PART I – First Letter of Invitation

Like a wild snake stalking his prey, I hid myself under the shadow of Ranabastre. By all rights, I ought not to be here now, and my doings will dig a hole for me and him to go down. Who will rise or it'll be a dead fall for us both? We will have to wait and see.

Second part of the twelfth account in Rareza Memoria

1. UNEXPECTED TURNABOUT

Vaan awoke late today. His head was light; his throat dry. To his surprise, he overslept, and to his greater surprise, straight without any interruption such as someone shouted him to get up.

By 'someone', he meant Penelo. She would wake him up midmorning. Then he would have breakfast, which she had prepared when he was sleeping; get himself ready for his daily chores at Migelo's shop while Penelo went to the theatre for her practice. Mundane days in Ranabastre, just like before he got under way. Actually there were a few differences like they need not scrimp and save for an airship, but it was basically the same.

All of this was because of her plan.

Everything started in a day like any other. They were roaming in Moorabella and ran into Hurdy, an old friend of theirs. He repeated what he heard about a new theatre in Rabanestre and was coming back there for a chance of performing in a real stage. From that very moment, Penelo was psyched about the same idea. She had been practicing for her performance. How could he say no to her enthusiasm?

Vaan sat up arduously. His bed was not a real comfort, but it was enchanted to draw and bind any backs. His fingers rubbed against the coarse linen bed sheet reaching for his shirt and vest hanged near the bed head. The rabbit drab wool tick sagged under his weight as he bended down for his greaves and sollerets. He upturned his wide collar once more time to make sure it would stand up. It might be a common morning of a common life with common folks; still Vaan would never satisfy to appear common. When he assured himself ready for a new day, he made his appearance outside.

He pulled back the tasseled portiere to reveal Kytes sitting at dining table and Migelo standing nearby. Glaring light streamed through mullioned windows and door. The mahogany birch table appeared to gleam as beams of light glided its smooth and vacant top surface. Its emptiness was pleading for a question that was wandering in his head, perhaps from very moment he woke up. Before he wondered out loud, Kytes asked it for him.

"What's Penelo doing?"

"I have no idea. She's been off to the bazaar. Hasn't come back, it seems," Migelo shook his head, his floppy ears turned along his head. Vaan did not know why, but he enjoyed Migelo's four ears fluttered around whenever he shook his head.

It was uncommon for bangaas to have blue skin like Migelo. Despite that and his wide round brown eyes, every other espects of Migelo was the usual of his kind: long snout, scaly skin, and long droopy ears.

"Kytes, we don't have all day to wait for her," he said with his usual mellow manner.

"I know, Migelo, but I can't work with an empty stomach either," cried Kytes.

"Now, now," the old bangaa took two gold coins from the pouch around his waist, "take this and have a quick bite at Sis Kebab House."

The boy jumped happily at Migelo's offer. He smiled at Vaan when he saw him lumbering out his room.

"Morning, Vaan. Dunno if it's good, but today we could have kebab for breakfast," he said.

His green eyes beamed with joy; his arms swung under his wide sleeves as flags fluttered in breezes. From his eagerness anyone could guess that it was certainly something, and it was likely good. It came as no surprise to Vaan, especially when Penelo's cooking had been quite unpalatable recently.

"What about Penelo?" asked Vaan, "where's she?"

They both shook their heads.

"Maybe she's still rambling in Muthru Bazaar shopping and forgot the time," Kytes suggested.

That was unusual for Penelo to be absent-minded. It was Vaan who often got carried away and it was her who had to lecture him over and over on that matter. He decided that it was worth looking into; and this was clearly a better option than running errands for Migelo's shop.

"Okay, I'll go find her."

"Hey, I'm going with you," Kytes shouted after.

"No, Kytes, you stay here helping Migelo."

"Don't think you can fool me, sail away and have all the fun by yourself again!"

It occurred to him that the boy was still holding a grudge against him for leaving him and going adventures; and that ancient departure happened two years ago.

