Fran was as impressive as ever, and exactly as perceptive as he’d come to expect from her. ”It would be wise to fix this up.” She ran a finger over the controls. ”Lest we become stranded.” He hummed.

”Hopefully she’ll make it to Provo at least,” he said. ”I’d rather somewhere that my face isn’t on a poster.” As it would be in short time. He was no stranger to the wrong side of the law nor the bounties that came with it. Soon enough, he’d be wanted on all sides of the country -- if he wasn’t already. He’d made enemies of the Torensten law and the Sonoran underground. That left Provo. Perhaps he would tread slightly more carefully through its streets.

”I’ve amassed the gil for renovations. I think she could use an upgrade or two. Seven, perhaps. Until we can commandeer a more suitable transport.”

The thought made him slightly giddy if he was to be honest. A new ship was like a blank canvas begging for an artist’s hands. It was lackluster, that was for certain, but if he upgraded the engine, the anti-gravity system, the flight controls, then there were the internal renovations to better match his style…

Balthier brought the ship to a higher altitude, checking the compass for his direction. He’d avoid the main city for now. Best to escape its outer limits and chance the tropical wilds beyond. It was a route lacking in opportunities for maintenance, but he thought it was a chance worth taking.

”It’ll be a dull ride. I hope you can manage some level of comfort.” He glanced at her, cramped up in her seat with her long legs and thin heels. ”I’ll man the controls if you wouldn’t mind the navigation.”

He felt somehow at ease. With her beside him. With a ship at his command. It was a relief, certainly, but there was something more as well. There were many things he could have said to her then, but all of them were exaggerations at best and embarrassing at worst. She was his partner -- that was all -- and yet he was happy to see her. Far happier than he was like to admit.

Instead he merely smirked, tossing his head to the side as he steered the ship on course. There was nothing else to be said, he supposed. As they flew into the rising dawn, he was sure she’d understand.

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