As Shinu walked through the Al Bhed Home with Tiffany by his side, he was a bit struck by seeing a totally different lifestyle. It was so strange to see that people could be so unified for a common goal. The Al Bhed came with such a bad connotation attached to their name, but Shinu couldn't quite understand why. It was probably easier for him to keep his prejudices at bay because he wasn't a follower of Yevon either. From what he saw though, they were a tight knit group, willing to put the team in front of the individual, and Tiffany was definitely no exception with her kindness at the forefront from the moment they met her.

When Tif walked Shinu and Mieli into her small house, Shinu nodded almost in approval, though no one would ask for it. He eyed down some of the food they had as Tiffany said that her father wasn't home. That sounded like the best news she'd given them so far, he was not trying to deal with an angry Al Bhed daddy at this point in his day. He was just hoping he could eat his food and be on about his business. Hopefully they wouldn't take too long. In fact, Shinu didn't plan on staying in Tiffany's house for that much longer anyways.

Alright, happy shopping then, I am not going to hold myself back on this food.

Shinu gave a hardly energetic wave to Mieli and Tif as they walked back out of the hut. He then made his way over to the food with a devilish grin on his face. He started to sift his fingers through all of his options, weighing them heavily in his head. He found a small bag of chocobo chocolates and completely devoured them, barely getting the bag open and avoiding eating it in the process. Shinu decided that he needed to eat something with substance so he looked at the bottom of the stack of food to see a box containing his favorite food! Shoopuf strips always did it for him and they had the perfect jelly to go with it! He began to rip through the strips and may as well have been drinking the jelly instead of violently dipping it like he was. He must have ate three pounds of shoopuf strips because that was no small box and nothing was left. All that was left to do was wash it down and Shinu took no time at all in chugging somewhere near half of a gallon of water.

When Shinu was done, his body was cooled, eating always did that to the body, and Shinu was grateful for that. He killed two birds with one stone and for the first time he felt like he could handle the enormous challenge that awaited him. He wanted to do some more thinking, but he felt it would be best at this point to just go with it and see how it worked. His first course of action would have to be getting out of this house before Tif's father got home. He didn't take her advice and walked through the Al Bhed's home alone to get back to the place they said they would meet if anyone got lost. He walked up to the top of the dune and sat as he looked out at the sun.

I can't believe what I got myself into this time. Actually, I don't know if I even did anything to get in this mess. I'm just ready to get out of here, if all of this is true, I have a lot of work to do.

Shinu was getting restless, but he had to be patient in waiting for them. Running in after them and getting lost when his Al Bhed has been losing it's touch every now and again might not be the best idea. He opted instead to do some light stretching to make sure he wouldn't cramp after all that he ate. That was it s functional purpose, but he was really hoping he would pass the time quickly with his stretching.

Tif stood behind Mieli as she watched the scene before her. Tif didn't smoke, but that didn't mean she didn't like it around her, either. She did note, however, that Mieli sure did smoke a lot. Shinu didn't strike Tif as a smoker, but then again, judgement can't be passed so quickly.

As Mieli turned around rather pleased with his purchase, she just stood there and watched him tear open the carton and do his thing. It was like watching an animal chow down violently on an animal carcus. He then offered Tif a cigarette.

"Um, no thank you. I don't smoke," said Tif as her only option to say. After Mieli had asked her where they can find some steel-toed boots, Tif led Mieli ont too far away to another tent. This tent was filled with armored goods and such for people who go out to venture the world.

Along the way, Mieli asked Tif a rather serious question.

"Call it curiosity if you wish, but I just thought it was strange seeing two complete strangers wandering around. Of course, the only people who inhabit the island are Al Bhed, and Al Bhed only. Like I said before, we'll be getting off the island. And speaking of a journey, it's sounds pretty fun. As long as I get to meet lot's of new people, I'm find with it, though a possible route to stardom sounds like it's a pilgramage!" All Tif could do was laugh at that statement.

A pilgramage? No way! To her, that would be the journey of a lifetime. She could travel all over Spira, and meet lot's of new people. But thinking of either Shinu or Mieli as a summoner would be a joke. But even if they were not going a pilgramage, she would go with them at no cost.

"Well, if actions are better than words, I'd more than like to go on this 'true journey' with both you and Shinu."

"You like those boots don't you?"

The shopkeeper must have seen Mieli eyeing a pair of black leather combat boots with some red trim covering the back of the heels and over the ankle.

"Yeah, they seem like well made boots. I haven't seen anything much like them before. Did you make these yourself?"

The shopkeeper laughed at Mieli as most Al Bhed shopkeepers made most of their goods by themselves. Despite his good dialect and counterculture blend, Mieli had been found out. The shopkeeper knew he wasn't a native.

"How much are they?"

"For you Yevon, they are 1500 gil. Plus another 500 gil for my hard labor."

Mieli wasn't about to argue over price. The shopkeeper was wrong about the Yevonite, but Mieli was no poor man. He tossed a coin over to the shopkeeper dated back far enough to have more than enough value to pick up his tab.

