It took longer than Balthier expected to make it back to his homeland. A month, or maybe a bit more. He wouldn't be surprised if they thought he died by now. After all, he and Fran did go down with the Bahamut and never got a last message though, the one that said, 'by the way, we found a way off this crash landing hunk of metal'. But Balthier promised to take the Strahl back and nothing in Ivalice would stop him from it. He'd just only made it this far though.

Arcadia looked more beautiful than he remembered from his childhood. Or had it been that long since he could look on his homeland without bittersweet feelings? "Shall we see how things have got along since we left?" Slicking back his hair, he turned back as if to speak to someone. Then he remembered, no one tagged along behind him. His flippant hand gesture died as he shut his mouth. Right. The journey took its toll on Fran and though they both hated it, his ever present partner returned to her home to recuperate.

Neither wanted to part, but in some way, he knew Fran wanted to stay. The vierra worried over her enough to extend a temporary welcome and when she tried to say no, he ordered Fran to stay. Him and his big mouth. Now he had to talk to himself and that was so unfitting of the leading man who's heroics saved an entire city one month ago.

Balthier sighed and shook the memories off before he stepped onto the main rode. So far, he'd made no contact with any of his companions. There were a few reasons, but that didn't matter. First things first, he needed an airship because this walking did not suit him in the least. Balthier found himself heading to familiar alleys, looking for his childhood friend and favorite source for information. Because if he was to get anything done, he'd need as much as he could get.

It had been a long time, since Ashe took her place a queen and Larsa as emperor. Everyone else seem to go different directions in the past few months. Plus no one never heard from Balthier and Fran during that last battle. So as far everyone else knew they was dead but Basch didn't believe that. As for Basch, taking over his twin brother, Gabranth's place, also a personal guard of Larsa. The newly restructed 'Dreadnought Leviathan', flies over head the city and docks in the ship airport.

The people rush down the streets to greet the young emperor. No one else knew Bacsh was Judge Magister since he was wearing Gabranth's armor. Plus they was twins so to would be hard to tell. No one else knew his brother's death just only a few people. Larsa and Basch steps down the steps out of the ship. "It's been a while see people happy like this," Basch says. Larsa looks over at Basch and nods, "The war was bad for everyone, but me and Queen Ashe will work together to keep peace. With your help, Basch." Basch looks down thru his helmet, "Don't say my name loud m'lord. No one know about Gabranth's death, let's just get to the palace. I'm sure her highness is waiting." He escorts Larsa to the flying rover.

It didn't surprise Balthier at all to find his friend exactly where he left him last time they passed through Archades. Exactly like the no good bum he was.

"Jules!"

The other man started, nearly falling off the low wall he perched on, no doubt trying to look more harmless than he was. "What? Master Balthier?!" he cried out as he rushed forward as if to hug him. Balthier dodged the move so naturally that Jules didn't question it. "They said you died, but then, I always bet against such odds. The guys owe me more than you're worth."

"Well, I'm quite glad for your faith in me, friend. Maybe another time you can buy me a drink since it's my good fortune that brought yours. But alas now, it's information I seek."

Jules' sharp eyes gleaned more than Balthier cared from his face. "So you really just returned? I suppose it's the fate of your friends you want to learn of. Well, I can't say for sure, but Lord Larsa is emperor with Judge Gabranth at his side and Lady Ashe to be coronated in a month. I hear rumors of a young hero in Rabinastor, so I'd say they all came out alright.

Gabranth? No, that couldn't be right. "The Judge Magister is here then? And Lord Larsa?"

"Ah..." Jules scratched his head. "Actually I'd say you just missed them. I bet they landed in Rabinastor this morning. Off to visit before the coronation or so I hear and I have very good hearing."

Well, that put quite the damper on his plans. Balthier sighed and decided to put visiting home on hold. "I don't suppose you know where I could get an airship..."

Basch looks around as the rover takes them to the palace. There was signs of rebuilding thru the city, of course talk about Lady Ashe and her coronation. He was glad the princess could reclaim her throne and take care of those who started it. Basch wonders about those who he travel with and was curious about what they was doing.

