theleadingman | avalon: inbox

Your feeling is right. Tea is nice, but I think for this instance I need something more. Well, I don't NEED it. But it'd be nice. You can tell me how much it is and I'll cover half of it or something. Maybe wine?

[Although maybe she needs more than just wine, too. Aerith doesn't even know what she needs.]

You've no need to worry about such things. I'll find something that will do just the trick— I have some experience in this area, after all.

[Wine, however, is a good place to start, he finds.]

I'll be there shortly.

I don't know if I should be relieved or concerned that you sound so confident.

[How many times has he done this, she wonders...]

I'll leave the door unlocked for you. Just come right in and make yourself at home. I'm going to try to tidy up a little.

I'm a man of the world in my way, lest you forget.

[He'll leave it at that— but while no other messages follow, he does not leave her waiting long. It's all of twenty minutes before the bell above the door to her shop rings, signaling his arrival as he steps through with a brown bag in one arm. Though he himself looks weary, he still smiles upon seeing her— regardless of the current circumstances weighing on both of them, she never fails to brighten his day, simply by being, though he thinks saying as much might embarrass her if the mood weren't exactly right.

Closing the door behind him, he approaches the front counter and sets the bag down before moving to where she's currently tidying, leaning in to brush his lips against her cheek in a quick kiss hello after only briefly looking over his shoulder to ensure there are no customers about to gawk.]

I hope you weren't waiting long. Anything I can assist with?

I haven't forgotten.

[And that's all she has to say on the matter. She knows very well what Balthier is capable of. That he's clever. Cunning. Not necessarily manipulative, but most likely deceptive when he needs to be. She's the same way, even if she's not exactly proud to admit it. Sometimes one must do what they one do.

He arrives in relatively short time. It feels longer to her than it likely actually is and that's the result of the thoughts churning about in her head. It seems like grief and loss always last longer than joys. Much in the way that when it comes to memory, it appears that people remember unpleasant moments more than their alternatives.

She's visibly relieved to see him and as he presses a kiss atop her cheek, she colours just the slightest shade of pink, managing to work up a smile for him. Not lacking in sincerity, but perhaps a little subdued.]

I wasn't. [She doesn't know that for sure, but she's almost positive she didn't wait long at all.] Why don't you get us set up with our drinks, hm? I'm going to turn my sign over to 'closed,' so that we don't get any customers. I'm pretty sure no one's going to mind if the shop's closed for a bit.

[They are both rather reserved in their own ways this afternoon, he notes, and understandably so. At her request, he simply gives her a nod of confirmation, leaning in to curl his arm around her waist just long enough to drop a kiss against the top of her head before he proceeds to retreat towards the counter.]

That, I can most certainly do— and if any potential customers do take issue, they'll have me to deal with.

[It's unlikely, he knows. He highly doubts anyone is going to give Aerith trouble over this. For now, he dips into the back room long enough to retrieve a couple of glasses from the small collection stowed there and returns to set them up beside the cash register, pulling a bottle of dark amber liquor from the bag he'd set down earlier.]

I think this ought to do the trick.

Oh, you're so scary. [Aerith begins after a pause.] I'm sure just one look at you will send any potential customers fleeing in the opposite direction. [Not. On the contrary, she gets the feeling that a man with his looks would rather acquire himself a cute little fan club. There's nothing scary about him.]

[She takes her time and gradually turns the sign for the shop and as she makes her way back inside, she locks the door. When Balthier speaks up again, she turns her attention to him and eventually makes her way back toward him, eyeing what he's brought for them both.

That. Doesn't look like wine.]

What's this?

I never professed to be outwardly imposing, but well-chosen words can do a great deal to put someone in their place.

[Well. Depending on the someone. Really, she's probably right about this one.

He's midway through pouring a glass when she comes to join him at the counter, and he gives her a wry, tired little smile.]

You mentioned wanting something a bit stronger— there's wine, as well, if you prefer, but I thought that recent events being what they are, this might be a scotch situation. You can try mine first, if you like— see if it's to your taste. This one should be rather sweet.

I guess that's true. Still kind of hard for me to imagine you saying something that would send someone in the opposite direction, though.

[Really. She isn't sure she can even picture it. He's so elegant with everything he says and how he carries himself. Elegance and intimidation don't feel like they really go well together. Maybe some people find high class intimidating.

When he explains, she eyes the glass he's in the midst of pouring and she offers over her hand.]

Well, you only live one, right? I don't see why I can't at least try it out. I'm sure it's just fine in smaller bits.

You've never given me reason to be stern.

[He offers her a wink in response, but he'll leave it at that— he knows he is hardly intimidating at first glance, and much of his strength lies in being able to outwit most opponents. Regardless, he'll have no need to do as such today, he is certain.

