Disclaimer: I own neither Final Fantasy XII nor its characters.
Penelo was a child of the desert. She didn't mind the heat or the way the sun would turn her already blonde hair an even paler shade of platinum. She didn't even mind the way the loose strands of hair would stick to her face from the sweat of a day's exertion or the fact that there was always sand in her boots. She wasn't even bothered by the impromptu sandstorms that could nearly blind a person.
She did not, however, appreciate how the desert flooded during the rains. This was not what one imagined when one pictured the desert. Yet here she traveled through the Giza Plains during the rain and was reminded of nature's impractical sense of humor.
She had managed to avoid another small puddle when Vaan called out to her in warning. Of course, she would stop just short of a small shallow pond that was forming around a dull black dark crystal. It was a moment too late when she caught Basch's bulk form out of the corner of her eye. She was 'bumped' and her feet were soon submerged in the pond. To add insult to injury as she attempted to get out, her foot caught on something and she went flailing backwards into the murky water. Penelo was now drenched from head to toe as Basch looked at her with a horror stricken face.
"Penelo, I am truly sorry. I was just teaching Vaan and meant only…I mean I did not…well that is…" He stammered on apologetically.
She spared a glance at her best friend to find he was doubled over shaking with laughter. She glared at him and then turned her gaze back to Basch. He still looked rather horrified and almost comical.
"Just help me out of here." She grumbled with a set pout.
"Of course," he said abashed as he moved closer to her and offered his hand.
As fate would have it, the loose silt gave way under Basch's feet and he soon joined her in her misery. She couldn't help but laugh at him when he turned to look at her in wide-eyed shock. He soon burst out laughing as well.
"Are you two quite done?" Balthier smirked at the two now sopping figures sitting in the water.
"We slipped." Penelo offered with a sheepish grin.
"Right, well, when you both catch colds don't expect any sympathy from me." The sky-pirate drawled as he watched them help each other out of the small pond.
The next day found the party travelling farther south into the Ozmone Plains. The sun was warm and the gentle breeze played with the loose strands of hair that framed her face. Penelo turned her closed eyes to the warming sun with a smile on her lips and then she sneezed.
Her reverie was broken even further when the tall blonde figure next to her sneezed as well. She glanced at the remaining party members that had banished them to the back and grumbled. Basch just offered a sympathetic look and sneezed again.