Dog!!! Max decides to climb through a gap that is definitely not intended as a thoroughfare for Dogs, but he's determined and there is a new friend to be made.

Herc ignores the ridiculous behaviour of his dog and all related drooling enthusiasm, in favour of smiling a little and apologetically at Nathaniel's coughing fit. Well, that wasn't intended.

Didn't mean to make himself feel terrible, either, but that's practically a requirement of the Hansen family condition. "You do your part, and I was only ever the stand in. Blackwall's the man in charge." There's not a hint of self pity in it. He never wanted to be the man everyone looked to. "Need a man with a proper beard about, really. They hold real authority."