The Sky Balloon

Tickets for Sale

The Xian Merchants has been working on the sky road. Together with the Dwarf artisans from Gavinya Great Crater and the Old Moon Guild pitch in together to create the new type of transportation which can travel around Calpheon, Altinova, and Valencia. It is known as the Sky Balloon.

Florentino is tasked by his cousin, Crisostomo Ibarra, to also participate in using the Sky Balloon. However, Sylvia is unease with the new invention and offers to accompany Florentino with the testing.

“You know you don’t have to accompany me, right?” Florentino said to Sylvia as they’re waiting in line.

“No,” Sylvia said firmly, “I’m not letting you fall off to your death.”

“Come on, there’s nothing to worry about. Cousin has faith in them so I have faith in them as well.”

“Oh yeah? Then why wouldn’t Master Crisostomo test it himself?”

“I’m pretty sure we both know that cousin is a busy man, look at it this way, think of the view we’ll see from up there.”

“Fine!”

After a few minutes, they’ve now reached the counter. There, Kalix is managing the selling of tickets.

“Hello, adventurer!” Kalix said, “How many tickets will you be buying?”

“Actually,” Florentino said then brings out a piece of paper from his back pocket, “I have this.”

“Ah, we’ve been expecting you,” Kalix then hands out two tickets to Florentino, “please, enjoy the flight. Travelling is a valuable experience, and now, it’s easier than ever!”

Sky Balloon Precautions

“Ah, you must be Florentino Ibarra,” Edis the Dwarf said as he shakes hands with Florentino, “Crisostomo mentioned you’ll be here.”

“Yes, and I’m ready to board the Sky Balloon,” Florentino said with confidence.

“Oh really? And what about the safety protocols?”

“Um… don’t jump off when you’re up high?”

“Yep, you’re good to go.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Sylvia exclaims, “That’s it? No more other protocols? Just don’t jump off?”

“Well… if you’re such a stickler then you can have this pamphlet here,” Edis hands Sylvia a safety pamphlet. “We’ve been through a lot of trial and error, but were able to succeed because we worked together. And I assure you that it’s safe!”

“Noted and thank you,” Sylvia then looks at Florentino, “alright, let’s go.”

Afraid of Heights?

“Alright, this seems safe,” Sylvia said as she inspects the Sky Balloon, “actually, no it is not! There are no railings!”

“Calm down, Sylvia, it’ll be fine, I bet you’ll enjoy the view from up there.”

“Not unless we’re looking down, then I’m not going to enjoy it.”

“Wait, are you afraid of heights, Sylvia?”

“And what if I am?”

“How does that work?” Florentino scratches his head, “I mean you’re flying already and a few feet above the ground.”

“Yeah, but up there is different! Up there is not just a few feet above the ground, that’s hundreds of feet!”

“I’m confused… A fairy, a flying fairy with wings and all to be exact… is afraid of heights. That’s not what I’m expecting.”

“Fine! Laugh it off! Just don’t blame me if anything happens to you while you’re up there.”

“Alright, fine, I understand,” Florentino smiles, “I’ll be there for you all the way.”

Lifting Up

The Sky Balloon starts to lift off of the ground. Florentino just casually looks below like it was nothing, on the other hand, Sylvia sits closely to Florentino while hugging her knees and looking tense.

“Come on, Sylvia,” Florentino calmly said to Sylvia, “look at this view, you’ll be surprised.”

“Nope,” Sylvia hugs her knees tightly, “I’m good here.”

Suddenly, the wind blows a little hard, making the Sky Balloon rock and Sylvia more nervous.

“Why is it rocking?” Sylvia closes her eyes, “I hate it and I shouldn’t be here!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be by your side all the way.”

“Alright…” Sylvia looks at the pamphlet, “Look, it says here ‘don’t lean on the’ what do you think you’re doing!?”

Florentino leans on the edge, making the whole Sky Balloon tilt. A frightened Sylvia unconsciously lets go of the pamphlet to hold tightly at Florentino.

Florentino’s laughing and having fun but Sylvia, however, is not enjoying it at all.

“Alright, I’m sorry,” Florentino said sincerely, “I’ll not do that again. Please don’t cry.”

“Who says I’m crying?” Sylvia wipes the tears off her eyes, “there’s just something in my eye.”

Sky Balloon High Up in the Sky

Looking below, Florentino sees someone he knows by the street.

“Hey, isn’t that cousin Crisostomo? Sylvia, look at this.”

“What?” Sylvia slowly gets up and looks below, “Where?”

“Over there by the band of street performers,” Florentino points at the street performers, “I know that helmet when I see it.”

“Hey, you’re right!” Sylvia is now cheerful, “But what’s with that combination of clothing?”

Crisostomo is wearing his blue noble clothes while wearing his helmet and his longsword and shield at his back.

“Right… I don’t know what’s going on in his head sometimes.”

“Hey, Sylvia.”

“What?” Sylvia looks at Florentino.

“Look over there,” Florentino points over by the horizon, “what do you think?”

Sylvia looks at where Florentino is pointing at and she’s just looking at it in awe.

“Wow! Florentino, Florentino! Do you see this view? Wow! It’s beautiful!”

“Yep, I can see it. It’s beautiful alright.”

The scenery while up in the sky using the Sky Balloon is just breathtaking.

Going Back

The two find themselves at Altinova, the capital of Mediah.

“Well, that was a fantastic ride,” Florentino said.

“I agree,” Sylvia said as she sits on Florentino’s left shoulder, “let’s ride it again!”

“Really now? What happened to you being scared at heights even though you can fly?”

Sylvia crosses her arms and legs then looks away without saying a word.

“I’m just kidding, I’m glad you overcome it. Shall we buy a ticket home?”

“Yes,” Sylvia nods, “this time, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Understood, and we’ll just enjoy the view together while we’re up there.”

The two then went towards the ticket counter.

Is there a line? Florentino thought, these people are on the side, maybe that’s not a line… lucky…

Florentino approached Lisam, the one managing the ticket sales.

“Hello, I would like to buy-“

“Can’t you see there’s a line?” Someone behind Florentino exclaims.

Florentino looks back and sees a Shai nagging at him.

“Hey,” the Shai said, “get in line like everyone else!”

“I’m sorry, I’ll-“

“Oh, so you want to fight, huh? Well? Let’s have it! Bring it on little man!”

Little man? Me? No… I’ll just let her be.

Florentino starts moving to the back of the line.

“Yeah, that’s right!” the Shai continues, “Keep moving, shorty!

“Shorty?” Sylvia turns around and flies toward the Shai, “Who are you calling short?”

“Sylvia, no!”

Florentino, Sylvia, and the Shai were put to prison for 2 days for Disorderly Conduct.

After their release, Sylvia and the Shai are now friends.

On the 3rd day, they went back to Calpheon with the Shai on the Sky Balloon.