Chapter 2 - Heeding the Call
Day 94
Blood ties demand I tell Cid of departure. Am sure he will insist on staying, and am prepared for painful argument.
LATER
Cid far more interested in practising soliloquy, and so have left note explaining departure. He will be sorry when am famous.
Day 95
Have arrived in Tchita Uplands. Journey longer than expected. Perhaps should not have packed half of clothes collection. At least locality peaceful, where now can write inspired odes to clouds.
Day 96
Foul serpent stole belongings! Am now without spare clothes and hygiene products.
Will battle beast to reclaim goods, as this totally unacceptable.
LATER
Serpent's teeth large and alarming. Perhaps life without possessions is beneficial to art.
Day 98
Have reached Phon Coast, where have reached new levels of distress. Fear for hair, as it is currently defying sense of gravity.
Day 99
Have been kidnapped by pirates and am being held hostage for imaginary gil! Will die filthy and poor.
LATER
Offered services to captors, and have become an honorary sky pirate on their ship. Am now villainous cabin boy called Stiltzkin . Is at least better than being dead.
Day 112
Disappointingly my services consist only of polishing ugly shoes. Airship stinks of sweat and vomit and seems to be permanently docked on coast. Life of sky pirate is over rated.
Day 116
Still on Phon Coast. Suspect airship broken. Suggested this to captain who clipped me over head with shoe.
Day 145
Still docked. Perhaps this is illegal piracy of footwear?
Day 150
Hate crew, who laugh at name. Should have called self Balthier, which sounds refined and impressive, not the least like one that dwells in swamps.
Day 160
Suspect need new shoes of own.
Day 172
Today, scantily clad Giza Rabbit came aboard ship offering services. Pirates very pleased. Am happy too. Perhaps will have company in polishing shoes.
Day 173
Turns out pirates had other things in mind for new recruit. Keep trying to entice her into cabins with leery looks and rum. Know this will not end well, as recall that Giza Rabbits rather fearsome when provoked.
Day 174
Giza Rabbit not a Giza Rabbit, but in actuality mad Viera from primitive jungle! Would explain ability to scare of entire crew with self defence techniques and supernatural manipulation of mist. Although cannot remember: is it Giza Rabbits or Viera that eat humes?
LATER
Am now alone in engine room of ship. Will wait for mad Viera to leave.
Day 175
Have been discovered by Viera in engine room due to untimely sneezing. Introduced self as Captain Balthier and claimed ship product of crew mutiny. Seems to believe story for time being, although hope she is not too familiar with Rabanastran play. She introduced herself as Fran, and is a real sky pirate. Suggested we become partners. Am dubious, as this will interfere with life ambitions, but cannot refuse. Fran wears terrifying headgear.
Day 176
Fran wishes to use present ship for sky pirating ends. Ha! She is welcome to try!
Day 177
Fran busy trying to fix airship, so am at loss what to do. Perhaps will enjoy leisurely walk on coast.
LATER
550 marches! A record!
Day 178
Fran still struggling. Feel guilty. Perhaps ship needs a man's touch. Will look at engine soon, am sure past experience studying Archadian airships will be fruitful.
Day 190
Fran growing impatient, and suspects am a fraud. Will now prove am engineering genius in Bunansa name.
LATER
Engine exploded. The ship must be cursed!
Day 191
Fran now distrusts my engineering skills and has demoted me to cleaning ship. Worried for ship's welfare, as Fran has wild Viera eyes.
Day 230
Engine fixed! Ship flyable! Love Fran! Have offered her honour of naming ship, as is only fair.
LATER
Strahl? What sort of name is 'Strahl?!'
Day 231
The Strahl is not perfect, but ready for flying. Cannot wait for departure, as am sick of sight of Phon Coast, which has done irreversible damage to coiffure. Am rather excited about forthcoming adventures in air. Wonder what it is sky pirates do exactly?
LATER
Fran expects me to fly airship as I am Captain. Damn.