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31_days2009-12-13 06:20 pm
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2009-12-13 06:20 pm
[Dec. 13] [Final Fantasy XII] Rain Mirrors
Title: Rain Mirrors
Day/Theme: Dec. 13, 2009 "your silhouette is still my reflection"
Series: Final Fantasy XII
Character/Pairing: Ashe, main party
Rating: G
In the cloud-covered gray sky there was no sign of the peaceable blue that was usually displayed there. There was only one continuous backdrop of gray showing various tints and shades as light broke through more powerfully in some stretched and strained areas. Rain began to fall again in the distance and the sky whitened up like the forth on a tankard of ale. The rain was coming closer. When the first cool drop stuck her bare shoulder, Ashe shivered despite herself. The attire that had seemed, if not entirely practical, at least weather appropriate in Rabanastre and its environs was painfully inadequate in the mountains and highlands. But it was inconvenient to carry an extensive change of clothes. They were all in the same boat in this regard.
Ashe raised her head and several drops slid down her hair. Fran was poised at the ready, bow in hand, surveying the umber landscape from a rise of striated rock. Her ears twitched slightly, sending water flying, but the action appeared more motivated by instinct than annoyance. She seemed as indifferent to the weather as a hardy mountain pine. Though Ashe had been too wrapped up in her own issues to pay attention at the time, she wouldn't be surprised to hear that Fran hadn't so much as shivered as they trudged through the Paramina Rift.
Ashe shuddered with a nervous jolt as a pair of thick, calloused hands fell onto her shoulders. She turned to see Basch behind her, leaning slightly over the crouching princess to shelter her from the rain. His touch was more than gentle- it bordered on apologetic- but it had still been unexpected. Basch was still on eggshells around her, even though Ashe knew he was not the traitor she had once taken him for. He seemed resigned to the bitterness of life. At the very least, he was used to spending time around difficult personalities.
Penelo watched his thoughtful treatment of the cold royal and hoped that Ashe appreciated at least some measure of his kindness toward her. Penelo could only wish that someone here would treat her that way. Larsa would, but he was back in Archades now. If the rain fell on that city as well, no doubt the young prince was safe and dry within the palace. The feathers in her hair drooped with the weight of the moisture.
"This is the right way," Balthier conferred with his partner, "I'm certain of it."
"You are close, but a slightly more eastern trajectory would be more precise."
Balthier might be grumbling now, but he would follow Fran's advice. Of the two she was the more skilled tracker.
"Is anyone else hungry? Because I'm getting really hungry," Vaan spoke up. He had tried to hold in his feelings as long as he could, but as no one else was speaking up, he had broken his strained silence. The rain he could handle, but his stomach was something else.
"Vaan," Penelo sighed. He was so embarrassing. Like a little kid.
"No," Ashe stopped her, "I am hungry too." The rain provided a mirror in which she could see that at some point they had cohered together into a functioning group. It must have happened gradually. These things usually did. Ashe had thought of herself as different, an outsider, for reasons of purpose and birth, but out under the elements the differences weren't so clear. None of them was that different from the others after all.
Day/Theme: Dec. 13, 2009 "your silhouette is still my reflection"
Series: Final Fantasy XII
Character/Pairing: Ashe, main party
Rating: G
In the cloud-covered gray sky there was no sign of the peaceable blue that was usually displayed there. There was only one continuous backdrop of gray showing various tints and shades as light broke through more powerfully in some stretched and strained areas. Rain began to fall again in the distance and the sky whitened up like the forth on a tankard of ale. The rain was coming closer. When the first cool drop stuck her bare shoulder, Ashe shivered despite herself. The attire that had seemed, if not entirely practical, at least weather appropriate in Rabanastre and its environs was painfully inadequate in the mountains and highlands. But it was inconvenient to carry an extensive change of clothes. They were all in the same boat in this regard.
Ashe raised her head and several drops slid down her hair. Fran was poised at the ready, bow in hand, surveying the umber landscape from a rise of striated rock. Her ears twitched slightly, sending water flying, but the action appeared more motivated by instinct than annoyance. She seemed as indifferent to the weather as a hardy mountain pine. Though Ashe had been too wrapped up in her own issues to pay attention at the time, she wouldn't be surprised to hear that Fran hadn't so much as shivered as they trudged through the Paramina Rift.
Ashe shuddered with a nervous jolt as a pair of thick, calloused hands fell onto her shoulders. She turned to see Basch behind her, leaning slightly over the crouching princess to shelter her from the rain. His touch was more than gentle- it bordered on apologetic- but it had still been unexpected. Basch was still on eggshells around her, even though Ashe knew he was not the traitor she had once taken him for. He seemed resigned to the bitterness of life. At the very least, he was used to spending time around difficult personalities.
Penelo watched his thoughtful treatment of the cold royal and hoped that Ashe appreciated at least some measure of his kindness toward her. Penelo could only wish that someone here would treat her that way. Larsa would, but he was back in Archades now. If the rain fell on that city as well, no doubt the young prince was safe and dry within the palace. The feathers in her hair drooped with the weight of the moisture.
"This is the right way," Balthier conferred with his partner, "I'm certain of it."
"You are close, but a slightly more eastern trajectory would be more precise."
Balthier might be grumbling now, but he would follow Fran's advice. Of the two she was the more skilled tracker.
"Is anyone else hungry? Because I'm getting really hungry," Vaan spoke up. He had tried to hold in his feelings as long as he could, but as no one else was speaking up, he had broken his strained silence. The rain he could handle, but his stomach was something else.
"Vaan," Penelo sighed. He was so embarrassing. Like a little kid.
"No," Ashe stopped her, "I am hungry too." The rain provided a mirror in which she could see that at some point they had cohered together into a functioning group. It must have happened gradually. These things usually did. Ashe had thought of herself as different, an outsider, for reasons of purpose and birth, but out under the elements the differences weren't so clear. None of them was that different from the others after all.