The Shade had his boots off and was skinning off his tunic when she reached out to touch him, catching his attention. The feel of power leeching under his skin was familiar as her hand ran up his arm, and it was only in that moment that The Shade realized it more than familiar: it was becoming comforting.

Letting himself be pulled closer, he didn't stop her from unfastening his pants, watching her face as the realization filled him, sudden and sharp.

"I need to test me." he replied a little distractedly. He paused, then added, "And I gotta start by tellin' you...in life, my family called me by my Christian name. Josie for short. You can, if you want."