As Eight talks, Keni's expression softens, suspicion slowly shifting into sympathy against their better judgment.
They'd always been bad about telling people "no" or turning people away when they needed help, even when they'd had every reason to distrust them. They had a tendency to assume the worst of people, and a habit of second-guessing themselves about that, of wanting to believe they were just being paranoid. And it had always been far too easy to push that paranoia aside when someone managed to pull at their heartstrings.
A trait that their friend Arin boasted made them an easy mark. And admittedly, he wasn't wrong about that.
Still, they try to mull this over logically for a moment. Even if the guy was a kid, that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. No matter how nervous he sounded. He might even just be bait, working with someone worse.
As their eyes adjusted to the dark and they got a better look at the guy, there was something almost uncanny about him. His eyes were just a bit too big, ears pointed, and there was something up with his hair. It almost looked too smooth. But, hell, maybe they weren't quite human, or humans look different where he comes from. Like, elves or whatever. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing they'd seen in this place, so they push the observation aside.
Breaking them out of their thoughts, a commotion starts up down the hall, punctuating Eight's point. A yelling match paired with loud banging that makes Keni flinch reflexively.
Chewing their lip as they have one last wrestle with their conscience, they finaly nod decisively.
"Yeah...Yeah, okay."
They temporarily close the door just enough to unlatch the chain lock, then open the door all the way, letting Eight in.
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They'd always been bad about telling people "no" or turning people away when they needed help, even when they'd had every reason to distrust them. They had a tendency to assume the worst of people, and a habit of second-guessing themselves about that, of wanting to believe they were just being paranoid. And it had always been far too easy to push that paranoia aside when someone managed to pull at their heartstrings.
A trait that their friend Arin boasted made them an easy mark. And admittedly, he wasn't wrong about that.
Still, they try to mull this over logically for a moment. Even if the guy was a kid, that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous. No matter how nervous he sounded. He might even just be bait, working with someone worse.
As their eyes adjusted to the dark and they got a better look at the guy, there was something almost uncanny about him. His eyes were just a bit too big, ears pointed, and there was something up with his hair. It almost looked too smooth. But, hell, maybe they weren't quite human, or humans look different where he comes from. Like, elves or whatever. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing they'd seen in this place, so they push the observation aside.
Breaking them out of their thoughts, a commotion starts up down the hall, punctuating Eight's point. A yelling match paired with loud banging that makes Keni flinch reflexively.
Chewing their lip as they have one last wrestle with their conscience, they finaly nod decisively.
"Yeah...Yeah, okay."
They temporarily close the door just enough to unlatch the chain lock, then open the door all the way, letting Eight in.