Somehow I Always Find My Way To You

[portolan]

Comments

[floresco]

"You can't be a pirate without a reputation for philandering," she retorts crisply and stays close to Balthier, trying her best to look as mild and pleasant as possible - something she understood wives were supposed to be good at doing.

"Besides I heard that princess was as tall as a man. So we don't look that alike at all."

[portolan]

Now is not the time or place for him to dwell on the way her reaction to that particular piece of his reputation gives him a sense of surprised relief. It's probably just his continued awe that they've become something of friends, given their terrible start.

If he knew her logic on what a wife ought to be, he'd laugh his pretty ass off -- probably before feeling terrible that she was likely right for all the marriage prospects she'd ever had.

"Must be why they're having so much trouble marrying her off. I hear she's pushy too."

[floresco]

Aerith's hand finds its way to Balthier's back subconsciously steadying herself with the touch.

She laughs weakly at Balthier's remark and looks up at him, silently imploring him to get her out of here. "Sure wasn't my problem with you, right darling? You just had to get me to agree to keep you around!"

[portolan]

Well, she's doing an excellent job playing the part, but it takes all his excellence as a con man to not raise a brow at the demure persona she's chosen.

"Thank you for the laugh, and the good business," Balthier says with a grin, agreeing it's time to go.

Which works until the other customer follows them. "Hadn't heard anything about the great Balthier getting married. Going to break a lot of hearts."

Should have gone with niece.

[floresco]

"Well..." Aerith isn't sure what to make of the other customer's remark. Thinking of Balthier as having many lovers at any given port annoys her for reasons she's determined not to think heavily about.

Still, she channels that spark of irritation into a roll of her eyes, giving the stranger a shrug as she tightens her arm around Balthier's middle. "Their loss."

[portolan]

The choked laugh Balthier gives is entirely genuine. He gives the customer a wink, shrugging as he pulls Aerith to his side. "When she's right, she's right."

And he takes advantage of a passing group of noisy teens to duck them into an alley, disentangling from Aerith except to keep hold of her hand, pulling her into an alcove for a moment while he checks to see if they were followed.

"You're getting better at lying," he says approvingly. "About time."

[floresco]

"Hopefully it doesn't cost you too many dates," she replies, slipping her hand free of his, bothering herself with her own words.

"Does this mean I have to be your wife the whole time we're here now?"

[portolan]

"I'll manage somehow," he says, not even really processing what he's saying because it's so far from reality. He assumes the frustration in Aerith's tone is utter distaste at having to act like she likes him. Well. Fair enough.

"It does. We need to spread a believable enough story no one is going to take reports of your being here seriously." Knowing she hates it, he ruffles her hair before holding an arm out to her. "You can get me back by picking our cover next time. Dear."

[floresco]

Groaning at the thought of having to be convincing, she crosses her arms over her chest, frowning gravely at him.

"Okay, but, don't order me around too much just because I have to listen." Because brides, especially royal, diplomatically dispatched ones, are only good if they're doing everything their husbands tell themm to.

[portolan]

"Why would a con make you listen to me any more than normal?"

As soon as it's out of his mouth, he flinches, knowing exactly why.

"Commoners typically wed for companionship, and frankly, ordering you around sounds exhausting. You just need to convince people we're used to being around each other. Up to you whether you like me. I'll follow your lead." That's probably the easiest way not to blow their cover.

[floresco]

Aerith relaxes hearing that being subservient played no part in the marriages of regular people. She still isn't sure how she's supposed to act like a wife - maybe even less so now after she's found out she doesn't have to be silent and yielding, but she's stubborn enough to keep going, reaching out and taking his hand again with a firm nod.

"Okay, let's go." She sounds so serious about it, it's almost like they're undertaking some important mission rather than at port for a while.

[portolan]

The prospect of an unhappy political marriage had played into his own desire to leave. It's strange, now, that he's forgotten to be sensitive to it.

Amazing, though, to have carved his own path so thoroughly.

He can't help but chuckle at the way she takes his hand, so serious. Maybe it's the memories, maybe it's a fondness for how much she's changed these past few months. Regardless, he squeezes her hand back, feeling more at ease with the gesture than he'd have anticipated. And maybe wanting to see if it flusters her.

"I have an informant we can't see for a few hours. I want to restock my tea and spices, and I want as many people as possible to see us. Is there anything you want to see to while we wait?"

[floresco]

"You want to be seen with me?" Considering what the customer inside the shop said just moments ago about how fond Balthier was of having a string of random lovers, she's surprised he wants something that would undoubtedly dampen his chances of having a tryst while they're here at port. Not that she minds in the slightest, though she's not going to examine why she's so content to be seen with him and keep this ruse going.

