with any 'shady characters'." He half-joked.

Fran sighed, pulling Balthier's arm around her waist. "We seek the safety of the skies. We pray she smiles on us."

Balthier held onto her, kissing her cheek. "We pray, us godless pirates." He smiled softly then as Vaan left it vanished and he buried his face in her neck.

Fran ran her fingers through his hair. "Let us go back to the Strahl."

Balthier nodded and pulled his hood up. "Home." He carefully pulled her hood up then held out his hand.

Fran kissed him softly. "Home." She repeated, taking hold of his hand, guiding him out of the abandoned house to the darkened underground streets of Lowtown.

Balthier walked with her, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. Imperials didn't seem to look at them, thinking they were simply a Hume couple, and the reached the Strahl without difficulty.

Fran let out a relieved sigh once the anchor chain was in sight. "Well, we survived, for now."

"Survival seems to be task number one these days." He commented. pulling himself up the chain.

Fran followed him up the chain, missing the days when they had a ladder!

Balthier slipped into the Strahl then yanked his hood down, making his way to the cockpit. He slipped off his glasses then slumped into his chair.

Fran followed, slipping her hood down slowly and untied her ears, pulling the string off of them and rubbing them gently.

He pulled the anchor up and turned to Fran. "Well. Where to, love?" He asked, looking up at her face.

Fran turned her face away and pulled out a map. She ran a finger along the paper, before pointing at random. "Besaid Island."

Balthier took one glance at the map then keyed in the co-ordinates. At that, he put the ship on autopilot. "A change of clothing is in order."

"You think?" Fran asked, stealing a glance at him. "This shirt is most comfortable."

"Well, you look attractive in it. I look like... an Archadian." He gestured to his clothing. He shook his head with a sigh. "Besides, I cannot wear this to an island. I need something more... island-y." He laughed, heading down the ship and slipping into the bedroom.

Fran chuckled soft and remained sat, resting her feet on the control panel, the map on her lap.

Balthier changed into a thin white shirt and comfortable yet smart black trousers before heading back to the cockpit and sitting in his seat. "Perhaps the people there know not of our notoriety."

"Let us hope. I am tired of hiding already." She replied, tilting her head to look at Balthier.

"I apologise for it." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest and sliding down in his chair.

Fran folded the map and put it aside. "No apologies. They will change nothing. Let us look to the future instead."

"But perhaps not a future in Ivalice." He added, closing his eyes and just listening to the engines.

Fran leaned over, pressing an oh so soft kiss to Balthier's cheek. "I'll get us something to drink."

He hummed slightly but said nothing, simply stayed in his seat with his eyes closed. When he felt stressed, sometimes the sounds of the engines and the skies relaxed him.

Fran got up and went to their small 'kitchen', she returned after a few minutes carrying two bottles of Bhujerba madhu, setting one on the control panel next to Balthier.

He cracked one eye open then smiled. "Odd choice of beverage." He commented before picking it up and taking a swig, sighing after it.

Fran returned the smile. "Well, we cannot let the Fates have all the fun, can we?" She clinked her bottle against his and took a long sip.

Balthier chuckled. "I knew there was a dark side to you. It's taken me six years to find it but, by gods, I got there." He teased.

"It comes of six years saving you from certain doom." She replied.

Balthier raised an eyebrow at her. "You've grown a sharp tongue, Viera." He teased, smiling at her.

"Almost as sharp as my arrowheads." She replied, taking another drink from her bottle.

Balthier chuckled then sipped his drink. "Are we planning to be sotted when we arrive at this little island?" He joked, looking out at the sky.

"Of course not. What's wrong, pirate? Cannot handle a single bottle of madhu?"

"Perhaps. I've had too much to drink these past few weeks." He commented before swiftly downing the rest of his drink.

"There was once a time that you could match me drink for drink on a nightly basis." She sat down again, resting her elbows on her knees. "Do you remember the first time you got drunk? You were so sick."

Balthier chuckled and looked at her. "It is you who is to blame for that. You bought me my first alcoholic drink. My eighteenth birthday, remember?" He smiled.

"I remember it well. Long before you because a gentleman drunk." She smiled warmly at the memory. "Your hair was longer, not much, but a little, I had to keep it out of your eyes while you had your head in the toilet."

Balthier laughed a little more. "I was so very much like Vaan. That is the reason I believe that he will grow well." He smiled then yawned. "I do so hope we can reach this island before nightfall."

