Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.


Penelo gazed about soberly as the party trudged up the steps to the temple at the top of Mt Bur-Omisace. Every pair of eyes she caught seemed to be filled with despair and she felt her spirit crush under the weight of the sorrow that echoed through the mountain. The children were no longer playing and their tears tore at her heart.

She watched as the fires consumed the only places these people had to call homes and suddenly she wanted nothing more than to run away from it all. She never wanted to see any more devastation. Wasn't it enough that she lost her family to this senseless war? Sure she didn't want to be left behind, but was this really worth it?

"Basch said you needed company." A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"What?" She asked blankly turning her head to face an inquisitive pair of blue eyes.

"Basch said that you needed company." Vaan repeated with a small smile.

"Oh." Penelo said quietly as she frowned and turned her gaze back to the burning tents.

"Don't let it get ya down Penelo. We're gonna change all this, give them back hope." He smiled again and placed his arm around her shoulder giving her a squeeze.

"Thanks Vaan, I think I'll be okay now." She said softly and smiled at him as he dropped his arm and ran ahead to keep pace with Balthier.

Funny how it was exactly what she needed to hear from Vaan, the only family she had left. Her eyes searched out the captain and found him conversing with the princess. He glanced back and raised a brow at her in question. She smiled at him and the corner of his mouth turned up slightly as he gave a short nod of his head before resuming his talk. She would have to remember to thank him later.