[He reaches over, taking the plate and replacing it on the coffee table before pulling Ashe more securely against him, leaned over enough that it's natural to kick his feet up onto the couch and lounge if he sees fit, rather than just sitting.]

All right, so. This one time when we were younger, Hilda wanted to go for a walk in the woods — the ones near Fódlan's Throat. So out we go, 'cause Holst could never say no to Hilda for anything, and wouldn't you know it, while we're out walking this big horde of monsters comes out of nowhere and approaches us.

Now, Holst, he's carrying his practice sword, right? Just one of those ones made of wood, nothing with a blade. And I've got my fists of course, but even that against a whole mess of monsters — whew! But Holst whips out his sword and he says to me, Balthus, you take Hilda and run, and you don't stop for anything. You run until she's safe, even if it kills you.

[He laughs, softly.]

It about did! I put her on my back and ran all the way back to Duke Goneril's manor. Not a short run, let me tell you! Hilda was crying and crying, and as soon as I got her back, I dropped to my knees and threw up. A waste of a good lunch, that's for sure.