Firestone Hot Springs please sign on the dotted line

This encounter, as Maera soon learned, was as unpredictable as the springs they had run from. One minute they were getting along really, really well and Maera could feel her guard lowering and her smile getting broader, then she felt as if she was suddenly talking to a rock - because like a rock, Terence was completely unresponsive to Maera's humor. There was just no way of knowing.

And despite, Terence made no further comments about her coming along and actually seemed pretty chill about her lack of response, Maera couldn't help but feel a little awkward bubbling in her stomach. There were no more words for her to speak, or none that came to mind, until he again talked about nature.

Should she ask what he thought of the weather to make the conversation less awkward?
No, Maera, no.

"yeah" she answered simply, adding in her head ...self proclaimed one. Then as he joked about the birds, Maera cracked a smile that bordered being geniune and being fake. Of course she liked the taste of birds also, but she often tried to avoid eating them for she enjoyed much more to watch them. 

For a second, Maera thought again about mentioning the habit that had fed her interest on birds, but again she hesitated. Surely he wouldn't care. And surely, because of her decision to remain silent, she'd never know.

"so what do you like most?" she then barked, half just to keep the conversation alive, and the other half because she wondered if he too was a botanist and perhaps they could share some tips.