I don't own Xenoblade or any of the characters, only the changes in the plot.

Well here we are again in a nice little new story that I just could not resist writing. Not sure if I'll keep going but I wanted to put the idea up anyway to see how its received since I haven't seen someone try this yet. I might go a few chapters in and let it rest to see what happens but anyway have fun with it!

This is basically going to spoil the game for you so if you don't want spoilers turn away now!

As usual I answer questions in PMs or reviews. I will either answer questions through PMs or ANs depending on the subject and/or the swiftness of chapters coming together.

Oh and if you see another story that has the exact same story on it I did that on purpose to see whether more people see it under crossover or under the normal Xenoblade archive.

Chapter 1: The Life on the Clouds

Rex's POV

"Come on…" Rex grumbled as he walked around. While it was nice living on a literal being that didn't charge rent, he could move a little slow sometimes. He even started checking his blue salvaging gear and suit to make sure it was all in working order, he had done that more than three times already.

"Rex, we will arrive at Argentum soon enough…" a horse yet gentle voice rumbled. Rex turned his gold-amber eyes towards the voice to see his horned Titan, friend and the one who lets him stay on his back staring at him.

"I know that Gramps but can we pick it up? If we go any slower I feel like we'll be late. You know how Gil can get when we keep him waiting," Rex said as he knelt down and rummaged through the crate they pulled out earlier from the cloud sea. They managed to find a couple of things thankfully.

"Hmph! That one should learn to have some patience as well as manners. I recall him being the pinnacle of respect when he was younger…" Gramps grumbled as he turned his head back towards the direction they were swimming. Rex chuckled a little bit as he scratched his dark brown hair.

"Gil is a little…rough around the edges but he means well. Besides, you know he hates diving into the cloud sea for more than enjoyment," Rex said but Gramps just huffed.

"It must be because he spends so much time around those money grubbers at Argentum! I warned him that he should have taken a different job!" Gramps lamented and Rex laughed.

"Well he doesn't like salvaging much and he's a lot better at negotiating with money than I am, he can usually make people give us twice the amount they offer and he's part of the reason why I get so many decent jobs," Rex defended and Gramps sighed.

"I suppose, I just wish that he was a kid again sometimes…" Gramps said and Rex sobered up.

"Well we were both going to grow up sooner or later. It's not like he has no heart. He sends most of his money back home too, he just has a tendency to enjoy luxuries," Rex said softly and Gramps nodded.

"Perhaps it is his right, he works hard even if he does not appear to," Gramps sighed as they swam. Thankfully before too long, Rex could make out Argentum trading post. It was essentially a big shopping district run by mainly Nopon merchants, little furballs that tended to be a little stingy with money despite how cute most of them looked, at least that's what Corinne told him. Gil would tell him that most of them were snakes hiding in fur. Rex thought most of them were nice though. In Rex's opinion, they usually all cut him good deals even without Gil's help.

"Better get ready to disembark Rex," Gramps said as he began swimming faster through the cloud sea. As they got closer to the dock Rex could make out someone specifically standing at an open dock. He stuck out like a sore thumb amongst all the dockworkers, salvagers and Nopon. Though Rex probably wasn't one to talk since his salvager gear was different from all the other salvagers. His was blue and gold compared to the usual green drab or brown. Plus well he had a sword too…

The guy on the dock couldn't have been more than seventeen or eighteen. He was relatively tall, standing just short of six feet. He had bright blonde hair that was left flat and slightly messy due to the winds probably. He was wearing black slacks along with matching shoes and a red shirt. Then he had a black coat on as well. The guy also had two golden curved blades attached to his belt, one on each side. They were ornate looking and they had strange guards that didn't seem to fit with the design of a normal sword and yet they still made the blades look fancy, one might think they were antiques. The only other thing that made the guy stick out aside from his clothes and weapons were his eyes. They were red like rubies and his pupils were slit like a snake's. His face was also twisted into a scowl that was unfortunately directed at them.

"Hey there's Gil! Move us over there Gramps!" Rex exclaimed and the titan sighed before he moved that way. Rex sighed a little since he knew that his friend was going to give him an earful probably, hopefully it would be directed at Gramps only.

