Little Bird ([info]night_is_fallen) wrote in [info]balthier_ashe,
2007-01-15 20:09:00
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Question about the B/A relationship ...

I was just wondering what you guys think about the progression of the Bal/Ashe relationship.  What I mean is, do you see it as something gradual, or do you see it as an instant attraction that grows into something much more as the game progresses?  

Personally, I don't see Balthier as being the type of man to mull over whether on not he likes/wants someone.  I find Balthier to be a very sexually charged character, even if that isn't overtly implied in game.  I just think he probably sees something he likes, and that's it XD.  Ashe, I would say is much more cautious about such matters, especially considering that she's living with the memory of a husband that she had so little time with.  But that doesn't mean she couldn't have an attraction to someone else (after all, she's still human, right?)  And I could definitely see Balthier making it difficult to "stay strong".  lol

Anyway, the reason I'm asking is because I'm in the process of writing a fic, and I just wanted everyone's opinions.  It won't really change what I've written, because it's my personal take on the relationship (which is left quite open to suggestion), but I just really wanted to see what other fans of Bal/Ashe thought of the relationship.  lol Did that even make sense?

Anyway, I can't wait to read what you all have to say on the subject.  

Oh!  I also wanted to say that I think this particular fandom has some of the most well-spoken, intelligent people I've ever been in contact with through all my many many fandoms.  I always look forward to seeing what your opinions are.  =D

Wow, this became a novel ... sorry 'bout that!  XDDD  

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  • 15 comments

[info]churched

January 16 2007, 02:58:46 UTC 5 years ago

My take on it is that Ashe had so much else going on she couldn't really put all her attention into maintaining or pursuing a physical or romantic relationship. She had fought for two years to restore peace to her kingdom and she was so close, she wasn't about to let some pretty boy (MAN) with a nice voice distract her. Balthier recognized that and didn't pursue her relentlessly as he would have/really really fucking wanted to--but at the same time he didn't quite go out of his way to seduce fisherman's wives and priestesses as he normally did every other time the Strahl docked. And got annoyed when flamboyant princes offered Ashe a roll in the hay a vacation in Rozzaria.

[info]katmillia

January 16 2007, 03:42:12 UTC 5 years ago

That was the best comment ever. ROLL IN THE HAY!! Damn Rozzarian princes. ;)

[info]churched

January 16 2007, 04:23:48 UTC 5 years ago

I'm glad you think so! :D

[info]night_is_fallen

January 16 2007, 04:35:01 UTC 5 years ago

I totally see where you are coming from, and I agree with you to a point. XD But the way I see it is, maybe Ashe has been focusing for so long on the restoration of her kingdom, that she's forgotten what it feels like just to let herself feel something. And that's where I see Balthier coming in. *shrugs* I apologize, I'm just a hopeless, sappy romantic and I can't help it! lol

I don't see Ashe putting all her energies into pursuing a relationship, either. But if one just happens to fall in her lap ... ;-p I see Balthier as a catalyst for helping her move on with her life, as well. Yes, she has a kingdom to restore, but she also has a broken heart in need of healing.

This game left so much open-ended that really, it can go so many different ways. I actually prefer it when Balthier and Ashe don't get the "happily every after" and just sort of part ways at the end. Somehow it makes it even sweeter if they don't end up together in the end.

I hope that made sense! XD Thanks for commenting!

[info]churched

January 17 2007, 12:04:18 UTC 5 years ago

You're very welcome!

[info]sabella_a

January 16 2007, 07:35:05 UTC 5 years ago

Oh I'm so gonna get killed, but here's my opinion. Maybe just because I'm never a romatic person, I don't see that they fell heads over heeds for each other. Certainly NOT love at first sight. (Balthier turned and walked away when Ashe first showed up as Amalia; Ashe basically sneered at them calling them thieves. That's NOT love to me.) Basically, Ashe lost her country and her husband, and she has been in grief for the past two years. If she suddenly fell for a random stranger (a handsome and dashing one), it'd really make her character a cliche princess/RPG heroine, which she's not. As for Balthier, he might like what he sees in Ashe physically, but his character is one who likes to stay neutral and goes about his business. Chasing a princess might bring him thrill (as a challenge), though her title also might weigh in his mind (he prefers not to get into any politics).

That said. I think Ashe slowly developed a crush on Balthier throughout the game, and very likely vice versa. But to her, her country will always come first. And to him, he's always a sky pirate at heart. She has Dalmasca, he has the sky. Not a match made in heaven, but a pair very intriguing star-crossed lovers.

