Her immediate, rather aggressive response was enough to shock him into silence for a second. But only a second-- he took a few steps to close the distance after-- he was now about two feet away from her. He would have held his hand out to shake, but the grunge effectively kept them balled at his sides.

"No. You don't. I'm guessing it was Lux who brought you here?"

If she said yes-- she seemed disgruntled-- maybe. Maybe he could pop the question. After talking to her and making sure she would be a good fit, of course. He didn't want to have to fight again, not with his side still aching.