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[xxbasch-livesxx.livejournal.com]

Who: Ashe, Snow and Basch
What: Meetings and Monsters
Where: Royal Palace and the Desert
When: Before the Ball
Rating: PG-13


They'd gotten Ashe's Nethecite-thingy back from Zack and Lightning, though the whole thing had left a bit of a sour taste in Snow's mouth, and returned to her palace in Rabanastre. Refusing to give into a life of luxury, Snow generally took at least a couple of hours each day, with or without Ashe, to practice his exercises and combat forms on one of the larger balconies, or in a garden, as the mood struck him. Sure, it would be easy to just drink and eat and enjoy Ashe's company, but as much as he felt for her, he was always mindful that one day he'd have to fight again, and keep on fighting until he won. Layabouts couldn't handle those rigors. "Hah~!" he struck an invisible foe quite solidly, fluidly spinning down low and kicking the legs out from another, driving stiff fingers into the middle of a third as he rose again. Snow needed no weapons. He had his body, and his mind, and his magic, to take down foes.

At the gates of the Palace, easily seen from any of said larger balconies, a man in armour unlike that of Ashe's guards was led through and treated much like royalty himself. Nothing was honestly notable from the man, since he wore full-body armour with a helmet that stuck fear into the hearts of all Rabanastrans for they believed him to be Gabranth, a man of pure violence, when in truth he was Basch, a man of honour and integrity.

Ashe was seated in her drawing room, at a desk, writing out pieces of paperwork and whatnot. She, too, enjoyed her time away from Snow, though it was mostly spent doing this work. When she rarely had her time free, she would ride her Chocobos or train alongside her soldiers, though many of them found it highly amusing that she'd do so in full royal attire, not bothering to change to battle gear. With a small tiara on her head, simply because she felt like wearing it, Ashe continued writing in her pretty cursive hand.

Snow had noticed the man, and when he finished dispatching his imaginary foes with a flurry of ice-imbued punches and kicks, he grabbed up his towel, and headed into the palace. The man's armor was quite intimidating, and he didn't know who the person was. Shirtless and coatless and sweaty, though, he'd at least stop to towel off before trying to find Ashe.

The Judge was taken to the Queen's drawing room and he waited at the door until given permission to enter. Though, when he did, a smile appeared under his helmet at the sight of the young royal. "What a sight to tired eyes. Her Majesty, Queen Ashelia, in her most rightful of places." He murmured in his low, gruff voice, removing his helmet. His hair was shorter, though not as short as Gabranth's any longer. His face still held the stuble of his beard; his scar was crisp and red across his face.

The young girl blinked up at the armoured man, soon gasping and springing from her seat as he removed his helmet. Ashe all but ran across the room and raised her hand, slapping him hard across the face. "That is for not contacting me when I wrote so many letters to you." She seemed to glare a hole in him for a moment before a giggle escaped and she curled her arms around his neck, hugging her old friend and loyal knight.

Snow had paused in the hall to make sure he'd caught his wind and was dry, and didn't stink.. little things like that. When he was sure, he simply walked into the Queen's room, not being the type to wait for admittance to see her, and stopped in the door. To say he felt cold was one thing, but it fairly wafted from him before he got a grip on himself enough to speak, "Er.." jealousy flared in him, but the blonde quickly tamped it down, not wanting to appear to be some kind of control freak jerk, "Uhm.." what the hell did he do in this situation? Was this guy in armor a friend, or old flame, or what?

The man gave a shiver to the sudden coldness at the door, his arms still loosely around Ashe. He looked over, clearing his throat as he released Ashe, brushing a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure who this man was but he had heard a fair few rumours about the young Queen and whom she spent time with these days.

Ashe shivered, too, but she knew whose coldness it was. With a grin set firm on her face, Ashe bounced slightly on her heels. "Snow! Come!" She skipped over and took his hand pulling him more into the room. "This man is Sir Basch fon Ronsenburg. My most loyal and trusted knight... though now, he is Judge Gabranth, the very man who cares for the young Lord Larsa." She giggled softly at Basch. "Basch... this is Snow Villiers. My... um..." What was he, really? Boyfriend? Lover...?

