UnShaekable (FFXII)

VII) Of Ransoms and Reunions

"You must be Balthier!" I turn in my seat to see a bangaa behind me, dressed head to toe in merchant's linens and leathers. His dark eyes are panicked and enraged. "There's been a ransom on my dear Penelo and your name is posted on it!" His claws waves in front of his face and Balthier slouches lower in his seat and his composure is kept well. Penelo? Vaan's girl?

"This is all a grave misunderstanding," Balthier says smoothly. The bangaa snarls weakly, a violent spirit not quite engraved in his obviously gentle nature.

"You are Balthier and they sent after her with you as the ransom!"

"As I said, a misunderstanding," comes the calm reply.

"Misunderstanding!? What I am understanding is they took Penelo because of you!" the bangaa snaps, his rough voice raising.

"What? What about Penelo?" I sigh upon seeing Vaan, my head spinning yet again from trying to understand the unfortunate circumstances surrounding me.

"Oh, Vaan!" the bangaa cries. "They've taken Penelo!" He turns to glare at Balthier with his dark, angled eyes. "And there was a note—a note for this Balthier! Come to the Bhujerba mines, it said." Fran sighs, straightening.

"It's Ba'Gamnan. He was in Nalbina."

"If anything were to happen that sweet child—why, I've her parents' memory to consider!" The bangaa's eyes grow fierce. "You're going to go to her aid and that's that! It's what you sky pirates do, isn't it?"

"I don't respond well to orders," Balthier replies sharply. "You do know that the Imperial fleet is massing at Bhujerba?"

"Fine, then I'll go!" Vaan offers, desperate. I shake my head, leaning forward to catch his eye.

"Alone? Vaan, that's far too dangerous. Those headhunters are mad."

"Then come with me," he fires back. He looks at me and Balthier. "You guys at least have airships, don't you?"

"I've been without wings for some time," I admit, sinking lower in my seat. "Otherwise I would." The memory of the Castean's rumbling life and warmth nearly makes me want to burst into a screaming tantrum about how this just isn't fair. Vaan turns to Balthier.

"Fine. You just get me there, and I'll find Penelo myself."

"I'll join you," a man offers. It takes me several seconds to realize it's Basch, with freshly trimmed hair, a clipped beard, and new, cleaner armor. I scan over the new captain and give my mental approval. "I have some business there as well."

"An audience with the Marquis, by chance?" Balthier asks with a renewed interest, a sly smile tugging at his lips at the end of his words.

It reminds me just how much this man is in this for his own personal gain, save for a few scraps he trails behind for Fran. It reminds me how much I truly despise him despite his humor and his charms. I suddenly feel suffocated sitting between him and his viera. There's a dead silence that follows before Vaan shakes his head, holding up the glowing orange magicite he stole from the treasury only a matter of a few days ago, at the very most. It feels like yesterday alone was ages ago.

"Balthier, just take us and this is yours," the boy pleads.

"The gods are toying with us," Fran practically groans. Balthier sighs, giving in and pushing himself to his feet. Fran follows reluctantly.

"Make yourselves ready. We leave soon."

I eye the crystal in the thief's hands and dare to toy with the thought of snatching it and running for half a moment before shaking my head and leaning back in my seat. I stare at Fran's half-empty bottle, settled beside a thin glass. I suppose she's done now, isn't she? Vaan hurries to catch up with Balthier and Fran only to pause and look back at me, watching me stare longingly at the drink across the table with a boulder in my gut. Can't wait for Jonan.