Fran and Balthier?

[scooby]

(SPOILER)Yeah, Fran and Balflear does seems more like working partners in the game. The way they talk to each other doesn't indicate much deeper relationship. But then Balflear always would talk like that. There are hints at Ashe/Balflear though, especially in the ending.

Have you played the game?

(SPOILER)There are hints that Ashe - a lonely bereaved queen - has developed a crush on Balthier by the end of the game, but there are no hints that he reciprocates her feelings at all. In fact, he acts rather blasé about her perceived crush - as though having women, including queens, fall for him is nothing new. I expect it isn't; Balthier is good-looking, charming and charismatic - it's natural that women should fall for him.

Fran made a HUGE sacrifice to be with Balthier; the choice she made - to leave her village to be with him - has had irrevocable consequences for her: she will never be accepted back into her village, or see her family and friends again. She is now an outcast; all she has is Balthier.

Of course, Fran longed for freedom and adventure - but the dialogue in the scenes in Fran's village/Golmore Jungle suggest that Balthier himself was the main reason that Fran abandoned her past (which is NOT something you do for just anyone):

FRAN WALKS WITH BALTHIER.

Balthier: Taking the shortcut?

Fran: Yes.

Balthier: Didn't you abandon your past?

Fran: There's no other way. I'm doing this for you, too.

Balthier: Hmm?

Fran: You're anxious, aren't you? The Nethicite's making you that way. It shows on your face more than you think.



YUTO LISTENS TO THE VOICE OF THE FOREST.

Yuto: It only feels nostalgia for you who left the village.

Fran: I'm happy even for the lie.

Yuto: Be careful. What the forest hates is the Hume who took you away.

Fran: I'm the same as a Hume now. Isn't that right? Goodbye, sister.


There is also a scene that I found to be very shippy.... It was up on YouTube, but it's been taken down.

Here is a description of said scene:

Fran is lying on her back, talking to Balthier, who bends over her. Her words are slow, pained (is she wounded?), and one of her hands is cupping his cheek. She smiles weakly up at him. The camera cuts to Balthier, who gazes down at her lovingly. He gently pulls her hand from his face and clasps it with his own. He smiles sadly and closes his eyes - looking both deathly afraid and "blissed out".


This is the dialogue from that scene:

Penelo: Fran!?

Fran: The mist is burning... the cocoon...throbbing... burst!

Fran: The cocoon will explode... get out of here... as fast as you can.

Balthier: Hey, Fran....

Fran: Show me how fast you can run... You're Balthier, the quickest sky pirate of all... aren't you?

Balthier: Don't leave me now.


The look in Balthier's eyes in this scene cannot be said to be anything but deep, burning love.

In addition to this, Balthier is rather possessive of Fran at times. He tells Vaan off for gawping at her when they first meet.

How could the small amount of physical chemistry between Ashe and Balthier possibly compete with the long history and deep love and trust that Fran and Balthier share?

Most everyone who's played the game thinks that there is something "more" between Fran and Bal.