He blinked when he realized who it was. Malia. Her voice was soft, but on edge. Guarded. He slid the hatchet back into place and turned after her, his long step keeping pace with her readily. The backpack was new. Clearly she'd gone and managed to get her things without any real issue. He frowned to himself and reached out to touch her shoulder, his tone cautious. "What's wrong? Why are you walking the streets with a knife in your hand? Has the village turned that hostile toward you?" He never considered she might have seen the binder or the notes about her. He hadn't even gotten that far in his own research yet.