CHAPTER SIX

Rabanastre's Festivities

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NOT all life throughout the lands share the same troubles and worries. Cities miles apart can appear so different in their daily routine and overall outlook on life. While the rest of the world was busily fretting about the ongoing power struggle between Ivalice and Spira, those residing in Rabanastre remained untouched by these troubles.

The festivities and chaos of the marketplace as morning dawned brightly lifted an air of enthusiasm on even the most dreary and worn faces. Light birdcalls added to the serene mood – flying overhead in arrays of vibrant colors. Merchants called out in various levels of accents above the growing din. The light kupos from moogles rang the air as they directed travelers carrying goods through the curving, cobblestone streets.

The enlightening discussion of other cities, factions, and rumors through various arrays of tongues was an inquiring distraction. Heart fluttering – caught up in the carrying voices and exclamations – Penelo strode the streets with tuned-in ears. She eyed the mismatched faces of humes, long snout, lizard-like Bangaa, snorting, floppy mutt faced Nu Mou, and the prestige, graceful forms of the Viera.

Distracted by the different races and their sub-forms, Penelo slammed alarmingly into a massive, grunting form. Pushed back into the parting and shuffling crowds, the young girl raised a bright and surprised gaze to the slow-moving form of a Seeq that sent a ping of alarm through her. The Seeq were a powerful, but dimwitted race that were quick to resort to violence. The sun beat against the various shiny and cheap objects hanging from his clothing.

The lizard's gaze seem to waver until it at last focused on the small, nervous form of the hume before him. In a rough, barely eligible voice, he scoffed, proclaiming loudly, "Wat w'er goin'."

Straightening, Penelo let herself melt into the shuffling crowds, and be carried away. Her pulse began to slow again, and as she took a deep breath, her worries concerning the Seeq disappeared. The important thing to do when roaming the streets of Rabanastre during the busy season was to maintain a constant guard to avoid conflict and brawls with other visiting races. Humes normally were very good about making their guests feel comfortable – putting on hourly shows, having contests of mind, skill, and luck, and even races and brawls with restricting rules. Penelo acted as a dancer in the mid square, and made great tips during these breakouts of chaotic visits.

In fact, the youth was on her way to the bazaar for her next show. Time was pressing – she had to be there and ready before the city clock rang eleven times to announce the drawing conclusion of the morning. With carrier bag full of clothes and accessories swinging at her side, Penelo excused her way down the street as the bazaar came into view. Here a space had been cleared around the one side of the fountain where the show would take place. A small, feline-type Rebe stood to one side, polishing a flute, with two Viera tending to drums and a small wooden harp.

Pushing her way through the crowds, Penelo broke into the small space – panting lightly. Without a word, she swung her bag off and began taking out the veils, lace, and cheap jewelry to add to her bright, but simple outfit. One of the Viera – named Aume – stepped closer and began to unravel her messy blonde hair from the two braids, and redoing the style with long, expert fingers. Penelo gave the Viera a grateful look as she clipped on the shiny, plastic earrings with fake red jewels centered in the dangling pieces. Sometimes Penelo thought this job too much of a hassle for the pay it delivered.

Better then being an errand-runner, the girl supposed as she drew in a deep breath. The crowd was muttering and pointing towards the small band as they waited on shifting feet for the show to begin.

An enlightening tune began with a steady beat, and after a moment, Penelo began her dance. The sway of overlapping and weaving veils was a mesmerizing sight as the magiked, changing-color glitter caught the sun's rays. Aume tossed bombs of powder in-between her drumming, that made the crowd gasp as Penelo seemed to be dancing on air. So light and quick were her movements that it was difficult to imagine her feet made contact with the ground at all.

The mesmerizing dance soon swayed from the cobblestone clearing to the stone rim of the large, square fountain. The constantly running water wavered her reflection, casting a rainbow glow on the currents running in the basin. Penelo's quick stepping on the thin rim where she resided even higher then the tallest Viera drew attention from passing visitors. Soon, small coins were being thrown the performers' way, and strewn into an impressive, accumulating pile.

