Manabu lets out a polite, empty laugh in his exhale, expression a little pained at that for a second before he can shake his head of it.

"Ye-yeah, sure." Maybe? But if this is really Deerington 2.0, then...he better not hold his breath.

That's nothing to lay on Varian, so he is quick to push past that. "But you're right. Something's...better than nothing. Auh, may I...have that back...?"

He gestures for the saber back. "If that's okay with you."