It was more that Toph popped out of the earth and scared the living daylights out of Penance than anything else. Her bluntness outside of her actions was never really the issue.

Penance head tilts, frowning a very little for the look on Claire's face. Mindful that her touch won't hurt Claire permanently but probably isn't very pleasant all the same, she reaches out with her hand turned inwards to pat Claire's arm with the blunt side of her fingers.