CHAPTER FOUR

Merry Meet and Merry Part

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A growing need to be accepted in hopes of salvation lingers deep in instinct throughout a lifetime. Doubt fills both the weak and strong minds – bringing down even the highest and purest hopes. Without doubt however, there can't be chances for courage to shine through, and for motivation to take a factor in dreams and ambitions. Sometimes, the smallest of blessings can be a dream – far-off and not quite real or within grasp.

Sunshine has become one of mine…

From the depths of the small, square cell laid in the resting, bottom quarters of the dungeons, a curled form sat rocking back and forth. Within the reaches of the haggard youth's mind relived the old memories of rare sunshine, illumining starlight, and the soft touch of a woman's loving hand.

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Night brought promise of good times and drifting merriment that couldn't be ignored. Besaid Village had called all its watchers and scouts back to enjoy the furtive night's activities. The elders directed their concentration to the attention-seeking children who ignored their mothers' constant calls to return to bed. Music played by flute and strummed on harps drifted into the air – casting a comforting, serene feel over the village and those dwelling there.

The light talk and laughter was an even merrier sound, and it raised a calm awareness in Balthier as he shuffled quietly through the bushes on the outskirts of the village. Fran rested on the other side – having come around from the back on the Sky Pirate's orders. Despite the Viera's protests on the intrusion, Balthier felt a need to observe this solitary village residing in the normally clumped cities of Spira.

From the small mechanical communicator at his hip, Fran's hushed whisper crackled: "Balthier, let us leave these humes to their peace."

With a knowing smirk, the youth flipped the switch of the communicator, cutting off the wise Viera's advise. Fran grimaced lightly and wrinkled her nose as she pressed the communicator to the clip at her side and returned her gaze to the feasting humes. Their content made the Viera realize how different she really was from them. Being amongst humes for fifty years had stripped Fran from the communication of wildlife – and though she deeply missed it – she resolved herself from returning. She had turned her back on Green Wood and her kin, and therefore, would not return now.

Fran sunk back quickly and quietly into the long grass as a form paused nearby. The warm fiery light cast by the large bonfire in the middle of the village illumined a youthful, female's hume features. Her expression didn't match the same joy plastered on even the crinkled, elderly faces. A hesitance surrounded the young woman, as if she wasn't sure she wanted to be there.

Observing the dark hair and bright eyes, Fran took in every delicate, imperfect detail of the woman, thinking admissibly, Is this what Balthier waits for?

The Viera discarded these thoughts as she realized their foolishness, and let her long, stiffening limbs relax as the girl was called away. There were many things that Fran would do for her captain, but there was also a limit.

From where he crouched, Balthier braced himself momentarily before darting into the tall grass pressed against the other side of the stonewall surrounding the village. Sky Pirates were thoroughly warned about Spirans' dislike for their kind. Residing on such a small, secluded island, the villagers would surely recognize the pair as foreigners by their clothes, and question their arrival.

The less known the better, Balthier reminded himself.

"Lady Yuna!"

The loud, but shaky voice caught the Sky Pirate's attention sharply. He squinted his eyes towards the bonfire, and watched as a solitary woman strode her way on careful-stepping, delicate feet towards the hunched elder turned towards her. The girl's serene expression perked Balthier's interest, and he considered the woman for a moment. His eyes strayed from the people to the temple beyond. Those passing before it paused and bowed in the manner of a prayer and expression of respect.

From what little Balthier knew of Spira, he understood that most Spirans were dedicated to the preaching of Yu Yevon. Their beliefs supposedly had freed them from Sin's control ten years past. The Maesters claimed that Sin would return to claim the wrongdoers who abused the power of 'Machina'. This seemed to discourage the Yevonites from uprising and taking control of their land and their religion choices.

Caught forever in the spindly spider's web of invisible truths.

Pulling the communicator from his belt, Balthier turned it on with a light click. Raising it to his mouth as he crouched lower – eyes still locked on the fiery glistening stonewalls of the mysterious temple – he whispered into it, "No doubt these good merriers have more suitable wear. What do you say to a change of wardrobe?"

There was a hesitant pause before Fran's light voice came back warningly, "Watch yourself, Balthier. In such a small village, they would surely recognize you as an outsider. These humes speak in strange tongue."

