"You're fine," he drawled without one iota of concern, too busy examining the shine of sunlight on his Hello Kitty lighter. He was out of smokes, though. The gum was all right. He liked it stiff and ten years old.

He could feel her aura jittering beside him, though. He didn't like the word [i]aura[/i], and he made a face the moment he thought it -- too hippie for his taste -- but another word didn't come to mind.

"Chill out." He sighed and flicked the lighter a few times, watching the fire spark and disappear. "Ya don't breathe right and ya talk too fast. Ya let somethin get in your head and run it like a freight train off a cliff." The flame flicked and went out.

After awhile he finally looked at her with his usual dull gaze. "You're fine," he repeated with more conviction, and he raised his eyebrows at her meaningfully. He saw, very clearly in the corner of his eye, how hard her hands were shaking, but it didn't phase him.

"I don't even know that you're actually infected with anything at all, probably just your own body getting used to that power surging your muscles and straining your bones. Somethin's woke up in your core, it'll take an adjust." The lighter flicked to life. "But hey, if you really think you're actually poisoned, all right I'll believe you, but you won't like the cure. So I suggest you use that power of yours and get rid of it yourself."