"Practically neighbors." He watches her explore a little: if she hadn't approved it wouldn't have affected his decisionmaking much - knowing himself, just dug his heels in - but he's gladder to have it.

"I'm glad to know that," he says genuinely. "I could tell I wasn't angering too much or I think the building would have gone a little less smoothly." He puts a hand on the tree that supports the left side of the house. He can't feel elemental energy as profoundly as Brigid can, but it feels right to him to have the living wood cradling the house.

"I just like to keep my hands busy," he defers with a smile. He's suddenly slightly uncertain at the prospect of being gifted with anything. "You don't have to do anything," he says, "though if you'd like to come inside for a while, I'd be more than happy to have you."