(no subject)

[xshatterheartx.livejournal.com]

Who: Fran, Balthier & Larsa
When: After Fran visited Larsa
Where: The Strahl
What: Taking a ride
Rating: PG-13



Fran made her way to the Strahl after her meeting with Larsa. She made her way to one of the storage rooms, boxing up the items and moving them into a different to clear a space to set up a bedroom for the young Lord.

It took him a little while to get his things together, following the directions and showing up at the Strahl before it was scheduled to leave. He shifted his feet slightly before walking up the ramp.

Balthier was resting with the moogles, laid on the bed in just his underwear and teaching little Gero about the sky. At the noise Fran made, he stepped out, going to the room she was clearing. "What are you doing?"

Fran exited the small room, looking at Balthier. "You may wish to dress. We expect company shortly." She smiled a little, her ears twitching at the sound of footsteps. "I believe he is early."

He didn't step any further into the ship, half of him wanting to just turn around and run away. He didn't have anything to say, or any idea where to do.

Balthier rose an eyebrow. "Who?" He asked, moving to the bedroom to simply slip on pants and leave an open shirt on. Heading down towards the cockpit, he paused, seeing their guest. "Larsa..."

Fran moved behind Larsa, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Come on in. I shall show you to your room. It isn't much, but I hope you shall find it to your liking."

The teen didn't even look at Balthier, nodding and moving slightly with Fran's guiding hand. "I'm sure I'll like it, it'll be much warmer room than where I slept the past few weeks."

Balthier frowned, following them both. His hands were in tight fists as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Fran led the young Lord to the makeshift bedroom. "Make yourself at home. Help yourself to anything you need, food, drink, the bathroom. The only requests I have are that you do not touch the Strahl's control panel and you do not enter our bedroom."


Larsa nodded slightly, setting things down and moving them about to make his temporary bedroom a little more cozy. "I know...Thank you for bringing me with you."

Balthier leaned on the doorframe, watching Larsa. His head tilted slightly. Part of him was glad Larsa was safe, somewhere he could keep an eye on him... another part was a little worried of his own actions.

"You are most welcome. No one should ever have to be alone. I remember how it feels. I do not wish for another to feel that way." Fran smiled softly at Larsa. "I hope you find some comfort here."

He nods slightly, smiling to the tall woman before looking at the pirate and letting his smile fade. "I won't get in the way, Balthier...I promise."

Balthier nodded once. "I care not. Just keep to the rules." He turned away, heading towards the cockpit, buttoning his shirt up on the way.

Fran gave Larsa another smile. "Do not worry about him. He'll be fine once he adjusts." She said, meaning Balthier. "Just give me a few moments to talk to him." She said, moving to follow Balthier.

He just nodded, closing the door once they left and just laying on his bed.

Balthier was sat running different diagnostic tools on the ship, if only to occupy himself. He had the Strahl prepared to fly, no co-ordinates set.

Fran entered the cockpit and walked over to Balthier, resting her hand on his shoulder. "You are angry with me."

"No. I am not." He replied, shrugging her hand off and checking the fluid levels of the Strahl.

Fran frowned and moved to sit in her own chair. "Then why do the jobs Nono and I usually do? The Strahl is working fine."

Balthier shrugged slightly. "It does not hurt to check. I may wish to be sure of my own ship's vitals." He replied quite sharply, letting a little air pressure from the airship, seeing it nearing on hazardous.

"You are angry at me." Fran replied, keeping her eyes fixed on her lover. "I only did what I thought was best for the boy."

"I am not angry at you!" He snapped. Balthier covered his eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I would have done the same. Yet, I would have discussed it with you first."

"What was I supposed to do? Leave him there? Alone? He needs his friends around him, and right now that means us!" Fran kicked the control panel. "Do you think it easy for me to look upon him knowing you have bedded him? It is hard for me, but sometimes we have to push our own feelings aside to help others!!"

Balthier turned to look at her, almost glaring but stopping himself before it happened. "He needs to be in a stable place, Fran. The child is not a pirate. He will never be a pirate. How are we supposed to explain his presence to those whom ask?!" He stood up and moved towards the bedroom. "Do not kick the Strahl, Viera. She does not deserve your violent outburst." He added.

"Says who? You? And who are you to decide someone's fate? Judge Bunansa!" Fran hissed, getting to her feet. "The boy needs friends. So stop being so stuck up and selfish and be a friend!!"

Balthier tensed at the name she referred to him as. "Why don't you be his friend, Runaway Viera?!" He shouted at her, slamming his hand into the door-open button and storming out of the Strahl.

Fran gave an annoyed growl and got up to return to Larsa's makeshift bedroom.

He watched her for a moment before shaking his head and just packing his things again. "Thank you for the offer, Fran. But I don't think...That I'll stay..."

"You are welcome to stay for as long as you want. Ignore Balthier. He is being a child. You cannot stay alone. It is unfair on you."

"It's unfair for you as well, you already have limited space, and Me being here is going to make things awkward for you two. I'll just go back."

Balthier stayed in the Aerodrome, simply sitting on one of the small benches and covering his face with both hands, his elbows digging hard into his knees as he let out a sigh.

