Even Thieves get Stolen From [Auric]

[Auric]

Nostalgia was rather simple. At some point your experiences get chalked up to being "the good old days"... and for some people? They just like the repeat performance. It's easy to get together with someone you haven't met in a long time and do something together that was familiar to you both... at this juncture, Auric figured the sky pirate was helping Amalia out because she was someone he should have known. As to whether she knew Balthier like he did her was another thing entirely. But that was a common occurrence in the modern day, it seemed. As for obligation? Well, it all came down to a bit of care really. If a person has friends they usually have this inner feeling to go out and help them or... in their particular case, watch over a certain resistance leader until their memories were sorted out.

But of course, the sky pirate was still clever even when his blood was thinned by their mutual beverage. The madhu held a sweet burn as it went down his throat... Balthier's words only confirming that he had a partner. Nothing regarding his response indicated her current status, but that was all good and well... because he gave himself up the moment he asked Auric about his own partner. The tone and choice of words plainly indicating he hadn't a clue as to where his partner was. "Yeah... she's running errands. Or doing a job... mix of both, actually, but that usually keeps her busy. Fine with me, leaves me with more time to myself..." he mused, reflecting on the mixed blessing of free time. He'd often had to do many a thing on his own these days... which was good because he certainly didn't mind having privacy... but the lack of a partner meant having no additional support and feeling a little bit lonely.

Poor Auric lacking company, right? "I'm sure she'll turn up." he commented rather confidently as he filled Balthier's glass. It needn't be empty for a refill. What good was drinking if you were trying to be responsible? A good drinking partner was hard to come by; there was little in the world that was more valuable then sharing a drink and speaking with someone and knowing that person would never speak with another person regarding your choice of topics. Would Balthier prove to be such a man? Only one way to find out. "Heh... speaking of back up, I don't suppose you'd be willing to look into something for me? I'm thinking of taking Amalia out to the ball. I just got this odd idea that she might try to do something stupid."

[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;] He wasn't surprised that Auric wanted time to himself. Auric didn't strike him as a guy that always wanted his partner by his side. He could relate, somewhat. It felt extreme strange without Fran by his side. But he too liked time off but, with being so popular, he found that time sparse. even now, he wasn't just lollygaging. Though, this was his kind of 'relaxation'. Balthier only simply nodded. Fran's stronger than that. the Sky Pirate would eventually find her. They just happened to have been separated when they got into this strange world. At the refill, what else could Balthier do than to sip? How rude he would be if he didn't. The sky pirate was still reasonable coherent still at least, thought a slight buzz was starting to form. But he held himself up well, even after Auric said that he was taking Ashe to a ball. He was quite amused at this. "I've heard word that the Emperor himself is going to that said Masquerade." Balthier spoke, not denying nor accepting the request. Had he already looked into it? Great minds thoguht alike, it seemed. But Balthier wasn't done. "If, as you think, she were to do something rash, I would assume it would be she knows of this rumor?" Auric would know what he would be getting at. Balthier had no problem giving him this information. Why? He'd rather give information than risk both Larsa or Ashe to kill or be killed. "Anything else you'd possibly like?" The last sentence happened to come out from too much of the Madhu. Damn Auric. Ahh well. [/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 :: Trololo :'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]

That was independence for you. The truth was, that despite it all, there were things that he did he couldn't have his partner involved in. It wasn't that he doubted or couldn't trust her but... some things, you feel strange about that you need to do them alone. Meeting with contacts, for example. Not that he needed to worry about privacy; when he wanted some time to himself all he needed to do was say so and she respected it. Doing what he would do when she was out on a mission.... she'd have to find a way to pass the time. Or do a long list of menial tasks, but admittedly that was for his own enjoyment. After all, there was always something on board that needed doing.

Still, when it came to their mutual acquaintance... that was precisely what Auric was alluding to. There was a long list of "stupid" things that others can commit to -- assassinating a head of state, for example, wasn't a deed that could be executed without a long list of ramifications... most of which meant bad things for Ashe and her cause for Dalmasca. To be frank, he didn't need to know the relationship between herself and the young Emperor, just that assassinating Larsa was a bad idea. "In all probability, yeah." he agreed, not having wanted to state it outright. But sometimes it couldn't be avoided.... he guessed the madhu was hitting the Sky Pirate much harder than he'd of expected.

Still, there was always a worse case scenario. It was unlikely, of course... but being the guy he was, he didn't get to be one of the best by optimism and blind hope that the world will follow your plan. "Worst case scenario, she might have planned for it." he sighed, giving a minute for the burn in his throat to subside a little before imbibing another glass. Still, when Balthier asked if there was anything more he'd of liked, that casual wit snapped back into play. "Oh, there's a lot of things I imagine. Like people to stop killing each over things that don't matter. More drinks. More women, perhaps?" he grinned to himself, knowing the last two were always on his list of a larger demand. For now? Well, conversation was enough. "There is one other thing, yeah... a certain someone may be looking for me. I'd rather you didn't sell me out but I guess they probably won't leave you alone without some information.... I'll pass on some to you when I can." he mused, thinking back on his little stint with Gabranth.

"What about you? Anything you need that I can provide?"

(OOC: So sorry for taking this long!)