He gives her a nod, that tired smile pulling a bit wider as he slides the first glass across the counter, gesturing before bringing his hand to rest on his hip.]

Give it a go, then. It's a particularly smooth variety, strong without being pungent. Well-aged, or so the gentleman told me.

[It's not the first time she'll have tried a drink at his recommendation. She'd liked the gin and tonic well enough, but one never knows how a person's tastes might vary.]

I don't know that I'd agree with that.

[Refusing to see him. Trying to turn him away. Trying to steer his attentions onto Fran. Agreeing to let Sephiroth pay her visit at the flower shop. There's been a few reasons he's had to be stern with her. She decides it's smarter not to actually bring any of that up.

When he invites her to take a drink, Aerith looks between the glass and him for some moments before she reaches for the glass and dips her chin to get a sniff. It doesn't smell anything like the gin and tonic that he'd ordered for her before. She's certain she's smelled it before, though. It smells familiar.

Taking a drink, she leaves her eyes on him. She doesn't know how to describe it. A little strong. Would be if she was drinking it too quickly. It's still strong even with her approaching it with care. It catches her off guard for just a breath or two and as she coughs to right herself, Aerith pats on her chest.]

That's... something all right. I don't know what 'well-aged' is supposed to mean, but I guess that's a good thing?

[Even in such circumstances, even at his most frustrated, he doesn't know that he has ever been able to allow himself to be fully angry or hardened where she's involved— but it is not the sort of thing he cares to examine too deeply now. He is determined to leave that unpleasantness behind them, especially given that they have a new host of troubles to face.

He's glad they have the opportunity to face them together, if nothing else.

He watches her with interest, a mild curiosity as she tests the contents of the glass, and bites back a laugh when she coughs in response. Perhaps he should have expected that.]

Generally yes, when it comes to alcohol— not quite to your liking, I take it. Wine for you, then?

[He's quite well-prepared.]

No, no, no. You poured it for me. I'm definitely going to drink it. Just—

[She shakes her head at him, seemingly content to hold her glass to her protectively. Just in case he gets the idea to take it from her. She doesn't seem particularly open to that turn of events. Honestly? She'll need it later, she's sure.]

This will do. What made you think to bring something stronger? Personal taste?

[He nods— he would have gladly handled the rest of it himself and poured her something else, but he's hardly going to argue if she insists. Were the circumstances a bit better, he would rather enjoy having the opportunity to show her something new, as he so often did.]

Largely, yes— but I can't deny that recent events have been weighing quite heavily.

[Loss, more than the state of the island, and he wonders what that says about him? There is very clear and present danger, but he hardly bats an eye at that. Isn't that the everyday for someone like him?

Loss of any kind, on the other hand, has never sat well with him. Tifa had been an admirable friend, one he'd allowed to get closer than he'd let most people get in years, and he would be lying if he said he wasn't worried about what effect her departure would have on Aerith, as well as Nanaki's.]

It seemed fitting, if I'm to be taking over household bartending duties.

[Perhaps like something Tifa would have offered if she'd been there to read the mood.]

Recent events.

[She eyes him for several long moments and she wonders what else he could mean. His continuance implies Tifa at the very least. It's selfish to think of only herself, however. She refuses to think that's all of it.

Her gaze dips onto her drink for some moments and after a longer indulgence, with a little less of a grimace, she somehow finds her voice, despite the way it would easily sink beneath the weight of the thoughts so eager to touch her.]

There's really been a lot going on. I'm all ears, you know. Anything you might need. I probably won't be able to undo it, or even really actively help, but I'm a pretty good listener.

I know you are.

[He offers her a fond smile in immediate response, his voice soft at the edges, and without looking down, he reaches out across the counter to lay a hand atop hers. Of course she would offer him an ear, and he’ll no doubt take her up on it— but for all that he might have to say, he knows her to be the sort to shove her own burdens aside and focus on the problems of others, instead.

It is a habit he knows he cannot break her of, but it seems a bit silly when they share the same troubles, as they do now.]

I had thought to offer you the same. I imagine the house feels… rather empty, at the moment.

[His smile fades, just slightly.]

[He's onto her. He always is. Knows she'll bury herself in the issues of others in an effort to not focus quite so hard on her own, though it's to be understood that she'll bury herself in her own thoughts in her solitude. His question is pointed and fair. After a breath's consideration, she sinks down a little bit.

Ah. He's noticed.]

I didn't even have to say anything, it seems.

[She smiles a little. It's sombre. She's trying, at the very least. She always is, though, isn't she. Is there ever a moment in which she isn't?]

How did you know?

[His fingers curl against her hand, thumb smoothly moving across the back of it in a gentle show of both affection and reassurance, his gaze soft as it remains fixed on her.