"About time, I was wondering if I was going to have to wait any longer, don't you know its rude to keep me waiting?" Gil asked as he crossed his arms at them as they pulled into the port.

"Sorry Gil! The last haul we got had a giant krabble living inside it!" Rex exclaimed as Gramps pulled into the dock. He hopped off onto the dock and Gil made a small "hm" sound.

"I see…I trust you at least found something worthwhile then," Gil asked as he crossed his arms. It might have looked like he was talking down to him but Rex knew better.

"Of course!" Rex said as he pulled out one of his bags from his pack behind his back. He knocked his blue-gloved hands against the bags contents, giving off an audible metallic sound. Gil took the bag from his hand without even asking and looked into the sack.

"Hm…good enough I suppose. Melolo should be willing to give you something decent for this…with my help," Gil said in a monotone voice as he tossed the sack back at Rex.

"Whoa!" Rex fumbled with the bag for a bit before he caught it securely with a sigh of relief.

"A little warning next time would be nice Gil!" Rex sighed and Gil just scoffed.

"You should remember your manners Gil. It's the proper respect," Gramps rumbled and Gil gave the titan a sideways glance. Rex sweat dropped a little since he kind of need Gil to pay the docking fee and he had a tendency to not do it if he was annoyed enough.

"I suppose you still expect me to pay for your docking fee?" Gil asked off handed and at that moment, one of the dockworkers came up to them.

"Well if it isn't Rex, I was wondering when you might show up. Mr. Uruk has been holding the dock for a while now. Even paid for all of today and the rest of the week," the guy said and Gil elbowed the guy in the side, making him grunt in pain. Rex and Gramps chuckled at the news and Gil's attempt to hide it.

"Well we're done here, let's get going," Gil said quickly as he grabbed Rex by his arm and dragged him off.

"See you later Gramps!" Rex called back as Gil dragged him into Argentum. Rex barely managed to catch sight of a rather heavy looking ship that seemed to be made of pure metal but he couldn't get a good look.

"Nothing too dangerous happened out there I trust?" Gil asked when he finally released him to walk on his own. Rex just smiled and nodded, deciding not to comment on his "kindness".

"Of course. It was just an overgrown Krabble. It wasn't really any danger for me. You know you aren't the only one who knows arts," Rex said as he patted the folded sword on his waist. Gil smiled for a brief moment before he scowled.

"I wasn't talking about you, I mean did it damage anything? You know they cut the price in half for damaged goods…" Gil's eyes narrowed and Rex rolled his eyes.

"Yes, the things are fine…" Rex said but he knew that Gil was asking about him too.

"So did anything happen while I was away?" Rex asked as he walked past his blonde friend. He heard him scoff as he walked alongside him.

"Nothing but the usual snakes trying to swindle me. Oh and also the making sure the snakes in charge have you in mind when a salvaging job comes up," Gil drawled as he put his hands into his pockets.

"Anything promising?" Rex asked as they walked through the guild to their destination.

"Hm…I heard that there are some supposed big players coming to Argentum. I don't know much about it other than they're approaching the Chairman himself for a job. If they're approaching Bana then they must have some deep pockets…or something with a big payoff," Gil mentioned and Rex detected a sense of legitimate intrigue in his friends voice. Usually he was aloof but he actually sounded interested.

"Really? They're meeting with the chairman himself? For a job?" Rex asked. The chairman was the wealthiest man on Argentum and perhaps the entirety of Alrest aside from the kings and queens of the kingdoms of course. Other than that Rex didn't know much more about him other than the things Gil would tell him but to say everything his friend said was unpleasant was an understatement.

"That's the rumor. I have a feeling that strange ship on the other side of Argentum belongs to the supposed clients. Regardless we shouldn't worry about that though. Not like that pig will approach us with a job offer," Gil dismissed as he pulled a gold, yes a gold flask from his jacket. He unscrewed the cap and took a few gulps from it and he let out a sigh as he returned it to its place.

"You know you're still underage right?" Rex asked as they walked to the trading post. Gil waved him off and Rex shook his head at him but he smiled.

"Lets just get this over with so I can see if I can find you a better job," Gil said nonchalantly as they approached the desk. The Nopon managing the desk had yellow fur and she was wearing a purple dress and a matching hat. She flapped her little wings when she saw the pair.

