Balthier is so much fun to write, bless him. He has a healthy sense of humor, which is -- uh, something that not everyone in the cast has by the time the game rolls around.
I'm glad you like my take on Penelo. I haven't written that much of her before this -- well, nothing long -- but her determination and stubbornness are really growing on me. Plus, Maria keeps flinging Vayne/Penelo bunnies at me, and guh.