"I see.. Er, yeah, name's Snow Villiers." he looked at Ashe, and back to Basch, letting just a bit of his jealousy show, "Her boyfriend." there had to be a less juvenile way to say that, but there really was only one word. Lover implied that there was just sex, and friend was a falsehood if left at that. Sure, he was Ashe's friend, and her lover.. Why hadn't there been a better word for adults to describe adult relationships..? Regardless, he squeezed Ashe's hand, hoping he hadn't overstepped his bounds there.

Basch gave a nod, pulling off his metal glove and offering his real, calloused hand to Snow. "Snow. A pleasure to meet you. I've heard little of your appearance, though may I say, I am glad someone finally has the hand of this foolish young girl." He smiled fondly at Ashe, though if anything, he saw her more as a little sister these days. Ashe was twenty, he was thirty eight. He was a whole lifetime away from her and he preferred it that way.

Ashe blushed slightly, curling her free hand around Snow's arm, leaning into his side. "Yes, my... my boyfriend." She seemed to mumble this, her face flushing more after she spoke and her gaze falling to her feet. She felt a little awkward, almost like a girl showing off her boyfriend to her dad or something.

Snow shook Basch's hand firmly, feeling a little better after establishing his place. After all, it wasn't every day your girlfriend was a Queen, and it wasn't ever the norm to walk in on a hug. Even if he hadn't been with Ashe, it would have been awkward to be there at that point. "Well, it's good you approve. In that armor, I dunno if I'd wanna hafta try takin' ya on about it." he smiled slightly, releasing Basch's hand from his own scarred, battle-hardened fist. Snow could likely punch through light plate with the way he imbued his strikes.

Basch chuckled, giving his chest plate a flick, listening to the ringing of it. "Mm, this armour is a parting gift from my brother. I must admit I'd prefer not to get it dented..." He slipped his glove back on and crossed his arms, glancing to Ashe. "Aside from giving up the life as widow, for a man far larger that the late Prince Rasler, has much come of your time?"

Ashe smiled, shaking her head slightly. "Not really. We have a generally calm life. Rabanastre is peaceful, as always. I did so miss speaking with you, though. I find that my guards are not nearly as competant as you. Snow is the only person I enjoy speaking with in this palace." She scrunched her nose up, giving Snow a playful nudge, smiling up at him a moment after.

Snow smiled back to Ashe, and shrugged softly to Basch, "I tend to call 'em mother hens. They do their best t'keep things away from Ashe, but I dunno.. keeping the whole world from her seems a daunting task. Better to have people nearby rather than right there, in my opinion." but he wasn't trying to tell them how to run things.. Snow just figured Ashe would run away less if her guards were less oppressive.

Basch gave a nod, sighing heavily. "This was always my point when she was a child. Nary a day went by I did not have to chase her down and drag her home, away from some boy in Lowtown or some fiend in the desert." He gave Ashe a playful smirk. "As always, I reffer to her as a caged bird. Hold her tight and she will try her damndest to fly away."

Ashe smiled lightly, shaking her head again. "You speak like my father, Captain." She leaned into Snow slightly more. "You see, Basch is almost forty years of age, he has been my guard since Landis fell, when I was but a child." She felt like explainations were in order and it was difficult not to want to ramble about everything she and Basch had seen together in their years.

Snow nodded softly, "Instead of that, I try to keep my arm open for her to rest on, should she wish it." he nuzzled the top of Ashe's head for a moment, then looked between her and Basch, "Forty huh? Well, that's a great record for a military man, heh. Where I come from, thirty is about the limit in that line've work. Then someone younger finds a way to kill ya." Snow paused, then grinned, "Funny story, though. I met Ashe when she was running off, heh."

Basch chuckled slightly, though it was dry. "My lengthy life is a record but only for the fact that I was caged under Nalbina for nigh on two years for treason." He muttered, frowning slightly. He hated the fact that a lot of people still thought he was a King Slayer but he knew that Ashe understood the truth and that was what mattered to him. "Oh? When she was running off? No doubt she gave you an alias, also?"

The Queen huffed, crossing her arms with a pout. "I was not running off! I was enjoying a sports match and my freedom, thank you kindly!" She huffed again, looking away from the men, though really she was being playful and didn't take any offense from their words. In truth, the men she trusted most were both stood in the same room and that put her at great ease.

