He paused, waiting for Max to remove his sandals - a hand slipped from his pocket, open and ready to offer support - and to set the direction again, content to follow where the man lead, a low chuckle whispering over the grass.

"Out here in yer Sunday best, yer escort's gonna tan yer hide," he teased softly. "An' have mine for not stoppin' ya."

Or for keeping him from whatever important Victor events they'd scheduled for him tonight.