[Thread;Closed] Unlikely Alliance

[dynast_king]

Characters: Vayne and Balthier
Progress: Complete!
Summary: Vayne and Balthier encounter each other at the auction house, and strike an unlikely agreement.
Location: Treno
Date: May, 1803
Warnings: Archadian politics? zzzzzzzz

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[xbalthierx]

Having exhausted his patience on keeping himself out of trouble by locking himself up in his and Fran's room, Balthier had finally felt his restraint snap and found himself exploring the city of Treno. Wearing but his leather pants and a white shirt, he had his gun against his back. Though, noticably, he wore glasses, to sooth his tired eyes. These, however, made him look like a younger version of his father.

Balthier made his way into the auction house a few items before the last was reeled from the list. Yet, at the mention of magicite, he tensed fractionally. That always made him uncomfortable.

Still, the pirate didn't seem to notice the other Archadian as he passed him, standing a considerable distance away, his arms crossing his chest. He wasn't honestly interested in buying anything, but if he took notice of something, he'd mark the person to buy it and, well... suffice it to say, he'd get the item eventually.

[dynast_king]

The man who passed in front of Vayne had a familiar air to him. Indeed, he had all the appearance of his dear friend, Cid. Despite their difference in age, he indeed counted the man among his friends. To see him once more alive and in the flesh was exhilarating and and the same time, disconcerting. He strode forward, pausing at the man's side, only to see it was not the familiar researcher, but the man's son who had killed him. Ahh, something they had in common.

"Good evening, Master Bunansa. You will forgive me, but I had mistaken you for your late father." Amazing how alike the two men were. Even more, how very different. Meanwhile, bidding began on some accessory for mages, a common enough subset of people which seemed to swarm the streets in unusual clothing to the Archadian's eyes. "You have my condolences. He was an admirable man, brilliant, and now greatly missed."

[xbalthierx]

At that voice, his gaze found Vayne from the corner of his eye and he frowned slightly. "It's Balthier. I dropped that family name seven years ago," he murmured, shifting his weight to the side. He knew he looked like his father. More than either of his brothers ever had. It didn't help that he was just as eccentric as his father, just in a different way. He had his own obsessive compulsions, just as Cid had.

When Vayne offered condolences, Balthier sneered slightly. "Do not speak nor act as if you had even a shred of respect for my father, Solidor," he drawled in the same accent Vayne held. Yet, his own held a slightly sharper tone, due to his profession and his time spent living with a woman with a far more exotic accent. Still, the mention of Cid had him tense. He missed that man far more than anyone would expect or believe.

[dynast_king]

Pity that Cid had failed to pass on adequate manners to his youngest. He supposed he could blame it on the company the man kept. After all, Vayne was quite aware that the pirate was racing around Ivalice with Ashelia Dalmasca, and desert shrew was enough to grate the last nerve of even the most peaceful of the dreamsages.

"Ahh yes, respect. I somehow missed that your preferred method of showing it was to take his life." It was on rare occasion that Vayne so blatantly made a verbal stab at someone, but this was one instance where it was warranted.

He turned his attention to the proceedings, acting as if Balthier no longer existed or stood mere inches away. After a lengthy period of silence, he added, utterly calmly. "He was a dear friend, and one keenly missed. If only your father were here. He would know how to return us to where we belong, how these pieces fit together."