It was a fascinating conversation. Uh-oh. Anyone else, and X might have taken that straight; because it was Valdis, he knew instantly not to.

He picked up the sword, and threw it back towards Valdis in the same way she'd thrown it to him. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't far off the mark either. For all that handling any sort of weapon was still abhorrent enough to make him drop one thrown to him, you didn't befriend dozens of warriors without picking up something.

"Fascinating," X repeats, dubious. "What did you talk about?"