[The two of them hadn't really spoken enough for her to be sure if his voice is a little bit thick from sleep, if that's her imagination, or if he always sounds that way. Remembering the way he'd sounded when facing down those prismals from Umbris, it might be an easy mistake for anyone to make.]

Ah, good! Good morning. I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time.

[Not because she suspects that she woke him, specifically, more a general, blanket consideration. That easy tone shifts towards the end of her next sentence as a bit of awkwardness creeps into her tone.]

I didn't really get a chance to thank you for your help before, things being as... um... well-- circumstances being what they were.

[How else does one summarize the fact that he was feeling aggressive and possibly horny because of her proximity? Or that she might've been unconsciously drawing all sorts of uncomfortable attention by SCENT. No wonder he'd taken off in such a rush.]

[She has to smile for the patience he demonstrates. She'd already gotten that sense from their encounter that night, but he struck her as someone with compassion for others. You could never know too many people like that, honestly.

She doesn't press when he claims he'd been up already, and the noises in the background and from his own body seem to contradict. Instead she makes a note to find a subtle way to make it up to him for disrupting his morning, even if it wasn't full on sleep she'd interrupted. Her own tone returns mostly to normal then.]

Not at all. I might have been in a lot worse trouble if you hadn't come along to help when you had.

[Because of the number of them she'd drawn. Bad luck on her part, and poor timing too. One or two she could've dealt with, but--]

Yes, it was. Was it that obvious?

[She doesn't sound upset, only sounding a little sheepish now, remembering the way that her heart was racing that night.]

Is it always that... intense? I'd heard that the effects could be overwhelming for some, but if that's what I should expect, perhaps next month I'll have to see about ordering out until they've passed.

[That was a joke.]

I agree. Thank you, very much for stepping in.

[Yes... that's actually something she's worried about herself. He'd drawn the bulk of their ire on her behalf, and don't think for a second that she's content with the thought of him suffering their attempts at retaliation for it.

But it's going to be a bit impossible to do anything about it as long as she remains a passing stranger to him.

More immediately, though... She frowns into her wrist device, not that he'll see it, but he might hear the unease in her tone. She WOULD draw the moon that gets extra hungry and horny, and makes others lose their senses.]

Chroma again... And in order to get more chroma we all have to "moonlace"? Physical contact with others?

Thank the kami for small favors, then.

[Said with a bit of amusement this time.]

It can't be helped. As I understand it every moon blessing has its advantages and drawbacks. We can't do more than make do as best we can. I appreciate the information... but that's actually not why I wanted to speak with you.

[It's not?]

Nope!

[There's a playful sort of sing-song in her tone as she answers, and Cloud might similarly pick up noises in the background of her own apartment. A snuffling sound mixed with a bit of light squealing from one of her pets, and the sound of some substance filling a bowl. It's feeding time for at least two of the little ones who'd accompanied her here.]

If you have an afternoon or an evening free this week, would you mind accompanying me somewhere?

[If it sounds suspiciously like she's asking him out on a date... well, she's not actually, but we'll get to that.]

[Cloud won't see this either, but she grins and pumps a fist silently in triumph.

It's absolutely the silliest thing, but she finds it a fun, trivial little game to try to piece together what's happening on the other side of these vocal correspondences. It would only serve her well to become more accustomed and familiar with the sorts of sounds and sights and smells she'd encounter in this world anyway. Even so, she's not sure what to make of the soft clacking noise she just heard now.

Next time, maybe.]

We're going to dinner, or lunch, and it's my treat. It's my way of thanking you for your help, so I'm glad you've agreed!

[Not that she really gave him full context to say NO... But whatever. It's just a casual meal between friendly... ah... former strangers??]

[It was definitely a sneaky way to go about it, but she had a feeling he'd insist it wasn't necessary if she didn't.

And WAS it necessary? Not in the slightest, but she wanted to do it, so to be sure that he'd let her-- Hey, healers can fight dirty, too.]

Perfect. I'll contact you again soon, once I've made the arrangements. Will that be alright?