Hi everyone! I got one or perhaps two more chapters to update this story with, this one included. For now this story will probably be discontinued, seeing as there aren't many reviews (So I really don't know what you think of the story...) and I'm working on other stuff as well. But I had this lying around and thought I'd publish it for those of you who have been waiting, and maybe I'll finish it some day, but I don't know.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except Sigill and Mira.

"The Imperial city of Archades. Shall we?" Balthier motioned with his hand for everyone to move out of the airship.

Sigill stretched before walking down the board walk. Vaan ran out first, grinning from ear to ear.

"I never thought I'd be this far away from home! This aerodrome is way bigger than back in Rabanastre!" He laughed. At least he seemed to enjoy himself.

Sigill walked behind Balthier and Fran. She had never been outside Dalmasca. Visiting another city might be a good way to relax.
Balthier spoke to a fellow who Sigill took for a Judge. She'd only seen a few of them back in Rabanastre. He gestured for a while and conversed quietly with the man. When the Judge shook his head Balthier rummaged through his pocket and pulled out some kind of wooden piece, showing it to him. Interestingly enough for her, he let them proceed after seeing it.
Sigill thought no more of it – she wanted to enjoy her stay in this, what seemed to be, beautiful city.

"Fran, would you be kind and show Sigill to a shop where she can buy what she needs?" Balthier mumbled.

"Of course." Fran replied, relocating herself to Sigill's side.

"Basch, take the rest of the group and gather the supplies we need. We meet here back at the Aerodome when we are done."

Basch replied with a nod before setting out with Ashe, Vaan and Penelo.

"What about you?" Sigill asked, raising an eyebrow. Balthier cut her off before she could come up with a follow-up.

"I have some unfinished business to take care of. I will be back by sunset."

Fran and Sigill paced down the pavements of Tsenoble in silence. Fran spent her time carefully watching everyone around them. Anywhere they went someone stared. Sigill thought it was because of Fran – maybe some of them hadn't seen a Viera before.
The blacksmith herself felt anxious, being in a new town and all. Her eyes shot nervously from left to right.

"Are we there yet?" She asked the Viera.

"Almost. In the meantime – keep an eye out."

Sigill sighed, realizing this wouldn't be as easy as she'd thought.

"Walking around in the Imperial city with no other companion than another female could be dangerous. Even if I am well capable of fending for myself, I cannot say the same about you. The proper parts of Archades may be just as dangerous as the lower, I'm afraid." Fran said.

"Well, I have never been here before so I will have to take your word for it." Sigill smiled at her friend.

The streets they passed were beautiful, the pavement was astonishing – not to mention the shops. The walls were heavily decorated with beautiful, foreign flowers.
Inside of the clear windows she could see tons of different armor-sets, weapons, tools and clothes.
Fran treaded into the armor-shop with Sigill right behind her.

"Pick something." She said.

Sigill looked confused, but did as Fran said and decided to browse the variety of goods before her.
There were shoulder-pads and thigh-high boots, armor which left nothing for the imagination while some would have to make you imagine quite a lot.
All she knew was she wanted something black, preferably with some red streaks in it or anything similar.
After browsing through a large amount of armors she finally found the one she'd think would fit her perfectly. Sure, it needed some work but nothing the daughter of a blacksmith couldn't handle.
The armor consisted of a pair of tight, black pants with a black and red leather-belt around the waist where she could hang her hammer, a pair of knee-high boots which looked an awful lot like the ones Vaan wore as well as a top with various metal decorations with a metal flower between her breasts. The armor left her stomach unprotected but the shopkeeper told her it was imbued with magicks.
Sigill brought the armor to Fran who accepted it and paid for it. 15,600 gil later, they walked out of the shop and into another one – She still needed underwear. She picked out as many pairs as she could while Fran stood still, watching her every move. After having bought every piece of clothing she needed, Sigill went to a booth inside the shop to change. She had been dying to get into new clothes now for a while.
Her new armor fit her quite well and Fran nodded in acknowledgment too.

"I hope Basch will have picked out a suitable weapon for you." Fran said on their way back.

"Hopefully." Sigill stretched and smiled, overjoyed with her new armor. "Hey Fran, why don't we grab a bite on our way back? We haven't been gone for too long and I'm starving."

"I guess we could." Fran's red eyes looked around. "But not here. We need to walk a kilometer or so to get to a good tavern. We cannot afford to spend money on a high-class meal until we join up with the others." She continued.