Considering this, the Pirate held the button, saying quietly, "Well noted, Fran. Very well, then we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way. Like true thieves of the delightful fairy tales."

The crackly reply came back hesitantly: "Don't those tavern stories often end with capture?"

Giving a rewarding smile with a light chuckle, Balthier shifted back into the tall grass and shadows of the stonewalls' adjoining corner as a dog sniffed the air nearby, stating inquiringly, "Come now, tavern tales are nothing more but exaggerated truths, Fran. Let the blind-sighted rest easy with their diluted endings."

As the Viera began again, Balthier cut her off sharply as the dog drew closer. Slinking behind a dwelling structure, the pirate lost sight of the bonfire, and his vision darkened considerably. A soft rustle of dirt beneath his boots alerted the pirate to his situation. The dog's salute appeared from around the dwelling's side. Its tail swung at the sight of him and after a moment it trotted over to begin licking at his face.

Falling back from his hunches, Balthier tried to suppress the friendly animal's bombard of welcomes, while remaining quiet. The dog gave a sharp bark; tail still wagging with tongue out panting in the humid night air. The muffled voices continued on without notice, and Balthier felt relieved at this. However, he needed to get this mutt away from before a child came searching for their missing companion.

A rustle from nearby caught the dog's attention, and it raise its shaggy head with ears perked as the crunching continued – drawing a bit further away. A vague scent caught its attention, and the dog was bounding away before Balthier could move out of the animal's way. The pirate fell back against the hard dirt with a grunt. The soft tickle of the long grass against his face irritated the man thoroughly, and Balthier pushed himself up on his elbows once the dog's scampering movements melded with the night's festivities.

As a thought arose in his mind, Balthier straightened, and turned on the communicator. Holding the button to still the static sound emitting from it, he sleeked his way to the dwelling's side to peer towards the bonfire. He had lost his advantage of ranged sight, and now could only catch glimpses of a small section of the village. Raising the communicator to his mouth, he dared in a hush voice, "Fran?"

Loosening his hold on the button, Balthier waited expectantly, and a minute later, the Viera's voice appeared in a barely audible whisper, "You owe me, Pirate. You remain as useless on land as in air."

With a knowing smirk, Balthier replied as he relaxed a little, "And you owe me a new shirt."

A minute passed before Fran's voice came back; more loudly now, "What's your plan this time, Mischievous One?"

"I prefer the term, 'curious'." Pausing in thought, Balthier slunk through the space of two dwellings to rest his back against the second one's wide girth. Raising the communicator to his mouth again, the pirate continued more confidently, "There rests a temple. I'm sure these good Yevonmites wouldn't mind us having our pickings. They are, after all, noteworthy of their compassion and giving."

With a moment's pause, Fran corrected from where she crouched near the temple's raised platform, "They remain faithful Yevonites." Giving serious thought to what her captain was proposing, the Viera continued squarely, "I will follow you wherever you go – whether it be land or air."

In a mocking voice, the pirate noted, "Fran…I'm touched." With a small smirk, he commanded, "You know what to do. Let's scatter a little chaos into this boring occasion."

There was a distinctive snap from the device as Fran tuned out, and re-clipping his own communicator, Balthier crept quietly towards the last dwelling that sat at an angle. At the end of it rested an open slope to the temple. He would have to move quickly to make his way up and into the shadows without notice. That was presuming no one was residing within it either. Careful watching showed no one entering or departing from the shrine, but Balthier's goal was to slip in and out, with something that would sell well in Ivalice. They would already be departing by the time the villagers noticed the swift thievery.

Assurance in his own plan kept Balthier confident as he sneaked his head out from the far side of the last dwelling. His movement was smooth and quiet as he awaited the distraction – faith in his partner never wavering.

Creeping on her belly in the long grass as close as she dared towards the bonfire, Fran scanned the area thoroughly with sharp eyes. Her eyesight at night was just as good as during the day. A quick flash of green light on a communicator from the far dwelling nearest the temple alerted her to Balthier's location. He was ready.

