If Disney were right about wishes always coming true, then I would own Final Fantasy XII.
Author's Note: I write based on the mood I'm in, and right now, I'm in a FFXII mood. And thus this story was born.
It's a Long Road to the Capital
They debated about whether or not to stay on Bur-Omisace for the night. Penelo hoped they wouldn't. The air of gloom surrounding the mountain was depressing. People wandered around with stunned looks on their faces while the Kiltias covered their faces in grief. Even the normally stoic Nu Mou wept. The constant rain wasn't helping. It was as though even the sky mourned the passing of the Gran Kiltias.
"Any delay could set us further back then we intend," Ashe argued.
"Yeah, but, shouldn't we stay and help?" Vaan asked.
Looking at the destruction around her, Penelo thought Bur-Omisace beyond help. Apparently Balthier thought agreed. "There's nothing we can do now. We need to reach Archades as quickly as possible."
"Then we should leave at once," Fran said. That settled the matter, Penelo thought. Fran could probably make the most foolhardy plan in the world sound sensible. Of course, sneaking into the Achadian capital was probably up there as far as foolhardy plans went.
"We should restock out supplies," Basch added, looking at Balthier.
Balthier nodded, "Ten minutes. Then we leave. If you're not there, we leave without you."
As if anyone wanted to be left behind in a place like this. No one seemed to want to mingle with the survivors, except for Vaan, who ran amongst the refugees while the others clustered by the chocobo stables. Basch and Fran took charge of trading the odd supplies they had picked up for armor and provisions.
Ten minutes passed by slowly, especially with the rain and only Ashe and Balthier for company. Not that they didn't talk, they did, just not to her. She supposed it came from being only a street urchin, and lacking in Vaan's ability to assert himself into any conversation.
At the end of ten minutes, Vaan still hadn't returned, leaving a none to happy Balthier to chase after him.
"Whatever happened to leaving without us?" Penelo asked Fran.
"I believe he is growing…fond of him," Fran replied watching as Balthier dragged Vaan by the arm towards the party, a dark look on his face.
"…telling them where we're going…no discretion at all…"
"Iuz asken direcshuns," Vaan protested, failing to look somewhat dignified as he was dragged down the mountain.
"We. Don't. Need. Directions."
"Fond?" Penelo raised an eyebrow.
"I believe he enjoys having someone to look after."
Penelo thought about it. Probably true. After all, there was something nice about having someone look up to you, count on you, being able to shape him into anything you wanted. Fran was many things, but definitely not someone to look after.
"We should go," Fran said, saving the unfortunate Vaan from the wrath of the sky pirate.
Making sure her dagger was secure at her belt, Penelo followed the party down into the Paramina Rift.
Somehow this journey seemed different then the others. Maybe it was the sheer distance. Maybe it was the absence of Achadian royalty or another Knight of the Order. One thing was for sure; she was going to need new shoes when they reached Archades.