Firestone Hot Springs enthralled

He wasn't quite sure how to feel about her uncertain plans. Sad, of course - and oddly relieved. He knew that he was setting himself up for heartache, here, but at least he was hearing about these plans. At least he had the opportunity to ready himself. (And he wondered why he had not felt the same way when asking if Moonstone would be setting off on her own one day; a part of him didn't have to wonder at all.)

"I'm a real slow learner," he agreed, shifting slightly and - perhaps accidentally - shuffling closer. The water was relaxing, and Grayday was, admittedly, somewhat starved for this sort of contact. "You'll probably have to take care of us through the winter, at the very least."

He couldn't even feel bad about trying to tie her down for that amount of time; now was not the season to be setting off on voyages. "We're close to the water," he added. "Close enough. We could go down every few days. And your cousin could come to visit."

These were lazy words; unguarded. Perhaps if he hadn't stayed up with the kids last night, or if the warm water hadn't relaxed him so, or if the Spiritwalker's presence didn't cast such a spell... perhaps he would've thought twice about such blatant fantasies.