"It's a little sore." The Balladeer's flexing his hand carefully, making sure everything works as it ought. This is only a dream, of course, but he's still got a professional musician's wariness of hand injuries. "But more like I worked it too hard than got shot in it. Doesn't matter, doubt I'll feel it in the morning anyway."

Can there be bears here? Obviously his subconscious has no problems with throwing him into danger, but he's never even seen a bear before. "As long as it's not another person with a gun," he decides. Bears at least won't monologue about why their attempt to eat you is actually morally justified.