[Claudine wishes it was as simple as a reflex. She manages to take her hand away from her mouth, even nodding once before the instinct to imitate Ashitaka takes over.]

Thank you. I think that getting it cleaned and bandaged is definitely a good call. Those spindles are sharper than they look. I don’t know why in the world I was so compelled to touch the thing.

[She starts to extend her non-injured hand, but stops short.]

Lead the way? I’m afraid I’m still new around here and don’t know the town very well yet.