(no subject)

[frozenlightning.livejournal.com]

Who: Balthier, Fran, Lightning, Zack, Nono
What: Pirating, repairing
Where: Rabanastre, the Strahl
When: Mid-morning
Rating: PG-13


Zack and Lightning had made it to Rabanastre with little problems, despite the sea voyage being odd for Nora and Big Guy. The two Chocobos had been left with a young 'Hume' man who knew how to care for them outside the city limits, and they'd gone into the bustling town. First place they'd thought of was a bar, and there were several, but they went to one called the 'Sandsea', where Humes, Bangaa, Moogles, Seeq.. all kinds of different people were there chatting it up and drinking. Zack looked around in awe at the different races, completely weirded out just then, and almost tripped over a muscular, scaly man in armor, or rather, almost tripped over his tail. "Watch it!" the Bangaa growled, surprising Zack, who asked a self-question, unfortunately out loud, "Did that lizard just say something? Imagine that." oh yeah, he was definitely a country boy sometimes..

Lightning sighed slightly as Zack finished speaking, practically predicting the next event as she stepped away from his side. Indeed, the Bangaa swung around, gripping hold of Zack and tossing him across a table, clearing it as he did. Bangaa were the strongest of species around these parts; unless you counted the Viera. As the black haired man slid across the table, Lightning raised her weapon to the Bangaa. "I think that was a little silly, don't you?" Her tone was cold as she looked at the scaly being stood before her.

Fran had been sat in her usual corner with Balthier, drinking ale. Krja was currently with her favourite babysitter - Vaan, of course, leaving Fran free to enjoy a quiet few hours of drinking, or that had been the plan at least. At the commotion, she lowered long legs from their current resting place upon the table to the floor, pushing herself to her feet. She crossed the room and stood close to the female Hume and Bangaa. "Must we destroy the bar with foolish fights?" She asked, head tilting to one side.

Balthier had followed Fran, turning his attentions on the male Hume, offering a hand and a slight smirk. "You've a few things to learn about Ivalice, traveller. One of those being that you should never call a Bangaa a lizard. Another being... never knock a man's drink from his hand." At that, Balthier pulled the dark haired man to his feet and ducked a swing from the Hume whose beer had been spilt.

Zack took the offered hand and advice gladly, swinging his legs off the table and catching the swung fist, giving the person a warning look. "Good points indeed, mister." he chuckled softly, and pushed the fist away, digging in his pocket for a moment and slapping some gil on the man's table, "Have two on me for your trouble." he was speaking to the man who'd tried throwing a punch, then he nodded to Balthier, "Bangaa eh? Never seen one before m'self. Buggers're -strong-." Zack was about the strongest example of a human one would find, but it wasn't all him as much as it was his enhancement boosting him. "And how do ya tell a Bangaa yer sorry y'called him a lizard?" he was looking over at Fran and Lightning, and the man who'd thrown him, warily.

Lightning blinked up at Fran, finding herself tall anyway but considerably shorter than this woman. "I'd rather we didn't, my partner is prone to foolish comments, however." She had a gaze as hard as Fran's, but simply lowered her weapon and looked to Zack. "I am assuming that it is proper conduct to explain. We've travelled here, from Midgar, in order to find an airship. To buy, of course."

"Hume males have a tedancy to be rather foolish." Fran stepped between woman and Bangaa, giving the overgrown lizard an ice cold glare that warned him to back off, or deal with her. The Bangaa chose the former and skulked back to his own seat. Fran folded her arms across her chest, lowering her gaze to the floor. "An airship you say? You may find one in Rabanastre. Though your best bet would have been to travel further to Balfonheim."

"Balfonheim.." Zack had come over to near Fran and Lightning, tilting his head and raising his brows at the names, "Er.. thanks for the help.. I'm Zack Fair," he left his title absent, it didn't really matter, "Nice t'meet you two." he didn't introduce Lightning, figuring he'd leave that to her, figuring she wouldn't like him to banter her name around all willy nilly. He didn't even know where this Balfonheim was.. the world had certainly changed while he was out of it.

Balthier laughed slightly. "You simply don't speak to a Bangaa you've insulted. It is a very unwise decision and it is also how you receive enemies." At that, Balthier walked towards Fran, winking at Lightning before crossing his arms and looking to Fran's face. "Must you always get involved in everything, Viera? Honestly, could we not have enjoyed a simple bar brawl, as well as these numerous drinks we're to consume?" At Zack's name, Balthier turned to face him, tilting his head slightly. "I am Balthier. This is Fran. And you've come to the wrong place for an airship."

"As exciting as it may have been, I did not care to get ale, blood nor glass on me." She poked Balthier's nose firmly. "Though if a brawl is what you wish for, mayhaps you should anger a Bangaa yourself. It would amuse me for a short while. But do not expect me to tend your wounds, Hume."

Lightning raised an eyebrow to the pair, slipping her weapon away and crossing her arms. "Balfonheim. We shall need a map, Zack. I suggest we rest at this inn for the night, it'll be night soon enough and if we try to carry on, Nora and Big Guy will pass out. As will you and I." She wasn't the kind to engage in playful banter or even conversation unless needed. "I wonder if we could get the sword repaiered here..."

