Final Fantasy XII (Balthier/Everybody)

[manic-intent.livejournal.com]

Title: Silver tongues and sly streaks
Author/Artist: Anya
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Very long dialogue
Word Count: 1,564
Prompt: Oct 15 Final Fantasy XII, Balthier/everyone: Planning - 'A woman in every port, or something like that.'

Oct 15 Final Fantasy XII, Balthier/everyone: Planning - 'A woman in every port, or something like that.'

[A/N: Hm. I admit to having no real inspiration for this one at all. The ‘Black Book’ Balthier/Everyone fic that I wrote last ‘fest doesn’t really read like it can have a continuation, and it’s already October 15 (yay, procrastination) and the last time it took me an entire week to write in the het… hmm. So instead, I’ll write an incredibly long dialogue that tries to discuss everyone. And, just like the previous ‘fic, it will be primarily Basch/Balthier.]

Silver tongues and sly streaks

And then he said, Balthier I – Fran, we’re losing altitude, if you don’t mind, we can head through that cloud bank if you’re worried about pursuit – he said, Balthier, I am madly in love with you, please at least promise me that you’ll visit once a month. You do know that is exactly what I do not like to hear, and besides, the man is now a Magister. I’ve long learned that the creatures of the Bureau are dangerous toys. Fran-

You can be quite a child, Balthier.

Fran, are you… hn, I sense displeasure. Have I somehow, yet again, offended you, my dear?

You are far too callous with others. Perhaps it is because you are a child yet, in terms of age-

Oh, ouch. Twenty-three years of age is adult in terms of my race, my dear. And perhaps ‘tis just because you are of greatest importance in my life, that all others are but fleeting shadows?

Your silvered tongue works not on me, pirate.

And that’s why I adore you, my dear. [a laugh] You’re still displeased. [pause] Fran, we had to leave Archades, in any regard. We never stay too long at one port, do we? It’s a sad consequence of our professions, and besides, Archades holds poor memories for me.

The graves you visited.

Aye, we had Reddas’ grave – not that there was anything left of him to bury – at Balfonheim in the Manse, but Drace… well, I suppose I owed her a visit, even if I had to break into her family grounds. Zargabaath was a little shocked at that, I’m not sure if I told you – he said that I could very well simply have asked him for permission, and what would Drace have said. She’ll… she’ll have laughed, I think, and said something snide about schoolboy crushes that’ll blush the both of us.

Us?

Zargabaath and myself, t’was a long time ago. And besides, I still sense displeasure. Fran, I confess that I am truly puzzled, why you seem to have so much interest in the Magister. Should you not be more concerned about royalty, if ‘tis repercussions you ‘ware? The last time we were in Dalmasca Ashe cornered me in the staterooms and treated me to this slightly incoherent lecture about the dangers of piracy, after which she did a number eleven.

Eleven?

Pink cheeks, wide eyes, and a ‘Balthier, I do not want you to get hurt.’ Cue to run, right there. Pity. She has nice… assets, for inbred royalty. Speaking of which, do you not find it curious how this generation’s royalty tend to be fairly comely despite their ancestry involving cousins marrying cousins? Ashe, Larsa – well, perhaps in six more years, of course, Fran, you needn’t look at me like that – Al-Cid. And of all of them only Al-Cid acts normally with his playmates.

Perhaps I take offense at how you do tend to treat your ‘playmates’ as toys, Balthier.

We all use each other, Fran, and if by happy chance there’s some mutual pleasure, then ‘tis but of profit to either side. And if you recall, I did not want to see Basch in the first place, you told him where we were staying. The man has quite enough on his plate to distract him.

Larsa was of the opinion that Basch only agreed to ‘be’ his brother so completely because he felt you had perished.

And that’s what happens when you listen to children, Fran, they have very romanticized opinions of the world. Basch agreed to become Gabranth out of duty, and because ‘tis far easier than clearing his name.

You sound disappointed.

Don’t use perception on me, my dear. [a grin] But a man who can so easily do that is not worth my time at all.

You still tumbled him.

And you’ve known me long enough, my dear, to know that bedding someone for me tends to mean nothing much at all. You may frown, but it won’t change, and I’ve said my farewells to that port, both to Basch and his equally fucked up twin. Speaking of ports, did I see you go off with Eliza last month in Balfonheim?

And Rikken.

And I wasn’t invited? Fran, I am deeply disappointed in that.

Eliza says you cannot keep up, and Rikken wouldn’t explain.

