Rosaline: Are you almost done Gantz? (Was seen trying to help Jarvis with a new bilboard.) We could use a little help over here...
Jarvis: What the hell snort is he even doing anyways? Looks like he's just writing in that silly little journal of his. (He tilted his head.) Wait a sec... It doesn't even look like he's doing that... It looks like he's snort looking it over.
Rosaline: (She turned to see that what the seeq had said was actually quite true.) Huh? (She put down the bilboard, much to Jarvis' griping, and rushed over to me.) Is something the matter Gantz?
Me: Nah, nothing's wrong. (Makes an alteration to the journal.) Just finishing up this next little chapter is all. (I smile as I look to Rose.) You know, making it look presentable for the fans online see.
Rosaline: So you're already finished?
Me: Basically. I was just making a few more adjustments.
Jarvis: HEY! Rose! Get back over snort here! I need you to help me post this up!
Rosaline: (Jumps.) Oh yes! Coming Jarvis! (She turned to me, with a raised eyebrow.) Try not to take too long, we still have some left over work we need to do here.
Me: Right, gotcha. (With that said, Rose rushes off.) Well, that's a hassle... Well, I guess this is a good enough place to finish up the chapter. I can cover more in the next ones. (Clears throat before looking to audience.) Okay, I will openly admit this is not one of my longer chapters, but the ending put in was an appropriate enough place to stop. (Casts a spell on the book.) With that said, go ahead and enjoy the next chapter as I run off to handle a few things? (The camera backs away from the glowing book.) No-no, don't be shy. It won't bite. Go ahead. (Smiles.) Go ahead and enjoy.
(The camera zooms in on the book... and a flash of light and magic occurs.)
Prologue Part 4
Settling in to Camoa
When morning unthankfully came several hours later, the clan was soon up and around, packing up their tents, beddings, and other things, while a few others hitched up the chocobos. Once everything was ready to go and the chocobos were all hitched up and ready to go, the caravan was soon on it's way...
However, once they were on the road, Rosaline finally took notice of how lethargic her riding partner Gantz was. To elaborate, the poor paladin seemed to be close to dozing off as the cart continued on. He had his journal and pen out and, NORMALLY, that would be enough to keep him awake a little longer, due to his imagination buzzing, but it didn't even look like THAT was helping. He looked too tired to write or draw anything.
Rosaline held onto the reigns, but had her head turned in concern to the young man, "Gantz?" said young man looked like he had finally passed out somewhat, though his hands was managing to hold on to his journal and quill somehow... After a moment's hesitation, Rose reached a hand over and placed a hand on the Gantz's shoulder. "Gantz!"
The Paladin jumped awake instantly at Rose's voice. "MUH! Wha's tha-?" He quickly looked around, reaching for his sword 'Eclipse', "We under attack?"
Startled, Rose quickly went to calm him. "No, no, it's okay! We're all safe Gantz, calm down!"
Looking at her with a bestial expression long and hard, Gantz remained feral a moment... Before the wildness vanished a few seconds later. "R-Rose..." Shaking his head rapidly in the hopes of waking himself up some more, he looked away, seeming quite flustered. "S-sorry... I... I didn't sleep too well last night..."
Even if she was a Geomancer, she didn't need to be one to know that was a reason for great confusion and great concern. "You didn't? Why not?"
"N-Nightmares..." He answered simply and sleepily. This was followed by a semi-loud yawn. "But I guess that's what I get for staying up listening to ghost stories..." This only lead to Rosaline to hold her concerned gaze at the young man. "Look I'll be fine..." Having said that, he put down his journal and quill, apparently sure that he wouldn't be writing in it the way he was now.
Rosaline looked a bit worried for a moment. "Are... Are you sure?"
This was responded to with a yawn and a nod. "I just need some rest, that's all." Stretching a bit, he smiled to the gria comfortingly. "I'll just take a nap in the cart. Give me a call when we reach Camoa, okay?" When Rose nodded to this request, Gantz climbed into back of the cart and sat against the left side wall. Upon finding a comfortable spot, he lowered his head...
A few minutes later, he dozed off into a peaceful tired slumber... A dreamless one, Rosaline hoped.
Despite the thought that he would be okay, Rose looked on a moment more, her expression understandably concerned, riddled with worry even. To say she was completely unconvinced that 'nothing was wrong' would've been a huge understatement...
Suddenly, her eyes caught onto Gantz's journal... Which was within arms reach...
