"Please do not encourage him," Balthier said when they were alone, Balfonheim falling away behind them. "I've no need of an apprentice."

Basch took a moment to rewind until he found the conversation to which Balthier referred: days ago, on the gleaming pathways of Giruvegan. He had, perhaps, enjoyed too much the needling of Balthier at Vaan's expense. "Are you not a master of your trade? Or is it that you were a particularly obnoxious apprentice and fear divine retribution?" At Balthier's silence he laughed, clapping a hand to Balthier's shoulder. "He is an eager pupil; you could do worse."

"I've no interest in better or worse; I've no need of an apprentice."

Laughing again, Basch kissed the vaguely-petulant frown from Balthier's lips. "Very well, Master Sky Pirate."