[ CLOSED ] the dawn is opening

[godshattering]

Who: Claude and various
When: September, October, November
Where: Cadens, Libertas, the Horizon
What: Catch all
Warnings: None currently, will add/mark as needed


( Closed starters below. Find me at indech, on Discord, or by PM at any time to plot something! )

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— hilda

[godshattering]

[ Libertas' markets turned out to be a good idea. It's not that the ones in Cadens don't have plenty to offer - they do, and they've certainly taken plenty of trips around each area of each one to account for all the purchases made now residing back at the loft - but being somewhere they aren't usually helps. And if there's any streets or signs which lead to the Red Path around their visits, Claude's not going to acknowledge them. Better to leave that memory in the past for as long as they can.

As promised (and with no complaining as the other part of said promise), he has several of Hilda's bags in hand to bring back to the loft, or so he hopes, all gathered over a couple hours of shopping for this thing or that item in between breaks to try a couple of cafes for brief rests to not overdo it. Though he's considerably dialed back the amount of hovering that'd happened not long after her injury, traces of it can still be found in wondering aloud if this cafe has better tea than the last and so on.

But there's more to it since when Hilda declares she's ready to not make another trip around the stands to see if there's anything they might've missed, heading back to the loft wasn't exactly on the schedule of things he'd quietly planned for. ]

Well, if you're ready to take another break, I have an even better idea than looking for another place to try some disappointing tea. [ Because the tea snobbery will truly never end, and especially not now that their roommate is creating teas which far exceed what was here before, but this isn't even related to that as he nods back over his shoulder towards a building with a rather lavish looking outside just a few storefronts away. ] There's a spa here which I hear outdoes the ones even in Nocwich, and I thought it might be nice to relax before heading home. You know, for something besides the same tub you're used to.

[ Assuming she's even going to the loft, which is absolutely an assumption he's making (hoping for) after today. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Distilling this post-recovery trip down to nothing more than a shopping outing has proven an effective defence against any linger doubts that this could stir up feelings that Hilda has been trying to quash. Then again, shopping has always been an excellent distraction. Whether it's there to help her ignore a near death experience or an extensive amount of awkwardness that she feels spending time with someone she has unrequited feelings for, Hilda is happy to report that shopping is still very effective.

Her own promise had also been fulfilled of course. The bags Claude carries are mostly filled with things for Sylvain and Claude her annoying, but attentive nurses. Most of them practical, and all of them are very unromantic things like cooking supplies and utensils both useful and stupid, dried ingredients for dishes, a plethora of gardening related items, and empty bottles and tinctures for Claude's more private projects. And best of all? Not a single fleeting thought of feelings had once crossed her mind. All in all, a successful trip if you asked her. But her stamina still isn't where it was and she has no problem making that known.

She half expects him to agree and say that they can return to Cadens. She assumes that he's had his fill of spending the day with her and probably wants to go home to Sylvain. Instead his suggestion is met with a raised eyebrow for more than one reason and some quirked lips at the tea comment. ]

Not that I'd ever turn down a trip to the spa, but I'm surprised you want to go to the spa with me.

[ There's a brief pause because well, not to state the obvious but the setting of their last explosive fight had been at a spa. ]

This isn't some ploy to get me into a mud bath, is it? [ Her voice carries a lilt to it, like she's trying to show him that she really is joking before the look in her eyes turns slightly more serious. ] Don't you want to head back to the loft to see Sylvain? We've been out all day.

[godshattering]

Sylvain's good at entertaining himself. I'm sure he'll be fine doing whatever it is he's up to right now.

[ Because that feels like the best place to start, unsure as he is why that'd be something she'd suggest when the whole point of this day was - well, to spend time with her. He'd organized it around that with the careful choosing of what to do, not that Hilda necessarily knew that piece while he'd moved them from one to another seamlessly in the background as usual though she likely suspects it, but maybe this is her way of saying she'd rather go home. Claude's going to arch an eyebrow like there's something suspicious about this even if it's to fully play along or to tease (or both). ]

I wasn't planning on getting my well thought out revenge regarding any mud baths, if that's what you're thinking. And besides, who else would I go to the spa with?