"Of course not, all my stuffs in the room. I'm not going anywhere," he insisted.

His sincerity convinced Kytes, and things settled. Vaan would go searching and come back when he found Penelo. Once in a while, especially when nothing exciting happened, Vaan thought back to Rabanastre and folk he left there, he did feel bad for leaving Kytes.

Like many others street urchins, Kytes lost his family in the war between Dalmasca and the Archadia Emipre. Migelo took him under his wing, and they – he, Penelo, and Kytes – had been living together since then.

The war, he thought as he scanned the busy street of the bazaar for a trace of Penelo, and recalled how hard they fought to reclaim Dalmasca. Their Dalmasca. Now things looked like it never existed.

Dalmasca of the present was not bleak and poor as it once was. No fear or hatred for the Empire in her eyes. It had just been three years and winter of enmity came to end and spring of amity was blooming. Is it really this simple?

Vaan looked after a group of Archadian travellers. He could easily make them out for their long-sleeved coats and tight pants which stood out from Dalmascan traditional cropped or short-sleeved vests and wide pants. They blended into the crowd as they were here from the beginning of the time.

The sharp floral smell of a near perfume stand pulled him back to where he was. His throat was itchy. He left hastily, forgot to drink. He threaded his way to a fruit stall where he could find a succulent fruit to quench his thirst.

"Huh? What'd you say?" a voice screeched.

Vaan turned to where the voice came from. There he witnessed a repeated and irritating scene unfolded in front of him. A gentleman, an Archadian gentleman to be precise, was leaning against the display of a trinket stalls. The man poked his finger into the display and smudged it around before finally lifted it up with a necklace draped over it.

"300 gil? This silly Dalmascan-style thing?" he yelled, and tossed the beads in the poor merchant's face. "Wasting my time," he concluded, and strutted away.

Vaan put a coin on the stall to pay for his starfruit, and moved on down Muthru bazaar. Carefully, he bumped into the Archadian man, and uttered a simple 'sorry' while quickly pushed his way through the crowd. Vaan found a cover behind a tall weapon stall whose he was a regular. The bag of coins felt heavy on his hand and that stupid 'gentleman' had not even a faintest idea that he lost it.

The man could still be seen from where he stood. He nibbled the starfruit and waited patiently for his pouty face when he realized his pouch was gone.

He approached another shop, and was ready to haggle over another trifle. When his eyes anchored on his next target, he bumped into a boy. The boy glanced at him with a fierce look and walked away without a word. Something awoke in the man. Perhaps fire of the glare ignited some senses in him. He reached down his waist where the bag of coins was supposed to be. No need of a thorough thought, he immediately shouted at the boy.

"You there, stop!" he yelled.

Without turning back, the young boy flew as ghosts were chasing him and the man was busy pursuing him in Vaan's disbelief. He should have been glad that someone would bear the blame for him, but the guilty conscience would not let him get away when someone else locked in dungeon for his crime. Vaan hesitated for one or two beats then ran after his conscience.

He hurtled towards the boy, seized his wrist and whirled to an alley between two stalls – a shortcut known only by a few. There they disappeared and the poor gentleman could never see them again.

The alley was dark and narrow. Vaan barely dragged the boy. He could sense once and then the young lad missed a step, perhaps to avoid puddles of last night rain, and would not go on if was not hauled ahead. At last light stroke warm on his face. They reached the bridge connecting to East End. Vaan stopped and assured himself they had lost him.

The boy stooped down and gasped for air. A few strays of bistre hair were panting in his breath. His face hid under the brim of his black cap. Vaan found it funny; he rarely saw a man wore this sort of hat in Rabanastre.

"You okay?" Vaan looked at him worriedly.

Fast as a snake, the boy lunged forward and snatched his bag of coins.

"Hey!"

"So, it was after this," he smirked and jigged the bag around, "that Imperial man was chasing."

"Give it back," Vaan reached for the pouch but the boy leapt back before he could touch it.

