Patiently, he lets her get herself put together, recover from...whatever that was. He lets her speak again at her own pace, sipping from his whiskey - then she's touching him and asking an impossible question, and it's all he can do not to choke on the mouthful of liquor.

She must be...clairvoyant? Telepathic? Definitely something psychic happening there. Benign, though, nothing invasive. Yes. Potentially a Parautilitarian? Or simply GIFTED/CURSED/REGRETFUL-

Clearing his throat, considering the question, he speaks softly and carefully.

"An HRA is a protective device I developed for a...situation at work. Like noise cancellation for a very dangerous sound."