Long nails scathing at the packed earth, Fran dug a small hole into the ground as she turned her hand to reveal a large clump of dirt and sand. Slipping her free hand into the small pouch beside her communicator, she pulled a small vial out in between delicate fingers. Popping the top off slowly, Fran let the liquid pour over the clump of earth as a faint, sweet smell of cinnamon perfume filled the air around her. Bracing herself, the Viera hesitated only momentarily to judge the distance, before tossing the clump into the air.

The dirt landed square in the fire – feeding the flames. A large spout went up with a loud cackle, causing all heads to turn at the sudden change. A few cries went up as embers spread out over the area – a few catching flame. Villagers moved quickly to try to put out the stray fires.

Recognizing the distraction immediately, Balthier broke cover and darted low to the ground, up the slope towards the large, stone structure. Flipping back away from the scene, Fran scaled a dwelling's wall and took perch on hands and knees on the roof. Her salute against the sky drew more eyes towards her, and mixed cries and gasps joined the chaos. Villagers began to gather closer as claims of fiend attacks shuffled from one mouth to the next. Some men picked up rocks, and others ran into their homes. Women gathered their children into their arms or dragged them away from the unfamiliar, dark form.

Fran didn't stay still for long. She was already moving across the roofs when Balthier reached the temple's open entrance. He paused with back pressed to a pillar to watch her form leaping from one roof to the next to distract the villagers. With a small, knowing smirk, Balthier stepped quietly into the warm glow of the temple.

Inside, large handcrafted statues loomed and each set of eyes seemed to snap to the intruder. Thinking it was like being on trial before the jury, Balthier quickly scanned the small, circular space and was relieved to find it empty. Parting from the shadows, the youth stepped quietly into the room – his boots beating softly on the stone floor. They were stilled as he reached the extravagantly red and gold woven carpet displayed before a long staircase leading to a sealed door. A closed door stood in the back on either side of the stairwell.

A dim, resonating hum echoed through the walls, and Balthier searched the temple quickly for the source. When no conclusion came, he supposed it some sort of magik. Torches blazed from pedestals to illumine the room in a fiery glow, but besides the statues resting in raising rows, there appeared to be nothing of interest.

Feeling thoroughly disappointed, Balthier turned his gaze towards the door lying like a beacon above him. Pausing at the staircase for a moment, the man considered the possibility of someone lying beyond it. Fran wouldn't be able to distract the villagers for much longer, and would have to withdraw into the surrounding woods to avoid the risk of harm. Laying a foot on the first stone step, Balthier turned back as he was alerted to a scuffling from outside. When it dimmed, he calmed a little, and gazed back at his solitary black boot resting on the structure.

Was he going to really steal from people who lived alone on an island? From villagers who clearly made their own homes and clothes with their hands? Who paid prayer and worship to statues?

Balthier's conscience was pulling at these thoughts when the soft creak of an opening door caught his attention. The youth raised his gaze sharply to the softening sound. Dim shadows stretched down the stairs towards him as soft footsteps drew closer.

The serene, lovely face of the woman an elder had dubbed 'Lady Yuna' appeared in the open doorway. She paused with a look of alarm at the sight of the Sky Pirate – one eyes a clear blue, the other a shimmering green. The pair stood watching each other, and Balthier's every muscle tensed. He was caught – what did he do? Turn and run? The girl's clear surprise over her glowing features had a capturing appeal and Balthier's need to distance himself dimmed.

As Yuna opened her mouth, an alarming call resounded closely, "It's heading for the temple!"

Balthier turned sharply towards the open double doors. A moment later, pounding, anxious footsteps could be heard. Without another second's hesitance, Balthier was off the first step and darting towards the archway.

Blinking to awareness, Yuna called out, "Wait!"

Paying the girl no mind, Balthier peered out into the night's dim glow. Seeing the forms moving towards him, he cursed lightly before throwing himself out of the temple. Once safe from the doorway's restrictive movement, the pirate was rolling away over the patio and off the raised platform in mere seconds. Fran's salute against the moon from the temple's top was catching eyes. The spears that the village men threw towards her fell short. From where she was perched, the Viera caught sight of Balthier's swift moving form as he made his way towards the village's entrance.

Making sure he had made it to the stonewall break, Fran used the spire as leverage as she leapt from her perch towards the nearest dwelling. Feet scuffling the roof's edge, she darted towards the other end and leapt onto the ground. The mob turned now towards her, but the Viera was already through the open way of the stonewalls and into the safety of the woods beyond.

