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"Emelyn. Emelyn White. The biggest hedgehog you're ever likely to see." A small smile crept to her lips- or, rather, what was left of them- and she overruled a strange urge she had to stand and offer her hand to Thom. She chalked it up to the sake of his accent and kept her seat- and hand- steady.

"And this little guy is Reuben." She stroked his white belly gently with her own, furred hand. "And don't worry about... before. He's not hurt. But I suggest to keep yourself fed at all times. The animal instincts are so much stronger when you're hungry."

Reuben flipped over onto his stomach and accepted the offer of the hand to sniff- and while he decided that Thom was a decent sort of animal, Emelyn was remembering that Cody had mentioned a Thom just earlier that day, while telling her which people he'd met that had taken care of him. In those few moments, it took only the Englishman's apology- which she believed was sincere- and the sweet young boy's word that Thom was a "good guy" to accept the snake-man. And, for someone in Emelyn's situation, where the decision of who can be trusted and who couldn't... could be the last decision she ever made... that meant something- beyond animalistic nature... and more than sheer human faith. It was somewhere, nestled- almost protected- in the limbo between the two.

"I believe you. ...And I'm sorry about sniping at you. I'm just very protective of him- especially with the sort that's usually about around here."

Emelyn nodded, assuming by prepared he meant to heed her advice.

"Well, most of the predators have found that the more they eat, the more the instincts let them be." While Thom was focused on the dog, Em was watching him. The excuse she gave herself was one of caution: watch for any instinct of turning, just in case he becomes dangerous... but truly, she knew that it was just that- an excuse. Thom didn't seem to have enough natural weapons to be dangerous, yet- and besides, it was unlikely that where she was staring was possessed of a weapon, anyway- so her defense... quite fell through.

Something about the way his brow folded down, making a near-'V' - caused his eyes to seem all so vivid- even dangerous. Emelyn supposed that it was the animal in him, but the visage fascinated her.

"So... if you don't mind my asking- how long have you been here?"

"Well, honestly I don't think I have much further to go. This is... about it as far as hedgehogs go. I've even entertained the idea that I may be done with it. And I've been here for... well, it depends on what month it is. But in any case... August. I was in the first wave. And speaking of waves..." she stood, brushing the sand out of her fur and rolling herself up onto the balls of her feet to stretch. "I hope I can trust you with my dog for a moment, because I'm roasting."

With that, she walked with her head tipped back to the sun, goggles reflecting the sunlight, headed straight for the surf. It hadn't been lost upon her that Thom was more interested in the dog than the conversation- and so, the waves had beckoned. It was a preferable option to becoming irritated with the man. ...She would return in a moment- but at least for now, Thom was on his own.

Emelyn stopped at the edge of the surf, the wet, packed sand collecting under her toes as she pivoted to look over her shoulder. Thom had crawled to his feet as well, she was surprised to see. But it was the sound of the compliment that had turned her in surprise. He'd said that she was damn lucky, if this was the 'form she was stuck in'. Emelyn wasn't the sort to blush often- and this was no exception, but she did feel a happy flush in her throat... until he finished his sentence. Then she shrugged off her slight disappointment at the true meaning of the words, and gave a soft smile. He'd meant that she was lucky to be a hedgehog- to look somewhat human... it hadn't been a remark upon her looks, as the hedgehog-girl had originally assumed.

"Oh. Well, yeah. It could be worse. Hold on. I'll just dip under. I don't mean to be a rude conversationalist or anything, but I've been outdoors all day. This fur heats up pretty quickly."

With that, she tipped her head back to her goal- the ever-expanding, inescapable sea, and waded through until she was just above knee deep. Then, as a wave rolled in, she allowed herself to half-dive into the shallow shelf, slicing into the water with ease. It was cool, easy, and refreshing. She gave herself only a minute or so, before coming up once more.

Emelyn answered with a nod, rubbing the water off her face in a upwards motion that stopped at the edge of her goggles. She blinked the last few drops off her eyelashes, then trained her temporarily foggy vision to Thom.

"...Have you met Cassidy?"

"She's done wonders with what she has, though. ...It's sobering to see her- but if you'd seen all the things she's been able to do, I think it actually can be something to look forward to." She was both supporting Cassidy and explaining why she'd asked, all in one. There was no need to frighten the man- but rather, she seeked to possibly empower. At least, up to the shadow of a doubt. He'd obviously transformed once already- and Emelyn didn't envy him the ones that would follow. But at least he could know that there were others to support him.

But he'd already met Cassidy- and he seemed to be... if not at peace with his lot, at least calmed in its midst. It was yet another glimmer of possibility that flickered in Emelyn's mind: how could she bring anyone comfort, or ease anyone's transition, if she was out here, rather than in the village, where everyone was? How could Cody come to her when he was frightened in the middle of the night- who would Fiona turn to if she had some new escape plan to hatch? Emelyn did not think that she was the sole person that the islanders could turn to- far, far from it. But there was something about taking herself out of the line of aid that suddenly felt... selfish to her. Or at least contrived. She was confused, and found herself wading back to shore, nose pointing to the sand.

"I wish I could tell you it's not so bad a place... that you get used to it." Her eyes met his. "The latter... is somewhat true. Acceptance comes and goes- like high and low tide. But you can't get used to it. Just try to find some way to deal with it."