CHAPTER TEN

a Sky Pirate's Proposal

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FROM the streets of Rabanastre, Vaan was unable to meet the sharp eyes watching his every visible movement. What possessed the youth to consider climbing the clock tower staircase to the top couldn't be said. Vaan would later ponder the situation – wondering if perhaps his connection with Penelo had directed him towards her. In a world of magic, this wasn't at all impossible.

From the first step, Vaan's legs shook with the urge to sprint up the winding staircase. However, he held back and took it one stair at a time – perspiration beading his forehead and temples. Licking his lips, Vaan could only wonder what was happening to Penelo. With the constant stream of strangers coming in and out of Rabanastre, it was no real surprise that ruckus had been stirred, but for what reason? Why Penelo?

The last thought sent a shiver of rage through the youth, and Vaan's feet carried him bounding up the winding steps and to the closed wooden door. Hand reaching for the brass doorknob, he barged through – feet sliding on the dust-covered floor. Two gazes shot towards him, and Vaan registered the scene in a moment before he running towards the blonde man with fists clenched. Bringing his arm around, the youth was drawn to a dramatic halt as his right hook slammed straight into the man's open palm.

For a few moments, a sharp look of contempt passed between the two men. A sudden blunt blow from the thief's elbow to Vaan's head crumpled the youth. Falling on his chin with a distinct clatter of teeth, Vaan groaned and shifted where he lay – deciding his next move. His vision swam, so the youth closed his eyes, trying to focus his thoughts to the situation at hand. His mind began to wonder towards what Penelo was doing, and what her kidnapper might do now.

The distinct sound of footsteps beside him made Vaan glance up. Groaning as he stirred, the youth peered to the solemn expression of the man. There was a serene and determined look resting in his eyes, and for a brief moment, Vaan felt connected to him. What this man was after wasn't clear.

Seated in the shadows, shrinking where she sat hunched, Penelo peered up at her kidnapper with a pitiful, worried look. The Pirate paused a few feet away, as if reconsidering his choice of actions. When the girl's face eased a little however, the man's expression hardened and he took a purposeful step forward. Reaching his arm towards her, the thief snatched Penelo's forearm in his powerful grip.

Grinding her teeth as his sharp nails dug through the light fabric to graze her skin, Penelo struggled now away from him. However, with only the wall to back her, she had no hope of resisting the man's strong grip.

Hauling his hostage to her stumbling feet, Locke looked now to Vaan glaring up at him – unsure of his next move now that Penelo rested in the Pirate's clutches. Observing the youth for a moment, the man suddenly smirked, saying, "I have a job for the both of you."

The airship docks rested in a closed off section just beyond Rabanstre borders – lying in the outskirts amongst high cliffs. A valley was spread out beside the shore. The docks built branching off from the towering overhangs lay as foreboding reaches to the sky in the veil of darkness that was night. No moon rested in the heavens this night, and the few scattered stars offered little light. However, they seemed brighter than ever before, and tagging along behind a hunched, quick-stepping Locke, Penelo paused in awe to admire the stars' luminosity. A light touch to her shoulder drew Penelo back to her situation. At the serious, but sympathetic look that Vaan gave her, she grimaced lightly before walking slowly and quietly to an impatiently waiting Locke.

The thief eyed the pair suspiciously, gesturing for them to walk ahead of him. Spotting the guard patrol rounding the range of cliffs further down the beach, Locke redirected their route towards the backend slopes leading up to the deserted cliff tops. The airships rested within the rock precipices. Fiddling with the safety on his pistol, Locke considered the pair before him. The boy was defiant but submissive when it came to the girl. The girl seemed anxious and worried, yet more relaxed and confident with her friend around. Locke considered ditching the boy altogether, but despite his devious actions; the Pirate didn't have it in him to pull the trigger of the weapon he held – not on someone so young and promising.

Keeping to the shadows, and covering stretches of fifteen feet at a time was a slow, steady progress towards the cliffs. At last, upon reaching the protection of the overhang of the smaller rock face housing most of the carrier aircrafts, Locke gestured for his hostages to pause and remain quiet. Shimmying his way stealthily to peer around the edge and down the slope towards the beach, he watched the bulky, indistinguishable forms of the guards making their way towards them slowly but surely. It would be mere minutes before they reached their position.

Inching his way around the side again, Locke strode past a anxiously watching Vaan and Penelo – gesturing them with a wave of his arm to follow. Though the gesture went unseen in the darkness, Vaan nodded towards their kidnapper's direction, and took up the rear as Penelo walked unsurely after the Pirate – hands wringing themselves before her.

Quickly and swiftly knocking the guard unconscious at the entrance, Locke slipped into the cavern's depths. Penelo followed clumsily, feet stumbling shakily down the small rock ledges after the Pirate's scuffling. As Vaan followed, he thought to taking Penelo and running. However dark it was though, a fuse from the pistol would light the area for a precise shot. Vaan didn't want to risk harm to his friend. Penelo already appeared very frightened and uncertain of herself.

The girl's light sobs and curses as she stumbled and tripped her way down after their kidnapper clutched Vaan's heart. He swore that when all this was done – if they were released safely – he would convince Penelo to give up dancing. If it meant Vaan taking on a second job, then so be it.

