HARPER
Harper sticks his tongue out at Pim in imitation of a silent hiss, well aware there's no way he could accurately mimic the noise. He's distracted by the soft pat to his arm, and obediently stills at her chiding. "But then you'd just help me put it right back in, so what's the harm?" His bright eyes and smirking mouth translate more than adequately that Harper knows exactly the kind of harm it would bring, but he can't help his contrary nature.
The ice is a cool shock through his shirt at first, but as the cold seeps into his shoulder he gives a relieved sigh and gratefully accepts the tonic she hands him. Harper hesitates a little too long, hand gripping the bottle, before he raises it to his lips. He can't help the internal war that wages at the notion of trusting this woman he scarcely knows, no matter what Oliver had said. Especially with something that was to be ingested. Far different - and in his experience, more dangerous - than simply setting a joint. But he swallows down his paranoia and summarily drains it without complaint. Only then does he start in on answering her questions.
"Not yet, I'm afraid the kind man who found me and showed me around is in offered lodgings himself." He looks up at her from where she stands above him, holding the pack to his shoulder, and can't help but blink stupidly at her when she offers him a place to stay immediately. The same warmth that Oliver's kindness had instilled in him rises once more, a tidal wave of gratitude and kinship that he wears plainly on his face. "I wouldn't want to offend you by turning you down out of hand, but you're sure I won't be a nuisance?" Harper's voice turns grave her, a hand rising to settle atop hers, hoping she understands that he wants her sincerity. He knows he can make an ass of himself far too easily, and he's certainly not the quietest houseguest. But he also worries for Phoebe herself, if she is extending sanctuary to any stranger she comes across. Pim may be a mighty little strawberry, but Harper knows only too well how vulnerable she is. Especially to people like him whose skills are honed for that particular end game. Not that he'd ever harm her, but he worries nonetheless. Surely the people in Caido can't all be this nice.
The ice is a cool shock through his shirt at first, but as the cold seeps into his shoulder he gives a relieved sigh and gratefully accepts the tonic she hands him. Harper hesitates a little too long, hand gripping the bottle, before he raises it to his lips. He can't help the internal war that wages at the notion of trusting this woman he scarcely knows, no matter what Oliver had said. Especially with something that was to be ingested. Far different - and in his experience, more dangerous - than simply setting a joint. But he swallows down his paranoia and summarily drains it without complaint. Only then does he start in on answering her questions.
"Not yet, I'm afraid the kind man who found me and showed me around is in offered lodgings himself." He looks up at her from where she stands above him, holding the pack to his shoulder, and can't help but blink stupidly at her when she offers him a place to stay immediately. The same warmth that Oliver's kindness had instilled in him rises once more, a tidal wave of gratitude and kinship that he wears plainly on his face. "I wouldn't want to offend you by turning you down out of hand, but you're sure I won't be a nuisance?" Harper's voice turns grave her, a hand rising to settle atop hers, hoping she understands that he wants her sincerity. He knows he can make an ass of himself far too easily, and he's certainly not the quietest houseguest. But he also worries for Phoebe herself, if she is extending sanctuary to any stranger she comes across. Pim may be a mighty little strawberry, but Harper knows only too well how vulnerable she is. Especially to people like him whose skills are honed for that particular end game. Not that he'd ever harm her, but he worries nonetheless. Surely the people in Caido can't all be this nice.
some things take insane bravery
but after that, you'll be free
but after that, you'll be free
