( The idiom gets a raised eyebrow and a soft huff of amusement. )

Yes and no. It isn't a secret here the way it would be in my world, but I don't prefer to share it if it isn't necessary. People here are shockingly accepting of such things, and yet...

( Could it be that he doesn't want a blood-drinking creature of the night to be the first thing people see when they look at him? Perhaps, and he feels terribly selfish for even thinking such a thing. )

We are dangerous, whether we wish to be or not.