"Ah Rex! It's so good to see you again and you as well Mr. Uruk!" the nopon greeted warmly. Rex smiled and gave a small wave while Gil just grunted in greeting.

"Hey Melolo! Just here with another load of salvage," Rex greeted as he pulled his bag up and put the contents on the desk. Melolo picked it up with her wings and looked it over with intrigue before she put it down.

"Me thinks I can give you one thousand for this," Melolo informed and Rex blanched at that.

"What?!" Rex exclaimed and Gil groaned in annoyance. That was half of what he got last time!

"Meh, sorry that's life. That's a lot more than I give non-friends and I give even more because of Mr. Uruk's influence. The hot items nowadays are weapons and military equipment," Melolo explained. She nodded towards the side and Rex saw a bunch of imperial soldiers loading crates.

"Me thinks that the truce between Uraya and Mor Ardain won't last much longer," Melolo explained and Rex frowned.

"Always so eager to shoot each other they forget about other needs…" Gil muttered and Rex silently agreed.

"So what does friends think? I make it worth your while, I have plenty of jobs to kick your way," Melolo proposed and Rex just shook his head.

"No, I don't want to get mixed up in that business," Rex stated.

"Ah well…Rex could make good money with the skills you have. Wasting your gifts if you ask me. Anyway where were we?" Melolo asked.

"I'll take your offer. Give me two hundred here and you know what to do with the rest," Rex explained and the nopon nodded.

"Me understand. The rest will be sent to Corinne of Fonsett Village me right?" she asked and Rex nodded.

"My my, such a darling you are! Sending money home, I wish my little dum dum littlepon did same!" Melolo exclaimed.

"Well it helps that Gramps doesn't charge rent, heh." Gil actually chuckled at that remark and Rex turned to smile at his friend. He heard the sound of a pouch hitting the desk and he turned to see that Melolo placed the pouch of gold onto the desk.

"Well I'm counting on you, thanks!" Rex praised as he collected the gold.

"Pleasure doing business Rex! And Mr. Uruk, please tell my littlepon to write more!" Melolo exclaimed and Gil laughed a little as he nodded before he motioned for Rex to move.

"Thanks again!" Rex said as he and Gil left the trading post. They were about to head back to Gramps but before they could, someone interrupted them.

"Rex!" a rather soft voice exclaimed. Rex turned to see a nopon in a business suit approach accompanied by two guards dressed in suits.

"Pupunin! Its been a bit hasn't it?" Rex greeted as he turned to face the Nopon.

"Rex seems in high spirits or is it…yes peppy! Me looking for you Rex!" the Nopon explained. Rex tilted his head at that.

"Looking for me? Do you have a job for me?" Rex asked.

"That depends. First, Rex is from Fonsett Village in Leftherian Archipelago?" Pupunin asked. Rex was about to answer but Gil stepped in front of him.

"What does our home have to do with this?" Gil asked as he crossed his arms. To his credit the Nopon didn't jump but he still let out a little yelp.

"It nothing Mr. Uruk, its just something that Chairman wanted to know. Rex, you should go to the boardroom right away!" the little Nopon said as he tried to peer at Rex instead. Rex moved in front of his friend again, who sighed.

"Wait, you want me to go to the Chairman? Why?" Rex asked.

"Chairman Bana ask for Rex by name," Pupunin responded and Rex's eyes widened in surprise. Asked for him? He had never asked for him before, why now? The immediate thing that occurred to him was that rumor Gil said about a job with the Chairman was basically just confirmed but why him?

"Rex should not keep Chairman waiting. Mr. Uruk, please do not attend, Chairman did not ask for you," Pupunin said quickly before he scurried away.

"Wait you-ugh…filthy little mon-" Rex elbowed his arm before he could finish his statement.

"Come on Gil, you promised Corinne you would stop using that word for at least a week, you only have until tomorrow now," Rex said and Gil glowered at him before he scoffed.

"Well do you think this has to do with that job the Chairman himself is sponsoring with that unknown group you mentioned?" Rex asked and Gil's face softened a bit.

"I don't see how it couldn't be. What I find alarming is that he asked for you specifically and the fact that he asked about our home and that he wants you to go alone," Gil said and Rex sighed.

