Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Time ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Lost Time

 

Chapter Two

 

If one were to ask any random person if tonight was a special night, most would answer that it was the same as any other evening past. Many would say that they were going home after a long days work to their families, others would tell you that they were now busy leaving for their late night shift, while a few would admit that they were headed to the tavern as usual to seek out company. Much like the placement of the North Star, such habits and routines were unchangeable and consistent, aiding many land, sea and air travelers through their daily lives until they reached what they called home. However, if one were to question the couple sitting in a booth at the tavern, they would answer that their typical routine brought them to a whole new destination that night.

 

Originally Balthier planned for a very average evening. Go to the Whitecap, drink a few drinks, try to eavesdrop on any promising hunts and head back to the local inn. Never before had he even considered the thought that he would run into the young orphan girl, or rather should he say young woman as was most obvious to anyone that had seen her.

 

A couple of hours had past since they uncorked the bottle of Bhujerban Madhu. Throughout the evening, they exchanged short stories about what had happened to them, leading up to how they came to be at that particular pub.

 

“Perhaps it was Fate that brought us together?” Balthier suggested as he tilted his head to the side to regard the woman next him.

 

Penelo met his gaze, “Maybe. But if I get kidnapped again this time, you better not take your time saving me.”

 

“Well then, as a precaution,” Balthier reached inside of his vest and pulled out a familiar looking handkerchief, “take this. Now I definitely have to come and rescue you.”

 

“Oh really now? You'll save me because you would want this back?” Penelo jabbed him in the chest with her finger, her voice teasing.

 

“Of course. Look at the embroidery, it's exceptional. A seamstress down in Old Archades sewed it for me as a child. Nevertheless, if you don't want it,” Balthier moved to take it back from her, but she turned away from him.

 

“No, I'll keep it thank you,” her voice gentled as she folded the handkerchief tenderly like she had done a couple of years before. She placed the cloth over her chest and with the utmost sincerity whispered near his ear, “right next to my heart.”

 

Memories of the time she first met the young sky pirate flooded her mind. Fearing for her childhood friend, instinctively her legs moved on their own. But before she could reach him, a handsome stranger appeared before her. He surprised her when he handed her his handkerchief, telling her to hold onto it for him. Though she didn't know Balthier, she knew that she should keep the white cloth close; that somehow with the handkerchief she would find Vaan and meet the stranger again. And gratefully she did. Perhaps if she kept it close to her now, she would be brought closer to him once more.

 

Balthier said nothing, but nodded in reply. He felt her shift against him, her shoulder brushing against his right hand that he had currently draped over the back of her seat. He didn't dare check to see if she placed it `next to her heart,' but when he glanced down at her hands he noticed that it was indeed gone. A pleased smile lightly spread across his features.

 

It had been a long time since he felt himself truly smile. He still frequently did his infamous cocky grin with the ladies and his smug, arrogant smirk when he was debating with other men, but a genuine smile was rarely seen. It was only reserved for those that he was most comfortable with. If someone told him two years ago that he would be spending a lovely evening with the orphan girl, he would have imagined Vaan and Fran also part of the company.

 

But somehow, they were alone together and it was a perfect night. The cool sea breeze drifted in through the small windows of the tavern, gently swaying with many of the candles' flickering flames, creating the illusion that light and shadow were intertwined in a waltz. The sky pirate watched as this dance played across Penelo's features; the light giving a warm, rosy glow to her moist skin, while the darkness caressed secret trails along her feminine curves; obvious indications of how much time had past since he had last seen her.

 

“May I ask you something, Balthier?” The blonde questioned, breaking the silence, unaware of his stare.

 

“Please do.”

 

“Why did you become a sky pirate?”

 

Balthier couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow at her question. It had been many years since he was last asked that query.

 

A soft sigh emitted from his lips. “You remember that I was once a judge, right?” He saw the blonde bob her head in response. “I suppose sky pirating was something to do after I left that.”

 

“That's it? You were just looking for a new career?” He shrugged nonchalantly.

 

“I'll have you know that I make quite a large sum of money for what I do.”

 

“With a large bounty on your head, though” Penelo quipped back. “Anyhow, money isn't everything. Don't you do it because it makes you most happy?” Not receiving an answer, she continued.

 

“Well, when I dance, I feel the most free. I could use my body to express any emotion: joy, grief, anger, loneliness, passion….” She paused and leaned in towards him. “It just feels like my soul is at ease when I dance. I guess no words could really express the great release I feel whenever I perform.”

 

“Actually, I do understand when you put it like that.” His voice grew low and a little distant as he began recalling both feelings of relief and guilt when he first flew away from Archadia. “As a sky pirate I get to fly into starlight, chasing my own dreams. In Strahl, I am liberated from my past and any memories. It all gets left behind as soon as I start the engine and take off.”

 

“Sounds wonderful, if not a little lonely.” Balthier sat up straighter in the booth, pulling his arm away from Penelo's form. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”

 

“No, no Penelo. It's alright. It's just getting late. It's almost midnight now,” Balthier stood up from the booth and stretched his arms a bit. He turned his back to the blonde, not wanting her to see the flicker of misery in his eyes. Yes, he was currently discontented with his life. For the price of flying free in Strahl, he has been paying for it through his loneliness. He was able to escape from painful memories when he left Archadia, but he also left behind many pleasant ones as well. And now that he was flying solo, he wasn't sure if it was worth it anymore.

 

Placing his trademark smirk on his face, he composed himself and turned back to Penelo. “It certainly has been a pleasure seeing you again. I am glad we met tonight,” his voice even and devoid of any mirth that was present before.

 

“Balthier, wait….”

 

“I really must retire for the evening. I need an early start tomorrow if I want to beat those bangaas that I was listening to earlier. Rumor is there is a treasure deep in the Henne Mines,” Balthier regarded the dancer one last time, meeting her gray eyes. “Goodbye Penelo.”

 

Penelo watched as the sky pirate quickly exited the tavern. Hastily she followed after him. The streets of Balfonheim were almost completely desolate, making it easy for her to spot his tall figure in the distance.

 

“Please Balthier, wait!” Balthier stopped walking and turned around slowly. Unable to bury her old crush for him any longer, Penelo impulsively pulled him close to her, tiptoeing a bit to slant her lips against his. She knew that it seemed sudden and very unlike her to do, but she just couldn't let the moment escape. Who knew when she would see him again? After a few moments, she finally pulled away.

 

Confusion, surprise and shock were all written across his face. “You did say that I could kiss you if I missed you,” her tone low and breathy from the embrace.

 

Gradually his confused expression was replaced with a small smile. “That I did. Anytime you wanted, to be precise,” he took a step forward and pulled her tightly towards him. He tilted her chin up and kissed her tenderly on her lips, with sleep long forgotten.

 

After all, the night was still young.

 

Author's Note:

I was listening to Muse's “Starlight” right before I started to write this. Sorry if the analogy in the first paragraph is a stretch. And I just had to use the word starlight to describe Balthier's flight. I couldn't get the song out of my head. I suggest listening to this song sometime.