[ CLAUDE........... If you're going to put people through tests, at least be upfront about it! Ask questions if you must, geez! ]

Something I'd never want to turn down, huh...? Tempting, but a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I'm not about to trust some random lady with promises of greatness that might as well turn out to be empty if that means standing against my friends.

[ And for all that he still doesn't know -- about this place or his strange connections -- this much is the truth he has decided for himself, the one solid fact he can reliably count on. ]

So, how about you, then? How did you wind up with Meridian?