[ Sylvain's likely the unspoken option there, too, but: they both remember how that turned out even before they'd had to practically shove him into enjoying the - one partial treatment they'd gotten to before everything went off the rails. All the more reason to not dwell on this, or that, or any of it, and Claude simply starts to walk towards the spa's front doors like it's their next destination. Or maybe just his; that part seems to still be undecided. ]

But if you're saying I should enjoy whatever this luxury package is all by myself instead...

[ That comes with a smirk cast back in her direction over his shoulder for good measure, of course. ]

— jayden

[godshattering]

[ Libertas has held a special place in his heart ever since the events of last year. The positive association - the art walk, the open minds, the discussion of the state of things shared so freely in a way beyond what the Free Cities' name implies - and the negative of Thorne's attack and the retaliation from that. The rebuilding efforts meant he'd spent a large amount of time around before and after helping to bring supplies back, and there's one orphanage in particular which he'd helped out at to the point where it's become a staple in his weekly rounds.

Which is why he's here now, though rather than bringing only the art supplies he normally does for crafts and small plays put on by creative minds, this time there's a second basket of other trinkets in his hands to go along with it. As usual, however, there's a bunch of children around Claude soon after his arrival in the courtyard clamoring to know what's in it because it looks different, and did he see the visitors which came around before, and where they'd come from, and are those presents for them? ]

Whoa now! One question at a time. I know I like to talk, but even I can only take on too much. How about we head into the main room first instead of staying out here in the sun? It's a little warm even for me.

[ There's some cheers and some of the children scatter to do just that while others linger and he reaches to ruffle the hair of one particular boy about half his height glad to see him. Reinforcements here might've been a good idea if not a second stock of items in case this first one isn't enough, Claude realizes belatedly, and he glances back over his shoulder out into the street outside without real intent behind it. Until, that is, he sees someone he knows well with a basket of their own and his face immediately brightens. ]

Hey, Jayden! You wouldn't happen to be bringing a special delivery here, would you?

[takeatrip]

[Jayden, in contrast, doesn't spend much time in Libertas; he'd been there for the strange party held soon after their rescue from the pit, and he'd visited a few times afterward for shopping reasons or just to explore a little. But when he'd heard about the volunteering opportunities, and had then immediately rejected anything that involved the ocean, handing out some gifts to a bunch of kids who could use a little joy felt like a very appealing option. Kids are tiny weirdos, but that's what's great about them, and Jayden feels much less awkward talking to them than he would trying to cheer anyone up in a hospital.

In theory, anyway. In practice he's still hesitating, somewhere between his natural awkwardness and some unnecessary anxiety about somehow screwing this up, and so is only slowly approaching the orphanage and listening to what is still indistinct but seems to be excited chatter. It's only when he gets a little closer though that he's able to recognize a familiar voice, drawing his attention to an equally familiar person.]

That's the plan.

[He says it with a small grin, Claude's presence giving him a little more confidence, which is helped further as some of the kids latch onto the idea of a second visitor bring even more gifts and instantly welcome him with some excited chatter of their own.]

H-Hey, between the two a' us there should be plenty for everyone, so don't worry. I think we were goin' inside? Follow Claude.

[Claude seems to know what he's doing, after all.]

[godshattering]

Thank the gods for that then. I was starting to fear for my life if I didn't actually have enough of everything in this basket.

[ Breezily enough even though really, not thirty seconds before he'd been flirting with that very disaster - and not the fun kind of flirting. As the children pick up on the fact that this is definitely another basket for them and it's Jayden's turn to be surrounded, there's a second where he has to swallow back a laugh before shaking his head in mock sternness none of the kids who knows him will actually fall for. ]

You heard the man! Last one inside gets to choose what they want last!

[ That's probably something he should've thought before saying for the potential outcomes, but it does get the rest of the children inside. They're spared any outrage when there's a multiway tie at the door of who walks in last in the excitement, and when adults who are not Claude already have the kids sort of lined up with a table for them to stand by with the baskets. Claude's about to head that way but he's stopped by a tug on his sleeve, looking down to see a little girl there who asks if they're still going to work on their next play. As promised, she reminds him with great gravity, at which he presses a hand to his chest in equal sincerity. ]

I never forget a promise. After this is done, I bet Jayden would be happy to help with some of the costumes, too. What do you think?

