Even Thieves get Stolen From [Auric]

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] Balthier was on a mission, one he knew would prove too mcuh for him, but the risk was worth the reward. Mainly? Information. The Nethicite be damned; though he didn't want to know if the other was waiting for the right time to use it's power. He's rather make sure it wasn't going to be used...again. Ashe may have destroyed any further Nethicite, but others still existed. Second reason? The Draklor Laboratories were attacked and Nethicite stolen from. Call it son-to-father responsibilities. Third? The Dawn Shard, the only proof Ashe held that she was the princess - no queen - of Dalmasca. So, with these two pieces of information, Balthier head off. He wanted to know as much as possible about this 'Auric' person. He found out small things, but they seemed fairly...quiet about themselves. He traveled with only a female partner, possibly be sky pirates, both having enormous strength (though he didn't know who Judge Magister Nirankar and Adonis were, they were Judges nevertheless and thus strong) and he, without his partner Fran, stood no match against them. Then he found out that Nono was their mechanic. Thus, the search for Ragnarok had started. He only needed to simply ask around for where he would find Nono, his mechanic for the Strahl. That lead him to Ragnarok. "Ahh, Nono. I've been looking for you. I've heard you've got quite the costumer." Balthier was told that both of his employers were out. Perfect. How long? He didn't have to ask; Nono presented the information. 'Quite a long time...I'd have to be quick.' "I'm here for the Dawn Shard. The Lady Ashe, or rather Amalia as she calls herself these days, realizes how important the shard was to her. Call me an ambassador of sorts, but she paid me well to retrieve it." No suspicion was held in the moogle; he could easily see how this was true. He was even nice enough to let him inside the ship itself. Quite a beauty it was. Nono kept it in prime condition. Sky Pirates, thugs, or mongrels or not, they had better treat Nono well for his services. The Sky Pirate walked in as if he knew the inside of the Ragnarok. "He certainly didn't bother to hide it." Balthier murmured to himself as he was quick to locate the Dawn Shard. Now, for the nethicite he had stolen. It took quite a bit longer but he too found it. He knew he shouldn't have grabbed it. 'It still bears me ill luck, it seems.' With that, Balthier tried to leave the ship...only to be intercepted by its' captain. "The fox had come back to its' lair quite early, it seems." He wouldn't be phased; it seemed he lacked his female counterpart with him, but he wouldn't underestimate the man in front of him. Surely he was no match for him, but Balthier was smart. He may not get away with one or the other but all things relied on information. Depending on the information, Balthier will act accordingly. But afraid wouldn't be one of them. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: Well hello there. [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

Sky Pirates
No Honor Amongst Thieves

You know what the cool thing about having a ship like mine is? You build it yourself. Sure, I hired Nono to install quite a few things... being a moogle mechanist, he was extremely skilled when it came to the engineering of things that fly. But even now when I think about it there were upgrades on board that I had to install my self... some technologies were beyond even moogles, after all, despite their rather intuitive understanding when it came to tinkering. Actually, the main reason why most people wouldn't be able to touch the Ragnarok was because I'd used so many different technologies from the many realms I've been to that in order to even comfortably sit in the damn thing and say you knew how it worked would pretty much put you at the top of airship engineering.

And then there were a few designs I made my self... like a smart inertial dampener that fed readings to my primer. Did I mention that the same technology could also be used for small things like... accurately telling me the weight of the craft? Imagine my surprise when the weight of the readout indicated that the Ragnarok was heavy enough for a whole moogle-moxy. Or, you know... a single humanoid person.

---

He'd stayed to check out the bazaar. You wouldn't believe it, but if you sifted through the numerous market stalls and many vendors of Rabanastre you'd find quite the odd collection of things... odd items that could be used for potent mixes of your choice of poisons and poultices. You wouldn't typically know it at first... but most of their items get around by word of mouth so it went to show that each shop had their own list of clientele. But on a day like this? He was happy to browse and just put his MoogleCard through its paces... there was no shortage of gil in his account. Not with his most profitable ventures... still, there was the treasure here and there and he was happy to add it to his "cart"... it was always easier to have your vendors drop off their goods in your dock rather than having to actually carry it around; especially when you did bulk orders... not that right now was a particular case.

