Riva decided that she would have to put her rather hopeless pirating skills to the test if she was to get to Balfonheim. She had only five Gil to her name "If only I had managed to steal that necklace" She thought, once more berating herself for being so pathetic. She made her way to the Aerodrome. It smelt of oil and industrial cleaner inside the huge building, mingled with the faint scent of gunpowder.
Beyond the windows she could see airships departing and stared whimsically at them for a few moments before approaching the desk which handled flights to Balfonheim, a plan already formulating in her mind as she saw a wealthy Archadian man and his friends join the queue forming in front of her. She crept up behind him; fixed her face with the sweetest smile she could muster and tapped him on the shoulder
"I thought I recognised you" She said flirtatiously. The man stared blankly.
"Beg your pardon madam, but who are you?"
Riva giggled. "Oh silly! Do not jest! I still remember that night we spent together in Archades!"
She poked him playfully on his velvet covered chest "Quite the gentleman!" Riva raised her voice and the man's friends smirked suspiciously at him.
"And such a charmer!" She said, even more loudly so many people began to stare. "Quite understandable if you do not remember me however. We consumed quite enough Bhejurban madhu that night!"
"What will your wife have to say on this you sly old thing!" One of his friends quipped as the others laughed.
"Oh he told me how much better I was than his wife that evening!" Riva continued, practically shouting now. "If you understand my meaning of course!" She let out another giggle.
"How much" The Archadian said through gritted teeth
"Oh my services are free for you sir!" Riva added as a crowd began to form nearby watching the exchange with interest.
"How much for your silence you little wench?"
If there was one thing Riva knew, it was that Archadian's were always the easiest prey.
"I think five hundred should do it. Your wife will never know of our encounter!" Riva demanded still grinning seductively. She couldn't help but be rather proud of herself as the man pushed a moneybag into her outstretched hand.
"I'll have to do this more often" She thought as the Arcadian turned his back on her.
"Quite the joker my little friend here!" He said nervously to the smirking crowds who dispersed and made their own ways to the queues at the desks.
"Welcome to the East Ivalice Travel Company" The chirpy woman behind the counter said as the Archadian departed for the airship, glaring at Riva as he passed, his friends chuckling at his embarrassment.
"Yes, Hello I erm, I wish to book a flight to Balfonheim at once please" Riva replied
"And will you be travelling by leisure craft or private cabin?"
If she was going to do this, she may as well do it properly, Riva thought as the woman took out a roughly bound leather folder.
"Leisure craft" She told the woman firmly
"That will be two hundred Gil please madam"
Riva handed over the money with some reluctance "Should have asked for more from that Archadian" She contemplated as the woman deposited the coins in the till, scribbled something in the folder and handed Riva her ticket.
"Have a pleasant flight"
Riva loved airships. Everything about them spelt freedom for her and represented everything she wanted to be. She made her way up to the deck, savouring the cool air on her face as the ship took off into the skies. Her long, thick raven hair flew about her sun kissed face, jangling her earrings together.
A seeq was roaming around the spectators on deck, peddling his wares and Riva took this opportunity to stock up on potions. The idea of it excited her. When she had travelled before, if she was truthful with herself, it wasn't very fulfilling. A dancer's life, it soon transpired was not as glamorous as she had anticipated and she spent most of her days in musty old pubs. She certainly did not require any potions for that career. This time, it was going to be different. She would roam the wild outdoors, fighting any monster that crossed her path, stealing whatever she could and then, she would finally buy that airship with the money she made.
Her mind was still on riches and adventure when the airship touched down in Balfonheim Port. The salty sea air was tangy in her nostrils and she marvelled at all the airships soaring through the skies. Her boots tapped on the wooden decking as she strolled through the town in high spirits. She made her way towards the familiar old pub, The Whitecap, intending on booking a room for the night to gather her thoughts and plan her next move. It was however, with some trepidation she pushed open the door and walked into the smoky room. During her days as a dancer in Balfonheim, she had managed to work up quite a tab in the Whitecap that she never really got round to paying off.
