[Blinks... and just barely keeps from trembling. Indeed, the only reason he doesn't shiver is because she's leaning on him and then she'd feel it. Feel that susceptibility.]

Won't it? [His eyes are dark, and he doesn't say anything for a little bit, just continues focusing on breathing, the taste of the cigarette, the burn of the nicotine, so addicting, and even worse in this form, this half phoenix state, raw and burnt like embers in a dying campfire.] I don't know what the future holds, but an era in which Blackbeard sucks in old homes is not something I can look forward to with excitement right now, forgive me.