"Amalia. She was, according to her, a fan of Blitzball, and we shared some drinks." the man chuckled, "Before I came here, I was the lead player of the Al Bhed Psyches, though I took this season off t'spend it in Rabanastre with Ashe. Might retire if things stay good here." he squeezed Ashe's hand again, and nodded to Basch, "Eventually her guards caught us drunk in a bar, beat me up, and threw me in the brig. Good times."

Basch blinked a few times. "...Ah. You are not from Ivalice. I see. Now I realise why I did not understand most of what you just said. I'm afraid I have not been out of Ivalice's fold; I know little of the world around her." He shook his head slightly. Basch was always a home body, very much the man to want to be where he knew he was safest.

Ashe chuckled softly. "Those guards shouted at me for near enough an hour." She readjusted the tiara she wore, smoothing down her dress before pulling free of Snow's hold and moving to sit on her desk, flicking through some of her paperwork with a sigh. "I have so much to do..." she whined, tapping her heels against the wood of her desk with yet another sigh.

Snow chuckled softly, "Ah, but that's yer job, Queenie. When yer done, we can find something fun t'do, but spendin' time with me shouldn't get in th'way've all yer duties." he chuckled, and nodded to Basch, "Honestly, I've been to a fair number've places. All over Spira, and a few in Ivalice." he didn't mention Pulse, though, "When Ashe has a few spare days, I'll prolly take 'er to -my- desert."

The Captain smiled at Ashe, patting her head like she was his child or sister. "Just get to work and it will not take long. If you focus." He smiled at her a little more before looking to Snow again. "Well, it seems you are a well travelled man. No doubt you've a story or two to tell." He smiled slightly before scooping up his helmet from the table he'd set it on. "Perhaps you would regail me with some whilst we let the good Queen finish her work."

Ashe stuck her tongue out at them before moving around her desk and sitting at it, writing out some papers. "Go, it is alright, I will probably work better without the distractions." She smiled up at them, able to sign things without looking for a moment before noticing she was writing in the wrong places and quickly fixing it.

Snow nodded and smiled, "Sure, we can swing by and grab my coat, too. I'm sure you've seen enough of me topless for a good while." he laughed, and opened the door, holding it for Basch, "We'll be around, eh Queenie? Have fun hmm?" he was finding Basch to be quite personable, actually, and since he hadn't had a good guy friend in some time, beyond the Blitzball team, he was looking forward to it.

Basch gave a nod, smiling. "We shall get your coat and walk the city?" he offered, placing his helmet back on his head. "I'm afraid I must wear this helmet to protect both my identity and my brother's. So, my apologies for you being forced to speak to a mask." He cleared his throat slightly before heading out of the room, nodding once to Ashe. "I will return to further our discussions, your highness." He had to keep up an act to her guards.

Ashe smiled at them before nodding in reply. "I look forward to it." She then went back to her paperwork, giving Snow a lingering smile.

Snow returned the smile, pleased to be able to make a new friend, as well as please Ashe by not being a jerk. He nodded to Basch, "Certainly, it's fine. I understand having to hide things for the sake of others." they stopped on the way out of the Palace, and Snow shrugged into his coat, stuffing his hands into his spacious pockets, "So, as a trusted Knight, did you ever have a special title?" he'd loved those kinds of stories as a kid, but Pulse didn't have Knights.

Basch gave a dry laugh, looking to his feet a moment. "I did. Captain of the Knights of the Order of Dalmasca," he replied, resting his hand on the hilt of the sword he wore at his hip. His eyes closed for a brief second. "However, I was framed for killing Ashe's father, King Ramminas, and called a traitor." He frowned as he walked, his other hand swinging slightly at his side. His posture showed just how much of a soldier and a Knight he really was.

"Well, if you didn't do it, you didn't do it. I hope ya stuck to yer convictions rather than just givin' up and sayin' ya did." Snow wasn't cracking wise, but speaking honestly. "So Queenie's lost her Dad, and her husband 'cause of folks killin' 'em..?" he sighed and raked his fingers through his hair, "Raw deal, that one."

