[His frown deepens but he won't force her to stay out where he has her. If he did, he's certain he'd be using the vast majority of his medical supplies on himself. But he finds she's not going very far. He immediately shifts his hands to bracket her back to support her on her new perch.

Any other time he might hiss that they're in public. That people will see and rumors will spread. Halsin doesn't generally care about his reputation, it's already sullied. He does care about hers. He just doesn't have it in him today to scold her.

Instead there's a low sigh and a softening of the tightness at his eyes. She's more a comfort than he wants to admit. It's quite the weapon against him and she is ruthless with it.]

Thank you, Lydia. I hope it doesn't come to that. I don't have an ointment strong enough for the flaying you'd give. I'm not quite prepared for a full evisceration.

[His eyes flick back towards the doors down.] For as long as they need me. Their words. [Definitely an experiment then, on the nurse. Some mental trial to test his focus and professional pride against his less than monstrous compassion.] The Elder will come up and tell me when I can go. The only other way is if an emergency happens and I'm needed elsewhere.