It's been healing for Balthier, too, to work on this -- the grief of home really being gone has been heavier lately.

That feels far away right now, though, and he's glad for it. He lets David go but finds his hand, tugging him around the seating area to the food. "When the weather was nice, I loved to sit outside like this, and the cushions make it pleasant. We'd have long meals outside, lots of talking and storytelling and laughter. I picked things I could find here -- " He points them out, foods that are a mix of mediterranean and Indian dishes here. Spiced and spicy, very fragrant, and a big pot of rice. "And I made you a cake," he grins, because David never touches baking.