[ Vash does a good job of pretending not to notice this (unexpectedly cute) deer-in-headlights reaction to some very basic TLC; he instead keeps up his poker face of clinical examination that is just a tad too exaggerated to be believable. he takes Link's offered hand within his own to give the Shard - and the skin around it - a cursory glance, nodding in a decidedly Wise manner. ]

Like I thought.

[ ...

.......

he releases Link's hand, and gives him a light - if admonishing - BONK on the head. ]

What're you trying to do, idiot?? You're one light breeze away from keeling over! Man...

[ but Vash is already fishing beneath his shirt toward his chest where his own Shard sits, gently removing the bulb that houses a crystalized red geranium. ]

C'mon. That kid's never gonna forgive you if you croak after all this.