Mayland's arrival elicits a full-on grin and even a little pleased exclamation. Ambrose goes through several responses: the old head-bob which almost turns into a bow, the raising of his left arm as is to embrace the other man, then reaching out with his right hand for a shake before he catches himself.

A quick analysis of all this shows that his new-old friend is someone he respects, someone he's close with but perhaps not that close or maybe he was. Ambrose lowers his left arm, calling off the half-hug for now but despite the briefness of Mayland's smile he thinks he may deploy it yet.

"You too," he replies, the grin not going anywhere. "Sorry I've missed you, it's been...well, 'peculiar' just begins to cover it."