94 Desire

Departing Ondore's mansion, Andrew made his way to the nearby town. It was technically a suburb, as even independent islands were considered a part of Bhujerba, but it felt weird to refer to such an antiquated-looking district, resembling ancient stone ruins before they fell into disrepair, with modern terminology.

Lucky for Andrew, the people of Bhujerba had a way of referring to each section of the Sky City/Continent. The town closest to Ondore's mansion was colloquially known as Travica Way, an area of steep roads with high walls, a multitude of shops, and temple-like buildings that functioned as windbreakers against the powerful, frequent, and frigid gusts that swept through the city.

Though he could have teleported directly to Penelo's side, Andrew took the opportunity to get a feel for the city as he tracked her and the rest of the group to a fairly famous tavern in the east known as the Cloudborne. Its location was barely a stone's throw from the Lhusu Mines, where the group originally encountered Larsa in the game, so Andrew couldn't help wondering if the hands of fate were in motion.

Entering the busy tavern, which also served as an Inn to accommodate outsiders and tourists, Andrew was somewhat confused to find Penelo sitting slumped at a table by herself. She appeared to be lost in thought, so much so that she didn't notice his approach until he reached her side and asked, "Did the others leave you here...?"

Perking up quite a bit, a smile developed across Penelo's face before immediately turning awkward as she explained, "Vaan went to take a look around the city while Fran, Balthier, and Basch went to gather information. I...I don't know how to do things like that, so I figured it was best if I just stayed here..."

Seeing through Penelo's half-hearted attempt at obfuscation, Andrew's expression softened as he said, "Just because you've chosen to be with me, that's no reason to avoid your friends. I won't get jealous if you run off to explore and have fun with Vaan."

Adopting a more natural smile, a faint shade of red developed through Penelo's cheeks as she retracted her shoulders, pressed the tips of her fingers together, and replied, "Thanks, Andrew. I appreciate that...but, the thing is, I want to explore with you, not Vaan..."

"Oh~?" responded Andrew, grinning from ear to ear as he asked, "Are you saying you want to go on a date?"

"Not...exactly..." replied Penelo, regaining her awkwardness as she meekly appended, "I just want to spend more time together and learn more about you..."

Extending his hand for Penelo to grasp, Andrew pulled the adorable, pig-tailed cutie to her feet and said, "Then, let's go. It will likely be a day or two before we make any headway, so anywhere you want to go, anything you want to do, that's what we'll do."

While processing Andrew's words, Penelo's astonished look gradually relaxed into a smile as she said, "If that's the case, I'd like you to teach me how to fly. I also don't want to be a liability to everyone else, so if I can learn some Magick, that would be nice..."

"Let's move somewhere else to talk about this," said Andrew, noticing a few wayward gazes and perked ears among the people within the tavern.

"That's probably for the best," said Penelo, grasping Andrew's arm as if it were the most reasonable thing to do. In response, he led her out of the tavern with a relaxed smile, waiting until they reached the exterior before picking her up in a princess carry, surprising her and several passersby as he leaped high into the sky without falling...

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Though Penelo didn't have an aptitude for learning Black Magic through her available Jobs or the items manufactured in the world of FFIX, it ultimately didn't matter since Andrew could provide her with Materia from FFVII. More specifically, he outfitted her with a Ninja Armlet adorned with the Wind, Ice, and Chakra Materias alongside a pair of bladed Chakrams from the world of FFXIV. She was a little confused when he initially gave her the latter, but when she learned they were weapons associated with Dancers, she resolved to learn and master them.

"Hyaaah~!" exclaimed Penelo, twisting her lithe and athletic body with her hand trailing behind her, using her shoulder, elbow, and wrist like a whip as she flung the Chakram at a skeletal Fiend, known simply as a Skeleton. The ring-shaped blade zipped past the Skeleton's head, missing its mark, but due to the wristlets that came with the unusual set of blades, Penelo was able to spin her body, drawing the loosed projectile back as if it were attached to a piece of bungee cord.

Before catching the first Chakram, Penelo unleashed the second, this time striking the Skeleton directly in the chest as she readied herself to receive the first. Having fast-moving blades arc back at her was terrifying, but so long as she kept her fingers straight and hands away from her body, the Chakrams would fly back and hover just over her open palm, allowing her to grab and throw them against. In other words, she didn't need to catch them, per se. She just had to ensure her hands were properly positioned to receive them, using the force of the rebound to spin and chain together additional attacks.

After catching both blades, Penelo exhaled a sigh of relief and remarked, "This is way more unnerving than I thought it'd be..."

"You'll get used to it," said Andrew, forming his right hand into a faux gun as he aimed his index finger at a bat-like fiend known as a Steeling. They were technically avians with wide maws, clawed hands, and leathery bat-like wings with a deep purple hue on the back and beige on the front, but such characteristics couldn't be seen once Andrew unleashed a 'beam' of electricity, piercing the creature's body, creating a wide hole and causing the rest to disperse into blackened char.

Seeing how easily Andrew dealt with an opponent she couldn't hit, Penelo remarked, "Maybe...but I doubt I'll ever reach your level..."