"I was wondering why you've been so kind and save me," he turned his back to Vaan shielding it against him while checking its content. "But for your contrition," he smiled at Vaan and offered his stolen bag back, "you're not a villain."

His smile had an arcane soothing affect on Vaan, or perhaps it was because he returned his bag.

The boy looked young, perhaps around thirteen or fourteen. Vaan felt a surge of hot blood burst to his face when he thought that he was swirled around by this shorty. It doubled as he realized that this was not the first time he had been tricked by a shorty. And it tripled as he noticed this one dressed very similar to the previous: dark tunic over long-sleeved shirt and breeches under knee-high boots.

Vaan retrieved the bag with his gaze anchoring at the youngster.

"Wait, the bag –" he weighed it by the other hand. The feeling was somewhat lighter.

"Oh, I've taken what I deserve," he said in an epicene voice, "one-half."

He also smiled but it did not work this time. But before Vaan could put his hand on him, a beautiful woman ran towards them and grabbed his target.

"O Razj, for Faram's sake, I found you at last." While they were still looking at her bewilderedly, she hauled Razj the boy away. "You have to be back quickly."

"W-Why?" he barely muttered.

"O my dear, Nico went nuts. You have to talk to him."

They both left Vaan with a half of the bag and 'What the –" was all he could utter. It all was bizarre, however, he had better thing to do than to stand here and reflect. He looked into the bag of his reward, counted it coin by coin. 1,500 gils, no mistake. Not bad, though it was just a half of what he supposed to get. In fact, it was enough to feed him and Penelo for two weeks or so.

Penelo… He sighed and dismissed the idea of going to Muthru bazaar. Unless he wanted to pay the prison a visit, he would not come back there for a while. Moreover, Vaan sensed no sight of Penelo at the bazaar.

He wiped the sweat from his tanned face. The sun was blazing above top. His shirt felt wet and sticky. The hot and sultry summer of Dalmasca was approaching. The short rain last night did nothing more than add a few puddles in where sunlight could not reach and humidity to the already muggy air. He could not see but imagined his blonde hair was bounding together. He was sweating buckets. Better go back to Migelo's Shop to shelter from the harsh sun.

Vaan looked up the sky. He recalled the time when he was standing on this bridge dreaming of becoming a sky pirate, of adventures and daring expeditions. Sweet old memories flooded his mind. How he ruined his very first job and sent himself to dungeons; how he met his friends and enjoyed traveling with them and how he came across that kid. Not that he was mad at him for concealing his identity, even though a lie was still a lie. What he really concerned was whether it was his only deception. How many things did he actually hide beneath his angel face?

There's even a rumor…

He shook his head as if it could shake the thought aside. Now he could do nothing; what should, or should not, be done, had been done.

The familiar green sign of Migelo's Sundries emerged from distance. Kytes rushed to his side and greeted him.

"Vaan, right timing! Here," he handed him a cockatrice sandwich from Sis Kebab House – his favorite. Plat bread wrapped around hot cockatrice kebab with shredded vegetables, pickled and cheese sauce.

Vaan took and munched it right away and felt heaven. He had not had even a bite since waking up.

"Yummy, right?" Kytes grinned. Vaan could hear an urgent request from his smile. It went something like 'please tell Penelo to stop cooking,' but he turned away.

"Now we have lots to do," said Kytes, "today's a busy day."

Then he started to gab about errands of that day. Like a punishment for ignoring his request, Kytes had gone continuously on chores Vaan had to complete for a period of time that seemed interminable.

The job was nothing special in any aspects. Fetch and unload cargos, arrange goods, deliver stuffs, or run any errands that Migelo asked. They left him with fewer works as possible. For anyone understood that a renowned sky pirate as Vaan would not be glad to run around for chores. Yet it did not much in assuaging his boredom, and Dalmasca was ridiculously peaceful. He could not find a single mark or hunt that would help him kill time.

This listlessness… When will it end?

