@heartsurpluss continued from here.
Wandering the streets of Rabanastre wasn’t difficult, not even for a Viera, what with the streets of the capital being filled with all different kinds of races: the Viera, the Seeq, the Bangaa and of course Humes; selling goods at their little stands or simply looking for a place to spend the afternoon. It was easy for Fran to blend in, walking among the crowds with a curious expression on her face, but what nobody knew was that she was on a mission.
While Balthier looked after the Strahl and prepared her for tomorrow night, the Viera was observing the royal palace, watching the guards and memorizing their routes of patrolling, listening in on their conversations to gather important information she could report back to her partner. Only after the sun went down did the Viera consider her work done and retreated back to the inn Balthier had announced as their headquarters for as long as they stayed in Rabanastre, which should not be longer than two days.
Walking into the room Balthier had paid for Fran didn’t say anything as she undressed, putting on a more comfortable nightgown that was covering up her body, but still was thin enough to not let her overheat in the warmth of this place. With a little sigh she flopped down on the bed next to Balthier, resting her head on his chest, curling her body close to his while also making sure her ears were folded down and not sticking up into his face. She maybe was blessed with superior hearing, but there was a difference between hearing the sky pirate’s heartbeat casually from across the room, which was helpful whenever they were in tense situations, and to actually feel it beat against her cheek whenever her head rested on his chest.
When Fran had left her home behind to gain her freedom and explore the world outside the woods she had lost her ability to hear the Green Word and communicate with nature, her companion’s heartbeat seemed to be the only real thing that managed to calm her down and keep her grounded. Would she ever admit that? Probably not, she did not want to appear too sentimental, but she was grateful for her companion, in every single way. “What about you, Balthier?”, she asked back in return, her eyes already flattering shut as she drew little circles on his chest with one of her sharp fingernails. “Are you nervous because we are going to take the Goddess’s Magicite tomorrow? You know we will be executed if we get caught.” Fran was not nervous, they had worked out a decent plan, plus, Balthier was one of the most talented sky pirates in all of Ivalice, and even if they died, she was glad he would be by her side.