Walter pauses to make sure the adrenaline from earlier isn't screwing with his judgment any.

"Is it going to risk pushing away people you do want to talk to, or talk to already? Preventing you from forming a positive reputation would be a major hazard-"

Especially where uni is involved.

"But would this be the sort of reputation that puts you in harm's way?"

Growling certainly hadn't played any role in Walter's treatment; being able to startle people like that may even have been a help, at some points...