[ This is the good stuff, right!! Xenk for his part scoots a bit closer to the edge of his seat, charmed to have earned the interest of his senior. I mean, you know, Lockwood may look young, but Xenk has only ever thought of him as his senior. His senpai. ]

I have discussed the matter at length with the man, and I believe I may have secured his decision. Unfortunately, he is quite drawn to his current maker—who I spoke to before I began this endeavor in earnest.

[ Talk of Kirk's maker gets Xenk to bring a hand to his thigh, giving it light squeeze in something like frustration. He doesn't realize he's doing this, though. ]

His maker is the kind of man who believes in the value of sentiment. He is a poor showing of a vampire in nearly every sense of the word. [ Blunt as all hell, that's Xenk. He isn't trying to drag Edgin (ok, he is, a little,) but in his eyes these are just factual statements. ] As you may no doubt guess, he wants what is "best" for James, and has not forbidden him from making his own decision.

[ Rookie mistake! Especially knowing Kirk, who is more likely to do whatever you tell him not to. But they've reached the end of his explanation, and thus Xenk sits back—nearly slouching?? Wow. It's a close thing. ]

Thus I believe he will choose Gold before Spring.