[Ha ha oh boy. The other time he spoke to her she didn't manifest like this. It's a little different to put a concrete shape to her (as concrete as fog can be, anyway). To his credit he doesn't shy away as she gets closer. Four years ago he would have but four years ago he still thought gnomes were scary.]

That's partly why I figured I should. I haven't thought of myself as a human for a good long while now.

[He's well and truly naturalized. And if he's no longer railing against the body he's in, then there's no point in being mad at the person who put him in it. Privately he thinks 'worship' and 'devotion' aren't the right words at all, but there's no point in arguing with her about it. His particular brand of loyalty seems welcome either way. Getting persnickety the moment he slithers through the door would be a misstep.]

Thank you. For givin' me a chance, I mean, even after -- it's just, I did spend about a year makin' myself a thorn in your side and all. It's kind of you.