- Phew, I'm stuffed! Looks like you can really pack it
[cdb]away too, pal.
- Still can't compete with you, Balthus. That sure did
[cdb]hit the spot, though.
- Got that right. Now we can charge into tomorrow's
[cdb]battle fully energized.
- Hey, what say we make a little bet? See who can go
[cdb]deeper into enemy territory.
- Absolutely not.
- Sure, but only to compare results.
- No way. Warfare and wagers aren't a good mix.
- I mean, yeah, we're fighting for renown out there,
[cdb]but it's not a game. It's life and death.
- All right, but only to compare who made it farther in
[cdb]the end. No other stakes.
- I'm not about to risk my life behind enemy lines just
[cdb]to win a bet.
- Way I see it, us mercenaries fight for two things:
[cdb]gaining renown and staying alive. This isn't some
[cdb]kind of game.
- Figured you'd say something like that. You seem like
[cdb]the type.
- And yet you asked me anyway. Don't try to drag me
[cdb]down with you, Balthus.
- What's wrong with a little game of chance? It's not
[cdb]like it's evil or something.
- Then what would you call it? Financially
[cdb]irresponsible?
- Because I don't wanna end up broke either.
Not like some people I know.
- You're one tough nut, I'll give you that. But I'm not
[cdb]talking about money.
- You know what I'm getting at, right? When you're on
[cdb]the battlefield, the only thing you can bet is your life.
- That's exactly what I take issue with.
- OK, I know this might sound a little far-fetched,
[cdb]but hear me out.
- This oughta be good.
- Whatever you do, you'll do it ten times better if
[cdb]you're having fun, right? That's the key to success.
- Sounds about right.
- This is different.
- I mean, you're not wrong.
- See? So there's nothing wrong with having a little fun
[cdb]on the battlefield, whether it's with bets or with
[cdb]something else.
- I'd probably agree if our lives weren't on the line out
[cdb]there. Battles are different and you know it.
- You could be having the time of your life one
[cdb]minute, then one slip up and you're bleeding out
[cdb]on the ground.
- Look, I get where you're coming from. Really.
But my way's gotten me this far.
- Living on that edge between victory and death is the
[cdb]key to survival.
- Maybe for you. But that's not how everyone else
[cdb]approaches it.
- I've known plenty of mercs who've said the same
[cdb]thing. But they never made it back home.
- In fact, you're the only one of 'em who's still kicking.
So I'm sorry, but I have to disagree.
- You know, you and I have a lot in common.
We're practically kindred spirits.
- But this is the one thing we don't see eye to eye on.
Strange, isn't it?
- From where I'm standing, the only strange thing is
[cdb]the way you're thinking about this.
- Well, I guess the bet's off then. Let's just put this little
[cdb]chat behind us and give it our all tomorrow.
- Sounds good. Just don't get too reckless and wind up
[cdb]losing your head, OK?