What was the Hero for Hire doing today? Really... his shopping was to pass the time. He was staying in town for a little longer; to let Faye go and tend to her business which he was all too happy to leave her to. As fun as it was to have her around all the time he did need some time to himself for personal reasons as well as enjoying a little quiet. Odd how that worked... but none the less, he was crossing over the Piazza of Rabanastre when his digital primer prompted the unexpected (and unplanned) change in weight. A bit heavier than Faye and unless Nono was having a "Moogle Moxy" (don't ask), there was no way a moogle (or a group of them) could weigh as much as the difference his primer was reading out.

"Wonderful." he murmured as he took off towards the aerodome docks...

---

The ramp was out -- open for any to come aboard, Nono was the only mechanist with access to his ship... even when he brought in help the moogle engineer would have to personally authorize each person that came and went. Still, the moogle was a good guy in the end... always charged fair and did solid work and Auric had always left a generous extra when the mechanist issued his bill. Auric checked the internal cameras to see where his extra guest was making himself welcome, as he himself climbed on board and sauntered on over to his room. He put his primer away just as the sky pirate was headed for his room's sole entry and exit. "Yes, well... I imagine my presence is a bit of a bother. I apologize for the inconvenience... but I imagine many people you've met don't take well to thieves." he mused, crossing his arms as he barred the only way in or out.

"Even well-dressed ones." he added, not keen on starting hostilities while they were being civil. "So what's the Captain of the Strahl doing on my ship?" he asked -- full knowing who this man is. From the Imperial point of view, of course... and what some information could be found from the resistance. It's funny how information works... you could only learn about Auric from a very distinct lack of information where as Balthier had left enough of an impression that his history was no secret to this particular individual. "I trust that you'll be returning my favorite paperweight?"

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] "Sky Pirate, thank you." Even if it was a gutsy thing to say, Balthier would not take being called a thief. He was at a severe disadvantage but Auric really shouldn't cause a scene...though Balthier didn't either. He found there might be a way to negotiate things out. He would, as usual, gather information. Especially when he mentioned his clothes. He wouldn't comment on it for now, knowing not to push his luck. But there were tolerable things for the Sky Pirate. "It's hard being popular," He started, assuming that's how Auric knew about the sky pirate. "A few words, here and there. The turnkeys and cutpurses alike are never ones to stop their chatter, Captain of the Ragnarok." Balthier allowed what information to slip out and which not to. "I hear you gathered yourself quite a treasury. No Sky Pirate could resist at the word treasure." Paperweight? Strange he were to mention the Dawn Shard first. "You mean this?" He showed the Nethicite first, the one claimed from the Draklor Laboratories. An easy mistake, of course, but the Sky Pirate, probably them both knew which was this 'paperweight'. Balthier waited for a response, and whether or nor got one or no, Balthier would change the subject, just a little. "Ahh, the other then? You were quick to pick me up. Such technology...quite a well-modified ship." In hopes to calm Auric down. Balthier wasn't one for idle-chatter but he needed to tread lightly. He wasn't going to even try to make a run for it. Auric possibly knew that as well. What could Auric not know? Well, outside the fact that he had a visitor like Balthier at hand. If Auric knew of Balthier coming to his doorstep to steal his treasures then he wouldn't be in the Bazaar, killing time. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: I've been caught! D: [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

It was strange to be having this conversation. In reality, Auric had little to fear in starting a fight in his very own room; it wasn't as if there were priceless mementos everywhere... nor was he one to keep all his nethicite in the same room. Actually he had smuggler's compartments for that, but Balthier needn't know. Besides, the Ragnarok was sturdy -- he and his partner sparred here without fear of consequence; the worse they'd done so far is shake the ship which did absolutely nothing while they were on the ground. But in the end, he'd rather not. Still... being civil meant continuing with full knowledge as to who was in control... to know your place and act accordingly without need for violence.

