of all the beaches in Torchline

i've seen fire & i've seen rain.
i've seen sunny days that i thought would never end

And he does recognize the voice. Wessex is one who has always been straight with him (not literally of course). She never feigned friendship where it didn't exist, knew when she was using him for his talents and made no qualms about it. So it was that as he turned towards her silhouette it was without his new-normal brand of anger.

"But I assume you've better things to do with it." Stepping forward enough to make out the demigod, the alchemist folded his arms loosely across his chest. "I take it this isn't a social call."