This man could kill him. Would kill him. Two lives to save the world. Yeah, that's not a bad trade in his books. In fact, it's the best trade ever.

The compulsion makes Thunderclap glare at him. He wants to move away. Instead he lets himself sink to the ground and offers a gauntlet covered hand out to the child.

"I don't have time to dally. Come on."

Don't, David screaming. You can't take him into danger. I can't take him into danger. Balthier can't do this.

And in that moment his face flickers to be David, but older, gaze intense and disapproving.