Zack frowned at the news that Balthier relayed about Rabanastre being the wrong place to get a ship. He nodded at each thing Lightning said, because, well, it made sense. "Alright then.. Thanks again for the help and the info, Balthier, Fran." he smiled to the both of them, not thinking to ask anything else of the pair, considering the trouble they'd.. he'd already caused to the other pair. His eyes were keen, though, and he had paid attention, learning things already. At Lightning's mention of the sword, he touched the rusted weapon on his back, frowning softly, "Maybe.. we've got the Mithril t'do so, we'd just need to get whatever else the smith needed t'do it."

Fran's ear twitched at the mention of the sword, her interest was definitely aroused now. "A sword you say?" Weapon repair was an interest of hers. Skills she had picked up over the years in Gaia, and from the likes of Nono and Cu Sith. "May I see it?" She asked, holding out a hand.

Balthier leaned against the wall, sighing. "Wonderful, we've taken to helping strangers out of the goodness of our hearts." Balthier ran a hand over his blonde hair before pushing off the wall. "I'll be with the bar staff if you need me, Viera." At that, Balthier strode to the bar, still pretty much able to hear the conversation over the quiet sounds of the Sandsea. It wasn't very full today, considering it being a good day for drinking. Though, every day was.

Zack eyed Fran warily for a moment, loathe to hand over the weapon to just anyone.. But then he carefully pulled the huge bastard sword off his back, handling it easily, and handed it over by the blade, so she could take the handle. "Someone left it out in the open while I was away, and it needs reforging." the quality of the weapon showed despite the rust, though a large gouge was missing from where he'd blocked the Midgar Zolom's bite.. "Careful, though, it can be very heavy if you're not used to it." he'd seen the sword yank people off their feet with it's weight.

Lightning seemed to have lost interest in the sword and soon found herself at a table with a group of men, playing cards. It was a simple enough game, much like Blackjack, with easier ways of winning. The teen had done more than enough of this sort of thing whilst in an army filled with mostly men so she was well away, betting and gambling against these strange looking humans, Bangaas and Seeqs.

Fran took the weapon from Zack, letting her arms adjust to the weight. It was one of the mre heavier weapons she had handled, but a good one none the less. She held it out, studying it. "Fine craftmanship. I know where it can be repaired." She paused and looked over at Balthier. "We leave now. Less I leave you behind." She called, still holding firmly onto the sword.

Balthier downed his drink and slapped some gil down before rising with a sigh, headed after the Viera. "I honestly do not know why I partner with you. Your damn friendly nature, constantly bringing me troubles I deign to follow you into." It was all said in jest, of course, as he knew that more often than not, he was dragging her into trouble and she'd be the one pulling him out of it.

Zack blinked at the Viera for a moment, letting her carry the sword for now, "We have some Mithril with our Chocobos. As far as I know, that's how that sword was made, by folding Mithril to privide a superfine edge, with the material's exceptional durability." maybe that was why it had cost Angeal's parents so much money to have it made.. Regardless, he stopped to lean down over Lightning's shoulder, eyeing her cards, and then the people at the table, "Gotta go Lightnin', if you're done whippin' these guys."

The teen sighed, taking up her winnings and heading off after giving a wicked little smirk to the men. "You're a spoil sport." She murmured to Zack with a cute smile before stepping to Fran's side. "I'd like to know; where exactly are we headed?" She didn't sound all that friendly but it was the friendliest tone she could muster. Lightning was a cold person and didn't do 'friendly' very well. It seemed that neither did these people that they were suddenly working with.

"You partner with me because we have smiliar minds, Hume." Fran continued to walk, half-listening to Zack, before turning her gaze to Lightning for a brief moment. "Like I said... I know where this weapon can be fixed. Or at least know of the being who can fix it." She replied, voice as cold as Lightning's.

The pirate smirked slightly, his arms by his side before he looked to Fran with an eyebrow raised. "Mayhaps a little... piracy is in order?" His voice was painfully quiet but he knew Fran's ears would catch the words as clear as a shout. With a smirk, the Leading Man gave a nod to Fran, turning and raising his gun, right in Lightning's face. "Well, it has been a pleasure doing business with you both. Remember this day as the day you got pirated by legendary Sky Pirates." At that, he ran to catch up with Fran, knowing she would've ran.

Zack blinked, looking confused for a moment before his brows drew down, and his eyes narrowed in a glare he got while fighting. The man spun inhumanly fast, his booted foot lashing out in a blur to connect with the gun and knock it out of Lightning's face. "Take care've this one, I've gotta get my sword!" he bolted after Fran, dashing down the street. People got in the way, though, as they were often wont to do, so half the time he wasn't on the street so much as he was leaping over stalls, up onto low roofs, and back down again. The man was really pouring on the drive, though, and must have been quite an impressive sight, "Get back here with my sword, dammit!" he couldn't lose that, -couldn't-!

Lightning had actually froze when that gun was in her face but as soon as Zack spoke, Lightning drew her weapon and continued to run, as fast as she could. Flicking her thumb and index finger together, her gravity soon began to shift and, like a bullet, she charged above the crowds, towards the two people who thought they'd manage to get away with the weapon that Zack treasured so much. If anything, she wouldn't have ran after them if it were any old sword, but it was important to Zack.

