As Crane gradually rose from his seat, Malachi did the same from where he knelt on the floor. He straightened up and knocked a bit of dust from his cassock, then took a few steps away, back towards his own side of the table.

"Gifts are given freely, constable," he insisted with a smile. "It is rude to return them."

With a glance down to his bowl, Malachi considered it for a moment before turning his gaze back to Crane.

"And it's quite alright. I should be getting back to the church before it gets too late -- wouldn't want to run into any of those criminals you mentioned," it was a joke, but was it really?

He'd take the rings off just in case. Malachi pushed in his chair, and asked, "are you sure you're alright?"