Still, one way or another... Auric would have his possessions back. Now was preferable but if not now, he could simply steal it back later. The nethicite wasn't something he'd of liked to let go... it was too much power to simply allow others to walk around with quite freely and though he knew enough about Balthier that he probably didn't need to worry, it was easier to guarantee that it stayed out of the wrong hands if he knew precisely where all stones were at the same time. Of course, with his guest now holding on to one of them you can understand how this was a threat he couldn't so easily dismiss. "Well, I suppose I can't stop people from feeling a pang of jealousy. How remiss of me to think you'd be such an exception."

Still, if there was one thing Auric could most certainly do; it was to be coy. A bit of wit and a bit of charm... it was simply in his nature despite the nobility... he did so love playing the bandit then switching it up by being the rogue... it kept him a cut above anyone who questioned ethics and argued morality. But alas... he'd continue his communication. "Yes... that. I've a thing for pretty baubles. It's quite the decoration when I feel like doing some light reading." he outright lied. Was quite obvious about it as well... but from the sureness of his voice the average person would have a hard time trying to tell whether he knowingly lying or a tad eccentric. "I suppose... well, in comparison to what you yourself might be used to. I guarantee you'll not find its likeness anywhere else... but that's beside the point."

He extended his hand; open-palmed gesture that he wanted his paperweight back.

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] On the other hand, Balthier felt no discomfort, though it was a rather strange situation. Never before had he had the chance to talk, or attempt to, his way out of thievery. Or, rather, when he was caught to get out of it. The last time he was caught was gifting him a one way ticket to the Nalbina Prison. Ick. The sty was the last place he'd want to go. Balthier let out a sigh, and perhaps Auric could pick up the slightly annoyed tone in it. "Jealous? Hardly. I'd rather keep it out of my hands. Lady Luck's never on my side when it comes to Nethicite." However, with that said, Auric surely wanted to know, then, why Balthier would actually go and take it? Balthier raised a brow. He wasn't buying the lie. He knew what nethicite was and he was smart enough to realize that the Dawn Shard, though spent form its' powers, was also Nethicite. Especially when he basically said he knew what it was. "I thought you were more noble than this. Why would a man like you use missing memories to your advantage?" Balthier indicated two things with his question; he knew Auric's leader, or rather him having the aide and friendship of the resistance leader, and he knew why she would give it to him. He did see the hand, though. "I am a man of my word. If you'd like, please entertain the question and you may have your paperweight back." He was aware he was giving out more information than he was getting, but in this case, it had to be done. For the girl's sake. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: We'll try negotiating [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

What was there to say? Not much, really... Auric had no cause to explain his actions. Never needed to and never intended to; his was an enigmatic existence; actions spoke louder than words but even then his actions had little purpose without first observing the larger picture. Like why the nethicite was in his possession or why he was supporting the resistance when they wouldn't of been able to foot his bill. But then again that should have been it... his services came at a high price; one which they couldn't hope to pay and as such had instead garnered his mere support through collateral... collateral that he would only keep until either the resistance's goals were met or Auric had decided to part ways.

"The word's mercenary, sky pirate." he began, shaking his head. This was precisely how he liked to play... to be the gentleman in one second then play the bandit the other... to be good then bad in a single setting and to have no claim as to being righteous yet questioning those that did the same. It wasn't being hypocritical... it was simply being witty. Still, while Auric may have known of Amalia's... identity crisis, he hadn't broken the news to her largely because it wasn't in his place. Besides, he had no official confirmation thati t was her... beyond the fact that the Dawn Shard was actually a claim to her family's legacy. The truth was that he wanted to keep it out of her hands until she was actually fit enough to bare the burden of a hard choice.