Fran ran. The sword was far heavier than her bow, slowing her pace slightly. But she knew every inch of Rabanastre. she knew every alley and every street. She darted through the crowds, slipping down side streets. Her goal was the Aerodrome and right now it wasn't much in sight. This Hume was quick... far too quick. She had seen many Humes during her time. And this one was ... different. She reached a Moogling Attendant and was quickly whisked to the West side of the city.

Balthier swore as Fran went through the Moogling, knowing it took a moment to reset the system before another transport could be made. The damn Viera had left him high and dry for a rusted sword! Sighing and coming to a stop by the little device, he slipped his gun onto his back and raising his hands in a mock surrender. "Easy does it, churl. No doubt you've... got a lot of speed on your side." He crossed his arms then, sighing at the slight defeat, thanks to his partner.

Zack blinked, gaping as the woman simply vanished next to a fuzzy thing with a pompom on it's head.. Then his foot caught on the lip of a roof, he cried out, falling ass over teakettle through the air, and almost crushed poor Sorbet with a graceless landing. Dazed for just a moment, he shook it off with a growl, storming over to where Balthier had surrendered. He wasn't taking a single risk with this guy, and continued far past what would be considered a normal bubble of personal space, his strong arm lashing out as fast as his foot had, catching Balthier under the jaw and continuing, lifting the man with the impact, throwing him back several feet into the dusty road. He turned his head to Lightning, a glare and helplessness warring in his glowing eyes, "Get some rope, please. We're gonna need this chump alive."

Lightning laughed slightly, shaking her head and simply snatching some rope from a Chocobo renting stall, moving to tie Balthier's arms behind his back. "Chump, hm? I don't know; he's got quite a way about him." She smirked at Zack before pulling the pirate to his feet, glaring up at him with her icy gaze. "You will take us to the woman and you will give us the sword. Or, I shall remove your liver. You decide."

Fran waited outside the Aerodrome. Something seemed wrong. Usually when they were split up, she and Balthier would find each other again quickly. Yet Balthier still wasn't here, despite the Moogling system far being ready to have worked again. Her ear twitched uncomfortably as she looked around for any sign of her pirate lover.

Balthier spat out blood, assuming his jaw had been fractured but more than willing to ignore it. "My liver, hm? I've been drinking far too long to give a damn about that organ, my dear." With a sigh, he looked down to Sorbet. "I apologise for my... friends. We've been enjoying a game of cat and mouse. Now, West, if you will." At that he led the couple to the Moogling station and stepped into it, the three of them being transported instantly to the West of the city. Upon setting eyes on Fran, Balthier gave a disappointed glare. "You've learnt not to leave so abruptly now, correct?" He called to her, pointing out his obvious situation of being... well, caught.

Zack decided against threatening the flippant pirate further, and rested a hand on the man's shoulder. He was angry, and it showed in the way he held his weight, and the glow in his eyes. He didn't show much on his face, though, eyeing Fran as if he could make her give his sword back just like that. He knew it wouldn't work, and while they -were- making a scene, he didn't care. "Fixin' my sword ain't got a damn thing t'do with keepin' it. So we'll be takin' it back, and we'll be on our way, and y'can have this." he gave Balthier a little shake, fully intending to keep the man, and swing him by his ankles the next time he needed a weapon, if he didn't get that sword back.

Without a word, Lightning walked to Fran, resting one hand on her hip with the other out for the sword. She knew she could handle it with just the one hand. Her own weapon wasn't much smaller. "I'll be taking that. Though, I must say, that was an excellent plan, had it not been for the male involvement." She smirked to Fran, showing her small amount of admiration to the other woman.

"Oh I had every intention of fixing the sword. I think it would suit my Hume quite well." Fran ignored Balthier's comments for now, concentrating on Zack. She fixed an ice cold glare on him, twisting the blade in her hand, scraping the blade against the ground. At Lightning's presence, she quirked an eyebrow. The woman had guts, that was for sure. She tossed the weapon a short distance away, letting it clatter against the floor. "If you want it, go and claim it."

Balthier looked over his shoulder to Zack. "I do suppose you are to toss me to the ground the same way?" His humour was dry as he spoke but he half expected Zack to do it. With a slightly sigh, he looked over to Fran. "I will be in need of your magicks, Fran. Our new friend may possibly have fractured my jaw. It certainly hurts enough." That might well have made things worse, however. Fran always seemed to get angry when he was injured to that degree.

Zack grunted, lifting Balthier by his bound arms, and carrying him the short distance to the sword. He stooped, and hefted it in his free hand, glaring at Fran the entire time, and replaced it on his back. Almost as an afterthought, he flexed the arm holding Balthier, and removed a utility knife from his belt, slicing through the ropes. Almost apologetic, now that he wasn't itching to get his weapon back, he passed his fingers over Balthier's jaw, the developing bruise receeding quickly as he Cured the damage he'd done. "A rash act, I assure you." he muttered in apology, refusing to speak the actual words, "Y'did say y'knew where t'get it fixed, though. Any chance of findin' out, without it bein' a den of monsters or somethin'?" he wasn't acting nearly as ignorant as he had in the bar. But it paid to be the idiot sometimes, the same way he'd done the predictable thing every time in his fight with Genesis.

