abraxaslogs | [ CLOSED ] into an ocean

[ Embarrassment spikes the warmth in her cheeks as he points out once again something that she's been trying to avoid saying aloud. Like somehow not voicing that she was inexplicably a part of something serious like a business wouldn't push the reality further into the daylight. Maybe her fears of failure didn't stray that far from the fear of disappointment that she'd had when it came to her relationship with Claude and Sylvain. In fact, it is probably similar in many ways. The fact of the matter is that she didn't want this to crash and burn because of her own shortcomings. Especially because Jesper was along for the ride.

The little furrow between her brow deepens, lips jutting out slightly in a furious pout. Sourly, she can't help but think that she should have bought a spray bottle with her for this very topic.

It's easier not to vocally address Claude's teasing sass however as they begin the slow trek up the hill towards their destination. This time the flush of her skin can only be attributed to the affectionate term of endearment. It means a little more now that they've embarked on this new chapter in their relationship and makes her heart hum happily in her chest. Pout momentarily dispelled she goes to loop her arm through his probably making his task of carrying her bags a touch more difficult. ]

My moon, if that's a challenge you better keep up because I packed some things for you too.

[ Because of course she did. ]

Do I get to know what you have planned aside from some quiet sight seeing from our balcony? Or is it a surprise?

For me too?

[ Repeated with no amount of surprise, though only some of that is an act. A glance down at the strap of his own bag where it's wrapped across his shoulder and torso to make it easier to carry on his back - partially due to carrying Hilda's bags for her - before he looks over at her curiously. ]

Is that your way of saying you don't trust what I've packed for myself? [ He's kidding, mostly, though with a grin Claude remembers the state of his shirt upon wandering into the Sarstina after a long day of researching only to find Hilda had arrived. And as always, she'd certainly noticed his sleeves, too. ] I promise I do know a little about being fashionable, though I'll be the first to admit it's only been enhanced by being around you.

[ If he had a free hand he'd reach over to grab one of her hands and squeeze it, but moving his arm to (sort of) replicate the motion with his arm now interlocked with hers it is. It makes it easier to turn down the next side street after studying the signpost by bringing Hilda right along with him. ]

I have a couple surprises stashed away up my sleeves, but I thought the rest of it could be whatever we decide we want to do. Or that you want to do if you have something in mind that you've not done on any of your other visits here. Those can be what we'll do first.

I trust you more than I trust Viktor. Then again, you both have the same awful habit of getting either grease or ink on your clothing.

[ It's delivered with batted eyelashes and a sweet sharpness that Hilda has perfected over the years mostly out of a need to humble the most inflated of egos. No one was safe, not even those she held near and dear to her heart. That shouldn't come as a surprise to Claude however, especially when what she says is true. It exasperates her to no end that neither of them seemed to care for the state of their clothing. Everyone had flaws though and they could be vastly worse.

Lightly she lays her head against his arm following his lead without complaint. There's a brief hum before she answers him. ]

I'm not sure I have anything in particular.

[ Her trips out here were frequent enough for business on behalf of the Old Public Hall that she knew the city well enough. Then again, that's different than coming here over a weekend for leisure. Or more specifically, a date. That's something she definitely isn't used to and hadn't quite yet wrapped her head around when it came to Claude or Sylvain. This idea that they'd still want to spend time with her apart from one another. Old habits and ways of thinking were difficult to outgrow.

This trip, date, whatever, isn't really for her though and she knows that even if that isn't why Claude had planned all of this to begin with. ]

I'd rather do whatever you wanted. It hasn't been the easiest month for you.

[ Though he scoffs at the (correct) commentary about the possible states of his clothing, let alone Viktor's or with the wildcard of having worked on a project in the workshop himself, it's easily forgotten when Hilda rests her head against his arm. It's easy enough to lean down to leave a kiss on top of her hair, though Claude doesn't linger as he straightens back up to raise an eyebrow. One that only arches higher at what follows. ]

Hold on a minute there. This is a trip for both of us and while I might like all kinds of plans, I bet we can come up with some better ones together. We've got some time to figure them out, though.

[ No need to rush into deciding right then and there with the long weekend still sprawling before them and having only just arrived. As for the subject matter of the month - well. Claude also doesn't see a need to let that put a damper on the start of this either. That can also wait for just a little bit since he doesn't believe for a second not acknowledging it will sit well with Hilda.

Especially since after a few more streets, the inn awaits. Or rather it's enough to realize what his merchant friend had described as an inn isn't at all accurate; the front building certainly looks close enough to an inn. But that's until they're told their suite can be found across a sprawling courtyard with fountains, all kinds of flowering plants, and semi-private tables scattered between - something which hints at luxury even before they find their 'suite' is far more like a small cottage.

