[ Not as fraught as they good be--it's true, and it's important to keep looking at the positives. Keeping up hope is the key to being able to weather whatever is thrown at them. It seems Claire is already way ahead of where Himeka had been upon her own arrival, albeit the manner in which they were introduced to Abraxas were a tad different. ]

No, I suppose not. Though we'll do our best to try and make them stay that way.

[ Which is what a little weekend amongst new colleagues and new friends if for, right? ]

Does it?

[ Her home is a place like this? A smaller, but close community of people who work together in an idyllic landscape? Those are the high points of Solvunn, Himeka thinks. She smiles encouragingly. ]

Where are you from?

[ Claire may not want to tell a stranger, but she'd be remiss not to ask. But to the question in turn, Himeka hums for a moment and taps her chin. ]

I'd say...it's about one and a half summers going now. Most of that in Solvunn.

[ She taps her sternum. ]

So if you're looking for some connections, I can try to hook you up. I happen to know a few influential goats.

[ That may or may not be a joke, given how straight she delivers it. ]