She blushed guiltily as she looked at it; remembering correctly, a half a year previous, she had built up the courage to look into the book once before... And she regretted it soon after. Back in the day, Gantz originally had no plans of staying in Ivalice, and since Rosaline had a major crush on him, she was more then a little heartbroken to learn of his plans. So much so in fact that she lashed out at him...
Of course, all in that time, he just stood there and took it... As if he had been expecting someone to find out...
Really... After all the anguish that book caused... Was it worth looking into again?
That was the thought that came to mind as Rosaline reached for the book... However, she stopped short of padding it with her fingers, her hand just hovering over it, as if it was the books shadow... For a moment, she pondered whether or not she should... Was Gantz's hurt reaction and what may lay inside really worth it?
...
A few seconds later, guilt finally won out, and she pulled her hand back, blushing red in shame and embarassment... She then looked to where Gantz sat in the cart, sleeping peacefully and leaning on some crates, that was held in by the back of the cart... "M-... Maybe he'll be willing to tell me... After I have that talk with him..."
Several hours passed since then, as the clan continued down the high-road, leaving Flute-grass Bluff behind. Merely a few minutes previous to that, the road had started to widen, slowly but surely, thus signaling the group's arrival in the region where Camoa rested. Another sure sign was the appearance of the gently rolling grasslands known prominently as 'Adventurer's Rest', a well known camping site near the town of Camoa. Looking just beyond that, further to the east, the group saw the rocky cliffs of the Shaug Tablelands, which had, from what many people had said, a great view over either the ocean, or the land for miles around; one man even claimed to have seen Camoa from a distance from the very tip-top.
As the clan rolled along, a small breeze caught attention, greatly easing their sweating forms since they had traveled a long way on a hot summer day.
"Gaaaaagh... Good Sweet Crispy Ultima..." Jarvis growled as he wiped off the sweat from his brow... Which, frankly was the part on his body that had the least amount of sweat. Grumbling, he flicked the salty liquid off his hand, grumbling a great deal. "If I'd known we'd be traveling in this heat, I'd've snort apted to stay in Moorabella..."
A chuckle came from old man Roland, who happened to overhear him. "Fear not, Jarvis. We shall be approaching Camoa soon." He took a napkin and wiped his own brow as well. "Once we get there, fresh water for everyone." Jarvis nodded in relief, everyone sharing in his gesture.
About the only one who HADN'T been sweating too much was Gantz, who slept peacefully in the back of the second cart, carefully observed by Rosaline from time to time. Gantz himself seemed to be aware of the heat, and thus, his miserable state, as he shifted around, trying to find a nice cool, or at least shaded, place in the cart. A giggle escaped Rose's form, as she listened to the paladin mutter in his sleep. Oh how she wanted him to just rest on...
Sighing, she reached into the cart and grabbed a boe-staff that happened to be in reach, and used it to reach back to him. The staff poked him in the shoulder. "Gantz. Gantz wake up."
Protesting in his sleep, he tried to ignore the pokes, even though they persistently continued. "... Uuuuuugh..."
"Gantz, come on. It's time to wake up." Gantz being half-asleep, he barely made out Rosaline's voice. His eyes opened somewhat. Rosaline smiled upon seeing that. "We're almost at Camoa."
It took him a moment, making Rose assume he was either still quite tired or had been sleeping quite well up until that point, before he moved back up to the front, expression half asleep. "Uuuuuugh..." From the back, he yawned and stretched... Another second passed before he wiped some sweat off of his brow. "Good MADEEN, it's hoooooot..."
Rosaline giggled at the simple, but well put proclomation. "One of the main reasons I woke you." She watched as the boy placed the turban on his head, before climbing back to the front of the cart. "Still tired?"
The paladin adjusted his turban a moment before he looked to the girl with a smile. "Well... Less now then I was early, thanks." He took in his surroundings a moment, "Soooo... where are we?"
"Adventurer's Rest." Rosaline answered simply as she did the same. "We'll be in Camoa before too long."
"Adventurer's Rest, eh?" Grinning, Gantz leaned back and continued looking around. "Now HERE'S a place that brings back memories."
A raised eyebrow was the response Rose had, "Oh really? Why's that?" She decided to try and look around the area a little harder for something more distinguishable. "Did you guys have a mission here or something?"
