[ The touch conveys Qui-Gon's emotions - and presence as a solid, warm, real, tangible person - quite well - and he returns it with appreciation and affection for the presence.

It also serves to make him more than academically aware that he is also a tangible person with a physical body, for the first time since well before his arrival here.

Ow?

He takes a drink of the hot tea with one hand and then returns the mug to the table.]

I'm sure that you're right [ Maybe. Diplomacy! ] but it has been a very long... day. [ ...days, likely. ] I am in desperate need of a shower and an hour or two in what Cody seemed to delight in calling a coma would be wise.

After I've finished my tea, and possibly after we've finished the pot.