Hello readers! This is my first fanfic and I have almost no idea what I'm doing, so I'm just writing a story right now and hoping it works! Like I said this is my first story, but please don't go easy on me. Flame me if you want. I don't want to be pampered.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XI or any of these characters.
The young Hume man, not a day over 20, wearing an all black ninja suit, stood leaning against the wall just outside of the residential area in Bastok. As he waited, many people stared at him, pointing and whispering, gasping and giggling. He paid them no mind as he stood and waited for his friends. This kind of treatment wasn't very rare anyways. He and his friends were all very well known throughout Bastok as one of the top ranking mercenary teams. His friends were all stocking up on potions and such, preparing for the long journey ahead. They would be heading for San d'Oria, as business was dwindling as a mercenary. The only work they got was fighting with gangs and such. They would journey to San d'Oria for their first trip as adventurers. Suddenly a hand clasped his shoulder and he turned to see his friends at his side.
"We're ready to go now, Rio," said another young Hume, this time a female. Her name was Taya, a strong Samurai/Warrior who had been friends with Rio almost all her life. They were very close, almost like brother and sister.
He himself was a very strong and swift Ninja/Dragoon, an odd but effective choice in jobs. A very small Tarutaru with a sturdy build smiled up at him joyfully before his tall, floppy black hat fell over his eyes. The small Black Mage, Zenil, was always fun to have around.
He looked high up over the pair's heads at the face of another friend, a hulking Galka named Cangon. The almighty Galkan Monk/Warrior was a force to be reckoned with.
Rio was suddenly pocked lightly in the back of the head and he spun around to see Mimila, his much younger Mithran White Mage/Bard companion.
Behind her stood two tall, proud Elvann. The first one, a male, was a Paladin/Warrior named Ferzan. The second, Ferzan's wife, was a beautiful female Dark Knight/Warrior named Isanlada, making them an unstoppable pair.
Rio nodded and the rather large group of seven not so new adventurers began their long trudge toward San d'Oria. It was already nearing night by the time they reached the gate to Gustaberg. They passed through the gate and entered Gustaberg where they could see the sun still dangling just above the mountains in the distance.
"We'd better hurry," Rio said to his group of friends. "The sun will be setting soon."
The others nodded silently as they followed Rio into Gustaberg. As they walked, Rio and the others watched the scenery around them. Few other adventurers were out at this time. Most were either at or going to their mog houses, or pitching tent for their well-earned rest for the night. The best part about staying in Bastok was that the monsters in Gustaberg were all too stupid to ever go poking their heads into tents. Of the few that would still attack the campers if they were outside, the adventurers would merely light a fire to scare them away. But quadavs were the only monsters that weren't afraid of fires. So the adventurers still had to be cautious. When the sun was halfway behind the mountains, Rio finally halted them for the night.
"Finally, we can get some resty-westy" said Zenil, plopping down on his butt. The group had walked for hours without talking and hearing the young Taru's childish accent sparked conversation. Mimila joined Zenil on the floor as the two Elvann lovers sat together and watched the sunset. Rio, his wyvern Sieg suddenly at his side, busied himself with building a fire. Cangon was occupied with setting up the tents. Taya was left to herself with nothing to do. She looked around at everyone and saw them all content with what they were doing and she was left completely alone.
Rio finished off the fire and the group began to gather around it. He looked around at the smiling faces of his friends when he realized something was missing. Where's Taya? He asked himself. He looked around and saw the young Hume woman absentmindedly picking at her short skirt, staring into space. Sieg fluttered from Rio's shoulder to Taya's as Rio walked to her.
Taya was brought out of her trance by the light pressure on her shoulder by Sieg and she looked up as Rio came to her.
"You should be more careful," Rio said sternly as she smiled at him. "Something could sneak up behind you and cut you down."
Taya's smile faded and she looked away, hugging her knees under her chin. "Sorry," she said quietly.
"Don't be. I'm just worried about you," Rio said shaking his head. He walked and squatted down in front of her as he said this.
She smiled at him again weakly, her fatigue and loss of energy completely apparent on her face. She lay her head down on Rio's shoulder and closed her eyes, nearly falling asleep right there.
Rio smiled softly and stroked her raven black hair. She felt so delicate and small, nearly weightless on his shoulder, but he knew she was strong both physically and mentally. Her long straight hair made a soft, glistening wall down Rio's chest as she lay on his shoulder. Sieg sat on his right.
Ferzan looked over his shoulder at the two Humes and smiled. Isanlada turned to him, then looked off at what he was staring at. She too smiled. "New love blooms. We might have another wedding on our hands someday soon," she said quietly to her beloved husband.
"Yes, my dear Isanlada," Ferzan said, his smile widening into a large grin. "I think we just might."
Sorry about making this chapter so short, but I felt it that that would be a good line to end off on. You may notice that I have a somewhat distinct, I think, way of writing the romance. It occurs early on, instead of the sappy endings with their first kiss right at the end. Well, I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter! Expect the next one very soon! See ya! (Please RR)