A/N: I think Balthier's and Fran's relation is so amazing that I just for a long while wanted to do something like this. Finally I've gotten around to it. So this is set five years before FFXII, when Fran and Balthier first met. I had so much trouble with the two, especially since I wanted Balthier to be different when he was younger but still have that quality. Im nervous on how it came out. So please review and tell me how this is for a first chapter, please! Thank you so much for clicking on this and readin and I hope you enjoy!

It had been forty-five years since she had left her Eruyt village resting peacefully and securely in the Golmore jungle, the Wood that had been her home for many centuries. She had wished to leave the Viera and her beloved sisters to see the world she had been isolated from.

Every so often when her thoughts wandered to what the world was like, the Wood would whisper to her. It told her of the Humes that tried to travel through it. It told that they had all perished. The humes and other species that passed were weak and unimportant and not nearly as special as her and she should remain in her peaceful village. And for some while, she has done as the wood told her. She loved Eruyt, her loving sisters, the beautiful, kind Wood. But sometimes she did doubt what it softly spoke to her. There were many Humes out in Ivalice, many probably different from those who traveled through the Wodd. The idea captivated her. There had to be some that were different, somewhere in Ivalice, the world she had never been granted the chance to see. Someplace she'd never be able to see if she remained in her quiet, pleasant Wood.

Jote, the leader of the Viera and her elder sister, was against it and forbade it, thoroughly appalled that she would dare have her doubts. If she left the Wood, there would be no returning. Mjrn had begged for her to stay and said she would never be able to stand losing her sister.

She had seriously considered staying after hearing their words and please. And for some time, the idea drifted away. One day, however, as she pondered just before the border of the village, sitting o a twisted branch, something caught her eye. It was a beautiful ring of silver and deep red gems left by a Hume traveler. She thought it gorgeous and was amazed a Hume could create sucha thing. She kept it in her hand as she went to speak with her sister. Not to ask permission, but to tell her she was leaving and not returning to her beloved village and sisters' arms again.

"The Viera may begin as part of the Wood, but it is not the only end that we may choose," the Viera had told her sister as she was ready to depart. She no longer wished to be a child of the Wood.

It had been forty-five years since Fran had left the Wood. She now found herslef detesting the very Humes she had thrown everything away to experience.

Fran sat quietly, casting icy glares at the Humes who passed along the busy streets. She gazed hard, but more softly, to the others species. She hated them all and would be happy if they all disappeared. Their existence simply left her disappointed. She had spent many years wandering through many countries and cities, for Viera has long lives to live, but found no satisfaction in Ivalice, ravanged by disease and war and wickedness. But there would be no possibility of ever returning to the life she truly loved and had foolishly given up.

Her ears twitched when she heard yelling coming from not too far away. It seemed like someone was being chased, for she heard the crash of angry boots with her tall ears. She had nothing better to do, so the Viera woman stood up from her comfortable spot on the stone ledge and went to see if she could catch a glimpse of the pathetic actions of Humes.

It seemed a young, teenage Hume boy was being chased by some local bar goers. From what one of the beligerent drunks were screaming, she could guess the boy, probably sixteen or seventeen at the most, had gotten a little too close to his as well drunken girlfriend. Fran thought this stupid. Only Humes could get so violent over a stupid things. She had yet to see Seeq or Moogles do such pointless things. She then noticed that the boy's pursuers seemed to be hunters and armed and probably drunk enough to beat the boy to a rather nasty pulp. Even though she did detest them, she was not in the mood to watch so young a boy be beaten, Without mucg effort, she interveened, taking the teen by the wrist and elbowing one of the men in the neck, causinghim to instantly fall unconsious. She quickly took care of three more men. Frightened by the Viera's glare and strength, the others that remained ran off, leaving their friends in the street.

Once they were gone, she turned back to the Hume she had saved and saw that he looked rather shooken up. She released his arm from his protective grasp.

"Are you unharmed?" Fran asked, though she did not care too much about his answer.

"Y-yes. Thank you for helping me," the boy thanked, giving a curtious boy of the head. Fran recognized the accent. Despite being in Dalmasca, the teenager had a strong Archadian accent. She noticed something else, something glittering in his hands beneath heavily jeweled fingers, covered in too many oddly colored rings, was a beautiful necklace of gold and sapphires.

"What need does a Hume boy have with such jewelry?she asked, having a bad feeling.

"Well, one needs money right? I could get a good amount of gil for this. That woman at the bar was so drunk that I decided to take the opportunity," the boy explained, putting the necklace into his pocket with a slightly proud grin. Fran sighed. Had she known the boy was a thief, she would not have helped him.

"A petty theif," she called him bluntly, which quickly erased his grin.

"I'm no theif! I'm a sky pirate," he protested, puttin his hands behind his head. Fran almost laughed.

"A sky pirate? A child such as you? No need to say such foolish lies." FRan, now growing irritated and bored started to walk off. She had found the spot she had been relaxing at previously and was about to sit down when she spotted the young Hume from moments ago, trying to catch up with her. She kept walking, her very long limbs carrying her further away. For a moment she though she lost him until he surprised her by meeting her at the corner ahead. How he had got there so fast was beyond her.

"Why do you follow?" she asked annoyed, pushing pasthim.

"I wanted to know if I could repay you? Maybe a drink?"

"Viera have no need for such disgusting things, especially I. Leave me be."

"But-"

"Leave me be or shall I force you silent?" Fran threatened, shooting him a glare that he, surprisingly to Fran did not cringe at as most did.

"Fine I'll go then. Can I at least aske you your name though?" the yung man asked rather quietly. Fran sighed. She seemed to be doing that a lot. If it would let him leave her in peace, she had no qualms wih giving her name.

"My name is Fran," she said, turning to leave. She thought for a moment and found herself speaking, not facing back. "And you, 'sky pirate'? What is your name?" The boy was obviously surprised that she still was speaking and not fleeing while she had the chance.

"Ffa-" The boy stopped himself, which confused the Viera. The brunette thought for a moment then gave a small smile.

"My name is Balthier."

A/N: This was harder to write than I expected. Especially trying to get down the way Fran speaks. Well, next chapter will hopefully be soon, whenever I get computer access. Please review and with it more chapters! Thank you again!