[ This earns Jayden a very scrutinizing look as only small children can do as she takes her time in deciding but eventually nods before running off to get in line, and he flashes Jayden another grin. ]

— sylvain

[godshattering]

[ It'd hit him all at once while looking at a calendar with the intention of looking for something else. 'It' being the amount of time they've been here, something that's sunk in plenty of times in conversations with other Summoned or at random when it's crossed his mind, but this particular instance comes with something else. The date looking back at him not only confirms that Sylvain's been here a year, but it's a little more than that.

A year holds more weight than a summoning ritual and one's arrival, this particular something being something Claude still doesn't know how to put a name on, how to neatly summarize it, or whether it can be. That thought was easy enough to ignore or brush aside, but it's been growing steadily louder over the last months and weeks to where it demands to be notice. It does again now as he absently taps a finger on the calendar's page and thinks.

This is how, a few days later after considering this a bit more and more and it forms into the decision to do something for it, he's leading Sylvain down one of Cadens' streets with their hands linked as they head towards their destination. One Claude knows but Sylvain doesn't, considering this also comes with a scarf repurposed as a blindfold around the other man's eyes that'd been fastened when they'd stepped outside the front door to the loft. ]

Almost there, promise. Even if I have to tell you that the temptation to lead you around in circles for a while is extremely difficult to resist, but I'm managing it.

[philancer]

[ Trust wasn’t something Sylvain extended easily, or often. He might have agreed to this with others, for the fun challenge of it, but there’s little Claude could ask of him that he wouldn’t do, trusting the other man had a reason for it.

Even if he felt ridiculous right now and wouldn’t put it past Claude to ‘accidentally’ walk him into a lamppost or something.

Claude’s teasing statement gets a quiet snort of amusement from him as he lets himself be led blindly down the street. He has a vague idea of where they are, if only because he’d been following the turns and picking up on familiar sounds along the way. But it was harder than it should be, especially for someone who’d come to know these streets well in his time here. ]

I’m still not sure you haven’t been. You still haven’t given me a reason for not being able to see where we’re going. I could have walked there and still looked completely surprised, you know.

[godshattering]

Suspense as a reason isn't good enough? It's certainly worked for you before.

[ Claude follows that up with a speculative hum as if he's suddenly reevaluating several things all at once with that supposed revelation from the other man. Not that even he buys his own words past anything beyond yet another way to tease since there's no stating enough how much that works on them both, but. Now's not the time for that or a repeat of scaring the poor merchant in Aquila. Or not intentionally, anyway.

As they pause at a corner to let a heavily weighed down wagon go by at a slow speed on its way across town, the rest of that sinks in and he elbows Sylvain lightly like that was a deep blow to his reputation. ]

Also, hey! If I were going to lead you in circles I certainly wouldn't announce it first. There is a destination to this if you can be patient for a couple more streets. I promise you'll like where we're going to end up.

— jasper

[godshattering]

[ It's been a bit in the aftermath of those monsters from other worlds - and his - coming to wreak havoc across Abraxas. At one point, Claude had thought about sending Jasper a message to check in with something beyond the Horizon alone where everything could look fine until it wasn't. Hilda's injuries had then wiped his mind of anything else for weeks on end until the point when he was surprised to look at the calendar and see it was time for the portals to Nocwich to open again. Which works, truthfully, when it comes to being able to catch up with Summoned face-to-face in opportunities they don't have otherwise, and Claude assumes he'll run into Jasper at some point there.

Perhaps that's overly hopeful on his part, given that he has the feeling Jasper and Hubert have a few things in common and that might include being left to their own devices. Possibly not the part about remaining in the background of things, even as he thinks about finding Jasper amidst the stalls as he passes a few now, though that's hard to say. It still has him scanning over the crowds idly as he goes since today he has a different destination in mind.

It's also been a while since he's tested his abilities of reading people using another method: a friendly card game. Or one that's friendly to the house as Claude's discovered from previous trips into the gambling den even as he steps inside now, but the extra coin in his pocket will buy him some time in observing his tablemates. Conveniently, there's even a table basically left wide open from all the players at it but one leaving and Claude soon finds out why when the remaining werewolf, apparently quite pleased with her winnings, jovially and loudly offers to pay for anyone around to sit at the table and play for a couple rounds.