Lightning crossed her arms over her chest, shifting to Zack's side but remaining silent. The simple fact of the matter was that, now the sword was returned, she had no more interest in the situation. She did, however, let her eyes fall over each of the new people in their lives. Fran was intriguing, mainly because of her appearance but she had an air about her that Lightning found was not too dissimilar from her own. As for Balthier, he seemed simply like a more sophisticated, clean cut version of her own lover which made her want to just shake her head and walk away. One Zack was plenty.

Fran moved over to where Balthier stood, a clawed hand coming up to cup his face, tilting it side to side as she examined it silently. Once she was satisfied with Zack's curative skills, she folded her arms across her chest and turned her attention to the Hume couple. "The one you seek is a moogle named Nono. You will find him aboard our airship. The Strahl."

Balthier simply allowed Fran to examine him, making a point to bat away Zack's hand as soon as it had Cured him. The pirate eyed the young blonde, finding her certainly attractive but not enough to risk another blow to his jaw or any kind of assault from Fran. Upon her words, the pirate chuckled to himself. "Not that I shall invite them aboard my ship, that is. No, I'd rather we didn't bring any more street churls on board, Fran." At that, Balthier turned, heading inside the Aerodrome and swiftly towards the largest, most exquisite airship anyone could ever set eyes upon. The Strahl. For all his boasting about the ship, Balthier certainly had reason to do so. She was more advanced than any ship in the sky and, whilst she had no weapons, the Strahl was far more beautiful than any ship.

Zack watched Balthier go, then nodded curtly to Fran, "'Fraid I'll hafta find someone else t'do it then." he glanced at Lightning, turning away from the Aerodrome to head back into the city. Maybe they could find a lead on a map to take them to that other place, so they could buy a ship. After that, they could head to Wutai, where he knew of a person who could do what he wanted to do. Inwardly, each step was hard for him, because he wanted his weapon fixed as soon as possible; he didn't want to risk snapping it, or damaging it further in a fight. That Moogle on the Strahl might be able to do it, but that didn't mean Zack was going to beg someone who'd just tried stealing the very sword he wanted fixed, to fix the Buster Sword. They'd probably wind up with their throats slit, anyway..

Lightning looked to Zack's back before returning her gaze to Fran. "No doubt this is never going to be solved if we leave it to the men. So, how much will it cost for you to convince him to let us on board your ship?" She tilted her head a little. It was a long shot but it seemed that the only truly rational ones here were herself and Fran. With Balthier being stubborn and Zack being equally so, it would be left down to them to sort it out like adults.

Fran stood on the steps of the Strahl. She watched Balthier board, before turning her attentions to the female Hume. The seemingly more mature of the couple. She rose an eyebrow. "How much have you got? I can convince Balthier... If you make it worth my while..."

Balthier headed for the cockpit, setting up co-ordinates for Balamb Garden. They'd gotten wind that the Heartless were getting far too out of control and the pirate needed to check on Squall in person. Even if it was uninvited and left unspoken with Fran, he was captain of this airship and he'd damn well take them wherever he wanted!

Zack was caught up quickly by a crowd of people in his way. He didn't know where to go, or what to do, and Lightning hadn't followed him. Some other business, maybe? He knew he wasn't going to find out standing there, but looking back at the Aerodrome made his blood rush a little, so he stayed away until he could calm down. Really, he hadn't seen the theft of his sword coming, and it reinforced his view that he had to watch people more closely than ever.. After all, in SOLDIER, the only people who wanted to steal from you were the enemies, and you killed them. No-one in Midgar, or otherwise, had -ever- made a move to take his sword.

With a sigh, Lightning slipped a bag of gil from her thigh pouch, containing near enough three thousand gil, and held it out to Fran. "This. I can give you supplies, too, if you find it inadequate." She wasn't reluctant to hand it over. She knew Zack wanted his sword fixed as soon as possible and that it was best done now than letting it get damaged further in battle.

Fran took the pouch and examined the contents. "Wait here." She all but commanded, before walking up the steps onto the Strahl. She made no attempt to find Balthier, but instead called for Nono.

With a happy face, the tiny moogle bolted from his room, pouncing as he saw Fran and curling himself around her thigh. "Yes?!" It was an eager expression he held, being given the chance to do anything other than helping Vaan babysit or watching Gero do something silly again. Besides that, he just loved his 'mother'.

Fran scooped the moogle up and gave him a gentle cuddle, nuzzling his pompom. "Nono, I have a very important mission for you. A rather... special sword is in need of repair. There is one thousand gil in it for you. The customer is outside."

Zack eventually made it back to the Aerodrome, having calmed down, and was looking around for Lightning. He appreciated the majesty of the place, and he'd seen and heard the names of the different races of the area. The man had asked a Seeq if the porcine man had seen a blonde woman of Lightning's description, or a Viera by Fran's description anywhere, and had been directed to the Strahl. When he saw it, his face brightened childishly. Okay, the man liked airships, and he -did- see Lightning. He almost stepped on a Moogle, getting to her, but he made it, still staring at the Strahl, even better up close. "Whoa.. do you -see- this thing?! ShinRa's got nothin' like 'er!"

