[ He blinks twice, trying to decide if that’s a joke. Doesn’t seem like it, which is — well, it’s fine for now. A potential problem for later. ]

Luckily enough, someone taught me how to be less scared than most people. [ and that training inevitably informs his approach to her, sharp-gazed but not quite visibly wary. he avoids the term “human,” despite its accuracy. ] So we can just have a chat, you and me, since it seems like you’ve had a pretty shitty day.

[ or, y’know, life!! ]