Gantz nodded, before pointing out. "Yep. See that well over there?" When Rose looked in the direction Gantz pointed, she did indeed see what appeared to be a cobblestone well sitting further down the grasslands, sitting amongst a small collection of trees, offering it shade. "One of our first missions as a clan was to investigate an odd moaning sound coming from that well. Turned out to be this ghost of a moogle that had died a long time ago."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. No bull." He nodded at Rosaline's curious look (Even though a portion of it was wondering what 'No Bull' meant). "We had Luna in our clan by that time, so she was able to help the poor guy cross over and all that fine jazz."
That seemed to spark something in Rosaline's memory. "Ah yes, I remember hearing mentions of that." She shrugged at the look she got. "Keep in mind that when I was in Borozoi, I did do research on you guys. That is why I betrayed their plan to kidnap Queen Ashe to you."
"And the Kingdom of Dalmasca owes you much for it." Gantz said with a grin, "Just like I owe ya for not just outright killing me."
Giggling, she smiled to Gantz mischievously. "Hey..." She cleared her throat, "'You know I would never hurt you intentionally' remember?" The supposed quote was emphasized by Rose changing her voice slightly, making it a bit deeper.
"Hey was that me?"
"Maaaaaaybe." The gria's eyes shifted to the left playfully as she said that leading to both sides laughing a bit... ... ... A few seconds of laughter later, silence returned as the two looked to each other... "... Um... So..."
"Yes?"
As Rosaline stumbled for some courage, Luna's words came to mind... "What... What do you think you'll enjoy most about the festival Gantz?" She cleared her throat after a second. "I mean, I myself? I think I'll enjoy the music and such. But what about you?"
Gantz took a few seconds to consider this... "Well... I don't know..." He shrugged to the gria girl. "This IS my first Great Land Festival... So I guess I'll just look around and do what passes my fancy." Thoughts racing a second, he looked to Rose. "Why do you ask?"
Rosaline turned her stare away at that question. "Well... See..." She took a second to regain her wits. "It's... Well... Well-known that the festival is really popular for young couples, so... I was wondering..." A quick turn of her head later, and Gantz was back in her peripherals, hands clenched and raised to her mouth nervously. "Would... Would you like me t-to accompany you? Y-You know... Show you around?"
... The Young Paladin looked a bit surprised at this invite... "Are you asking me out on a date?" He tilted his head in curiosity. "Cause that's what it sounds like to me."
A giggle and a blush was provoked from Gantz's response, as Rose nodded. "That is a good way to put it, yes." She tilted her head back at him. "But... Why? Is something wrong?"
"Well..." Gantz thought about how to respond to her... "I..."
"Ssssoundsss to me, like Gantzzy sstill remembersss the little sspat you two had back in Moorabella."
The two jumped and turned to find Lukino riding on his chocobo, Crusher, to the carts right, smiling at the both of them. "Luk!" Gantz yelled with a blush on his face. "Would you mind? We're in the middle of something here!"
He simply shrugged at the two, "Fine... Jussst tryin' to help was all. Sssides it looked like you weren't about to get to the point by yourssself-"
"THANK YOU, LUKINO." The tone was loud and dismissive as he pointed a thumb behind him; the universal sign meaning 'get lost'.
This only got a laugh out of the bangaa. "You're WELCOME by the by." With that said, Lukino pulled the reins back a bit, causing Crusher to break away from the cart.
Once Lukino was out of earshot, Rose turned back to Gantz. "..." She seemed to find her voice after a second. "Gantz... Is that true? What Lukino said?"
... A sigh escaped the young man's systems. "Yeah..." He shrugged. "I'll be honest with ya... I woulda asked you out myself even before I knew the festival was a popular thing for couples..." He turned to look at his girlfriend. "But then I remembered our little tiff the other day and... Well... I guess I just decided to let you cool off a bit... You never did tell me what was wrong, so I just assumed you was still mad at me."
... Rosaline blinked at the rationalization, her gaze moving down. "I... I see..." shaking her head, she looked back to Gantz. "To be honest though Gantz? That's why I wanted to ask you out." She tried for a kind smile. "Perhaps while we were enjoying the sights, I'd let you know what all of that was about back in Moorabella. You know, come clean."
"... You mean it?"
"Yes, of course I mean it."
There was a moment of consideration towards this, before a big wide smile appeared on Gantz's face. "Well, okay then! It's a date!" He looped an arm around the gria, chuckling. "This is gonna be great, just you wait, my winged beauty. The best time of your life!"
A giggle accompanied the chuckling, when Rose took in the Paladin's proclomation. "Heheh, I'm sure you will, oh Sir Gantz."
