His shrieks become softer, or he only gasps or winces, but he doesn't swear again or give Al a disapproving look. Which ever arm or hand isn't being tended to, he chews the nails of. They had been pretty, well-kept when he arrived, and now they were stubby, scabbed or scabbing at the edges.

He gnaws a thumbnail, shears it with teeth taking it down from nearly half the nail bed, and new blood immediately bubbles forth. He tastes it before hissing, and because he feels troublesome, he sticks his whole thumb in his mouth to hide it.