Well. If that's not an invitation he can't refuse since it means not spending his own funds despite his plans, then Claude doesn't know what is and he slides into one of the empty seats with a smile. At least this'll be interesting. Probably. ]

— abby

[godshattering]

"Here, try it more like this."

The Horizon is a very helpful place to have. It's not that Claude doesn't want to go practice in the desert - and has done just that plenty of times before, fading summer heat wave or not - but it's certainly nice to be able to do this without worrying about anyone watching. 'This' being the two of them standing in the middle of the training grounds within in his own domain separated from Garreg Mach where Claude's repurposed the corner of his courtyard normally cluttered with archery targets and weapons racks into something else. While the archery components are still there (and same for the weapons where swords and axes wait), they aren't the main targets this time.

Instead it's a handful of things meant for wind magic practice: a couple towers built out of playing cards to a decent height and ready to be knocked down courtesy of an enchantment on them to rebuild each time that happens, a table with oversized fruits ready to be sliced up by wind blades, some hollow chimes meant for seeing who can strike them harder to make them ring out, and any number of other things to add a little variety into what comes to targets.

It's one of those wind blades Claude summons now, and with the flick of a wrist he sends it whistling through the air to shave off part of a large rectangular ice block. Said ice might be so he can entertain himself as a triangular shape slides off and hits the ground below to shatter into an approximation of snow, mostly because this is the only amount of snow he enjoys, but that's not the point of now as he turns back to Abby with a grin.

"I'd say it's a little like throwing a knife, but we might have to work that into today's practice later since I have a dartboard around here somewhere we could use."

[everybodysterrible]

Wind magic was weird. Once she got the basics down, making a wind, that and a lot of other more fundamental aspects of the element became simple. Shaping the magic to create a trail in the air, tornadoes, localized spheres of slashing wind. It had to either be chaotic destruction, or easy to visualize.

Controlled destruction was a little bit more of a challenge.

She held her knife in front of her, flat aimed at one of the watermelons, releasing the spell she'd formed in it. It did release a pulse of wind. But it wasn't flat, wasn't sharp. It just rolled the watermelon off it's pedestal, like hit with a bullet of air. Abby sagged a little with a frustrated noise.

Feeling the shape her magic takes had taken a little work, but she could tell what she was doing. And that it wasn't what she wanted. "I keep ending up with something the size of a golf ball, not a sheet of paper. Which I think I can use for something else but it isn't what we're working on."

It might solve her 'buildings too far apart' problem but that was not today's agenda. She'd also attempted casting from the tip of her knife, rather than the flat, but that was wildly difficult to aim and still ended up in golf ball sized air bullet territory.

...That hit a rack of axes she wasn't anywhere near aiming for.

[godshattering]

He watches as she aims the knife towards her target, idly fiddling with a dagger he'd created after the mention of knives and throwing them, since - why not? It can't hurt to build one more skill in there in his mind, and possibly more so since she'd been looking at the knives in the market that day. Might as well help her be prepared as best as he can should she decide to buy one.

The wind, however, has other ideas as Abby takes a shot with it. The frustrated noise isn't unexpected, given how prone he is to a variety of them himself, and Claude holds back the urge to tell her to try again. That's what practice is for and she'll have to reach for what she knows and for how this should be, and he believes she can do it. That comparison she offers is a little lost on him, though he tilts his head to one side while tapping the dagger against his palm as he considers it.

"What if you think of a... bucket of golf balls, was it? Instead of just one, then focus on aiming that or rather, all of them." Is it a good suggestion? Possibly though likely not, given he'd be lying if he said it wasn't also for the sake of experimenting a little with the Horizon and all those ways waiting to play into wherever this goes.

The axes weren't exactly what he has in mind, but: he certainly hadn't hit everything he'd aimed for the first try when learning the spells, that's for sure. "New plan, we're going to walk around during this." With a nod in the direction of the axes, he sets off towards there with the intent of loosening things up a bit. If Abby has that arsenal of blades ready to go, he'll conjure up some oversized bubbles to drift her way since no reason practice can't be a little more (or a lot more) fun than standing in one place the whole time.

