[He stumbles back a few steps, ricocheting off Ashe's greater mass like a ball off a wall for what may be the first and only time in his entire existence, and fumbles one of his hard-earned peaches, which thumps onto the ground and rolls until it's near Ashe's foot. Meanwhile, the boy finally looks up, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand.]
Sorry! I didn't see you.
[Something occurs to him suddenly, though, and he hurriedly turns his attention to the peach he's still holding, looking around urgently until he spots the other.]
[Bruised or not, it doesn't seem as though it's about to stop the boy, who's already moving to retrieve his fruit and inspect it for damage. It's pretty badly dented on one side, but the skin didn't break, and he turns it over and over in his hands before eventually letting out a sigh of conclusion that comes accompanied by a fall of his shoulders and a firm shake of his head.]
Nope! Can't let you do that, mister. There's nothing wrong with it, see? It's still good.
[There's...clearly a whole side caved in, but okay.]
Hey, aren't you gonna say sorry too? You bumped into me as much as I bumped into you!
Aw, these are fine. They're for later, anyway, so —
[But he stops then, like maybe he's just said something he shouldn't, and caught himself. He scuffs the toe of his boot on the ground, thinking, then glances up suspiciously when Ashe offers up his empathy.]
...Just what kind of spot do you think I'm in, huh?
Yeah! You're wrong about all of it. [...] Most of it!
[He puffs up a little, squaring his shoulders and thrusting his chest out.]
I just wanted to help that lady, is all. My dad's the Baron Albrecht, so that's what I'm supposed to do. Nobles like me are supposed to stick up for the little guy, and be generous and helpful. ...And stuff.
He's the best. He's super strong and noble and smart and he could fight twenty-five monsters with his bare hands!
[Verdict's still out on the "smart" but you know what, let Balthus have his skewed perspective. A little absently, he picks at his dented peach, running his thumb over the flattened part.]
He's probably around here somewhere. We're supposed to stay together when we go out but I don't know where he went.
[His shoulders droop a little, while his expression grows flat and resigned.]
Well, it'll be okay. I'm tough too. I don't know where Gaspard Village is, is that in the mountains?
Wow. Twenty-five monsters! He sounds really powerful. I'm sure he's okay on his own until you two reunite. I'd be happy to stick with you until then.
[He chuckles softly.]
No, it's by a river, right along the border of the Empire. It's pretty far away from Goneril territory. It's a small place, but the people are generally happy.
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[He stumbles back a few steps, ricocheting off Ashe's greater mass like a ball off a wall for what may be the first and only time in his entire existence, and fumbles one of his hard-earned peaches, which thumps onto the ground and rolls until it's near Ashe's foot. Meanwhile, the boy finally looks up, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand.]
Sorry! I didn't see you.
[Something occurs to him suddenly, though, and he hurriedly turns his attention to the peach he's still holding, looking around urgently until he spots the other.]
Aw, I bet it got bruised...
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[Ashe frowns and looks at the fallen fruit. True it's just an accident, but he hates that maybe he's ruined this poor boy's meal.]
Let me get you another one, okay? I know it was just an accident. No harm done.
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Nope! Can't let you do that, mister. There's nothing wrong with it, see? It's still good.
[There's...clearly a whole side caved in, but okay.]
Hey, aren't you gonna say sorry too? You bumped into me as much as I bumped into you!
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[Ashe arches a brow at the boy, then he smiles crookedly. Maybe once upon a time, he'd have apologized right away, but here--]
Actually, I was just standing there. But I am sorry about your peach. I've been in a similar spot as you.
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[But he stops then, like maybe he's just said something he shouldn't, and caught himself. He scuffs the toe of his boot on the ground, thinking, then glances up suspiciously when Ashe offers up his empathy.]
...Just what kind of spot do you think I'm in, huh?
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Am I wrong about that?
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[He puffs up a little, squaring his shoulders and thrusting his chest out.]
I just wanted to help that lady, is all. My dad's the Baron Albrecht, so that's what I'm supposed to do. Nobles like me are supposed to stick up for the little guy, and be generous and helpful. ...And stuff.
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[Oh. OHHHH. Oh this is...!
Ashe has to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from being too excited. This is Balthus as a boy!]
Well, if that's the case, I bet you're pretty strong, huh?
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Uh, yeah. Didn't you see me carrying that whole box?
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I'm all the way on the west side of Faerghus usually, so I haven't met your dad or anything like that. So I'm afraid I don't know your name.
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[gotta stan for his favorite person ever, obviously]
Are you a lord? You're not wearing a coat of arms or anything, so how'm I supposed to know what house you're from?
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[Oh. Ah. Ashe rubs the back of his neck.]
Oh, no no. I'm just a commoner. I live in Gaspard Village.
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[Verdict's still out on the "smart" but you know what, let Balthus have his skewed perspective. A little absently, he picks at his dented peach, running his thumb over the flattened part.]
He's probably around here somewhere. We're supposed to stay together when we go out but I don't know where he went.
[His shoulders droop a little, while his expression grows flat and resigned.]
Well, it'll be okay. I'm tough too. I don't know where Gaspard Village is, is that in the mountains?
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[He chuckles softly.]
No, it's by a river, right along the border of the Empire. It's pretty far away from Goneril territory. It's a small place, but the people are generally happy.
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[Enjoy it while it lasts, kid, because someday you're going to know more than you ever wanted to about it.]
I hope he comes back soon. I'll get in trouble if I come back without Holst.
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And hey, you'll meet back up with him soon. Holst is tough, right? He'll probably find you before you know it.
[Ashe offers his hand to Balthus.]
But it's really nice to meet you. Show me how strong your handshake is, huh?