#balfonheim

Though often spoken of in the same breath as sky pirates as fellow outlaws, sea pirates, like sky pirates; no longer operate as they once did.

In the past (sea) pirates terrorized the seas, but as the Archadian Empire tightened its control, many shifted into legitimate maritime shipping businesses. Those who still call themselves “pirates” today usually do so out of pride in old traditions and image rather than true criminal intent. In the present day, both sea pirates and sky pirates commonly use Balfonheim as their base of operations, and it is not unusual for them to cooperate depending on the job.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Final Fantasy XII Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Implied Basch fon Ronsenburg/Balthier Characters: Balthier (Ivalice Alliance), Basch fon Ronsenburg, mentions of Fran, mentions of vaan, mentions of penelo Additional Tags: Balfonheim (Final Fantasy XII), FFXII Week, Day 2 - Favourite Location Summary:

(reddas scenario ask) so doesn’t know who he is and thanks him, surprised at bald hotness, then runs off with nono. reddas gets curious about her. thank you, cannot wait! 2/2

My first Reddas request! I’m honored. Have some BALDHOTNESS (should I tag Reddas as that from now on? hhahah)

TheGallerina market is always awake before the rest of Balfonheim, even beforesunrise. Out on supply run duty as the newest member of your pirate crew withNono to supervise (he really just wanted an excuse to buy breakfast), you’re puttingyour haggling skills to use when something brushes past you. Instinctively, youturn, left hand reaching for the satchel tied to your waist –

“Hey!”

“_______!”Nono cries out, dropping his breakfast as you give chase.

The thiefknows his way around the market. He is clever, taking you around circles andnearly losing his tail, but your new crewmates have taught you just how much tenacityit’ll take to be a sky pirate.

“Get backhere!”

So you follow,but darting past corners and nearly leaping into walls in a new city takes muchmore endurance than you first fathomed. Just as you began to tire, yoursprinting slowing to a stop, breath coming out in pants as you yell afterhim—he runs face-first into someone else.

-

Reddashas never been the sort to make rounds so early in the morning, but on occasionhe feels the yearning to stretch his legs before daybreak and ventures outsidehis manse. He appreciates the tranquility in which he rarely finds the port,and intends to take full advantage of it today.

He enjoyshis walk for all of a minute before he hears a scream.

Itssource comes into view soon after. A boy with a small satchel in his grip burstsout of an alley, glancing fearfully back at his pursuer – you, hair and eyeswild with determination as you give chase. The boy runs, heedless of his path,and Reddas steps in the way to watch as the force of their collision knocksover the little thief.

You catchup at once, breathing just as heavily as the boy and reaching down to grab hishand. “I’ve got you now—! ”

The thiefis empty-handed, staring up fearfully at someone who isn’t you. Only then doyou notice the man looming over the two of you, one brow raised and a small smirkforming on the side of his mouth. You can’t help but take in the rest of hisfeatures. Tall, dark, handsome… and bald. It’s a familiar description thatshould ring a bell, but you have other concerns. Like the—

“Hey!”you growl. The boy has scrambled to his feet and dashed off into another alleywhile you were distracted. That was a two weeks’ worth of gil…! Starting tosee red, you turn to the man. “Thanks a lot.”

Insteadof challenging you as you expect, however, he smiles, eyes crinkling inamusement as he gingerly holds out your satchel between his thumb and his indexfinger. “You are most welcome.”

“Mygil!” you gasp, snatching it from him like a child offered sweets. Reachinginside and making a quick count with your fingers—pirates are good at that—yourealize he’s still there. And how you were just about to drag him into a brawl.

Slowly,your gaze rises from your money to his expectant look. “Thank you,” you muttersheepishly. “I’m—“

“________!”A moogle in green overalls cries, turning the corner belatedly after you and clearly outof breath. “We still haven’t…gotten supplies…! Come back!”

“Nono—sorry! Got it!” you whirl, waving your satchel at Nono before turning back toface Reddas. This time, you manage to look a little more dignified. “Well—seeyou around.”

“Thepleasure was mine,” is his answer, along with a chuckle you almost miss.

You blink.Reddas thinks you might scoff until your surprised expression breaks into asmall smile, nose and ears heating with a soft pink tinge. With that, you hurryafter an incensed Nono, murmuring apologies after him as you head back for themarket.

Reddas givesa small, noncommittal wave, and stares at the alley long after you disappearinto it. He didn’t think there was still a pirate in Balfonheim who didn’trecognize him.

He almostfails to notice the footsteps coming up from behind him. “Nono,” Elza informshim. “A mechanic I’ve seen in the Aerodrome. He belongs to Fran’s crew.”

“Ah, yes.Fran. And that Hume. Balthier,” says Rikken, catching up shortly after. Reddas isno longer surprised that they’ve been following him all this time. Raz has likelyslept in. “She must be a new addition. Was she a problem, Lord Reddas?”

“No,” he replies.Taking a last look at where you and Nono turned last, he gives a small hum.______, was it? “Only… unexpected.”

Thank you for the ask! I wasn’t sure there would beasks about FFXII guys who weren’t from the main cast (I guess that meansBalthier and Basch. JUST KIDDING VAAN), so I was pleasantly surprised to seethis! :D

Balfonheim Port //港町バーフォンハイム//

what am i even watching

Good luck! I hope everything works out.

oh my god i’m laughing irl