Whether he had to or not was not something the Tidebreaker needed to comment on; the work was done and that meant that no one needed to linger in the cold any longer than they wanted to now. He inclined his head in acceptance and then ducked his head to get through a doorway that had not been built for someone of his height. Merles just beamed to see that the stranger really was a friend of his niece, and a welcome one at that.
"Naw, naw, but thank you. I'm late enough as it is, an' this night's not gettin' any warmer. You be takin' care, gel, an' I'll see you next week." With a wave, Uncle Merles headed back to turn the wagon and the tempermental young Tess around and head home to his own family and dinner.
Hadama had paused just inside the door to begin the process of removing the heaviest outermost layers of his winterwear: gloves off, scarf unwound, coat unbuttoned and hung on a waiting hook, and the heavy boots paintstaking unlaced to free heavy-stockinged feet. Only then did he look around the inside of the cozy little home with interest, emerald eyes eventually falling on the table with its layer of greenery. "I hope I am not interrupting...?" he asked, turning to look at his hostess with a flicker of concern in eyes the same shade as some of the decorations.
"Naw, naw, but thank you. I'm late enough as it is, an' this night's not gettin' any warmer. You be takin' care, gel, an' I'll see you next week." With a wave, Uncle Merles headed back to turn the wagon and the tempermental young Tess around and head home to his own family and dinner.
Hadama had paused just inside the door to begin the process of removing the heaviest outermost layers of his winterwear: gloves off, scarf unwound, coat unbuttoned and hung on a waiting hook, and the heavy boots paintstaking unlaced to free heavy-stockinged feet. Only then did he look around the inside of the cozy little home with interest, emerald eyes eventually falling on the table with its layer of greenery. "I hope I am not interrupting...?" he asked, turning to look at his hostess with a flicker of concern in eyes the same shade as some of the decorations.