Fran gave a slight nod. "Me too." She leaned in and kissed his temple. "Go rest until we arrive."

"Wake me when we arrive, I assume you can land safely." He teased. He leaned down and kissed her nose. "This 'child' loves you." He smiled then turned to leave.

Fran smiled at him. "Sleep well. No nightmares." She moved to sit in the pilot's seat.

Balthier smiled softly. "I'll try to wake before they hang me in my sleep." He half-joked before slipping into the bedroom and flopping on the bed.

Fran kept her eyes on the darkening skies, watching their surroundings, watching land mass and sea pass beneath them.

Quickly falling to sleep, Balthier's dream from the previous night returned. A reminder of his first meeting with Fran then a violent end to his life.

Fran saw some airships ahead. She shifted position, setting the Strahl back into manual pilot, manoeuvring around the ships, causing the ship to rock slightly.

Balthier stirred slightly at the movement of the ship but simply drifted back to sleep, comfortably this time, however.

She caught sight of their destination and piloted the airship closer, guiding her to a safe landing.

Balthier curled up in the sheets, feeling the altitude drop even if he was asleep. He nuzzled his pillow, frowning lightly.

Fran moved to the bedroom, pausing at the doorway to watch Balthier for a long moment, before turning away to leave him sleeping.

Balthier lay asleep in bed, his dreams less violent than they had been. The sounds of the engines vanishing made him wake slightly and he lifted his head with a soft noise. "Fran...?"

Fran stopped and turned back to face him. "I am here. We have arrived. But rest now. You need it."

Balthier sat up, shaking his head. "No... I am fine." He rubbed his eye then climbed off the bed and walked across the room to her. "I wish to see the island with you."

Fran kissed him gently. "Any nightmares?" She asked, cupping his cheek for a long moment, looking into his eyes.

"At first... but they went away." He smiled at her, touching the back of her hand gently.

She pressed a kiss against his nose. "You know that I will protect you with my life, yes?"

"I know." He nodded once then took her hand and kissed the back. "Let us see this island, hm?" He smiled at her.

Fran gave a nod. "The sea, sand and sun are just what we need right now."

Balthier nodded, too, then led her out of the Strahl and onto the almost-white sand of Besaid Island. The sun was indeed bright and he raised one hand to shield his eyes.

The sun always rises with the morning, and with it our hopes and spirits." Fran commented, holding on to Balthier's hand.

"Mm... but the sun always dies in the evening. Perhaps with it, we shall die, too." He replied, leading her casually along.

Fran tilted her head. "No. Not die. Sleep. The sun sleeps." She gave him a soft smile, looking around. "It seems so peaceful here."

"It does. Far more peaceful than even the Phon Coast. Though, I suppose that is down to the hunters." He chuckled, watching a pair of little girls run past giggling.

Fran smiled warmly at the small girls. "Perhaps if the sky ever tires of our company, we should retire to such a place as this." She noticed a small gathering of huts up ahead, with a bonfire in the centre.

"The sky may punish us for that comment, love." He teased, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "It seems far more primitive than the settlements we have seen before..." he commented quietly.

Fran gave a nod and walked closer to the huts with Balthier, looking around. "There seems no sign of wanted posters here, and there are no Imperials around. I sense no danger here."

"I am truly glad of... what on earth are those children doing?!" He gestured to a group of small children poking something with a stick.

Fran tilted her head, looking at the group of children. "Are they... poking a living creature?!" She asked moving closer to the group. "Whatever are you doing?!"

One of the children looked up at her with a childish grin. "We were poking this winged rat! Want a go?" He asked, holding his stick up.

Balthier took the stick and playfully hit the child on the head with it. "How about I poke you with this, hm?" He crouched down and scooped up said 'winged rat', smiling at it. "Fran, look what has strayed so very far from home."

Fran reached out and took the tiny beaten moogle in her hands. "The poor thing is so frightened. Such tiny wings, shattered by these children." She looked at the children. "You have nothing better to do than to poke helpless animals?" She asked, sternly.

Balthier gently pet the moogle's head with his index finger. "They knew not, love. Don't be too harsh on them."

A little girl looked up at Fran with teary eyes. "W-we're sorry! We didn't think it was so bad! It's not from around here!!" She pouted.

Fran sighed and knelt in front of the girl. "We are not from around here either, but would you poke us with sticks? This is just a tiny, frightened moogle, so far away from his mommy and his family." She said, voice softer.

