Vivi looked down at the cobblestoned streets that paved Alexandria. As he caught his breath a shadow loomed over and the little mage saw others around him staring up in wonder. Adjusting his pointed hat, he looked up to see the massive Prime Vista theatre ship sweep over him and watched as it docked by the castle. The Black Mage held his ticket in his gloved hand feeling extremely fortunate that he actually had a ticket to see such a marvelously proclaimed play. Coming here was well worth the effort he thought and with that headed off to Center Square where he would get his ticket stamped.
It all happened too fast but next thing Vivi knew he was face down smelling the hard stone and his ticket was feet in front of him as country children his age bumped past him with no consideration for what they had done. A voice was all he was able to hear among the laughter and chatter of the town.
"Are you awright?"
Vivi looked to his side to see a young girl dressed in a nicely sewn emerald dress. She was moving from side to side as if she couldn't keep still from some excitement. The girl looked concerned but she was smiling. Before Vivi could answer her question, she went over and picked up his ticket placing it in his possession when she returned. Suddenly, Vivi, now standing, became shy and didn't know how to thank this girl for her simple kindness. He straightened his hat once more thinking of what to say.
"You dwropped your ticket. Bye-bye!"
And with that she was gone. She disappeared among the crowds and Vivi was glad that she saved him from having to say anything. As he made his way over to his original destination, he heard an elderly couple talking about their granddaughter and how the wife spoiled her so. Vivi wondered if all grandmothers were like that. He didn't really remember any of his family except his grandfather and even that is a little hazy. The mage continued to saunter down the streets looking around from all angles at the lives of the people around. Most all the stores were close less they were selling medicine. 'That would be bad to get sick on a day like this,' was all Vivi could think to himself. The sky was beautifully painted with fluffs of clouds and doves were found all over the town's premises. Vivi liked that everything was simple and even though most city people scared him with their rough manners he found that he liked Alexandria very much.
"Oww! Why you-get outta my way!!!"
Vivi found himself facing the floor yet again but this time his ticket was securely in his hands. He began to feel that the floor was good company when you are alone in a big town. He looked up to see a rat like little guy scowl him and then run off in a big hurry. Vivi couldn't understand why they were such in a rush. That's not the way he liked to spend his time. But he guessed that guy had his reasons even if it meant knocking Vivi down again. By now Vivi was passing a pleasant tavern that was for the most part empty disregarding bartenders and staff. Nobles were in the area and as Vivi stayed a comfortable distance behind them, there was a trumpet sounded by a Herald in their honor.
"Honorable nobles of Treno...Castle Alexandria is this way!"
The ticketbooth was easy enough to find considering the large sign announcing the play. There wasn't anyone in line to get their ticket stamped so Vivi timidly made his way to the tall booth where a man was reading a newspaper. Obviously, he did not know Vivi was there because of his tiny size. Vivi stood there in silence for a while pondering how someone could get his attention when there was a delightful voice from above.
"Can I help you, son?"
Vivi was a bit puzzled and stuttered, "Uh...Ummm,"
Looking down and fiddling with his ticket, Vivi eventually got the nerve and showed the ticket to the Ticketmaster who was waiting patiently. He's probably used to people like this.
"What's this?"
The ticketmaster reached for his spectacles and took a few minutes to regard the ticket. He took the ticket out of Vivi's hand and Vivi was becoming nervous waiting for a response.
"There is something odd about this ticket..."
Vivi played unconsciously with his hat still fixing his sights on the floor which he was quite familiar with by now. The master turned the ticket over and gave a look of realization as he handed the boy his fraud, "Why it's another fake! I've seen so many today."
"Nooooo!"
It was the first time Vivi had spoken at all today. It surprised the master a bit to see the boy's spirit crushed as he hung his head low staring at the phony ticket. And to think he had actually thought he was one of the lucky ones being able to see this play today. What a way to spend the day. Vivi turned to leave but was stopped when the man had an idea.
"Now, now. Don't cry. I know how you must feel. Here, I'll give you these. Do try to cheer up now, hmm?"
Vivi sniffed a bit and then looked at the offered cards the master was holding out. There were only 3 of them and Vivi really didn't know much about Tetra Master. He guessed he could always learn. He nodded in gratitude however still felt melancholy that his chance of seeing the show had vanished. As he sulked away with no destination in particular he heard the Ticketmaster call out, "Talk to Alleyway Jack to learn more about cards. Good luck, lad!"
So now what? Vivi was completely unaware of what to do now. He hadn't even thought that something like this would happen. It hadn't even crossed his mind. The mage looked down walking towards an alley that he did not even know. He vaguely remembered hearing a group of young girls jump-roping and counting how many jumps they had and even a florist selling blossoms to Nobles. Vivi was not interested in the town anymore. He couldn't get over the fact that he would be standing on the sidelines while most of the town was watching the show. He imagined being entertained by countless hours of wonderful acting skill and music that he may one day tell his children about. There went those dreams.