"And other than the fact that she's missing memories, what makes you think I'd know more about her? I'm certainly no native." he pointed out. Which was the truth... of course from the records of Draklor compiled with the local data provided by friends.... it did check out. Amalia was more than she thought herself to be... not that he'd of made it a big deal. To him, she was Amalia. There wasn't a doubt that they were talking about her. "No, you don't ask another question or get to say anymore. You return what is mine." he shot before Balthier could whip out another question. Auric had fed him very little but the fact that Balthier asked peculiar questions was what revealed himself to him. Perhaps Auric was simply a smoother operator?

As he extended his hand once more, he refrained from issuing a threat. Wanting so much to say something intimidating like how if Balthier spoke once more then his words would be his last.

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] Wasn't he a bit touchy? He certainly didn't like the fact Balthier held the Dawn Shard. Nethicite he seemed to completely forgot about but he seemed rather...yes, it was highly possible that Auric managed to make a completely false Nethicite. So, he possibly only held the Dawn Shard, his only treasure. But it did make sense when he said he was a mercenary. Amalia paid him with the Dawn Shard, that much he knew. He knew of her royal heritage...now why would he 'lose' something he was paid in? Certainly he would do the same. "Oh nothing really. I would have thought you'd at least have known about her memories. Seems I was right." That's all the information he needed. "The thought never crossed my mind. Here you go. What's yours. For now." Was the last part a threat? Auric may never know. But at his outreached hand, Balthier didn't even hesitate to toss the spent nethicite at the other. Would this confuse Auric? Balthier, in all honesty, didn't care what his reaction was. Auric got what he aimed for back and, even though unsuccessful, Balthier also got something out of it. Sometimes, even sky pirates fail, even Balthier, at obtaining the treasure. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: That worked out pretty well :'D [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

The thing that sky pirates, mercenaries, treasure hunters and thieves all have in common? They're all rogues. Willing and able to break a law and varied between codes of honor and ethics. Some were psychopaths willing to kill for the tiniest baubles but more than most, they were willing to lie through their teeth. Now, mind you, Auric may have known more than a little of Balthier through word of mouth and his previous history in the Archadian army... such was the downside of "being popular". But he wasn't going to trust a rumor -- never did, he was always cautious enough to trust either his instincts or personal experience. And could you blame him? He was a professional after all.... that and the nethicite wasn't something he was eager to just let everyone have.

Even now as Auric mindlessly caught the Dawn Shard, he tossed it lightly several times to test its weight, noting that its weight hadn't changed since the last time he'd held it. Which was a good thing; he didn't need it to build up a charge while under his care... especially within the Ragnarok. While the ship itself was likely to be able to take the full blow of the Dawn Shard from the outside, unfortunately the same couldn't be said when the stone in question lay within. But now that it was back in his hand he was ready to dismiss his guest and be quite friendly. To share a drink, even. Of course.... before he could even begin to think about being civil he raised his brow when something clicked in his head.

"Now, now... I know seeing my ship might be a bit of an experience but this isn't a gift shop. I don't offer souvenirs." he smirked leaning on his back foot as he crossed his arms and shook his head in disbelief. The guy had actually found the rest of the nethicite. "I daresay you're not that smooth." he indicated, raising the Dawn Shard as he wordlessly accused the sky pirate of having the others on his person. Auric wasn't about to let him walk away with the rest. "And, I think, as a sign of good will you can explain why you cared enough to come here. I'll even buy you a drink."

