Looking around, nobody knew where to go first. The Nalbina waterpark was so huge, you could easily get lost really quickly. Everywhere you turned, there were giant, multicolored slides, smells of tasty fried cakes, and people from all nations of Ivalice enjoying the warm day. The air echoed with people's laughter and chatter; the kind of excited buzz that pervades carnivals and festivals.

"So what do we do first? " Penelo asked, bringing her hands up to her chin in an excited manner.

"Before we go rushing off, we all need to change into our swimsuits first at the dressing house." Ashe announced. "It's just over there." She said, pointing to a large, green tent with a line of anxious people at it's entrance.

They all got in line and were just a few people away from the entrance. Unlucky for them, they got stuck behind some obnoxious Bangaa guy who wouldn't stop arguing with another Bangaa about who's muscles were bigger.

But Vaan wasn't paying attention to the two Bangaas. He wasn't even paying attention to the little whiny girl near the entrance who was crying to her mom because they had to leave. Vaan was paying attention to Fran, who was standing in front of him. A young man's mind can wonder very fast, to a lot of places...

"(Wow, Fran has such a beautiful butt. And her muscular lower back is so sexy! I wonder if Balthier has ever slept with her...I wonder why Fran doesn't have a tail. I mean, she is a bunny after all, right? Does she like carrots...?)" Vaan thought to himself.

When he saw Penelo turn to look at him, he looked away from Fran, not wanting to get caught gawking at her assets. He'd already been embarassed once before when he decided to ask her how old she was.

"So, what do ya want to ride first? You gotta stick with me in here! You don't want me to end up being lost, at the mercy of these big, mean, shady Nalbina men, do you?" Penelo pleaded to Vaan, making big puppy eyes.

"Well, yeah, I guess we can stick together today..." Vaan said. He remembered what Fran said to him back at the hotel before leaving. She said she wanted more of him, and would meet up with him tonight.

"Great, then it's settled!" Penelo happily said, as she took Vaan by the hand and they both went into the dressing house.

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Vaan found an empty dressing room and quickly changed into his swim trunks covered in pictures of cactuar, then headed back outside. He stood there and waited for everyone else to get out.

First to exit was Balthier. He was wearing some type of black bicycle shorts and had a black towel draped over his shoulder. Even in a tight bathing suit like that, he still managed to keep his classy saunter-walk. The Balthier swagger, it was called by local girls in Rabanastre.

Next out was Basch, who had some swim trunks covered with a pattern of red chili peppers, and a regular white towel. They looked more like boxers, but hey, Vaan wasn't there to judge. Basch looked slightly uncomfortable being so unclothed in public, but it didn't seem to bother the girls walking by.

"Hey, hot stuff!" They shouted as they went by. Basch pretended not to hear the comment, as he supressed a blush. Balthier thought they were saying it to him, and he put on his lady-charm smile and waved at them.

After a few more minutes, Balthier suggested maybe the girls got lost or hurt inside, and was about to go back in when Ashe walked out.

She had on a dark purple, two piece bikini with white trim, and she was carrying a matching royal purple towel. She seemed pretty confident as she strode to the group.

"Your majesty looks breathtaking, as ever." Basch said, as she approached.

"There is no need for formalities, Basch. We are on a vacation, after all." She said, giggling.

"As you wish, milady." He replied.

Next out was Penelo. She also had a two piece bikini, which was black and pink striped, and she was carrying a white towel with an undecipherable golden symbol in the center.

Last, but definately not least, was Fran.

She strode out of the dressing tent wearing a small, white bikini, which accented her dark skin beautifully. She was holding an emerald green towel delicately in her right hand.

"Shall we?" She said, as she started walking to the waterpark entrance.

"(What have I done to deserve her?)" Vaan thought to himself as he followed.

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The group seperated pretty quickly once they got inside the park and got a look around. Balthier went right to the bar to get a glass of who knows what. Basch escorted Ashe as they went off walking down the main pathway. Fran went to the jacuzzi, which was where Vaan wanted to go too, but he had Penelo with him. That would've been an awkward situation...

