Riku was in the middle of his conversation with the Lady Belle, exchanging stories with Belle about the conditions of the Keep once they left, when he heard his name. "Namine!" Really, Belle couldn't blame him for breaking off his conversation to hug her tightly to his chest. "Certainly," Belle said with a smile. "Riku, we will catch up later."
He smiled at her, and then looked down at his little sister. "You look radiant," he gushed, "More beautiful than I remember. I am outdone," he said with a sigh. "My sister will always be the beauty of the family."
Hayner thought Riku was so weird. Of COURSE the girl would be the beauty of the family! And furthermore-ACK! "Yes, Sir," Hayner said, and, after a moment turned to hug his grandfather properly. It was too joyous a time to uphold the best of standards of behavior. "I will try." Perhaps Roxas could be convinced to return home for awhile; because if he did not go with Hayner, Hayner wouldn't go. "You are well though, Grandfather?" Hayner pulled back and studied Cid with a critical eye. "An old man such as yourself is beyond the call for war." Yes, he was a little stinker sometimes.
"General Rothar," Leon greeted the Trabian, who bowed customarily, "Maybe I finally at last welcome you and your people to Balamb in my own words. Your aid has been invaluable, and surely we would have had a much worse time of it if not for the arms of our friends. We have rooms and food ready and at your disposal, but that does little to fully express my gratitude. Will you, your commanders," General Rothar could pick, "And the Balamb Commanders," he nodded towards Conrad, "Join my family and I for dinner tonight?"
"It would be a honor, Your Majesty," General Rothar said, giving the Prince a smile. He looked like he was doing well. "I assure you, we have my stories to tell."