[The hug is startling, but not in a bad way. There's a slight tensing for a moment, as Steven represses his own instincts for what to do with being unexpectedly grappled, but he's able to smile easily at Leonardo afterward, once they both pull back.

(He's definitely a handsome man at this age, Steven thinks, though it's odd to see him so young, when all the images he's ever seen of the man--drawings and statuary--show him in the fullness of his long years.)]

It was no trouble at all, honestly. Thace has been stockpiling them, in anticipation of heading down Victory Road together in a month or so, and he was fine with me sending a few onward.

And-- would you like to talk to a bird?

[It's at this point that a little round green ball of a Natu swoops down to perch on Steven's shoulder. He reaches up to give her a little scritch.]

Isis. She was my friend Tyler's before he left and she's quite psychic.