When Needs Must

[elementoftreachery]

 Really Mun, while I appreciate your interest in playing me, I am going to have to protest where it is you plan to send me. 

It is not a place fit for a leading man, after all, least of all because they intend to perform some rather risky surgeries. If I had wanted to be in the company of people like my father again, why I would have gone back to Archadia.

And do be honest, you know that our intrepid little group would be utterly hopeless without me. Any group is without the leading man. 

Comments

[northswainsglow]

I question your use of "utterly hopeless."

[elementoftreachery]

Well, you are certainly quite capable, your highness, it's poor Vaan I'm really thinking of. Whatever will he do without either of us?

[northswainsglow]

He is more than you think to give him credit for, and I have been advised that while we are here, time stands still where we had been before. { Not that any such consolation alleviates all of her concerns. }

But tell me again why he needs you there? { This might be playful, though. An 'I missed you,' if not in so many words. }

[elementoftreachery]

Being advised and knowing are rather different things. I prefer the knowing.

_{[ There's a quirk of his lips at that, hearing it even if she did not say it. ]}

Why, my dear Highness, I am the leading man! Every adventure needs its leading man, and Vaan isn't quite ready for that roll I'm afraid.

[northswainsglow]

For once, we are in agreement.

{ Deciding it dangerous to encourage him, she purses her lips, attempting indifference. It's mostly successful. }

But you are qualified?

[elementoftreachery]

But of course. Dashing, handsome, and smart - I'm the perfect man for the job. I'll admit Vaan has at least one of those things, but he needs to hone the other two some more.

_{[ He remembers that particularly incident in the Viera Woods and winces inside. Really, Vaan? Really? ]}

I would have thought by now my many qualifications would have been made quite clear, princess.

[northswainsglow]

{ Despite herself, she almost laughs; he is so different than anyone she has ever encountered. The declaration is exactly as anticipated, but it is still baffling.

And so very Balthier. }

I wasn't aware pirates made it past preliminary judgment for { Her brows lift ever so slightly. } leading men.

[elementoftreachery]

We make the best candidates, princess. We have the best sort of adventures, after all.

_{[ There's a smirk on his lips, daring her to argue you that. ]}

[northswainsglow]

Amalia. { For a moment, she almost allows his comment to go unchallenged, because she has seen the smirk on his lips before and the knowing look in his eyes.

Except that she is every bit as stubborn as he is, maybe more so. If he wants to banter, she is determined to win. }

And there is no clause about honour?

[elementoftreachery]

Amalia, you wound me. Sky pirates have honour. I keep my word, after all, and has a lie ever passed my lips?

[earls_pawn]

Any group without a head is a chicken without wings. I do hope your mun listens, though it never really seems to help.

[elementoftreachery]

Alas, no. She is rather set on it and a bit to easily swayed by the words of others, I fear. My prospects are looking rather grim.

[northswainsglow]

{ He has her there.

And then she remembers, a note of concern in her tone: }

Do you still have my ring?

[elementoftreachery]

_{[ There's a pause, and then he nods. ]}

Yes, I do have it. I made a promise I would return it to you, when I found the real treasure I am after. As I said, I keep my word.

[earls_pawn]

As are mine. Are you to be alone of those you know when you arrive at that cursed place?

[elementoftreachery]

I would assume so. As of yet I have not discerned any excitement over my interacting with my fellows once more. You're cast to similar fate?

[northswainsglow]

Then --

{ There's no way around it, although she does curb the beginnings of a smile before it can blossom. } I concede, Balthier. You are in fact honourable.

{ But he will have to be much more inventive than that to get her to concede to his 'leading man' role. }

[fatedcircle]

Protests don't usually help.

[elementoftreachery]

And so the leading man claims another great victory.

_{[ He chuckles, the teasing still playing out even though there had been a serious moment in there. He wasn't one to linger to much on them unless necessary. ]}

[elementoftreachery]

Believe me, I know - neither with her or my intrepid little group. Being the reasonable one seems to be a bit harder than I expected.

[fatedcircle]

(It never is.)

I've noticed.

[northswainsglow]

Don't become accustomed to winning against me, pirate.

{ But the smile shines through, if only subtly.

And while she pretends not to notice, she does, shelving the information for later contemplation. Vaan, Penolo, Fran, Basch -- she has learned so much about all of them since the beginning of their journey, but for as open as he is, Balthier is still very much an enigma. }

Where has your mun decided to see you travel to?

[elementoftreachery]

Well, despite my very valid points, she wants to send me to this place called "Sanctum". The name is foreboding enough, don't you agree? I shall have ports put into my back and be released into a grand city with questionable motives behind everything. I was never meant for the politics game.

_{[ He shook his head and sighed, his mouth set in a discomforted line. No, he was not looking forward to this. ]}

[elementoftreachery]

It worked out quite well when it was just Fran and myself, but you throw in a princess, a traitor, and two urchins and suddenly it counts for nothing.

[fatedcircle]

Larger groups are harder to lead.