"You know that's all the box is going to give you now that you have said it," Mathias points out with a small grin as he heads back toward his hut. Hal trots along beside them, then runs ahead when home comes into view and curls up into the place she's claimed as her own on the small porch. As far as he can tell, Lucy is still out with Sam, which means the other dogs aren't here either. It's quiet, which he likes, though he doesn't think he'd give them up now either. He's too used to having them all underfoot.

"Diving is always more beautiful when it's sunny out," he agrees, heading up the steps and then holding the door open for Sookie. Carefully, he returns the air tank to the small closet he's built for his equipment, then disappears into the bedroom to find something dry to change into. "It's like you said," he calls. "Everything is brighter."