Well— no, of course not.

[Holst might have asked, but even if he hadn't, Balthus would have done things the exact same way. It's just who he is, beneath all the bluster.

His confidence may not have returned in its entirety just yet, but he does give Ori one of his most winsome smiles.]

Feel like I'd have to be a real heel otherwise. Wouldn't mean much if my heart wasn't in it, either.

[He does it because he wants to, he knows that much.]