"I was there when her Prince fell. I carried his lifeless body back to this palace, all the way from Nabudis. Telling her was the hardest thing I ever had to do." He shook his head, sighing slightly. "What that girl has been through is far more than any of us should have to stand. Her mother died when she was but an infant, her father when she was not yet an adult, her husband that same year." He cleared his throat slightly. "But she has you now. I pray you protect her with your life."

"There're only two things I'm usin' this life for." he said it seriously, "And Ashe knows she's part of the other. I'm not about t'hurt her, and I'll be damned if I let -anything- harm 'er." he was glaring at nothing in particular, fists clenched in his coat. The very idea of something hurting Ashe made his blood boil, and he was a pretty coolheaded individual.

Basch gave a firm nod, mostly of thanks that Snow wasn't out to hurt Ashe. He chuckled slightly. "What a dark turn of converse. We were supposed to speak upon your travels of Gaia." He shook his head slightly, completely at ease in the heat with his armour, though it was just through rigorous training he'd gotten used to the weather that Rabanastre had to offer.

Basch gave a chuckle. "Strange seems to be the running theme all over Gaia. Though, Ivalice is by far a weird and wonderful land." He looked to Snow briefly before continuing. "Have you seen much of her lands or are you restricted to Rabanastre until her majesty sees fit?" His voice held a slightly teasing tone but he didn't come right out and say he was under the thumb.

He laughed softly, "Couple've pirates made off with some crystal that Ashe, it seems, would have killed t'get back. Pirates were my friend and her boyfriend, so she was ticked at me as if I were in on it, but.. er.. we worked it out." he flushed softly, thinking back to that tent, "Anyway, I sent the Sisters, that's Shiva Sisters, my summon beasts slash motorcycle, t'find Lightning, my friend, and get it back. Ipso facto, she's got her netherthingy, and no-one had to die. But to answer, well, we saw a lot of places, but I've not seen 'em all."

Basch's eyes widened slightly. "Was it, by chance, a Shard that was taken? No doubt she would be upset to see it stolen. The work we put into getting them, the numbers that died... it was hideous." He shook his head just a little. "No mind; at least it is safe. As is the Queen." Basch cleared his throat slightly. "Either way, you must have seen a good few places on your travels. Perhaps we can convince her majesty to allow us to escort her through her lands to retrace old steps and create new memories."

"Hmm, I think it was. Don't tell her I couldn't remember what it is.. but the word makes my tongue twist.." he laughed softly, then patted Basch's armored shoulder, "We could see if she wants to tour Ivalice. With you and me, she wouldn't need a flock of mother-hen guards, and she could enjoy the trip in a casual way, even if it's an official function. Might be good fer 'er.."

Basch gave a laugh as his shoulder was patted. "No doubt the young royal has spent very little time outside of Rabanastre since becoming Queen. It would be good for her mental health, as well as her enjoyment, to see more of the lands we once travelled." He thumbed at the end of his sqord's hilt, glancing around. "Rabanastre has done little to change in all her years; such constant sights and repetitive days can make a person weary."

"Yeah. Y'can tell she loves the place, but she smiles, really smiles, when she's out travellin'. Even when she was so ticked off and takin' all 'er soldiers off t'find that stone, y'can tell she was enjoyin' bein' out riding with 'em." they continued to walk, Snow finding the city quite charming, now that he was used to it.

"Mm. She complained and nagged the entire trip we spent together, yet her smile was always brightest when we were simply walking through the lands. I believe she takes her throne simply for her people and her ancestry. Not for herself." He gave a slight sigh, trying to ignore the looks he recieved from other Imperials and the glares of death he got from the Rabanastrans.

"What's up with the folks 'round here? They're lookin' atcha like you not only kicked their dog, but you kicked it into their troubled little sibling, further troubling them." he raised a brow, looking at one glaring man a little oddly. It was strange to see, as Basch seemed quite friendly.

"They look not at me but at my suit. I am wearing the armour of one Noah fon Ronsenburg. The cruelest, most vicious and heartless of all the Imperial Judges. Gladly would he cut down his brethren for the sake of the Empire." He smiled slightly behind that armour. "I masquerade as he, my twin brother, the Judge Gabranth."

