To the South, through lands of cold and snow.
The group had been walking for two days now, and had reached the beginnings of the mountains. This was the location of Neo Palumpolum.
"Alright, what's the plan?" asked Hope, as the group were standing on a hill rise, looking down at Neo Palumpolum. "I don't think people are going to welcome us with open arms there."
"Heroes don't need plans!" Snow bellowed. "They'll be thanking us for saving them from Orphan, not hurting us."
"And that attitude's gonna get you killed," sighed Sazh. "Just runnin' in, raisin' a ruckus, ain't gonna endear us to any of them."
"The best way is to make it so we aren't recognized," put in Varic. "People don't just randomly shoot 'traveling merchants', right?"
"Look around," Snapped Lightning. "Who here isn't instantly recognizable as the average man? Hope's a boy with silver hair and a bright coat, Snow's a massive giant. Sazh has got a pilot's coat, and guns. You're obviously Pulsian. Every one of us will stand out, and we will be recognized."
"We're going to get recognized," continued Lightning. "The only issue is how to make this- well- not an issue. Any ideas?"
There was silence for a minute or two, before Hope spoke up.
"We will be recognized," he said. "But those people won't act immediately- they'll try to plan, but by then we'll be gone."
"Get in quick, buy stuff quick, get out before retaliation," mused Varic. "It could work."
Lightning snapped to leader mode. "Hope and Snow, you're in charge of the accessories- get whatever weapons, armor, potions, elixers, anything we'll need." Lightning handed them a bag of gil, before continuing. "Varic, you're in charge of clothes and food- seeing as you're Gran Pulsian, you know what's in store, what we'll need, and what's good quality." Lightning handed him another bag of gil. "Don't forget to overbuy. It's always better to overprepare and lose a few gil than it is to die of starvation or of the cold." Lightning gestured to herself and Sazh after that. "Sazh, you'll be coming with me to get some Ammunition. I don't plan on running out of bullets, and I sure hope you aren't either."
Seeing everyone else was ready, Lightning led to the way to Neo Palumpolum, taking quick strides, and ignoring the stares and glares directed to her by people on the road. She strode into the town square-
Only to be met by the barrel of a gun.
A/N
Again, sorry for the shortness, but I felt bad just leaving you guys in the dust.
Due to my guilt, you can expect another chapter up by tomorrow XD
-Dorryza