"I would rather go making alliances where I can than getting my ass kicked by people I presumed to be incompetent," he explains. He knows enough people who look unassuming enough at first glance who he knows could do it. "You probably have skills I don't know the first thing about. Besides, if you ever want to learn more, there's the training area downstairs. Combat stuff, survival skills - there are stations for them, and often enough people willing to teach you if you look around enough."

Now he goes to gather up his things from earlier: the book he'd closed and the notebook he was writing in, plus his pen. "Anyway, I've got this book review to finish writing." He tucks them under one arm, stands, and heads over to hold his free hand out for a handshake. "I'm Karkat Vantas. I'll see you around, yeah?"