This place has never taken kindly to those who don't fit the mold that's been laid out for them, I'm afraid, [ Claude says with a lofty shrug. A scant five years ago, he would have hotly defended the people here to his last breath. But these days, it's become clearer and clearer to him that the people of Aldrip would rather live their small, happy lives without ever bothering to look out. ]

And no thanks necessary. I'd say that I'd hope others would do the same for me, but I think that's rather unlikely. [ He winks at Abe no Seimei, a quick flutter of a thing. ] But it's true that things have been going especially poorly lately. Things have been going missing, lately. Big and small. People too. Everyone's on edge.

[ He crosses his arms, rocking back on his heels as he surveys his new companion. ]

But I am curious... what brings you here? If I were you, I'd be packing up my bags and leaving first thing tomorrow morning.