How could he not know?]

You are always at your very best when you have people to care for, my dear.

[He knows that having Tifa and Nanaki staying with her for any length of time had been about more than just company, though that was certainly a large part of it, as well.]

I miss them, too.

[He knows it's different. They were her links to home, and while her relationship with home and her own existence might be complicated, her relationship with her friends was not.]

[It's a little strange to hear him define her so accurately. So pointedly. But there's nothing false about that statement. She is at her best when she's taking care of others. Maybe it's a little more than that. She can't simplify the feelings of being around Tifa and Nanaki to just taking care of them.

She sinks down just a touch more, releasing her hold on her glass to set it down in favour of taking his hand instead. That is more comforting to her than a drink, she decides.]

Right. It's not just me who knew them. It's not like I forget it. It's just different.

[Now she's lost Tifa for the second time. It was hard enough the first. Back then, she'd simply tried her best to shrug it off. But having them both, letting them live with her, and now every time she hears Clover cry... a part of her feels like crying too.]

I'm glad they got to go back home. I'm sure that's where they wanted to be.

I know, love.

[His voice drops a few notes, somber as he curls his touch against hers. It is different. He can only imagine how he might feel if Fran had been whisked away, or if perhaps the Captain had made his way here only to leave. The sting would be deep, even for him, and he's not half so empathic as the woman sitting before him.]

Part of them wished for it, I've no doubt, but I'm just as certain that they were quite happy to be here with you.

[He'll not risk her allowing herself to forget that.]

You have that effect on people, I've found.

I... Yeah. That might be true. It's probably true.

[Her gaze falls on his hand as it touches hers and her own eventually turns to take a more proper hold on his. She knows what he says is likely the case. If she had to choose between letting them go home and staying with her, she would have picked the former easily.

Doesn't make it hurt any less. It's harder, perhaps, not being able to say goodbye. She's not sure what to make of that. Drawing in a breath, Aerith shakes her head. Doesn't much matter now, really.]

I bet you do, too. I'm glad... that you're still here.

[More than glad. Relieved, really.]

But if you ever had the chance to go home, Balthier, I'd want you to take it. You know that, don't you?

[A faint smile tugs at one corner of his mouth, his own hold shifting to match hers, thumb now tracing along the edge of her wrist in a small but affectionate show of reassurance. Of course that's what she would want for him— even though he's not entirely certain he'd want it for himself. It's a rather complicated affair, all told.]

I know you would. That's who you are.

[She wants what's best for everyone around her. Sometimes, however, what's 'best' isn't always plain.]

I don't know that it would be so simple a choice for me. In many ways, I've gained as much as I've left behind— more, in fact.

[Of course, he's talking about her.]

And I'm quite selfish, you see. I'd want to take you with me.

[His touch is such a simple one, but the moment and the words he offers make it much more weighted. Aerith has, without a doubt, thought about what happens when a day comes that their distinct worlds will take them away from one another. She's thought about how to handle that and concluded she will only handle it when it comes up. To think on it, to dwell on it, unnecessary stressors.

She must enjoy every moment she can with him.

His words, reassuring that they are, leave her smiling just a touch. Until he should finish. When he does, for some moments, she's not sure she's even heard him right.]

I... I'm not sure that's even possible. I don't think we can do that. Not because I don't want to.

[She's the last of her kind. Doesn't she need to go back home to do what she's meant to do? Or can it be that should she never return that her world will simply remain in stasis forever? ...At least until she comes back.]

I know.

[His gaze darkens slightly as he lifts his own glass to his lips and takes a drink, his brows drawing downwards. It isn't a comment he'd made lightly, regardless of how easily it may have seemed to roll off his tongue, but he knows the situation is far more complicated than that, even if it weren't for all the unknown factors this place provides.]

Even so, it wouldn't make me want it any less.

[Of course he's exactly the sort that would want what he's unlikely to be able to have. His hand remains in hers, warm and unflinching as he takes another sip and sets his glass aside.]

I'm in no hurry to return to Ivalice. Should the opportunity arise, I don't know that I would take it.

[She takes him in for several long moments, just content to take her own glass into hand. Her gaze drops onto the contents and she watches as she swirls the liquid around casually. No. None of it is particularly simple. Every situation involving them is complicated. Any kind of a future is almost out of the question. It's a hard thing to talk about. A hard thing not to keep in consideration.

Eventually, she smiles, light as it may be.]

I know you mean it. It's a nice thought, isn't it. I don't think we get to choose when we go home, though. I think it just... happens. So tonight could be the last night that we have together. I could wake up tomorrow and you won't be here. Or, the reverse.

[She offers up a shrug.] I don't think people get asked. I think they just get taken home. Otherwise, Tifa and Nanaki would have said goodbye.

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