Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Time ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Lost Time

Chapter Five

The next day, Balthier felt himself stir awake as the sun's rosy beams shined upon his face. Normally he found the light intrusive and annoying, but that morning he greeted the sun with great anticipation. A smile formed on his features as he recalled the night before. Though there certainly was no way he would be able to beat the bangaas to the loot in the Henne Mines now, he found a more precious treasure last night. Turning over to once again claim his dear Penny, he found the space empty and cold.

Sitting up lazily, Balthier glanced about his room for any traces of his new lover. “Penny dear?” he called out, listening intently for her soft voice. Receiving no answer from the still room, Balthier unabashedly lifted the bed sheets away from his nude form, yearning to drag Penelo back to the warmth of the bed. But as he padded about the room, nothing gave any indication of the young woman's presence from last night, making it almost appear as though she was a figment of his alcohol induced imagination. Everything was unexpectedly found neat and orderly, down to his carefully folded clothes that he previously recalled removing recklessly before.

`Impossible,' Balthier mentally argued, struggling to pull on his trousers. Not only was it unfeasible for a woman to leave him in the middle of the night, but it was unthinkable for the Penelo he knew to ever sleep with a man and carelessly leave without a word, especially with someone as close to her as himself. On second thought,the Penelo he met last night was a far cry from her younger counterpart. He could easily attest that she did things to him he would never imagine her doing so willingly before. The hint of the tiniest smirk appeared on his otherwise somber face at the recollection as he zipped up his vest before exiting and slamming the door to his quarters.

The streets of Balfonheim Port were bustling with high activity. Fisherman were running down the docks carrying heavy basket loads of their catch of the day; peddlers along streets were calling out special discounts, hoping to coax open the coin purses of any passing spendthrifts; while locals gathered in their various sects talking animatedly to one another about the port's latest events. However, Balthier seemed oblivious to the pleasant air surrounding sunny Balfonheim Port as he walked briskly towards the tavern, a surly expression smearing his handsome features. His long strides were even and well paced, set on obtaining answers to his peculiar morning hopefully from the dancer herself.

Pushing open the wooden door to the Whitecap, Balthier immediately went to the closest barkeeper. “Pardon me? Madam?” The woman remained unresponsive to his call as she sat staring blankly at a stain on the counter. Balthier cleared his throat, yet still failed to gain her attention. “Excuse me…Wench?” he called out hesitantly, detesting the word but found no other options available.

“Oh! Welcome to the Whitecap Bar, where you can find the whitest foam capped on any of our special brews. What can I get started for you?” the Wench suddenly came to life, reciting lines that she had doubtlessly said countless times before.

Crossing his arms, Balthier let out an exasperated sigh. “Actually, I would favor to start with a bit of information concerning the dance troupe that performed here last night.”

“You mean the Dancers 5, right? I've never seen them perform myself, but many say they're fantastic. Especially the main girl, a lovely blonde with the clearest gray eyes I've ever seen. I saw her briefly this morning as she met with the rest of the troupe.”

Balthier cocked an eyebrow, puzzled at her answer. “Wait. You say you saw them just this morning? Do you know of their whereabouts now?”

“I suppose they're off to their next engagement. Not certain where though.” The Wench replied warily, growing tired of the topic. “I'm sorry sir, but if you do not desire a drink, I will have to conclude this conversation now.”

“Ah, my apologies,” Balthier muttered, unease weighing heavily in him at what the barmaid's words suggested. If Penelo had to leave early, why didn't she just wake him? “I'll have the darkest brew you have available.” After a few moments, a mug of dusky colored liquid was brought over. Dropping more than enough pieces of gil on the counter, the sky pirate thanked the Wench kindly for her time and trudged over to the same booth he shared with Penelo the previous night.

