I had just woken up for the second time. Pain seared through me forcing me to lie down again groaning. Looking around I noticed Vaan deep in conversation with Old Dalan. I realised he was talking to old Dalan about the crescent stone.

"Their village is not far. There are like to be beasts on the plains, so be careful, m'boy." Old Dalan said indicating towards the door

As Vaan turned to exit he saw me lying there awake. Smiling he got on his knees beside me.

"Oh hey Ella you're awake." he grinned at me

Looking up into his beautiful sky blue eyes I replied, "Yes, thank you for taking me away from the bazar."

"I was just about to go get a sun stone wanna come with?" he asked, he then cocked his head to the side and added "although I don't think your clothes will suit the desert."

I looked down and figured he was right. I decided that when he went to the palace to advance the plot I'd go and buy some proper clothes. Remembering I had no Gil to even buy food or water, how the hell was I supposed to buy clothing?

"If you don't want me to pick your clothes I can send Penelo with you….Ella?"

"Hmm?" I looked dumbly at him, "Oh yes but I have no money?"

"That's fine I'll pay for it I came across some Gil from hunting in the eastersands and you can hang around with me and Penelo for a while"

"You mean you want me around?"

"Yes of course I'm an orphan we look out for each other"

His kindness was bloody heart-warming. Nonetheless his orphan comment got me thinking back to my parents and wondering if I'd even ever see them again. Maybe life here would be ok; there was certainly a plus side. Balthier was here.

'Well you sit here; I'll go fill then sunstone and then take you shopping ok?'

"Yes that's fine thank you."

It was a long 2 hours whilst Vaan filled up his sunstone but it gave me plenty of time to walk around lowtown and play with all the kids. The young women there who were taking care of orphaned babies were more than happy to let me sit beside and take turns caring for the little ones. We chatted about the state of affairs even though I had no idea what half of them were saying. I must admit in the game lowtown seemed boring, dull and deathly but the people who live there are vibrant and give lowtown a colour and chatter that I had never seen before in the game. The young toddlers were delighted when I taught them the old game of 'Paddy Cake'. And the screaming of delighted babies filled the air and gave life back to the tired adults and creaky walls.

"Well Dalan said we would find you here, you didn't have any trouble fitting in did ya Ella!"

I looked up and saw Vaan laughing along with a beautiful leggy blonde who I couldn't mistake for Penelo. She waved at me and introduced herself.

"So Vaan tells me you fell outta the sky Ella?" Penelo questioned

"Yea I don't even know what happen" I lied

"Never mind that we are going to go shopping I've been longing for a girlfriend for ages," Penelo exclaimed while she danced around with a baby "It seems the gods have answered my prayers"

"If you two have stopped talking we'll get going" Vaan said looking at us both

Vaan walked both of us to the large exit near the Giza Plains, it swung open and we bounded out into the sunlight. Staring up at the apparently hundreds of stairs my mouth dropped open. Those stairs did not look like fun.

"Yuck I hate stairs" I whined babyishly

"Ha I know Vaan does to he whines like a baby every time we walk up them!" Penelo laughed

"I do not Penelo and you know it" Vaan said, he started to pout; he looked so cute with a pouty lip.

We talked a lot while we were walking and I'm not going to go into everything, but you would realise how much the game developers left out of their personalities. Penelo talked about her passion for jewellery, the kind you see on Archadian royalty which is apparently the most extravagant and beautiful. We sat down at the fountain giggling; the stairs took it out of all of us. I turned my face to the sun and really listened to the life flow of the city. Hawkers yelling about their wares the clickety clack of heels. My eyes shot open. Heels Fran wore heels. I turned like a bloodhound caught on a scent. I caught a glimpse of a shiny gold vest when I saw him: a glimmer of gold hair a flash of pink, blue and green.

"Balthier" I purred sexily

His head turned slightly as if he had heard my whisper.

He turned, my breath caught, he was staring right at me. He was a vision

If it was possible for men to be beautiful he was.

I swear my heart stopped beating for those few seconds. He cocked his head at me as if knowing I had spoken. A soft smile crossed his face. Then as if a ghost he vanished into thin air.

"Ella are we going to keep moving?" Vaan asked

I nodded at Vaan and started walking.

…

Half an hour later I was dressed in what could be called Rabanastas "finest" leathers. Scungy bits of armour were stuck to my body. I was dressed in a tight black leather top which made my breasts almost spill out of the top. Then it was black cloth pants with leather enhancements for extra protection that went down halfway to my knees. A small cute knitted black beret with leather lining provided some magical protection and as I said it was super cute. Vaan had then bought me a two small daggers and a shield that I strapped to my back for when I fell over. Vaan and Penelo stood back and studied me.

"Do I look alright?" I asked nervously

Vaan bounced over to me and said "You might be out of shape but your boobs are huge!"

Penelo shook her head and rolled her eyes exasperated.

"Thank you Vaan I'll take that as a compliment" I said sarcastically only half joking.

"No I meant it as one, you look very pretty, just very buxom as well" he retracted hastily

I laughed at him and struck a pose. Maybe this would all turn out for the best.

…