[at first, janus is deeply absorbed in her reaction. not wanting to upset her, knowing that they probably will, at least a little. years and years of training their observational skills have granted janus a remarkably keen grasp of the little tells that people have, for poker, for pain. it's not until later in their adolescence that they learned something of it for pleasure, and then later still that they began their study of real compassion.

they're worried, basically. but then she says that, and it makes them blinks a little, owlishly. their train of thought interrupted, and then-- a little surprise. they have to smother a laugh, keeping their coffee planted squarely on the table so no burning accidents happen to them or their coat.]

You were being protective of someone you cared about, [they tell her.] Against someone you didn't know. That's more than understandable. I imagine if I'd told you there was a strange man who insisted they loved me since I was a child, and it concerned me, you would've taken my side.

[it's mostly a joke, that they then exaggeratedly raise their eyebrows at her. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?]