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It took Herryk a few minutes to figure out what Matilda was talking about. He scratched his jaw as they walked, slowly deciphering the other weapon's odd speech.

"No," Herryk said decisively. It seemed like a good answer. He still wasn't really very sure what she was trying to say. "Has Matilda been in a false body before this?"

Tuck squeezed Heidi close before glancing back over his shoulder again.

"I don't think he would. He likes being out in the golems, an' he knows that I ain't ******** around. Especially if he wants to be out on his own where I don't gotta watch him." Tuck snorted softly.

"Dinner sounds good. You pick. I swear, soon as I get some money saved up an' a way to keep it safe, I'ma buy a grill. I would kill for a steak and a baked potato with all the fixin's. Grilled corn, asparagus, mushrooms."

His stomach grumbled, and Tuck shot Heidi a sheepish grin.

Herryk answered Heidi's question so that Tuck didn't have to, because he was nice like that. He also lengthened his stride so that he could catch up to the Moons. Herryk kept a careful grip on Matilda, though, so that the weapon wouldn't fall from his broad shoulder.

"Theodore has let Herryk out once before. Herryk met some other weapons. It was nice. They are so small, except for one who is rather large, but Herryk does not remember that one's name. A big dragon-machine? We do not have much time in the golems, Theodore says only an hour."

Herryk sounded disgruntled. Theodore rolled his eyes.

"Nah, they don't have to stay attached. We could cut 'em loose, have some time to ourselves," the whisper was low, for Heidi's ears only - and it came out around a huge dimpled smile, "an' then meet up back in the golem room, then I'ma let you make me dinner - an' then I might give you the best shoulder an' back massage you ever had in your life."

Herryk grunted.

"Theodore is a good boil, Matilda, and Herryk would not lie." He paused. "Herryk could show Matilda some of the island. There is a beach. It is big, and the ocean. Herryk has put his feet in the ocean, Matilda. It was very cold and dangerous, but Herryk would hold Matilda's hand so Matilda would not be swept away."

"There's.. other things we can do," Tuck murmured softly, "an' even if we just sit around starin' at one another, imagine doin' it without someone else in your head." He pressed a kiss to Heidi's temple and stood so that he could address Matilda and Herryk.

"Okay, you two got like. An hour. We'll meet up back at the lab room to pick you guys up an' then we gonna eat dinner. Behave yourselves, Herryk, an' we'll try an' do this more often if that's okay with Heidi."

Because <********' private time.

"An hour."

"Yes, Theodore. One hour."

Tuck squinted at Herryk.

"Actually, we gonna come find you on the beach in like forty-five minutes. That way you don't gotta worry about time."

"Theodore is so bossy."

Tuck squeezed Heidi's hand. "Ready when you are."

Herryk watched Tuck and Heidi leave before making his way to the beach, still carrying Matilda on his shoulder.

"Yes, it is likely that Heidi and Theodore will run off and make kisses with the other," Herryk rumbled softly as his long strides took him closer to the beach. He spoke as if he were used to the fact that the two Moon hunters were constantly kissing and touching one another - almost like he was discussing the weather. It didn't bother him that Tuck and Heidi were together. He liked the blonde ghoul.

"Why is Matilda so worried over what Theodore will do to Heidi?"

Herryk had to admit, the distraction that Heidi provided to Theodore could prove to be dangerous in the heat of battle. A man with a heart as big as Theodore's would not be able to stand idly by and watch his woman be wounded, or hurt, misused and damaged. Theodore had thought about it at length, in fact, and the Moon was at war with himself over the entire situation. Would he be able to stay in formation, defend where he was needed - would he be able to do his job if Heidi was in peril?

Theodore had yet to reach a verdict.

"It is a distraction," Herryk conceded as he drew up to the beach and slowly lowered Matilda from his shoulder. He kept a firm grip on the ghoul, and would undoubtedly be near if she feared falling. "Even Theodore is afraid. Theodore is a firm believer in doing what is best for the greater good. Theodore never expected to have such feelings for a ghoul when he woke up." Herryk grunted and shrugged.

"Theodore's own thoughts are filled with Heidi as well. Herryk feels worrisome that Theodore might go weak - and so Herryk has been making sure that Theodore still focuses on his training."

There was an edge of frustration in Herryk's voice.

"Herryk enjoys the company of Heidi, yes. Heidi is good for Theodore - very different from what Theodore is used to. Even Nevada was not the type that Theodore usually seeks out. This Candace was much more Theodore's speed - but Heidi took Theodore by surprise. Theodore has never loved a ghoul before, so it is new to Theodore as well."

Herryk squinted down at Matilda.

"That is a secret. Matilda. Promise Herryk."

Herryk walked with Matilda to the edge of the water, gazing thoughtfully into the distance as he mulled over everything that Matilda had said. Encouraging Theodore was like talking to a brick wall sometimes. It wasn't that the Moon didn't listen, it was just that the young man had a certain method to his ways, reasoning that Herryk couldn't understand.

"Herryk has tried. Theodore says it is too soon." The draugr shrugged briefly and rubbed his chin with his free hand. "Theodore knows that life is too short, that the next mission that Theodore goes on could be his last - but," Herryk glanced at Matilda, "there is a part of him that is afraid, Herryk thinks. Theodore thinks too much about what Heidi might feel if something happens to Theodore."

Herryk cleared his throat.

"That is Herryk's fault, at least partially."

Herryk was quiet for a long, long time as he stared across the roiling sea.

"Herryk discovered that coming here meant that Herryk left behind someone who cared very much for him. The reasons why are very confusing, even to Herryk. But. It makes Theodore think of these things. In that, it is Herryk's fault, but.. even still, Herryk believes that Theodore is far different than Herryk in many ways, and Theodore will not make the same mistakes that Herryk seems to have made."

"Not too far, Herryk thinks," the draugr grunted softly and chewed on the whole pessimist thing. Was Theodore a pessimist? Maybe he was. Then again, maybe he was just so stuck in the things that had happened to him, it was difficult for the Moon to believe he was really deserving of a good thing. Herryk wasn't going to delve that deep into things with Matilda - after all, Theodore did deserve some privacy.

"These golems are not particularly sturdy, from what Herryk is told."

How long had they been out there, just talking? Herryk wasn't sure.

"Theodore is a good boil. Theodore only tries to do what is best, even though it might not make sense to Herryk."