"Hmmm... Attacked, you say? If you don't mind, could you tell me what you were attacked by? It's a little dangerous because people do inhabit this island. But if you wanted cigarettes, then you must know that people do."

Tif had been talking while still wandering around the two strangers. Of course, she wanted to know more.

"We hadn't seen any airships at all today" Tif stopped and took in a deep breath and fell into deep thought. After a few seconds with fighting with her mind, she finally came up with her own conclusion. "Okay, since you guys can't get off the island, I suppose I could take you guys somewhere safe. Hopefully you guys are telling the truth, and if you are really with Yevon, then my people won't take you guys so lightly if they find out. Oh, and about those Camels... You're out of luck. People have been really busy lately that they have no time to make them. But in any case, we should rest up here, and then we'll be on our way.'

"Well if we were Yevonites and we did have something against you, I don't believe you'd be taking us somewhere safe now would you? I'm no liar, so you must be taking us somewhere safe.

No Camels eh? I suppose you're taking us to town right? I'll do my shoping there. Too bad I can't give you a commission, I appreciate those who take care of others just out of curiosity. It's the mark of a good soul to offer help to someone you know nothing about.

Lead the way miss."

"Well, hopefully you can speak Al Bhed. By the way, you're friend looks a little... thirsty?"

With that, Tif grabbed her water cantine and threw it at the tanned stranger and turned around and started walking away from the oasis towards Home.

Shinu was more than sure that Mieli just said something to him about the oasis or something, but he didn't register it. He saw the girl come popping out from behind a rock near the oasis. She said something too, that much Shinu got because he heard her voice. She was saying something about the desert, but Shinu made his own dialog for what she was saying, but perhaps that dialog is better left unsaid. She was something serious, pretty face, nice body, and a sexy little outfit to wrap it up. Even in the desert under the blazing hot sun, with all that happened in the day, it took a pretty face in a tiny skirt to get his mind off track. Somehow, Shinu managed to get a few words out of his mouth, and it was only because he could feel Mieli looking at him expectingly.

Yevonite... no.

She kept circling, definitely not the best idea for a pretty girl around Shinu. He got a full three sixty view of her and liked what he saw. He'd only really dated one girl before, and she was an Al Bhed that the Kilika residents took in and her mom had a fondness for. She was nothing like this girl here though. Her long her, her beautiful blue eyes, Shinu could get used to being here, no matter what the temperature. Shinu just kept watching her, and coming as no surprise to him, it just got a whole lot hotter in the desert. Right when it started to get maybe just a little too hot, the girl tossed her water canteen at Shinu and turned to walk away. Shinu just held the canteen for a second, making sure he didn't blink as he watched her start to walk away, but then Mieli walked right in his view. Shinu took this opportunity to drink some of her water and poured a bit into his palm before splashing it in his face. After that he walked past Mieli and then along side of the young Al Bhed girl, handing her the canteen back.

I appreciate that pretty lady. You'll have to forgive my manners, but since you didn't give us a name, I'll have to go off observation. So that you don't have to use yours, my name is Shinu.

Shinu extended his left hand out in front of the girl as they continued walking. The sun beamed off of his arm, the small beads of sweat glistening profoundly as he awaited hers. She wasn't short, but Shinu had a sizable height advantage as usual, and he looked down to her with a three quarter grin.

"Ooooh, so you DO talk! Well, in that case, my name is Tif! Tiffany Kop! It's really nice to meetcha!" Tif said excitedly as she grabbed one of his hands and shook it furiously. With that, they continued walking towards Home.

Tif grabbed the canteen and put it around her shoulder. The sun was still beating down on the three hard. She looked at Shinu and his partner and could obviously tell they have never experienced heat before. I wonder where they are from. While observing the two, she noticed Shinu looking down on her but she just decided to ignore it. Not liking the silence anymore, she decided to tell them both more about the island and herself.

"Since you guys seem you've never been on the island before, you're on Bikanel. It's where the Al Bhed live. Right now, we're building a place where we can live called Home. And don't be shocked when you see everyone: they all have blonde hair and green, spiraly eyes, and they're also a little tall, as you can tell by my height. But I'm not full Al Bhed, you see. I'm also half Yevonite. I live with my father here, and my mother lives in Bevelle. It's complicated," said Tif explaining to Shinu and his friend.

"While we're there, you should probably stick with me, as I'm the only one out of us three who can speak Al Bhed fluently. And if you want, I could probably teach you a few words."

After Tif finished up saying what she wanted to, they passed in between two small dunes which lead downhill. At the bottom was what appeared to be the construction of Home.

"Well, we're here! And remember, stick with me! If you want to know anything, just ask me. If you're hungry, tell me. If you want off the island... Tell me."

Tiffany Kop, that's not such a bad name, that's actually not a bad name at all. Pretty name, pretty body, pretty face, everything was good. Then she shook his hand, quite adamantly, her energy was obvious. Definitely not his type of girl, but damn she was sexy, and that was his type, well at least his type for now. He wasn't exactly out for a soul mate at this stage of his life anyways, so the sexiness was just going to have to win out for the time being.

Shinu was content with letting Tiffany share her story, well schooled in the art of learning about another person. At this point, he could use all the knowledge he could get about this place, he and Mieli never really mentioned it in their talks. Building a home sounded like a noble thing to do, and Shinu really couldn't relate because his home had always been there for him. Half Yevonite, that was an interesting thing to learn, but that explained her pretty blue eyes and dark hair. He kept looking down to her smiling, and liked what she was saying. She was interesting, and fun right after just meeting her.

