Mari looked at him, when she heard him say Jarrad's name, she hoped he didn't press about him but but her shoulders slumped as he asked what the guy was like "Well, Jarrad's...nice, sweet and funny." It may have been clique but Jarrad was just that, all the others while they seem charming can be jerks most of the time but over time Marion realised Jarrad was different.
"and he's brave and a good fighter, he's father is a swordman." Even though she didn't think much of fighters, she had been impressed what Jarrad had learnt from his father.