Caractacus returned the grimace that passed as a smile to the slith. [color=dimgray]"Aha. The l-last of our party arrives. If we are all ready, it is b-best we make haste."[/color]

Caractacus was about to strike out, when an idea struck him. [color=dimgray]"A th-thought occurs, if I may. If you've supplies that p-perhaps you do not need on hand at all times, my zomb--er, servants are more than capable of carrying them. It will make traveling easier with uh, less burden to bear, yes?"[/color] Caractacus unslung the leather rucksack from his back and handed it off to one of his two zombies. It did not even occur to him that the others may not appreciate having their goods handled by a shambling corpse. A hazard of his isolation.

Caractacus nodded to them both, and turned to start walking. Two paces down the road, he stopped. [color=dimgray]"Um--I j-just realized. I d-don't think I caught either of your n-names. Or m-maybe I just uh, forgot them. If I did, I'm s-sorry. I'm uh, Caractacus, if you didn't know mine..."[/color] He turned and kept walking, trying to keep the shame at his own awkwardness from showing.