Vaan gazed up the cathedral of Rabanastre stretching against purple sky. Even from faraway he still could see the corpse of Sky Fortress Bahamut landing next to the cathedral. Last arrays of a day softly illuminated the whimsical arches and four round décor engraved with symbol of Dalmasca. They looked like four big eyes looking over whole city. A giant bell tower stood upright in middle of the cathedral. It had stood there for centuries in rise and fall of Dalmasca and in her wedding and blessed her happiness with its tolls. He too attended her wedding, standing among cheering crowds. Back then he did not give it a thought.

What's wrong with me, he wondered, why did I keep thinking back to the past lately?

When he came back, the sky was murky. Again Kytes rushed to his side and greeted him, but this time in an alarming voice. "Vaan! You must stop Penelo!"

His mind ran for possibilities and stop at one. A feast it seemed. So it meant she was chosen.

"Come on, Kytes, just once, if you found anything hard to nibble, I'd help you," he said thumping his chest.

"Penelo went nuts. You have to talk to her."

He scowled at the expression. "So what's wrong?"

"She goes into a crazy shopping spree," Filo, best friend of Kytes, stepped out and giggled at him, "asked Kytes to move to your room and fit his room into a study. Can't wait to see it."

Kytes glowered at her. Actually he would love to see it too, but not if he was shoved into Vaan's room. He could not take his eyes away from the cherry desk that was just carried an hour ago into his former room.

"Red smooth touch cherry wood with refreshing scent, mechanically expandable top surface, prime leather-covered writing space, and built-in easel for reading," he mumbled.

"Wow, you sound like a furniture merchant," sneered Filo.

"I've kept an eye for that desk for months, but it's so expensive," he turned to Vaan, "a pretty gil, I'd say."

Vaan did not mind the desk. Penelo had every right to spend as she wished, though he was curious where on sky she got all that money. But what was with Kytes moved to his room? Did the heat get into her head?

At the moment he stepped past the doorstep, a sudden urgency to slow down flooded him as if he was warped into another space. A foreign space, alien, totally different from the house he lived. Men was scattered around putting this and that into its place. Penelo thanked them for good job before they all took their leave.

"Hey, Penelo–" called Vaan. He was stunned when he notices the tall figure standing beside her.

"Vaan!" She welcomed him with a big grin, but it did not reach him. His mind was anchored on the armored man next to her.

"It's been a while," the man said. He was real and alive.

Before Vaan spat a reply, soft footsteps wafted across the room. An old face emerged from upper floor; Migelo followed closely behind.

"It's been far too long," he said with his hand on chest.

"You're the last face I'd expect to see," grunted Vaan.

He blinked at Vaan with innocence; Penelo winced with annoyance.

"Larsa-sama, take a look at the room, will you?" she drew him into the room, her arm linked with his.

"Oh," he gasped, "you don't have to..."

Vaan peeped inside. The room was filled with floral and grassy smell despite fully open windows. She changed the stained curtains into embroidered ones. Light and wind poured inside from window. Sitting in front of it was the desk and bookshelves behind. On the other side was a daybed with mother-of-pearl inlay. He gulped. This pretty could cost all their last year earnings. What made Larsa so generous, he wondered, but on second thoughts, it did not make sense if Kytes would move to his room.

Penelo was chirping about how comfortable the silk bed sheet and Imperial quilt blanket was, then turned to the expandable desk, and a tea table nearby.

"You and Gabranth advised me to talk to Migelo-san because of this." Larsa observed, "'tis regrettable that my stay is to be ephemeral."

"Wait," Vaan cut in, "what 'stay'?"

All three shifted their wide eyes to him, especially Penelo, she stared at him as if she was asking where on sky he was, unknowing anything. "Oh," she cried as she recalled they had said no word to him or Kytes.

"Well, that's a long story…"

Everything flashed back shortly after Penelo and Larsa entered the Sandsea. They sat on the seats upstairs looking over all was beneath.