The pub was packed, just as she remembered it. Humes, seeqs and bangaa's alike, along with a few edgy looking viera were crowded around rickety wooden tables, engaging in hearty conversation. Pirates showed off their latest treasures and flustered looking barmaids wound around the chairs, answering the rowdy demands of the customers who frequently called out for more drinks, banging their fists on the tables. The whole place stank of stale ale and sweat and Riva found it quite revolting, realising she must have grown accustomed to the smell when she used to perform here all those months ago.
She settled herself at one of the few unoccupied tables and waited for the barmaid to approach. "Bhejurban madhu" She said when one appeared, balancing a tray of dirty cups on one hand. Her drink arrived and she slung a few Gil onto the table.
"Pirate eh?" Someone said and Riva turned in her seat to see a man stood before her. He wasn't much older than herself, dressed in a crisp white shirt and embroidered vest. A viera stood at his side, white curls cascading down her shoulders.
"Who's asking?" Riva replied at once.
"Well you most certainly drink like one" The man replied, inclining his head towards her drink
"But your appearance tells me different"
Riva looked down at her clothes. A cropped black leather top concealed her chest but revealed her stomach, toned from her days as a dancer. Her skin tight cotton trousers hugged her legs and a long flowing, embroidered skirt layered over them, reaching to her knees, where her heeled leather boots met just at the bottom of them. The man was right. She certainly didn't look like a pirate, but then, she mused, neither did he really.
The man sat down opposite her and beckoned to the barmaid. His viera companion, however, remained standing.
"Would it be too untoward of me to ask for your name?" The man said
"Possibly. Why would you care to know?" Riva replied wondering who this man was and why he had approached her in the first place
"I don't recognise you that is all. You stand out rather a lot"
Riva didn't reply, but took a sip from her drink, eyeing the pair suspiciously
"I, am Balthier and this is my partner, Fran" The man offered when Riva remained silent.
"The Balthier and Fran?" Riva asked. "You own the Strahl" She had heard of the infamous sky pirate duo before and often heard tales of their many escapades
"I see you've heard of us?" Balthier remarked, one eyebrow raised.
"I've heard of the price on your head too" Riva added
"Oh you're not going to turn us in are you young lady?" Balthier said mockingly
"No. I don't betray my own kind"
"So you are a pirate?" Fran said, speaking for the first time
"Perhaps you could show me your airship?" Balthier asked as his ale arrived.
She would hate to admit the truth to these people. See the look on their faces when she told them she didn't even own an airship and never had done. She felt shameful enough about it as it was.
"Maybe some other time" Riva said wishing they would leave her alone. She had much to think about without interruptions.
"Ah I know a novice pirate when I see one" Balthier told her knowingly. "Tell tale signs"
Riva felt anger bubble up inside her.
"What is it you want?" She snapped but neither of the pair appeared the slightest bit put off by her reaction.
"I simply came to welcome you to the wonderful town of Balfonheim" Balthier said innocently "And if I pick up any tips from the newcomer along the way, news of any treasures that may be lurking undiscovered in Ivalice, well that is a bonus"
"I don't know of any treasures" Riva lied. She knew of many treasures, Old Dalan had informed her of plenty, but without an airship, without any means of seeking these treasures out, she had never pursued them. She had hoped to do so when she managed to get an airship of her own but that seemed so far off at the moment.
"Even novice pirates know of some leads" Balthier continued, unperturbed. "And for a little information, I wouldn't mind taking another crew member aboard the Strahl as a navigator to these obscure treasures. Of course that person would receive a fair share of the profits"
Riva snorted "I know these tricks" She said "I tell you of the treasure and then you abandon me somewhere, or kill me. I don't trust other pirates"
But despite her words, Riva was turning this proposition over in her mind. She had nowhere to go, no airship of her own to fly, hardly any money and even she knew she would find the adventure she craved if she was to set off with Balthier and Fran.
"As you wish" Balthier shrugged and beckoned his partner to join him as he vacated his seat and left for the door of the pub.
Riva noticed that Balthier had left her to pay for his drink.
