[There had been a time less than a decade ago that his presence wouldn't immediately draw people's hands towards their weapons, least of all those who knew him well. Time, trauma and a violent narrative changed a lot of things for a lot of people, but the fact that she immediately dropped a hand down told him all that he needed to know about the state of her trust of him.

Nada. Nil. Zilch. Good because in the end, that was where she was likely the safest.

Reaper nudged at the dragon with its head buried in his jacket, drawing its attention out. It looked up at his finely carved mask and made a dragon noise that was probably supposed to be cute and convincing. He only nudged at it again, moving to convince it to extract itself from his lap.]

And yet look how you handled it. The girl isn't dead yet, but like all things, old soldiers are only good for burning bridges. [Literally, figuratively and emotionally.

He shrugged at her observation.]

Only a moron doesn't do reconnaissance. I wouldn't have thought you'd be so foolish to be on the ground with your back so open.