Quote Originally Posted by Berteaux_Braumegain View Post
The way I see that is that they didn't really have the time to set that up like they wanted. Gaia is outright rude to everyone for the entirety of the tier, and the questline ends with Thancred and Urianger stating that they're likely going back home in 5.3 and will not be around for the Raid's conclusion in 5.4.

It might just be bias on my part, but I'm inclined to believe that Gaia's development from rude to nice was meant to occur in the third tier, much like Ramza in Ivalice, since it did feel a bit like it was on fast forward. But delaying it that long would require Thancred and Urianger to go "Okay, we're out Ryne. Have fun staying with this girl who hates you once we all go back to our original lives." And that'd be pretty terrible!
I for one like terrible people in my happy go lucky story lines. She'll have a change of heart for her girlfrie- I mean new friend, but it's a pleasant reminder that not everyone likes you or your company right off the bat. And as a Eulmoran set in the mentality of Lord Vauthry's reign, it'd be weird to have her sweet and serene immediately.