The rover slows down and stops in front of the palace stairs. Him and Larsa gets out as one of Ashe's guards and bows, "Welcome, Princess Ashelia waiting for your arriveful. Of course, she is visiting the shrines of her father and husband."

Basch steps up and nods, "It's fine...we know our way. Please inform her highness, we are hear. For now I will escort the emperor to his room. It has been a long journey." Looking at the guard then to Larsa.

The guard bows and moves out of the way, "Of course, Judge Magister. Please enjoy your stay here."

Basch leads Larsa into the palace. Larsa looks over at him, "You should take the night off." He stops and speaks to Basch, "Go and have a drink or something. Ever since we left you have been watching me."

Reaching up and takes off his helmet, looking at his young charge. "You know I can't do that. I promise my brother's dieing word." He held his helmet over his arm. Larsa gave him that look. "Alright fine, I'll make sure to get someone else to take my place temporarily." He rubs the back of his neck. "I forget sometimes you have traveled alone with out him. Plus you can fight just as good."

Once he got Larsa settled in and it would be a while before seeing Ashe. Basch puts his hemlet back on and heads outside onto the streets.

The airship didn't account for much. It was tiny and the engine sputtered like it was trying to have a baby. It was nice of the royal army to leave it unattended for him to 'borrow' though and Balthier would take what he could get. Even by airship, it took some time to travel between the two capital cities and that gave him even more time to think.

So everything came out as it was supposed to? Larsa and Ashe, now leaders in peace. And Vaan with the Strahl. The heavens knew that overeager boy wanted it. Balthier planned to make his dashing come back later and reclaim the ship. Now though, some other instinct propelled him toward the city.

Whatever other plans he had, they flew away when he heard about Gabranth. Curiosity fueled him, just the need to see this in person. And perhaps the possibility of who else it might be. Basch and Gabranth did look the same and though Balthier refused to admit it, that possibility made him change plans. They had...something between them. So of all the familiar faces, he gravitated toward that one the most.

By the time Balthier landed the airship just outside of Rabinastor, the afternoon sun edged closer to evening. He checked his guns, fixed the cuffs on his shirt, then slipped into the city. Now, to find some dramatic way to corner this 'Gabranth' and sate his curiosity once and for all.

Basch knew he should return to the palace but Larsa had order him to take it easy. It still made him uncomfortable since he wasn't the type of man that could relax. Unlike someone else he knew. It felt like it was only yesterday that they escape but left Balthier and Fran behind to die. No one else didn't believe that they could have survived the crash that they was dead. He never wanted to believe it though.

Standing outside of a pub, Basch looks up at the sky, hoping one day he would find the truth. "Basch, why can you move on with your life?" he thought to himself. He let's out a chuckle, "I must be a fool sometimes..." He mumbles and turns around heading inside the pub. The operator of the pub greets him, "Oh, Judge Gabranth its a pleasure to see you this evening. Do yu want a booth or a private room so you won't be bothered?"

A private room would be good. He could remove this armor and try to relax. "A private room please..." He finally says as he pulls out a bag of gil. The owner shows him to the room.

The good thing about times of peace? No one tried to cover their tracks. It took all of ten minutes to figure out where Larsa was staying and a couple more exchanges of gossip to track the judge's movements from there. As far as anyone else said, the man was Gabranth. Not even the most savvy gossiper offered him more.

"Well, isn't this much too easy?" Balthier muttered as he paused to rest outside of the pub. He leaned back against the wall, careful of where he put his weight. A minute later, he had his usual face perfectly in place and no hesitations--not that he really had those in the first place.

Balthier sweet talked his way into gaining access to the private room and a minute later, he waltzed right eyes, his eyes raking over the room with a calculating air despite his casual grace. "I heard judge Gabranth came back from the dead and had to see it myself. So which is it, Gabranth...or Basch?"

Basch's heart skipped a beat or two when he heard that smooth voice. It was true, they clearly had something special between them when they was traveling together. Since no one could see the shock on his face. His body language was a different story.

