The Whole World Has Alcohol [Fran]

[Balthier]

Delling City was much different than any place Balthier had ever been to before. The town was always lit up, even in the darkest night, and it felt like everyone thought they were the leading man. How incorrect they all were. In such a town it was easy to get lost in the crowd, but Balthier was so above such things. After casing the whole town for information and finding none of particularly important worth, Balthier slipped through the city towards the inn, where he heard there was a bar. He also had plans to meet back up with Fran there. Hopefully her day gave her better results than his, or they'd end up leaving briskly. Running across the street so he could head into the inn, Balthier smiled when a car stopped for him. That's how it always should be.

The inn lobby was rather small and the young woman at the front desk quickly directed Balthier towards the lounge, which was down a nearby set of stairs. Balthier couldn't quite understand why there wasn't a specific bar nearby that wasn't underground. The more that Balthier thought about his day, the more he wondered how the town would handle Fran. It felt like there were no such things as Viera in the place. Wrinkling his nose slightly, Balthier turned his attention back towards the lounge. It was a very low key sort of place with a grand piano as a really focus center point. Smiling slightly at it, Balthier slipped towards the back of the room where he grabbed a table. Hopefully Fran wouldn't be too long. She never was late.

"Would you like anything in particular tonight, sir?" A young serving lady walked up to his table and smiled warmly. He wasn't quite sure the names of drinks in the location, so he did the best thing he could in the situation. "Just give me whatever is most popular, miss," He flashed her a charming smile and gave a light nod of the head. Hopefully it would be something that was honestly good, but in the end any kind of drink was fine with him. He didn't often drink to enjoy the taste. Sitting back in his seat and taking a deep breath, Balthier let his gaze travel to the entrance to the lounge. Fran was no doubt going to appear just shortly.

[Fran]

The more she traveled to these strange cities, the less exciting they became. This city was much different than the one she had encountered, days before. There didn't seem to be any sign of ruins, or the smell of foul beasts and death that lingered. She had asked about for any sort of information about what has been happening, but all the viera got were stares. And Fran could only assume she was the odd one out of everyone, none of these humes looked anything like she did. Walking up one of the streets towards a crosswalk, her ears picked up the sound of a ding. The viera had heard there was a inn nearby in the main part of the city, it had a bar. This is where she was to meet up with her partner, the one whom she has been searching for since coming here.

Making her way across the street, and up onto the sidewalk. Fran saw a small group of people waiting for something, it was then she heard the ding again. Seeing a car come up, it stopped and let some people off and the other's got on. Also getting on she watched as it pulled away from the stop, making it's way into the middle of the town. It soon stopped near the inn, getting off she ignored the whispers and stares. Simply just glancing over and giving them a look, they continued on their way. Pushing open the door, crimson eyes glanced around. This place was small, cramped and would be hard to move around in if crowded. Her eyes than settled on a young woman at the counter, walking over smoothly the viera asked if a rather dashing man had come in here. The young woman motioned towards the lounge, just down some stairs.

If there was one thing Fran never was, it was late. She always came on time, and when she was expected. Thanking the woman, Fran then went to head down the stairs. Why did it always seem that bars were underground, could they not once be above ground. As she made her way down the stairs, making sure not to trip. As she came to the bottom, the grand piano caught her eyes on the stage. She then went to glancing at the booths and tables, spotting her partner near the back of the room. A young serving lady had just left the table, being the quick viera she is she asked for whatever he was having. Walking over to the table, she slipped in beside her partner.

"I was worried about you, these different cities are strange to me. I only see humes, no others like me".

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[Balthier]

Just as he had expected, Balthier watched Fran slip into the lounge just on time. She was so precise, it was admirable. He flashed her a slight smile as she slipped into the booth next to him. She looked as wonderful as always, he noted with a slight smirk. It felt like no matter how things changed, Fran would always be a consistency in his life. For that, at least, he was thankful. As Fran began to speak, Balthier allowed himself to get lost in her voice.

"I only see humes, no others like me."