Emerging from the temple, Yuna watched the retreating forms with a solemn expression.

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The mysterious man's face burned into Yuna's mind the rest of the night. Despite the attempts to return to the normal festivities, the Besaid villagers were much more aware, and guards were posted and replaced every three hours. With her joyful mood spoiled, Yuna rejected all offers of wine or games respectively and retreated to a large dwelling to one side.

Little did she know that Balthier had hidden and made his plans just behind this structure. As she laid down on the soft fur and feather blankets, Yuna wished deeply that Lulu was there. Lulu however, stated she had business elsewhere, and Wakka had escorted her for safety reasons. Kimarhi remained scouting the island – deeply mourning his old ways this evening. The Ronso didn't enjoy the village's Spring Celebration, being unaccustomed still to the humans' strange ways. Her mind wandered again to the sudden and unexpected encounter in the temple.

Who was that man? His clothes were different, and made from a type of leather she hadn't seen before. He had seemed just as surprised as she was when their eyes locked. Why had he come here? How had he come here? It had to be by ship; that was for sure.

Perhaps a forbidden Machina?

A sudden excitement filled the young woman at the thought. Despite Yu Yevon's statements on Machina, Yuna found them thoroughly interesting. She would never go against the preaching, but she couldn't deny her need to understand the world and the past further. With a resigning sigh, she pushed herself from the bed and headed out of the small home.

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Adrenaline pumped into Balthier's legs – bringing him quickly forward through the woods and around the trees. His feet stepped swiftly around stones and raised tree roots – his hands thrusting back branches and foliage noisily. He didn't know if anyone was following him – he couldn't hear anything but his own haggard breathing. His mind kept playing the same scenario before his eyes again and again.

A sudden form fell before him, causing Balthier to come to a sudden halt. Loose leafs spun up, and the pirate captain relaxed as his sole crewmember straightened calmly before him. There was a light accusation in Fran's eyes as she prompted, "What happened?"

With a slow shake of his head as he caught his breath, Balthier admitted in a carrying voice, "There was nothing of value. I was spotted – much like a rat beneath a light."

"Much like your fairy tales," Fran noted with a light nod.

Balthier gave a smile at this jest, and inclining his head, bounced an index finger at his partner, saying warningly, "Now Fran, let us not lay blame here."

Small mouth falling open in a cute gesture, the Viera repeated exasperatedly, "Blame? You, Sir Pirate, did not have to ward off a mob of angry villagers."

Nodding at this, Balthier rested a fist to his side, saying promptly, "Well then, you understand my point." Stepping past the baffled Viera, he added flatly, "Come, no sense in being spotted once more."

Watching her partner's retreating back, Fran shook her head slowly and closed her mouth before following at a slower pace. There were times where she thought that Balthier truly was a Pirate's Fool.

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The steady walk back towards the beach and the small watercraft awaiting them, remained a quiet trip as they drew closer to the towering ruins marking the road winding beneath it. Balthier paused here to gaze up at the distant walkways atop the towers, and pondered their ancient use. The buildings were evidently abandoned.

Fran stepped gracefully past and was heading down the dirt street with her gaze fixated on something unseen. Balthier wondered if she missed the caressing voice of the forests. He had suggested to the Viera once to return to the Green Wood to help restore her hopes, but Fran had rejected the offer in a subtle way.

With a slow shake of his head, Balthier stepped slowly after her. A sudden roar caught the man's attention, and he raised his gaze sharply as a dark form leapt from one tower-top to another. The vast creature landed on the ground hard before him – forcing Balthier back a few steps as his legs wobbled from the vibration. The fierce growling emitting from the heavily muscled cat-like monster made the hairs on the back of Balthier's neck stand on end.

Fran turned sharply at the pounding, and stared at the back of the massive creature in both awe and shock. She gazed past its shoulder towards her partner, but Balthier had regained his composure and now stood with his feet braced. He was prepped for a fight, but if a fight came, Fran feared the worst. This creature didn't have the same threatening sense as the fiends wondering the island did.

