Run Away With Me
Atop the deck of a massive airship parked at the Aerodome, a handsome young man in his early-twenties sat in silence as he gazed out at the city of Bhujerba.
Jaden had devoted his entire existence to traveling Ivalice in search of wealth and riches as a Sky Pirate. Although, being raised at the Port of Balfonheim, there was really no other choice for him. He commanded the Emerald, an aquamarine airship that he had inherited from his late father when he was only eighteen. He had also inherited power within his father's large crew of men. All of the robbery, violence, and general marauding should have made Jayden a wanted man – an outlaw, a bandit. But in contrast, he was one of the most famous, most feared, and most powerful Sky Pirates to sail the skies of Ivalice. Even the Archardian Empire overlooked his business practices.
As he stood up, his strength was highlighted by his six foot muscular frame. His spiky hair was hued an intensely dark onyx. The short stubble across his face gave him more character. His green eyes followed the spot lights that gleamed into the night sky from the city. A very plain white collared shirt accompanied grey trousers and armored steel black boots. A silver cross hung from his neck and rested on his tan chest. A black belt around his waist was home to a gun holster containing an Acturus. A Platinum Dagger also dangled from his belt.
While he continued to gaze out at the city, he relived the first night he met her here in Bhujerba.
Fireworks shot up into the night sky as Jaden made his decent into the city. A festival was being held in Lhusu Square that night in celebration of the House Ondore.
It wasn't Jaden's first trip to Bhujerba. Not his first by far, but it was the most memorable. Inside, the Aerodome bustled busily with stewards, local Bhujerbans, and travelers from various territories across Ivalice. Jaden stepped out of the crowded Aerodome and into the equally busy streets of Travica Way. Bright lights flashed. Male voices were commanding someone to stop. The clink of swords, armor, and a woman's high-heeled shoes on the concrete seemed to pierce the air.
That was the moment he first laid eyes on her.
A crowd of Bhujerban soldiers followed a teenage girl as she sprinted hastily down Travica Way towards the Aerodome. As she ran, she attempted to hold up the train of her impossibly elegant gown - But to no avail, several feet of pink colored silk and feathers cascaded behind her. She was thin and short in stature, but the white stilettos she wore gave her the illusion of height. Her dark auburn curls flowed behind her, keeping pace with the wind. Delicate diamonds dangled from her ears and the extravagant diamond pendant draped across her neck swung back and forth as she ran. Her icy blue eyes darted across the walkway looking for an escape and a devilish smiled reached her lips as she tore through the crowded masses of people on the street. Jaden watched the scene that was unfolding before him. She was only a few feet away from the entrance of the Aerodome where he stood.
And then they locked eyes.
Without a second thought Jaden pushed forward past a crowd of people watching the scene and grabbed her wrist. Pulling her through crowds of people, he didn't even seem to be concerned with the soldiers still chasing behind. They quickly dashed through the Aerodome, past the docent and into boarding area for the airships. Spotting some of his crew men exiting the Emerald, Jaden motioned and yelled "Go! Back on the ship! Prepare for takeoff now!"As the Bhujerban soldiers entered the boarding area, Jaden and the teenage girl climbed up the stairs. Seconds later, the airship closed behind them. Gun shots pierced through the hanger, followed by the booming vibration of the airship ascending into the sky.
"Hanta!" The girl exclaimed aloud with a Bhujerba accent, noticing a huge tear in the silk fabric of her dress. "Damn murkha sainikahs… another dress ruined." She paused and looked up at Jaden with mischief sparkling in her eyes. "Bhadra, please tell me you have some madhu aboard?"
"Get her some wine." Jaden commanded to one of the crew men. He stayed slumped against a wall inside the airship, completely out of breath.
She rose from the floor, gathered her dress, and walked over to one of the windows of the airship. Silence filled the cabin for several moments until the crew man returned with a bottle of wine for the girl. With that, she let out a sigh and stared out the window longingly. "It's so different up here. So calm. So peaceful. So beautiful." Her accented voice was soft, but accompanied by the silence of the cabin it echoed against the metal walls. "I envy you."
"Surely you've been on an airship before." Jaden commented.
"But of course." She replied quietly. "But this life must be different. The life of someone like you. The freedom. It is something I will never be allowed to appreciate."
Silence filled the cabin once more.
"Miss, I have no idea who you are. I must have been the only person in Bhujerba tonight that doesn't know who you are." Silence remained. She continued to stare out the window and Jaden continued to stare at her. "Who are you?"
"Oh, forgive me. Where are my manners?" The girl giggled softly. "I am Lareina Ondore."
"As in the House Ondore?"
"It would seem that might knight in shining armor is not only handsome, but bright as well." Lareina replied, shining a playful smile towards Jaden. "Yes."