Basch took a moment to calm himself then spoke,"Coming from one who is supposedly dead himself.....Balthier...." He reaches up and lifts off his head piece and sets it down on the table. Thank god, he asked for a private room. Since he didn't want to blow his true identity. No one else knew what became of the brothers, or who was who.

Basch turns around, having had his back to the door and Balthier, he looks at him. "So you're alive, I always knew you was. Especially after finding no signs of yours or Fran's bodies." It was easy to tell that he was Basch if they looked closely enough at his forehead. A scar. Gabranth never had a scar but then hardly anyone would see his face.

Balthier knew he guessed right from the second he heard that voice. It might be silly since their voices also undoubtedly sounded similar, but Balthier liked to think he could recognize a friend even without the help of a scar. "Basch..." He breathed the word out. Until now, he didn't realize how tense he felt, just waiting for proof, or a familiar voice. Maybe both.

A second later, he broke his trance and strode for the table. "At least I'm not pretending to be my twin brother," he said as he grabbed the glass of liquor Basch had waiting and gulped it down. "Anyway, didn't I say that a man of my role never dies? I hope you never doubted that. Me and Fran...just had a little set back is all. You should be honored I showed my face to you before the grand comeback I have planned." Or planned to plan.

Basch watches him and it was indeed the real Balthier. No one else could have pass for him. Looking around thinking the vierra was with him as well but it look like he was alone. The blond looks back over and walks over to the table.

"It was my brother's last wish. To protect everything and Larsa," Basch sits down, he couldn't stop staring at Balthier. He was happy that he was alive but part of him wanted to punch Balthier for being so damn stupid and making everyone worry especially Basch. He never wanted to believe he had lost him before saying something. Maybe how he felt.

Basch leans back in his chair, "Of course, you did but it was still foolish. Then again you saved Rabinastor by keep the Bahumut from falling on the city. So yes I am..." He grabs another glass and pours himself a glass. "So what now? Are you going to stick around or get the Strahl back from Vaan? I hear they had keeping busy." He wonder why he came back so soon and what was his grand comeback going to be.

"Of course it was his wish," Balthier said with a dismissive wave of his hand. No doubt this was the real Basch because no one else had that kind of blind loyalty even to a brother he once fought or the emperor of a kingdom that wasn't his. It was somewhere between admirable and stupid.

He watched Basch for a second, his eyes following all of the man's little gestures. Though it seemed strange to see him like this, Balthier didn't hate the hair cut or even the armor on him even if judges still brought sour thoughts to him. Rubbing a finger around the rim of his glass, he feinted disinterest in Basch's question. "Obviously I want my ship back. That's a given, but I promised Fran that I wouldn't go off on any adventures without her. For now, the both of us are just laying low..." Not even being reminded of how grandly he saved the city brought a grin to his face.

Basch stares into the glass as he never though he would be here. After all his twin, praticely switch places, during that raid. Everyone else thought Basch was the one who killed Ashe's father, and made him a traitor. He should have hated his brother but he always loved him. So on Gabranth's dead bed just made all of that disappeared, since it was Vayne's hunger for power.

Taking a sip and looks over at Balthier, "So, I take it she return home? Well, that's good. It gives you two a breather after all of that. I wish I could say the same for me." He chuckles lightly. "Every since taking this position has been a lot. So once we arrived here, Lord Larsa, ordered me to take a break." He take another sip then sets the glass down.

The judge undoes the straps of his armor and removes the top of it. He fixes his tunic that he wore underneath it. Before he orders another bottle of ale. "So where you going to stay? I could pay for you to have a room here. I doubt it you want to stay at the palace." Basch took a moment to look Balthier over. He hasn't change on bit and he was glad. He hopes the sky pirate would had never change.

Balthier nodded his head as he thought of Fran. "She needed to, though she hated it. Said she'd only stay if I promised to do the same and go home for a while." Which technically he had. He did try to follow Fran's wishes, but as always, his sky pirate nature took over and he went off doing what he wanted. He did still plan to avoid adventures and there would be no flying of the Strahl without his trusted co-pilot.

