mortevatem:

   _{”We would have heard if a mother flan had been in the school, though. I think it’s by itself.“ There was lots of food brought into the Peristylium, after all. It could survive if it was inside one of the crates, for sure. At least, that was Ace’s reasoning. He was also the last to know things, usually, so for all intents and purposes, Vaan could be correct.}

   _{”Can I kill it now?” Even if it was a pet, though, it was away from its owner and decidedly, that meant he could get rid of it. Monsters weren’t allowed in the building, after all. His shoulders slumped while he waited for permission, something unusual and strange for himself to do for most anybody, actually. In actuality… he just didn’t want Vaan to complain. “If we let it grow up it could just cause problems.”}

    _{That. Did make sense. Perhaps not a mother flan then.}

    _{Still, some bit of the wannabe sky pirate felt sympathy for the jelly. Stretching himself back up to a standing position, he stood near it, but enough back that he wouldn’t accidentally squash it with his feet. It seemed innocent enough, shouldn’t it be allowed to live out its little flan-life?}

    _{“The little guy’s not hurtin anybody. Why don’t we just … let it hang around a bit and release it to the wild or something later?”}

    _{He doubted Ace would respond to that approach, but it was worth a shot. Then, half-joking and half in a final plea, he teased Ace with a child-like whine, “An’ wook at its widdle face.”}

mortevatem:

   _{The shorter (by only an inch, though) blond paused his spell as blue eyes shifted back to the other. The question was somewhat legitimate, but who would raise a flan of all things, he had to wonder. They’re kind of… weak. With a shrug of his shoulders, the incantation was stopped, as it apparently required further investigation.}

   _{”Can’t say. Maybe it attached itself to cargo that was coming here. The Peristylium might have a lot of security, but there are ways past it.“ He mused aloud, with a tone that was as apathetic and bored sounding as usual. Now he just wanted a parfait or something cold from the Refresh Room, so as soon as the monster was taken care of, he could be on his way.}

     _{It would seem his protests had been a success, as Vaan watched the other lay down his arms. If the flan did belong to anyone, the question of how to know whose it was remained.  They could hang posters. If there were any bill boards around, the owner would likely see it. Though, Ace’s suggestion seemed more likely.}

    _{“Attached itself to cargo? It’s kinda small to have gone through an entire trip from the wilderness, dontcha think?” Then stumbling around the subject that had come to his mind, Vaan searched for the right way to say it, “Wouldn’t it be more likely that a… well … bigger one would have… like a … mommy-flan… maybe?”}

                                             _{If that were the case, there were bound to be more.} 

mortevatem:

   _{”Probably not. Flan enemies and flan are two different things.“ If it wasn’t obvious that the teen was mostly pandering for something sweet to eat, the sigh he gave might have been a help. Either way, there was a glob of a monster that needed to be gotten rid of, so…}

   _{”I’ll just kill it.” Hand rose above it, and with a guess as to what element would most likely put the thing out of his misery, had he started charging a spell to cast.}

    _{Vaan supposed the other had a point, they were different things. Though, it begged the question of why they shared a name.}

                                                             _{… that’s disappointing…}

    _{He glanced at the flan bobbling on the floor, still rubbing his fingers together to rid his hands of the slimy residue. It was kinda cute. But just as he processed the thought, he realized Ace had plans to exterminate it.}

    _{“Wait!” Vaan called out, stalling a bit. “Why’s it here in the first place? What if it’s someone’s pet or something?”}

mortevatem:

   _{”It’s a flan.“ Forefinger extended as he pointed rather suddenly to the jellied form that sat on the floor. Just like the monster, really, but it looked pretty young, considering it was about the size of a piece of cake.}

   _{”I wonder if it’s edible.” Flan is a dessert, too. Curiosity rang in the youth’s features, almost tempted yet again to touch it and see what happened.}

      _{It seemed smaller than most flan Vaan had seen on any battlefield, almost so much, that he didn’t equate it to being one. Hearing the other’s comment on edibility startled him, however. Though most times the jellies were a hassle, they were still alive, and this one young. “You can’t just eat it!”}

       _{He leaned further, mindlessly prodding it with his finger, and almost instantly regretting it as he realized its stickiness.}

                                                                                         _{“—Wait. Can you?”}

mortevatem:

   _{There was a flan on the ground. Too small to be much harm, but it was in the Peristylium no less. The blond was tempted to touch it with his shoe, but the thought of it sticking caused him to abstain.}

              _{“Why…?”}

        _{Catching sight of the other’s apparent concentration from afar, Vaan approached curiously from behind. Whatever had captured Ace’s attention had obviously demanded enough for a verbal response, though not one the thief could make out.}

       _{He leaned forward, trying to see what the other had been staring at, “Whatcha lookin at Ace?”}

mortevatem:

_{Studious Shannon: card-captor esu the misgendered dealer who shot a punk with laser beams…in space.}

send me ☁ for a thought my muse has had about yours

_{He’s always got that serious expression and messing with those cards.}

_{Maybe he’s an avid collector …}

                            _{or maybe he’s just really into poker…}

mortevatem:

_{skypiratings replied to your post:} 

_{I regret to inform you that Vaan may have injured your chocobo chick}

   _{”—The idiot did what?“ The cards were drawn. There was no question about it. If something happened to Chirifuda… “He better be great at hiding.”}

_{A sudden chill? … nah, just cold air.}

mortevatem:

   _{”He told me he wasn’t a thief. I knew that look was trouble.“ There was a slight huff added at the end of pointed words.}

            _{But it was to be expected from somebody that valued trust so highly. Lies and deceit stung the most when done civilly. Grimace reemerged onto his features, however, ready to swear vengeance for such a crime.}

            _{“Good for him I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t have anything that would fetch well, then! Serves him right.”}

_{Vaan could hear the irritation painted in Ace’s words as he expressed the sting of betrayal. He would just keep the extent of the other’s notoriety to himself for the moment. It might only worsen the dealer’s rage.} 

_{"So what did he say he was, exactly?”}

                                          _{That question ought to prove to be interesting…}

mortevatem:

   _{”Isn’t that an actor’s term?”}

            _{Ace wasn’t particularly versed in the arts, music included despite his talent, but even he knew that the idea of a leading man was usually a cast role. Wait, if he traveled with Vaan, and Vaan’s a sky pirate…}

                          _{“—He lied to me!”}

       _{"I think it might be… come to think of it, I don’t know why he clings to that title so much…“} 

         _{Vaan hadn’t thought much about the term. Maybe Balthier was involved with drama before his sky pirating days? That would be amusing…}

       _{Before losing himself in the thought, the thief looked puzzled at Ace’s reaction,}

                                                                              _{”–wait, what did he lie about?“}