Nicolas slowly washed his plate, listening to Maria's voice as she spoke.<span style="font-style: italic">She has such a lovely voice... Somewhat soothing... As is her laugh...</span>He looked to her and smiled, "Thank you. I really wasn't expecting it..." His expression turned a bit grim, "I... Just never thought too much of people..."<span style="font-style: italic">At all... I hope it's not gonna hurt to tell her that...</span>He dried the plate and put it away, then turned and looked at Coal. "Well, I still gotta feed her." He poured a bowl of food for her, having her wait until he told her she could have it. "That's a good girl." he said, stroking her head while she ate with her tail happily wagging. "I'm not sure what else we could do." He turned to Maria again, looking deep into her eyes and slipping out for a moment.<span style="font-style: italic">Is this even really happening...?</span>He shook it off and began moving to the living room again. "I just sit around the fire. No tv or anything this far out. Lucky I have power." He sat in his chair and looked at the fire that was slowly dwindling. "I see you kept the fire going as well." He knelt down and put another log in the fire place, poking it around, making sure it was getting a good bit of flame to get it started, the flames building back to a large size again. "You know, I do have a radio..."<span style="font-style: italic">Geez... I forgot I had it...</span>"I haven't used it in a long time. I'm sure the batteries are still good. If not, I think the plug is around here somewhere...." He slowly got out of his kneeling position, his knees and back popping and cracking as he moved to the radio. He shot her a smile, "Is this fine with you?"