[ She moves behind him as she begins taking measurements, mostly so he won't see the wide variety of incredulous facial expressions she makes as he tells the story. At least, not until he looks at her directly.

She's kneeling down beside him, taking the measurement from his waist to his ankle when he actually addresses the obvious elephant in the room. How much it actually works is plain on her face. ]

With all due respect, Seymour, I don't see how that could be the case. [ And she really hates that she can't call him Mr. Guado. It feels like a forced familiarity when she'd prefer professional distance, especially while he's still calling her Ms. Maryam.

She jots down another number on her pad before returning to her feet. And while it may not be prudent, and may ultimately cost her the job, she finds herself struggling not to answer him honestly. If he doesn't want her services for it, well, she'll survive. ] Certainly, if you want to look at in purely utilitarian terms, I am filling a need just as they had. But to compare those services does the heroes of your world a severe disservice. I am not saving lives today, even if I am helping to improve the quality of a single life.

I'm under no illusions, I'm a paid artisan accommodating a luxury. And I'm very good at it! But these Al Bhed you speak of, they sound like a very brave people standing strong in the face of grave danger. When the circumstances call for it, I would like to think I could be their equal, but to invoke them in my trade?

It's a bit silly, frankly.