Syd supposed he ought to have expected her answer linked to tragedy. He had been no better prepared for it than her compliment, and so he floundered, finally managing a chuckle. He was slowly getting used to her humor, found it oddly refreshing, if a bit morbid. At least she was different. He did mean it when he said she was welcome back at any time. Then again, she was friends with Eavan, he supposed she was already used to this.

He led the way back out of the staff side of the enclosures, making sure to lock up after them. (Bertram was not a flight risk, but as per usual, Syd was more worried about the people than the creatures.) As they stepped back outside, he held his hand up to the sun for a moment to let his eyes adjust. "You did not, but I think Eavan mentioned a friend in such a predicament in the past." He hadn't asked at the time, but to find out it was Miss Dempsey, he was far more intrigued now.

"What was it like?" Syd had never had the patience to master becoming an animagus on top of everything he was learning for his work at the hospital, but it was something he wondered about from time to time.