[FFXII] A Drop and a Ripple, part 11/19

[black_korova]

            “You are ill at ease. The nethicite troubles you.”

And it chilled her that he seemed startled. Did he not know? Two years was a consequent enough amount of time for a hume. Surely he was used to her being able to read him. Just as she was used to his clumsier attempts at reading her in return. Or perhaps this was something

Comments

[anonymous]

Oh my god you just made me cower in my cubicle until I could regain enough composure to pop my head up again and dry my eyes.
Oh Lord how will I survive the anticipation of another chapter? Not to mention the nagging feeling of dread that this will eventually come to an end? 11 of 19? Why do you punish me so?

[black_korova]

Eep! Sorry! How can I be forgiven?
Wait until number 19 rolls around, maybe you'll *want* the story to be finished by that time, lol.
But seriously, I'm honoured you found this so moving :)

[mako_lies]

I knew this chapter was coming, and it still was nothing like I expected. It was just so... wow. I read it this morning, and had to leave before I could comment, but it was in my brain all day. And the more I thought about it, he does seem really impatient, like I always noticed he got really... PMS-y around the Phon Coast especially, but it does start before that.
Anyway, I loved this chapter, I loved how Fran wants someone to be THERE, someone who can make her choice worth it, and the only one who comes close... isn't being the person she quite needs him to be at the one moment she needs him. He's trying, I'm sure, but... his mind is on the nethicite. Maybe he's more like Cid than he'd like to admit...
Wow, sorry, I've just been ranting on and on. It was such a fantastic chapter though, there's so much that I can say... I'll settle for saying good job, and get the next one up soonish! =D

[black_korova]

Lol, PMS-y. But yes, that's just it: Balthier clearly reacts to the nethicite, but somehow, it's just never developed beyond that remark from Fran. I mean, from the time the nethicite is introduced, up until the Pharos, you can actually *see* him getting more and more fidgety and physically distancing himself from Fran (they even start walking side by side less and less). It's tacitly resolved after the Pharos, but that doesn't mean it doesn't create a lot of tension during the game. Was just too good not to pick up on :p
But yes, I need to stop ranting too. Thanks for reading!

(and I try to get the chapters up once every 2-3 days; the story's already finished, I just don't want to flood the system too much, lol)

[mako_lies]

I actually noticed the distancing himself from Fran too. Funnily enough, it kinda seemed like Fran and Basch became buddies, but that may have just been me.
And ok, I guess I see where you're coming from about not overloading the system... That and it keeps us happily anticipating the next chapters, neh? Do you plan on writing more after it's finished?

[black_korova]

Dunno if you can go as far as 'buddies' (*gets a mental image of Fran and Basch knocking back a couple of beers*), but I was definitely getting an 'understanding' vibe between them.
And yes, it does keep some suspense not to post everything at once :p
I was actually planning on taking a stab at Basch/Ashe after I'm done with this. Other than that, I've got a few other stories lying around, but since they're not FFXII-related, I guess they'll just go up on my fanfiction.net account.

[0iamthe_goddess]

This was beautiful...just beautiful. Your writing leaves me stunned. Your natural flow is poetic. And just wow. Very amazing. I really liked this one. I think it's perfect. And Fran's inner dialog and with Balthier...wow. Beautiful.

[black_korova]

Thank you! /bow
I'm glad that Fran comes out well :D