"I do not remember much from Before I felt your presence nearby, saw your form shimmering in the distance beyond the waves of heat." He shakes his head. "With how hot I was in my clothes, I don't think I would have lasted very long."

THAT is something he doubts either of them would like to consider. What would she have done if she found him in a worse state? Collapsed upon the sand?

"You have done a fine job of introducing me to our world," he says. "I look forward to more introductions."