"I..." An indignant answer had been on her lips, but she paused. Being defensive when he was like this...that wouldn't do any good for anyone.
"When he's older, he'll have to be put out of his misery. He'll be a rabid animal. Completely unpredictable, and only his keeper will be able to control him at all, to reach him. Anyone else will be fair prey."
"No...and yes." Ophidia's voice was quiet, and she lifted her eyes to meet Charlie's gaze. "I don't like you because you're fucked up, Charlie. I like you because you're you. Because you're...special. And I want...to care for you, to take care of you. To...keep you."
It felt like stepping off of a cliff, plunging into an ocean of ice-cold water. She wasn't prepared for this! ...But she...she had to help him. Arkady's words rattled around in her head like stones, and she wound her arms around herself, instinctively, ducking her head.
"...I do...feel sorry for you." Her voice was nearly silent--not that it mattered. He'd have no trouble hearing it. "I know...what's going to happen to you, and I...I hate that I know. I don't...oh, Charlie." She lifted a hand, touched his face.