Children parted from watching parents to dance in the open spaces – throwing their arms around clumsily and turning joyfully as they let the inspiring music fill them. Soon, their parents joined them, cheering them along and laughing at the embracing merriment. Penelo smiled at the children, and swathed them with her veils, guiding their arms as they spun to create a fascinating swirl of vastly changing colors.

The event soon drew eyes from other streets, and the bazaar became packed with exclaiming, urgent viewers. Vaan was ducking out from the lower levels and into the mismatched crowds when the rushing of the visitors down the cobblestone road caught his attention. Shielding his rusty blade into the scabbard resting against hit thighs, Vaan followed at a slower pace. As the crowd drifted towards the mid square, a wide smile passed over his features as realization hit home.

Jogging his way through and around the crowd, Vaan made his way slowly to the fronts ranks. Coming to a slow stop, his smile widened as a dancing light entered his eyes at the sight of the scene. Penelo – so caught up in the event – didn't see her lifelong friend standing there, watching her in pride and fascination. No matter how many times he'd seen Penelo dance, Vaan always found joy in it. Letting himself be caught up in the merriment was reassuring and pressed worrisome matters to the back of his mind.

The scene was like a tornado of colors. It moved and swirled unexpectedly but in a beautiful and unwavering way. The band players were consumed in their music, but still watched delightedly at the faces of their audience. This made the constant hours of practice worth it all. They were here for the enthusiasm they spread – not the money. Gil was just essential for living.

Seeing Penelo's movements wavering a little, the music turned into a softening sound with a strong finishing count from the drums. With an abrupt explosion of the remaining powder, the event suddenly ceased. Penelo posed on her tiptoes with arms laid out dramatically before her, standing on the middle of the rim of a side of the fountain – face alight and flushed as her breath came in short gasps. A wide, radiating smile was spread over her alight features. The sparkle in the girl's eyes caught in the morning sunlight, and Penelo became a beacon in the bazaar – drawing distant gazes to her.

Vaan stood in fascination at the still form of his best friend – veils still glittering. After a moment, Penelo's eyes met his, and she slowly lowered her arms and out held leg. Her limbs shook visibly as the thrill of the dance still filled her, and she half stumbled off the fountain to sit on the stone side. Coins still showered the area as children returned the illuminating items to the kind dancer, thanking her before hurrying off to tell their friends about the exhilarating feeling they'd shared.

The musicians began packing up their instruments and gathering the money from the area – accepting remarks and small favors and items from departing viewers. As the crowd shuffled away in excited talk, Vaan continued to stand watching Penelo. She sat catching her breath, still panting lightly as the adrenaline began to drain from her stiff and tired limbs.

Drawing level now, Vaan picked up a stray gil coin – and watching it as he flipped it into the air and caught it repeatedly, noted in an appraising voice, "That was…really amazing, Penelo."

Raising a still smiling expression to the lad, she managed in an excited tone, "Th-Thanks."

Snatching the coin in mid-air from Vaan, Aume stated with a smile, "She did very well." Resting a hand on Penelo's shoulder for a moment – meeting the beaming girl's appreciative glance for a moment – Aume gave a nod towards Vaan before moving away to finish packing.

Unclipping her earrings as her breathing returned to normal steadily, Penelo still felt like she couldn't stand. Her legs were wobbly and her feet sore from the light but strong pushing against the ground to give her the illusion of drifting in the air. Despite that the whole matter was a tiring process, Penelo really did draw a reassuring, joyful feeling from it. It was a lingering feeling that remained very comforting during the difficult times.

Starting to pack her things away in the nearby, discarded bag, Penelo prompted, "So how was work?"

'Work' wasn't the quite the right term. Vaan was a delivery boy, doing errands for his and Penelo's adoptive father, Migelo. After Vaan's own parents died and his brother entered the war, Penelo's parents had adopted the youth. However, sickness had befallen the girl's parents as well, and Migelo took them in and raised them out of pity and compassion. Despite that the elderly Bangaa could be strict and old-fashioned, he was very kind and caring for them.

Collapsing on the stone rim beside his friend, Vaan gave an exhausted sigh. With a shake of his head, he watched Penelo pack her things and zip up the bag, replying with a light grimace, "Tiresome. I've been running around since seven – getting materials and notices to merchants. Making deliveries of pre-ordered goods; trying to find the right people – which isn't easy by the way," he added with a skeptical look.