"You need to be around friends. People who will look after you and help you through this difficult time. If you cannot stay here, then let us take you to Rabanastre, to Vaan, you can trust him as much as us, can you not?"

"I can take a public ship to get to Rabanastre. Go find you're pirate...I'll finish packing and be gone when you return."

"I shall not run after him and play his childish games. If he wishes to sulk, that is his choice. I shall not let the young Lord travel unguarded."

After a few minutes to calm himself, Balthier looked to his ship. Yes, he was being childish and selfish, but this was a very awkward situation. He sighed and stood, heading to his airship and returning inside to sit in his captain's chair, rubbing the scuff mark away where Fran had kicked.

"If people wish to kill me than they have their reasons. I need to be able to walk around on my own. If I have guards it will give the image of me being better than them. I am not. I was just born in a different area." Even as he said this he continued to put away the few things he had taken out, slipping the bag over his shoulder and onto his back.

"Even so. I would feel better if I knew you had reached Rabanastre safely. Especially since I was I who brought you here. Come. I'll fly you there."

Balthier could hear their conversation on the quiet ship. He keyed in the co-ordinates to Rabanastre and began to start the Strahl up. "If you wish to be safe during take off, sitting is best." He called through to them.

Larsa winced slightly as the ship started up, not used to being on a personal shuttle and standing when the ship began to more. "S-Sit where?"

"Either back on the bed or the cockpit. But we best decide quickly." She took Larsa's hand and guided him to the cockpit, sitting him in one of the seats.

Balthier refused to look at either of them and as soon as they were seated, he sped the Strahl into the air.

The small emperor let out a surprised squeak when the ship took off, tensing up and staring with wide eyes out the window.

Once in the air Fran moved to her own seat, looking out of the window. "I apologise that things didn't go to plan, Larsa."

Balthier checked the radar, tilting his head slightly. He wasn't sure if he'd seen something on it. Shaking his head slightly, he increased the speed of his ship.

"You have seen something?" Fran asked, tilting her head, before fixing her gaze onto the radar.

"I am unsure." He replied. After a moment, he noticed it properly this time, a red blip on the radar. "Headhunters." He commented, sighing. "Seatbelts, please!" He spoke rather casually, considering.

He stay where he was, belting up quickly, and as best he could with his limited knowledge. "W..Whats going on?"

"Ugh. Never a moment's peace. Damn hunters!" Fran replied, typing some things onto the control panel. "Can we out-run them?"

Balthier raised an eyebrow, looking at her a moment. "This is me you are talking to, Fran." He chuckled with a smirk before jerking the Strahl into a vertical flight pattern, headed straight up.

He covered his mouth then, trying to keep himself quiet and still, eyes closing tight.

Fran kept her eye on the radar. "They're getting closer. I hope you are sure of your skills."

"Your lack of faith in me is getting annoying." He murmured, beginning to fly the Strahl into a nosedive. "Larsa, cover your mouth." He ordered, knowing the boy would be sick with the following manoeuvre. He spiralled the ship, dragging it up as it neared land. By this point, the hunters had been left back a distance.

Larsa lurched obviously, more nervous than anything as the ship started to go the opposite direction, towards the ground. When it jerked a second time in the opposite direction again. He had to force himself to breathe, shaking pretty badly.

"It is not lack of faith. I just do not wish to inflate your ego." Fran teased. "It may weight the ship down." She looked at the radar. "We have out-run them. For now."

"You are a woman of wicked words." He replied, keeping the Strahl at a high speed until they were off the radar. Relaxing the ship, and himself, he turned to Larsa. "Are you alright?"

Larsa nodded slightly, keeping the hand over his mouth as he tried to calm himself down. His eyes were watering slightly; he had never been in a ship when it had done that before.

Fran stretched a little and settled back in her seat. "You look a little shaken up, Larsa. Such things become quite normal around here."

"If you are in need of a rest after that, feel free to relax. If you are about to puke, please leave. And quickly." Balthier gave him a playful smile, leaning to ruffle his hair.

He closed his eyes when touched, nodding a little again and just staying where he was, making himself breathe.

Fran watched the pair for a moment, before turning her attention to the sky, watching the clouds.

Balthier turned back and turned the Strahl onto yellow-alert, leaving her on autopilot. He stretched and put his feet up on the console.

After a few moments he stood up, moving to his bedroom and laying down. He was a little uneasy still.

"I think that perhaps the young Lord isn't used to such excitement." Fran commented to Balthier.

Balthier nodded slightly. "Perhaps you should check on him." He replied, crossing his arms and settling more into his seat.

Fran gave a nod and got up, making her way to the makeshift bedroom, poking her head in. "Larsa? How are you feeling?"

"Tired...I fear...That I can't deal with this very well." The preteen chuckled quietly, sitting up.

Fran moved in further and sat on the bed. "It takes a little getting used to. I used to be very scared all the time."

"I...suppose." He says slowly, rubbing at his eyes and shivering.

She reached out a hand, stroking his cheek softly. "Rest. We shall reach Rabanastre soon."

"Alright...I'll be fine...You don't have to wait in here with me."