Moving more swiftly at the risk of falling, Vaan came up beside Penelo. Half catching himself upon the startled girl, he guided her the rest of the way down. Once they reached the bottom, the girl's shaking lessened some, and she gave her friend a grateful hug, that Vaan returned with a soft sigh. Her embrace was warm and welcoming. It was a reminder of why he didn't turn and bolt, and why he awoke each day. A sudden prickling on the back of his neck made Vaan look up into Locke's stern gaze, illumined by the faint glow of nearby torches resting on the cliff walls – magiked to remain lit.

Promptly, Vaan and Penelo took the lead again – this time, Vaan clasping her hand in his reassuringly. Peering into the shadows of the cavern, Vaan eyed the vessels resting parallel to one another. The ragtag threesome strode down the aisles of passages. Despite the situation, Vaan found himself thoroughly interested and excited to be so close to the airships. Penelo strode quietly at his side, eyes locked to the floor.

At least, Locke paused beside a merchant airship. Passing a torch from a wall he snatched, Locke ran a hand over the fine burgundy shade of the craft with its dimmed gold outlining. A flare of passion and greed flashed in the man's eyes.

"This is it," he barely muttered. The sound echoed lightly, bouncing off the walls to meet Vaan's ears late.

In a distinctly impatient and irritable tone, the youth prompted, "Will you release us then?" Penelo looked unsurely from her companion to the Pirate. Locke paused in his caressing, as if considering this statement thoroughly.

Turning towards the pair now, the man observed how close the girl stood to the lad. There was a sharp defiance in the youth's eyes that reminded Locke of himself at that age. Turning fully now, Locke stated in a clear tone, "We'll see." As Vaan's brow narrowed, a smirk spread over the Pirate's fair features, and he released a chuckled beneath his breath, while still eyeing the pair carefully. Brandishing the pistol before him as a friendly reminder – the metal glinting in the torchlight – Locke added, "Tell me, have you ever ridden an airship?"

Surprised by this odd question, Vaan only let his reaction show momentarily before he answered in a stout, suspicious tone, "What does that matter?"

Leaning against the craft, Locke replied, "It matters if you want to live."

There was a hesitant and anxious moment that passed tensely before them. A sob began and caught in Penelo's throat as she stepped half behind Vaan fearfully. Whatever comfort she had felt previously at her friend's presence was rapidly fading.

Eying Penelo for a moment, Vaan's gaze flickered to lock with the Pirate's again, and he stated in a calm, impassive tone, "No…I haven't."

Nodding as if satisfied, Locke stroked his chin, asking, "What if you were given the chance to operate one?"

Vaan's heart fluttered at this. He had long dreamed of finding wings to soar from this dreaded place, now ruled by tourists and the Empire. He had never dreamed of the chance coming. Merchants didn't want to hire those with no experience, and Vaan hadn't wished to leave Penelo behind either.

Seeing that Vaan was easing at this question, Locke straightened as he stated in a serious tone – smirk gone; "I am giving you a choice – a chance. One you would never receive otherwise. Will you take it, and come aboard with me to lands far off?"

Head dizzying suddenly at this sudden request, Vaan's thoughts swayed with his emotions – a mixture of excitement, confusion, and contempt. Penelo appeared shocked into silence at his side, looking up at her friend for guidance and a sign of an answer. Locke waited as well – patient with a serious expression hardening his soft features.

Glancing at Penelo for a moment, Vaan looked to Locke again, prompting, "What happens if I refuse your offer?"

Considering this, Locke gave a stiff shrug of his pistol shoulder, replying, "Then you will return to your dingy life, as promised. I will leave this land, and you will have missed your chance. The choice lies with you, but I tell you this – make it quick and say it once alone."

Turning towards Penelo, Vaan was at a loss for words. This was a chance he may not have again, but the conditions of the situation was dangerous and uneasy. There was evident fear in the girl's eyes. Taking Penelo's hands in his, Vaan began softly but seriously, "Penelo, listen…"

She was already shaking her head. Penelo's shaking had sub-stilled and a seriousness passed over her face. Looking into her friend's eyes, she saw the need for this to be true and trustworthy resting there.

After a minute, Vaan looked to the Pirate, prompting, "Why me?"

Eying him for a moment, Locke replied, "I saw the way you admired the aircrafts resting in here. You share the same passion that rests in all Pirates – a need for freedom. I have watched the two of you on these streets, and noticed the resentment in your eyes at the Empire's presence. You wish to be free of them."

An understanding passed between their eyes, and Vaan turned again to Penelo for aid and guidance. Uneasiness swept the soft lines of Penelo's face, but after a moment, she merely gave a deep nod – resting her eyes on the cavern floor.

Looking to Locke now, Vaan released a deep breath, saying slowly, "I…can't argue with that." Nodding, he added more confidently, "We're in."

Returning the nod, the man continued to eye his new crew for several moments, before turning and heading up the ramp. Vaan hesitated momentarily where he stood, looking at Penelo as she paused at his side. In a quiet tone, he asked worriedly, "Are you sure about this?"

Meeting her companion's searching eyes, expression eased, Penelo shook her head, replying, "Truthfully Vaan, no. But it's like he said – I can't stand to live with the Empire any longer than you can. Maybe…maybe we can find something more waiting for us out there."

Vaan stared into Penelo's bright eyes – now dim with worry – before nodding once more and following Locke. His uneasiness slipped away with every stride as his feet took him closer to his future and dreams.

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Inspired Music: N/A