"I got today all planned out," Rikku told us while we were riding the airship in to the city of Vale. "First we will visit that new park, then to the largest shopping mall in the city. After we go get some exotic food, and then finish of the afternoon with a relaxing movie," finishing her itinerary with a proud grin. "Oh, I bet you can see the whole city from up here!" Exclaiming to us and waving us over from our seats.
I decided to try and go along with whatever was going to happen today, hoping to enjoy any free time I am able to get. I walked up to the window next to Rikku and gazed down over Vale. "Wow, it is much bigger than I imagined," I said to Rikku with slight awe.
"Come look guys!" she called to our other teammates. Shiva was idly twisting her hair, and Red was actively ignoring everyone in the corner with his scroll. "Buzzkills," she mumbled to herself. Then turned back to asked me, "how did you get Red to come with us anyway?"
"I did not have to convince him," I answered while gazing at the city getting closer. "He said he had business to do here anyway."
"Ah, I see. That probably means he's going to ditch us right after we land, right?" she asked sounding unhappy.
"That seems very likely."
"Well then, we will just have girl time all day today then," she said regaining her enthusiasm. "Alright, the ship is about to land so let's get this party started!"
x
After exiting the shuttle Red immediately left. Rikku saw this and said, "called it." Then looked around the area and asked aloud, "so which way was that park?"
I just sighed, but noticed Shiva walking away as well. When Rikku saw this she asked with a slight whine, "what, you're ditching us too Shiva?"
Shiva just turned back to us and replied, "we planned to go to that new park, so that is where I was heading." Also gesturing in a direction leading into the city.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't know you knew your way around town Shiva," Rikku apologized.
"Of course I do, I live here after all," Shiva stated and continued walking.
This made her pause but only for a moment. "Huh, well the more you know right?" Rikku said to me and shrugged.
x
The walk to the park did not take long as it was placed just south of the center of the city, and just west of where the ships land. When we arrived, I discovered it was created in honor of the heroes that died protecting the city. It was not a large park, but it was surrounded by rose bushes and had a couple of large juniper trees. In the center is a plaque with the names of those who fought and those who died. To civilians it stands as a reminder, but to us huntsmen and huntresses in training it is a warning. Saying that even in training we are still responsible for the lives of others, and that evil can come from anywhere. Rikku stood staring at the plaque seemingly lost in thought. I quietly waited for her to finish, watching Shiva mess with the rose bushes.
x
After Rikku finished at the park we made our way to the shopping center. The building itself was huge, but inside were more people than I have ever seen in my entire life. I found myself sticking very close to my teammates from the new feeling of being surrounded by such large amount of people.
"You alright Ammy?" Rikku asked. "You look off, and your ears are flicking around a lot."
"I will be fine, I just have never been around so many people before," I answered as evenly as I could manage. "It is just slightly unnerving."
"I know what you mean, I never thought about how many people would be here but, it is Saturday and all. But, it'll be alright everyone is here to shop not do anything to us," Rikku tried to reassure me.
I took a deep breath and thought of this situation like training for when I would have to appear in front of crowds. We browsed through a number of stores Rikku thought would be interesting. Shiva apparently likes to fiddle with things, as she would touch almost everything in the stores we passed through. I always kept close to them and was not really interested in buying anything. Though, I still enjoyed seeing the huge variety of life, seeing things I have never seen before, and knowing my teammates were enjoying themselves.
Later on I was browsing at a flower stand, surprised to see so much nature in a place like this. However when I finished, I could not find Rikku or Shiva anywhere, and could only see a mass of strangers. With this realization I could feel my chest tighten and breathing quicken, and the only thought I could manage was to get away. I walked quickly to the nearest exit, weaving through the crowds sticking to the less crowded sections as best I could. Even when I got outside of the building, I still felt anxious. Looking around for someplace I could relax I noticed the salty smell of the ocean in the air. Deciding that would be sufficient I moved straight to where the smell was strongest.
x
I walked, following my nose not really watching my surroundings, just trying to get myself back in control. When I reached the bay, I found myself at a some docks near a bunch of warehouses. I leaned against the metal railing of the sea wall and stared out at the horizon. I was relaxed by the rolling waves breaking against the concrete and the familiar smell of salt and fish. After a few minutes, I was able to calm down and looking at the ocean so long I started feeling a bit nostalgic. This looks like the same water that I saw with Issun, with that thought I chuckled a little. Well it is the water from an ocean after all. I wonder how he's doing? I thought with a sigh.
