"We can group hug about it later, if you're feeling deprived of physical contact," he jokes in reply, then after heaving the furniture against the door and just narrowly avoiding that lashing appendage, Deacon makes a show of dusting himself off.

"Whew!" he exclaims, smiling at his new companion. Introductions can come later... it isn't as if Deacon plans to give out his real name, anyway.

"Couldn't have said it better myself. Do you know the way?"