[Phone Call]

[bearitproudly]

[He had been weighing his decision on this since he had gotten back to Narshe. His conversation with Balthier and Noah had made him look at things a bit differently, and with the state Gaia was in now, there was no time like the present.

So. Ring ring, Lightning. Answer before he chickens out.]

Comments

[fulminous]

[ Surprise was her first gut reaction, followed by immense terror. It was probably a good five or six rings before she finally answered, making sure her poker face was set firmly in place. ] This is Lightning.

[bearitproudly]

[You are so lucky you answered, Light. He nearly hung up. There was a brief silence, because he really hadn't anticipated you answering.

This is his omgomgomgomg silence. Quickly, he composes himself.]

It is Basch. I hope I have not called at an inopportune time. If I have...

[fulminous]

No, I was just resting. [ Like she'd been told to, repeatedly. You don't hear a trace of nerves or hesitation in her voice at all, Basch. These are not the droids you're looking for. ]

[bearitproudly]

Ah. How do you fare then?

[Clearly he didn't call just to check up on her. But it was a good stalling subject.]

[fulminous]

Better. Serah's been pretty determined to take care of me.. Hope, Vanille and Fang, too. What about you? [ Stalling was good. She's fine with stalling. ]

[bearitproudly]

Resting as well... though I have not had much time. With Ceodore and Ursula gone, Narshe has fallen into my hands.

[Which means he'll be putting his brother to work, as soon as he gets home from traipsing around Gaia with some nineteen year old.]

[fulminous]

Sounds rough. You sure you're holding up okay?

[bearitproudly]

I am fine. [Which is really code for I'm exhausted, but I refuse to rest. Thankfully, Balthier and Noah aren't there for the time being.]

I must admit, however, this is not why I decided to contact you.

[fulminous]

[ They speak the same language, it seems. In fact, if anyone knew she was on the phone right now... ] It isn't?

[bearitproudly]

No.

[There's another pause. To which he picks up the note Balthier left for him, crumples it up, and tosses it into the waste bin near his desk.]

I am not good at this.

I was wondering if you would care to accompany me to dinner, after you have healed.

[fulminous]

That-- [ Is completely and totally not what she expected to hear, and she's not really sure how to respond other than a thinly veiled nervous ] I'd like that.

[bearitproudly]

[He was not expecting this, Light. What he had been expecting was a polite decline, which would mildly hurt his ego, but he would get over it.

An acceptance, however, stuns him.] You accept?

[fulminous]

[ She can't really believe it herself, you know. She swallows, and nods-- but then realizes he can't see it. ] Yeah. I do.

[bearitproudly]

[There's barely a sigh of relief. Now Balthier would get off his back about this.]

I shall make plans once you are well enough.

[fulminous]

[ A pause. ] I'm.. looking forward to it.

[bearitproudly]

To be honest, Light... I did not expect you to readily accept.