Chapter 5-Detour to Sears

When Fran awoke the next morning, she rolled over to see Balthier cutting up food into equal portions. She groaned as she stretched and put on her helmet.

"Good morning, sleepy-head."

Fran smirked as she scanned his face, surveying the damage she had done to his eye. It appeared as someone had thrown a plum and smacked him there.

"You know you don't have to do that…I could make the food."

"Well, I thought it would be nice to have food ready when you woke up." he glowered. "Then you had to go and ruin that by waking up."

Fran regarded him for a moment, confused, and then dismissed the idea. "Well, I don't know where you got that food, but I already have some food from Raem."

Balthier continued peeling his apple and quartering it, then put it down on the plate in front of him. "Breakfast is served."

After the duo finished their makeshift breakfast, Fran took the task of checking on the status of getting into the gates. She had to punish two more guards before she found out that the gates wouldn't be opened until the afternoon shipment of food came into Rabanastre. She reported back to Balthier, and the two began devising a plan to get in another way.

"We could go in through the sewers."

"Are you crazy!? I might get my clothes dirty. Not to mention how smelly I would be when we got out. It's out of the question!"

"Do you have to be so concerned with your appearance all the time?" Fran scowled at Balthier as she packed up their things.

"Yes. As the leading man, I have to look my best always, lest I get caught looking like a…well…supporting role…"

"I'll make you a deal. We can go to that store over there and get you something to make you smell good, and a change of clothes. We do need to get into the city, however, and the sewers are looking like our only option."

Balthier looked over at the store Fran was gesturing towards. "A Sears, huh? I suppose that will do. I can handle walking around smelling like a cheap man for a few hours."

And so, the duo strolled off towards the Sears. After passing a variety of useless things that they hadn't come in for (typical of Sears), they came across the colognes. Balthier chose an appropriate one, and moved on to the clothing.

"These shirts are dreadful, maybe I just won't get any new clothes. It's still not too late to wait at the gates." Balthier looked at Fran with a hopeful smile, but her look tore it from his face.

As Balthier continued to scan the clothing, Fran wandered off, hoping to find a new pair of shoes; hers had been worn down during their trek through the harsh desert. She was meandering through various racks of non-Stilettos, when she came across a large glass revolving door, with Rabanastre beyond it. On top of that, the door was completely open, and people were walking in and out of it. Heaving a sigh, she returned to Balthier, relieved that she wouldn't have to deal with him under the city.

Fran walked up just as soon as Balthier paid for his clothing and cologne. He turned around, beaming at his selections—they were exactly what he was wearing, except not name-brand.

"I could get used to this place. It's got all the clothes of the designer stores, without the cost."

"Balthier, this is hardly the time to be discovering bargain-shopping. Besides, I just found an exit into the city, over there." Fran gestured towards the very obvious door.

Balthier peeked around her, and his face contorted into an angry glare. "You could have told me there was an exit and I didn't need this trash…before I bought it!"

She appeared taken aback at what Balthier was saying. In a voice of mock surprise, she exclaimed, "Oh, but, you seemed to like this bargain-shopping a moment ago! What happened!?"

Balthier shoved his purchases into her arms and stormed off towards the large doors. "I'll get you back for this, Fran!"

Fran, not understanding what was going on (or how it was her fault) snickered and casually strolled off after him.