Move Along, Little ChocoboyFollow

How convenient that today marks the last day that my already-written stories run out! Of course this means from now on you'll have to wait longer for when I actually do write something new. =P

This one is a quick and fun romp into a genre I honestly thought I'd never write. It also is my first time dabbling with first-person writing (something that our other local fanfic writer does quite well). Hehe, be kind won't you? ^^; Naw, I can take it. I always look forward to your all's input!

And now I present to you...

MOVE ALONG, LITTLE CHOCOBOY

CRITERIA:
Requested by: Shard (sort of)
Subject(s): Shard
Genre: Western
Setting: Altepa Desert/Rabao

* * * * *

Altepa. A vast expanse of sand and rock. A crucible fer the noonday sun, 'n a cold grave for those what travel at night. More signifigant still, it's mah home. Who am I? Ain't nobody special. Guess ya could say I'm an enforcer of sorts...hehe, but I ain't no law man. Name's Shard, reckon it's good ta meet ya. Hey, down here. Dun worry yerself none, a lot of people don't think ya look fer a person of my reputation standin' tall at their knees.

So, why didja find me? Is there some kinda problem ya think I can solve? Wellsuh, I can do it...fer a price. Ta keep my attention, you'd need to offer at least 10 large. Don't like it? Get out and go back through tha desert to tha big city from what you done came. But, ya came ta me fer a reason so's it's polite fer me to listen to your plea.

Ha! What's this now? Why does it matter anything 'bout me? Don't trust me? Well, if'n ya really wanna know, I'll give you a few of my...credentials.

Me ma 'n pa came over from the homeland o' the Quon continent back 'fore the War. They was in a peaceful exodus ta escape the looming destruction. Pioneers they was. They 'n a whole slew a others of mah people left what they saw as a less than civil civilization fer a land o' second chances 'n purity. They heard about this here desert. Ta them it was a future home, ta others, it was a future graveyard.

Whelp, ma n' pa set out in a caravan. Was rough goin's it was. Several month a dodgin' them damned beastmen, bravin' tha elements, n' otherwise tryin' ta survive.

Finally, the desert done opened up in fronta them. Thinkin' back on all they left behind n' all tha other pilgrims what done died along tha way, ma n' pa pressed on. What ya haveta understand is that we tarutaru's used ta runnin' around on the savannahs o' Sarutabaruta. Tha difference 'tween a savannah n' a desert is we at least had trees n' water runnin' through the areas 'round Windurst.

By tha grace o tha Star Sybil, a nomadic band a galks done come across the barren caravan. The bigguns found starvin' n' dehydrated tarus. They was taken ta the galka camp. Funny how most think o' tha galks as a brutish, non-magical race. While partially true, them walkin' mountains is quite shamanistic n' what. Juss cuz they don't have lotsa magic don't mean they ain't effective in using what the do have. Tha tars-n-galks lived in peace, teachin' each other n' sharin' their peaceful ways durin' reports of a global war takin' place.

That's when yours truly here was born. Yup. I was birthed here in this desert. The sand's in mah blood, not just mah boots. Hehe, I take it ya know what I mean by that, stranger. Anyway...

So yeah, I was taught the ways o' magic. Not just using all the spells we taru know, but howta conserve it n' use it wisely like tha galks. The bigguns done taught me how ta fight, too. I owe it ta them fer bein' the tough sunnabastaru I is taday. But, experience comes at a price.

A band o' savages attacked tha camp. Them antins came hootin' n' chitterin' over tha dunes. We drove 'em off, but it caused a heavy price...especially on a band o' nomadic pacifists. Ma n' pa were dead as were most other tars. I was a wee one then, n' a galk by the name o' Babagana done scooped me up in a paw and ran off with me ta hide from the savage sandskins. I owe a lot ta that one, I does...

When tha dust settled, the camp was in ruins as was the lives o' tha survivors. Mine wasn't so purdy. Years o' war n' desert livin' done got me this far as tha taru you came to see about a job. Ah yes, the job. Tell me again what tha Grass Goblin can do you fer.

Oh? "Grass Goblin"? That's another story. For now, let's see tha gil n' move from there.

I'll get you next time, my pretty! Mwahahaha!