[ Jesper does kind of mean it, in his weird intensely, quickly loyal way. It's the way in Ketterdam, sometimes, you meet people you gel with, you make alliances and hope they don't go poorly. He would throw himself in front of bullets for a lot of people, and it doesn't always matter if he met them a day ago or a year ago. It's not a smart way to live.

He laughs as soon as she mentions Sam, shaking his head. ]

Everyone knows Sam. It's not surprising to hear he's like that from home too. He found me on my first day in the city, brought me to a place to live.

[ Jesper exudes a sort of confidence and self-sufficiency, or at least he's very good at pretending, but he is also young and he was alone, lost. Sam seemed to zero right in on that, as if he could sense it despite the calm and easy-going exterior. Jesper's been friends with him since and grateful for it. Even if he reminds him a little too much of his dad, in all the best and hardest ways. ]

My best friend Inej was in Solvunn, she's moving to Free Cities for me. We don't like being apart.

[ Inej was about to go to sea for her own motivations and her own adventures, and Jesper supported that, but he still did hate being away from her. They've been so close since they met, and now they only have each other here. He was about ready to run to the lines in between Free Cities and Solvunn and try to sneak her over, but this peace summit helped. ]

How do you know Sam? You don't really seem like the soldier type.

[ That's what he picked up from meeting Sam at first, former soldier type. ]