My dear Lord, do not concern yourself over my well-being. Indeed I am quite flexible and it takes more than ornate grammar to cause me any significant harm.

Don't you sass him, John Grey. Anyway, if not for the serious topic that their conversation was going to have, he would gladly continue with the banter, but as it is he says his goodbyes rather simply.

I'll see you shortly. - James

True to word, ten minutes later Jim's standing by the edge of the lake, entertaining himself by picking up smooth rocks and tossing them into the distance, watching a few of them bounce across the surface a few times before sinking. He stops when he hears footsteps, turning with a smile.

"John. Hi."