"Where'd you get this silver? This doesn't even exist today!"

"I seem to move around quite a bit and come across some interesting things. "

Mieli turned to Tif after making his purchase and strapping on his new boots.

"I think we should go check on Shinu before he partys out your house. After that we can figure out our plan for shoving off this island."

"Great! The faster we move, the faster we can leave!"

Tif darted out of the shopping tent and through the crowd of Al Bhed, with Mieli trailing behind her. She squeezed into many long and twisted gaps that the other Al Bhed had in between them. Mieli had no luck, and Tif had left him behind by accident. Deciding she was out of the crowd, he made his way to the spot where she had told him to go to when contact between the three was lost. As he made his way, the Al Bhed were scowling at him and giving him looks of suspicion.

Tif was now out of the ocean of people. Catching her breath, she turned back to see if Mieli was coming. Tif's eyes squinted as she spyed in through the crowd. She took a few steps towards the crowd, but she still could not scout out where Mieli could be. Giving up all hope in ever looking for him, she knew it was time for her to return to her home to retrieve Shinu. Like she did almost everyday, she walked through the contruction site of Home. It looked like half of the workers had gone home, while some just rested from a long day. The sound of machinary had softened, and the earth's blanket would soon be atop everyone's head. Tif sighed. She was almost towards her home.
--

Tif approached the front of her tent. She gently lifted the flap in front of her and peered inside to see if Shinu was still inside. To her surprise, Shinu wasn't, but instead, her father.

"Father! You're back! I need to tell you something."

Tif's father looked at her rather dubious. She had never really told him anything before.

"Yes, Tif? What is it?"

Her father was standing near the end of the tent. He walked towards her and payed close attention to what she was trying to tell him.

"I just wanted to say that I'm leaving for a while. And I think I won't be back too soon." She paused for a second. She looked down beause she thought she sensed her father wanted a better explanation. "Um, that's it, I guess."

Her father, left unnamed, just looked at her with no thoughts and rather blank. For a short period of time, she thought that he was little upset at her.

"Oh, dear! I'm really glad for ya, ya hear! I think it's a great idea for you to go out and venture Spira!"

"You really think so?" Tif stood there, a little confused. She thought this was some kind of cruel joke, but it wasn't.

"O' course! A girl like you needs a lil' freedom, is all." Her father grinned and laughed. The feeling for him was great.

Tif looked at her father while they both stood, now completely understanding one another. She smiled, and he smiled back at her. Tif slowly walked back up to her father and and wrapped her arms around him. Not too soon after, he played copy cat and did the same as she. "I'll really miss you, daddy." She unwrapped her arms around him and as he did the same and took a few steps backwards. "I love you." After those words with strong meaning escaped from her lips, bursted out of the tent and took a few residents of the island by surprise as they were returning to their tents.

Tif's father lifted open both flaps of his and his daughter's tent. He watched her leave. He felt proud of her and he was glad he had her as a daughter. Tears gushed from his watery eyes and he smiled. He whispered to himself, somehow hoping that she would hear him from far away. "I love you, too, sweetheart. Juss make sure you come back to visit."
---

Tif ran through the contruction site for the last time. She wouldn't be back at Home for quiet some time in the future. The noises of the machina that had been present earlier faded away and taken back with their owners, while some just lied on the cold ground, getting ready so they could be used for the next day. The sun had begun to hide itself behind the dunes. Tif thought it sort of looked like half a lemon.

People were now in their tents with their families, telling stories and jokes. Some o the Al Bhed were still out and about, just standing around and conversing with one another. As she walked through the aisles of tents, something came across her mind: Oh, whoops! I'm supposed to be looking for Mieli and Shinu!

Just remembering what she had told Mieli and Shinu earlier about the meet up point, she began to run over to where Mieli and Shinu have been waiting. Her raven colored hair flew behind her like a ribbon blowing in the breaze. A pair of feet stamped themselves into the soft, grainy sand of the desert. It wasn't long before she reunited with the people she had met earlier that day. She hunched over and placed her hands on top of her knees. She huffed and puffed, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm... here!..."

Now it was time to get down to business.

After chilling with Mieli for a little bit and planning out where they were going, they agreed on Besaid Island. It was perfectly fine with Shinu, beautiful beaches meant sexy women. Speaking of sexy women, it seemed like Tiffany was back, and thankfully, she hadn't changed outfits. Shinu was quite fond of that little skirt of hers. He made it a note to let he know he appreciated how much it work it must take to be in that skirt and not reveal anything, though he would appreciate it just a bit more if she did.

Welcome back Ms. Kop. I think it's about time that we get rolling though. Besaid is our first destination, and I think you'll love it. It's water looks exactly like those pretty eyes of yours. If we leave soon, we can still see it during the day thanks to the time zones.

Shinu nodded to Mieli on a serious note, and walked down the dune towards Tif. He figured she knew how to get them off the island. Mieli had caught him up as to what he and Tif were talking about, and it seemed she was down to travel with them. Shinu knew Mieli didn't tell her what he told him, but that would give him a good chance to make it official before Tif could doubt him.

