Theo gave his rescuer a sidelong look. He could tell the guy thought he was an idiot. Generally, Theo didn't really mind giving off that impression; people were easier to trick when they thought you were too stupid to try anything. But he was getting kind of annoyed with the stranger's tone. As if Theo hadn't tried sleeping on rooftops and in alleys, plenty of times. Couldn't he be excused for seeking a little variety?
He could have made a lot more excuses, too -- they happened to be one of his specialties. He hadn't expected the ocean to get that deep so close to shore, he hadn't anticipated the wildlife, he'd been having a nice dream and had been startled out of it (a lie) ...
But the guy had saved his life. Probably best to just let it go. Theo let his head fall back against the sand. "Rooftops, alleys, gutters -- they're not as hospitable as you might think. But I won't make this mistake again. High and dry for me from here on out."
Theo looked over at his rescuer again, this time with a little more friendliness. "You may be small but you are a mighty swimmer! I'm quite impressed, to say the least. Are you from Torchline?"
The man's unfamiliar accent seemed to suggest otherwise, but then Theo didn't know every Torcher dialect.
can't say good morning without lying twice