Again, don't hate me for not going crazy for this pair, cause I absolutely LOVE them together (in game). But post-game, unless it's nicely written with good and realistic explanation, I'd rather see them apart. It's probably cause I'm not a romantic person at all. (It's a miracle I'm writing a romance fic!) For me, unrequited love is the yummiest.

[info]alitaorg

January 16 2007, 10:55:44 UTC 5 years ago

i agree 100%.

balthier's a fun character, isn't he? i see him as such a scorpio - light and nonchalant on the outside, steamy sexy moody goodness with a hell of a past on the inside. and even he would have conflicting desires that also conflicted with his highly logical, common-sense/street-smart mind. for example, his mind would tell him he dare not pursue a fallen princess - that would complicate things - but his desire inevitably wants her all the more for that reason, especially when he starts to get to know her. and ashe, i think, is very similar, only underneath her steeled resolve is a very lonely girl.

i think that's why i like this pairing so much. =)

[info]beautifiers

January 17 2007, 19:10:33 UTC 5 years ago

I agree with what you said--and it's making me ponder hard on what I'm to do at the end of my fic. Drah.

[info]nefertieh

January 24 2007, 12:34:47 UTC 5 years ago

Ooh, I guess we'll just have to see what Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings has in store for us, then. x3 -fangirls-

[info]beautifiers

January 17 2007, 19:09:16 UTC 5 years ago

I think there's plenty of obvious factors that could lead to an instant attraction between them--not "love" but at least some kind of crush/fondness--because face it, they're both attractive, they're strong-willed, they're snappy dressers, and they're interesting, intelligent characters.

However!

I think Ashe would be reluctant, almost steeped in denial, about any more-than-what's-allowed attraction to him. Either that or she doesn't realize it for what it is, being so caught up in her journey and in mourning Rasler, trying to find out what to do about the nethicite, etc. As for when she does start to let that fondness leak out in a very obvious way, I'd say sometime near and around Phon Coast. There's a significant sweetness between the two of them in that scene that strikes me as something that did not just happen, but something had been brewing for quite some time. And then of course there's the ending. . . But I won't say anymore.

I'm happy to see you posted your fic! My mind's being a spaz so I can't sit and focus, but I *will* read it. I also have to post more of mine up here *slaps forehead* oy.

[info]tronie_bonne

January 19 2007, 02:04:22 UTC 5 years ago

I think that Ashe and Balthier can work out, mainly because opposites attract. It personally believe that Rasler wants her to be happy with her life, and it's her decision if she wants to find new love. Maybe she couldn't in the past, because she was so caught up trying to liberate her homeland. But, I think Ashe has learned from Mr. B, and the same with him. She grew to see him as not a thief, but a caring man who needs to be protected from screaming fanigrls like me!!!

Ashe is a Hume, and she has every right to experience love. So do what you to do, rhianna_aurora!

But it is a philosopical question: can you find new love when your old love has died?

[info]beautifiers

January 19 2007, 02:08:08 UTC 5 years ago

Uh.. that's not really philosophical. Yeah, you can, even though that takes a lot of time. But you seem to be forgetting the fact that she's a queen and he's a thief. That normally doesn't sit too well in social standings regardless of how fond Ashe is for him. He's still what he is, she is what she is, and he's happy with his life style. He doesn't seem to be rushing to join Ashe's, does he? And the ending, especially, has Ashe all alone. Happy, but alone.

Them loving each other isn't impossible, but as far as them being together? It's a very far stretch.

[info]tronie_bonne

January 19 2007, 22:11:59 UTC 5 years ago

I know that he's thief and she a queen...but I don't know, that's just how I see it. I mean, he doesn't have to be in love with her, I personally think that she's happy, and alone. I just got to me somehow that they make a good pairing. But seeing how she's the freaking queen, and he's the freaking thief...I don't think they could be together as hubby and wifey. But your points are valid, and yeah.

>>I should be getting my facts straight next time.

[info]beautifiers

January 19 2007, 22:15:45 UTC 5 years ago

I don't mean to completely destroy the idea that they can be together post-game. Like aria mentioned above, as long as it's done realistically, I can go along with it. The trouble is figuring out how to make it work, you see...

[info]tronie_bonne

January 20 2007, 00:27:16 UTC 5 years ago

I'll take that into consideration next time. Thank you. :)
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