"Clementine merely wished to greet this fine fellow," Everett says, leaning down as the rat finally popped out of the man's pant leg and rushed over to him. He scoops her back up and rights himself, reaching to to loop his arm with Myr's. Everett waves to the man, recovering from his distress, bitter sweetness dripping in his tone as he's already pulling Myr away as he speaks.

"Have a fine evening, sir!" And more, genuinely kindly, "And be sure to tease him all the way home, children!" they love this, little goblins clearly looking for any excuse to razz their caretaker. They're going to be a handful for him, so there's no chance to retaliate as Everett is retreating them through the crowded dock, in towards the city.

"An unpleasant first encounter, but I am so glad you arrived... safely?" his voice lilts upward, noticing the bandages, "whatever happened to your arm, my dear?"