"That was a sound only you are ever likely to hear," he allows, a memory that he is more open around her than he's used to being, but not wanting to take that away either. He has to make the choice to change if it's worth it for her. For them. Isn't this the place for it, is only that he has no reputation as Dirtyhands to uphold. Yet that didn't mean he was truly ready to let go of who he is. Just to maybe open those doors a bit. For some.

"A regular inn," he says with an entirely different snort like sound than he'd given before. "Is there such a thing?" Though now he's curious about this Mag who isn't him and who has employed his Wraith without utilizing her greatest traits. At least not on the surface, and certainly not if she's running a "regular" inn.

He watches her move, leaning back slightly as she does. It feels suddenly like too much, leaving an uncertainty he's not sure about. Yet when she slides her hand into place, her words come back to him. How much is he willing to give?

This time his fingers come to rest against hers, curling around her index finger and holding onto that connection as they talk.

"Oh there's so much I already hate about this place," he says, tones flat because it will be a while before he gets over that pool and how somehow they come to naked and in water. "But it's working to redeem itself. As for the dangers, with having others here we can certainly explore with the others to watch from outside, as well as establishing a place at some point where we can ensure our safety as best we can."

Nothing is ever perfect, but they have made "safe" places before. They could do it again.

They way she talks of this Small Science -- it has to be the same in some ways, after all -- if she talks about it that way, then he has to assume she's experienced herself.

"What sort of gift have you gained from this place?"