Unexpected is an understatement, when it comes to Venus's reaction. As far as Joel is concerned, he asked a very straightforward, simple question, shocked by the strange appearance of whatever it was that approached. He's never seen anything like it before, after all, not walking, talking, in real life.

Frankly, he thinks it's very reasonable. He could've attacked it on sight.

He yanks himself away from Venus with a scowl, only half-listening to Kankri and Ellie - enough to get that the troll is, apparently, pretty goddamn articulate for being not at all human. And that Ellie is apologizing for him.

He didn't know any better. Jesus Christ, when did he start being the kid in this relationship?

He backs away, throwing his hands up as though to wash them of this whole situation. He simply does not have it in him to deal with this right now. "I'm too old for this shit," he says gruffly. It has been a long fucking day.