With a slight chuckle, she nodded a little. "I see it. It is rather beautiful. Fran is inside, right now, supposedly she's going to get us either on board or the moogle will come out to us. Either way, your sword will be repaired." She crossed her arms over her chest, one foot on the steps to the Strahl as she waited. There was no way she would let them leave without the sword being repaired and if that meant running on board, she'd damn well do it.

Fran carried Nono to the entrance, keeping a protective hold of him. After all, she wasn't about to let some pirate wannabes steal her favourite mechanic and 'adoptive' first born son.

Nono was more than happy to help and while Fran carried him, he toyed with his own pompom, smiling cutely. Upon seeing the two, he blinked a little and shyed into Fran. "They're... not from around here? Kupo..." His tone sounded rather wary.

"They are from... Midgar, I believe. No doubt the same Midgar Balthier liberated the Materia from when I was ill." She set Nono down on the steps gently, but kept her eyes firmly on him. "Well then... the sword?"

Zack eyed Fran and Nono warily, the Buster Sword at it's rightful place on his back, his eyes glowing softly in the bright light of the Aerodrome. He nodded to Lightning, then reached back, touching the hilt, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Once we're on the Strahl, so we can be sure you won't be taking off with it, and not with us." Zack didn't exactly trust Fran that much, seeing as it was the Viera who'd robbed him in the first place.

Nono giggled and bounced towards Zack and Lightning, walking behind them and shoving at the backs of their legs to get them to move. "Onto the Strahl then! Can't fix it out here, kupo!!" Playing the part? Perhaps... He winked at Fran but soon flicked aside his pompom and made a succession of squeaks at the Viera. Happy squeaks, of course.

Fran laughed softly at the moogle and began to once more board the Strahl. "Of course we cannot guarantee that the captain will not take off with you on board..."

Zack absently wondered how they'd get Big Guy and Nora on board, as he was being pushed by Nono. "We'd have to get our birds, though. They have the material needed to fix the sword." he glanced to Fran, and longingly to the Strahl he was being pushed towards, wanting nothing more than to be on that magnificent ship, with his sword being fixed, and Lightning with him. He gave his head a shake, trying to calm his overexcited mind.

Lightning gave Zack's arm a gentle squeeze. "You head on board. I shall fetch the Chocobos." At that, with no chance of discussion, the teen turned and ran for where they'd left their mounts. They'd passed through the Giza Plains and left their Chocobos with some of the Nomads at the village. It was pretty cheap and the people seemed more than willing to help. Especially when Lightning had given them that cold glare of hers.

Fran led Zack through the ship towards the workshop. She cleared a space on the bench, pushing all the spare parts and random gadgets into a box. "Is the space sufficient, Nono?"

Nono blinked at the space then pulled himself up onto the bench. Kicking a few more things aside, he placed his little paws on his hips and nodded once, his pompom bouncing off his nose at the sheer force of the confirmation. "It should be more than enough."

Zack pulled the rusty, beaten up Buster Sword from his back, and laid it across the bench, sighing softly. He was as worried about the weapon as he would be for a comrade recieving triage. Perhaps moreso. After he'd done that, he turned to Fran, and despite his coldness towards her earlier, he pushed his hair away from his face, and smiled slightly, "I'm sorry about hitting Balthier. Just a man acting rashly, in frustration more than anything." the apology was as sincere as Zack normally was, still remaining quite the country boy in attitude, if not in outlook.

Fran gave a nod. "Do not mention it. He shall be fine once his foolish Hume pride recovers. He has suffered worse blows." Fran crossed her arms below her breasts. "I apologize for taking the sword. It was nothing personal. You see, we are sky pirates; and the sword... a worthy treasure."

Nono began patting his paws all over the weapon, squeaking at each contour of the sword. Tilting his head he gave a few nods and strange noises before pointing to the door. "Both of you! Out! I can't work with noise!" He gave rather a serious look, pressing both paws down on the sword to keep it where it was.

Zack blinked at her words, and smiled slightly, his own foolish pride assuaged by her proclaimation about his weapon. "Well.. I won't hold it against you. I admit, though, you run pretty quickly for a woman in heels." he smiled his normal open smile, warming up to the ship, Nono, and Fran rather quickly. He'd have to tell Balthier what he thought of the ship and her crew, as he thought the Sky Pirate might be interested in another man's positive opinion about it all.

"I am no ordinary woman." Fran exclaimed as she exited the small workshop, leaving Nono to work on the weapon. "I am a Viera." She continued, moving towards the cockpit. "The women of the wood are placed in heels from a young age. It is easier to run in the heels that to run on claws."

At that point, Lightning came aboard, two large yellow fowls behind her. "I shall... take them to a storage area." She was more than content to just get on with business but as the birds walked past Zack, Nora gave him a glare almost as a warning to keep his eyes in his head. Big Guy simply followed on behind as they headed down the Strahl, towards what Lightning assumed, and eventually confirmed, to be a storage room.

Zack might have been talking to Fran, but his eyes hadn't left her face for the entire time, a measure of respect in his gaze, "I see. Well, I would imagine that even in heels it is difficult." he watched Lightning pass, on the other hand, affection for the cavalier woman obvious in his expression, and the reason why he hadn't ogled Fran, despite her attire. "What are the male Viera like?" he didn't really know anything besides the race names, and not to call a Bangaa a lizard, at this point, so his question was quite innocent.

