[He hands the sword over. Damn, Darin is looking beyond rough. Hijikata starts to idly wander around the forge, looking at all the tools and works in progress.]

This place turned out really nice. I never congratulated you, did I? I should've stopped by sooner, if only for Muramasha's sake... time always runs through my fingers.

[He lets out a half-amused little snort, but internally he's struggling to figure out how to breech the topic that's hanging over their heads. If only Kondou were here... awful as he is with women, with comrades - and Darin counts as one, damn it - the commander always finds the right words. Alas, Hijikata is on his own.]

It can wait, you know, if you need time. Have you been sleeping at all? I'd just ask for a loan sword for the meantime, if you've got any.