Balthier suddenly let out a laugh as one of the boys did, in fact, poke his leg with a stick. He swiped it from the boy and gave him a sharp, playful smack on the head with it.

The little girl looked at the moogle. "Sorry... we won't poke it anymore." She then did they prayer of Yevon before turning and running off. The small group all repeated her actions then followed after her.

Fran stood and cradled the moogle closer to her. "Children are such strange creatures." She looked down at the broken bundle. "Where are you from, little one? Where is your family?"

Balthier stood by Fran, gently petting the moogle with his finger. When it did not reply, he frowned. "Perhaps it is in worse condition than we believed..."

Suddenly, Nono came running from the Strahl, bounding over and diving at Balthier's leg. "I smell moogle!" He spoke almost in shock.

Fran frowned, holding the tiny creature against her breast, using her free hand to get a potion. She popped the cap open, dipping a claw into the green liquid, holding it against the tiny moogle's lips. She looked down at Nono. "It is in a bad way."

Balthier picked up Nono and allowed him to see the moogle. "See? Can you speak to it for us?" He asked the larger moogle.

Nono nodded and a series of squeaks came from him. He smiled then looked at Fran and Balthier. "He is a little scared..."

Fran nodded. "Hardly surprising after being poked and prodded at by such children. We should return to the Strahl and let him rest."

Balthier nodded, putting Nono down on the floor. "This, oddly enough, seems a familiar situation." He chuckled, holding Nono's hand. Many of the village people watched them. It was true that Viera were an uncommon sight in Ivalice but here, Fran must seem either godly or unnatural.

Nono bounced on his feet as they headed back towards the Strahl, tugging at Balthier's hand like and eager child.

Fran felt a little uneasy with so many eyes upon her. "It is like deja vu, yes?" She said, smiling at Balthier. "Only we are older and ... supposedly wiser."

"Wiser? I think not." He chuckled softly and tugged back at Nono's hand. "Patience, moogle! We're on holiday, remember." He teased.

He squeaked frustratedly and slipped his paw away, running off down the beach to the Strahl and swiftly up her steps and inside.

Fran gave a soft chuckle. "An excited child. It's easy to forget with his knowledge and wisdom that he is still very much a child." She walked up the steps of the Strahl, moving to the bedroom to retrieve a crate that hadn't been used in many years. The same crate Nono had used as a bed when he first arrived.

Balthier knew he'd not need to turn the heating up for the moogle, it was already hot from the island sun. Instead, he moved to get some milk for the little creature, the same kind Nono drank in abundance.

Fran carefully placed the tiny creature in the crate, settling him on the soft pillow. "Do not worry. We will not harm you."

Handing the milk to Fran, Balthier crouched beside the crate. "Is there any way we can fix those wings? If they're left untreated he may never be able to use them."

Nono stood by the crate, peaking over the edge to look at the tiny one of his species.

Fran shook her head. "I do not know. They are shattered. It may be simpler to remove them completely." She said, trying to coax the tiny moogle to drink.

Balthier frowned slightly. "It would be terribly difficult for a wingless moogle to integrate into their ranks." He commented.

The older moogle nuzzled into the smaller one for a moment and, sure enough, the moogle began to drink the milk.

Fran gave a nod. "Perhaps. We shall have to see how they heal. The bones are still soft, there is a chance they could mend." She smiled down at the little moogle as it drank. "It seems you are a natural parent, Nono."

Balthier gently stroked the smallest moogle's pompom. "He's learnt well from his 'mother', Fran." He smirked at her.

Nono giggled and stayed looking at the smaller moogle. It was true that he spent most time around older moogles and beings not of his species. He had never seen a moogle baby.

Fran flushed a little, giving Nono's pompom a gentle stroke. "Well, we really are a patchwork family, aren't we? A Hume, a Viera and two Moogles."

"Hm? We are keeping the newest moogle are we? Seems someone's maternal instincts have gone wild." Balthier teased.

Climbing into the crate, Nono curled up with the little moogle, almost instinctly wanting to keep him warm, even if it was comfortably warm in there.

Fran gave Balthier a light shove. "Even Viera desire families some times." She flushed. She looked down at the two moogles. "Besides, I think someone would have something to say if we said no."

Balthier chuckled and batted Nono on the nose with his own pompom. "I suppose this family of three just became a family of four." He grinned at her.