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[After having seen what he thought might be an airship from the Balamb Garden view looking down on Balamb Town, Vaan enters town, intent on finding the airship and examining it.]

[Unfortunately, Vaan only finds himself in front of the train station, with a man selling stupid trinkets to tourists, trying to make him buy fertility beads or a big turquoise fish head hat. A real best-seller.]

Nghh… this is going all wrong…

[Vaan sounds pitiful, his voice tinged with obvious disappointment. Sprawled out on the steps, he watches the daily happenings in front of him. He has maybe a hour or so before he needs to get back to the Garden.]

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You tell me. [You're a thief, Vaan. Or did you forget?]

[Oh, I get it...]

[Eyeing the souvenir man closely, he spots some papers sticking out of one of the many pockets of his clothing. Got it.]

[Sashaying up close, Vaan asks the man to see some of the crabs he's selling out a bucket. When the poor guy leans over to retrieve a crab, Vaan quickly slips one of the maps out of his pocket and hides it in his own.]

Nevermind! Not what I wanted! [He waves his hand, trying to dismiss the salesman's interest in him, and bolts back to Balthier.]

That guy didn't have it.

[After witnessing the whole thing Balthier has to admit the lad still has it. Once a thief, always a thief? At least Vaan knows how to behave now. He smirks and extends his hand.]

[Vaan hands him the map. People around here are way too trusting. Usually he'd have to run for it.]

So, where do we start?

[He takes the map and observes it.]

The hotel. We'll find out how people got here and follow the ones that arrived by air.
[He puts the map away and starts walking. Follow the leader, Vaan. ]

Got it.

[Vaan nods and follows. Good idea there Balthier.]

Pretending to be hotel guests and starting a discussion with other guests in the hotel lounge is the easiest way to dig up some information.

Yeah, easy.

The place is like one big fish market or something.

[Some of the streets smell at little and the town seems kind of sleepy sometimes. Still, it doesn't matter, as long as they have information.]

What am I gonna say? [Vaan trots up along side Balthier now, keeping pace with him. He's equal in his conspiracy.]

[He walks a bit faster now, just to see if Vaan will try and keep up with him. If he does, it will look amusing.]

Be natural. Leave the airship part for me. Say nothing about sky pirating.

[Balthier pulling in the lead... Okay... Vaan picks up his pace and matches with him, but it feels unnatural. He doesn't want to be totally second to Balthier.]

You mean keep my mouth shut. [Vaan would be rolling his eyes.]

I wasn't going to say anything about sky pirating anyway, but what do we do then? We're just normal vacationers?

[Someone hasn't changed.]

That was the plan.

Fine.

[Shrugging, Vaan decides just to go along. Between the two of them, they had enough experience to dodge too many personal questions. Besides, Balthier had a knack for finding just the right people and using them perfectly. That was what made him so good, and it was also a huge difference between them.

Suave. Vaan didn't have it.]

It's getting late. [This was the first time Vaan maybe wouldn't be back in time for curfew. No big deal except his roommate was crazy or something.]

Do you live at Balamb Garden? I haven't even seen you there.

[Eying the passers-by as they keep heading towards the hotel Balthier listens to Vaan carefully even though it may not look like it. Vaan is definitely in need of a chatting buddy, eh. He replies without turning his head.]

For the time being. I've been occupied.

How about yourself? The classes keeping you busy? I heard they like to hand out plenty of homework. ["Heard" indeed. Balthier hasn't bothered himself with the studying. He'll be quick to catch up with them if the need ever comes up though.]

Just heard?

[Vaan could have laughed at that. His voice sounds clearly amused.]

Wait, are you too old to be a student at Balamb Garden or are you just never there?

They do give a lot of homework. [Not like Vaan was the best at doing the homework, but he gave it a reasonable enough effort... when he felt like it.]

[Too old? Balthier gives him a look. Didn't you learn your lesson about asking people's ages with Fran? Guess not.

This is slowly becoming his "Vaan." icon.]

From what I've seen they don't mind the age. As long as the applicants can put up a fight and kill for money they are welcome. Their origins don't play a role either. Puts you at ease, doesn't it.

[... He wasn't going to, but this is Vaan. Better put things straight since otherwise he might not get it.]

And I'm 22.

Oh. That old?

[At ease? Yeah, not really. Vaan doesn't mention it, but it's clear from the way he quiets up, paying more attention to the ground.]

... [Balthier's about to get back to that one but the silence makes him reconsider it. He clearly isn't the only one bothered by being made into a mercenary.]

The age limit is at 25.
[Aw, the heck. Going with the joke, but only this time. Being in a strange world is enough even without the whole mercenary stuff. Without Penelo around, he feels a bit responsible for Vaan. But only a bit.]

You're pushing it.

[Vaan grins. The only thing he really has over Balthier right now is his youth. He seems happy enough to drop the other subject.]

What about Mjrn and Larsa? Did you see them?

Briefly. Her royal highness is present as well.

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