As promised, here's the fourth chapter of From Nabradia, With Love! I hope you will really forgive me… even though I know you did. Hahaha! *cough* Erm… Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter Title: Chapter 4 / Of Blue Hue
Description: After leaving the Sandsea and upgrading her getup, Kirit tails Vaan only to appear in a magicite-rich place.
Warning: Fighting scene, nothing big (to me at least)
Characters: Bhujerba Party, Kirit, and Mercade
Disclaimer: All characters and settings in this story belongs to the creators who made this awesome game, except for my characters.
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"What?"
"Kupo!" Montblanc chirped, "you get 300 gil!"
"For that?" Vaan exclaimed, he had never heard a reward so big for one slain. The slain of a Mimic Queen, that is. "Are you sure you are not confusing this for another mark?"
"The boss never make mistakes, kupo!"
Vaan stared incredulously at the moogle, wondering if it's a hoax. But Montblanc remained smiling as he looked onto the new hunter. Vaan looked around the main hall and all of the hunters were going about their activities. Ktjn was sitting in a corner, sharpening her arrows as Monid was talking to a Hume-child. A Nu Mou was giving Bansat a brief on his mark before he went off to find it. Various Seeq and Bangaa were also scattered about, talking to each other, making the room appear lively. Vaan sighed before starting for the door, 300 gil in hand, and exiting it. A soft breeze ruffled his hair and he heard a faint clicking on the pavement.
"You know…Montblanc," a voice spoke from Vaan's side, making him jump and turn into that direction. Kirit was amused by this but continued, "he's very resilient. He would just give whatever deems worthy for the mark and the effort you put in it. Even if you did little in a large group, he'd still give you lots. Believe me, I've had plenty of experience."
"Oh."
Silence. Kirit smirked. Vaan's eyes widened.
"You're a hunter too?!"
"Not in the open, Vaan," the elder sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She reached behind her, into a large tanned bag, and pulled out the old book she opened a while ago. She held the book at arm's length and explained, "being a hunter doesn't only give you privileges but an identity. An identity to be kept a secret, never in the open; only when you hunt and that alone."
"Oh," Vaan mumbled again. "No wonder Balthier was avoiding you…"
The little thief took this silence as a time to look over the woman more clearly in broad daylight. (The Barheim is not exactly a "bright" place, mind you.) The woman was slightly tanned but she still looked pale and that seriously clashed with her hair. Kirit's hair was bright white with hints of tan strands here and there. And it was bright enough to make her grey eyes stand out. Vaan was fascinated by those eyes; he had never saw that color before. The only colors he had seen was brown of every shade and black. The color grey was always dull to Vaan, seeing that the kind of grey he had been around was the pavement's stones in Rabanstre. But this was different. Her eyes practically sparkled and it could be a part of a rainbow's choices of colors if it wanted to. There was a thin ring of black that outlined just outside the irises. This gave her eyes more depth, more impression, more secrets.
"Take a picture, Vaan," Kirit smirked in amusement as the said pirate wannabe flushed red. "It lasts longer. Despite all the time we have, don't you have somewhere to go?"
Vaan was about to shake his head but he remembered one thing, "well, I was going to see Old Dalan…"
"Ah, the old man," Kirit hummed in thought, scratching her cheek with a finger. "What a coincidence, I was going to see him too. I need to get something from him… shall we?"
Kirit gestured to the small bridge that led to the East End and one of the many doors of Lowtown.
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"Something's on your mind, Vaan?" Kirit questioned the said boy.
The blond thief was staring at the sword he got from Dalan, the Sword of the Order. When Kirit said staring, she meant the kind where the boy would look at it but his mind would be off somewhere else. After a minute, the woman had to voice the question again to make the boy react.
"Huh? Oh… nothing," Vaan hastily replied. "Just thinking."
Kirit nodded and averted her eyes back to the span of Lowtown, her subconscious not buying the story. After a few more turns, they came to a place where lots of wooden crates were stacked on top of each other to form a little pathway to the door in the back. A man sat nearby stopped them from getting in.
"You can't go in there," he said, shaking his head a little.
"I got to deliver this sword to this Azelas," Vaan showed the guy the sword and he hummed in thought.
"And who told you this?"
"Old Dalan. He said to give this to him personally."
The man sighed and chuckled, "nothing ever go past that Dalan, eh? Alright, go on in." He held up a hand just as Vaan entered, "but you, missy, have to stay out."
Kirit scoffed at the little nickname but backed away from the door nonetheless, sitting against the hard wall just around the corner. It took her five full minutes to find a comfortable spot against the jutting wall but all that effort went to waste just when two men rounded into her sight.
Vaan and Basch.
She got up, scraping her back a bit, and spoke, "Vaan. Basch."
"Oh, pardon. I didn't see you there," Basch apologized.
"It's okay. I'm the one who chose to sit here. Oh, and Vaan-" She turned to the said boy and he did the same. "-I forgot to get something from Old Dalan, I'll meet you two at the Sandsea, alright?"