"Blast it!"
The curse snapped Vivi back into reality and he looked to see a very angered signmaker coming his way. Now he was awfully big compared to Vivi and out of instinct he back away frightened.
"Hey! You made me miss, you little klutz!"
With that the signmaker was back up his ladder hammering away at the sign that, at least to Vivi, looked like it was perfect. Thankfully, the signmaker hadn't beat Vivi up or whatever else he could have done to him. There was no way Vivi could have defended himself. Who knows? Vivi was foreign to these parts. Plus it was an alley. Danger was written all over these walls.
"Hey, you! Shrimp!"
Vivi looked over and saw the familiar rat guy who had bumped into him earlier and was in such a rush. Vivi gulped and got inches close before stopping.
"You're the one with the phony ticket, ain'tcha? I saw the guy tell you it was a fake!"
How embarrassing. Vivi looked down once more and even though no one could tell his cheeks were very red and he was feeling warm yet freezing at the same time. He had to gain some dignity.
"Y-Yeah, it's fake."
Ok so it wasn't dignity but at least he hadn't stayed quiet. That was some improvement. Although Vivi wasn't looking at the rat he could tell he was smiling. Confrontations were best avoided if eye contact was kept at a minimum.
"I'll let you see the show if you become my slave! Well, whaddya say?"
Vivi thought about it and nodded, "Alright,"
If it was a way to see the show who was he to argue? Besides this guy looked like he could pull something like this off. Perhaps if they were prosperous in this, they might end up being friends. Vivi wouldn't mind making an extra friend at all. He had no one else to go to.
"Awesome! Now for your first assignment! You go stand over there and see if anyone's comin'!"
Vivi paced over to the opening of the alley and saw that the town itself was pretty empty. People must already be going to the show. After all it would start soon. Vivi only wished he knew what his partner was planning.
"All clear?"
"Yeah, it's clear."
"Awesome! Engage according to mission parameters!"
The rat boy jumped up in success and proceeded to the ladder that the signmaker had been using. Vivi hadn't even noticed that the signmaker had long before stretched and left his own way. Without so much trouble the rat picked up the ladder holding it over his head lengthwise and ran ahead of Vivi. For such a small size that guy was impressive. Just before he exited the alley, the rat looked behind him and ordered, "Follow me! Into the steeple!"
With that he ran off and Vivi chased after him as to not be left behind. He hadn't been to this part of town but it seemed to be the residential area. Just before entering the steeple, he saw the girl who had helped him in the green dress run out of her house to stand by the dock that was close by. She winked at him and then went along skipping to the old sailors by the boats. Upon entering the steeple, the rat kid was waiting Vivi to give the next directions.
"Now we're gonna climb up this tower! It's very dangerous. You go first."
Vivi was a little worried because of the dangerous part but it was only a ladder. What was the worst that could happen? The rat kid seemed to be getting impatient and Vivi decided it was best to do as he wished. Carefully, he began to ascend the ladder when a fluffy infinitesimal ball bounced on his head causing the both to crash back down at the base of the tower.
"Oww!",
The minute ball uncurled himself to reveal an adorable creature with puny purple wings and a scarlet bon-bon thingy floating at the top of his head. Vivi had never seen anything like it. It bowed down and spoke in a squeaky voice.
"Sorry 'bout that, kupo!"
"That's Kupo. He's a moogle."
The rat kid, still holding the ladder, jerked his head in introduction towards the moogle.
"Kupo!"
Next looking at the moogle, the guy titled his head toward Vivi and said, "And this is slave number one! Try and get along ok?"
There was some awkwardness until the rat kid made his way to the ladder and adjusted the ladder he was carrying so that it would fit as he climbed.
"Alright, time for some upward mobility!"
It was not soon before he reached the top. Vivi looked up the shallow hole he had just climbed and heard the rat kid's voice echo, "Okay, come on up, slave!"
Vivi really didn't like the idea of being called a slave but anything to see the show was better than standing no where helpless. Vivi placed his gloved hands on the ladder and was about to climb when...
"Kupo...? You here?"
Vivi paused his 'adventure' and looked back over his shoulder to see another moogle approaching. He was odd compared to Kupo whom he'd met just seconds earlier. This peculiar one wore a yellow spotted outfit, flamboyant to his surroudings and held a doll-sized bag on his back, protruding with letters, maps, Potions, and just about everything else one could fit into a miniature space. Besides the weird appearance, this moogle seemed warm-hearted and friendly.
"Kupo! Stiltzkin! You leaving, kupo?"
"Yeah, and this time I might be away for a long time,"
The other moogle was looking happy but yet somehow he hid the sadness of his friend's departure. It was something mysterious in their conversation that said everything was going to be ok, though, no matter how scary the large unknown world may be. Vivi now was standing by Kupo watching Stiltzkin walk awkwardly and balance his body so that no strange contraptions escaped his knapsack. How exhilarating it must be to travel the world with such ease. Vivi would never dream of leaving. He rather read them in books or better have someone read them to him.
