Lorne hears the crunching in the snow first, only turning when he's addressed. He's mildly surprised to see a Shepherd is the one questioning him on the snowball and very carefully does not show it; last he checked that wasn't something worth their attention. Unless he's about to get scolded for fake-glaring at children. If that's all it is, he ought to be able to respectfully disengage and be on his way.

All the same, that's a remarkably friendly greeting compared to his expectation of Shepherds.

"Good afternoon," Lorne replies, inclining his head. "Nothing nefarious, no. I like to be prepared for surprises." He hefts the snowball a little, gestures with it back towards where the children were. "More surprises," he amends wryly. "They hit me once already. I can't make it too easy on them if they want to try again."