I'd call it neutral. Not saying he definitely is, but I think it's a jump to say he definitely isn't.

[Asking not optimism of you, Matt, merely a little less cynicism. Enough to plod along until the worst of it is over. Little stock as she puts in any notion of a future, it's still a dangerous place to risk losing drive even temporarily.

The laugh is at least reassuring enough for her to smile back, however muted.]

Working the kinks out. Soldat and Aziraphale are both fond, and if I rock that boat it's going to be in a bigger way than not having him over in very short, controlled settings. I could take up pretend-drinking, throw a chair on his lawn.