Prologue Three: Chole

How long have I worked with the Chocobo's? All my life. Family owned the stables five generations, and now they have passed to me. Sure can be lonely sometimes on my own now that Bill and Billy have passed on, but I like it here. The trade's been rocket-high since Cloud told me the secrets of breeding rare birds. I've made a mint thanks to that man.

I miss Billy. He looked after me all the way through my childhood. Mom died when I was born… Dad never really could accept me after that. He died fifteen years ago, Billy died a year ago, and I was left alone with the business. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to live a normal life in the cities, to be out of my world of Bills, Billys and Blue-bob-bills… I never quite suited my life. Too inquisitive, too hungry. Plus my name aint starting with the right letter…

I hear footsteps behind me and I finish checking on my favourite in the stables, a gold called Lucile that has been with me for years now; a fine and elegant old bird with a beautiful golden sheen left to me years ago after the death of the owner. I turn then I see her. I see the dead.

No, not literally, silly. But the dead spit of that deceased broad I was talking about; short dark hair, same smile, only this girlies more confident. Her smile reeks of that cocky city girl attitude, and I love it. She's a swell, I can tell from her clothes, but she's a rebel too, it shows in her punky haircut and pierced lip and nose. I like her. And I don't make a habit of liking no one.

"I want a bird," says she, her voice reeking of city life. I tells her straight, I asks her "What kind of bird? 'Cause it aint the right season to be breedin' em up new!" She smiles out of the corner of her mouth, and cocks her head towards Lucile. "I want this one."

"Well you aint havin' her. This one aint for sale," I say sharply. I aint about to give my prize to no one, no matter how pretty or city-girl. But she smiles at me again, and purses her lips so her piercing crinkles up at the corner of her mouth. "Pretty Please? I can pay you a good price and I'll leave you something precious so you'll know I'll bring her back." Seeing her again- now that's something hard to resist.

She reaches up behind her neck and unclasps the necklace she wears. As she places it in my hand my knees go weak, but I aint telling. I stand as tall as ever and stare her in the eyes. "Eight Thousand Gil," says I for a price. She don't like it but she's got the cash. She smiles slightly and I blush. "Fine. I'll bring her back when I'm ready, ok?"

Fine, fine and dandy. She mounts the bird and I watch her lines; she's boyish, cute, like a pixie-thing. As soon as she rides out I know I cant wait to see her again.