Given as he’d lost hope of anyone picking him up, Addison likely shouldn’t have been watching the cars slow down as they went past with much suspicion, but he was both confused to see the three car caravan and wondering if he’d finally have a chance to get out of the wet. No one else had stopped though, so what was it that changed the pattern? 

He didn’t know. Maybe these were locals and the others had just been passing through. Maybe they had other reasons for showing a bit of kindness to a soggy youth. Maybe the man behind the wheel, looking him over now with a casual disregard for the rain pelting through the open window, was just the friendly sort. Still, shoulders hunched and head pulled down as much as he could manage without turning into a turtle, the young man couldn’t help glancing after the other two cars before he let the promise of warm food and a dry spot lure him inside. Didn’t feel right besides, hesitating while the man’s truck got soaked. Not that scrambling onto the seat and shutting the door really helped. He was already waterlogged and brought it all in with him. Had to resist the urge to shake out, as though it would do anything useful. 

Instead, he struggled out of his backpack straps to bring it around to the front before buckling up, already starting to shiver now he was out of the elements. Hugging his bag and trying to stop the trembles so the heavy man wouldn’t notice, Addison only managed to get out a delayed bit of gratitude after they’d already been underway a good five minutes. The word was quiet, somewhat sheepish, emerging after he blinked out of a brief daze from the sudden change in his surroundings. He’d been mentally preparing himself for a night in the storm when they came by, hadn’t been ready for an open door. Forgot his manners. 

Forgot how nice it was to be off his feet and still moving. So much easier than walking… Though somehow more tiring. Or maybe it was just catching up with him now he was sitting down. 

Needless to say, he didn’t mind the quiet. Didn’t even care to ask where they were going, though he knew he should have been at least a little curious. He didn’t want it to matter, just as long as the promised meal was there. A little too much trust was asking for it, but then, a little too much suspicion could leave you paralysed. Addison only yawned widely, wriggled farther into his seat as though he could vanish into it and left the rest up to fate. Spent most of the ride staring at the dash, trying not to nod off.

The question wrung a tired smile out him, and a lazy sort of nod. Yeah, he wanted a place to stay. For the night, right. Though he had to actually turn towards the guy, an eyebrow raised at the observation that he didn’t look like a City-type. What did City-types look like? For that matter, what type did [i]he[/i] look like then? Though, the guess was pretty accurate; he didn’t like populated areas much. Never had, but it had gotten worse, recently. For good reason, not that he was going to explain that. To anyone.

Though he did grin back, the sudden spark of pale teeth against dark skin briefly lifting his somber aura, and took the proffered hand without hesitation. “Addison. Might take you up on that.” If it wasn’t illegal… He didn’t know which borders he had or hadn’t crossed already. And if he stuck around that long. He didn’t plan on staying more than a night unless the storm got worse. Even then…

He had no plans to settle down soon. A month didn’t seem like enough time, even being constantly on the move, to put the distance he wanted between himself and his memories. But a friendly face was still a nice find. Unfortunately, he wasn’t much up for chatting. He didn’t mind conversation, but Addison had been on his own a while, and words were easy for him to leave behind. The quiet was comfortable, the storm bad enough that letting Angus keep his attention on the road seemed like a good idea. And as the trees opened up to the farmer’s fields he’d been sure had to be somewhere nearby, he had to admit the view was a picturesque ideal. Town looked even smaller than his old place. And Angus thought it counted as city? 

The idea made him smile as he stared out the window, but he wasn’t about to argue the point, populated was populated, size of the population didn’t matter. Well, not much. Definitely had that small town feel though, small town look. Friendlier than some places he’d wandered through. But he still hesitated to follow Angus back into the elements, especially when he saw the little crowd gathered about the building they’d parked near. But, he couldn’t stay in the truck forever.

So, he climbed out, trying to minimize the rain’s intrusion by nearly shutting the door before he was all the way out, and then he stood quietly beside the truck, listening to the rain and faint calls between strangers, watching the man and old lady talking, not sure if he was welcome to join their company until she came over. He followed her without a word, not entirely sure what it was they had to spare but not wanting to make her stand about in the rain either. Hell, [i]he[/i]’d rather not stand about in the rain, so dragging his heels seemed counter-productive. 

Addison only just remembered to glance back at Angus, giving him a wave in lieu of shouting back an extra thank you, before he disappeared inside and stood dripping in a pleasantly old-style foyer. The lady had already wandered off, but he wasn’t about to take one step farther without an invite, or a towel. Dripping all over her floor wasn’t the best way to say thanks. But he couldn’t help looking around some after he shut the door, appreciating the warmth of both four sturdy walls and the cozy interior. Homey. 

Her return with clothes and towels and cheerful attitude despite the weather, had him starting slightly and then smiling again, accepting the proffered collection quietly. “Thank you.”

Once she was gone again, he stood for another long moment, hands out, now full, confused by this turn of events and not entirely certain what to do with it. After a while though, he felt silly just standing there, and the warmth of being out of the wind had turned back to the chill of being soaked. Kicking off his shoes and pulling off his socks, he hurried down the hall until he found the bathroom, grateful there weren’t that many rooms to look through, and closed the door. She’d said he could take his time, but who [i]wanted[/i] to be standing around half naked, or all naked, in a stranger’s house?

He towelled himself vigourously dry, trying to warm up while he did, and was pleasantly surprised to find that she’d not been far wrong with her size estimates. Clean, not wet, and warmer, Addison emerged a few minutes later, no longer dripping with his clothes hung up to dry and his bag resting on both towels for the moment, and stepped into the kitchen, glancing around curiously and unable to keep from sniffing the air slightly. “Thank you, ma’am. Anything I can do?”

He was not the greatest cook in the world, she’d probably regret saying yes, but even if all she needed was a bowl got down, he'd feel more comfortable having something helpful to do. Though, he couldn’t remember now… “Are you Susan or Maggie?”