I mean. It can be. If you're about to go into a fight, it'll fuck you up pretty badly for that fight. But just stealing the energy-- [He shrugs.] It's not nice. But I don't think it does lasting harm.

I think we're supposed to be-- kind of like vampires, almost. In the sense that we can satisfy our hunger without killing anyone.

And-- I don't know how to judge the recovery period when they came back to me hurt in other ways, but rest and food do help.

[Steven hesitates, but after a long moment takes that hand.]

God, [he breathes.] So is Gentle Hythlodaeus, everyone's friend, who only wants us all to get along your version of Nice Steven?