[ He rubs her shoulder idly. Yeah. Hangovers are one thing-- they're at least familiar. But this strange, alien feeling born of something he's grown to be so comfortable with, being alone... That's something else entirely. At least having a clutch here would be to his advantage, all that closeness made necessary by sharing a cave. A decade of a human existence has worn off on him, though. He feels anxious just thinking about that much contact with others, especially people who don't know what he is.

Thus why it's easier with Cathy. And why he can joke with her. ]

Ain't gone all scaly an' four-legged yet. Don't think I'd get many people willin' to cozy up with me that way, yeah?