The cat-like creature raised his steady, golden eyes beneath a broken, white horn to lock gazes with his target. Balthier stood his ground – heartbeat accumulating, but while keeping a calm, outer appearance. His knowledge of Spira told him this was a Ronso – a strong, brutal fighter whose strength only matched his wisdom. Balthier's hand crept to the long pistol half hidden at his side.

With a sudden roar, the Ronso spreads its arms wide. Pushing back one foot, Balthier braced himself as the colossal creature pounded on hands and feet his way. Fran didn't hesitate before flipping herself into the air and landing on the attacker's shoulders. Wrapping her long, strong legs around the Ronso's neck, she dug her nails into his shoulders and pulled back. The Ronso was brought to a stammering slow-down, and went veering off-course.

Darting to one side, Balthier pulled loose the pistol in mid step – and squinting one eye – took aim and pulled the trigger. The Ronso slammed its hard, wide back against a nearby boulder – Fran dropping to the ground between the attacker's feet just in time to avoid collision. Balthier's bullet buried itself into the creature's shoulder. The Ronso's cry was like shattering glass – sharp and piercing.

Darting to her feet, Fran began running up the pathway. Sheathing his pistol, Balthier thrust a stick into the Ronso's shoulder with driving force to pin him against the boulder. The creature snapped his jaws, catching the swift moving man just above his collarbone. Grunting at the rip of cloth and piercing of his shoulder, Balthier ran after his partner

Up the mound and down towards the slope, the pirate tripped and was thrown off over the stonewall and onto the hard earth with a grunt. Pushing himself up on his hands, Balthier forced his shaking feet to carry him stumbling forward towards the beach. Fran was disappearing down the small sandbar towards the cove where the small craft waited.

A sudden, sharp crack made Balthier swerve quickly. From the coverage of nearby coconut trees, a familiar worried face emerged. He recognized the woman as the one who spotted him in the temple. Straightening some, the man remained alert.

Hearing the roar of the engines and watching the craft spin out onto the water's surface, the girl recovered and swallowed, asking in a small, shy voice, "Wh-Who are you?"

"No need to worry yourself with a pirate, lass."

The term brought memories of paintings of flying ships to mind, and stories surrounding the forbidden corresponding nation. In a surprised, raised voice, Yuna managed disbelievingly, "Y-You're from Ivalice!"

Despite worry growing in the back of her mind at the stories of rebels and their brutal ways, Yuna felt a flutter of excitement fill her as well. She had never seen Sky Pirates, and was amazed by the tales merchants coming to Besaid would often tell her. They claimed that Ivalice was a beautifully built world with fascinating devices and races like no other.

The carrier craft came to a slow halt at the sandbar and the ramp dropped to emit a human with appealing rabbit distinctions. The sight of the Viera thoroughly shocked Yuna, and the girl stepped back in both fear and caution. She hadn't expected her simple walk towards the beech to lead her to this – to see this man again.

Before either Balthier or Yuna could speak another word, Fran had ducked her head down. She eyed the stranger for a moment, before saying in a tight voice to her partner, "We have already caused much ruckus, Balthier."

The Sky Pirate gave this some consideration before nodding, saying in agreement, "I believe you right, Fran." Turning back to the village girl, Balthier jogged towards her. Leaning closer, he whispered in a soft, seductive accent, "Excuse me, Miss, but I am afraid I might need this."

With a swift movement, his hand undid the large bow tied around her waist. The obi was let loose and scarf wrapped around Yuna's neck loosened. She stood in shock as Balthier swiftly wrapped the golden and flower decorated fabric around his wounded shoulder – tying it in a knot tightly. Stepping away as Fran called to him again, the Sky Pirate half-turned. With a knowing smirk, he gave a curt nod and a wavy salute of farewell, before running towards the ramp. Fran was already heading up into the ship as he slowed and began boarding. Standing in the doorway, he smiled back at Yuna as the ramp began to close.

A moment later, the craft was turning around, and skimming out over the water and to the side. Yuna stood there confused as a light wind blew her hair back. Raising her gaze as the gale strengthened, she gasped in awe as a large ship drifted into the air to hover for a moment before taking off into the night sky – leaving a stream of smoke in its roaring wake.

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Inspired Music: "Strangers Like Me" - Disney's Tarzan OST