"Long time not see, Penelo," the waiter blinked at her and widened his eyes when he noticed the man with her was not Vaan. "Wanna try our new tea?"

"Really? When did Tomaj start to serve tea in a tavern?" asked Penelo.

"When he started to dress up like that." He pointed his chin to the man standing in front of the counter beneath. He was combing his hair with his fingers. In his arms was a big bouquet. His metal leather vest could be seen shiny even from upstairs. "He fell for a girl in a tea shop, I heard."

"He even wears an aphrodisiac scent," he whispered, shrugging his shoulders.

"He appears joyous to me," Larsa observed. He asked the waiter about the new tea, but gained little information. Nevertheless, he decided to have a cup of Amille tea and the same drink pair with candied cactus fruits for Penelo.

They had a good chat. Penelo was happy with the tea. It had a floral and fruity scent, a hint of bitter in flavor and sweet aftertaste. She was happier with the candy, and his consideration, still.

"I thought you departed solely for expeditions," he remarked after Penelo finished her story about their sneak-up into Baron's manse.

"That was how I hoped, but sometimes Vaan got too excited. I know thieving is bad, but it could be worse if I'm not around to look after him," she justified as she was standing at the Bar and Larsa was the magistrate.

He put his hand on hers and they exchanged a smile. Penelo went on with some good adventures, jerking bad things out. Larsa involuntarily glanced down the door. There Tomaj tuned last details before going out.

"He looks like going out for a date," Penelo commented.

"Date…" Larsa whispered; there was a tint of nerves in his voice.

They fell into a moment of silence. Larsa dropped his look to his cup on the table. Warm steam rose up his face; and a thought flashed across his mind. Whether this be considered a date he wondered. And should it be, did he dress too cursorily? But it was the clothes that he felt comfortable in, and it was the clothes that he wore in their first meet.

He looked up briefly and caught a glimpse of Penelo staring at him with curiosity. She was surprised to see he shied away from her gaze. Penelo was pondering why he had to meet Al-cid here in Rabanastre. Could there be another reason?

Clang sound of the brass bell downstairs broke the quiet. Penelo had heard about this. It was a new promotion added recently. They called it 'Noon Happy Hour'. Noon…

"Oh, I'm late," cried Penelo realizing it had been noon already, "I have to go. See ya later."

She left in hurry. Larsa had not really had a chance to bid her goodbye. Thus it was no surprise to him that she forgot her grocery bag. He asked a waitress to store it in their cellar for better preservation until his friend returned. Then there he sat alone patiently waiting for his inviter.

A person that never appeared.

Penelo went back the Sandsea in late afternoon. Red soft light of setting sun doubled her blush cheeks. She standing in front of the tavern's widely open door hesitating. How embarrassed of her to leave her grocery bag, but she decided not to waste food even though some of it might be spoiled at that moment.

She stepped into the tavern. Her eyes rolled upwards where she sat hours ago; then she anchored her attention on the opposite chair where a familiar figure seating. He sat still alone gazing at distance. A worried, solicitude even, expression was on his face. She ran upstairs to his side and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Larsa-sama, what's going on?" she asked.

Before he could muster a reply, Basch came in. He stood up in anticipation of his protector.

"Did you receive any…"

But his answer was merely a shake of head.

"Forgive me, my lord. There was no correspondence and nothing new from the Margrace either."

He paused. Despite his helmet, Penelo could guess Basch was looking down his feet, then headed up and spoke. "The cortege is ready, Excellency."

"No, Gabranth, I shall not be coming back till I see… that person," he sat down and shook his head. "Please inform Ashe-san that I'll be staying at the Royal Castle some more days."

"Excellency, I do believe that you recall your last stay. I'm afraid it's too dangerous."

"It's unlikely to reoccur, and I could withdraw once you found a secure accommodation."

"Excellency," Basch sighed. As usual he never succeeded in changing his young but determined lord's mind, and that was exactly where Penelo jumped into.

"How about staying at my place?" she suggested.

And that was how it led to their current situation.