Or maybe more like a miniature villa when he unlocks the door and they step inside to the main room with a sitting area in the middle leading to one set of double doors leading to the expansive balcony right outside, another set of doors leading to the bedroom which also leads to the terrace, and after setting down their bags on the bench at the end of the bed: opening the doors step outside is the first thing Claude does. The view of Aquila's sprawling streets plus the bay gets an immediate low whistle from him. ]

Huh. I think we're about to be even more spoiled than we accounted for here if this is anything to go by.

[ The mention of the activities that had taken up the brunt of their time this month isn't a prompt to discuss it right at this moment. Rather it's a gentle reminder that she hadn't forgotten his time in the pit (as if she ever could) and the fact that they hadn't discussed it at all. But perhaps more importantly it's a reminder that she was there to listen if if he wanted to talk about it at all. What little she had experienced paled vastly in comparison. Time spent retrieving remains on the island and delivering letters didn't add up to the weeks he had spent in the dark and damp. If there was nothing else she could do the very least she thinks she can provide is being there for him in whatever way he needs.

But just like she always had, she follows his lead, allowing the topic to linger before fading away into the distant sound of the waves and chatter around them for maybe later. A huffed pretense follows. ]

I guess that's true. First we have to survive this long trek up the hill. Are you sure you aren't trying to kill me before we get there?

[ The walk to the inn, or should she say villa, is quickly forgiven the moment they step onto the property. Everything is dazzling under the winter sun and she doesn't have the faintest clue where to begin looking. As tempting as it is to throw herself down onto the bed to test how soft it is, the view is the icing on top of the cake. Letting out an awed breath she trails after Claude and stepping up to the balcony railing. ]

Did you do something illegal for this merchant friend of yours? Or did he something for you? Because this isn't inn nice this is...too nice.

How very dare you! As if I would ever do anything illegal!

[ He would. In a heartbeat. And probably without question, but that's not going to stop Claude from sounding properly scandalized in maybe the barest channeling of Lorenz here as he loops an arm around Hilda to pull her into his side with a grin. At first, anyway, but they did just have that long walk. A couple seconds later he steps behind her instead to wrap his arms around her waist with a gentle tug to encourage her to lean back against him while they appreciate the view a little bit longer. ]

I'll have you know I simply asked where a good spot for a birthday getaway would be if we wanted to spend in Aquila, and he did the rest. This might just make all the walking up hills worth it.

[ And then some. They're certainly going to be spoiled by staying here though eventually Claude manages to tear his gaze away from the horizon to scan the city below them while absently trails the fingers of one hand up and down her side leisurely. There's the bay with its waiting beaches, and on the further end of the city there's one in particular a good amount of distance away from the main busy areas that he points to next. ]

I've heard that beach in particular is a good one since it's a little farther away than where most people go. Apparently there's a small sort of valley we'll have to cross first and that keeps the crowds mostly away. I thought that might be a good place to bring a picnic one day since there's a market not far from it, too. Perfect for all we'll need to lounge around by the sea.

[ The mock offence is met with an expression of clear disbelief because they both know very well that he'd do some underhanded things to varying degrees. Then again, so would she, especially if it was something someone important to her asked of her. There's no resistance as she's pulled into his chest, nor is there a second thought about threading their fingers together. It feels like second nature to do so - in fact it is, in many ways.

Briefly she hums, tilting his head down as she stands up slightly on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. ]

I guess the walk was worth it.

[ There were worse things she'd had to endure to get to this point, she thinks. Not just here physically either - but for time with him, feeling like they were starting to repair the mess they'd made. An uphill trek from a hill seemed like a small sacrifice. Not that to say that she'd be quick to go on uphill trek's unless there was a reward at the end.

Her gaze follows where his finger points, giving a happy little gasp at the thought of a quieter beach being the backdrop of a picnic - even if it does mean a little more walking from the sounds of it. ]

Why don't we go tomorrow? And if your information is good, we can bring Sylvain along.

[ She turns around to face him, arms looping gently around his neck to look up at him adoringly. ]

That and I have the perfect outfits for valley trekking and sea lounging. That's two outfit changes right there. Aren't you glad I brought another bag?

You guess, huh.

[ Said dryly and with no small amounts of disbelief of his own there in partial return for what he'd just been given himself, even if it's probably offset by the smile fleeting across his face at the kiss, though before he can settle her against him a little more Hilda's turning around. The look on her face is one easy to read from where he's seen it a thousand times before in possibly that many different capacities, and while he's no stranger to having it sent his way - it feels different now.