"Okay."
Kirit waved as she ran in the direction of the man's house as the two other walked to the surface. After passing into the South Sprawl, Kirit found it to be an easy fest getting to the place. Some children were huddled near a pillar, telling each other stories of sky pirates. Kirit recognized one of them as Kytes. She was introduced to Kytes as she entered Migelo's place when he was taking watch while the owner was gone. The hunter averted her gaze and opened the door to be greeted by a familiar voice.
"Ah, the wilted flower returns," Dalan spoke with a all-knowing twinkle in his eye. "And for something old and fitting, I suppose?"
"Again," Kirit sighed in exasperation. "I have no idea how you can know things such like that when you never venture out of here."
"An old man have his ways," was the sharp reply.
"Mmhm…"
Kirit nodded as Dalan told a little boy to get a brown bundle from behind the curtain he sat in front of. A few moment passed and the Dalmascan boy returned, and in his arms; a brown package double cross-tied with wicker. He handed it to Old Dalan and he, in turn, gave it to Kirit. The package felt light in her hands but she knew it contained the most important accessories in her opinion. She asked if she could borrow the backroom to change and the old man granted her permission. As she parted the curtain, the two couples in there saw her need and walked out to give her a bit of privacy. Kirit nodded to show her thanks and both faces smiled before they disappeared on the other side of the curtain. A soft chair and a long mirror were in the room, just what she needed. Kirit sighed, opened the package, and pulled out every object only to lay them on the chair in order. Looking at every cloth and armor, Kirit went about to changing.
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Once again, the old mirror has its uses. Kirit nodded as she observed herself in the said mirror, her reflection copying her. Her heavy, shin-high boots were replaced with a knee-high, light boots. The new one was metal as well but it was lighter and had cloth on the inside to prevent any injuries. On her lower arms, she also had guards that reached just below her elbows and past her first sets of knuckles. Her too small shirt was now a comfortable one. The sleeves reached her mid-upper arms and had an intricate design along the hem. The shirt hugged her form (it was NOT good idea to fight loose) but didn't show much as the neckline was square. Her old, frayed shorts was replaced with loose-but-not-too-loose pants that reached just below her knees. Again, there were an intricate design along the hem and up the sides to her hip. The color scheme was light tan being the main and bold brown for the designs. There was hints of gold at some but it was faded. The hems was faded green and made the designs pop out more.
Kirit was satisfied at the new and comfortable look. Not too fancy but not too sloppy either; she would not stand out either way. She tested the weight by swinging her limbs around. Not too heavy to slow her down and not too light to prevent deep wounds.
"Perfect."
Looking at the last item on the small chair, she picked it up and sheathed it on her left hip. A small sword of the color of deep red, her Blood Sword from her late brother. With the changing done, Kirit stepped out of the backroom and the couple from before went back in. She bade her farewell to the old man and set out for the Sandsea.
As she stepped out of Old Dalan's house, the band of kids from before were gone. She swore she heard giggling and a young voice shouting somewhere in the Lowtown. Kirit raised an eyebrow as she entered the North Sprawl and saw an older girl shouting at the band of kids to 'focus or you won't become sky pirates!'. Kirit chuckled at the sight and opened a door that she used to get down with Vaan a moment ago. Bright light hit her eyes the minute she stepped out into the sun-existent world but brushed it off and went to her left. When she was nearing the Sandsea, she saw a glimpse of blond hair running around a corner and disappearing. Kirit wondered why Vaan would run off like that before a familiar voice jarred her out of her thoughts.
"He's buying a better weapon," Basch walked beside her.
"For what?"
"Oh, pardon. You weren't in there when we talked about it…" Basch looked at the woman a few moment more before explaining, "Penelo, Vaan's best friend, had been kidnapped by this Ba'Gamnan and was taken to the mines in Bhujerba. Vaan wanted to bring her back and Balthier will take us there."
"Oh?" Kirit was indeed surprised by that. Balthier offering to fly them there? She voiced the question and Basch replied,
"I know. I am confused too. Ba'Gamnan is a bounty hunter and he want Balthier's head and yet, he still will go for that stone."
"Stone?"
"It's a long story," Balthier appeared at Kirit's other side with Fran behind him. "We are going to the Aerodome. Bring what you need quickly, I'd rather to get that handkerchief back with little tears."
"Afraid the salt would shrink it?" Kirit teased lightly as Balthier turned.
"Hardly."
He left with his partner at his side and Basch stood stiffly at Kirit's as they watched the sky pirates disappear around the corner. A few minutes passed and Kirit shifted to her another foot.
"So…" She spoke, "Basch, what are you in this for?"
"What do you mean?" Basch looked at Kirit and the she did the same.
"Well. Vaan want to save Penelo, Balthier and Fran wants that stone, whatever it was, and I'm going because I need to keep a watch on Vaan. But what about you, Basch? Why are you going?"
"An audience with the Marquis," was his reply.