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] Careful, analytical...Auric would be a powerful ally. With a ship like this too, who even beat the Strahl in technological advances, and with such connections...and strength. Definitely one he'd never want to mess with, but also one that was hard to friend. Perhaps...business partners? However, Auric could provide for himself; he didn't need Balthier for anything. He caught a bit of taunting at his accent. Auric didn't strike him as someone to say 'daresay' and he added somewhat of en emphasis on the word. "I daresay I've bee caught once again. Bravo." It wasn't as if he was secretly hiding the rest of the Nethicite. "What's stolen is fair game, aye?" He asked him what he was doing here and was quite...in good spirits about it. That's the way. Why talk in such pressure? The Sky Pirate wasn't going anywhere; he didn't have Larsa to hit him upside the head for him to make a run for it. "Like you, I've also heard quite a lot about you. Quite a feat to obtain the deceased Judge Magister Gabranth's armor." At that knowledge, Balthier also added a few words to that, which would be common sense to Auric if he knew that much. "You've left quite the impact on the Draklor Laboratories, so I hear. I'm almost afraid to see what you would do with nethicite." He hinted briefly at why he was here. He wanted to know what Auric was going to do with the nethicite? "Bhujerban Madhu? The real stuff?" [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: I think I'm getting a bit better. [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

The Ragnarok had many features; as far as an airship goes it was something he was proud of predominantly because he'd been able to integrate so many technologies from different realms to work smoothly with one another. It was like asking a room full of diplomats speaking in different languages to communicate and work towards a singular goal; as you'd imagine, it was no small feat. But when it came to Auric? Being his friend was actually quite easy... seeing as he was easy going enough. Balthier had simply chosen a method of introduction which naturally demanded a little hostility; if not respect for his boldness. And if there's one thing rather obvious about Auric, it was the fact that making enemies wasn't exactly a habit he entertained.

Befriending Balthier if even just professionally was a good way to expand his network of contacts... and in any case, it was good to have friends. "Hnh, so you say... but it is mine." he put forward, making sure to cut through Balthier's wit. Naturally, Auric knew he was dealing with someone who was quite clever. To say one thing and push the conversation the way he needed, while not actually providing any guarantee of returning the nethicite took a little cunning. But not if you were caught out. This is why Auric preferred switching between the knight and the bandit; you become what you needed to enforce your will. Such was the rogue. It was a roundabout game but it served its end.

And it was kind of funny to observe him; Auric knew Balthier was fishing for information. Naturally, he knew that Gabranth was very much alive... the Judge Magister's role in the play wasn't at its end, it seemed. Which very much confirmed that little hole in the man's history... not that he wasn't oblivious to it in the first place. But it wasn't something Auric was going to confirm or deny. Between rogues and gentlemen, the play was in how you presented yourself. "I suspect you've already gleamed into my nefarious plot regarding the subject." Auric, grinned as he shook his head, taking the steps towards his own desk -- where Balthier stood by. The Hero for Hire promptly placed the Dawn Shard on top of a loose piece of paper, his gloved hand tapping the surface of the desk to prove his point. "It's shiny and has weight. What other purpose should it fulfill?" he asked, plainly pointing out that he didn't call it a paperweight for nothing.

Of course, this was also his indirect way of saying he'd rather keep it around than give it back to its original owner and allow her to cause some senseless destruction. Much as the temptation was useful for building character, building character did no one any good when the city you fought for had become a mass grave. Not that Auric would have worded it so simply... at least, not if he could help it. But... moving on, he could see the idea of having a drink in a less than hostile environment appealled to the sky pirate. Auric wasn't at all worried about paying the tab... money hardly did you good when you didn't spend it. Right?

"Of course. I imagine it's been a little expensive to get the increasingly rare drink of late." he noted, knowing that Bhujerban Madhu wasn't as common as it was a month ago... especially since Bhujerba wasn't exactly a location in their new world. Not yet, any way. A sky city that sold magicite would have definitely piqued his interest otherwise. "There's also water, if you prefer... I imagine the Sandsea caters for those with less refined tastes but that's after we dispense with a minor detail." he brought back, raising a brow as he crossed his arms. He hadn't forgotten that Balthier had yet to return the rest of his nethicite.

