The attempt to pull seniority falls on deaf ears. The next comment doesn't. He just doesn't get it. He'd seen her hand go to the knife but this was a test. First do no harm. How much can he trust someone's word here? Anywhere? Stupid, stupid, really stupid to experiment but where the hell was his incentive to do otherwise? There's a heat at the back of his throat. Hawkeye wants to groan, frustration coming to a noticeable peak. He doesn't move an inch, doesn't move a hand.

The record scratch and backtrack is almost as audible.

Children. He draws in a breath. He wants to move, Christ. His skin's crawling. There are monsters around. How can anyone stay so still? But he manages, miracle of miracles.

"Then go!" He urges. His hands gesture at-- at the jungle around him. Behind him. His shoulders stoop. There's conflict in him but as much as he didn't make the best impression on the lady, what the hell was she thinking, pinning this confrontation on him? It wasn't fair. "I said I'm not going to stop you. I'm not going to harm you." He's a doctor.

So he ought to start acting like one, right? There are children around.

Christ.

He steps back and he eyes the knife again. He eyes her. He's not the only one looking like a dish, thanks. He swallows, has either the decency or audacity to look her in the eyes this time around. He unclenches his jaw, he bobs his head once or twice. How can anyone stand so still when they're all so wound up? His breathing's heavy but he calms down. For real this time. He promises. "I'll back off. My name's Hawkeye." It's laced with shame, though he pushes through it quickly. "Or Captain Pierce. Or Doctor Pierce. Or Snookums. Whichever you want. I've been told I'm a bit of an acquired taste, so-" So anyway. "I've also been told I'm delicious but I'm no kiddy treat." So anyway. He lifts his hands- drops them so they hit his legs. "I'll help you go where you're going." Resolve. There. Done. Next.