Stone Circle dogwood & pine

Holy shit, thought Murdock, brows creeping up further and further and further as Illecebra went on. First words she'd ever said to him, and it was already a bit much for the older male. He was glad he wouldn't have to worry about Poppy being eaten by the woman, but damn, did she have to talk so much? And get so deep so fast?

"Yeah," he said uncomfortably, agreeing somewhat, but mostly just wondering what sort of chip the woman had on her own shoulder. Life sucked, but you just had to get over it. "I mean, I haven't personally experienced that. But I guess."

He stopped to sniff at a scent marker. Valette, two days ago. "You were gone for a while, huh?" he asked her, trying to steer the conversation back toward smooth waters.