As unbelievable as its been having everyone back, everyone alive and whole and together in the same place for the first time in a century, Erskine has found himself horribly distracted while they work on the shelter. He's not going to complain about the help--on the contrary, it's more than he could have hoped for. Except half the time while he's supposed to be working he's thinking about Hopeless instead. Idly watching the mind-reader work on his engravings. Wondering where he's gone when he's not in sight. Smiling like a fool every time he reappears. Half the time Erskine doesn't even realize he's doing it, and the other half he doesn't care. It's been too long. Surely he's allowed a little time to act like a fool, in between the pain and the mistrust from the others?

For once, on this occasion, he's actually managed to concentrate long enough to get some 'heavy lifting' done. His hands are raised in the air, guiding a support beam he's been levitating. Just as the beam slides down into place, fitted perfectly, he feels the tug on his sleeve and turns his gaze--and smiles as soon as he sees Hopeless.

The smile quickly turns into a puzzled little frown. Hopeless is smiling himself, and looking entirely too pleased for there to be something wrong. Which means he's plotting something.

He's only been in town for three days, how is he plotting something already?

Regardless, Erskine looks around the room one more time to make sure he's left everything in a state where it won't fall or collapse or hurt anything/anyone before nodding to the mind-reader and brushing his hands off on his work trousers. "I suppose I can take a break from making everyone else look bad for a minute or two."