It is the closest equivalent to a hug one can reasonably expect from a hound of this size. Raine lifts her free hand to rest gently over Valdis's neck for a moment, so long as Valdis is there. She lets go when Valdis steps back. "Then I consider myself fortunate."

Their relationship hasn't always been smooth; but Raine is glad they have come to this. "You aren't so far changed that I can't recognize you, at least," Raine says judiciously, thoughtful. "And your mana signature remains approximately the same, all in all. Would it help you to speak of the difficulty?"