"Where do married people go? Certainly not a tavern, right?" She'd heard about the kinds of things that happen in the shadowy corners of drinking houses - it was a favorite cautionary tale of her caretakers.

[portolan]

"You're not that embarrassing anymore," he says brightly. "You only put your foot in your mouth once or twice a day now."

Her question makes him glance at her though. He supposes that makes sense that she's not been around non-royal couples. "The ones I like do. There's not really a specific script, not among thieves and pirates at any rate. Mostly they do what they did before they were married.

Why, itching to go to a tavern? I can buy you a drink and people can coo at how cute and tiny my wife is. A few might even assume you bite."

[floresco]

Scowling she shifts slightly, gently elbowing his side with a huff. "I've never put my foot in my mouth. Ever."

It's an intriguing process, though she's not sure how she feels about being cooed over like that. "I do bite. But, aren't taverns really dangerous? My governesses used to tell me people only go to public drinking houses to get drunk and do things to one another in the shadows."

[portolan]

"Right, of course, dear. My mistake."

Well this is a good dear more fun than he expected.

He raises a brow at her question. "Well now I think you have to find out. Pirate initiation and all." Tightening his grip on her hand, he changes course for a local favorite, aware she's likely tensing at his side.

Of course, it's just a warm wooden building with nice rugs and good healthy potted plants, atmosphere sleepy in the afternoon light. He greets the barkeep brightly, making a point to also greet the children helping quietly in the corner and the workers taking a break.

"Absolutely sordid," he whispers in her ear as they take a comfortable seat near the kitchen door -- always have an escape route.

[floresco]

"You're not going to pull me off into a corner right? We're not that married." Aerith braces herself before stepping into the tavern, unmistakably shocked at what she finds once she comes inside. The space is cozy, it does smell a bit like ale, but it's a far cry from the dens of inequity she was warned about.

Still bewildered, she looks at Balthier, shaking her head at that hushed remark. "I was told never to come to places like this - does it get sordid at night?"

[portolan]

He manages not to laugh outright, but he's not doing a good job keeping the grin off his face. "Things can get out of hand on a rowdy weekend or holidays, but, it's not any worse than court revels. Often better since people keep an eye on each other and are free to intervene. Strangely enough, commoners are utterly civilized."

He nods his thanks at the barkeep brings them light table ale.

"Disappointed your tales are just stories? I know rich girls like to imagine being whisked away for lurid adventures with handsome rogues. I'm sure we could arrange for someone to kiss you in the dark if that's what you're after."

[floresco]

"Arrange for someone to..." Aerith trails off, looking aghast as she leans away from Balthier, frowning. "I don't want a prostitute."

[portolan]

He raises a brow. "Have you never asked someone for a kiss? Used to ordering them around, no questions asked?"

[floresco]

"Of course not I'm a–" Aerith stops, straightening in her seat as she catches herself and finishes that thought without outing herself. "Respectable young woman. You can't just ask people for things like that, you're supposed to just wait and hope."

[portolan]

What a miserable existence. Though he expects if he expresses any pity for her, she might stab him.

Instead, he leans back in his seat, taking a sip of his ale. "You should try it some time. It's a good deal less frustrating."

And safer, honestly. One of the other things he hated about court -- all the manipulation and control.

"Besides. Then you get the chance to say no, too. Or, gods forbid, yes."

[floresco]

Watching him, Aerith takes a moment before following suit, lifting her glass of ale and having an experimental first sip.

"For someone who lectures me about taking everything seriously, you're very interested in getting me to fool around. Are all pirates so contrary?"

[portolan]

It's easy enough to pretend to be watching the tavern while he actually amusedly watches her sip the ale.

"Oh, worse than me," he promises cheerily. "One of the ways you're a natural fit for the profession."

He's debating actually telling her that she ought to use her freedom to ... live ... when he's interrupted by a familiar voice saying his name. He turns his head and grins. Celia, and old friend. Who he doesn't note is gorgeous with flattering clothing. He's just getting up to hug her.

"I heard a gorgeous pirate was in town but I didn't think I'd be so lucky as to run into you," she laughs, kissing him on each cheek.

[floresco]

Aerith, however, absolutely does notice how beautiful the strange woman calling to Balthier is, and her stomach sinks while she watches him react so favorably, going so far as to rise from his seat to let this stranger kiss his cheeks and call him gorgeous.

Glaring daggers at them both, she bites her bottom lip, quickly finishing off more than half of the glass of ale in front of her before clearing her throat loudly.

"Do you touch everybody's husbands like that? Because you're certainly touching mine."