[Audio, accidental; backdated to early morning]

[dynast_daughter]

[The communicator clicks into life having been knocked by Ashe, stirring in her sleep. Her gentle breathing and a rustling of sheets can be heard as she resettles, unaware the device has been activated. Suddenly she inhales sharply, another rustle indicating a hasty shift in position.]

Balthier? ...Basch?

Who's there? Show yourself!

[A shuddering

Comments

[Voice; ... comment log?]

[captain_basch]

[Basch has been up for sometime already... since seeing her this morning. He couldn't sleep, and probably looked quite lousy for it. Hearing the commotion in Ashelia's bedroom he got up, only in his shorts as he had been laying down attempting to sleep]

Majesty? Majesty are you well?

[He moves to the door, not wanting to burst in if she is not decent.]

Majesty, tis all right to come in?

[Voice - can do! <3]

[dynast_daughter]

[Ashe registers the voice at the door and her gaze, fixed upon the image of her husband until this point, lowers as she gathers the sheets to cover herself; though she's wearing a loose shirt. When she looks up again, Rasler has vanished]

...

Yes - yes, come in.

[Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[Hearing her voice, he lets his hand rattle the knob to open the door. He peeks his head in first, before stepping in.]

Forgive my appearance, Majesty, you sounded distressed, so I came quickly.

... was something the matter?

[He moves to stand beside the bed, his face showing his worry.]

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

[She sits quietly for a moment, then looks up to the spot where Rasler's image had stood. Though it's still quite dark, she is clearly pale with the shock]

I... I saw him, just... standing there, looking at me.

I saw Rasler...

[Finally she looks to Basch, knowing, due to his timeline, he had no knowledge of the apparitions she had experienced on their journey; but hoping he would believe her.]

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[He listens to her, worried as he eventually moves to sit on the edge of the bed. She looks frightened... shaken... and he can completely understand. Earlier in the morning he'd seen what he'd thought was his mother... Noah's and his... the woman he'd left behind to die.]

... did he speak to you?

[Basch asks, his voice soft, though one can hardly soften a deep gravelly voice like his.]

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

Then, you believe me?

[Her eyes are wide, she's quite surprised that he didn't question her, blame it on a dream. Ashe couldn't deny, Rasler was still a prominent figure in those. She sighs, absent-mindedly running her thumb gently across her wedding ring as she returns to his question.]

He... spoke only my name. For this to happen now, and here - I don't understand.

Am I to believe he was real, or was he just... some trick of the scientists doing?

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

Aye, I do.

[Basch smiles just a little, but the worry comes back as she sighs, and explains what happened in more detail.]

Now and here? ... this has happened before, Majesty?

Tis something I wonder as well. The Scientists are cruel if tis nothing but a trick.

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

[Ashe looks him in the eye, knowing that revealing matters of his future in Ivalice is something not to be taken lightly.]

When we entered Raithwall's tomb... took the Sword of Kings- Rasler appeared to me then, and later, but...
It was a lie.

[She frowns, but still looks sad]

This city... Are we to live out our lives doubting, questioning everything we see? Bending to the whim of these 'scientists'?

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[He's not sure what to expect when Ashelia catches his eyes, but her words, they are of his future. He's glad to hear that they are successful in their venture into Raithwall's tomb, though his expression takes on a slight frown when she tells him of the farce played on her.]

Magicks used to throw a blindfold over your eyes? The treachery of Ivalice and the Empire worsens the more I hear of it.

Majesty...

[Basch hesitantly if not slowly brings a hand up to rest on her back, rubbing a little... as if to comfort her. He wasn't sure if this were the right thing to do, but he felt that perhaps she needed it. A small bit of contact... something besides words.]

The Scientists... they are no better than the Empire. They use a farce of goodwill... but their intentions in the end seem to end poorly. Who knows what we can believe her, Majesty.

But... you have overcome much before, you cannot let this and any of what this world gives us, defeat you. I for one, shall not allow you to fall to them. In any way, Majesty.

You have my word.

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

[She studies him for a moment, slightly surprised by the contact but grateful for it, more than she can say. She's certain he means every word he says - he would never lie to her, and that is equally as comforting as the ministrations upon her back.]

Thank you... And you have my word that I will not submit so easily. If this is another trial we must pass, then so be it. Pass it we shall.

[Ashe reaches out then, and places a hand gently upon his forearm.]

You should get some sleep.

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[Basch was hardly use to comforting the young prin- queen like this. If anything, it probably wasn't considered proper... but he meant it in no other way but to comfort and relax her frazzled mind. If he knew how much she valued his word, he would surely have a hard time not smiling.]

I shall hold you to your word than, Majesty.

[Basch looks slightly uncomfortable at the mention of sleep, after seeing the vision of his mother, he doubted he could rest now. Besides, Discedo had done little to ease the nightmares of his time in Nalbina. Sleep was never easy for him.]

... I shall try, but I cannot promise anything.

[Though the dark circles under his eyes were not as bad as they had been in Nalbina, he still felt as though he spent many hours too much awake than he should. Along with probably keeping Balthier up as well... which he felt guilty enough about.]

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

[Knowing the captain has problems sleeping, for along their journey she was well aware that she was not the only one who laid awake at night, Ashe nods in understanding.]

Then try. I will call you, should he... should I see anything else.

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[He nods, taking his hand back and rests them both in his lap a moment.]

Aye... please do, I shall come if you call.

[Basch stands from the bed, but hesitates to leave. Looking at her with a worrisome gaze he clears his throat as if nervous?]

Try to rest as well... Ashelia.

[He always feels strange calling her by name, as it's only happened a few times in their history together. With this he awkwardly turns to leave, and runs a hand through his sleep mussed hair.]

Re: [Comment log]

[dynast_daughter]

I will.

[The use of her name brings her further reassurance, despite doubting she'd sleep again that night. Ashe allows herself a small smile as she watches his back retreating to the door.]

Basch, I... thank you.

Re: [Comment log]

[captain_basch]

[He pauses and looks back... the slightest hint of a smile on his lips.]

Tis nothing.

[He observes her a moment, the smile coming out more, his hand resting on the door frame.]

Rest well.

[A small nod, and he leaves, making sure to close the door quietly as he does. he then sneaks back onto the pullout couch trying to wake Balthier, grumpy pirates are dangerous after all.]