Stavanger Bay this is happening

The agouti male sat up, blinking before smiling slightly. He had not expected her to actually answer him but it was a start. "It's fine, you didn't wake me up. I didn't sleep." he said softly, dipping his head at her politely. "Merely thinking about my worthless life." he muttered to himself, hoping Thistle hadn't heard him.

He turned to smile at her softly, his gaze not meeting her eyes in case she thought he was challenging her. "If you don't mind me saying this, milady, I think the name Thistle suits you rather well." he'd meant it as a compliment to her and hoped she didn't think of it as an insult.