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AIRSHIP
Vaan tried to fit the casing into it's socket but is was just too small, mere millimeters. He was tempted to force it but picked up the rasp instead and set about filing the casing. After a few more tries he managed a good fit. He was so absorbed that when someone spoke he dropped the rasp.
"It is best that way."
He turned to give the someone a piece of his mind but said instead,
"Fran!"
Fran stepped back as Vaan got to his feet, dusting his hands on his pants. It was almost a year since he last saw her or Balthier for that matter. Though he had been in no doubt that they were alive after the Strahl had disappeared.
"What are you doing here?" asked Vaan.
"The real question is," said Balthier coming round from the other side of the airship, "what are you doing with this?"
"Well... it's actually supposed to go to scrap and parts but if I can get it to fly I can have it," explained Vaan excitedly.
Both Fran and Balthier looked at the pile of rusting metal welded together.
"I'm sure it could fly," said Balthier diplomatically. "Eventually."
"Yeah, well, the thing is... I have until the end of the month," said Vaan.
Balthier nodded then turned sharply to Vaan.
"This month?" he asked.
Vaan nodded slowly.
"That gives you..." Balthier glanced at Fran.
"Five days," finished Fran.
Vaan did the same slow nod.
"What happens after that?" asked Balthier.
"It gets scrapped," said Vaan.
"Does it need to fly perfectly?" asked Balthier looking at the badly damaged stabilizers.
"It just needs to turn on," said Vaan.
"That bad," muttered Balthier.
Balthier gave the airship a last once over before clapping Vaan on the back.
"Best of luck. Unfortunately we can't linger," he said.
He hadn't gone far when he realised Fran wasn't with him, he turned back to see her looking at the airship.
"Fran," he called.
"I have work to do," she said.
"But I need-"
"To get on with why we are here," finished Fran as started picking out tools from Vaan's toolkit.
Balthier stood for a moment, he could see Vaan was pleased and was trying not to show it in front of him.
"Leading men are better by themselves," he said as he set about his business.
END