Chapter 4: The Search for Ice Cubes

With much difficulty, Basch lead his patient to what he had remembered was her room. Before entering he glanced at the girl leaning on the door frame. It was evident she was trying to seem normal, with her reassuring smiles while denying anything was wrong. To her, she was perfectly healthy. To him, she was a walking disaster. It was his responsibility, and his alone, to get Penelo safely in bed and away from ruckus that was being caused by the others outside.

The orphan stared at him, her brown eyes glistened with a hint of concern as the man paused. Was this hesitation? Why must he stop now? She was but seconds from hitting her soft feathered pillow, seconds from drifting once again into the depths of her dreams. Anything to get her to forget the loud drumming on her skull.

His eyes met hers, and for once he didn't know what to do with this responsibility. Should he open the door, throw her in and slam it behind her? Perhaps he should guide her in, tuck the sheets around her tight and say goodnight? Might as well read her a bedtime story if he were to do that. No, she was older than that, more mature, responsible enough to do all that on her own, if she desires. However, she was hurt. What if she were to fall, only injuring herself more? The situation was definitely not treating Basch well.

As the knight decided between life and death, Penelo watched him curiously. Just at that moment, studying his strong features, she had the incredible urge to reach out and wrap her arms around him. Only to get his attention, of course. There would be no other reason to do so.

Well, that wasn't entirely true.

After a few minutes of awkwardly standing at the girl's door, Basch finally decided to just open the door and 'go with the flow'. But, he just hated not having a plan in mind. Perhaps he would check her injuries, and then ask her if she needed anything. Amidst the man's never ending thoughts, his companion simply reached over and turned the handle.

There was no click, and both blondes stood there silently.

“I forgot...”

“Do you not have the key?”

“Um...” Penelo quickly padded herself, searching for the object. She was sure she had it somewhere... in a pocket, or folded in fabric. Maybe on a chain? Then, dropping her hands, she continuously hit her already aching head on the wall. Strong hands quickly pulled her shoulders back, her eyes not leaving the ground beneath her.

All she wanted was to go to bed.

The man turned her to face him, his eyes not leaving hers. She, however, tried her best not to meet his gaze, as she knew very well he would start to announce how unbelievably foolish she is. The only thing between her and total bliss was a small piece of metal, and she just happened to misplace it.

“Penelo,” The blonde knight continued to try and reach the dazed girl. “I suggest not doing that, you will just further injure yourself.” She looked up at him, shock evident upon her discolored face. He did not yell, merely warned her about the consequences. For once she was happy she was wrong. But, this did not make the pain dissipate. It only seemed to multiply. If only his words had some healing effects, maybe then she could concentrate on acquiring her key.

“Penelo?” Basch's voice just barely sliced through the intense pain building up in her skull. She could feel herself start to lean on the man, all sense of feeling escaping her body.

“M-My head...” Although ashamed to admit it, she had the slightest feeling that this man could help her. Anything to subside this pain, anything. It just happened he was the closest thing. Perhaps, he could cease it. Perhaps, he could make it all go away. She had to believe in something, didn't she?

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Meanwhile...

“Dont touch--”

“I can do what I wish!”

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And...

“Either my eyesight is failing on me, or there is clearly too much smoke in this engine room.”

“...useless.”

“I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the wailing of this machine.”

“...”

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The girl awoke with a jump, as a loud clatter sounded beside her. After rubbing her eyes and prying them apart, she glanced over at the cause of such a vile and unusual sound. There, crawling around on his knees, was Basch. He was trying his best to collect fragments of ice, which were scattered across the room. Without even thinking, Penelo rolled of the bed she was placed in, and sat on the cool floor. She sat there in a dazed state as the man began collecting the ice cubes in a bowl.

“If you are going to sit there, would you mind lending a hand?” His voice woke her like a bucket of freezing water, and she quickly returned to her original self. She noticed that he indeed was talking to her, and no one else was present in the room. So, blushing, she searched for the shards and began tossing them in the container. Most of them missed their destination and ended up hitting the blonde knight instead. He raised his hand to calm her and she stopped with a forced laugh. The man finished, stood up, and placed the bowl on a table.

“I apologize.” He reached out a hand to the girl, and she took it without hesitation, lifting her to her feet.

“For what?”

“Waking you.”

“Oh, no... it's alright.” She once again felt her cheeks burn as she spotted the firm grip he had on her hand. Basch, of course, took no notice, and helped the girl sit down. Then, turned his attention to the table beside them, placing the ice cubes in a bag of some sort.

“How are you feeling?” He put the bag on Penelo's head, telling her to hold it there. It felt wonderfully cold on her skull, and helped greatly with the continuous pounding and pulsing. She nodded in reply, and fell back onto the soft bed. In seconds she was fast asleep, and Basch was feeling pretty damn proud. This was the first time he has taken care of a girl, and so far nothing tremendously dreadful has happened. So far.

However, this room wasn't the girl's, it was H.R.H's. Surely Lady Ashe would forgive the man. Due to certain circumstances, this was the closest—and best—place to put Penelo. And it's not like he was going through her stuff or anything... then he noticed a certain book popping out from under the bed. It was a dark blue, with nothing on the cover, and oddly small for a book that would catch the princess' interests.

So, snatching the object and sitting down on a chair across from his patient, he opened it to the first page.

This Diary belongs to:

Penelo

Don't even think about it Vaan!

Basch immediately closed it. Then looking over at the blonde's sleeping form, stared at the book in his hands. This was what she was looking for. It must have something important in it, or else she wouldn't have hounded Vaan for so long. Hesitation once again? What harm ever came from reading a book?

Besides, he'd only read a few pages.