[ Makoto just doesn't have the type of malice Laurent can have. He might like some schadenfreude, but his heart is more pure than Laurent's. Laurent would likely be pleased to know he's not yet so jaded that the pain of others pleases him. Not anymore, at least. ]

Maybe! It's always useful to get connections in the community. That much is true. We're at square one and I don't have my usual network, so we'll have to build something up - to keep our heads above water, of course.