Vaan plunged his sword into the diseased skull of one of the waterway rats. He had two more to go.
"Wow, Vaan!" Kytes yelled from the walkway above.
"You wanna help?" Vaan said.
"What if one bites me?"
"Then Migelo will pay to heal you up. He likes you more than me."
"I'm just gonna watch," Kytes said.
Kytes was a nine year old kid, orphaned the same as Vaan. His parents died in the invasion two years ago. Vaan's parents died when he was younger. Long before the invasion. And his only guardian was his older brother, Reks. He hadn't seen Reks in two years. He never actually received confirmation that he had died. But after the war was over and he never came home, he didn't need anyone to tell him what happened.
The last of the rats was bleeding into the water. Vaan sheathed his short sword and had half a mind to clean up his mess but Migelo never mentioned disposing of the bodies. So he left with Kytes.
Waltzing into Lowtown, Vaan felt a sense of accomplishment from a job well done. He followed after Kytes.
Lowtown was a city underneath the main streets of Rabanastre. A maze of hallways and secret passageways all interconnected with people shopping, dining, selling or stealing. Vaan enjoyed being in Lowtown because there was always something or someone interesting around every corner.
"I'll see ya later, Vaan!" Kytes called, running off with some of his friends.
Kytes. I hope you stay the same.
Vaan had looked out for the young lad for a long time. He had protected him from the reality of being an orphan. And sheltered him from the cruel nature of those in power. He had to also thank Migelo for caring for him.
Migelo ran a sundry store at the end of the east side of Rabanastre and had always looked out for Vaan, Kytes and any of the other reckless orphans running around the city. He put the kids to use when they would otherwise have been stealing or getting into more serious trouble. Migelo was a good person. And Vaan was on his way to report to him at this very moment.
Rising out of the steep steps, Vaan pushed open the doors to Rabanastre proper.
It was nearing midday and bustling. All sorts of people were dashing by lost in their own lives. Vaan appreciated living amongst so many people. It gave him a strange sense of peace. To know that there was always someone around to lend a hand if he need only ask.
Walking down the alley he smelled fresh crème dallok. He began to feel a sharp pang of hunger. He spied the pastry shop releasing the heavenly scent of promised food. Stepping up into the doorway he looked in. Several people had the same idea and a line was growing full of hungry patrons ready to buy their sweets.
Vaan wished he had some money.
"Vaan!"
He knew exactly who that was from the distinct, cute voice. Turning, he saw her.
Penelo was pacing fast up to him, her short blonde hair bouncing in sync with her brisk steps.
She had a warm smile that always tickled Vaan.
"Whatchya doing?" She asked, nudging him.
"Wishing I had some gil for a dallok," Vaan said, turning away and heading towards Migelo's.
"I have some money. Let's get one!" Penelo said.
"No. You work hard for that gil. I should be getting some in a minute. I finished the rat extermination for Migelo. Hopefully he gives me more than ten gil this time."
"Are you excited for the parade later?" She asked.
"I guess. I want to see this Lord for myself. He's got another thing coming if he thinks us Rabanastrans are going to loyally follow him," Vaan said.
A young boy ran past holding a toy chocobo. He was being chased by four angry and dirty kids. They yelled terrible slurs at him. Vaan's heart went out for the kid while Penelo's foot slyly extended out. The leading bully biffed it on her foot causing the rest of the bullies to topple into him.
"Penelo?" Vaan said.
"Look," she said, motioning to the chased child.
The child was a few feet away, obscured by the crowd. He put his hands together around his toy chocobo in a prayer-like motion and bowed to Penelo. Penelo smiled and nodded her support.
The bullies were getting up. "Screw you, lady," the leader shoved Penelo. Vaan stepped in and grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt.
"Don't touch her, brat."
Fear flashed across the bully's eyes as he stared into Vaan's stoic face. But Penelo's soft hands touched his forearm.
