[The trash panda just stares Lance dead in the eye, definitely not planning on going anywhere. Varian heaves out a sigh, leaning over to pluck him off his friend's shoulders, dumping him unceremoniously on the ground.]

Ruddiger, quit it, you'll get some later.

[Ruddiger continues to stare, before chittering grumpily and stomping towards the door of the house- he opens it and lets himself in like it ain't no big thing- slamming the door behind him. Varian acts like this is nothing out of the ordinary, turning his attention back to Lance. ]

That's good, I'm glad. Not everyone can learn from a lecture room. Heck, I sure didn't. Not that...I had the option either way, but still. People learn different ways, I'm glad you had someone around who recognised that and could help you.

[He raises his shoulders in a shrug.]

I kinda...fell into it, I guess. My mom was an alchemist. I don't remember her, she died when I was a baby, but all her stuff was there. So I just...taught myself. [Maybe as a way to get close to a mother he never knew, maybe. He chuckles a little.] Dad hated it. Took him a long time to come around to me doing it.