"Male Viera are not so different. Their ears and their claws shorter. They live seperate from the women. They only really mingle when mating is necessary. I have never heard of a male Viera leaving the wood... And I only know of one Hume who has seen a male Viera."

Seated in the cockpit, his feet up on the console and a book in his hand, the pirate had his glasses on his face and had removed his gloves and gun. Though, the weapon was placed beside him, in close range, of course. When he'd heard voices, the Leading Man had quickly suppressed his annoyance with a sigh but managed to crush most of his anger at the same time. He always disliked it when strangers were aboard the Strahl and when they entered the cockpit, he didn't say a damn thing.

Zack looked around the cockpit and let out a low whistle, noticing Balthier after a moment of looking around. He walked over to stand beside the man's chair, taking in the view from the front, eyebrows up, "Y'know Balthier, I'm not sure which is finer, your taste in women or your taste in ships.." he trailed off, and then continued after a moment, "The Strahl is certainly the most magnificent airship I've laid eyes on, and I've seen a few 'modern' ones in my time, but then again, your Viera companion outran me, for -my- sword." sure, he was laying the compliments on doubly thick, just for the man, but he felt he owed him something, after manhandling and hitting the Leading Man.

Fran moved to sit in the co pilot's seat. "The Strahl is the finest ship to sail the skies. She is the fastest and most beautiful. Her design is sleek and easy to work with. She is is a joy to maintain and flies smoothly." Fran replied, running a hand through her long ivory hair, fingercombing knots from the locks.

Balthier removed his glasses, silently, laying his book aside and crossing his arms over his chest, shifting a foot to press it against the edge of the control panel. He looked up to Zack, his greyish green eyes rather blank. "Most certainly, my taste in women is better, purely for the fact that I've two women in my life that surpass the average female." His eyes narrowed slightly. "No doubt, however, you will keep your eyes and hands to yourself. Concerning both of my girls." Certainly, he meant Fran and the Strahl, knowing that Zack hadn't met Krja yet.

"I have my own girl, Balthier." Zack smiled to the man, and nodded, "Happily, I might add. My compliments weren't intended to belie some sort of sordid interest, merely an admiring one." he met Balthier's narrowed stare almost challengingly, daring him to dispute Zack's unflinching interest in one singular blonde. "But I'm sure your girls would be happy to know you feel so for them." the man didn't glance back to Fran, still meeting Balthier's eyes.

One of Fran's ears drooped slightly. "Mayhaps your women would prefer you did not speak of them as objects and treasures you can claim." She puased for a long moment. "Both of you, place your foolish pride upon a shelf and speak nicely, else do not speak."

Balthier broke his gaze from Zack and snatched hold of Fran's wrist, yanking her off her feet to his lap. "You are mine, I am yours. We have spoke on this before. Simply, I am allowed to speak of the Strahl as an object. She is one." He turned his gaze back up to Zack. "Whilst you are aboard my ship, I have a few simple rules. Do not touch anything in this room at any point, do not go into our bedroom, do not use coarse language around our daughter and, during take off, no wagging of tongues or you're like to bite them off."

"Of course." he had a daughter? She must still have been a toddler, as the pair seemed too young to have a grown child, though he wasn't sure of Fran's age. She looked young enough though. "As long as we're speaking plainly, I'm sorry I hit you, I lost my temper." Zack looked away for a moment, "I don't do that often. And this is the finest ship I've ever seen, it's a privilege to be aboard." he turned his gaze back to the pair, shifting his weight slightly as he looked away and around the cockpit, interested in everything.

Fran wrapped an arm around Balthier's neck. "Mm. Speaking of our daughter, where exactly is she and the boy?" Fran asked, wriggling a little on Balthier's lap.

"Our room." He replied, petting a finger down her spine to her tail. Balthier watched Zack. "Apology not accepted; purely for the fact that I'd rather you protected your weapon with your strength than for you to let pirates run off with it. Even Legendary Sky Pirates such as we." Following Zack's gaze with his own, his eyebrow quirked slightly. "She is the finest airship you ever will see. Yet, you must realise she is exceedingly tempramental. Do not... rub her the wrong way. She has her own ways of showing her distaste for things."

"Of course. Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to look around." he grinned at Balthier and Fran, "Maybe get some ideas for the ship Lightnin' and I'll wind up with." he turned, and went to the door, confidant enough that he could find his way around without much trouble. It was only so large, after all. He rather liked Balthier when he wasn't at odds with him; the man at least understood why Zack had been driven to losing his temper.

Fran shivered and swatted at Balthier's hand. "Do not make me cut it off, Hume." She warned, before looking to Zack. "Be sure not to enter the bedroom or the engine room... You shall only find trouble."

Balthier chuckled and kissed Fran's cheek before leaning to watch Zack leave. As soon as he was out of earshot, he looked at his lover's face and in almost a whisper, that he knew she'd hear, he spoke. "I've little trust in these two; I want you to keep an eye on them. You've keener vision than I have."

