They had made it back from Giruvegan relatively unscathed and were now en route to Balfonheim from the aerodrome in Rabanastre. As for her remaining companion, Balthier had not spoken much to her since they left the ancient city. This wasn't so unusual since she knew they were all under a great deal of stress with day after day of battle and the looming threat of war. But it was as if he was purposefully ignoring her.
She could tell that Fran knew something was going on, as the Viera had given her a few curious glances the past few days. They had boarded in Rabanastre, and Fran caught her watching Balthier trudge back to the cabins on his own to rest. The older woman had inclined her head, suggesting Ashe follow him, and she had looked away in embarrassment.
"He's your partner," she had grumbled to Fran, "I wouldn't know what to say to him to get him out of this…whatever state he is in."
The Viera had not been able to respond as her old friend had wandered up then to strike up a conversation, and Ashe was glad for it. The Princess was not enjoying Fran's insinuating behavior. It was not as if she and Balthier were engaged in a lovers' quarrel! She sighed. From an objective standpoint, it probably did look as if they were engaged in a spat of some kind.
Ashe walked away from the windows and passed through the ship, entering the parlor. Fran nodded in acknowledgment as she went by her table, and she wandered to the airship attendant's stand. "Do you need a cabin, miss?" the young woman inquired when she approached.
"No, actually…could you tell me where my friend is staying? His name is Balthier," she asked quietly, trying not to draw Fran's attention.
The young woman checked the register and smiled. "Quite the charmer, your friend. He's in cabin sixteen." Ashe withheld the urge to smirk at the helpful young attendant, and she thanked her for her assistance. She opened the door and entered the narrower hallway that led to the cabins on board.
Number sixteen was at the end of the hall, and she raised her hand to knock. What was she supposed to say? Balthier, I'm sorry for making you feel bad about taking my husband's wedding ring from me as compensation for your assistance? She shook her head. What if he was sleeping? She didn't really want to disturb him, but the more practical part of her mind said that it would be impossible to continue their journey if they weren't speaking.
She knocked on the door quietly and heard a muffled "Come in, Princess," from the other side. Ashe was startled, and she turned the doorknob to enter the room. His back was to her as he sat at a small table in the center of the room, his hands engaged in some sort of card game yet again.
Ashe stayed back by the door, leaning against it. "How did you know it was me?"
He didn't turn to look at her. "Basch would have knocked harder, Fran is chatting with a friend, Penelo would have announced herself at the door, and Vaan would not have knocked at all." She grinned at his explanation and walked closer to the table. His voice was a bit cheerier than she had heard it in a few days, so she figured it was alright to approach him.
She looked over his shoulder to see him engaged in a game of solitaire. He was scrutinizing his little piles of cards, wondering where his next move would be. Ashe spied a black five card that could be placed on a red six, and she couldn't help herself. "Five of spades on the six of diamonds."
Balthier set down the remainder of the deck and leaned back in the chair. He tilted his head back to look up into her face. "You know, the name of the game implies that I am playing alone. That means without input from the little angel on my shoulder."
He began to gather the cards back up, and she felt horrible. "Oh, don't stop your game because of me. I can come back…" She moved to walk away, but he turned in his chair, grabbing her wrist.
"You came here for a reason, Ashe. What do you want?" he asked calmly, releasing her. He rose from the chair and leaned against the table, his arms crossing his chest protectively.
She met his eyes. "We're all under a great deal of pressure. What I said to you in Giruvegan…I gave you my husband's wedding ring of my own will. I should not have taken out my frustrations on you when you have been nothing but an asset to my journey."
He sighed. "You think that's why I'm upset?" he inquired curiously. She was confused and nodded, not knowing how else to respond. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Princess, I am not my chipper self because at every turn someone is trying to manipulate you. Whether it be Archadia, the Occuria or even my…even Dr. Cid…"
Balthier stopped himself at the last moment from referring to the madman as his father, and she could feel her heart ache for him. She gave him a moment to gather his thoughts. "They're using you. They see you as naught more than a pawn in their machinations."
He was right. Archadia would have seen her rule as their puppet, the Occuria would see her destroy the Empire, and Dr. Cid would watch it all gleefully. Even her uncle, the Marquis, would have had her hide away in Bhujerba to preserve his own standing.
"What if that is all I am?" She moved to lean against the table beside him. She gripped the smooth wooden table in frustration, her shoulders slumping. "How can I rule Dalmasca when the world sees me as someone to use for their own schemes?"
He laughed, and she was hurt by the reaction. She looked sideways at him, but his eyes were not unkind. "You don't honestly believe that do you?" he asked.
"Well isn't that what you're implying? That I'm a pawn?" she retorted angrily. She reached behind her to grab a handful of cards from the table. The Princess began shuffling them in her hands absentmindedly, no rhyme or reason to her movements. Is that how they all saw her?
Ashe didn't notice him move away from the table to stand in front of her then. His hands grasped hers, stilling the movements of the cards in her fingers. "Princess, you're so much more than that," he said softly. She looked up in surprise at his words, and he smiled at her. "They're not going to see it coming."
He removed the cards from her hands gently, stepping closer to her. She felt her heart quicken its pace as his lips pressed softly against her forehead. He whispered against her skin. "I'm a betting man, as you know. And I'd wager that Ashelia B'Nargin Dalmasca will be no pawn of the gods or of men."
The sky pirate moved his lips to her own then, and she felt suddenly lighter. She felt one of his hands brush against her cheek and the other slid against her hand. It was over before she even had time to process what was happening, and she felt something thin and papery being slid beneath the fingers of her hand.
"Not a traditional pair, I know…" His lips were beside her ear now, his breath warm against her. "But I think they'll have what it takes to win the game." He moved away from her then, and she saw him leaving the room when her eyes opened once more.
She looked down to see two playing cards beneath her hand. She grinned at the Jack of Spades and its new partner…the Queen of Hearts.