"Ah.. I see. There's so much I don't really know about Ivalice. I'm assuming this Empire is.." he thought for a moment, "Er.. is it the Archadian Empire, or something like that?" he'd taken in a lot of information over the past few weeks, so he might not have it all down pat.

Basch gave a nod. "Indeed. The Archadian Empire; led by the young Lord Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. Imperials and Judges are what crawl the lands." He smiled slightly. "Ever at war with Rozzaria to the South, the Empire used the lands in between as a battleground. My homeland of Landis was ripped asunder in the war and Dalmasca was taken hostage by the Empire. Once war passed by, and Ashe regained her throne, the Empire tries hard to fix what mistakes it has made."

"With you there to make sure no-one hurts Larsa, so that the Empire will continue to head off on this path they're on, to avoid war and repent past mistakes, I would assume." he looked around, and smiled lightly, rolling his shoulders.

"Pretty much." He gave a slight yawn though not through boredom but exhaustion. "Though, Lord Larsa does not need my aid and the good Queen has many guards to do her bidding. My true path has not yet laid itself out for me and I fear it may never." Shaking his head, Basch gave a shrug. "Whatever the reasons, I will stay between Dalmasca and the Empire, protecting my home from my home."

"Perhaps you're a much-needed buffer. Longtime hostilities don't just vanish overnight. Even in Spira, there are people who still dislike and outright distrust the Al Bhed, even though we've only ever been friends. Sure, we scavenge ancient ruins, but who doesn't? It isn't like we expect something for nothing."

Basch gave a slight nod. "Mm, hatred and racism does not vanish without work. Even with how integrated Rabanastre is, the non-Hume species are frowned upon in Archades." The Judge gave a long sigh. "For all its claims to technology; the fastest airships, the most effective medicines... Archades is in the darkages when it comes to tollerance of others."

"Well, it'll come eventually." he nodded sagely, "I'm pretty sure it will, anyway. It's not gonna be easy, but once people get over themselves, racism tends to fall away." Snow stretched as they walked, stopping at a crossroads intersection, "Where to now?"

Basch glanced around, tilting his head slightly. "We've a choice. North to more of Rabanastre, East to the Estersand, West to the Westersand, South to the Giza Plains. What takes your fancy, Snow?" He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked around slightly, still ignoring those looks of disgust and bewilderment he was getting.

"Hm, well, if we're gonna ask th'Queen t'take a trip 'round Ivalice, we prolly shouldn't preemptively take a walk around. Unless you feel like ditching this walking thing and killing some monsters. I'm always down for a little of that." especially in Ivalice, where it seemed the people used every part of a slain fiend.

"Heh... then I say we head West to the desert, where fiends are plenty and strong. I know of a place where we may find creatures beyond the strength of those that the Rabanastrans fight more often." He began to walk for the Westersand, instead turning and crouching down to a Moogle at an odd looking contraption. "Hello. To the West, if you'd not mind." He smiled politely to the Moogle before standing straight and gesturing for Snow to stand close.

Snow nodded, taking his hands from his pockets and standing near to Basch, smiling at the moogle. They were a rather cute little people, and if Snow tried hard enough, he could get through an encounter with one without wondering how to tell males from females.

Basch took a slight breath as the Moogling Attendant transported them to the West. It was a most perculiar feeling to be sent across the city so quickly but he'd gotten used to it by now. As soon as he knew it was safe, the Judge walked onwards and out of the city limits, stepping soon onto crisp sand, his sword drawn a second later.

Snow stepped out after Basch, though instead of a sword, one hand was in a fist, the other open, fingers loose, ready to hurl magic. Like any l'Cie, Snow was trained to use his magic as much as anything else in his repertoire of combative moves, and he would just feel silly fighting without being ready to use a spell as well.

Basch began the fighting as a small Wolf came hurtling towards him, drippy fangs and all. Quickly slicing through the fiend, he began to lead the way towards the mouth of the Zertinan Caverns. It was a collection of underground tunnels that weren't truly underground, though this was the very place he and his party had first encountered Addramalech.

Snow handled the small fry just as easily, waiting until the last second and ducking so that two Wolves crashed into eachother, then freezing one in place with an icy blast, he crushed the other with a well-timed punch. Not wanting to lose track of Basch, he ended the other by shattering it's frozen half, and giving it a swift kick so it didn't have to linger and die slowly.

