[ That's enough to illicit a laugh from Claude as he sits back again, whatever moment of a supposed standoff there over nearly in the same instant it started since it's too difficult to keep up. Too easy to slide back into amusement, too easy to be cheerful instead - and genuinely so in ways which haven't escaped his notice even in the name of being difficult to make Sylvain work for whatever it was spawning the difficulty.

Keeping that up when they're sitting here in the inn after what'd taken place a year ago - well. That makes it even more nonsensical even if sentimentality's been hidden throughout all those words rather than said openly since their arrival. ]

That's a bold proclamation. [ As if it's not one Claude's made before himself, as if it's only he wouldn't make now if the right moment came up for it - ] Hm. I'll consider it if you want to give some more reasons for why you aren't. Or maybe they'll come to you over the night since I won't give you a time limit of until we leave the inn or anything... this time.

[ Is he kidding? Who knows, but Claude merely grins and goes back to turning his glass in place like he'd meant to before. ]