Penelo gave him a pretty smile at this, noting, "Well, Migelo can't do it himself anymore. The excitement would kill him."

Shrugging, Vaan muttered, "Bad for business. The old boot hardly knows what he's doing half the time."

Giving a giggle at this, Penelo said with a furrowed brow – trying to pertain a serious, disapproving tone; "Hey, he's worked hard. He shouldn't have to do this anymore."

Vaan gave a small smile as Penelo hit him lightly on the forearm. Watching her rise to her feet and take a few steps away, Vaan was reminded of their childhood – back when Penelo's parents had just adopted him. Despite the tragedy of his parents' death and his brother's withdrawal into war, life had been good. As children, they didn't have the worries they had today. The sad truth was, that someone like Migelo who worked hard all their life for little to no result still had to work until death followed exhaustion. It certainly wasn't fair – but it's how things were.

Turning on heel with arms at her back, Penelo tilted her head to one side with a sweetening smile. The familiar look hardly phased Vaan, but knowing that the morning dance had strengthened his friend's mood, released a sigh, inquiring, "All right, what do you want now?"

Without a word, Penelo darted forward, and grasping Vaan's arm, began leading him hurriedly down the street. The youth struggled to trot behind her – caught in the girl's surprisingly strong grip. Vaan thought again to their broken families. They only had each other now, and somehow, had managed on their own where others failed before them.

Reks, Vaan thought mournfully. The shuffling forms blended in together as his mind went back to the last time he saw his brother alive. Despite that his wound was wrapped and well taken care of, the light in Reks' eyes had dimmed and died until hope and life gave up on his frail body.

These thoughts were slammed from him as Vaan was pulled to a sudden stop – miss-stepping and stumbling against Penelo lightly. The girl didn't seem to notice as she was watching something to one side. Vaan followed her gaze curiously, and his eyes caught on the commotion drawing attention from several passing citizens.

A crowd was forming around a sleek, blonde haired youth and a Bangaa – angry voices carrying over the mutters of their audience. The male hume's back was presented to the pair, but Vaan didn't recognize his tall, gangly figure from the city.

Another outsider, the youth noted with a light scowl. Though the commotion in Rabanastre was great for business, it also had him running around tirelessly – at his second stepfather's every whim and command.

The argument took a bad toll as the mauve, wrinkly-skinned Bangaa struck out with a powerful, clawed hand. The man moved back swiftly with a soft jingle. The Bangaa stepped closer as he waved a fist angrily at the stranger – shouting something illegibly.

As the Bangaa charged his opponent now, the man turned tail and fled with head ducked. Powerful legs pumping him swiftly forward, he pushed his way through the startled crowd. Almost smacking into the approaching, curious Penelo, he quickly darted to one side around the pair before disappearing into the surrounding crowds. Shouts from the panting Bangaa made Vaan turn his gaze towards the merchant.

With a deep-throated scowl, the creature waved his arms above his head angrily – shouting random syllables now as if lost for real words. Stepping forward with hands curling before her, Penelo looked to the Bangaa with a worried expression, prompting carefully, "What happened?"

Turning to her sharply, the merchant scoffed, replying hoarsely, "Thiet! Thiet!" At Penelo's shocked expression, he snorted before turning away.

Vaan watched the confused and angry Bangaa pause as if he were lost, and then turn back towards his stand with inaudible mutters. Drawing level, he rested a hand on Penelo's shoulder, saying, "Come on, let's let this be. What was it that you wanted to show me?"

Gazing up at her lifelong friend, Penelo paused a moment before turning to him and stating in a clear voice, "You should help him."

Blinking at her, Vaan shook his head with a sigh, saying, "It's not any of our business, Penelo."

With a scrutinizing look, the girl noted, "You're only saying that because you steal yourself."

"From the Empire," Vaan corrected, pointing an index finger at her. He was leaning heavily on his right foot to look her squarely in the eye now.

Finally, Penelo broke the gaze with a light scoff and then headed down the street, calling back, "Fine, but I have another show in half an hour. I'll catch you later, Vaan."

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Inspired Music: "Where the Blacktop Ends" - Keith Urban