[ Now that Jinx is looking at him with something other than sheer animosity in her gaze, Claude decides to sit across from her, mimicking her crossed legs -- though still at a bit of a distance, out of a healthy regard for his family jewels, should he say something to raise her ire. ]

Believe it or not, there are some that find my relentless optimism to be very trying, [ he says with a grin. ] Granted, most of those people are back home and not in the lovely town of Aldrip, but give it time and I'm sure I'll collect my fair share of naysayers.

[ In truth, despite the many months he's spent here, he has few friends. That very same optimism is a tool used to keep people at arms length, even without any true reason to do so. He hasn't figured out this whole friendship thing quite yet. ]

And you, Jinx? Have you found a group of friends during your time here?