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[ Balthier is extremely pleased David liked the poem. ]

Anything for you, harvest moon. Good night.

May your dreams be sweet. And perhaps of me.

[ The next day, Balthier slips a fresh letter under David's door sometime in the afternoon. There are some cross-outs and blots; this letter was written off the cuff. ]

Dearest moon,

I woke up this morning to discover you had, in fact, spent another magical evening with me and asked me to be yours. It’s not many a pirate who can say they captured the heart of the moon. Of course, you’ve captured mine as well. I cannot think of a position I’d rather have mine in.

Last night you said, had our positions been reversed, and you had been pulled to Ivalice, that I would not have stood out for me to see. I disagree. First of all, you are gorgeous. Second of all, you are brilliant. Had a Confluence brought you anywhere near me, I would have gone to investigate the strangers, and certainly would have noticed you. Were you not so fortunate as to arrive somewhere I could have found you, your intelligence and unfamiliar clothing would have caused pirates or a government to snap you up. I would have heard of you sooner rather than later, as I am a purveyor of rare and beautiful things. I likely would have come to kidnap you. Any conversation, and I would have seen that brilliant mind and found myself as smitten as I am now. The key difference, I think, is that I would not have been bold enough to give you my honesty so quickly, and perhaps I would have missed that you were kind as well. I would have helped you, though, because I help those I like, and those I feel are down and out through no fault of their own. And if you had let me help you, let me have a few conversations, I cannot see a world where I did not fall for you all the same. Fran, I think, would have encouraged me. My only real regrets that I cannot show you Ivalice are that I cannot present you to her and she to you, and that I cannot take you dancing there, read you our poetry and plays, show you my favorite vistas and dishes. But I am thrilled to discover new things here, with you.

You say you carried my first letter close to your heart. I am glad for it, and must admit I have carried your poem with me since I received it. David, dear one, I have made a life of appearing calm and trusting my own decisions. You have cast away both. I oscillate constantly between feeling too bold and too timid. It both intimidates and thrills me. I must say, when I arrived here, I was shaken; I’d just lost any hope that my father and I could reconcile; I’d lost any chance to make something happen with the woman I had most loved in a long time; I lost my best friend and partner; and I lost my home. Having to restart my life — again — from scratch felt like a curse, punishment for daring to change the course of history at home. It’s still not easy, and there are moments I feel crushed in the face of it. But since meeting you, I also feel hope, and peace, the way I did when I first left home, when I realized I could build whatever life I wanted. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I don’t think this will be any different. Except that I’m wiser and more dashing than the first time around.

If I am so fortunate to be a pawn, as you say, then I look forward to how this new chapter will allow me to transform anew. Already I think that direction is impacted by your presence, and my desire to be near you and useful to you. I am relieved and humbled to know I will see you again, and again after that.

I fear I will write you a novel if I do not stop myself.

Dreaming of you, golden harvest moon.

Yours,

Balthier

[ The texts are a pleasant surprise. Balthier isn’t used to instantaneous communication, and having the sense that David is thinking about him is a warm light in his busy week. He spends part of it in Excelsior shadowing at the shop he’ll take over and looking at apartments, and much of the rest of it practicing his computer skills and working on a crash course in art history as it pertains to his new job. He’s glad to be busy, because it’s less time to think, and it’s starting to sink in that Fran isn’t here, and that he may never go back. He’s not as upset by the latter as he expected to be, but he’s definitely feeling unmoored and a little alone. As a result, he tries to keep himself in public, people-heavy spaces as much as he can.

He fully understands David is busy, and honestly, it’s probably good for him to get some time to process the last few weeks, but he does start to wonder in a small way if he’s boring now that he’s been claimed, cast aside for being too eager and too willing. So when David’s letter comes, he’s beaming and shaking his head at himself for worrying. He sends a text back confirming their date, because he’d like to get a gift before he sends the next letter.

Two days later, David shows up and they pass another enchanting evening, this time magical for Balthier because of the sameness and the familiarity. It’s just nice to touch and chat and ask how weeks have gone. There’s a domesticity to it that Balthier has never really had before.

Two days after that date, Balthier slips a tall flat package under David’s door. Inside is a letter and two black and white woodblock prints of the moon and star tarot cards, each detailed with gold leaf to make them flicker. ]

Dear One,

You need not apologize for the delay, though I am always thrilled to receive your letters. I find myself quite spoiled here; the frequency of our post at home is limited by physical proximity and my having an ever-changing port and country. And I thank you, too, for your texts. It is good to hear from you, if only to remind me yet again that you are real and you continue to be mine. This is most fortunate, as I think I would continue to be yours even if you relinquished me. I worry less about that with each day that passes. It is as you say — trusting the truth and depth of this more easily the longer it continues.

Your kindness in regards to my situation is received most graciously, but do be clear I don’t wish a change to a world where you are without your friends so I may be with mine. I have been friendless before. In fact, I have been accused of keeping others at arm’s length even when I have them. Perhaps, if our good friend the fates had a plan for me, it was to force me to make new bonds. I cannot complain thus far.

But here I am deflecting, too. It is my way, and I will be honest, because once again, David my darling, you have read between my lines where even I don’t like to look. I don’t like to need people, because they can be taken away, or worse, they can leave. I am a wonderful flirt, but when people start to matter to me, I find myself sometimes leaving before they can leave me. I will be very clear that I am not doing that, not with you. You are too precious both to run from and to hurt in that way. Fran was the same. I tell you this because she was my dearest companion and my oldest friendship. I can be brave when I decide to be. But the fear is there, and so I believe I understand some of what you speak of. Thank you, for sharing it with me.