Some Time Later

The teen was sat on the floor, his arms weighed down with Krja and a variety of different toys around him. The child was practically glaring at him and he looked quite tired but he'd done all he could with her. He's fed her, changed her, gave her toys, spoken to her... she just seemed in a bad mood. He half-wanted to go and hand her over to her parents but this was his payment for living aboard the Strahl since his own airship... was done with.

Zack entered the room cautiously, as he had every room during his search of the ship. He'd found where Big Guy and Nora were penned for the moment, and had taken the exceptionally large lump of Mithril to Nono. That metal, in and of itself, was a treasure, but Zack hadn't known how much would be needed. He'd avoided the bedroom, and the engine room, as advised, and was now in the room with Krja and Vaan. He noticed the blonde teen and the little girl, and cleared his throat softly, "Howdy."

Balthier had been spending some time in the engine room and, after a while, he'd felt the need to go and check upon his child. However, at the appearance of Zack, he frowned slightly, slipping past the black-haired man and sitting himself in the rocking chair. He leaned down to Vaan, reaching out to touch Krja. "This is Zack. He and his girl are staying aboard whilst Nono repairs their sword." He informed the young boy.

Fran appeared, standing against the doorway holding a bottle of milk for the infant. "It feels as though she has become a freak show attraction." She muttered under her breath before crossing the room to hand Balthier the bottle.

Lightning has followed after Zack when he'd came to check on the Chocobos and now she saw everyone gathered, she leaned against him. "Children are like a light to a moth. Everyone wants to see them." She murmured it, moving into the room and leaning against the wall.

Vaan blinked as the room filled up and just waved at the new people. Soon enough, he handed Krja to her father, along with the bottle Fran had given him. "I'm Vaan! Pleased to meet ya!" He grinned widely at the others before slipping away to the door. "I'm gonna take a nap. You guys deal with your grumpy kid." At that, the young blonde had vanished from the room, yawning widely and stretching his arms as he vanished into Balthier and Fran's bedroom.

Zack blinked at the young male as he walked by, and shook his head softly. He returned his glowing gaze to the little girl, a smile reserved for children on his face. Zack loved kids, they were one of the three things he spent his SOLDIERing money on, when he was a SOLDIER anyway. The man didn't want to be presumptuous, however, so he joined Lightning against the wall, and smiled to her, "Big Guy and Nora seem t'be getting along okay, despite the change in scenery." he'd quirked a brow at Fran's comment, though, wondering what she'd meant by it. He hadn't been gawking, or being uncouth.. Weird.

Balthier pressed the teat of the bottle between the child's lips until she opened up to take it. "We knew she'd be subject to questions the moment her ears were removed, Fran. We cannot help our guests' curiosity. Besides, she is rather an attractive child; mayhaps it is on her own merits people wish to see her."

Fran shifted a little uncomfortable. "I am still unused to crowds of people around her. To think she spent her first weeks in the world sealed in a box... It is a little strange to see her in a room with others... At least there are not the whispers there are upon the streets."

Lightning gave a slight smile to Zack but upon hearing the words of the parents in the room, she frowned slightly, trying hard to hold back the questions she wanted to ask. Their comments were difficult to understand but she assumed Zack would most likely say something. So, instead, she simply moved to sit on the floor, smiling just lightly as Balthier fed Krja. "I assure you, we've no intentions of harming anyone."

Balthier was right, the girl was a rather attractive little child, who would likely be cute enough to smile and get whatever she pleased in the future. He squatted beside Lightning on the floor, after hearing the brief interlude between Balthier and Fran, raising a brow and asking some questions that burned in his mind. First off being, "Who would do something like that..?" Hojo, his mind suddenly went to the scientist, and he gave his head a shake, no.. it probably wasn't him. He met the little girl's gaze and wiggled his fingers at her in greeting, unable to resist interacting with her.

"My brother." Balthier's answer was plain, and he smiled slightly as Krja lifted her hand to attempt waving back. "Simply for the fact that he is a psychopath. I shall spare you the details but he removed Krja from Fran's womb and mutilated her. Were it not for Fran's sister, our child would be dead." He frowned, looking at the girl and brushing a thumb over the tiny stumps where her ears should have stood. Although her sandy blonde hair mostly covered them, they were visible to those who looked.

Fran cast her eyes to the ground, folding her arms across her chest. The subject was still rather sensitive. It pained her to think on it for long.

Lightning's eyes fell to the ground, too. She couldn't stand the thought of anyone harming a child... but her own relative? It was horrible. As she looked away, she realised just how painful it must be for the pirates to even explain that to them. With a slight sigh, she looked to Krja again, noting the small stubs now Balthier had touched them.

Zack noticed them too, though the only sign of his anger, and that angered him, that he showed, as to clench his right fist rather tightly, arm shaking for a moment, before he took a deep breath and tried to shed the emotion. The important part was that the little girl had been retrieved, and was healthy and safe. Though he did make a mental note to punch Balthier's brother, harder than he'd hit the pirate. "Hmph.. well, I am happy that you two retrieved your child. I cannot imagine just how hard it's been for you two.." he looked from Krja to Balthier, and back to the girl.