"CAMOA KUPO! Camoa dead ahead!"
Gantz and Rose quickly looked out in front of the caravan, as did everyone else...
Appearing just over the hill, a city sat in view, consisting of a giant collection of adobe buildings that stood between 1 to 4 stories tall, all of them grouped together in a collection of city blocks. As the clan's caravan drew closer, the group became aware of music and slowly growing din of chatter from hundreds, maybe thousands of people rising from the town, traveling on the winds to the visitor's ears. Camoa was always a big, busy city, and the music and sounds certainly did a good job of making that clear.
As the group entered the city, they found themselves in the mercantile district, where people of various species went about their daily routine, shopping for food, jewelry and clothes among other things in either shops or stalls. However there was a notably cheerful air as people chatted amongst themselves; with her sensitive ears, Luna was sure she heard many mentions of Clan Prima Donna and the Great Land Festival itself. The caravan was even approached by a group of children and adults, families likely, the children enthralled by the sight of the arriving clan. So excited were the kids at the sight of the chocobos and the visitors that they crowded around in awe.
Gantz smiled more and more, the more of the city he saw. The clan, upon loosing the kids from earlier, drove into the industrial districts and found that people were busily at work decorating the city in preparation of the festival. All of the city districts he had come to know when he first traveled down these streets were becoming more and more lively, more and more colorful. People, dressed in loose summer clothing and with equally bright colors, danced around in the streets to the music being echoed across the city.
"OOOI! Greetings Clanners!"
The group turned to see an old looking Nu-mou walk up to them, smiling at their arrival. While not as old looking as Roland (maybe somewhere around his 40's, where Roland was near 90), he appeared a jolly looking man with a slight silver beard matching his silverish fur. He was dressed in bright green and brown clothes, like that of a Nu-mou Beast Tamer. "Welcome one and all to our fair city! My name is Relius, and I'm the one directing the city's decoration. Who are all of you?"
Issac bowed his head to the Nu mou, "We are the members of Clan Highwind, based in Moorabella. We are here to answer the call for hired hands in your festive activities."
The nu-mou took this in a moment. "Moorabella eh? My you young ones have come a long way then. I suppose you are looking forward to stretching your legs after your long trip." He pointed to a building not too far off. "You can drop off your chocobos and carts there. Those are the public stables."
With an excited nod of his head, Marco smiled widely. "Thanks kupo! Much obliged!"
Before Marco could crack the reins however, the nu mou quickly caught the moogle's attention. "Hold, moogle. Need you any directions to an Inn before I head off?"
"Nah." Marco shook his head self-assuredly as he said this. "We'll be fine kupo. I know a good place not too far off." A moment later he scratched his chin. "One thing though, kupo. Where can we find you to start our work once we're settled in?"
The nu mou motioned to a nearby building that was more then heavily decorated when compared to the rest of the town. A sign hung by a wooden pole over the door, which, prominently, had the letters 'GLFC' on it, underneath the base of a tree that was chiseled on it. "If you need me, you may find me in that building." With a neighborly smile, he walked towards said building. "Enjoy your stay in Camoa!"
By that point, Marco looked REALLY excited as he waved to Relius. "Okay kupo! You got it." He actually shivered a little bit, after a second. "Ku-u-upo! I feel great! I'm so excited kupo!"
"Sheesh, Marco... Chill out would ya?" Came Issac with a joking expression. "This isn't one of those 'Techno-whosit' conventions you attend, it's a summer festival. No need to look like your about to wet yourself." This prompted a few chuckles from all around. Marco pouted indignantly in response.
Putting away the chocobo's and unloading the carts took a few minutes, but afterwards, when all was said and done, especially with getting Crusher to guard the carts, the gang walked out of the stables, and back out into the hustle and bustle of the festival preparations. Lukino could be seen carrying a big amount bags on his back (which made sense since he was the muscle of the group), and the rest of the clan carried their own personal belongings. "So Marco..." Came Gantz whom walked alongside Rosaline, from behind Issac and Luna. "Where's this Inn you mentioned? I'm ready to settle in and check out the town." He turned to Rosaline as he said that, causing her to blush.
"And I'm ready to get all thisss crap off my back!" Lukino growled as he said this. "I'm a WARRIOR, not a PACK MULE."
An impish chuckle was the response Marco gave to the group. "You guys! I'm surprised at you kupo!" He stopped walking and turned to the others. "Okay, I can understand it with our newer members, kupo, but you guys who have been here with us longest? Has it REALLY been so long ago that you don't remember this street?" He turned back around and lead the group down the way, until he turned at the nearest right. "There! Remember it now?"
