HARPER
Oblivious to the reptile's thoughts, Harper merely tilts his head the same direction as Pim, happy to play with the odd little creature. He is very expressive, which is both a good distraction and a point of interest considering Harper has never seen a legitimate dragon before. Though he has to turn his gaze away eventually, giving a moue at her teasing words, though it quickly dissolves into his characteristic smile. "You'd have to intervene eventually, I'd just pop it back in myself with terrible technique." He doubts she would actually leave him to his idiocy if he did re-dislocate it, but if she wants to tease then he will certainly rise to the occasion.
She must see and recognize his hesitation, and after the tonic is past his tongue he gives her a subdued smile of appreciation. He can't bring himself to comment or reply, can't risk where the conversation might go if he encourages that particular line of discussion regarding paranoia and trauma. Instead he hands back the vial and latches onto the next question she poses, unwilling to let his barriers down any further than that. "His name is Oliver, he found me when I first arrived and showed me around for the day. But I promised him I'd get this looked at, so here I am." A sheepish grin, though he is careful not to shrug and disrupt her where she holds the ice pack.
Though he squeezes her hand and frowns further at her explanation, worry only growing exponentially at the mention of children. "I mean no offense Phoebe as I'm sure you've helped a lot of people, but you must be more careful, especially with children under your watch. Not everyone is as kind as you, and many who would conceal their true evils. And you are a young woman, which unfortunately only puts you at greater risk." Perhaps he will stay, though he would hate to be a burden, if only to feel better about the fact that Phoebe lets simply anyone who crosses the threshold into shared living quarters with her. "But I'd be thankful for a bed, even if that makes me a hypocrite," he laughs softly, aware of just how dangerous he can be even if he'd never lift a hand to harm her. But perhaps he could be there to dissuade such evils, for he's sure they must still linger here. For an optimist he can't help the realist inside, the one born of years being a vigilante and putting people away that the system could not or would not do on their own. Though Oliver and Phoebe have both been unerringly hospitable, Harper can't help but prepare himself for when the cruel people who contrast them come crawling out of the woodwork.
She must see and recognize his hesitation, and after the tonic is past his tongue he gives her a subdued smile of appreciation. He can't bring himself to comment or reply, can't risk where the conversation might go if he encourages that particular line of discussion regarding paranoia and trauma. Instead he hands back the vial and latches onto the next question she poses, unwilling to let his barriers down any further than that. "His name is Oliver, he found me when I first arrived and showed me around for the day. But I promised him I'd get this looked at, so here I am." A sheepish grin, though he is careful not to shrug and disrupt her where she holds the ice pack.
Though he squeezes her hand and frowns further at her explanation, worry only growing exponentially at the mention of children. "I mean no offense Phoebe as I'm sure you've helped a lot of people, but you must be more careful, especially with children under your watch. Not everyone is as kind as you, and many who would conceal their true evils. And you are a young woman, which unfortunately only puts you at greater risk." Perhaps he will stay, though he would hate to be a burden, if only to feel better about the fact that Phoebe lets simply anyone who crosses the threshold into shared living quarters with her. "But I'd be thankful for a bed, even if that makes me a hypocrite," he laughs softly, aware of just how dangerous he can be even if he'd never lift a hand to harm her. But perhaps he could be there to dissuade such evils, for he's sure they must still linger here. For an optimist he can't help the realist inside, the one born of years being a vigilante and putting people away that the system could not or would not do on their own. Though Oliver and Phoebe have both been unerringly hospitable, Harper can't help but prepare himself for when the cruel people who contrast them come crawling out of the woodwork.
some things take insane bravery
but after that, you'll be free
but after that, you'll be free
