[ When it sounds like, at first, that Wilhelm's going to deny there being a link between everything, Claude raises an eyebrow slightly. Not for long, though; the backtracking makes it clear enough his guess (probably) wasn't wrong.

He doesn't answer right away, however. It feels right to take a little bit again to consider what to say so as to not rush into too many assumptions despite it feeling like he's on the right path. They may not know each other all too well - or have had more than one conversation - but his intent to help is real enough. So after a couple seconds' pause, Claude tilts his head slightly to one side. ]

I grew up with everyone talking as well. Probably not quite to the exact same lengths given what you've told me in how easy it is for everyone to talk to each other where you're from, but some of the sentiments might've been similar enough.

[ But - some of that skirts too close to things Claude isn't willing to share, not even in the name of wanting to reassure someone else. What's a way around it so he can avoid specifics? Hm. ]

It gets old, feeling like everything you do is wrong just because others say it is. Or I guess - I should say it got very old for me.