How cheerful she was, compared to her brother – and so talkative, too. He was taken aback by just how easily she welcomed him into what he assumed was the only safe space she and Edmund had.

Malachi’s head lowered slightly as she expressed her gratitude, but whether it was out of shyness or habit was hard to tell. In truth he never knew how to respond to being thanked; never managed to convince anyone that he did things just because he wanted to.

Her enthusiasm, though! It was infectious. He felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, against his will.

“Oh,” he said again, readying an excuse to leave, but then the door was opening farther and he’d have felt bad if he said no. He didn’t have to imagine how lonely it could be when you were stuck in a room by yourself.

“Ah- sure, I can stay for a moment. Thank you.”

That was that, then. Malachi stepped into the room, already surveying it again. Nothing looked any worse than it had from the doorway. The furnishings were solid, the beds looked comfortable, and with any luck the food they provided was decent. His head turned upon hearing the girl’s inquiries, and he blinked before the words seemed to register.

His coat and hat? He supposed his cassock did sort of look like a coat, buttoned up as it was. It felt hot enough to be one.

“Sure,” he said again, his low voice kept softer now that he was in the room. He removed his hat and held it out to Mable; the scent of lavender clung to it.

“You hardly made for poor company. Traveling is hard on anyone,” Malachi assured, “and a tour would be wonderful. Have you been able to explore town much yet?”