Kirit hummed in understanding and started to walk for the Aerodome with the former captain trailing behind.
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"Ah, Vaan," Balthier smirked. "Took you long enough."
"S-sorry," the said boy gasped for air. He had seemingly ran to get here in a hurry. "I… I was buying some stuff."
Balthier cocked an eyebrow. "Stuff? It better be worth my time."
The little thief nodded and bent over to put his hands on his knees, still gasping for air. Balthier shifted to his other foot and Vaan looked up from his crouched position, light brown eyes connected with Kirit's eyes. Kirit looked in deep and realized that the 'stuff' were not potions or ethers but in fact were Marks. The female hunter nodded in understanding and approval in reference that Vaan had kept it a secret.
Vaan sighed and took a gulp of air before straightening, "so… where are we heading?"
Kirit groaned once she finally realized that Vaan also need to work on his acting skills. Balthier cocked an eyebrow (he seems to like doing that) and replied.
"Bhujerba. You ever heard of the place, Vaan?" A shake of his head and Balthier explained with a sigh, "It's a skycity that is rich with magicites in their mines, the Lhusu Mines. I'm shocked that as much you steal, you haven't heard of the place. Don't get out much, eh, Vaan?"
Vaan's face pulled a scowl-slash-pout, which doesn't work on the boy at all, before the group walked to the gate that led to many airships. One of them being Balthier's. They stuck to the right side of the wall and when Balthier rounded into a smaller hallway, the rest did the same. After a while, they finally came to the ship as they turned left into a private hangar."
"This is the Strahl," Balthier placed his hands on his hip and looked back to Vaan. "She airship enough for you?"
There was no reply as Vaan pushed his way through to get a better look. Kirit stared at the airship as it glowed under the sun and all went quiet to Kirit. She heard a faint exclaim from Vaan but it was a blur to the hunter. A hand placed itself on her shoulder and she jumped, all sounds flooding into her ears. She looked up and saw Basch and his hand gripped her shoulder, asking for if she was okay. She nodded and the hand fell to its master's side. The party entered the Strahl and Balthier led them to the cockpit where all of them sat down with the exception of Vaan. He was awing over Fran's shoulder but moved away to Balthier's once she turned to look at him. Kirit sat at the back on Fran's side and skimmed her eyes over the various buttons on the wall. She faintly heard Balthier and Basch conversing about Bhujerba and its ruler. Balthier pressed some switches and other gadgets Vaan had little knowledge of before speaking.
"Right, time to fly," Basch and Vaan sat down in their seats. "And no wagging tongues or you're like to bite them off."
Kirit felt a familiar feeling wash over her as the Strahl slowly started up and hovered in the air for a moment before flying higher. She closed her eyes and a black and white version of the airship's interior came into her mind. She recognized the ship from before but its name disappeared as soon as she realized it. Kirit subconsciously stepped out the cockpit and walked a few flights down where she saw a door with a circular window near the top. It was glowing blue and the door faded as she stepped through it, into the room. There, an engine holding a skystone, glowing blue and healthy. Kirit took no risk and went closer to the stone to inspect it before deciding that it is healthy. Kirit opened her eyes and found herself back in the cockpit like nothing had happened. She looked out the window between the two sky pirates and saw the skycity coming into a close. They are here.
Bhujerba.
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color: light green
size: small, a fragment maybe
where discovered: given by Elton
function:
Mercade stopped writing and looked up to inspect the stone she held in her hand. She sighed and felt a little drowsy but kept awake for her life's sake. She groaned as her stomach rumbled in need for food and stood up. Just because she was hungry or tired doesn't mean she can't stop working and take a break every once in a while. Walking around her table, Mercade went in her bathroom and flicked on the light. The sudden brightness stung her eyes and she clenched them until she became less sensitive to it. She slowly popped each open and blinked rapidly to get rid of the large spot in the middle of her vision. She scratched her head and looked in a mirror.
She almost screamed at the sight.
Her eyes had heavy black circles around them from lack of sleep. Her hair looked messy and dirty, making her light tan hair look brown. She groaned and turned on the sink, plugging the drainer. She waited for it to fill halfway and turned off the water's flow. Mercade held the sink's sides and dunked her head in the water top first. After making sure that she doesn't lose her grip, she let go one hand and moved the water to where her hair wasn't wet. She washed it thoroughly without the help of a shampoo and conditioner and dried her hair with a small towel on a rack near the sink. She shook her head like a dog to get the excess water out and her hair unconsciously moved to her left, making it look like she had just used the hairdryer in one direction for a long time. Mercade looked in the mirror and gasped, eyes wide in shock. She lifted one hand and touched that clump of grey hair near her forehead. She did what a six years old girl would do in the situation; panic and think:
'I'm getting old.'
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A/N: So… what do you think? The ending was supposed to be funny, I think. She's only six and she haven't gotten the concept of why her hair's turning white.
---I'M SO SORRY! This chapter and 2 & 3 was resubmitted due to a HUGE error. I hope you will all forgive me!---