[He picks up on the unsaid question, and considers it carefully. How much would be prudent to say? How much would get him an admonishment? And should he even be afraid of such a thing, right here, right now?]

I'm just a touch on edge, I think, and perhaps that isn't a bad thing, considering where we are. It's only unfortunate that being on edge hasn't stopped me from getting into trouble.

[He turns his staff over in his hands, and decides not to leave it at just that. They both know what this is about, at least in part, and they're simply waiting for someone to be the one to say it. Ion recognizes that it's on him...it probably always was.]

...I never expected to see you again. It's just so surprising, so I'm sorry if I've been standoffish.