"Mm. It has been rather a dreadful time; especially with the troubles of the world and the bounties we carry on our heads added to our difficulties." As soon as he was sure Krja didn't want anymore milk, he placed the bottle aside and shifted her to pat her back gently. "Though, Fran certainly dealt with my brother well. Her claws are more than simply decorative, you see." He gave a dark little smirk at remembering the way his lover had tore into his older brother's face with her bare hands.

Fran frowned, scrunching up her nose slightly. "Hmph. You should have allowed me to kill him. He deserves death." She muttered softly. "It has been a difficult time... We knew it would be hard enough introducing a hybrid child into the world without the loss of her ears..."

Lightning coughed slightly, brushing her hair from her eyes. "E-excuse me." Standing, she made for the door. It was far too difficult for her to hear. Living such a sheltered life aboard Cocoon, she'd never heard of such gratuitous violence against a child and it was painful for her to just sit and listen. Especially as she felt on the verge of tears. That was something she didn't want anyone seeing.

Zack blinked, and stood after Lightning had made her move to get away, "Er.. yes, excuse us, please." he nodded to Fran and Balthier, and favoured Krja with a broad smile, before he turned to go after the blonde girl. He'd heard of people being cruel to children, and had taken matters into his own hands in many instances, as ShinRa's policies regarding parentless children left much to be desired, in his eyes. He sort of knew his way around by now, so he was pretty confidant he could catch Lightning.

Balthier gave a single nod to the young couple before looking up at Fran. "It seems the story has a hard effect on outsiders. No doubt the longer they stay in Ivalice, the more they will learn of her horrors." Balthier smiled before holding Krja up, cheek to cheek, and giving Fran a rather adorable grin, one that plainly matched his daughter's own smile.

Fran nodded and moved over to take hold of the child, to take her from her father, pressing a soft kiss against the man's lips as she did. "So it seems."

Lightning had slipped to the room their Chocobos were in and moved to curl her arms around Nora's neck, nuzzling her feathers for comfort. She had a pain in her stomach and her eyes were stinging with tears she refused to let fall down her cheeks. "Nn..." She didn't want to cry, because it would mean weakness. Though, it was obvious that her emotions were rather tender at present anyway. Thanks to Genesis.

Zack was quick to find her, and he approached her purposefully, putting his arms around the girl and hugging her from behind, kissing her cheek gently, despite the nip to the shoulder that Nora gave him. His Chocobo crowded in as well, seemingly concerned. "Hey.." his voice was soft, and while he would have liked Lightning to be able to cry to him, he wasn't going to press the issue, "I'm here for ya Lightnin'.."

Balthier smiled at his lover then put his feet up on the rocking chair, folding his arms on his knees. "I've heard the Heartless are spreading. When we drop these two off at Balfonheim, we shall visit Squall. Hm?" He tilted his head just a little, looking up at Fran with a rather worried expression. He did truly love that scarred teen and it was difficult to think of him under so much pressure.

Fran bounced Krja against her shoulder, holding her protectively. She gave a nod. "As you wish." She started to pace the room, continuing to rock and bounce the tiny infant, patting her back lightly to get rid of any wind. "You worry for him. You are ill at ease." Fran murmured, looking at Balthier.

The young girl made a noise, nudging Nora for nipping Zack. "Don't. He's just worried, Nora." She looked over her shoulder at him before turning to curl her own arms around her lover. "I just... It's so horrible what people can do to children. To each other. To family." She shook her head. It was always the better option to care most for animals and to get deeper connections to animals. It didn't hurt as much in the long run.

"Yes, some people are monsters." he hugged her comfortingly, kissing her cheeks softly, and smiling, "You and I are another type, monsters yes, but the type that hunts those more monstrous than ourselves. That could be something we do, once we have our own ship." he smiled faintly, and tilted his head, looking at her oddly. "Am I to keep this to myself, lest your toughgirl persona be damaged?" he wasn't teasing, but her being close to tears was new for him, at least when it wasn't Genesis being spiteful. She seemed to want to keep her feelings to herself for the most part, as well.

Balthier frowned, burying his face in his knees. When alone with Fran and Krja, he was willing to act more childish. "Of course I worry. He is far too young to carry such a burden. We must help him however we can." Sighing, he straightened out his legs and patted his lap for her to sit down. "I shan't sit by if he needs us, Fran."

Fran moved to sit on on Balthier's lap, resting her head on Balthier's shoulder. "I know. I shall stand by yourself no matter what we must face."

The blonde soldier gave a nod, frowning with a slight pout. "I'm sorry that you don't like me keeping myself to myself but I'd appreciate it if you never mention this again." Lightning brushed away a stray tear that managed to escape. With a sigh, the teen buried her face in Zack's chest and huffed like the child she really was. "I just want to go home." It was a redundant phrase. She had no idea where home was anymore. Cocoon was not home and, whilst she missed Pulse and Team Nora, she was happy with Zack.

Zack smiled a little, "It's alright, I was just making sure, Lightnin'.." his voice was soft, and he held her while she huffed. At her words about wanting to go home, Zack chuckled softly, "We're working on home. Right now, my home is with you, wherever we wind up, I'd want it to be with you. We'll get a ship, so we have a roof over our heads, and can go where we please, when we want, and do whatever comes to mind. Nora and Big Guy here, too."