Leon snorted disdainfully and put down the plant he'd been working with, not wanting to take his frustration out on the poor thing. "The clubs here don't seem to consider past experience or skills when they make their assignments, only how long one has known the club leader." Leon had stopped working with them partly because of that, and partly because of the way they changed groups around every night--not being able to get used to any one companion's abilities or fighting style was no way to form a group truly capable of working together to their best potential.

At the offer of a handshake Leon hesitated for a moment, largely because his right hand was the one that was mangled and he didn't really like letting other people touch it. But showing weakness by refusing was also unacceptable, so Leon brushed the dirt off his hands and shook Van's hand. Despite the missing fingers, his grip was reasonably firm--it was only holding things steady that he found difficult, or keeping a grip under extreme force.