[She hugs back, of course, less worried about being gentle since she knows what he can take. And that comment just makes her grin.]

Hey, I was doing you a favor. Better that I distract him than he get into other people's things and bring their wrath down upon you. And there are plenty of high-strung Orlesians around to get offended at the slightest thing. As I've heard the ambassador say, never underestimate those for whom outrage is a national sport.