Maybe the thing was tamer than she'd like to admit, but she's still going to feel more secure the further it is from her. Especially if it's hungry.

"It's not precisely healthy," she admits. "I have to condition it pretty strongly, or else..." She gestures at her head, making jaggedy motions with her hands to illustrate the damage. Then, she shakes her head and offers a little smile. "Well, hopefully your life's turned out for the better since then? I can understand feeling fed up." Maybe not the time stuff Nora's dealt with, but with a job? Sure.