The older man was soon slipping between small passageways to deepen their expedition into the desert. He knew exactly where the cave mouth was and it wasn't long before he stood at the open hole in the wall, slightly short of breath from the excuciating heat that beat down on them. "This is the entrance to the Zertinan Caverns. Fiends of much more strength reside within. Are you prepared?"

Snow stretched for a moment, and gave three rapid punches to be sure he wouldn't pull a muscle, which could be like denting one's sword, "Yeah, I'm as ready as I'll ever be." if things got way out of hand, the man could summon the Sisters, and add two more to their group, though they were both more magically inclined than physically.

Basch gave a nod, checking he still had his Esper Crystal, in case he needed to summon Zalera. Though, he didn't often like summoning that corrupt creature. He was rather hard to handle. The didn't have a deep bond for the fact that Zalera was not friendly. The Judge then turned and headed into the Caverns, his eyes focused behind his mask.

Snow walked with the practiced ease of a guerrilla warrior, always expecting an ambush, and on the lookout for places to get the drop on his enemies. Basch would likely note how ruthlessly Snow fought, taking and giving no quarter to any fiends, though they hadn't met any just yet. "Hm.. nice place, monsters besides.."

"Mm. It is rather attractive until you come against its Wyrms and Marliths. Be hopeful we do not come across female Banshees. The males are nothing to fear, mind." He murmured as he walked, sword raised high. His hands were steady as he moved, though his steps were cautious. "Be careful where you tread. There are traps aplenty in here."

"Of course." Snow had a light step, being the type of unarmored, unarmed fighter that other cultures might have called Monks. He didn't have a name like that for himself, seeing his style as brutal and efficient, the type of fighting you didn't talk about, because it was only made to win.

The older man kept his eyes sharp as he deepened into the caverns, his sword raised to take down all of the smaller fiends that approached them. Suddenly a low rumbling shook the ground and he felt a smirk tug at his lips. "I believe we have found our mark." He quickened pace, running towards the sound of movement.

"Indeed." Snow took an alternate route, coming up on the creature from an opening above, and stopping. "The hell is that..?" he asked himself quietly. A massive green-blue fish thing, in a dingy brow cloak, with a lantern, a large knife, and a floating, spinning crown over it's head. "Er.. Basch?" he'd never seen a Tonberry before, let alone a huge Tonberry King!

Basch swallowed hard. "A Tonberry King. We are in for a fool's fight." He gritted his teeth, running at the creature with his sword raised. He knew it best not to get near the knife the creature held and assumed Snow would take that as the obvious. "Slow he may be but strong and relentless."

"Right!" Snow leaped off his ledge, to try and get the drop on the Tonberry, but was met in the air by a blast of blue flame that seemed to sear his mind more than his body. He felt the weight of everything he'd ever killed press on him, and, yelping, fell to the ground. He was right back up again after that attack, and slammed a fist into the monster, though it didn't appear to notice.

The Judge continued slashing at the creature, his eyes dancing with panic as Snow hit the ground but the moment he stood again, he let out a sigh of relief. It wouldn't bode well for him to have to carry home the lifeless form of yet another of Ashe's lovers. It'd mean he was nothing more than a bad omen for all of the young royal's relationships.

The Tonberry turned eventually, and, despite it's slow movements, still managed a wicked thrust at Basch's head. A sound surprisingly comical sprung from it's lips, "Doink!" though this might have just been an illusion. Nothing Snow was doing was having an effect, though, "Basch, the hell do we do here?"

The man dodged the strike with a roll though it slashed through a gap in his armour, cutting through his chainmail and slicing his arm. A growl of pain came but he stood tall, glaring at the beast. "We are fighting a losing battle. We retreat. Now!!" He spoke with a tone of order, something he rarely used, but used it when necessary.

"Alright, I'll get it's attention, you make a break for it. You're th'one in armor, I'll run faster." he pulled his hands back, and channelled the brunt of his magic in a rather coarse strike, covering the Tonberry in ice for the moment, slowing it further, though cracks were already beginning to appear.

