[Everything about Heigo, from posture to facial expression, relaxes considerably when the man beside him clarifies that he's not taking part in the festivities. He glances sidelong at Kei with a neutral smile, then does a double-take at the nasty bruise on his face. It takes impressive restraint to call St. Patrick's Day "interesting" when it's already landed a blow like that.

That restraint and mild-mannered bemusement about everyone running around pinching each other is really what captures Heigo's attention, enough so that he decides to maintain the conversation instead of cutting it off with another curt remark.]

Ah - that's just my face. No matter how I'm feeling, I always get people asking if I'm alright. [Because he's always run down but anyway.] I could do without all the festive handsyness though, I won't deny that. I hope a stranger didn't give you that welt on your cheek, because that's over the line for any day of the year.