I am delighted and relieved to hear of my effect on you, though sorry for it’s need. I hope you can continue to see yourself in my gaze, and eventually your own, because you are exquisite. I have met the intelligent, and I have me the kind, but I have rarely met them in the same person. Throw in resilient and clever and brave and we have the hero from a tale of old. You tell me men like me don’t exist in this world. I disagree, because I’ve met one who matches my romantics, even raises the bar.

I like your suggestion that I am not a candle but a star, in part because I am vain, but in part because it means we are both of the skies. The moon and a star, I think, have much in common as much as they are not the same. It also means I will take a good deal longer to burn out, and any extension to my time with you is coveted most preciously. You know, we have an old folktale in Ivalice, about stars who hit the ground and become beautiful and faithful lovers. There is a saying, not to wait for your star but commit to reality, but I think in our case you should absolutely hold out for the star.

I was also pleased to find Tarot exists in both Ivalice and here. Are you familiar? I’ve enclosed two woodblock prints, the Moon and the Star. Have you ever made a woodblock print? I will have to show you if you haven’t, and either way we will have to make our own. They are one of my favorite mediums. But I digress. I think these symbols suit us. The Moon is the mind, the path to understanding, the line between conscious and unconscious, fear and bravery, sleep and wakefulness. It is about fear, but also clarity. It is about things that appear to shift and change but are so deeply true and rooted. It is about mislabeling and misconception, about beauty and necessity. It is about being known. It is you, my beautiful moon. And you may laugh with me, because there is no candle, but the Star is about romance, and hope, and ever looking toward a beautiful future. It is, perhaps more importantly, the step after the Tower, a card of crushing defeat, of destruction and loss. It can only come from having been first through the Tower. It brings a sense of renewed hope and faith, a sense of being blessed by the universe. I am so happy to make you feel wanted and worthy; it is all I want. Know you have made me feel blessed and hopeful. You have transformed me from candle to star. Because what we are doesn’t matter unless we believe it. And you are so precious, David.

Thank you, again, for the wonderful food and company and pop culture lessons. Thank you for your words and for your kisses. If you write me a novel, I shall read it all, and commit it to memory, lest I ever lose the pages.

I look forward to your reply and, as always, seeing you again.

Your fallen star,

Balthier

P.S. The tea was lovely.

HEY DAVID GUESS WHAT
I HAVE ANIME POWERS AND MAGIC HAMMERSPACE POCKETS OF HOLDING

And this is new?

*YES.*

ok maybe I should specify...
I don't have half my powers still, but I have two new ones apparently.

1. my weapons can shapeshift into whatever I want them to be, but I have to yell out what I want them to change into beforehand, like I'm an anime character announcing their attacks

2. every piece of clothing I put on magically has pockets, and the pockets are bigger on the inside like the TARDIS

So you're still a reality warper but you use it differently

I guess...? I'm a reality warper who can only warp specific pieces of reality. namely, my weapons and my clothes.

I’m afraid I can’t let go of our missed date. What do you say to meeting me at the Central City Art Institute tomorrow at 4 and then letting me take you to dinner?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. But I've looked up how large it is, maybe we should start the day earlier. You might have a lot to see.

What should I wear? I think he first dress will be done. But would that be too much distraction?

And here I was worried about monopolizing your time. What would you prefer? One? Two?

And please do wear the dress. I am willing and eager to be distracted by you.

Two would work. I'll have a light lunch before to make sure I have energy. And you're my boyfriend. You have a right to my time.

I will. Keep me strong against my nerves. Still not used to wearing this stuff in public.

That's still reality warping.

The more I understand about this boyfriend business, the more I like it.

I'll dress to match, dear one, and I shan't leave your side.

[ He'll meet him at the front of the museum. ]

The more you understand? Interesting words mon bijou.

I'll meet you later then. Excuse me, I have to go out to make sure I pick up the dress.

I apologize for disappearing the other day. I needed time to gather my thoughts.

[attached]

It wouldn't be the first time someone who could teleport used it to get away from me, so I take no offense.

Besides, if you hadn't left when you did, I wouldn't have gone down to the bar when I did, and I wouldn't have run into Laurie probably. So in a way, you had masterful timing.

And yes, the kitten helps.

I suppose you're welcome for my encouraging you to drink?

Do I get to hear the rest of your powers?

No. I thank you for showing me back to someone I care for quite deeply.

Do I get to ask you questions?

Yes. But I'd prefer if we avoided questions involving the circumstances of my death or Leah for the time being.

That's fair. I tend to avoid questions about my death and Tommy for the time being.

I'm technopathic now. Basically, I can control machines with my mind. Talk to them even. Was hilarious, I think I made Ikol flinch at one point because I was taking a bath after he rescued me, and I wanted to talk, so I used my glasses to access his wifi so I could override his Alexa.

:O
Did you videotape this particularly poggers prank!

Sadly no camera in there, so I couldn't. But I'm just saying, machines and I get on in new ways now. It's very nice.

Now here is my question for you. Are you going to be joining the education system here?

I ask this not to harry you into doing it. I ask this because if you do choose to do so, I would really appreciate to know what this place teaches. What is taught is insight into the ways of thinking of the people around you. And that's important.

You must have access to many more memes than I do. It's an impressive skill.

I have yet to decide. In some ways it seems like a waste of my time, but it might be useful to gather intelligence as you suggest. As opposed to the sort of intelligence they expect be to me gaining. XD

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