[Audio]
[If anyone recalls this event, the voice you hear might sound a bit familiar. Basically Balthier has a lot of unresolved daddy issues.]
"-too late now. You ran and ran and where did it get you?"
[Balthier's voice sounds strained as though it's painful to talk, and the bravado forced as if there is no conviction to his words.]
"You're not him. This is yet another deceit. He's dead!"
"This is the land of the dead, or did you forget that, Ffamran? Indeed I am, dead by your own hand. Your own fear. You could have prevented so many things if you had stayed. Had you just done as I told you- my madness, Nabudis, the death of Zecht and Gabranth. So many lives because you are a coward."
[There's the sound of gunfire, and scuffling as Balthier scrambles for shelter from the barrage of bullets.]
"Running again? Such a disappointment. You'll have to face me some day, Ffamran."
[There's silence for a while, save for Balthier's ragged breathing, punctuated by the occasional wet cough, and the clatter of bullets being reloaded into his pistol. He draws a shuddering breath and there is another flurry of sound as Balthier moves, followed by a single gunshot.
For a time, there's only the crackle of static or the rustle of the comm moving in his waistpouch.
Then, finally, there's the sound of footsteps, unsteady as though Balthier is limping. The sound uneven wet breathing becomes more distinct and Cidolfus finally speaks.]
"This is what your actions wrought. All of this is your doing."
"...I know."
"Then keep running. I'll find you again someday."
"Will this ever be finished?"
"...That is up to you."
[Silence reigns yet again, minutes passing until Balthier speaks. And when he does, gone is any pretense of the genial, easygoing nature he presents. There is nothing but raw anger and grief, and the pirate is in such a rage.]
Hear me now Apportioners! I know damn well you're looking in on this. Another of your little tests! Then know this; pray you are rid of me before I find you! Because I will devote every waking moment here to hunting you lot down, and when I find you there will be such a reckoning!"
"-too late now. You ran and ran and where did it get you?"
[Balthier's voice sounds strained as though it's painful to talk, and the bravado forced as if there is no conviction to his words.]
"You're not him. This is yet another deceit. He's dead!"
"This is the land of the dead, or did you forget that, Ffamran? Indeed I am, dead by your own hand. Your own fear. You could have prevented so many things if you had stayed. Had you just done as I told you- my madness, Nabudis, the death of Zecht and Gabranth. So many lives because you are a coward."
[There's the sound of gunfire, and scuffling as Balthier scrambles for shelter from the barrage of bullets.]
"Running again? Such a disappointment. You'll have to face me some day, Ffamran."
[There's silence for a while, save for Balthier's ragged breathing, punctuated by the occasional wet cough, and the clatter of bullets being reloaded into his pistol. He draws a shuddering breath and there is another flurry of sound as Balthier moves, followed by a single gunshot.
For a time, there's only the crackle of static or the rustle of the comm moving in his waistpouch.
Then, finally, there's the sound of footsteps, unsteady as though Balthier is limping. The sound uneven wet breathing becomes more distinct and Cidolfus finally speaks.]
"This is what your actions wrought. All of this is your doing."
"...I know."
"Then keep running. I'll find you again someday."
"Will this ever be finished?"
"...That is up to you."
[Silence reigns yet again, minutes passing until Balthier speaks. And when he does, gone is any pretense of the genial, easygoing nature he presents. There is nothing but raw anger and grief, and the pirate is in such a rage.]
Hear me now Apportioners! I know damn well you're looking in on this. Another of your little tests! Then know this; pray you are rid of me before I find you! Because I will devote every waking moment here to hunting you lot down, and when I find you there will be such a reckoning!"