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"I don't say things I don't mean." Claude replied. Which was also Claude speak for: Really really.

As someone who'd rather work alone, it was a big deal. Dawson had made more than just a good impression that day with his dedication and skill. Claude had also learned that he had an accommodating and forgiving nature which worked well with her own. Because he was accommodating, she didn't have to be anyone but herself. He accepted her as she was, she accepted him as he was, and thus it made for a strong working relationship. Hands down, there was no other Moon she'd trust to do this with.

Too bad she didn't say all of that out loud.

She was sensing that danger was imminent, especially once Dawson got to his feet. Claude eyed him as he got closer, and was surprised to get pulled up and out of her seat and into a tight bear hug. The tall trainee hung there in his hold awkwardly, not returning the hug, but not pulling away, either (not like she could to be honest). She really wasn't affectionate...the best she did with her own brother was a quick half hug and a peck on his cheek

Her lips were in a firm line as she stared at what she could of his head as he then started to weep.

Claude continued to hang there for a moment before one arm managed to slide out of the deadlock he had her in, and she reached to lightly pat one of his shoulders.

"It's my word." She assured.

It was a good thing he let go when he did, because he was three seconds away from being told to. "It's fine." She replied, snorting softly at the mention of the hangover. Yeah. That was going to hit him tomorrow. Claude peered down at her shoulder when there was a bracelet left, and she reached to pluck it off, holding it between her fingers as she examined it.

If he kept making her stuff, she felt like she was going to have to keep returning the favor.

"Smooth sailing." Claude drawled, because honestly, nothing too eventful had been going on in her life, aside from acknowledging she didn't have a passion after seeing Chance's, and then getting her hair cut. She also didn't care to talk about herself, and was more than content to answer with those two words. She pulled down the sleeve of her tunic shirt, and the pulled the bracelet onto her wrist, tying it down near the one she got from her brother a long while ago.

She was now caught between accepting that Dawson would get along fine now, after this little episode...but on the other hand, fishing. This episode stemmed from somewhere, and while she was not one to pry, usually, this situation seemed to call for it.

"What brought this on?"

'Everything' was awfully vague, yet all she needed to know in regards to Dawson. He would be the type to worry over each and every little thing, especially things beyond his control, until they piled and stacked and...exploded. Claude looked over the new bracelet now on her wrist for a few moments before she let her sleeve drop back down. She then straddled the chair again, resting her arms on the back of it.

"Sometimes you can't help even if you do know." Claude replied. "You can't help everything." In response to his compliment, she just gave him a simple and flat "I get that a lot." Claude paused for a moment, eyeing him thoughtfully.

"You're being unnecessarily hard on yourself." It was said matter of factly.

Claude gave a heavy inward sigh. Of course. Of course it somehow revolved around this kind of nonsense.

"Because people are ******** stupid." The trainee replied without skipping a beat. From there she could have delved into how the ideal of perfection was stupid to begin with, and then how people not wanting what was good for them was stupid, and in short, everything was stupid. It was also at this time, Claude wished Lex was in this position instead of her. He'd know what to say, to lift him up without babying him. She was just going to say what she felt and that necessarily wasn't helping him. Possibly.

"She didn't want perfect." She stated. "It doesn't mean your self-worth is any less. That was on her, not you."

"It always is, because there's merit to those words."

Sex now, too, huh? Claude shifted, getting ready for another long haul. One arm propped up to rest her chin in her hand, her gaze still lidded as she heard Dawson out. Briefly, she wondered why exactly she was investing so much time and effort into trying...why did she concern herself with his well being...Hm. Friends. That's what she chalked it up to: because they were friends, and that's what friends did.

"You can't compare yourself to others, and you said the reason yourself. Upbringing. Everyone's raised differently. It's stupid to other people to wait, but to you, and others like you, it's not. If it's important to you, then it's not."

Claude just waved a hand in reply to listening and being stuck in this situation. While she wouldn't go out on a limb and say anytime and no problem, she was...glad, she supposed, that she could have...helped? "It's best that you got it off your chest." She murmured, and watched him nearly topple over with an impassive gaze.

"You're not bugging me." After a moment she stood as well. "I'll walk you back to your room."

"I know." Claude replied, and watched him as he toppled right on over. Yep. She moved to lean and pick up the fallen beer cans, collecting them into one arm. Claude then stood next to Dawson, and held her hand out to him silently.

Designated Walker.