Glancing about the establishment, Balthier was greeted with a sight far different from last night. Since it was daytime, the drinkery was bathed in bright rays of natural light, with patrons gathered about the round tables taking in their noontime meals with mugs of the Whitecap's famous draft. It now seemed the evening breeze, the glowing candlelight, the dark private booths from just the prior night were all an illusion. Even the encounter with Penelo seemed too much like a mirage for the forlorn pirate, who foolishly quenched his thirst for companionship with her. But he never would have wagered on this outcome. He always assumed that Penelo would be a faithful, true lover, the kind of woman that would give her heart to only one man. But she has changed far more than he expected. It was supposed to be him fleeing from the bed under the covers of night, not her. And there he was completely overwrought with concern for the young blonde's feelings, when it was he that was left with his heart twisted into pieces.

Yet, he vaguely recalled hearing Penelo whisper sweetly, `I love you' breathlessly into his ear. Why would the girl say such a declaration if she did not mean it? Balthier frowned as he recalled his silent reply to her tender admission. Maybe that was the cause? Maybe he chased her away because he didn't vocally return the sentiment at that moment? Certainly he has used that line a few times with his lovers, only saying it to help them achieve a greater level of passion. Has he ever meant it though? No, not since he was a child. But would he have meant it with Penelo? Batlhier closed his eyes, uncertain of the answer, yet he at least wondered how it would have felt to say it to her then.

Perhaps the life he has been living has finally caught up with him, he thought wistfully. A man can only go on so long dodging the repercussions of empty liaisons and obligations. Fate was repaying him now for all the heartache he has caused these years with his cursed solitude. First his father, then Fran and now Penelo. For once in his life, he really wanted it to be different.

“Rona, Dona, Lona can you all please stop twiddling on your toes and serve these dishes before they grow cold?” A loud matronly voice sounded, drawing Balthier out of his reverie.

“Aww, mother, but we're practicing!” one of the three Whitecap sisters exclaimed, pouting sourly. “We want to be in the Dancers 5 and be famous!”

“Now my dears, you know they're only considering older girls to replace their main dancer. Until you're all grown, why don't you practice while serving our patient guests?” The girls nodded okay, each taking a plate with them, doing little pliés as they dropped off their dishes at the proper tables.

Abandoning his untouched drink, Balthier quickly strode over to the cook. “Pardon me, madam, but I couldn't help but overhear what you just said. You mentioned that the Dancers 5 was in need of a new replacement for their lead dancer. Might I inquire why?”

“Well, she quit,” the portly cook shrugged. “Came a little after dawn and told the rest of the troupe that she couldn't travel with them any longer because she has found love. The other women were certainly disappointed, but of course gave her their best wishes. Last I saw her, I heard her say that she was returning back to the inn.”

“I see. Thank you for your time,” he nodded to the woman, a bright smile spreading across his face once more. `There's the silver lining to my cloudy morning,' he beamed, a faint skip in his step as he neared the threshold, imagining Penny waiting for him in his room.

“Hey! Are you the sky pirate called Balthier?” turning around Balthier met gazes with Zech, the barkeep from last night.

“I've been called many things and that happens to be one of them. Who's asking?” Balthier walked back, placing his hands on his hips.

“I have a message for you from some bangaa that came by this morning. Says his name's Ba'Gamnan,” Balthier slowly reached out, taking the sealed message from Zech, eyes narrowing warily in disbelief.

Walking away, Balthier ripped open the wax seal, quickly taking in the message. He scoffed as he finished reading the ransom letter, shaking his head unbelievably at the situation. `Funny how history has a way of repeating itself,' he mused, a smirk curling his lips as he quickly headed to his Strahl to save the damsel in distress yet again.

She did have his favorite handkerchief after all.

Author's Notes:

Hello all! I present to you chapter five! Well, I'm happy that I was able to write it; I didn't think I would get back to it until later this week at earliest. Hmm, so what do you think of the reason? I foreshadowed it in chapter two and was planning this all along, especially after I saw Ba'Gamnan in Revenant Wings. Hopefully it isn't completely boring or contrived to you.

So hopefully this chapter was a fun read as well. One more chapter left and this will be over.

Until next time!