"Figures you'd only listen when some kid orders you to take a break," Balthier chuckled. He poured himself more to drink, still gulping instead of sipping the liquid. "I figure I can find a place. Don't need you going and getting all charitable on me, Mr Honorable Judge Magister. I can always sleep on the airship I stole." He rolled his eyes and leaned forward to stretch, his stiff muscles protesting. Ending his stretch prematurely, he tried to keep the cringe off his face. Okay, an actual bed would be nice. "...But if you insist..."

Basch gave him a look but then he was right. "You know, you're right but he is emperor so I have to." Struggles as another bottle of ale was delievered. Basch pays the waitress who stares up at him and blushes before she left. He looks at him and shakes his head, "I don't know if that was sarcastic or something else. Beside despite your past, we are friends, even if you are sky pirate."

He rubs his chin, thinking for a moment. "Plus the last time I check, you are still wanted. So yea it's best to take my offer." He smiles lightly at him. " I'll make sure no one else knows you are here. Also, since when was the last time you slept in a bed?" He says leaning over onto the table. "Those airship beds aren't that comfortable. I should know." His neck was sore from Levaition's beds.

Balthier really did grin at that. "Sarcastic? I have no idea why you would think such a thing. Don't you know me better than that?" It was exactly as Basch said. He was a sky pirate and he was more than proud of that. He eyed the ale and finished off the last bit that was in his glass. Basch of course, had a point. "I'm accepting your offer, but only because I deserve it. This doesn't make me owe you." Always one to hate debts, he made sure to specify that.

"I happen to enjoy sleeping on airships, but since you insist." He downed another glass of ale. "Why don't we just get drunk and forget about all that, shall we?" Never mind what happened last time they got drunk together.

Basch grabs the bottle and pours another glass. He smirks, "From the moment I met you. I knew you was different than most people. Even if I was locked up hanging in a cage back then. And I don't expected you to owe me either." He says, downing another glass. He had nearly forgotten what happen last time they drank together. That's when he knew their friendship was more than it seemed.

Hoping it was the same even after than. It was clear to him when they left him behind. There was nothing he could do about it. He had to get the princess and Larsa to safely. "I'll drink to that, Balthier." Toasting to him before drinking. He already had two glass and now had a nice little buzz going.

Balthier raised his glass in toast before knocking it back. He'd relaxed in his chair by this point, one arm over the back and his legs stretched out in front of him. So much happened since the two of them first met. At the time, he couldn't even say he expected friendship out of the man. When they shared their one drunken kiss though, they had too much on their minds to do more than bury it. Truth was, Balthier wouldn't mind if it happened again though.

"I have to admit, you were always a bit different than what I imagined as well. It's not bad, mind you. Just different." He loosened the front of his shirt a little before pouring himself another glass. If he wanted to get drunk, then he needed to try a lot harder. He hadn't the chance to drink to this degree since the crash and now he relished it.

Basch raise his glass to the light, looking thru the clear and the liquid. He only set it down as he looks at Balthier, "Gee, thanks but I guess that was always true. I guess I'm not as good being some else. Not like my brother." He stands up and removes the bottom half. It was nice to have the armor off for a while, wearing that around all the time always took a toll on him. Plus wearing light clothes under it does make it earlier to change.

There was a long sofa in the room, Basch walks over and stretches out on it. His mind couldn't to thinking about what happen. "Balthier..do you ever think about that night in Bhujerba?" He knew he never had forgotten it but he just never brought it up until now. The war is over. Vayne is dead. And in a months time Rabinatior will have her true heir on the throne. So what reason he should bring it up now? None, he hope, now Balthier is right infront of him.

His eyes watching Basch's every move, Balthier thought on the past. Did he ever think about it? Yes, far more often than he'd like to admit. It wasn't the sort of thing a prideful man brought up though. He sighed and dragged a hand through his hair, leaving his earrings jingling. "We never talked about it. Guess now is a good time?" Either that, or get drunk enough to repeat it. This time, because there was nothing holding them back. Not because they were stressed and maybe a little hurt. Balthier didn't like to admit it but how things ended with his father ate at him so much back then.

