[Elias nods and makes no comment on the “monster” epithet. Though he would never pick up any of their projects himself, neither has he judged Karma as anything harsher than “intense”, even in his thoughts. He would much rather avoid thinking about it, in the manner of a dog trying to hide at the vet’s by covering its face.]

A method that makes for a calmer patient, hmm…

[And then his senior is leaning in, and Elias finds himself freezing up, trying not to step back as his cheeks flush grey. He glances nervously at Karma to judge how close they are, then looks demurely at the ground.]

No, no… [actually yes, but he's practiced at suppressing that kind of worry around his seniors-] … I was only wondering, if healing’s the issue what would happen if you used a dread blade?

…that's a very out-there thought, though.