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] Balthier knew for awhile that his wit would never work against Auric. It was still quite fun, though, to see how Auric would counter react to his comments. It also gave Balthier insight of how sharp the man was. "Indeed it is. But I knew a man once whom owned Nethicite before. It wasn't a pretty sight." Balthier was testing Auric. He probably knew how to respond, and who the man as even, but still. Balthier wanted a response. If he had the Sword of Kings he would have shattered the Nethicite by now. Destroyed it. Demolished it. Though strong of a commitment, he wouldn't allow Nethicite, if he could, to be used like that again. Balthier said nothing to confirm him. He was right, after all. There was no need to say it. But...Auric over thought something. Balthier actually did think Gabranth was dead. But he did know he was alive at one point. A man twice dead...how did Balthier assume? Rumors. There were more rumors of Gabranth, at the war's start, being dead than there was of him roaming around once more. "What other purpose can it fulfill?" Perhaps it was Balthier's curiosity of if Auric knew what it could do or because he was wondering if Auric really thought it could do nothing. Or maybe an entirely different reason? Either way, Balthier made no notion of any direction it took; strictly neutral. But he caught Auric's little hint. He could be trusted. He, as well as Auric, didn't want Nethicite to be used for destruction...be damned used at all. He could trust Auric to that. But for right now he'd rather use it as a bargaining tool. "So I hear. From Ivalice, there are no other places but Rabanastre, Archades and Rozzaria, for populated areas of course. Cities, capitols, something of the like." Auric gave him a perfect window, threatening to order water instead. "I suggest a trade of sorts. The drink for the Nethicite. Surely the Nethicite holds value." Of course, Balthier would have just simply given it back. But why not enjoy a drink instead of giving it freely back, as he had done with the Dawn Shard? Though he was a lot more insisting and slightly more aggressive with the Dawn Shard. Understandable. "I'm afraid we're been standing around for quite too long. My legs grow stiff over time. If we aren't going anywhere, we might as well sit." The ever so confident Balthier, thinking he could walk casually out with Auric...or sit in the Ragnarok. Because obviously him breaking into the ship and attempting to steal both Nethicite and the Dawn Shard would be forgotten. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: -rolls around- [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

The thing with Auric is that he knows what you're getting it long before you do. He sees the trends; the bigger picture. If he knows, for instance, that you're trying to take measure of his wit? He's going to make it a trend to be absolutely blunt and bland with you. It's why he had acted so hostile to Balthier despite full-knowing that once he'd been caught in the Act, the Sky Pirate would eventually back down. If the end result, regardless of discourse, is that the Sky Pirate would leave -- why would he provide him insight as to his character? There was a good reason why Faye had such issues in comprehending him... Auric was, first and foremost, enigmatic.

And he couldn't be enigmatic if he was absolutely predictable now, could he?

"Yes, I imagine there are quite a few people who own pretty baubles." he said quite dismissively. Of course he knew. Draklor Laboratory's head research was the father of the man who stood right in front of him. Auric was no fool -- the name in the archives was plenty clear on the subject. It was also why Auric understood why Balthier would be a little wary... after all, it was natural for him to want to avoid not only the fearful power of nethicite but the corruption of its obsession. Little did he know that he full-well intended to use it... just, simply not how he was accustomed to. But such was his way; Auric's intents were kept largely to himself and even more so were his actions. The things he'd done... or who he truly was -- but even that he shared in common with his partner. But the subject, as it were, was on the Bhujerban drink. And to that, the Hero for Hire knew full well how difficult it would be to procure in the coming future. "I imagine it's one of the downsides of being popular. Being in high demand and short of supply. But that's tomorrow's problem... it's plenty enough that it can still be bought." he mused, thinking to himself how long it would accurately take for Madhu to become a rarity.

But then again; even if it might no longer come from Bhujerba, surely the current brewers would expand.

And it was only natural that Auric simply dodged any inquiry as to what Balthier might have had regarding nethicite. And yet it was still amusing to observe the Sky Pirate trying to barter it for his drink that Auric intended to pay... oh, he imagined it was a light hearted joke but the thing about wit is that it demands a little bite every now and then. And as it was said before -- sometimes, being a little direct to change it up now and then was a good way to keep the conversation refreshing. And by the end of it all, the innovative mercenary was willing to impart a few words. "Well, I could always shoot you... then you get nothing and I get everything back." he grinned as he shook his head before throwing in another line at the risk of Balthier actually taking him to be rather serious. Only about the nethicite. "I'm sure. Put my paperweight collection down and feel free to put drinks to my tab." he said simply as he walked out the door.