— sylvain (early october)

[godshattering]

[ It's a nice day in Libertas. The sun is shining brightly and on the right side of warm (for Faerghans), a steady breeze blows every so often with the promise of the coolness of autumn on the way soon, and the couple of flowering fruit trees around scent the air. All around a testament to how beautiful the memorial park in Libertas is since this is just one section of it alone with the rest of it no less so. And all of it together makes where they're at in the grassy section beneath the shade of a willow tree rather picturesque; now that the worst of the summer weather's departed it's been even nicer to spend more time outdoors and though Cadens has its share of parks and places, a change in scenery seemed like a good way to spend today.

Claude's reclining on his back with his rolled up cloak wedged beneath his head as a pillow with a book propped open in one hand that he's reading aloud from, and the other is resting on top of a head full of red hair resting against his stomach being used as a pillow while occasionally running through said hair in a routine he's become used to. Including making their way through another chapter of some rambling mystery novel Claude's not fully certain he understands when it comes to where the plot is going, but it seems like it's getting to a crucial point. At one edge of the blanket stretched out beneath them is the remnants of the picnic brought with them made up of a collection of food items he'd purchased at this bakery or that cafe to bring with them, and inside the basket used to carry it all is a box of savory cheese pastries he's highly considering grabbing for both of them to enjoy.

Maybe in a minute when (or if) he feels like moving from how comfortable they are as he moves the book to peer at Sylvain's face. And regardless of whether the other man looks like he's on the verge of it or not - ]

Don't fall asleep yet. We're almost to the good part here unless you want to stay in suspense a little longer.

[philancer]

Too late.

[ Sylvain’s eyes are closed and a smile is lingering on his lips as he lays propped on Claude’s stomach. He’s only been listening with half an ear, more enjoying the sound of Claude’s voice rather than paying attention to what he was saying. He’s not really about to fall asleep, but the feel of Claude’s fingers in his hair is relaxing and his stomach is pleasantly full from their lunch and the weather is perfect and…

Nah, that about covers it. Perfect. If he didn’t have to move the rest of the day, he wouldn’t even complain. He’d be perfectly content just stopping time right here. ]

Besides. You love leaving me in suspense.

[godshattering]

[ There's a laugh from him that's more sound than movement, mostly, since he's not trying to jostle Sylvain from where he is. Not when the other man looks so pleased to be right where he is if the level of relaxation is anything to go by, and Claude moves to run his fingers through that tousled hair again. ]

Maybe, but maybe there's a limit to that. Like in, let's say, having to reread the last three chapters because you slept through them.

[ Despite the words, the fondness in his tone certainly implies something otherwise - like the opposite being likely considering there's no way he can fault Sylvain being so comfortable when they both are. As long as the other's eyes remain closed, he'll take advantage of that to study that handsome face though should Sylvain open them, Claude won't look away either with the book temporarily forgotten. ]

Does that mean I can't convince you to grab the rest of what's in the basket? You know, in the name of getting comfortable since you're about to take a nap.

— hilda and sylvain; know i'm not perfect but i hope you see my worth

[philancer]

[ They've been home from the Nether for a few days now and things have been... relatively normal. Quiet. If Sylvain's been a little more subdued, he's done his best to hide it behind a smile, or the activities that make him happiest. The ones that make him feel useful around the Loft.

Part of that is interrupted by the renovations starting over on the Inn, which he's thrown himself into wholeheartedly. But this particular afternoon, he's home, out on the terrace and working with some of the plants he's gotten off of Jaskier, to expand his herb and spice collection. Lost in his own thoughts and hands buried in the dirt, he doesn't realize that he's being subtly and stealthily corralled in by his well-meaning roommates.

The fact that he is so deeply lost in his own thoughts that he doesn't even notice is probably just one more reason why they're feeling the need to do that in the first place. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ It had admittedly taken some convincing on Claude's part to get Hilda to join him in this little intervention. Her reluctance had been made known in a not-so-subtle way not because she didn't care about Sylvain's wellbeing in any capacity, but rather she's still convinced that Claude would be better suited to handle this conversation on his own in spite of Sylvain saying that was a bad idea.

But her concern and worry had outgrown this ill-placed idea which explains her presence today.

This starts out the way most of their schemes: Hilda softening up their unsuspecting victim and luring them into a sense of security. Is this manipulative? Maybe. But it would only be that way for the shortest amount of time while Claude ensured Sylvain wouldn't be able to escape, hence the conversation on the terrace. Short of leaping from the balcony (which they did actually have a contingency plan for on the off chance the Faerghan tried to pull that boneheaded move), Sylvain wouldn't be able to leave easily.

