Gods above, but did she miss this. Just studying him intently, the expression warming his stern features, the affection that always seemed to lurk in his tone when they spoke. Trying to memorize them like she’d never realized she should when she was younger and he seemed to be untouchable, unassailable. But she had the chance now, and she’d take it.

She let him take her hands without any fuss, wanting that contact too, that assurance that this was indeed real. A small shake of her head at the question, a sour grimace crossing her face.

“Not here. It’s hidden safely back home, but no one here came through with anything familiar.” She felt an urge to reassure him though. If she had Needle it meant that she’d not fallen into too much danger, right? “I’ve made myself a practice sword to continue working on my forms, but it’s not the same.”