It is extremely difficult to stay dignified under the circumstances, but they are both making a valiant effort.

There's a brief pause there like she's not sure what to do, and then she shakes the other woman's hand. Her grip is off, too. Too hard, but stiff, like she's not used to this gesture. (Most people don't want to get their fleshy bits that close to her hands.) There's a moment, like there always is, where she's not sure whether to give her name or designation. "Laura."