Who said anything about being optimistic? [Luke gave up on optimism ages ago when he realized he was pretty much on his own. But the lack of pity automatically wins Adam points. Pity drives him crazy, and he had enough people pity him after what happened when he earned his facial scar.]

It's more being realistic than anything. …can't say if this is better or worse. I know what's coming every week, I have my own space, I know where my meals are mostly coming from, we have new areas to explore…but at the same time I'm not used to being trapped, and at least with monsters I know how to fight efficiently. [There's a slight grin.] Here's something the profiles don't tell you. I was the best swordsman Camp's seen for the last three-hundred years. There's a reason I was the one teaching all of the younger kids. Doesn't mean that's going to help when we have…space guns or magic-growing hammers or eleven-foot snakes that can disappear out of nowhere or whatever.