Fine. I'm here. Like I have been for [a rowdy band of bards marches past, covering up the exact amount of time in question here].

[There's a short pause that's probably pretty awkward, possibly more so for one of them than the other.]

You know this type of sentimentality would only be a weapon if I wanted you dead, yes? The world's still in danger and if you're not going to let me deal with it then you need to survive and do it yourself.