He was a little relieved when she let him go; not only was it distracting, she was doing it in front of someone he'd never met. He guessed Meche wouldn't have hugged him in front of someone she didn't know or like, though, so it didn't shock him when she introduced her as a friend.

He wasn't that famous, but he wasn't complaining. Manny just didn't want Senna to get the wrong idea. ... Even though 'the wrong idea' in this case was probably the right one. "You're one of the leaders?" he asked, surprised and a bit confused, but not sounding offensive. He wondered if the LSA recruited agents that young.

As Meche handed over his 'presents', he gave them a quick glance before pocketing them. He then looked down at the sword Senna was carrying. He didn't like where this was going, but he held his hand out anyway. If it was too heavy, he'd just give it back. Either way, they'd never get him fighting with that thing.