"Come on Gil, don't be so paranoid, maybe he just took notice of my skills. I mean you do make me sound like the next master salvager," Rex joked but he was cut off when Gil grabbed his arm and pulled him close and leaned down to speak quietly.

"I know a snake when I see one Rex and I also know when something is too good to be true. Go to the chairman if you wish but I want you to come back before you agree to anything. I'll go to Azurda and tell him what's going on. Come to us before you agree to anything," Gil let go of him and walked off right when he finished speaking and Rex watching him go for a few moments before he sighed.

"Still seeing things through a dark lens huh?" Rex thought sadly before he went up on his way to see the chairman. Still, Gil had a point despite his paranoia. It did sound a little too good to be true.

Rex made his way up to the office and waved to the guard at the door to the boardroom and apparently they were informed to expect him since he opened the door without a word. Rex entered the room without a word and marveled at the inside. The whole place was screamed wealth with no shame. The carpet was red velvet and the furniture was polished to perfection and adorned with gold detailing, heck the stuff was probably made of muscle wood. Only reason Rex knew that was because he remembered Gil buying some for Corinne.

"Thank you for accepting summons. I am Chairman Bana of the Trade Guild," Rex turned towards the desk to see a teal furred Nopon. This one was significantly bigger than basically any other Nopon Rex had ever seen. At least three times as big! He was dressed in a suit but he was adorned with gold ornaments and jewelry.

"I-I am pleased to make your acquaintance!" Rex stuttered as he looked to his right only to see a rather attractive woman wearing only a sarong and wrappings over her chest. He blushed badly and looked back at the big Nopon.

"Me hear from friend Popunin and a…businessman Mr. Uruk that you are a salvager of renown. I have a teensie weenie request for Rex. The reward is one hundred thousand gold," Rex's train of thought was stopped cold when he heard that.

"One hundred thousand!?" Rex exclaimed. He could afford to replace Corinne's whole house with that kind of money!

"That's actually just the advance payment if you accept the job. When you complete the job you will be provided with another one hundred thousand…" Bana explained and Rex immediately got down on one knee.

"I'll do it! I swear to use every skill I possess to ensure this job is a success!" Rex said without thinking. Bana placed one of his wings on his chin as he took him in.

"You agree without even hearing details?" Bana asked. Rex's eyes widened as he realized his mistake and he was about to say something but…

"Meh if you say. I will let the crew tell you details, bring them in!" Bana commanded and the girl Rex noticed nodded before she opened the door behind her.

"Gil is going to kill me…I can already feel the bruises right now. I hope he doesn't make me spar with him twenty times again…" Rex thought in his head. Before he could think of anything to say though he heard footsteps and he looked up to see quite the group of people.

The people up front were a man and a girl along with a tiger and a…alien? The man was dressed in black armor from neck to toe. He had what Rex thought was a sword attached to his hip but he wasn't sure. He had short black hair slicked up into a bit of a point above his forehead and he had grey eyes that seemed friendly enough, Rex felt odd looking at him. Almost like…it was an act? The alien looking thing seemed to stick with him so Rex assumed they were partners.

The girl was about Rex's age if he had to guess. She had beige hair that hung down to her shoulders and she had her bangs tied into two tails alongside her face by yellow ribbons while the rest hung down freely. Her eyes were a bronze color that radiated warmth and she had…cat ears on the top of her head along with what he thought was white face paint on her cheeks and her forehead. Rex actually thought she was pretty… She wore some kind of yellow garments along with some kind of hybrid boot leggings and she had a white and red scarf/cape around her shoulders. There were two circular blades attached to her belt and Rex assumed that they were her weapons. The rather large white tiger with gold armor on its legs followed the girl obediently almost like a pet, though Rex had a feeling it was no pet.

The final member of the group who was in the back, caught Rex's interest. It was a man dressed up in silver-grey armor. He looked a bit like a samurai from one of those old books Rex read when he was little. His hair was white like snow almost. He wore a mask over his eyes but it could be made out that he had icy blue eyes. The final thing to note was he had a katana on his back though unlike the rest of the group he had no partner.

"Drivers and blades…" Rex said softly. The girl seemed to look at him like he was insignificant and Rex felt a bit defensive.

