"O-Oh. Well uhm. I'm just afraid of-" Patrick didn't really want to say 'snakes' because it seemed so rude. "I have a phobia and I can't really help it. It's down to belief." He was still shaking, even as he explained it. "Not just of you, but of any...er-"
"Serpent?" Nessie offered helpfully.
"Heh. Yes," Patrick replied, trying not to shudder. "I came to see Charles and maybe look at some Christmas presents." He didn't want to leave just because they were there. That seemed so rude.