"Oh, dear."

Simon pauses mid-offering the end of the leash back to whoever this is, the collar having been deftly slipped and clipped once more while Scout was distracted with affection. Simon looks down at Scout, then back to Mr. Tentacle.

"Why don't I come with you and Scout for a bit? Perhaps it'll help settle him down," he suggests, "Once he realizes I'm not afraid of you, he might see there's nothing to be so fussed over."