[ Balthier squeezes David's arm. ] I'm sorry. That's a terrible way to live and a terrible way to be treated.
[ His expression morphs into a delighted smile at David's expression of a line. ] You've entirely misread the situation, my friend. One of the reasons I like you is you share my...flexible interpretation of the law and inflexible respect for other people.
When I was first made a Judge, I was...hopeful. Excited even. I thought I could make a difference, and being in a high power position would make that easier. The political machine was too big though. I was just complicit in hurting others. Being a pirate, I got to choose what codes I did and didn't follow. I don't hurt innocent people. I don't stand for it either. I chose the Society because they'd leave me be, but they hold others to a moral code of sorts.
[ He laughs as a memory crosses his mind. ] Actually, I got into my last mess because I comforted a teenage girl, one of my rivals mistook her for my lover and kidnapped her, and then I had to make right and go fetch her. Didn't really need me -- she somehow befriended a prince but the story stands.
[ He thinks for a moment. He doesn't want to say it, but he respects David too much not to. ] I completely understand if you aren't comfortable being friends across that line, though. You told me if I didn't want to see you again to say the word; the same is true for you.
no subject
[ His expression morphs into a delighted smile at David's expression of a line. ] You've entirely misread the situation, my friend. One of the reasons I like you is you share my...flexible interpretation of the law and inflexible respect for other people.
When I was first made a Judge, I was...hopeful. Excited even. I thought I could make a difference, and being in a high power position would make that easier. The political machine was too big though. I was just complicit in hurting others. Being a pirate, I got to choose what codes I did and didn't follow. I don't hurt innocent people. I don't stand for it either. I chose the Society because they'd leave me be, but they hold others to a moral code of sorts.
[ He laughs as a memory crosses his mind. ] Actually, I got into my last mess because I comforted a teenage girl, one of my rivals mistook her for my lover and kidnapped her, and then I had to make right and go fetch her. Didn't really need me -- she somehow befriended a prince but the story stands.
[ He thinks for a moment. He doesn't want to say it, but he respects David too much not to. ] I completely understand if you aren't comfortable being friends across that line, though. You told me if I didn't want to see you again to say the word; the same is true for you.