If he's surprised that Jim can follow along, he doesn't show it in the slightest, more enthused by the understanding than put off. "I was ready to get rid of it the second I found out anything foreboding, but its pollen is nontoxic and it won't even be able to break skin for months, if not a year or more. By then, it should be able to identify that humans aren't prey."

He grins, satisfied himself that Jim's taking it so well. "I'll find something else, I'm sure. Though it's hard to top a tentacle monster." OK, he wouldn't normally use the term, but... well.