Author's Note: I'm updating a lot faster than I thought I would. I hope that doesn't mean my writing is suffering. Still going through the intro part. Things will get interesting once she meets up with the FF12 crew. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 3 - Set in Motion

With little idea of where lowtown was Lightning was forced to wander the streets a bit. Realizing soon after however that it wasn't getting her anywhere she broke down and asked a local passerby for directions. He indicated to an opening against the wall near the edge of the street. But he also warned Lightning, who he called a stranger, about what lies there. He described it as essentially the ghetto or gutter version of a city.

'Fantastic,' grumbled Lightning to herself as she began heading for the opening the man spoke of. 'I really hope Migelo wasn't pulling my chain.'

The lowtown certainly didn't look as upscale as the top side of Rabanastre, but certainly wasn't as bad as the man had indicated. Still the place had low lighting, water dripped around and the air was thick and musky with some kind of bearable stench. Most likely connected to the sewer system Lightning reasoned as she began her search.

'I'm beginning to think Migelo mislead me,' Lightning thought as she went about the place. Noticing some people housed up down here. This was a kind of poverty she wasn't used too. 'Everyone was provided for on Cocoon. Even on Gran Pulse everyone can had a roof over their head and lived in an equal community. Maybe I really am in a different world. But...did Serah manage to make it here? What if I made it to this world and she didn't?'

Redoubling her efforts Lightning began to pace herself a bit faster in looking for Dalan. It had just occurred to her that in haste she forgot to ask for details about what he looked like. Lightning silently cursed herself upon this realization and had to commit herself to asking help from a stranger again. Not that she was against asking for help when warranted, but this was a totally foreign realm. Picking up bits and pieces of conversation since she had arrived in Rabanastre she determined that this city was more or less under occupation from this Archadian Empire.

"Excuse me,"called Lightning to a couple of kids running about. They stopped as she approached them. "Can you tell me where Dalan is?"

"Sure," one boy said with a smile, eager to help out. He pointed his finger to Lightning's right. "Just down there and take a right. He's usually hanging around there."

"Thanks," Lightning said politely before walking off in the direction the boy spoke.

Turning a corner and staring down the corridor she found an older looking man. White hair, long white beard and thick mustache. With his darker skin and thin frame it looked like he had been in the sun too long, or this place had taken it's toll on him. Approaching him Lightning could see him holding a petting a small creature, a bunny it seemed.

'Well at least it doesn't seem to be a threat,' Lightning thought to herself as she stopped about ten feet away from the man. 'Though he doesn't seem that interesting to me.'

Lightning was about to say something before being cut off by Dalan. "Ah, if it isn't the pink haired foreigner. Come for information perhaps? Unaware of where you are?"

"How...?" Lightning managed to put together, a bit lost for words. She had only been in this world for a handful of hours.

"Well-informed I am," answered Dalan with a confident grin. This obviously wasn't the first time he had done this to someone. In fact it looked like he enjoyed being a small step ahead of everyone and surprising them. Sensing that the answer wasn't enough for Lightning, he pressed on. "I had three little birds inform me of you prior to your search for me."

"So it was those kids," realized Lightning crossing her arms as she stared at the man. Clearly this man was worth her time. "So can you help me? Do you even believe that I'm from another place."

"Not one to mince words are you?" Chuckled Dalan softly petting his rabbit that laid in his lap. "I do indeed believe you're not from here. I've met many a man and woman from all over Ivalice. Ordallia, Zelmonia, Romanda, Valendia, Kerwon, Galicia, and even the Orient. I've met travelers from all. None are like you. Your attire, your weapon, your hair, all foreign even to my eyes."

"I see," acknowledged Lightning looking down at the ground in front of her. It wasn't that tough to swallow the news really. Where she was could wait for the moment. There was a more pressing matters. "Have you seen my sister Serah by chance? She wouldn't be too hard to identify. She's like me in having rose colored hair."

"I have not," admitted Dalan as he shook his head. "But I can ask around. Rabanastre is unique in that many a traveler comes through to go somewhere else. With such noticeable features I'm sure I can find your sister."

"I'd appreciate it," said Lightning as she let out a smile sigh of relief that there were kind people in this place to help her. "But do you want something in return?"

"A name will suffice," suggested Dalan. "I know your sisters, but not yours."

"Lightning."

Dalan let out a few small chuckles. "An unusual name. But I only asked for the name, not the meaning. It will help me find your sister I promise."

'It wouldn't be worth your time anyway,' Lightning thought. "Until you find her, I don't suppose you would know a way to get back to my home."

"Alas, I do not," Dalan replied shaking his head again. "Hmm, now that I think about it, I did hear a curious rumor some years ago. There is a crystal or shard of some kind residing within the palace's treasure room. I do not know what it is, or it's properties. But I did hear this morning that some kind of strange glow came from within the chambers and none are sure as to why it happened. With your appearance I can't but wonder."

"I don't have any better lead. Alright, that'll be my target," decided Lightning as she turned and began walking away. "Thanks for your help."

"Wait, don't you want to know how to get in? It's well guarded?" Dalan inquired.

"You have eyes, don't you?" Retorted Lightning without stopping or looking back. "I'm not a pushover. In fact, this should be easy."

Second Note: So odd that this is a thousand words or so and still seems a bit short to me. I think I'll make chapter four longer so I don't have to stretch the chapters out longer than I have too. Hope you enjoyed.