She arrives with little fanfare, crouching down beside him to make her presence known. Her head lays easily on his shoulder, peering up from under her lashes. ]

There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you.

[godshattering]

[ Meanwhile, inside the loft:

Even though Sylvain's been plenty distracted which wasn't difficult to tell, especially with being outside for so long and mostly quiet on top of that, Claude made a point of going out for the afternoon. Supposedly.

What'd really happened was he'd left, wandered around the block a time or two, and then had Hilda let him back in as discussed. The perfect way to pull off their plan, really, since when she steps outside? That's when he started wandering around the loft applying ice to the windows to seal them shut. Specifically the ones facing the terrace where one might attempt to climb through them; while he hadn't known about this power prior to experimenting around in the Nether, it's certainly coming in handy now to encase all those surfaces so the latches are completely covered and the panes are encased.

The doors are next until all that's left is the last one right after he slips out of it for Perry to take over from there. ]

Both of us were. [ Said very cheerfully to announce his presence, and just to confirm that they're completely up to something even before Sylvain gets to see the temporary winter(ish) (semi-)wonderland across the wall behind them all. ] Lucky for all of us that you're out here, really. How's it going out here?

[ Just keeping it Totally Casual™ ]

— the mess; cuz i've been waiting forever, waiting on this to start

[philancer]

[ Sylvain... isn't the most patient of people, but at the same time, watching this strange and awkward dance happening around the Loft as people walk on eggshells and try to feel out this new scenario without sharing what their own thoughts and fears are outside their own head...

Well, it's testing what little patience he can muster on a good day.

Especially when he's talked with Claude. And talked with Hilda. And he's pretty sure they've talked to each other, too. And yet he's not sure any of them are sure about where they stand right now. Or where they're supposed to go from here.

And he's pretty sure if they keep trying to do all of this separate and alone, none of them are going to get anywhere but hurt and unhappy.

Which he'd prefer to avoid them all delving into again, as much as possible. So he pulls out some underhanded tricks, some sneaking around, and maybe even some mild, well-meaning manipulation in the efforts of arranging for all three of them to be at the Loft tonight - them under the guise of seeking him out for something he needs their help with.

And if his room is set up for a comfy evening in where they can sit and talk - complete with at least three bottles of wine, just in case - well, that's just a convenient happenstance, right?

At least that's the story he's going with, and he'll stand by it. Even if he has to lock all three of them in until dawn to get some truths out of all of them.

Things are dire when it falls to Sylvain Gautier to wrangle everyone together to talk about their feelings. ]

[godshattering]

[ With the promise made to drop by for whatever it is Sylvain so vaguely insisted he needed some help with - though it was less insisting and far more like a simple request, even if there was the vague sense he couldn't say no to it in there somewhere - Claude puts his rather nebulous as they were plans for the evening on hold and instead opts to stay around the loft.

It's a good chance to catch up on some research he's been putting off (or more like picked up twelve different books than the ones he'd meant to) and since Sylvain and Hilda seem to be up to their own things as well, he settles in to read until a glance at the clock reminds him just how many hours have gone by. And, of course, that there's something else he has to go do.

If he'd stopped to think about it, it might've clicked that this seems Suspiciously Close To Recent Events in several ways. He doesn't and so therefore it doesn't as he heads down the hall to Sylvain's room after leaving the book he was reading on top of the stack next to his bed balanced rather precariously one on top of another.

Then he walks through the door, takes a glance around as he steps inside, notes the wine - and then looks back to Sylvain with both eyebrows raised and an amused smile. ]

Is this one of those times I should've asked what it is you have in mind first? Because this feels a little bit like you're up to something.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda arrives shortly after Claude without the faintest idea what this could possibly be about. Sylvain hadn't been forthcoming which had only furthered her suspicion. But after everything she felt like she had put him through, there were plenty of things Sylvain could ask of her and she would (reluctantly) do it. Not that he knew that. No, she kept that fact close to her chest much in the same way she kept that fact from Claude; she could only imagine what kind of chaos that would cause.