"So there is something we want to haul up but its quite a ways down. Plus with the recent shifting of currents, its been moved to an uncharted area," the silver man said in a monotone voice. Rex took his interest off the girl and turned to the man.

"Really? Haven't done that before but I like a challenge!" Rex said proudly but the man didn't react and Rex tilted his head at him.

"Bana offered to hire crew of veterans but they want small group of elite and only from Leftheria," Bana chimed in and Rex spared a glance at him.

"That's when Bana had a stroke of genius. Hire Rex!" Bana said proudly and Rex smiled proudly.

"Well you picked right! I'll get any job done!" Rex exclaimed but then the girl started laughing.

"Really? A child salvager? Jin, don't tell me we're really taking this kid? We would probably have to hire a babysitter for him too!" she said as she turned her nose up.

"What the hell? Hey don't go calling me kid, you look like my age!" Rex shouted back and she just crossed her arms at him.

"At least I don't wet the bed at the thought of a measly hundred grand," she said and Rex glared at her.

"Yeah? Well at least I don't have a bunch of babysitters follow me around!" Rex countered and she narrowed her eyes at him. Before she could say anything though her Blade stepped forward and Rex instinctively reached for his sword but he stopped when the tiger bowed.

"Rex, yes? I must implore you to forgive my lady's rudeness," he said in a rather sophisticated manner that surprised Rex. It was a complete one eighty from his driver's attitude. The girl seemed to take offense to that and she stood on her toes as she glared at her blade.

"Dromarch! What di-"

"Enough Nia!" the other man interrupted her before she could finish and Rex looked to him now.

"I suppose you have a point though. Well it should be easy enough to decide!" Rex drew his sword and slashed towards the man right as he pulled his weapon out and ignited it. His grey eyes widened in surprise before they hardened and he pushed him back quickly before sending a flurry of slashes against him. Rex ducked or side stepped all of them and jumped back and held his sword in his stance.

"What's your problem?" Rex shouted in surprised anger and the man chuckled a little before his blade turned off.

"Well well…more than meets the eye after all. Nia, your words ring falsely," the man said and Nia glared at him.

"Malos what the hell? I didn't say anything about beating on a kid," Nia chided but the one named Malos just laughed it off.

"No but you did think that the kid wasn't up to it. Besides now we know," Malos said as he looked at Rex.

"You don't look like a driver; that weapon you're carrying certainly isn't a Blade. Your instincts are pretty sharp for someone your age too. Plus those were arts that you were using. Where did you learn to move like that?" Malos asked. Rex didn't dare lower his sword though despite the supposed test ending.

"Gramps taught me a few things and my brother taught me even more," Rex wanted to say that if his brother was there they would be living pincushions for that stunt but that probably wouldn't help anything.

"Really? Is one of them a driver? Or are they both drivers?" Malos asked, intrigued. Rex still kept his guard up but he saw no harm in answering.

"No, neither of them are actually. Gramps just thought it was fun and I suppose he wanted us to know how to defend ourselves. My brother is the one who takes it up as a desire to be the best fighter and I guess he sort of just dragged me along to keep me in shape," Rex answered and then Malos shrugged.

"Well regardless they seem to have imparted some good reflexes and instincts into you. Plus you got guts. I think you'll do just fine. We'll take him and the others you recommended, Bana. Assuming he still wants to accept this job," Malos said as he glanced at the chairman and then back to Rex.

That brought pause to Rex. On one hand he would be earning two hundred thousand gold. Plus he was sure that he would get major recognition for whatever this job was. If it wasn't for Gil's influence he probably would have just jumped in without a second glance despite the rather unexpected "test". He had half a mind to still just agree anyway. Still though…they still haven't said anything about the job...

"Can I hear more about what this job is about?" Rex asked but Malos just shrugged.

"Sorry kid. That's part of the reason why we're paying you so much. We want to keep this quiet, is that ok with you?" Malos answered and Rex thought about it some more. He couldn't say no…but perhaps…yes that would work out for sure!

"I'll go as long as I can bring someone with me," Rex said and Malos raised one of his eyebrows at him.

"Oh? That sounds reasonable enough though I have to ask, who is it?" Malos asked.

