The fragile clouds dispersed as the ship glided through the air, reforming in it's wake as wispy shapes that glowed in sunlight. Condensation had formed on the windows, and the watery blanket that covered the glass was broken only by droplets which left a transparent trail. That, and the drawing which Mr 163 had made with his finger.

He was now going over the lines again, making loud squeaking noises as he did. He stopped to examine his work. Blank shuddered as the the sound began again: it went right through him. Although he had anticipated that the journey to Forgotten Continent would be a long one, it had seemed like an age had already passed, and they hadn't even left the Mist Continent yet.

"Mr Blank! Mr BLANK!" Mr 163 was waving his arms frantically as if he was trying to catch the attention of an aircraft several hundred feet in the air, despite the fact he was sat only two rows behind Blank. "Look, I drew your friend!"

Blank slid himself off the leather seat and turned his head to peer at the drawing which became less and less recognizable as time went by: water continually dripped down, leaving long lines across the masterpiece. However, it could still be seen 163's Marcus had very large, uneven teeth, a nose similar to a banana, and appeared to be holding a large troll club.

Mr 163 beamed.

Marcus breathed hard whilst seeming to concentrate extremely hard on the back of the black mage's head. Blank got the feeling he was trying to bore a hole in it.

"We will arrive at the Burmecian Ship Port in several minutes. Those planning to leave the ship should make sure that no personal belongings are left behind. Thank you." The speaker blared out the announcement, and Blank breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he could buy something to occupy Mr 163 and Mikoto at a gift shop. Although to be honest, Mikoto didn't seem to need anything to occupy her, she wasn't too bad to have along, as long as you kept her away from people. So far she had made several small children cry, nearly been thrown off twice after various complaints from other passengers, and provoked one very angry husband to punch Marcus, yelling, "Keep your damn kids in check!" as he left the ship.

She certainly had a knack for saying the wrong thing, and Blank made a point to himself that he should have a word with her before they boarded the overseas ship.

As they shuffled out of the door with the rest of the crowd, Blank found the perfect opportunity, when Mikoto voiced her curiosities to Blank.

"Are all these other people going on vacation as well?" Although she appeared to be talking to him, Blank couldn't be sure as she kept her eyes dead ahead, or staring at someone in the crowd until they became self conscious and tried to hide.

"Uh, well, probably. Although some of them may be going home, or striking a business deal. You never know," Blank paused, "It's not good to be too nosy. It's their business."

"People are strange. Back on Terra, we all had designated tasks, we all knew what everyone else was doing. It was organized."

"It was boring..." snorted Marcus in a lowered voice, but Mikoto heard him.

"Yes, I suppose trolls don't have many tasks to do. They're too busy eating and breaking wind..."

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

"Quick temper, hasn't he?"

Blank laughed, as Marcus struggled to find the words to construct a witty retort. He was beginning to enjoy having the extra company, although he knew that what change once they reached they're destination.

"Mr Blank?" The black mage had waddled up beside Blank, "Why do people go on vacation?"

"What, you don't know?" Mr 163 shook his head. Blank looked surprised. "But Zidane said you wanted to go on vacation. What was your reason?"

"Well, um," Mr 163 fiddled with his gloves, "It wasn't exactly ME who decided to go...Mr Zidane said I should go because the store got robbed by bandits. But I'm still not sure why. Does everyone go on vacation after they're robbed?"

"They might, but there are loads of other reasons. They might go to get a tan."

"Why?"

"Well...people like to be tanned."

"Why?"

"Because it looks nice." Blank was beginning to feel the twinge of annoyance.

"Why?"

"Well it's...it's a nice colour."

"Why?"

"Because it just IS, okay?"

"Oh...Okay!" Mr 163 skipped off.

Blank breathed deeply, and he suddenly realized that he had forgotten to finish his conversation with Mikoto. Then again...where was Mikoto? Blank could see the ticket booth through the crowd but both Mikoto and Mr 163 were nowhere to be seen.

"Blank!" Marcus tapped him on the shoulder, "Can you believe our luck! They left us of their own will, we didn't even have to try!"

"What! You saying we just leave them here!"

"Oh, come on! They'll figure out how to get home! That Mikoto's a smart one...A little annoying mind you..."

Blank and Marcus bought their tickets at the ticket booth, even though Blank felt a twang of guilt in his stomach all the while. He dragged his bag to the boarding platform, feeling a lot worse than he had done when he'd had to put up with their guests. As they neared the ship doors Blank caught sight of Mikoto in the crowd. She looked different.

The customary superior expression was gone from her face, instead her eyes seemed void of any happiness whatsoever. Her shoulder were slumped, and as she fiddled with the tag on her bag, a single tear ran down her face.

"Quick, before they see us!" Marcus nodded towards the door.

Even though he knew he was going to regret it, Blank slid out of the queue, and made his way over to Mikoto. In the increasing distance he heard Marcus' cry of protest.

"Hey, Mikoto, what's up?" He came and stood next to her, motioning to a bench just behind them. As they sat down, Mikoto wiped her eyes quickly.

"It must be Gaia's filthy air, it's hurting my eyes." Yet as she said it, she put her head down to hide her real emotions.

"Well I'M not coming with you," Marcus had followed Blank out of the queue, "I'll meet you there. I'm catching this train!"

"Oh no you're not," Blank answered with a smile, "I've got your ticket."