"I would have thought the same about myself a few months ago," said Andrew, retracting his hand and blowing the tip of his finger as if clearing smoke from a gun barrel. Then, meeting Penelo's gaze, he added, "Limits can be overcome. If you push yourself and never cease trying to improve, you may not be able to reach god-like levels of power, but you can always get stronger."

As if to give Penelo the opportunity to overcome her doubts, three more Skeletons emerged from the ground, rising to their feet before shambling toward her and Andrew with outstretched hands. They were among the weakest of Fiends found in their current location, the Lhusu Mines, but if you lowered your guard, you could find yourself surrounded as they had a penchant to 'materialize' in groups.

Since Andrew had already told her he wouldn't intervene unless she were in danger, Penelo inhaled a deep, steadying breath before exhaling it and adopting a serious expression with her Chakrams raised above her head like a Dancer readying for an important performance. She knew Andrew was closely observing her every movement, so she did her best to move smoothly and gracefully as she dispatched the Skeletons, even going so far as to pirouette in her attempts to impress and prove herself worthy of the tremendous power and opportunities he had provided...

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*tok* *tok* *tok*

On the eve of their third day in Bhujerba, a knocking sounded on the door to Andrew's inn room, prompting him to open his eyes and rise to a seated position, exposing his lean yet muscular upper body. He could have easily equipped/adorned something to cover himself, but as he could sense who was outside, he made his way over, unlocked, and opened the door with a cheeky smile, asking, "Did you come to join me...?"

Standing with crossed arms and a neutral expression, Fran explained, "We will soon depart to meet with the Marquis. Will you be joining us?"

"Might as well," replied Andrew, covering his mouth to stifle a yawn. He could just as easily infiltrate the Leviathan without allowing himself to be arrested, but he liked the idea of being conveniently escorted directly to the Dreadnaught's control room.

"We away shortly," said Fran, turning to leave. When Andrew leaned his head out the door to admire her departing figure, however, Fran stopped, staring back at him over her shoulder for several seconds before asking, "That conditioner you gifted me...do you have any more?"

"As much as you need," replied Andrew, the corners of his smile curling upward. He could tell Fran expected him to try and leverage the situation to his advantage, but while he wouldn't mind sharing his bed with her, he wasn't desperate. She also wasn't particularly suited to the position of a Proxy, being an exile from her home, so Andrew saw no reason to press the matter beyond casual flirting, pulling out a large bottle of conditioner and presenting it to the slightly frowning Viera without a fuss.

Looking away from Andrew, Fran stated, "You should hold onto it. I've no need for it where we're going..."

Shrugging his shoulders, Andrew returned the conditioner to his Item Box and said, "Then, I'll be down in a few minutes," before turning around and retreating to the interior of his room, leaving the door open. Fran turned to stare at it, but instead of caving to her curiosity and stealing a glance into the room, she eventually shook her head, turned away, and departed...

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"Sir Basch fon Ronsenburg. It was not so very long ago that I announced you had been executed..." said Ondore, seated behind his triangle-shaped desk, flanked by two cat-like Rev, one with blue fur and the other orange.

"And that is the only reason I draw breath," replied Basch, standing tall and proud in more traditional Rabanastran attire.

"Haaaa...."

Exhaling a sigh, Ondore leaned forward onto his elbows, linking his fingers together as he exasperated, "So you are the sword he's strung above my head. Vayne has left little to chance..."

Directing his gaze to Andrew, Ondore tarried momentarily before looking back at Basch and asking, "And? For what reason have you come here...?"

"A leader of the Resistance has fallen into Imperial hands. A woman by the name of Amalia..." explained Basch, raising and gripping his right hand into a fist as he added, "I would rescue her, but I need your help."

Hearing Basch speak as if the true identity of 'Amalia' was still a secret, Ondore raised his right brow ever so slightly. Instead of calling this into question, however, he decided to play along, sitting straighter as he said, "This Resistance leader–this Amalia. She must be very important for you to come here so soon after your return from the grave..."

Instead of answering Ondore with words, Basch placed his hand over his heart and gave a solemn nod. In response, Ondore rose from his throne-like chair, stepping off to the side with the aid of a turquoise-tipped cane as he said, "Captain Ronsenberg...you understand I have my position to consider. Surely the exigencies of position are not lost on you..."

Turning to meet Basch's gaze, Ondore adopted a somewhat menacing smile, adding, "Why indeed, you should find the enemy's chains an easy burden to bear..."

Though he initially reacted with shock, realization flashed across Basch's face when he saw the 'severity' in Ondore's eyes. Balthier also noticed it, but as he wasn't particularly fond of being taken prisoner, he extended his hand and shouted, "Wait!" in a vain attempt to prevent what was to come.

Looking back at Balthier, Basch adopted a faintly apologetic grimace and said, "Sorry. Can't be helped," before drawing out his sword and aiming it at Ondore, prompting the aging Marquis to tap his cane and calmly state, "Summon the guard," as dozens of men that had been on standby rushed into the chamber...

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