And no sooner than he'd left, he peered back in. Blocking the door way as he pre-emptively intercepted his current guest. "Ah, all of it, sky pirate." he insisted, raising a brow. He expected him to be a little sneaky... Auric knew precisely how many pieces there were. He awaited Balthier to do as was asked before once again before cutting off any further excuse the man would have had to say. "Uh-huh."

Some foxes were keen; others had their cunning. How unfortunate it must have been to run into one that was both.

---

Later, at The Sandsea

"I imagine you've spent enough time in this city. Any particular reason you follow the dear leader?" he began, opening conversation by directing it towards their no doubt mutual acquaintance. Yeah, Auric wasn't daft... keeping in the know was just part of breathing for him. Both were situated on the higher level of the establishment... a collection of bottles to which Auric was alternating between each glass.

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] Though dismissive, he knew why. How Auric obtained such files of him being the son of Doctor Cid would never be known; he wasn't even aware his father kept that file somewhere...if he did, it would explain how Auric would've known. But he was nice enough not to blantly speak of it. It was much appreciated. It was a part of his past he'd rather not talk about. Why did Auric literally dodge the question? He didn't even try to cover it up at all. He didn't weave it into some convincing story. It gave him two things to work with. One, he left the question open, not wanting to reveal if he knew its potential or not, which he most certainly did, and two, he knew Balthier would catch it no matter how convincing the change of subject matter was. So he simply dropped it, not interested in going further into that detail. If he tried, he'd simply dodge again. Balthier was not deterred nor lost confidence; he'd grown used to knowing when Auric was actually serious or not. "That's certainly a possibility. Why stain your hands with blood when there's no need for it to be shed? Wasteful, if you ask me." Auric may be a mercenary. He may have ton plenty of assassinations with little to no remorse. He could be plotting to kill the Emperor Larsa as well. But he wouldn't do it without some sort of pay, at the very least. Auric would have nothing to gain if he shot and killed him...excluding the bounty on his head. But he was so handsomely rewarded...why bother? Balthier wanted to test him just a bit. How precise was Auric? He left all but two at the table as they started to walk. But Auric specified his order as Balthier returned the other two. "Well, you weren't specific." He commented back. Auric had an eye for precision...though the count for nethicite wasn't exactly difficult, he doubted if he stole a couple of gil from the money bank of the ship (which he didn't find anyways) Auric would notice. ----------------- "Information. A few things were of much concern to me." Auric knew those concerns so he didn't even bother to explain himself. Balthier held a few glasses himself, but he was wary; he knew his limitations and any slip-up to Auric could prove disastrous. Though, what those slip-ups could possibly be is unknown. But he had learned something knew. Someone had a high-level tolerance of alcohol. [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: Yay we're just hanging [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]

[Auric]

When an Aurelian eats, they eat. Auric and Faye could easily eat an entire behemoth between them despite the price tag that many shops and restaurants would put on them. It was much easier to hunt the kill yourself, but the last time they were in Esthar Auric had to foot the bill and suffice to say he'd burned the receipt so to make sure that his partner would never know how much she was in his debt. Well, actually... he'd burned it because it didn't matter to him and he didn't want her to worry about it. Money and riches were certainly fine to have around but you'd be mistaken if you thought he could simply buy anything he wished. Many items he sought hadn't yet been reclaimed and collectors were very reluctant to let such items go.

And there was no guarantee of discretion.

