From my experience, water is the safer bet. I haven't had any run in's with the worst of it, per-say....but I can assume that it gets worse than that.

(good, she got his hands in hers. for that, karna pulls her close, there's some care in his pull and him being considerate. from what he perceives, he perceives what feels like a gentle soul. someone that worries him greatly for being in the environment of the golden peacock. would this young lady be fine? he isn't so certain, karna can only assume that she's stronger than she might look. because of that, he shouldn't judge based off the first impressions he's getting due to what he can see.

what he can feel, while helping her to stand up right. he isn't letting go of her hands (or her truthfully) as a means of helping to prevent mercedes from floating away again. warm heat flows through his body, something in a gentle caress of flame, while maintaining a distance. a ferocity, but not. she's new, which is what karna can guess. just as he had been during october with the monsters.)

I was told that food and drink can carry nasty surprises, perhaps even that drug the guests are smoking together might, too.

(he can help, if a little knowing someone else deserves this kindness he grants preciously.)