[At first their separate lives had worked well, but now... the closer they get the more entangled they become and it's no longer just good clean fun and flirting around.

But Balthier is worth this. Balthier is worth changing for, even if that change isn't that significant in the scheme of things. It's not even that he's changing because of any push or shove from Balthier's side of things, but because he wants to be a better man.

The better man Ryder saw him in, the man that Balthier sees in him too. Maybe he's already that, but sometimes he's not sure who or what he is. He's been a lot of things since coming to Andromeda, especially to Kadara... perhaps taking all those faces and masks and putting them into one would be the best thing.]

You could tell me you were a god yourself and I might believe, you know.

[It feels good when Balthier makes another point of connection between them, more reassurance for the both of them. Finally it feels like he can breathe a little easier, like there's a light at the end of whatever tunnel they'd been in. A small smile tugs at the corners of his lips, head nodding.]

All I can ask of you is to be patient with me. I'm a foolish man, Balthier. Add it to the list, right? Greedy, selfish and foolish, not sure why you put up with my nonsense.

[He's mostly joking, but a part of him does wonder sometimes.]

Promise I won't make any decisions irrationally, I have to talk with Keema about this. You'll be the second to know when I've made a decision.

[Because Keema will be the first, as his right hand woman.]