[ she looks a bit taken back by his (accurate) assessment, visibly pulling back as she blinks over and over like that will help her confirm that, yes, he indeed said that to her.

but then she smiles and raises her hands in front of her. the universal 'you got me there' gesture if there ever was one. ]

It's what I worried about when I thought of doing this myself, I admit. Last thing I want to do is break or damage the needed materials in them.

[ but... ] I do feel uncomfortable at the idea of making you do all the work when I can try to do something. It doesn't seem right.