"C'mon, what are you waiting for!" Penelo said as she grabbed his hand and hurriedly trotted off. He couldn't help but look down at her cute butt. What could he say? He was a growing boy!(with something else growing, too!)

They went on a few exhilarating body slides, which ended in being rudely tossed into a deep pool of water filled with others who met the same fate. God forbid they landed on some poor, unsuspecting person when they came down. After a few more rides, and some walking around in the sunny weather, Penelo's stomach growled.

-Grrrrrwwwlll-

She looked down at it and rubbed it with a sad face. "I'm getting kind of hungry..."

"No problem; Let's go grab a bite to eat." Vaan said, with a smile. She returned his smile with a warm smile too. They had been buddies for so long. Almost like brother and sister, but not quite. Things were starting to change between them. Vaan and Penelo were growing up. They had new, strange feelings that they didn't know how to deal with. Vaan was starting to see how much he cared for Penelo, how much he was attracted to Fran, how much he looked up to Basch, how much he liked Balthier as a sky-pirate role model(sorta), and how much he admired Ashe for being so strong, after all she'd been through.

"Vaan, are you coming?" Penelo inquired. He had been standing there, daydreaming.

"Oh, yeah, just thinking..." He said, honestly.

"'Bout what? You can tell me anything, really." she said in a quieter tone, walking up to him, her face changing into a more serious but loving one.

"Well........it's nothing." Vaan finally said. He didn't know how to explain the hurricane of feelings and thoughts he was having.

Penelo stood there staring at him for a second, then slowly stepped towards him, closing the space between them. She looked up into his eyes for a good ten seconds, searching his face.

"Okay! But seriously, you can talk to me anytime ya need to, Vannie." She said, play-punching him in the arm. Vaanie was a secret name they used as kids for him, to which he always got embarassed when she used it, nowadays.

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When Penelo and Vaan got to the foodbar, they found Fran there, leaning against the wall. Vaan's heart started to beat fast just at the sight of her. He couldn't help it.

"Fancy meeting you two here." Fran said, shaking her dazzling white hair. She was standing in the sun, catching some rays.

"A hume's gotta eat." Penelo replied, shrugging. Vaan stole a glance at the viera, who winked back then looked away.

"Uh..um...what about you?" Vaan awkwardly asked.

"What about me?" Fran said, not understanding the question.

"You know. What do Vieras...eat?" He said, looking down at the ground, realizing it's not the best idea to inquire trivial details from Viera.

"I think you humes use the term 'vegetarian'?" She informed them, twitching her ears.

"Oh.."

("To have a body like that from eating some lettuce?!") Penelo shouted in her mind, but just smiled. She then ordered a salad...

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"Ugghh...I don't feel so good...." Vaan said, resting his head on the table. He had just finished a local specialty: the Nalbina Dog. It consisted of a hotdog with cheddar, desert onion bits, a cactuar slice, and a very spicy marlboro seasoning.

"I think I'm gonna just stay here for a bit in the shade..." he said with remorse. He was having fun enjoying the park with Penelo, but he couldn't do it on an upset stomach.

"Well...it's too bad you feel sick. Are you sure you're feeling that bad?" Penelo asked, feeling his neck for a hot temperature.

Even though her soft hand made him feel a little better, it wasn't enough. (Note to reader: If you ever find yourself at a festivity in Nalbina, avoid anything with marlboro seasoning!)

"I just need to take a rest for a while." He said, getting comfortable in his chair.

"Very well. I'll accompany you, Penelo" Fran said, walking up. "I'll just have to have the fun in place of Vaan."

"That's okay with me. Although I don't know what kind of stuff you like to ride..." Penelo said, looking perplexed.

"You'll find out soon enough, my child" Fran said, letting out a giggle, which was a rare thing indeed for her.

With that, they both walked out into the waterpark, leaving Vaan to his cramps.

"Just my luck..." He said, once they were gone.

I know all you readers in fanfictionland are thirsty for lemonade, and I assure you, the next chapter will definately have plenty of them! Stay tuned...