Besides, Auric wasn't one to live his life quite so comfortably that he needn't lift a finger to do the hard work. He utterly refused to be a victim of complacency. But that superhuman metabolism didn't stop itself at just food... when it came to drinks as well, you could imagine how much he and Faye both could put away before they dipped into the levels of inebriation... and even then, he wasn't exactly normal. The reality might have been that he was well and truly drunk but even in that case, his ability often compensated; his reflexes might have been slow and his mind might have been compromised but in his head it was taken well and truly into account. It was rare of him to simply lay back and let the beverage-fed poison do its work... but he'd kept his guard up for more than five years and you could certainly say it was a force of habit. But the truth was that by now? It was just natural.

Of course, this was all to explain his high tolerance to alcohol. Beyond that, he was still interested in maintaining the conversation. "Oh?" he asked, mildly amused. "That's it? No feelings of nostalgia or obligation? Not even interested in.... oh, now that I think about it, aren't you supposed to be a team?" He was pouring himself another glass while the urge to simply drink out of the bottle nagged at him. As did the urge to ask the sky pirate why he'd chosen his profession. Of course, Auric already knew but... there was something to be said about knowing something and actually hearing it. You had to be either psychic or naturally intuitive to know what he might have meant.

Call it being sentimental.

[Balthier]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450px,true][atrb=cellspacing,0px,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; background: url(http://i52.tinypic.com/otj5sn.jpg); background-color: #FFB000; border-top-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 50px; border-top-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 50px; border-bottom-left-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 50px; border-bottom-right-radius: 50px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 50px; padding: 10px, bTable] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.7; border-top-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.8; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 0.9; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=display: inline-block; background: url(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x48/strawberrysplash376/con_balthier01.jpg); opacity: 1; border-top-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 25px; height: 100px; width: 100px;] [/style] [style=background-color: #D1D1D1; color: #FFBB00; font-family: arial black; font-size: 30px; letter-spacing: -3px; text-transform: uppercase; text-align: center; opacity: 1; width: 412px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: -3px; text-shadow: #000000 1px 1px 1px;] ( A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME ) [/style][style=background-color: #FFC000; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 262px; padding-left: 100px; padding-right: 50px;] ( this captain goes down with the ship, all hands on deck, stand hip-to-hip. i shout the orders, "shoot to kill!" i'm dressed to thrill, i'm dressed to thrill. and all my enemies, i want their eyes to see their captain walk the plank, destroy them, rank by rank )[/style] [style=background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1;] There we went again. For someone who suggested water instead of the expensive stuff, he sure drank a lot of it. Auric was plenty loaded. But it didn't take a super genius to find that out. Balthier had to think on that one. Obligation? "An obligation of what, pray tell? As for nostalgia. Hmm, yes that's a possibility." Though, how was it nostalgic at all? Perhaps...because the Dawn Shard held a bit of sentimental value? Balthier would be called a liar if he refused that claim. He also couldn't refuse the nethicite's nostalgia; it was just the wrong kind of nostalgic value. Upon his last inquiry, Balthier decided that he could handle another drink and sipped the drink. "What good is a sky pirate without a partner? The leading man needs someone to handle the supporting one." Balthier just cryptically meant that yes, he was a team...though where on earth had she gone. "And aren't you one yourself? However, I am quite sure you at least know her location." And he basically said that no, he didn't know where Fran was. Just to make sure that he wouldn't ask. Balthier missed her but life had to go on. Of course, he would check upon her whereabouts and if knowledge of her was anywhere else, but he wouldn't go outside, completely out of his way, to find her. However, he did have a point. What good was a Sky Pirate without a partner? Someone who got his back? [/style][style=background-color: #FFBB00; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 11px; text-transform: none; text-align: justify; opacity: 1; width: 392px; margin-top: -12px; padding: 10px; border-top: 10px solid #D1D1D1; border-bottom-left-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 25px; border-bottom-right-radius: 25px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 25px;] TAGS :: Auric LYRICS :: rum is for drinking, not for burning by senses fail. NOTES :: I POSTED FINALLY. [/style]

[style=font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; margin-top: -10px;]( post template made by DARKEE of ON THE EDGE ! )[/style]