This is pretty good! I like it quite a lot, actually. You're a talented writer! Plus, it's Banelo/Penthier, and the FF12 fandom needs more of that. Once again, great oneshot!

I'm not a Balthier/Penelo shipper, but I think you just made me one.

This is wonderful. You really did your research on the gun lesson, which impresses me (and that doesn't happen often). The very fact that I'm reviewing shows I'm impressed. Your Balthier voice is dead on, and so is your detached third person Fran voice. I agree that Penelo is just a mite (and I do mean /just/ a mite) too forward, but I enjoy how you portray her character

The ending leaves something to be desired; I sincerely hope you decide to write a sequel or extend this to a two-shot. Excellent form!

Keep writing!
M'gana

P.S. Oh, God. The first thing that popped into my mind during the gun scene was this:

Penelo: Will you help me load my gun?
Balthier: I don't know... Do you have protection?
Penelo: Don't worry, the safety's on.

psst... write a sequel, that was hot.

Anyhoo, now onto the review proper :)

I thought Balthier was very in character, even his dialogue sounded right. I could just about hear his voice.

I thought Penelo was a little too forward. Yes, she's tougher than she looks but I'm just not sure she'd throw herself at him like that.

Although, I do suspect her forwardness could be part of some sort of weird desperation on her part to score Balthier. Yes, she'd rather be his 'friend with benefits' than simply nothing at all. She even somewhat insults Vaan's 'prowress' to prove herself to him. That's what it appears to me to be like and I like that. Penelo's like anyone else, isn't perfect.

Very interesting so far, I am looking forward to more!

your one shot is quite interesting. nice progression shown in the request. i do like how you made penelo a bit more forward in this, though it feels a little too much. but heck, it is your story and i'm happy to read a banelo any day. but i must say that this feels like it needs a proper end. i know it is only suppose to be three requests, but we never get to know the result of the last. oh well.

btw, i love how you depict balthier. i could actually hear him saying some of your dialogue.