Basch gave a nod and turned, running back the way they'd came, trying to hold back his interest in Snow's magicks for the time-being. He needed to get out safely and be sure Snow was right there with him. Like Hell did he want to go and tell Ashe another lover was dead when he was there to stop it happening.

Snow grunted, trying to freeze it for good, but the Tonberry inexorably moved, shattering the ice Snow had layered on it, shards slicing into the man's skin. "Well, fuck you too!" he yelled at it, turned, and ran like hell, spotting Basch soon, "Go go go go go!!"

Basch looked at Snow before nodding once and picking up his pace, running for the cave mouth. As he came skidding out of the caverns, he looked back in seeing the Tonberry had turned and decided to head back the other way, being too large to escape the caverns this way. Basch breathed a sigh of relief and slumped to sit on a nearby rock, beginning to remove his armour on his injured arm. "Gods damnit..."

Snow skidded to a halt when Basch stopped, and, panting, he ignored the many bleeding lacerations on his face and chest, "Ugh.. you weren't kidding." the man straightened, laughing, adrenaline and exhilaration coursing through his body, "Whooo~! That was goddamned -crazy-, man!" Snow couldn't help it, he was too amped up to be pissy.

Basch gave a laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Crazy is certainly one word for it." He yanked away the chain that covered his arm, hissing at the cut that bled down the rest of his arm. "Nghh... that blade was poisoned." He reached into his stock of supplies and pulled out a remedy, pouring it into the wound, hissing yet again at the sting of it.

"Damn right it was.." he looked like he'd been burned three different ways. His hands were bruised purple, nearly black in places, his chest, where it wasn't bloody, was showing pink, and blisters on other places. It hurt, but Snow wasn't about to call it quits. He watched Basch's arm bubble slightly as the remedy ate away the poison, "C'mon, maybe we can sneak back into the palace without Queenie noticing."

Basch gave a nod, moving to stand. He held his arm against his chest, frowning slightly. "I doubt she will remain unknowledgable of our escapades. Either her guards will sell us out or she shall be there to see us arrive. She is no fool of a girl, never has been such." He still had use of his right arm and, swinging his sword one handed, he held back what small fiends came near.

Snow laughed and nodded, "If you like, you can tell her it was my idea. That way she won't yell atcha too much." he felt a bit of camaraderie with the man, having survived doing something stupid with him, so he was willing to take the fall for this.

Basch laughed, shaking his head slightly. "She knows me far too well to know I do not walk into things with someone else tugging my reins." He let out a slight sigh of discomfort to his arm before shaking his head once more, with yet another laugh. "That was probably the most foolish thing I have done in many years." A smile came to his face and he just wished he could take his helmet off to experience it truly.

"Ah well, you gotta live sometime, right?" he slapped the man's back on the side he hadn't been stabbed, chuckling and wincing, his own hands quite tender. "Last time I got hurt, she stuck me in a Nomad sick tent.. dunno what she'll do to us when she finds out we went lookin' for trouble."

The Judge gave a chuckle, slipping his sword away once it was safe to do so, stepping onto Rabanastre's cobbled streets. "What say we claim we were attacked with no warning?" It seemed like a genuine idea, though the man was really joking. He couldn't lie to Ashe and he doubt Snow would be able or willing to either.

"Well, I think that would work, except I've never been able to lie to the really important women. My mom, Lightning, Lightning's mom, Ashe.. I'll end up grinning 'cause she's buying it, then BAM, she'll know.. Guess we gotta take our lumps on this one. Nice knowin' ya, pal." he snickered, shaking his head as they walked into the city.

Basch smiled, laughing a little. "So, tell me, what is it with you and this girl named Lightning? I have heard her name a good few times now. Is she an old flame?" He walked along with the usual clanking that metal armour made, ignoring the stares that they were getting for different reasons now. Namely that they were battered and bruised and laughing about it.

"Ehh..? No no, well, there was one time while we were drunk. I bet I got a little handsy, but I don't really remember.. She's pretty and all, but datin' this ex-military man named Zack, besides that, she's more like my sister, y'know?" he smiled slightly, "She's just a really good friend. No matter what, I know I can count on her t'have my back. Unfortunately my girlfriend recently had her man whipped for stealing a crystal, but he seems the type to forgive and forget." he shrugged softly, "Smart enough to know when whipping's a mercy, anyway. The law said we should have had his head, and barring that, his hands."