Balthier stood and glided over to Basch with his drink in hand. "Are you looking for a repeat?" he asked before perching on the arm of the couch, one eyebrow raised.

Basch watches every movement the other made. He never knew how much he missed him until now. Also never though he would see him again. It made him wonder why Balthier was really here for. "No we haven't, I guess for good reason to since we was all busy." He says and looks up at the ceiling. Plus Balthier had to go and play the hero to stop Bahamut from clashing. Not that he was greatful because he was. If the floating mental had hit the city, there would been none, and all those people would had died. Either way he was scare to lose Balthier, since they haven't discussed.

"There was...is something there between us isn't? Or we wouldn't have kiss..no matter if we was drunk or not," Basch says, sitting up as he slowly reaches over and take Balthier"s free hand into his own. "Because over the time we spent together..I mean with everyone else. Til the time we was apart. I knew what I felt with you was real. Never knew I would see you again, ate me up." Stroking his finger on the back of Balthier's hand.

Balthier sighed and pulled away some. He wanted to act and to forget everything, not to talk and remember it all. He did say they should discuss it though. "Perhaps. I don't know. I wasn't even planning on meeting you like this, but then I went and did it anyway," he admitted. It hurt to say that no, this wasn't a part of the plan at all.

He lifted their hands to stare at them. It felt good. He wouldn't deny that. Still, he would keep his cool and collected face on as much as he could. One eyebrow quirked up for a second before he whispered. "So you tell me if there's something between us." He leaned forward again, waiting for a repeat of their last last drunken night--even though he wasn't anything like drunk now. Either that or Basch should end it here and then he could get the man off his mind.

Of course, he knew Balthier would deny it. He was a prideful man that did his own thing. He hope he could be something more to him. He felt that there was something there. Or they would never had kissed in the first place. Basch watches Balthier's face closely, trying to find a answer. It was hard to read the pirate. The man was all business of course.

Just then it hit him, was Balthier pulling away from him? Or something? No..he couldn't let that happen. That day he thought he had lost him. He wasn't going to let that happen again. So without even answering his question. He moves closer toward the man's face and presses his lips against Balthier's. Hoping the other wouldn't pull back or even hit him.

There it was, his answer. Balthier griped Basch's hair and found himself missing the longer cut. He had nothing to hold on to or pull the other man closer with. They were something though. Probably. More than likely. He deepened the kiss before finally pulling back. A flush warmed his face and sweat gathered under his collar. That composed mask of his melted away and he hid his face behind a hand to hide it. "Well, we've kissed twice now. I guess that makes us official," he said like it was a joke, or that this wasn't a big deal. His real self was showing though. Basch got under his skin a long time ago and he was only just now letting it show. If that meant they were in some kind of relationship, he didn't know.

Now he wish he didn't cut his hair. He missed having Balthier's fingers going thru it before. The kiss was just like he remember even after being drunk. It was his personality he had falling in love with. Just everything about him really. They did get on each others nerves sometime but that just to be the reason. Once the kiss was deepen, Basch slips his arms around the other's waist. He felt the kiss end and he opens his eyes and looks at him. "I sure would think so. I think every leading man like you, needs some one special, don't they?" Basch gives him a peck on the lips, "I never though I would get to see you again. I care for you deeply." He says calmly.

Balthier huffed a little at that response, something like a smirk crossing over his face. It helped him get his bearing again and he danced his fingers along Basch's shoulder. "Oh? I think you might be right there. A leading man deserves everything he wants or he'll just have to steal it. I don't suppose I have to go stealing in order to get you?" It was such a sounding thing to say that he wanted to shoot himself. He must really want Basch to talk so desperately. Unable to come up with any kind of response to the emotional admission, Balthier settled for another quick kiss. He couldn't admit to much in terms of feelings right now.