"Okay." Sigill shrugged.

A couple of minutes later they reached the tavern Fran spoke of. It seemed as if no matter where they went or how shabby a tavern was supposed to look according to Sigill – everything fit right into this miraculously green and wealthy city. She figured she actually wouldn't need a high-class restaurant; this would be more than enough. Sigill was not very accustomed to fine dining back in Rabanastre because of her family's wavering economy, meaning this would be a real gourmand treat for her.
Sadly, much to her dismay, the tavern was fully occupied. They had apparently picked a bad day to dine here.
Sigill turned around with a depressed expression, slightly pouting childishly.

"We will have to seek dinner elsewhere." The Viera exclaimed, emotionlessly patting her friend's shoulder.

"Let's just get back to the others…" Sigill's appetite was gone. Her expression had gone from a depressed state to shock.

"You looked forward to it, did you not? What changed your mind?"

Sigill turned her head away. She wasn't too keen on letting the others know she had a sister. The less they knew about her, the better, really. Not too far away from them stood Mira, chatting freely with another hume. She was surprised to see her such a long way from home. Mira looked gorgeous in her light-blue dress, then again – she was always gorgeous. No matter what Sigill did, she'd always lose to her sister in the end. She didn't know if she dared to face her sister after being gone for three weeks. Mira would probably go on and on about how Sigill should be at home while Mira herself would go on hunts – although for men, but still.

"Never mind. Let's just get back." Sigill mumbled, her voice was filled with anxiety.

None of them uttered a word until they met the others who were patiently waiting for them.
Vaan rushed up to her with a big smile plastered onto his face.

"That armor looks great on you! With all those details I bet it was expensive!" He exclaimed as he looked upon her with awe.

"Thanks, Vaan. I'm a little embarrassed though, showing this much skin is not what I am used to." She replied with a nervous and embarrassed smile.

Ashe and Penelo smiled towards her while Sigill noticed a blushing Basch turning his head away. Balthier shot a quick glance at her with a raised eyebrow and an approving 'Hm.' – or at least it seemed like he approved it. He truly was a man of mostly few words.

"Now let's get going, shall we? I have made arrangements for us to stay here for a while. There is a mansion waiting for us not too far from where we are standing now." Balthier motioned with his hand towards a taxi, not for one moment letting his eyes slip off of Sigill.

Sigill sat quiet in the carriage, silently gazing upon her beautiful surroundings. Outside stood salesmen and vendors, Seeqs and Bangaas. Everywhere she looked there were people strafing around, exchanging information with one another.
Penelo and Vaan hung out the windows, pointing at everything in a childish manner, as if they had never seen such a place. Truth was, Sigill would be doing the same if it wasn't for her pride. She did not want to be portrayed as a mere child, especially not amongst this assembly of people.
Balthier chatted calmly with Fran, eyeing Sigill every now and then. The Viera took, as usual, notice of everything that happened around her and analyzed it all. Scary beings, those bunny-like creatures.
In the meantime Ashe and Basch sat silently beside each other. The princess really gave off that aura which makes you believe she truly is of royal blood.

It did not take long before they had arrived at this so-called 'mansion' – to Sigill it seemed more like a small palace.
Outside stood servants, bowing to their guests.
Up front on the pale marble stairs stood a man, not too much older than Sigill herself, ready to greet them. He walked up to them with open arms and a wide, warm and heartwarming smile.

"Ffamran! My old friend! It is to my delight to have you stay here at my manor. I must agree I was stunned to see you back in Archades. After you became a sky-pirate I never thought I'd see your pretty face on more than wanted posters!" The man gave Balthier a friendly hug. "And my, you brought a good set of companions indeed – beautiful, young women and two other warriors! I'm surprised to say the least; you were always such a loner."

Ffamran?

Balthier shot a menacing glance at his friend, pulling him close and held his collar.

"You do not call me by my real name, is that clear?" He growled, making sure the others couldn't hear him.

"Sorry, Balthier. I must've misunderstood. Surely you could explain the details over dinner, yes?" The man smiled at the rest of the group. "Come, fellow friends of my brother! I'm positive you must be starving by now; my little brother here tends to be a cheapskate. I shall show you all to the dining hall in person."

Balthier scoffed at him and sighed.

"You never change, Buchler."

"Oh and by the way, your guest arrived early and is already waiting for you at the table."

Guest?

So what do you think? Please review D:
See you all in the next chapter!