"Oh, Lord, if you're happy to see it again, then you can probably imagine what it's like for me, havin' grown up in a place that was mostly heat and humidity to begin with," Sookie giggled, pleased at the gentle and unassuming attentions Anatoly offered her without needing any sort of prompting at all. "I think I was literally startin' to wilt, and my skin was definitely gettin' pasty."

Grinning to herself, Sookie's gaze skirted down for a moment as she took a sip of juice, enjoying a slight pucker at the tart flavor.

"And you're very welcome for the juice," she added, shifting into a more comfortable position on the chair as she suddenly became very aware of just how many pieces chess entailed. And how many different types there were. "I've been drinkin' more of it lately because I caught a bit of a cold from the island's stunt last week, sending a bunch of us into dinosaur territory. Don't think I'm contagious anymore, but I've got a handkerchief and wash my hands lots just in case."