The battle against Vayne had long since been finished. Vaan and his group of friends had defeated him after losing many friends and loved ones. They were done, and the promise Balthier had made many months ago was finally taking its role. He was being allowed to ride in the Strahl with Balthier, and learn at his hand. Learn the ways of the Sky Pirate as he always dreamed. Penelo, despite Vaan's protest, was able to come as well. She would be company for Fran when need be and help her with the Strahl.

Rabanastre would be the last thing he saw from the ground for some time to come. Vaan already knew that. He was to travel by air for many months to learn at Balthier's side. He wouldn't mind it either. He preferred it. The first time he was able to ride upon the Strahl had been when he was heading to the mines to save Penelo. From that time on he had loved riding in the air upon the great ship. He had loved the feel of having no boundaries, and this was the perfect time for him to learn more and become a great Sky Pirate.

"Vaan! Do not touch that!"

The sharp, accented voice of Balthier cut him like a blade. Vaan turned slowly, moving his hand away from the blue button that had practically called his name. He looked up with a guilty look into Balthier's eyes and saw that they were narrowed from the possible danger Vaan nearly started. He gulped down the lump in his throat before glaring and crossing his arms over his chest. The orphan boy leaned back against a wall and grumbled quietly.

Balthier seemed to not hear the names that Vaan, o so quietly, was calling him. Though he ignored it, he could not ignore the position Vaan was standing in. With his hips pushed out a bit and his back firmly placed on the wall, Vaan's main area of 'interest' was thrust forward and his abs could be seen with perfect detail. Even in the dim light the Strahl provided, Vaan could be mistake as nothing less than sexy.

Turning his auburn eyes away from Vaan, Balthier walked slowly to the place where the steering wheel was. He stood behind it, staring out at the deserts below as the ship rose into the air. He could hear Vaan's excitement and also heard the clicking of Fran's heels as she approached the Captains Deck. Penelo, despite his protest, was already in the room and waiting silently for someone else to talk. Gods knew that it wouldn't be Balthier.

"Balthier, we can safely depart."

Fran's calm voice carried over to Balthier's ears before he reached forward and took the wheel in his hands. He turned it sharply toward the left and started out toward the Dalmasca Westersand. Giza Plains departed below them as they continued on ward into the blue obis that was the sky. With a smirk planted over his lips, Balthier turned from the wheel and gave Fran a curt nod. She nodded back before approaching a few buttons and knobs that controlled speed and turning them to make the ship go slower than it usually would. Vaan would need a slow speed to learn.

Vaan seemed to be sidetracked with the sand below as they passed over the Westersand. He was paying little attention to the things around him. His bright blue eyes shimmering as he watched the beasts below moving around in hopes of finding food. He had nothing to worry about aboard the ship. There was food for weeks stored in the kitchen. He could relax and be happy with it. Penelo seemed to be getting bored though. She was flicking her fingers against strands of her blond hair and letting out short sighs every so often.

Balthier let out a soft grunt before walking over to where Vaan stood. He stood behind him and stared out the window for a few moments before turning away. His eyes slowly searched the ship. Everything seemed to be in order. Nothing out of place. Everything where it needed to be. Of course, he had to assign rooms now didn't he? Since the Strahl only had three rooms aboard it [not counting the room for the Moogles, two would have to share. So, with a heavy sigh, he set out to go to the upper layer of the ship and assign the rooms accordingly.

Of course Fran would require her own room. She never had liked sharing rooms. She preferred the tranquility of silence and rather enjoyed being alone. Maybe it was the Viera way, but he would not pair her with another for a room. As for Vaan, he was sure that he didn't mind sharing. But Balthier didn't want to have Vaan sharing with Penelo, in case they got a little too 'friendly'. He would rather have the blond be in the same room as him. And since he had the largest room, it was only right. Penelo would get a room to herself as well then, and hopefully not complain about it. There were two bathrooms, one connected to Balthier's room and one down the hall. So each gender would get their own bathroom. One for the girls and one for the guys. Simple.

Nodding his approval, Balthier started to look around the floor with the rooms on it. He knew his room was the middle door, right between the other two bedrooms. Question was, who would get the second biggest room and who would get the smallest? His brown eyes moved to the door to the left, the bigger of the two. He nodded, knowing that Fran would get that one. She had been staying in that room for far longer than any of the others. Balthier wouldn't change his room, for he had never gone to a different room besides that one to sleep. So Penelo would get the room that was hardly touched besides the Moogles cleaning it every now and then.

Balthier walked back down into the Captains Deck and looked over. Vaan had moved and was now talking in whispers with Penelo. It sounded as if they were talking about what they were going to do aboard the Strahl. Fran still sat at the wheel, moving gently around clouds and any flying creatures that wished to soar high enough for an Air Ship to make contact with. Her eyes were focused solely on her task at hand. Balthier blinked, walking over and hitting a button that would keep the ship level and flying straight.

"All right. I need to talk to all of you so gather round," Balthier stated, putting his hands on his hips.

The three looked up and stared toward him quietly. Fran stood, walking over and sitting down in a chair in front of Balthier. Penelo seemed to move a bit away from Vaan while Vaan scooted closer toward Balthier to listen. The hope in his eyes proved that he thought Balthier was going to say something about him steering the Strahl somewhere and being able to fly the Sky Ship. He wanted to ever so badly.

"Room arrangements," There was a groan from the two teens in the room. "Fran, you will keep your normal room to the left of mine. Penelo, you have the room to the right. Vaan…"

Vaan looked up, smiling a bit. Hope still shinning in his eyes. Balthier could only guess that the boy before him wanted to sleep here in the Captains Deck. Crushing dreams was fun sometimes.

"You'll be sharing a room with me."