Some of his texts made it through to people, but most went unanswered, some even pinging back a number disconnected alert despite the fact he had perfectly good texts from days or hours before sitting above them.

He couldn't get ahold of David. And it took almost a damn day to get Guild Clearance to go in.

It was work hours, so the first thing he did was make his way to David's office. Except it's not right. The business is changed, and this building is locked. It takes some texts and calls to the Society outside and some wandering around to find the Alliance building.

And there's David looking -- off, somehow. He can't put his finger on what. But it doesn't matter, because at least he's found him.

His stomach tightens as he approaches and David looks at him with absolutely no recognition. He'd expected that. But it hurts worse than he anticipated.

He's about to get a response out when the last bit of David's comment sets in. Better half.

Was Balthier in this picture somehow? And if not--

"You're the one who's broken something important," Balthier says. He has some ideas on how this could work. None of them are particularly pretty. "Not your fault, but broken all the same."

His fingers go into his pocket, fidgeting with the pocket watch David gave him for solstice.