"He's from Fonsett just like me. He works here actually, his name is Gil," Rex answered and Malos crossed his arms as he seemed to think about the idea.

"Very well. Though we will be sharing your pay, is that clear?" Jin answered instead as he stepped forward. Malos seemed surprised but he shrugged with a easygoing grin.

"If you're sure," Malos said as he looked back at Rex.

"Well you and your friend better work hard then," with those final words Malos walked out of the room with his blade and Jin in toe. Nia let out an exasperated sigh before she cast him a side glare. Then she left after her companions while her blade gave him a polite bow before following his driver. Then Rex turned back to the chairman.

"Hm…am surprised you would ask Mr. Uruk to come, he not Salvager no? Meh, Bana not care as long as job done," Bana said as he picked up a pen with one of his arm-wings and wrote something down. Then he plopped a rather plump bag of gold onto the table.

"Go, here your advanced pay. Take it an buy whatever equipment you need then go to starboard dock tomorrow. I have procured a excellent vessel for this job," Bana said dismissively. Rex's eyes sparked a little as he quickly took the bag of gold and gave the chairman a small bow.

"Count on it, sir!" with that Rex left the office with the bag of gold in toe. Then he realized something important…

"Oh…I probably better tell Gil and Gramps about the job…and that Gil is coming with me…" Rex sighed as he scratched the back of his head. Without much else to do, he quickly made his way to the docks where he left Gramps. He made sure to buy some new gear and see a carrier to send the rest of his "payment" off to Fonsett before he went to see Gil and Gramps again.

As he neared the area he saw Gil sitting on the edge of the docks with Gramps. They seemed to be talking about something. It must have been important since none of the workers were close to them. Gil probably scared them off. Rex chuckled a little at the thought before he approached them. As he got close though he could hear what they were saying.

"Have the headaches still persisted?" Azurda asked and Rex paused before he announced his presence. He was positioned before some crates still so they probably couldn't see him if he stayed still and didn't make noise.

"Yeah. They've been spiking a lot more lately though and my dreams have been…odd. I keep…I keep seeing these flashes of battles. I keep seeing this guy or woman with long green hair. Then I also see a woman with blonde hair wielding a golden sword. I can't make out their faces though, it's…hazy at best. Most of them are actually but they've been a bit clearer these past few days. I've been having these flashes while I'm awake sometimes too now…" Gil said softly, something that he had not done in a very long time.

"Is there something else?" Azurda asked and the blonde seemed hesitant before he sighed.

"Just this morning I had a vision of two other girls, I only think they're girls because their voices sounded that way. I couldn't see them clearly either but…I know that one was red and the other was white and green I think. They called my name, my full name. What do you think that means? Do you think that these…images are correlated with my growing powers?" Gil asked softly. He actually sounded…confused? Worried? Rex wanted to hear more but at that moment he stepped on a rope and ended up tripping himself.

"Ah!" Rex hit the docks with a light thud face first. He groaned as he sat up, with a hand on his face.

"Rex?!" Gramps exclaimed and Rex glanced at them to see them both looking at him with surprise.

"You really need to watch where you're going more. The other Mon-er…workers trip enough and you're anything but one of them," Gil said snidely, his usual tone returning. Rex sighed since he made himself look clumsy but thankfully neither of them seemed to think he was listening in on them…or perhaps they just wanted to avoid the subject. Before Rex could think more on that though Gil cleared his throat.

"So how did your meeting with Bana go? I presume that he offered you some kind of job?" Gil asked in a more sensible tone. Rex chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head. Gil's eyes narrowed at him suspiciously and Azurda did as well. Oh boy…

"Rex? What did you do?" Azurda asked.

"Well…I kind of already said yes…and I kind of said Gil would come with me…" Rex said and Gil's eyes flashed.

"You what?!" the blonde exclaimed. Rex chuckled nervously.

"I also got paid half in advance and I sort of spent some of it…and sent the rest back to Corinne so I can't exactly refuse now…that about sums it up! I'll see you up at Lemur Inn Gil!" Rex said quickly before he ran off.

"Hold it! That does not sum it up! Rex! Get back here!" Azurda shouted after him.

