[Huaisang, however, gives the person behind them an apologetic smile and reaches for the stranger's hand.] He's with me.

[Eyes growing a little wider, Huaisang looks helplessly up at Wolfe.] My memory is so strange here... I'm just not sure...

[He wants to cover for how he's just claimed this total stranger as his friend, and to dispel attention from the two of them, so he takes shelter in performed confusion.] I had this dream about being here for a whole other month, in October, and at the end of it there were these... monsters. Undead children. They attacked any house that didn't have a carved and lit pumpkin lantern. Isn't that funny?

[If Wolfe hasn't pulled his hand away, Huaisang gives it a tight squeeze.] So I just thought... I wouldn't want to pass up getting a tree. It's important to participate in the local traditions and festivities.