One year after the fall of Bahumut
Ten months, with no signs of him being alive.
Ten months, of nothing but his sky ship. Which Vaan had been cleaning and flying on a regular basis.
And now, as he walked into the Aerodrome, in replace of the Sky pirate's beloved ship the Strahl, was a letter.
No, not even a letter seeing as it was not signed, nor addressed to anyone.
It was a note, scrawled onto a yellowing piece of parchment with frayed edges. Written in hasty, spidery cursive writing.
If Vaan hadn't known the pirate better he would've been angry.
Maybe.
But instead, his eyes widened as he read the ten second letter.
His body was so thrilled he thought he was going to vomit.
"Something more valuable – the Cache of Glabados.
I await in Bervania.
PS - Give this to the queen, would you?"
It sounded selfish almost, like a chore note a mother would leave her child before heading off to work in the morning. Reminding her son or daughter to do this and that she was here.
Some might've even gotten angry that the letter had not had more of an explanation in it, of where the sky pirate and veira had been for ten months.
But Vaan understood, as did Penelo.
So they cashed in their Gil and caught a ship to Bervania, eager to reunite with the two lost heroes that brought down Bahumut.
Not before giving the Queen her ring back of course. No, they made sure to do that first.
Vaan couldn't even be bothered with resting during the flight. He stood out on the deck, letting the warm winds whip his face and blow his hair about while Penelo waited inside.
A grin reached his face and his heart seemed to jump a little as the city came into view, and the pilot announced their arrival into Bervania.
He was brought back down to earth when he felt a warm hand touch his shoulder. He turned to see his blond companion by his side, motioning to him to come inside the ship, as they were about to land.