Wow. Pepper's not normally this quiet. She's not one to think before she speaks, so this is extremely off.

"Yeah," he says. "They're not."

He continues to oil the blade, checking it for spots of rust. "It's like there was another earthquake, almost. I don't really know how to explain it."

Then he sheathes the sword, satisfied with it, and looks at her. "How are you doing?"

He's not going to let her lie about this. He knows her too well.