[ haha, whaaaat no, Makoto is a perfectly pleasant conversational partner!! look how well he's doing at lifting Abel's spirits...? 'exclusive club' immediately perked at the priest's shoulders, and he's actively leaning in with increasing attentiveness-- a fully captive audience hanging on to every word by the end. ]

--Yes!! [ an eager, enthusiastic and extremely excited agreement bursts out of him as Makoto finishes his exposition, ] --Yes, that's GOT to be it!! That makes so much more sense than the fake volcano thing, sir, you-- you are a GENIUS!!

[ and hopefully Makoto isn't the sort of -- man?? demon?? ...de-man?? -- who prizes his personal space, because Abel is abruptly and with great vehemence reaching out to capture at least one of Makoto's hands between Abel's own. clutching at it with a delight in his eyes, a touched and moved sentiment that chases away all hints of anything else in its wake... the priest looks upon his new, dear friend who has lit the flame of hope in his gut anew. ]

Wh-when you say it like that, it seems like we haven't a thing to be concerned with, right...?! I mean-- surely we're merely enduring a trial meant to steel us for accepting the bounties awaiting us at the end of our travels with humility and grace~! A classic tactic...!!