"I'm the brains of the operation," he said with a little smirk. Booker did have a fairly tactical mind but this was simple logic. Start with a sword fighter willing to take mercy on him and work his way up the chain of ruthlessness.

He bows his head forward to pour some water across the back of his neck and then rub it across his shoulder. He immediately felt cooler and breathed a little easier. "...thank you. For more than the training. I know I haven't been myself for... a long time."

And his friend stuck with him. Still cared about him. Booker was grateful. Touched. There was a lot.