It pains him, too, seeing that forced smile on her face. He knows the time since he was kidnapped was hell for both of them, and that until she has him home safe, she isn't going to start relaxing.

Still, on the list of scenarios he was grappling with, this wasn't in the worst three. They're together. They have Zeda. They have a real chance of putting this to rest.

He takes a big swig of water, rinsing his mouth and spitting, then drinking deeply.

"Aerith, if we get the chance--"

But he doesn't get to finish that thought because there are explosions sounding, and he knows better than to delay Zeda's timing.

He hates that he has to lean on Aerith at all, but he's stiff and sore. Still, the movement helps, and he starts to warm up. Once he's caught his breath, he nods at her question.

"Nothing terrible; they wanted me in good shape." Probably for torture and trial, but he wasn't going to worry too deeply about that now. "The magic's working." And then he bites his lip, glancing at her.

"Aerith, if we get the chance -- we should kill Piaget. He's not going to stop."

This wasn't kindness, or even strategy. He was toying with them, because he was going to ruin them one way or the other. Balthier had seen him do it to others.