Time had always seemed to escape him. His time in Abaven, his time with Azzurra, The Hallows... Not that he would confront the feelings both deep and on the surface of himself, but he was disappointed and sad of the things he had done in his life. Or in the way of his mind, what life had done to him. He'd probably never see them as self inflicted, careless actions on his part.

He would come to know no one these days though maybe the drink kept him far away anyways. As time passed he had thought of seeking out Kiliaen again but it was easier to drown himself. Lost in the emptiness than having his mind rolling, hoping. He didn't have much memory of what happened after The Hallows, but none of it could have been good. If only his father could see him now.

The raft beached along the shore he had made trade for liquor as became a usual for him and as the evening started to darken he made his way back to the beach with an open bottle and began packing his things to head back out. To the islands, to the ocean, it didn't matter. As long as he had the drink, and maybe he could find some good company along the way.

"Balthier"

Over time, she had become quite solitary. Sticking to herself, avoiding the possibility of interacting with strangers. Not that she was afraid of them, it was something that had just fallen out of practice for her. Though in truth, she had always been of the nomadic sort- never sticking with one place for very long. And she felt the majority didn’t necessarily understand it- or at least, she didn’t have the desire to stick around in explain.

In her time spent wandering, she simply made her rounds of Auster. Avoiding the coastline for the most part, mostly chasing flowers and herbs as they came into their seasons. Occasionally, she’d return to God’s Garden- and linger on the outside of the Hallow’s territory. It was wishful thinking. But she never saw him again and didn’t have the courage to ask after having turned him away. Had it been a mistake, she wasn’t entirely sure. How could anyone be? More importantly, was it something she regretted? That was more difficult to answer.

Grapevine Cathedral had a fairly nice diversity of plant life, even in the colder months of the mild Auster winter. So, she had been lingering nearby- spending her time casually searching for anything of special interest. However, what caught her eye in the end wasn’t anywhere close to what she had been expecting. Kiliaen could smell the presence of another before she saw him. Whoever it was reeked of alcohol. The distinct odor drifting in with the blast of the sea breeze- she hadn’t realized how close to the edge she had wandered. She had no interest in confronting them- smelling like that- she was certain that the individual probably wasn’t in the best frame of mind. Though, when she saw who it was from a distance, her jaw nearly dropped. Balthier.

What could she possibly say to him? Her heart felt like it could leap from her chest wanting to talk to him, though at the same time, being afraid to do so. Her wanting was selfish. “Balthier?” She called out, as she took a few more steps behind her- leaving her own cover behind. She wanted to apologize … but what would an apology solve? She simply didn’t know. Though she simply couldn’t allow the opportunity to offer it pass her by.
"Kiliaen Ward."

His eyes somewhat slowly rose from the innards of the raft, not really in surprise of who was standing there staring at him. More just realizing he wasn't alone. It was only a few long seconds before a grin wiped over his maw. Happy to see her. She had been on his mind and it would seem she came to him before he came to her. He would see it as some sort of desperation at least in the state of mind he was in. Though it was more likely just coincidence.

Practiced paws turned to face her better off the raft and to the sands. Still noticeably wobbly though maybe she could tell this was a condition he had grown used to. "Kiliaen." He spoke in a hushed, welcoming tone. Clearly not bothered by her sudden appearance no matter how long it had been since they had last seen each other or the way that they left each other. He could move past it, in no healthy ways. "I've wondered where you've been, I've missed you." Surely they weren't more than... friends. Maybe a strange way of a new introduction. If he was in any better state of mind he may have been angry, or if he downed anymore he may have been upset. There was so much emotion he hid from her, from everyone. But he would feed off the desperation he thought he saw in her. And maybe she'd even feel kind of sorry for him. How irresistible.

"Balthier"

Kiliaen’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Balthier’s voice, a voice she hadn't heard in such a long time. She was happy to hear it, and it brought a brief smile to her lips as her attention lingered with him. She almost couldn't believe she was actually seeing him after all this time, but here he was in front of her. She wanted to speak, to apologize to him, but the words just wouldn't come out. Instead, she just stood there for a few quiet moments, wrapping her head around what she saw. What she felt.

Kiliaen couldn't help but notice the wobbliness in his stance and the strong scent of alcohol hung heavily in the air around him. Her heart ached at the thought of what could drive him to such a state. She wanted to reach out- to offer comfort. But she was too fearful of how he might react- nervous that it might upset him to the point of leaving her again. She swallowed thickly, resisting the urge to close the distance that divided them to find closeness- instead settling for an awkward step towards him before halting again. "I've missed you too," Kiliaen said softly. Her chest tightened as she took a few steps closer to him. She couldn't help but notice the shadows in his eyes, a far cry from the bright light that she had thought she remembered from before. "Are you okay?" She asked softly, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the remaining distance between them.

"Kiliaen Ward."