[The connection of a gentle, guiding touch to his shoulder forces Baptiste to pause from his yapping. His head swivels, tilting in curiosity at a gesture that so purposefully seemed to hold him in high esteem.

As if he were vulnerable? As if the other man had begun to tread with care? His question of the hovering hand and the ghost of a touch that followed is answered quickly as Concord speaks.

Even in a moment of his words being taken out of context, a glimpse at this man's integrity is enough to keep Baptiste smiling. The intensity in Baptiste's unnatural blue eyes softens. He reaches up to meet Concord's hovering hand before guiding it to truly rest on his shoulder. Warmth radiates from Baptiste's flesh - having been sunkissed from a day of working on this strange beach.]

I do not feel coerced by you, sir. [Baptiste chuckles, gaze falling to look at where his hand still covers Concord's. As a gesture of trust, he has yet to lift his hand - though Concord is by no means trapped if he attempts to pull away.] I've meant every word I've told you. That I want to give something to you. And that companionship with you sounded rather nice. [A thoughtful pause.] This place may be coercive, but that does not mean the people caught up in it are.