ᴛʀᴜʟʏ regrettable, it would turn out to be, that Virion had spent much time amongst thieves (or one, in particular) while serving in the Shepherd’s ranks. In Vaan’s case, that was; not so much the noble’s. For in observing the likes of them on the field and elsewhere, he’d gotten a feel for their tactics. Their mannerisms.
ʜᴇ’ᴅ caught but a glimpse of the boy initially, it was true — not enough to brand him a pilferer, under any circumstances. But in realizing that the boy continuously grew nearer to him in particuar (and hesitantly so, it was noted, so long as Virion was in such a position that he could detect him from the corner of his eye), the possibility had dawned upon him. Once the dustily-clothed blond had drawn close enough, presumably to steal whatever valuables he’d thought to be on the noble’s person, Virion turned to fully face him; faint traces of bemusement detectable in an otherwise annoyed expression.
”ᴀɴᴅ here I thought even common thieves had enough sensibility to pick their targets with care.” His own hand had snatched the others’ by the wrist, by then; and drawn it away from the pocket it had been about to empty. His grip wasnot so tight that it would be difficult for Vaan to escape, but it was not gentle, either.
”ᴛᴜᴛ-tut.”
He had not noticed the other’s subtle observation as he had approached, his ignorance creating unyielding confidence in his actions.
Inches from success, the blond could feel his expression of concentration shift to one of despair as he was confronted by his prey’s glower, unsure of when exactly the other had turned to him. His thoughts jumped to potential escape routes, only to find it was too late, his wrists clasped by the hold of the stranger. The pickpocket could sense the stabbing of the other’s words, more chastising than anything.
Vaan fidgeted in the other’s hold, not enough to break free, but enough to convey discomfort before reaalizing the rightful accusation floating in the air.
“Thieves? Uh, no, that’s not…” he blundered, knowing his theatrics were failing.
“I was… uh…”
Getting out of this one would be interesting to say the least.
“I mean, I would never…” He trailed off. It was a reach to think those half excuses were believable, but they were all he had. Biting his lip, he looked nervously to the other, in hopes of merciful release.