CHAPTER ONE

Pirate Fool

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THE pale paranoma waning at the horizon's edge pulled the curious to it. It was rumored that the colossal city – said to be lit by the stars themselves – lay just beyond the pilot's reach. Where no sunlight shined, and there was no end to the constant stream of chaos issuing into the streets. Where some of the world's greatest treasures rested in the hands of fools. A formidable desire – a challenge and goal Sky Pirates spent most of their lives trying to fulfill.

"Nothing but a fool's dream, it is chased by the greatest fool of them all."

The words tossed against the sides of the Pirate Fool's mind – the seething comments of a departed and disregarded father who had done nothing more then disapprove of his son's choices. The statements that drew a wall between the fool and his gold in the dark nights when there was no reassurance to pull him through.

"A fool is at best a coward…"

Sitting across from her long time partner and companion, Fran pointed a delicate, button nose at him. With attentive, narrow eyes gathering in the man's every distinct detail, from the length of his fingernails to the wavy ridge of his hairline bordering erect ears, she prompted in a strong, dreamy Icelandic accent, "Balthier?"

The emphasis on the last syllable of his name drew the Sky Pirate from the encompass of old memories. With an inquiring sound in his throat, the man met his partner's eyes and for a brief moment, they shared the same notion. As Fran opened her mouth to acquire a better taste of Balthier's thoughts, he was already redirecting his attention to the reddening sky stretched out before them.

"Some things go better left unsaid," the youth noted, his own British accent laying the words on thick in a firm tone. Balthier left little room for argument.

Despite the duo's years together, Fran continued to retain the short end of their partnership. No matter the number of in-depth conversations they had, and no matter how much time passed as they ventured over the world, the setup was the same. The world changed consistently around him, while Balthier remained ever the wistful, prominent person Fran found herself cascading heard over paws for.

With a soft grimace, she peered down at her human-shaped olive hands, with the white nails that marked her different. One long ear flickered in reflex as her deep concentration picked up the roar of the airship's engine. Flowing, white curls brushing against her chin – sending a familiar tickle through her – the Viera shook her head and dropped her hands to her lap with a sigh. Cursed with the appearance of a clash between a hume and a common rabbit, Fran remained the unthinkable option in Balthier's lonely lifestyle.

Glancing sideways at her distracted partner, the Viera thought grimly, It never matters the number of women he woos. Balthier remains the un-changeling and fool in his father's eyes.

Perhaps if Balthier had accepted pity, Fran would have said something right then. However, the Viera's deeper understanding made her bite her tongue, and she returned her attention to the Strahl's controls. The airship ran in working order. Their path remained smooth and straight – with nothing spread out in any direction for miles.

For years, Balthier had spoken of this Paradise of Lights – had called it a 'Fool's Dream'. To the Sky Pirate guilds, it was better known as Fool's Gold. Inspiring and pretty, but not true and real. Some pirates thought the rumor was inspired by Spira's Malcalania Woods, where the pyreflies' subtle lights amongst the depths of the blue-black trunks shone brightly against the starry sky. Perhaps at the right angle overlooking Guadosalam, a drunk pirate could mistaken the cavern stronghold for something more.

Spira was on the other side of the world – the half that remained discreet and cutoff from Ivalice. The use of mechanics was forbidden to them by the preaching of Yu Yevon. It was interesting to see the differences between the two lands, and how they really were worlds apart from one another.

Worlds apart and one large ocean, Fran noted as she gazed distantly towards the unknown lands. At this rate, they would surely reach Spira, and the Strahl would gain immediate, unwanted attention. As a code of conduct, the two halves of the planet rarely interacted. A merchant may pass from one to the other, but connections remained limited. Spira wanted to keep order and control over their people. For this, they didn't want the temptations of the Promised Land of Ivalice posing any threats.

As if the pirate captain had been reading her thoughts, Balthier stated in a confident, inquiring voice, "Remember Fran, not all the world's as free as it wishes to be."

Giving a subtle nod as her long hair bobbed behind her, the Viera noted with a small smug smile, "Perhaps…or maybe not as free as some would like."

Returning the knowing smile, Balthier gave no reply to this. Instead, his response was to pull back on some controls and press deeply into a large button. The Strahl sped away into the deepening twilight, carrying a fool closer to a fool's dream.

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Inspired Music: "Foolish Dreams" - Evenspeak