"Right!"

Tif, Shinu, and Mieli made their way back down the dune towards Home. Lights glowed within tents and fires were crackling and swaying outside in the night breaze. The sun sunk a little when Tif last saw it.

"Okay, so here's what's going on. A man by the of Mick owes me a favor, and he has an airship. I can pull some strings, so he should be able to get us to Besaid. If you guys can explain to him you're situation, I'm sure he'll be more than glad to offer us a lift."

After explaining to Mieli and Shinu, they crept through the rows of white tents. Some of the Al Bhed glared while other just chose to ignore. Within a matter of seconds, Tif stopped at one of the tents. It looked like all the others, though there was a sign that said "Mick" in front of the home.

"Don't say a word unless he asks you a question."

Tif pushed aside a flap of the tent and made an entrance for the trio. Shinu went in first, followed by Mieli, and lastly, Tif. Shinu and Mieli stood behind Tif as she she began to speak in Al Bhed.

"Mick! The airship! I need it, and pronto! Take me and these two to Besaid Island. Remember, you owe me one!'

"Ah, Tif! Such a hasty request!" Mick sat comfortably in a cushoned chair and smoking a cigarette. Mick looked like any other Al Bhed: blonde hair and sprialy green eyes. He was a little taller than Shinu and he was also muscular. He wore forest green pants, a navy blue sleeveless form fitting shirt, and long gloves. He had shaded goggles on as well as a head band. Mick took a puff from his cigarette and sighed. He thought for a long moment while smoking his cigarette. He did, however, owe Tif a big favor for saving his life in the desert. "Tif, you've got yourself a deal. But only because you saved my life!"

"I thought so. But let's leave! Now!"

"And your friends?"

"We just need to get to Besaid, that's all. And you won't have to take us back, either!"

Mick sighed and exited the tent. It was an obvious sign that he wanted them to follow him into the unknown.
--

Mick, Tif, Mieli, and Shinu were in the middle of construction site of Home. They stood on top of a platform, and on it was a lever. Mick pulled the lever. The platform shook and made the passengers on it have the same affect.

"Hey, be careful!" Tif loosened up a bit and stood straight up.

After a little elevator trouble, the platform had begun to make its way down a shaft that would take them to an airship. It was dark, but neon green lights placed inside the walls filled the upside tunnel. It wasn't long before the platform hit the ground and "clicked" into place. Mick was the first to leave the platform, who had lifted up a switch. Lights lit up everywhere. Shinu, Mieli and Tif saw a monstrous metal machina: the airship. It was an unusual shape, but it was airship, nonetheless. From the looks of the airship, no one from that time period would ever know that it would discovered from its watery grave a thousand years into the future and reclaimed by the Al Bhed.

"Hurry on up inside!"

Tif, Mieli, and Shinu up a metal staircase and across a platform, which led them inside the airship. Outside, Mick pulled a few more levers. On the surface of Home, sand had begun to fall into the earth. Under the sand were two platforms. Whenever the airship toook flight, the platforms would part from each other to make an exit. Mick didn't wait for it to fully open up, but instead went the same way as his passengers did before him.
---

The airship was full of gadgets and gizmos. There were also a lot of computers. Inside were some Al Bhed, which was a little unsuspecting to the three. Tif, Shinu, and Mieli peeked around the front of the airship. It was pretty exciting for all three. in the middle of their analyzing, the mechanical doors of the airship parted and in came Mick.

"Alright, kiddies, sit back and enjoy the ride!"

Shinu marveled at the way Tiffany handled the situations so easily as they came to her. The calm and optimistic aura she carried was a pleasant change from the way Shinu was himself. He wasn't used to relying on other people, just Mieli really, but trusting Tif came naturally almost. She was going to be a great choice, and do a better job, he just hoped she would agree.

As much as he was in awe of Tiffany as he was this marvelous airship. It would be so nice if he could keep it, or travel Spira in it, but that would be just a bit too easy for anyone. He was happy just to be getting a ride to Besaid. The airship was a thing of beauty, and they were certainly traveling in style. He hoped with all of his heart that Tiffany would find something while they were traveling so that Shinu could feel that he paid her back appropriately for everything she'd done for them so far.

He smiled at her as she sat across from him on the airship. Besaid was a nice place to go, and after that, Kilika. That was the place he badly needed to get to. He was getting a little homesick, missing his mom and his hut, just wanting to see her smile again would be enough to get him set for the rest of the journey. For now though, he really had to try harder to stop thinking about that, or it was never going to happen. Tiffany certainly wasn't helping by never acknowledging his obvious flattery, but she didn't seem to mind either. Shinu actually laughed about it for a second and then looked back at tiffany, she was going to make a great friend. That doubled his total friend count, and he was feeling a lot better about the journey ahead.

The airship was off the ground, and well on its way to Besaid. Shinu could only keep smiling as he looked forward to another grand adventure, he seemed to not be able to help himself.

To be continued...