How utterly precious. It's obvious she isn't human or used to being around them. Toby chuckles again, shaking his head as he stuffs his hands in his coat pockets to keep them occupied.

"It's cliche, but love is the whole reason anyone mortal does anything. They want to be connected to others and love allows for the deepest connections." He shrugs. "It might be a waste of time and energy, but loneliness is a hell of a buzzkill and driving force. No one wants to be by themselves all the time. Having a constant companion, even if it's only a friend you love rather than a lover or a mate, soothes the ache in a way nothing else can."

Hundreds of years roaming his version of Earth have taught him that he can't always be alone and still function, but he can understand where Nike's coming from. If one has an infinite lifespan, it isn't always obvious why reaching out to others would be useful. The need to interact with others is a powerful drug that everyone has to deal with, though.