The sound of hooves and the barest crunch of ice and splash of shallow water alerts him someone is coming, but the roan waits until the last minute to turn and look at the man coming upon him; he is too busy trying to analyze his own flood of relief that someone has approached him, and thus he will not have to summon the bravery to approach a stranger right off the bat. He can ease back into the unfortunate skill of socializing, and be ready to do the approach himself another time.
(He’s not sure he even believes himself.)
And another bright point, it’s someone he doesn’t know. Not that he knows many, but how terribly awkward it would be for him to encounter most of his previous acquaintances he doesn’t even want to begin to think. His goal in life right now is to avoid anyone who might have idea idea WHICH of Brennen’s children he is, unless of course they happen to also be homecoming Brothers.
(He doesn’t want to have to answer for what he did, and he doesn’t want to think of her, or of the war, or of his failings.)
Somehow, Cagney summons a polite smile, turning his body away from the bank to face the stranger. “My name is Cagney,” he responds, and at least that is not unfamiliar feeling on his tongue; those words slide easily out of his mouth into the chilly air. “And yours?”
Sorry for the wait <3