"You know how it is," Balthier began in reply to his partner, his tone almost playful. "One minute you're out for a stroll, the next someone simply must have your attention." He wasn't surprised by Rishfee's reaction to Fran. Vaan had stared too, after all, and he had been from Ivalice.

He held up a hand when Rishfee finished. "I'd rather keep this debt to a minimum, if you would. Otherwise it lends itself to payment upon payment and I daresay we both would be tired of it by then. As long as you answer my questions, we'll call it even. What do you say?"

He leaned forward, forearms resting against his knees. "As for running, let's just say I've seen--and heard of--worse transformations than that." Better... whatever it was that Rishfee had been changing into than a Malboro, if those stories were to be believed. And then there was the fate of one Vayne Solidor...