"You little brat!" Gil shouted. Rex ran quickly to get away from his friend and mentor. He didn't look behind himself for a bit and quickly ran into the guild again. After a few seconds of running he finally allowed himself to look around to see if Gil kept up with him. He sighed in relief when he didn't see his golden friend chasing after him.

"Guess I lost him…or he's waiting somewhere to ambush me…" Rex shivered a little at the latter thought. He sighed and went up to the floor where the guild's inn was.

Thankfully he ran into no such ambush when he went up the stairs. In fact when he got up to the inn, the keeper didn't even say Gil bought a room already or that he was waiting for him. Rex thought that he was in the home clear when he opened his door only to freeze when he saw a familiar blonde sitting in the room. His back was to him as he lounged around in a chair, staring out the window at the cloud sea.

"Hello, Rex…" Gil said and Rex sighed since he knew there was no getting out of it now. He closed the door behind him silently and let out another deep sigh.

"Relax, I'm not mad anymore," Gil sighed as he turned his seat towards him and Rex was surprised. He wasn't? That was…rather fast.

"Really?" Rex asked, suspiciously. Perhaps he was trying to lull him into a sense of security.

"Yes, I'm certain. Well…maybe a little…annoyed but I'm not going to try anything. I'll even go with you on this journey of yours assuming that I'm not going to be salvaging…" Gil said and Rex nodded.

"Hm. So I assume then that I am being employed as some kind of guard then?" Gil asked distastefully and Rex nodded again. Gil seemed "annoyed" to put it lightly if the way he tensed was any indication but he sighed and nodded.

"Very well then nothing to be done about it now. I can't very well let your word become known as frail," he said and Rex smiled in his mind. Perhaps this would go well after all.

"So…tell me about our supposed employers. What was your read on them?" Gil asked as he held his hand out and a literal portal opened up and he reached in to pull a pitcher and a golden cup out.

"That's still weird to see no matter how many times I see it," Rex thought as Gil poured the pitcher's contents, wine, into the cup.

"Well there are three of them. Or…five really, maybe six. They're Drivers and Blades," Rex said and Gil's brow furrowed but he motioned for him to continue as he took a sip from his cup.

"Well the Drivers are named Malos, Jin and Nia. Malos is this guy with an air of um…arrogance I think, I mean he did try to attack me to see if I was up for the job…I don't know what to make of him right now, his Blade didn't really do anything either. Jin is a bit a mystery, he didn't speak much and he wears a mask. I didn't see him with a Blade but maybe it was off on their ship or something," Rex explained and paused when he saw a conflicted look cross his friend's face, like he was having a headache or something.

"Gil?" Rex asked and Gil shook his head and rubbed his temples slightly before he drank more.

"Its nothing. What about the last one, Nia was it? That sounds like a lady's name," Gil pressed after he finished. Rex huffed a little bit as he thought about the girl he saw.

"Oh well she's more of a girl than a lady. She should be my age but she acts like she's Miss Important or something! She kept calling me kid even though she was the one acting like a brat! I don't get how her Blade stands her since he's so respectful while she's so mean!" Rex exclaimed and Gil actually laughed. Rex was confused by that reaction and paused his rant.

"Sounds like she made quite the impression on you! In fact I would say that you have a crush on her!" Gil stated and Rex went scarlet.

"What?! I don't have a crush! I don't even know if I even like her! She doesn't like me either!" Rex stammered and Gil just laughed harder.

"Oh that might just mean she likes you, heh. I didn't think you would actually catch someone since you're so oblivious. I guess I did get some wisdom into that head of yours!" Gil laughed in his usual manner. Rex didn't know if his face could get any warmer.

"Gil not helping!" Rex shouted and Gil stopped laughing but he seemed amused still.

"Right well I won't know for sure until I meet her myself. If anything this journey will be a little amusing at least. I praise you for seeking to entertain me on this little forced adventure," Gil said offhanded and Rex sighed, giving up as he sat down on one of the beds. At least he was in a better mood.

"Rex, you should have turned away from this. Azurda and I both think this was a reckless move, even if the pay is two hundred thousand gold. That's only a bit more than the income I send them if its been a bad month," Gil explained in a fully serious tone suddenly and Rex sighed but he nodded.