Oh don't worry Tiffany, I'll stick by you alright. I know a few things in Al Bhed, but that too is a long and confusing story. I'd be more than happy to brush up and learn more from you though, I'll even stay after class daily.

His eyes narrowed and focused in on hers, definitely a powerful look, but he delivered a playful smile with it. He turned his attention to the construction site they would have to be calling a home for now. It seemed so far out to Shinu, he always knew of his home as a stable location, and couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to build a home as a race. Tiffany didn't seem to mind though, she was so cheerful and happy, and so very kind.

Alright, since you're so kind, I could actually use a bite. I haven't eaten since last night, I kinda skipped breakfast. After that and whatever Mieli needs, I'm ready to go when you are Tiffany.

"Hmmm... Okay! Just follow me, and stay close! If you get lost, just meet up right at this spot and I'll come for whoever is lost. And by the way, just call me Tif."

Tif, Mieli, and Shinu began to make their down the hill. It wasn't long, but it wasn't short, either. From where they were standing, there were five "stumps" circled around a base that seemed to be another building. There were people and tents everywhere, some wearing goggles to protect their eyes from the sand and sun, while just chose to not to wear them. Most also wore loose clothing, so when the wind came, they would flap to make themselves cool.

After only a few minutes, the three finally reached their destination.

"Well, we're here! Just follow me."

Tif led Shinu and Mieli through a crowd of Al Bhed. It was a little difficult to tell them apart because they looked the same. But as they were walking, many were spying on the new suspicious figures. It wasn't long before they reached the construction site. Though it was off limits, Tif walked through it anyways so she could get from her tent to the other side and back.

"Tif, I told you earlier, this area is off limits!" stated an Al Bhed who held some sort of power. He thought of Tif as a burden to the Al Bhed for being half Yevonite.

"Oh? And who's gonna stop me, tubby?"

The Al Bhed man, who was obviously chubby because of Tif's comment, just sighed and walked away. After the little conflict, Tif and the made their way through and out the other side of Home.

There were fewer homes for the Al Bhed here, but a number of each seemed to be bigger than the ones at the front of Home. Tif took Mieli and Shinu to the first one in site. The inside held the basic necessities of life: a table, somewhere to sleep, food, and water. Other than those things, the home was empty.

"Well, my father doesn't seem to be here. He's probly out there..." Tif walked over to where her father slept and plopped hersef on the floor. "Well, you guys can sit over there," said Tif, pointing in front of her, which was where she slept.

"Mieli, we should head out now. We're going to be leaving before dark, so we'd better hurry up," said Tif as she got herself up off the floor and over to Mieli, who made his way out of the tent.

"And that leaves you here, Shinu. You can help yourself to the food. And, um.... Oh! If my father comes by, just tell him you're with me. He'll understand."

With that, Tif made her way out back into heat of the desert.

"Right, I suppose shops don't stay open all day. I do need to grab a couple items."

Mieli looked down at his boots, the sand definately wore off the bottom of his soles, indicating to him his feet were really going to hurt if he had to walk on them much longer.

"Essentially, I need cigarettes and a pair of steel toe boots. I believe I have enough gil on me."

Mieli winked at Tif. He had been travelling around Spira longer than most could imagine and had some of the most polished travel skills. A wise man like Mieli would never travel somewhere he didn't know the native language of.

"Hmm... Not bad. Those items should be really easy to find, except maybe for the Camels you wanted."

Tif and Mieli continued on their way to do some supply shopping for Mieli. They walked the oppposite way they came to Tif's "house", minus the complaints of the other Al Bed who were hard at work.

The scene looked the same when they had arrived at Home. There were fewer people, but it was hardly noticeable. After Mieli and Tif made their way through the crowd of people, they came to what looked like a market place with open tents set up all over the place where people got what they needed and more.

"Well, let's do your thing and get the heck outta here!"

This time, Tif did the following.

"You sir, did you need some cigarettes, they are only 10 gil?

The shop keeper continued to yell to call attention to his product.

Cigarettes only 10 gil. Camels only 10 gil. "

That finally caught Mieli's attention.

"Alright, how much for a carton?"

"100 gil."

"Fair enough, I'll take them."

Mieli paid the man fairly, he wasn't going to pay more than he needed for cigarettes. He broke open the carton pack and pulled out a single pack. He tossed the carton pack into his utility bag that hung near his waist via a shoulder strap and then packed his cigarettes slapping them to his hand. When he felt they might be adequately packed, he opened them up. He tossed the celophane and foil in his back pocket. He was never too keen on littering, and then finally light up his cigarette.

"MMMMM, that's so good."

He blew out his first drag.

"Do you smoke Tif?"

Mieli made the offer to Tif out of politeness.

"Alright now I need some boots, steel toed that is. Do you know of any shop around here that has a good reputation for such shoes?"

Mieli let Tif lead the way and struck up some more conversation.

"You might have guessed that boots and cigarettes are not all Shinu and I need. We actually need a way off of this island. I remembered that you were quite curious about what exactly we were doing here in the desert. As a native coming across two travellers with absolutely no resources acting like they have no idea where they are I would be too. However, I would like to question you as to how curious you really are regarding who we are and what we do. If you're ready for a true journey and a possible rise to stardom, I can show you who we are and what we do. I'm sure you'd agree that seeing is better than hearing such things right?"