"I'll miss you, kupo,"
"Now, don't you worry. I'll write,"
Kupo nodded happily and then Stiltzkin took a glimpse at his watch out of habit.
"Well, I'm off. Take care!"
With some difficulty, the moogle turned his back to Vivi and Kupo and made his way clumsily yet slowly to the exit of the steeple. It crossed Vivi's mind that with all those belongings, Stiltzkin's trip is going to be very long. It most likely didn't matter as long as everything that could be seen was seen and everything there was to do was done. Just before the traveling moogle disappeared he turned around as if he had remembered something important.
"Oh! And say hi to Mosh in the castle for me,"
Then he made his way back into Alexandria. Kupo was smiling very wide but then again Vivi thought that moogles always looked joyful so he wasn't really sure. It occured to him that the moogle was still staring the way Stiltzkin had gone and didn't seem as if he was going to move any time soon.
"Was that a friend of yours?"
Vivi actually felt comfortable around this creature. Maybe he was just getting more skilled at talking and making conversation. He wasn't nearly as tense as he had been this afternoon, being knocked down by chaotic kids. Kupo blinked and snapped his vision towards Vivi as if just acknowledging he was there. He tilted his head to the side as if pondering and then jumped up suddenly.
"Yea, kupo. A very special one!"
There was a loud yell resonating from the tower. Vivi then just remembered then that the rat was being more than generous waiting for him as he talked to the moogles.
"Hey, slave! I thought I ordered you up here!"
Vivi nodded to himself and waved goodbye to the moogle as he climbed up the ladder trying hard not to breathe for there was dust everywhere. Spiderwebs crept up along the side sometimes reaching from one rounded edge to the other. Vivi waved them out of his way and continued to hold his breath until his head poked through the top where the rat kid was tapping his foot impatiently. He sneezed, dusting off dust from his robes.
"Alright, the play's gonna start if we don't hurry!"
The boy ran ahead with the ladder in his hands leading Vivi to the rooftops of the residential area. They sure were high up...Vivi choked down his fear trying his best not to seemed frightened as the rat kid made it across the insecure wood planks that connected the roofs from one house to the next. But as he reached the ledge he could not think of anything else than falling. He wished he could be anywhere but here at the moment. Not seeing the show seemed okay right about now.
"Come on! Get over here!"
The rat examined Vivi's frightened expression and rolled his eyes.
"Lemme guess...You're afraid of heights, aren't you? It's okay! Just pretend you're on the ground!"
Vivi summoned all his courage and cautiously creeped over the plank that to his satisfaction, although made scary cracking noises, did not fall.
"Come on! We're running out of time!"
Vivi proceeded to run after the rat, time to time hoping that one day he may be brave and courageous just like all those heroes he remembered listening to grandfather Quan talk about. His glowing eyes were filled with admiration for everyone he had met today; the little green dressed girl, the rat kid, Kupo, and Stiltzkin. He would give anything not to be scared of trivial things and be able to do as he thought. Unfortunately his thoughts came to an end as he nearly stumbled across another plank without realizing the hazardous situation.
"Not again...Don't worry! It won't fall!"
Although the black mage may not have trusted the plank he sure trusted this mischievous character for some reason. There was always a time to start being brave or at least attempting to. Vivi again nervously walked over the unsteady platform and just when he felt that he could do this again, the plank began to shake and in seconds snapped up, thankfully pushing Vivi across to his destination like a slingshot.
"Hahaha...I guess it fell. No point in worrying now, right?"
The rat kid winked at Vivi slyly and then made his way past more roofs and broken down pieces of wood. Vivi ran after him and when was presented with more situations like the last, ran across really fast praying that he would make it to the other side alive. About halfway through the journey, the rat kid stopped looking back at an exhausted mage.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! I don't even know your name!"
The thought hadn't even been a concern of Vivi but now that it had been brought up, it did seem curious that he'd be working with someone without having a formal way of addressing him or her. Until now Vivi had just thought of him as a friend.
"I'm Vivi,"
"So your name's Vivi, huh? Kinda funny name...."-he appeared to be thinking deep into his mind as if the name sounded familiar or perhaps searching for its origin-"My name's Puck! Pleased to meetcha!"
Puck tipped an imaginary hat and then went running off to a structure that Vivi realized to be one of the castle walls. Vivi wondered if many people knew of this secretive way to get into the castle. Surely they didn't because no one was up here and there had been no reports of intrusions. Puck laid the ladder across the roof he was currently positioned at, all the way to the stoned barricade that guarded the castle. His calculations had been correct; the ladder was perfect to pull off this plot.
"Whew...I finally made it!"
Vivi looked at the pride radiating off of Puck's smile and eyes and was thoroughly stirred by his wit. Puck placed his hand on his hips triumphantly and then beckoned Vivi over the ladder.
"After that wall, we'll be inside the castle! C'mon, let's go!"