When Gantz saw the place, his eyes lit up in recognition. Just down the street at the end of the block, marking a fork in the road, was a three story adobe establishment, with people going in and out of it. The sign above the door looked like it had little more then a shiney gil coin above the word 'INN'.
Issac was the first to say something. "The 'Golden Gil'!" He turned to his moogle friend with a look of pure surprise. "How fitting! We haven't seen the 'Golden Gil' in ages! Not since the incident with Clan Redwings."
Giggling, Luna, whom was hand-in-hand with Issac, nodded to the observation. "Indeed! It has been a long time! Almost a year in fact! So many fond memories..." She smiled lovingly to Issac, "In fact; Issac, was it not the 'Golden Gil's' first floor restaurant where we had our first date?"
Jarvis let out a laugh (combined with a few snorts) at this. "A date in a snort! restaurant that doubles as an Inn? HAWHAWHAW! Sounds like a Snort! Two-for-one deal if you ask me!" Luna and Issac blushed at the implication, while Jarvis laughed, Lukino chuckling along with him.
Rolling his eyes, Roland was unsurprised by the immaturity. "Oh yes... VERY mature, Jarvis..."
Shaking his head, Gantz looked among his friends. "Come on, you guys. Let's get the stuff inside so we can do what we want. I can't wait to see what's been set up for the festival thus far."
"Indeed." Roland said with a smile. "I cannot wait to sample the local library. I hear that new books are oft donated this time of year."
Lukino let out a chuckle, and a scoff. "Do whatcha want, Roland. I'm going to go sssee if the clan 'Chita'sss Weaponersss' showed up yet."
A loud snort followed. "You do what YOOOU want Luk. I'm going to the Snort! Merchant district to cash in on some of the loot we've gained in our snort! previous missions." He chuckled greedily. "After all, we've got enough junk that we could snort earn a small fortune-"
Gantz grinned. "Typical of Seeq's to think about only money and or jewelry."
Jarvis growled at the joke, and fired off a counter joke as the clan entered the Golden Gil Inn...
And thus began a festive day in the city of Camoa...
(There is another flash of light and magic as the camera returns to the Clan Highwind base. Upon looking around, it takes notice of Gantz, Rose, Jarvis and Lukino nearby.)
Me: Okay, this should be the last nail. (STAMP!) There we go! The new billboard is all posted up and ready for action! (Grins.) Okay, now what are we putting up first?
Lukino: How about the old 'Monssster Ssslayer recordsss'. (Grins back at Gantz.) Even if you did bring down a Behemoth, I'm ssstill ahead of you on account of the sheer NUMBER of monstersss I've beat.
Me: (Laughs.) You wish, scale head!
Rosaline: (Laughs as well.) Come on boy's let's just post stuff up then we can get back to work, okay?
Me: Makes sen- (Notices the screen.) Oh! Hold on just a sec guys. (He quickly runs toward the screen.) You guys enjoy it? I recently learned how to bewitch my old journal to serve as the Chapter viewer, so you guys can experience for yourselves the adventures, the clan and I had back when.
Lukino: Who'sss he talkin' to?
Rosaline: (Rolls her eyes with a smile.) Oh let him have his fun. (By this point, she had come to understand the concept of the 'author's booth' and the '4th wall'.) He'll join us again in just a second.
Jarvis: Riiiiiight...
Gantz: Anyways, with that said, I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter. Not sure when the next one is coming, but you guys will know when it does. Now, so it's clear, the chapters following this one will be ones giving you, the viewers, insight on each of the members of Clan Highwind before we move on to the main event. That's the one thing I want to do first and foremost with this fic. Why? (Points at the screen.) So I won't have anybody out there saying my characters are undefined and only there to help the main characters reach their goals without goals of their own. In otherwords? Being living plot devices. (Aside: Yes, I have heard this before.) Each clan member has their own dreams, and each one has their own goals.
(After a moment, he shrugs.)
Gantz: Don't worry though; the chapters, and indeed fanfic's following this one won't be entirely character centered, and will focus on the story, as well as the characters involvement in the story... But with that said, I shall leave you now to help out with my clan-mates, and, eventually work on the next chapter of the fic. (Holds up a peace sign.) R&R People! (And with that said, I run off and rejoin the others.) So how about we get back to fixing up the bilboard, eh? (The camera goes dark having heard that.)