She seemed to appreciate him catching himself from saying that strangely offensive word, which was better that what he hoped for. For a second he thought that she would grow aloof or outright hostile towards him. Whether that was an unfair judgement or expectation, or a justified one, he couldn't really tell for the life of him.
In silence, they walked until they reached what Locke had thought to be Nessie's home. "This is a lovely home you have here, Nessie," he said, admiring the abode for a moment before turning back to her. "I should be heading back now myself. I hope we won't be strangers when we see each other again," he offered her a bow and waited for a bit to see if she had anything to say to him before he left. Well, not exactly say, but write on her notepad.