After a long bath, she's quick to change into a simple dress and one of the sweaters she had dug out of Claude's perpetual mess of a closet after a day of bustling back and forth between Aquila and the Old Public Hall. With the day ending she doesn't see the point in putting her hair up when she'll end up taking it down later to sleep anyway.

A bright greeting is on the tip of her tongue when she notices the set up, bottles of wine and all. All of it gets a pointed, curious eyebrow raise as she steps into the room. Her eyes shift towards Claude before going to Sylvain, only the faintest hints of hesitation edging into her smile. ]

You didn't need both of us for this did you? Because I was getting a little tired anyway so I could just head to bed.

— sam wilson

[godshattering]

(continued from here)

You're a man after my own heart, Sam Wilson. See you shortly.

[ True to his word and with the lure of that very cafe he'd mentioned, it's enough to get Claude out the door on time to head the short distance across Cadens from the loft with a note left behind for Hilda and Sylvain and a list he brings with him of which shops and offices they can stop by to gather some funds and the like for the plans. One less thing to do later, hopefully, when it comes to getting everything organized for when the Summoned all meet up to start moving it out to the Path.

The latter paper is what he has in his hand while walking towards Mag's, though not without grabbing a pen out of his bag to jot a couple more notes on there. The second half of the paper he keeps empty for room left for Sam's recommendations since he's positive the other man will have a few more in mind after their conversation. As a light breeze stirs up he half-smiles to himself. It really is nice weather and if there wasn't a mission in mind, he'd be tempted to go to only the cafe.

No reason they can't multitask, though, which is what Claude's doing a bit of while leaning against a wall outside of the Sarstina flipping through his journal to look for his register of what's already been collected and is ready to go. The familiar noise of the inn's front door opening makes him glance up to see who's walking outside, and upon seeing it's just who he's waiting for he breaks out into a grin. ]

There you are! Ready to charm all of Cadens? I have a feeling this afternoon's going to fly by but only in the best of ways, of course, which means we'll be at the cafe that much sooner to celebrate a job well done. Well, before the real job coming up, but that just means a second party will be in future.

[ Or something like that, not that he's going to miss a chance to plan that, either. ]

[falcony]

I DO WHAT I CAN

[ sam is quite punctual himself, but between the other messages and conversations he has to wrap up and getting stopped on his way through the tavern space by mag asking for a few last minute errands while he's out, it's a couple of minutes later before he's pushing through the doors out onto the street.

claude is - of course - already there, list in hand. sam chuckles and apologizes and goes in for- well, really, he goes in for a handshake-slash-hug and hopes for the best.

when that is all said and done, sam will take a breath and hold out his hand for the list of names. he knows claude has probably already brainstormed a bit, and while sam is pretty sure a lot of their names will be the same, he's hoping to be able to add at least a few more. he's got some people he knows for a fact they can get a little extra help from, and whether or not he likes or hates it, he does know how to fundraise. ]

Oh, I was born ready to charm. And with us working together, Cadens doesn't stand a chance. Oh- here. First stop is right down this way. [ sam's going to start off down one of the streets, weaving between people even as his eyes are scanning the names - recognizing some, but not all. he'll ask for the pen at some point to jot down his own offerings, not realizing until he's on the last name that he's all but doubled the list. whoops. ] By the time we're through here, I'm gonna need a drink, that's for sure.

[godshattering]

That's what I like to hear. Maybe we'll be able to round up all kinds of extras between the two of us that we didn't even plan for since we'll be everyone's good friends by the end of this.

[ Said teasingly and with a short laugh as the handshake-hug goes well, thanks to time in Abraxas making it one he rather prefers over the admittedly far too formal ones he was used to back home. With a nod back over his shoulder afterwards in the direction of the street, Claude gladly hands over the list when requested and then it's his turn to catalogue the names added as the list grows. By the time Sam finishes, he's grinning again. ]

We might need several drinks, but we'll have well earned them if we get through even part of these. And here, [ with a tap of a fingertip to one name which stands out, ] I've never met this merchant, but she's close friends with one I used to work for. Her shop might not be a bad place to start.

[ A quick glance up to get his bearings shows they're not all that far from the street in question, so then it's just a matter of turning to head down it as Claude looks back to Sam next. ]

You'll have to forgive me for my endless love of asking questions though I promise it's from genuine curiosity. Was this sort of thing you used to do back home, too?