Basch gave a slight nod as he walked towards the Moogling Attendant. "I see. I am glad of that. Were you still so deeply connected to an old flame, I would waste no time in warning her majesty of it. I take no prisoners when it comes to protecting my Queen." He spoke like a true Knight. Almost as though he were truly born and raised in Rabanastre. Though, Landis was just next to the Royal City, and it was always just a short trip from Landis to the middle of Rabanastre.

"I am not connected in any such manner to any woman but Ashe, so she needn't worry about that. I might like Lightning, but not -that- way." he chuckled softly, and continued walking, glad someone else had Ashe's best interests at heart. "If I'm ever doing something to hurt her, and don't see it, let me know. If I'm doing it on purpose, kick my ass." he didn't expect either to happen, but you never knew.

"It is a deal." He nodded with determination before telling the Attendant where they were headed and soon taking the Moogling back to where they could easily reach the palace with very little walking. The people all around them seemed utterly confused as to why Ashe's new boyfriend would be so easily conversing with an enemy of the Queen but Basch took no notice, trying hard not to let it affect him.

They were also likely confused about why they were both beaten up, and still laughing and talking. "Admittedly, this must not to wonders for either of our images, hmm? But, then again, the Empire's not the enemy anymore, so maybe it's best for people to see that." Snow was insightful at times, when he wanted to be.

"Indeed. It is like that people will put words upon us as allies and this will do well to serve both Her Majesty's end and Emperor Larsa's. They are friends, it is true, yet the countries to not remain as so. Much like that of Archadia and Rozarria. Though, Dalmasca has a right to be angry as she has been naught but a battlefield to these warring nations," Basch eluded, his fingers drumming against his brother's armour.

Snow nodded faintly, "Well, maybe she won't yell too loudly, if we point out that part of it." he smiled to himself, looking around as they walked. Honestly, as big and tough as Snow was, he dreaded Ashe's ire, if only because he'd already seen her mobilize whole armies because of it. She was small, sure, but the easier to take Villiers down a peg.

Basch chuckled and looked up at the grand palace, letting out a long sigh as he held his wounded arm close. "I've been on the receiving end of many of her slaps in the past... I hope you've a strong jaw," he jested, stepping inside the building and hoping to escape the Queen's wrath by going and getting fixed up first.

However, Ashe had been crossing the entrance hall with a stack of papers in her hands, muttering to an aide. "I know, I know... this ball must be perfect, though!" she sighed and glanced to the door as the two men entered, slamming the papers into the aide's chest and marching across to them. "What in Faram happened to you both?!"

Snow grinned a little sheepishly, looking around the room for help and finding none, "Er.. we went out into the desert, to have a little fun, y'know? Things got out of hand.. eheh.." he had pocketed a single bloom off a cactus while running around with Basch, which he hoped had avoided being crushed. "We're both fine, really, just need to be patched up a little, 'kay?"

Basch sighed and wriggled his aching arm against his metal chest, frowning a little. "I shall spare you the gory details, Your Majesty, yet we faced a King Tonberry and lost." He slipped his helmet off and bowed to Ashe in apology, his brow furrowed. "My apologies, Queen Ashelia." Always the Knight, it seemed.

Ashe gave an annoyed sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes for a long moment. Once she finally looked at them again, Basch was bowing and Snow was looking dreadfully nervous. "I think you both need to look before you leap. King Tonberries are not toys." She gave a vaguely amused expression before it melted away again. "This ball tonight must be perfect. I cannot allow you to damage it with your childish games. Be lucky I do not throw both of you in Nalbina." She rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Now, let's get you both patched up, hm?" She offered a slight smile.

Snow swallowed slightly, and tilted his head, "Well, we weren't looking for -deadly- trouble. Just trouble." he winked, and patted Basch's arm, the one that hadn't been stabbed. "Don't worry, though, I'm sure with a few potions and bandages we'll both be fine in time for the ball." he leaned forward to kiss Ashe's cheek, despite the multitude of sand-caked cuts on his body.