"I know Gil, but I couldn't help myself. Besides, I wanted to try and contribute more like you do" Rex said softly. Gil frowned gently and sighed as he placed his cup down and stood up. He walked over to him and placed his hand on Rex's shoulder.

"You don't need to try and match me. I just happened to be in a business that provides like it does. You don't need to worry about it; I doubt the others mind about it. The fact that you do send money back at all is admirable considering your age and the fact that you're not the oldest," Gil explained gently and Rex sighed.

"You were a year younger than me when you started weren't you? Corinne let you go without any fuss if I recall, right?" Rex asked and Gil sighed as he stepped back and sat back in his chair.

"Yes, but you do not have my…"gifts" and you know that. Corinne knows that I can take care of myself and I suspect that's why Corinne even let you come out here, because she knew I would watch you," Gil explained as he picked up his cup and downed it in one go. Rex wanted to argue but he knew that he was probably right.

Corinne wasn't overprotective exactly but she would definitely raise red flags if she thought you were in trouble. He remembered one time when one of the kids asked her what it would take for her to stop looking over their shoulders all the time and she said that they "needed to have unnatural abilities and strength" for her to feel safe letting them watch for themselves. She was a good woman; she loved them all like her own children so no one held it against her if she was fretting over them.

"Regardless, Corinne is not here and the deed has been done so now we have to go along with your plan. Hopefully Azurda and I are worried for nothing," Gil sighed as he opened up another portal and the handle of a sword came out of it. Rex watched him with interest as he pulled a intricate sword out.

"You're still working on that? I thought you lost interest since it doesn't work?" Rex asked as Gil placed the weapon on his lap.

"It does work, I can feel the power in it and besides; it wouldn't be in my treasury if it was useless. I can't just rely on Enki and this one seems interesting," Gil explained as he examined the sword again.

Calling it a sword was accurate and yet it also wasn't. It was certainly shaped like a buster sword with a wide blade. Except there wasn't really a "blade" on it per say, what should have been the blade was actually a blunt edge. Gil said it was supposed to open up and Rex could agree with that but open up into what exactly? The weapon was white with gold highlights and detailing and the hilt was gold as well. There was a strange green gem placed just above the hilt of the blade. It was like a rectangle but it had two little arms stretching out like it was supposed to be a cross almost. There was another green gem placed on the base of the "blade" as well that was shaped like a skinny diamond almost. It was a strange weapon that Gil found in his "treasury" around a month ago. He said that he found it randomly one day while he was taking inventory and he just refused to stop trying to make it work ever since.

"If you don't want to just rely on Enki you could just start shooting them with your "treasury" I doubt anyone could avoid them if you shot so many at them," Rex said and Gil gave him a strange look.

"True but its not like I can create a hundred portals, the limit is only ten or so. The Bab-ilu has its limits in that sense. Besides, I'm not supposed to be showing my treasury so easily unless things are dire," Gil explained as he started wiping the blade down and examining it like there was some switch on it that he hasn't seen yet.

"Well you used to only be able to open two of the things at once, maybe you'll be able to just stand there and blast people without lifting a finger one day," Rex said and Gil gave him another look.

"While the idea sounds…interesting I doubt I will get to that point. Besides, I'm already the best fighter in the world," Gil boasted and Rex rolled his eyes.

"So did they tell you anything at all about our job? Or was it completely anonymous?" Gil asked next in a rather cheerful mood.

"Well they said that we were going to be salvaging something deep in the cloud sea in an uncharted area. From what I inferred there's actually going to be quite a few salvagers going on this journey, I'm just one of them," Rex explained and Gil had a thoughtful look on his face.

"Interesting…perhaps this actually will be worth my time. I can't lie, I am curious what they would be seeking out there…" Gil mentioned.

"That's kind of why I agreed also. I'm curious too, the money was just the deal sealer," Rex explained and Gil nodded.

"Well there isn't much to do about it now aside from wait for tomorrow then," Rex said as he kicked back on his bed.

"Actually how about you tell me about this girl you seem interested in. I think Corinne will want to know about this so I need to know everything before I send off a message," Gil said off handed.

"Oh sure I-Gil! I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON HER!"

Huh I actually did that, well it turned out nicely I think. Thoughts?