a/n: There might be another chaptere up tonight. Though, maybe not. Yah never know.

Disclaimer: Don't own characters nor what little of the related plot line that ties in. Blah Blah. Square Enix...


The burning sun over the Westersand bore down onto the roof of the newly named Fronz, Vaan's very own airship. The young blonde man lay on the warmed metal of her roof, taking in the relaxing sun. He recently purchased this airship to further advance his dream of becoming a sky pirate. However, unlike most sky pirates, Vaan had yet to steal anything with his crew. A real sky pirate wouldn't be afraid to steal from anywhere. Most would go towards the castles of Royalty. Though as Vaan had helped restore Rabanastre's princess to her throne and personally knew the leaders of every other nation this did not leave him many options.

Vaan wondered how Balthier became such a famous sky pirate. He was charismatic and polite to most people. How did he bring himself to commit crimes? Vaan scratched his bare arm and rolled onto his side. He'd been able to settle his budget by mark hunting, but that just didn't seem like a true sky pirate.

"Hey Penelo?" He called over the side of the roof. Penelo stuck her head out of the galley window. "I think we should head to Rabanastre for awhile." Vaan climbed down the side of the ship and slide in through the open window. Penelo stepped back as he slide in onto the counter.

"Going to hustle people in Lowtown again, Vaan?" She asked. That was the only crime Vaan had committed since he got this airship. Although, usually he got himself in deeper than he could handle with headhunters or thugs.

"Yeah, maybe." He rubbed the back of his sandy neck. "I want to visit Clan Centurio later too." Vaan walked through the galley and into the cockpit where Kyte was fast asleep in the navigation cubby.

The Fronz hovered higher into the air and shot towards Rabanastre. The large palace came into view before most of the city could be seen. They had not been all to far from their home town so the Fronz reached it quickly. After setting the airship down in the Aerodome, Vaan left towards Lowtown by himself. Penelo had errands to run for the ship and Kyte was still asleep.

Vaan took the stairwell down to Lowtown. Lowtown was the sort of place where the filth of Rabanastre lived. Headhunters were abundant here. The whole place smelled of sewer. The stone was slick with slime that had leaked down from the city above. The hot underground bustled with the lazy citizens. Shady men guarded hiding spots that were hid behind large crates, others gambled in corners. Vaan made his way to the Centre of Lowtown. A large well lit circular area where merchants came to sell goods that wouldn't be allowed above ground. Vaan leaned against a warm moist wall and watched the people walk by. A fat sweaty Seeq eyeballed Vaan as he walked past him. Vaan glared intently at him as well. Not just at the plump filthy Seeq but his large gil pouch that jingled merrily at his side with every hobbled step.


Basch was nudged awake as the airship touched ground. The people were starting to get off. Basch grabbed his rucksack and joined them. He looked around at all the citizens gathered about. Even from inside the stuffy Aerodome Basch could smell the sweet air of Rabanastre. Arcadian's didn't have many street merchants, unlike Rabanastre where restaurants and merchants were out everywhere and the smell of their cuisine filled the city air. Basch entered the city and sat on the edge of the fountain in the southern square. It was good to be home. Basch felt less agitated about his conversation with Larsa now that he was here. Though, Basch began to feel uncomfortable very quickly. Some people glanced at him as they walk by. Amongst the busy conversation he swore he could hear his name being muttered. Basch got up and headed for the stairwell. He entered Lowtown and figured he would take a good chuck of the way to the palace through the underground. At least in Lowtown he could draw his sword without attracting attention.


Vaan had made his decision. He'd be relieving that stout slob of his gil. He pushed himself off the wall with his foot, and casually walked towards the vendor near the Seeq. As soon as the Seeq bent over to study a small golden statue Vaan made a mad dash and grabbed the pouch. The thin leather string that tied it to the Seeq's belt snapped and the Seeq waddled frantically after Vaan yelling slurred curses in between snots.

Vaan looked at the portly sack in his hand and laughed. Suddenly he ran into an even larger Seeq with several Bangaa at his side.

"Goooh! Brother you caught him!" The Seeq squealed merrily ending with a great snort. Vaan laughed nervously as he scrambled away from the significantly taller Seeq.

"Caught jah now ya li'l thief!" The brother roared. Vaan hopped up and drew his blade. The giant Seeq barreled towards him. Vaan simply stepped out for his way, but a Bangaa swung his short sword at him and Vaan barely escape being cut. Vaan quickly grabbed the knife and slashed the Bangaa on the arm making him stagger backwards.

Vaan kicked the large Seeq in the shin and reclaimed the money pouch. Vaan turned to escape but he was cut off by another Bangaa. They circled around him with their swords raised. Vaan held his sword and knife tightly and flinched as he saw them all swing their swords down towards him.

"Whhaaa?" The largest Seeq snorted. Vaan opened his eyes to see a sword fall to the ground. The Seeq had a short wooden arrow sticking from his bulbous blue arm. He rapidly twirled around gripping his arm and Vaan took this as a chance to run.

He ran up the stairs and around the corner. Basch handed the crossbow back to the young boy he had borrowed it from.

"Vaan!" He called out to the young blonde man whom whirled around with his sword raised in a panic. Basch jogged to catch up with him.

"Ah, so you helped me out of that fix then?" Vaan asked immediately as he walked quickly towards the exit to Lowtown.

"You have resorted to common thievery, Vaan?" Basch said sternly. Vaan sighed and tossed the bag of gold into the air.

"Yeah, it's not like I could bring myself to steal from the palace. A sky pirate has to steal sometimes, ya know." Vaan said lazily as he bit off the string that tied the bag closed. Vaan offered some gold to Basch.

"It's only fair…" He said jiggling the coins in front of the man. Basch pushed his hand away.

"I have appearances to keep." Basch muttered to the man who had broken him from his prison cage. "Say Vaan, would you like to come see Ashe with me?"

Vaan looked at him, he just realized that Basch was an Arcadian judge and wasn't normally in Rabanastre.

"Yeah, that'd be pretty awesome! You come to visit her?" Vaan asked listening merrily to the money in his pocket jingle.

"Yes, I suppose. Lord Larsa ordered it actually." Basch sighed softly. He figured it would at least create conversation to bring Vaan along. It would make Basch feel more at ease to have another person along that would distract Ashe from him.