"Uh-oh, what do we have here?" Came a deep male voice from behind me. I spun around to see who was there. It was a tall, lean man with dark hair and an even darker grin. "It seems I've found a lost puppy." He then started to walk closer, making my hair stand on end, and my ears to fold back as I sneered at him. "Don't worry little puppy, you will really enjoy your new master," he said as his grin seemed to become almost demonic. I could see the crazy look in his eyes, now that he is only a few feet away.
This is bad, was my first thought. He is going to so something, and he is too close for a glyph. When he tries to grab me I have to dodge and get room between us, I planned. But, before he could get within arms reach something hit him in the back of his head. Stunned, but still standing, he moved to turn around while holding his head, only for whatever hit his head to hit him in the stomach. Then into the back of his legs making him fall. Once on the ground the owner of the weapon kicked the side of his head, knocking him unconscious.
I could now see who it was clearly, now that what was blocking the view was unconscious man on the ground. It was a strange looking man of average height, with medium length blonde hair, and he had his sheathed katana resting on his right shoulder. What was strange was his taste in clothing. He had purple pants with white flowers on them and a pink shirt with a large ball of white fluff in the center.
"I do hope you are not hurt young lady," he said while adding a dramatic tone to his voice.
Taken aback by everything that happened, and with this eccentric on top of everything it took a moment to answer. "Uh, yes I am not hurt."
"Ah, that is good," he said while placing his sword back on his hip. "But, what is not good is the time that is now wasted," he sighed and shook his head.
Confusion showing on my face I said to him, "I'm sorry?"
"Alas, as nice as apologies are they cannot bring back the hours I spent following this degenerate," he gestured to the unconscious person. "I will have to find another way to find that snake of a dealer now," he said with another sigh. "But, what brings someone like you here, hm?"
"Well, I just wandered here, and ended up looking at the ocean. I had no real destination in mind," I replied.
"It seems he did get one thing right then," nudging the man on the ground with his foot. "We do indeed have a lost pup," at his comment I pulled my ears back and sneered at him. "Hah, if you really cannot find your way I suggest you consult your scroll."
I glanced down to my scroll in my pocket, but when I looked back up he was gone. I looked around to see where he went but the only one in sight was the man on the ground.
x
When I was nearly back into the shopping district I caught a familiar scent. It was quite recent and easily noticeable so I decided to follow it. I walked about a block and a half and found that my nose led me to a noodle stand. I moved into the front and found my quarry eating.
"Hey Red, did not think I would find you." He jumped slightly and spun around in his seat.
"What are you doing here?" he asked and looked around a bit and continued. "You're wandering around here alone?"
Taking a seat next to him I answered, "we were are the shopping center when we got separated. I then went to the ocean to clear my head. On my way back I caught your scent and followed it here." When I finished I ordered some food for myself.
"Hm, when you got separated from the other why didn't you just follow their scent?" Red asked.
This made me pause mid-bite, I just ran, I did not even think. "Well, I just needed some space away from the crowds and when I smelled the ocean I thought it would be a good place." I answered carefully knowing Red probably would frown at my mistake. "So how did your business today go?" I asked getting on a different tangent.
Red stared at me, as if he could see what I was not telling him. When he turned back to his food he answered, "it could've gone better but, not terrible."
"I see. At least it was acceptable," I told him and he just nodded in agreement.
x
We finished eating our food in silence. I decided I should just head back to campus at this point and hope the other pair would not worry too much. And, Red was planning on going back anyways so we walked back to the shuttle station together. When we arrived Rikku and Shiva were already there. Once they saw us they ran over with Rikku in the lead. When Rikku got to me she ran into me and gave me a surprisingly strong hug. Not sure what to do I just stood still.
"Ammy! I thought something terrible happened to you!" Rikku shouted into my ear. Then she held my shoulders at arms length and started her scolding. "Don't disappear like that! You made us worry half to death!" Finally letting me go to cross her arms she asked, "so, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Collecting myself after the whirlwind of a teammate I answered, "I just left for a bit to get some fresh air."
"Well, you should have said something to one of us and not just ditch us. You could've just sent us a message ya'know" she said with a huff.
"Right, I have not familiarized myself with the scrolls yet, so I did not think of it. I will be more careful in the future," I said knowing that I did make a few mistakes today.
"Alright, I know you didn't do it on purpose. I just worried is all," Rikku said to me with a smile.
"It has been a rather long day so I decided to head back with Red," I told her.
Rikku looked over to Shiva and said, "yeah I am pretty tired after running around today, how about you Shiva?"
Which Shiva just nodded to agree. We started to the ship seeing Red already boarding.