That wounds me. I… I certainly could, just that Eliza’s nails are as sharp as a tiger’s, and one’s back tends to be mauled bloody in the morning. Rikken I understand, I likely remind him of Reddas. Strangely enough he thinks the same of Vaan and Penelo, or so they have told me.

Ah, we last met those in Bhujerba.

Indeed, and may I remind you again that they are now eighteen, Fran. In all honesty your ire was most unwarranted.

They are children yet to be introduced to your… inclinations.

‘Inclinations’ indeed. [a smirk] T’was simply saving time, we’d all had to catch the tailwinds, so instead of having both brats separately I merely-

Balthier.

Frankly, did they look at all displeased to you?

No.

There you go. They’ll make a fine pair of pirates someday. After all, the first year’s the hardest and they’ve already done quite well out of it, and they already have the attitude. Besides, they’ve each other. I’m not sure how I’ll have come out of my first year if I hadn’t met you.

Silver tongues, pirate.

Yes, my dear. Heh. You’ve not complained of my silver tongue the last night-

There was that dark haired Hume, Vossler, in your first year – that was ill-advised.

The man was unusual, and certainly entertaining.

The two of you fought all the time.

Aye, and sometimes even whilst tangled in bed. Very entertaining, I can assure you, and the man had such a delightfully volatile temper. ‘Tis a pity that… ah, but I suppose men of his ilk do not last long. Small wonder most of the Knight-Orders on Ivalice have long sundered.

The Department is still well.

And not in the least like a Knight-Order.

Zargabaath remains, and Basch-

You’re getting sly, Fran, I’ll give you that. Very well, with Zargabaath and Basch. Previously with Drace and Zecht, and I suppose Gabranth counted, for all he was so devoted to his liege. Ghis and Bergan – not truly. I’ve told you about them.

Aye.

And seeing you get like that, if they weren’t dead already they’d soon fear it. [a smile] Though I suppose Bergan and his kink was fairly educational, Vayne’s lessons were far better. Now there went a master of voice and touch.

The way you speak of the Solidor men, I am surprised you had no designs on Gramis.

Oh please, Fran, I have my limits. And is that a sharp tongue you’re developing there, where I least expect it?

Your limits do not seem to include Ondore.

The man might look old but he’s not yet all that of a wreck, thank you very much. Besides t’was just a passing visit in Bhujerba. A woman in every port, so the saying goes, something like that.

Some men we know are content with that.

Can we stop bringing up Basch-

I’ve not mentioned him, but now that you have, do proceed.

You’re definitely developing this distressingly sly streak, my dear, against which I’ll have to guard. Truly, what about him? He loves me – I believe him – but many people love me, ‘tis already passing unremarkable. And is this really so very interesting compared to perhaps discussing our next mark?

We’ve always discussed marks at residence in Balfonheim, Balthier, not when in flight.

And I’ve never heard you speak so much of your mind before on any of my playmates save this one. Fran, I am serious, if I could be said to love any of those in my life it would be you.

Humes have a need for others of their race, Balthier. Your kind are social creatures.

You’ve stolen my journal enough times to know I associate quite frequently and intimately with members of my own race. So, why-

To give you an excuse to give to him when you do end up seeing him once a month, of course. [a faint smile] You’ll tell him that Fran harries you to. Of course, ‘tis you who needs the excuse: I am sure Basch cares not as long as he sees you.

Why… you conniving creature! [a wry laugh] Giving me the means to break my own rules. Very well, I give, but I’ll warn you that what you are doing is far more to his detriment than his benefit.

And you’ve never concerned yourself so much over ‘detriment’ before for your playmates, Balthier. That is my reason.

Fran!

Where is your silvered tongue, pirate?

-fin-

Comments

[lover-youshould.livejournal.com]

♥♥♥

You write them so well. :D

[manic-intent.livejournal.com]

thanks for reading!

[mariagoner.livejournal.com]

You are SO awesome with writing the interplay between these two. And really, this best the question... just what would Balthier do without his partner anyway? ;)

[manic-intent.livejournal.com]

He'll be in far more trouble than he can get himself out of, I'll bet! : )

[billionhighways]

Damn you write excellent dialogue. And Balthier is great in this. A much stronger and more masculine characterization than often seen.

e

[manic-intent.livejournal.com]

It's probably my best point. I keep trying and failing to do descriptive fic.

[bootoye.livejournal.com]

Ha ha. It is so easy to see Balthier AS a manslut!!

[thene]

This is surprisingly sappy given the subject matter! Beautiful language, too, as always. Fran is so very patient sometimes.

[manic-intent.livejournal.com]

It's difficult not to write fluff for this pairing. XD;;