"Let it be, Vaan," she said.
Vaan released the boy and the four mean-spirited youths ran off.
"That kid remind you of anyone?" Vaan said, looking after the child and his chocobo.
"You know exactly who he reminds me of," she said, playfully nudging into him as they walked back towards Migelo's.
Vaan and Penelo were seventeen and their memories of being chased through the streets as young kids were not-too-distant memories. It was also what brought them together.
"Hey, Migelo!" Vaan said, walking up to him. He was standing outside his store.
"Oh! Vaan! I take it the rats are no more?" He said.
"Done and done. How 'bout a little more than ten gil this time?"
"Vaan. You know if I start paying you extra for basic work I'll have to do that for all the kids. Here," he said, pulling out ten gil and handing it to Vaan. "Besides, I need your help again. And this one'll pay double if you get it done fast."
Vaan's interest was piqued.
"As you know, I'm in charge of preparing everything for the fete tonight. But my shipment has been held up. There's some sort of rogue creature destroying the deliveries along the Estersand. I need you to take care of this monster."
"Now this is real work. I'm in," Vaan said.
"I'm coming too," Penelo said.
"No, dearie. You're not. I need you to mind the store. I have to go take care of some business right now," Migelo said. "Vaan, head over to The Sandsea and speak to Tomaj. He'll fill you in with everything. And remember, I need this done as soon as possible."
Migelo walked off.
"See ya, Penelo," Vaan said.
But before he could go two steps she dashed out, wrapping her arms around him in a big hug. "Good luck!"
"Hey, hey. I'll be right back," He said, unraveling her arms.
She watched him get lost from view within the crowd and turned to head into the shop.
"Hey Penelo!" A customer called out. "I need five potions. Hurry!"
"Okay, okay!" She said, jumping the counter and rummaging through the supplies. Bagging them all up she plopped them on the counter. "350 gil, please."
Penelo began her impromptu shift at the store with slight anxiety for Vaan. He had been known to return injured from time to time. She just hoped this wasn't one of those times. Work at Migelo's Sundries was usually dull work. But at least it was fast-paced. There was always a steady stream of customers who needed something. Busy work was fast work as Migelo always said.
An hour had gone by and the door opened.
Hunfird walked in, eying Penelo. Hunfird was a young man, seventeen as well. He was the son of an engineer. He grew up with both parents wanting the best for him. And it was a fact that separated him from her. He tried to overcome this difference by running the streets the same way all the orphans did. But in the end Penelo and all the others knew he had a place to call home while they did not.
Easing up to the end of the counter, he rested on his elbow, acting as nonchalant as he could around her. "How's the day been Penelo?"
"Oh, Hunfird. What do you need?" Penelo asked, putting the gil away in the drawer.
"I want to take you out. Let's go see the parade. It starts in a few minutes."
"No thanks. I'm going with Vaan."
"And where is he? I don't see him."
"He went off on a hunt. Somewhere in the Estersand."
"Come on, Penelo. I treat you right and you barely even look at me."
"Maybe you should take a hint, lover boy," Penelo said.
This caused a deep seeded rage to rapidly boil up in Hunfird. "Fine! To hell with you! After all I've done for you." He stormed out. Migelo opened the door to catch the tail end of his fury. "And you'll be going alone to the parade, Miss Penelo! The guards have sealed off all the gates so your boyfriend is probably stuck out there!" He slammed the door behind him.
Penelo was flush in her cheeks. She hadn't been yelled at for a long time. Migelo stepped up to the counter, resting his elbows. "That was about Vaan, wasn't it?" he said.
She nodded, silently.
"That boy was right. Vaan is most likely stuck beyond the gate. We have to go fetch him, my dear."
"Does the parade really start in a few minutes?"
"Yes. We must hurry. Grab the Barose wine there," Migelo said.
Penelo did so as Migelo shuttered the blinds and turned the sign to "closed". She handed him the bottle and they left quickly.