Everyday near noon, the party admitted temporary defeat and sought respite from the Dalmascan sun.

It was during these hottest hours, they invoked an unspoken agreement to stay out of each others way and keep to their own. With the heat bearing down on them, even cheery Penelo became a wraith and so in order to keep the peace, they suffered in silence.

It was their second day in the Estersand, and shortly after eleven, Basch finally prompted them into resting, gathering together under the shade offered from a cliff towering above them.

Balthier stole a glance at Fran, the only one who didn't seem to be affected by the heat. Even under the relentless sun, her skin remained flawless.

He lifted a gloved hand to his face, pushing beads of sweat out of his eyes. He kept them closed for a moment, blocking out the blinding light reflecting off the miles and miles of sand.

When he opened them, he took a moment to look around at the party. A few yards away, Ashe lounged in the sand, looking royal even when she was covered in sand, head to toe.

Just a stone's throw away from her, Basch stood, trying to look natural but failing miserably. He was tense and watchful, like a lion trapped in a too-small cage, waiting to spring. His eyes scanned the horizon warily, watching for anything that would dare endanger the princess.

Balthier's gaze found Penelo, sprawled in the sand with an arm draped lazily across her face, blocking the sun ray's from her eyes. Her hair was wet with perspiration, and it clung to her face and neck in wet, sticky curls.

With perfect timing, she pulled her arm off of her face and turned her head just slightly to look at him. The corners of her lips turned up slightly when their eyes meet and Balthier returned the smile, lopsided and cocky.

Her face was splotchy from the heat and her skin was dull and yellow-tinted from the sand; it is then Balthier realized he was staring at the dancer and he turned his head quickly before anybody else noticed.

Minutes later, he finally dared to glance her way again. Her arm was over her face again, shielding her eyes. But it didn't hide the amused grin playing at her lips.