Balthier walked a gold coin across his knuckles as it flashed in the sunlight. We sat outside on a wide open plain as the sun baked our skin, almost content with the heist we had just pulled off. I took another bite of the juicy apple I held in my hand and then tossed it aside.
"Ah, the lovely Ozmone Plains; it doesn't get much better. Well, yes it does. For instance, when you don't have to lug half a million gil across them."
"Better with half a million than with none," Balthier said as he continued to watch the flashing coin, "Besides, we're getting some exercise. You can't put a price on your health."
"Apparently you can. It's half a million gil," I retorted. The heat never suited me and it was swelteringly hot. We had just trekked across the Giza plains, during the dry mind you, hobbling and sputtering under our new treasure. Needless to say, I was in a sour mood.
Balthier placed the coin in his pocket and stood up. He walked to where I had thrown my apple and fed it to the Chocobo standing near us. The Chocobo carried most our treasure and it was a bit worse for the wear. It barely seemed interested in the proffered treat and mournfully looked at Balthier. I could sympathize.
"Meera, don't doubt that your complaining is lovely to hear, because it is, but please don't feel the need to continue on my account," he said. He brushed his hands off on his pants and walked over to me, bending down to look me in the eyes.
"Just think of the cool, airy mansion in some remote city we can buy with this gil. Think of the pool we'll put in the back, underneath the shade of a beautiful, leafy tree. Doesn't that make you in the least bit happy about our adventure?"
"Well, the mansion is a nice incentive. We both know I don't do this thing for the pleasure of performing one botched job after another but yes, let's get on our way to that lovely mansion you've mentioned," I said. I stood up, forcing Balthier to jump backward.
"That's the spirit. Besides, if you would be so kind to accompany me on another one of my botched jobs, that so miraculously bring in so much gil, I'll save up enough for an airship. Then you'll never have to walk across this dreadful plain again."
"Yes, the airship. The blessed airship you keep talking about. No matter, let's go to this lucrative businessman in the Jahara."
Balthier smiled at me, which was a change from his usual smirk. I felt my spirits lightening. He was one of the few who could wrestle me out of my moods. I walked over to the chocobo and gathered up its reigns, giving it a reassuring pat on the neck. It only stared somberly back at me. We continued to make our way to the village, in search of a trader who would apparently be able to secure our newly acquired sums in a safe location. He apparently wasn't of the Jahara people himself, but used the village as an occasional outpost due to its remote location. There are few trustworthy bankers who would accept such a large sum as Balthier and I now possessed without a few suspicious questions. This man accepted everything, no questions asked, placing these sums in banks around Ivalice, which was extremely convenient to the likes of us roving thieves.
As we trudged on, the sun began to set and the air began to cool. The last rays that the sun threw off hit Balthier's weaponry, sending of glints of light. A small ring shined on his pinky finger. I had given it to him when we had first met, as an assurance that I wouldn't run away and call the guard on him. I had so desperately wanted to get away from where I was and he had offered such a unique opportunity for adventure and wealth. He had kept the ring, saying he would give it back when he could trust me. I thought I had earned it by now, but he continued to keep it. His thumb began to fidget with the ring, a motion I had seen him do more and more frequently. It wasn't like him to have a twitch. He looked backwards at me and when he caught me looking, he smirked. I made a face at him and he looked away.
***
Jahara was beautiful at twilight and so welcomingly peaceful. I relieved the chocobo of its load and left him in a paddock on the village's outskirts. It didn't seem too sorry at our parting. I unloaded my own backpack of wealth and passed it all over to Balthier. He always insisted on handing the gil over in person and he always did it alone. He never let me see any of these "businessmen". I presumed it was because he still didn't trust me to hold my tongue about these underground traders. What had I ever done to make him so suspicious? I waited near the paddock, watching the chocobos fidget and flap their useless wings. Nature has played a cruel trick on you my friends.
There was a whistle behind me and I looked around to see Balthier sauntering back empty handed. He swung a small wooden board in his hands which was his receipt.
"Everything went smoothly then?" I asked.
"As smooth as anything can these days. I had to make some colorful suggestions about my sword and his neck when he demanded an outrageous tax, but I got him where I wanted him."
"You always do. So, where are sleeping tonight? Please don't say with the chocobos." I said.
"Don't worry, Meera. I've secured some lodgings in the village. It helps that the Jahara are so accommodating to weary travelers and so rarely ask those tricky questions. Do I look that much of the part of a debauched, untrustworthy wretch?"
I snorted in laughter but followed him to the village while he whistled happily the whole way there.
