Most of Rue's face wasn't visible, but the sudden cant of his head and the pause in his stride indicated surprise. "Of course, how silly of me. Of course you would be armed."

How 'Rue' should know that was for Valdis to figure out.

He withdrew his arm from hers and took a step back, one foot pointed out farther than the other, and dipped into a shallow but oh-so-polite bow with one hand on his midsection and the other held out at his side.

"I'm in a constant state of 'dying of impatience,' truth be told," he replied with an amused tone, "but some things are worth waiting for. I shall be here when you're ready."