[ Echoed readily, with a stiff smile, and without the same sense of determined hopefulness she seems to carry. Is that still the drink talking, or something else buried not quite as deep in him as he'd thought? Maybe the drink isn't even causing anything, just opening floodgates in the same sort of way most of the other food and drink around here does. Either way, it embarrasses him to feel almost flayed bare in front of a complete stranger, especially one clearly trying harder than she has any reason to to make sure he doesn't teeter too far over that unseen ledge. It's only been with words so far, distant enough that he figures it's probably just some ingrained politeness, or some measure of decency most of those waking up here find for their fellows.
His relief is almost palpable then, certainly clear enough in the way his expression softens, lightens as if a burden lifts alongside the very question. Out of the blue, yes. Unwelcome, hardly. His smile remains hesitant, but still looks like a step back onto steady land. ]
Sure. Beach is a lot like a desert. Sand doesn't hold heat the same way soil does.
[ There are a couple of abandoned towels around, sand-covered and half-buried, but not quite within even his long arm's reach. So, he does the next best thing he can figure, not asked for but in anticipation all the same, and strips off his tanktop. It's not exactly a blanket, but she's petite enough that it'll cover her shoulders at least, if she wants it. Besides, between the fire and the alcohol and his own seemingly bottomless shame, he's running a bit hot despite the air. He'll hold off on offering an arm too, though, unless it looks like she's wanting or expecting it. ]
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[ Echoed readily, with a stiff smile, and without the same sense of determined hopefulness she seems to carry. Is that still the drink talking, or something else buried not quite as deep in him as he'd thought? Maybe the drink isn't even causing anything, just opening floodgates in the same sort of way most of the other food and drink around here does. Either way, it embarrasses him to feel almost flayed bare in front of a complete stranger, especially one clearly trying harder than she has any reason to to make sure he doesn't teeter too far over that unseen ledge. It's only been with words so far, distant enough that he figures it's probably just some ingrained politeness, or some measure of decency most of those waking up here find for their fellows.
His relief is almost palpable then, certainly clear enough in the way his expression softens, lightens as if a burden lifts alongside the very question. Out of the blue, yes. Unwelcome, hardly. His smile remains hesitant, but still looks like a step back onto steady land. ]
Sure. Beach is a lot like a desert. Sand doesn't hold heat the same way soil does.
[ There are a couple of abandoned towels around, sand-covered and half-buried, but not quite within even his long arm's reach. So, he does the next best thing he can figure, not asked for but in anticipation all the same, and strips off his tanktop. It's not exactly a blanket, but she's petite enough that it'll cover her shoulders at least, if she wants it. Besides, between the fire and the alcohol and his own seemingly bottomless shame, he's running a bit hot despite the air. He'll hold off on offering an arm too, though, unless it looks like she's wanting or expecting it. ]