[Just as Annie rushes to embrace him, Eridanus does the very same. His arms wrap around the girl, coddling her to the wide expanse of his chest as if she were truly his own child. His own face splits with a beaming smile as he steps back to regard her.]

Ah, but, you are lovely as ever my dear. [He reaches, tucking stray golden curls behind her ear with the gentle backsides of his claws to get a good look at her. Even with the time spent apart, nothing seems to have changed with Annie—and for that, he's thankful.]

Shall we have some tea inside before we go? [He asks,] or shall you tell me what all you have been up to on the trip to the bathhouse?