Balthier frowned slightly. He had noticed just the same thing. While Viera weren't common outside of the village, it was still weird to see none in such a large location as the city. It reminded Balthier that in his travels he found places that turned out worlds away. "I noticed the same. I'd venture to say that your kind don't often exist here," His tone was mild, as it was more often than not. The room was mostly quiet other than hushed tones, so Balthier felt like he too should speak quietly enough. Looking over to the piano again, Balthier wondered why no one was playing such a beautiful instrument. Feeling a slight tug of longing, the sky pirate wondered if perhaps later he should go to sit and play a bit. It had been a while, but he didn't think he would have grown rusty in the time.

"Here are your drinks," The young serving woman came back and set two glasses on the table, pushing one closer to Fran and one to Balthier. It was a softly colored drink that smelled strongly of citrus. Balthier hadn't seen anything of the like before. Taking his glass in hand as if it were only a side-thought, he spoke, "This city is interesting. But as interesting as it is, I couldn't find anything of interest to us." The distaste in his voice was clear. It was annoying when there was no valuable information in such a large location. Sipping at his drink lightly, Balthier was slightly surprised with the subtle tastes. Like a sweet lemon with a strong tone at the end. He didn't mind it. "Did you find anything out while you were out and about?"

[Fran]

Fran was happy to see her partner was safe, sliding into the booth beside him she wondered why he would pick a place such as this. Not that she was picky, and although this certain location was underground the viera was curious to see how well the liquor tasted. Her crimson eyes once again traveled over to the grand piano sitting on the stage, it certainly was such a beautiful piece. Did someone play it nightly in this place, it would be peaceful to and soothing to listen to someone play a nice piece of music. Hmmm music, closing her eyes for a momment she imagined what the piano would sound like if someone were to play it. She got lost in her thoughts for a minute, before reopening her eyes and looking back over to her partner.

He had listened to what she had said, and now he spoke. It was the truth that came from his lips, it would seem her kind did not exsist in this world. And what of her home, and her sisters. Were they alright, could they wandering somewhere trying to make sense of all this. They had never left the wood, and to be cast into a unknown world would perhaps terrify them. Mjrn she knew would panic, and do everything she could to find her way back home. Jote well she would probably try and listen for the wood's words, though they would not come. Fran could no longer hear the wood anyways, she had discarded it and was banished from her home.

When the young server put the drink down, pushing it towards the viera she nodded a thanks. It seemed like strange color drink, and she could smell the citrus that gave off a strong scent. Sliding her fingers around the rim of the glass, she picked it up carefully and just leaned back against the booth seat. Fran simply nodded in agreement to what her partner was saying, it was true. There nothing of interest to them in this city, it has been nothing but a big bore and a waste of time. When he asked if she had found anything out, she sighed and took a sip of the drink. This actually tasted pretty good, but back to his question.

"I'm afraid not, but I did find Penelo in a ruined city. That is where I had woke up, and did not see you beside me".

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[Balthier]

It took Fran a fair amount of time to answer him, but Balthier knew better than to push. There were clearly important things on her mind, and he had no place to take her from those thoughts. Balthier watched as she took a sip of the drink. He wondered if she enjoyed it as he did, so he cast her a smile as he took another drink. Alcohol was one thing that Balthier didn't mind indulging in from time to time, especially after such a wasteful day as he had thus far.

"I'm afraid not, but I did find Penelo in a ruined city. That is where I had woke up, and did not see you beside me."

Balthier looked to Fran with a furrowed brow. A ruined city. Why would Penelo be in such a place, and as far as Balthier knew, he did not leave Fran in such a place. Was he forgetting something? "Now what would Penelo have been doing in such a place...?" He allowed himself to muse aloud. The fact that he didn't know was a bit concerning, but it had appeared that everything had been turned upside down from the instant those peculiar things started happening.

Peculiar occurrences that made Balthier sick just to think about them. He tried to the best of his ability to push beyond all of those troubles, but somehow he always ended up thinking about them all over again. Was it really possible that he would come face to face with his father again? Trying to shake off his thoughts, Balthier grabbed his drink and took a very large drink. Perhaps, with luck, the alcohol would dull his nerves enough that he may be able to think a little clearer. Not many people would dare try to use alcohol with the intent of thinking clearer, but Balthier was a special kind of person.

"What will we do next then, Fran?" He asked softly, hoping she would have some ideas.