Different because it feels like there's less to question about it now that he knows the heart of what it means no matter what else, and as Claude shifts his arms around her to keep her close he doesn't have to question what's on his own face as he looks back at her. It's the same one, the same sentiment, and once he feels he has to hide less and less for fear of it being unrequited. ]

A good idea considering he might actually find this decent beach weather instead of getting sunburned into oblivion like during the summer.

[ That's about the only part of their visit to Aquila in the summer Claude wants to recall, what with the undercurrent of (or blatant) hostility between the two of them running through that whole trip. But they can at least rewrite over them with things far better, and that goes for the three of them every bit as much, too.

Regret's not something he wants to let filter in for as much as he still feels about all of last summer, so instead Claude grins when there's a better topic to focus on while letting a hand trail up and down her side. ]

Are you saying I should be prepared to carry another bag just as heavy tomorrow because there's going to be even more outfit changes in there if the mood strikes? I'll be sure to pack lightly myself then.

[ A singsong hum vibrates from her lips as she presses another chaste kiss to his cheek.

The way the winter sun sets Claude's eyes alight is a sight she could never tire of. She's so distracted by the way they dance that she almost doesn't think to recognize the rest of his expression. One so fond and full of affection that it almost doesn't seem well placed on his face for this particular situation. Trying to unlearn how she'd been thinking not just this past year but long before that takes constant repetition and practice; she has to remind herself that she was somehow desirable in his eyes not just from a physical perspective but from an emotional one too.

It catches her off guard but she doesn't pull her gaze away immediately. Instead she allows them to bask in the glow of one another as her hands idly play with the hair at the nape of his neck. ]

You should absolutely be prepared to carry another heavy bag tomorrow. It isn't a picnic with food and drink, right? How else is it going to get there?

[ Perry is an obvious answer. Hilda has no qualms about utilizing her unseen servant to help with some of the heavy lifting around the loft and that included bags of all functions. Her heels raise off the ground so she can rub her nose affectionately against his. ]

And as a reward and thank you for doing that today, I'll even give you a massage if you want.

[ That Hilda stays close isn't something he takes for granted. If anything, Claude finds small ways to pull her closer still. It wasn't that long ago he'd resigned himself to the painful absence of ever having this again, and it wasn't that long before that he'd quietly second guessed these moments instead of believing in what they were: an unspoken way for each of them to say the words ever lurking about the edges of his mind with Hilda around, or nearby, or in his arms with the truth of them as steady as a heartbeat.

When she rises closer yet, it's tempting to let his eyes fall shut rather than meeting her gaze as he is to enjoy having her here in his arms. It's far more tempting yet to murmur something matching that thrum of his pulse as it grows louder from that look in his eyes. A novelty to know what it means, he reminds himself again, as a too affectionate smile curves its way onto his mouth as Hilda piles more tasks onto him in the name of vacation plans. He could say something now; it's also a thought he's had for years upon years of how there's not much he wouldn't do if only she asked.

One he swallows back for now, instead letting open amusement take back over with a reward now waiting in front of him. ]

A massage? You should've led with that since I could've carried three more bags on top of the ones you already had.

[ While talking Claude lets his hands slide down from their current grasp and along until he grasps the back of her thighs, and in one motion and with the benefit of their current position and Hilda's arms around his neck he lifts her to wrap her legs around his waist instead. All the better to move them away from the view for now and back towards the door to head inside, and of course grinning all the while. ]

If there's a loophole in there by not mentioning the kind of massage, I'd like to formally request something more than, say, a hand massage right now before it's too late.

[ While their years together hadn't made her a mind reader, she had known enough about him to puzzle out the things left unsaid whether they were aimed at her or not. It's true she had worried that during their last year here that that wouldn't be the case anymore. All the second guessing, all the strife about this rift between them had made her wonder if she had been delusionally naive to think that it would be like that forever. That all it had taken to unravel their bond had been a year and then some of being apart. She hadn't even realized it had been a fear until she had self-destructed what little they'd had left in a poorly thought out way of trying to salvage it.

But dwelling on the past and doing nothing about it wasn't going to help her, help them, move on. She tries to start here and now by reminding herself that the affection on his face is the same she sees when he looks at Sylvain. And she had to be okay with that. She was okay with that. She was learning to be okay with that. That's where she lets her thoughts stop for now: there is affection and there's warmth. Isn't that all she needs?

There's a soft, pleased giggle as Claude urges her legs around his waist as they step back into the room. Wiggling her hips she pulls herself a little closer by wrapping her legs a little tighter around him - less for stability's sake and more to be closer to him. A pretence of contemplation crosses her face. ]

I'll grant a suggestion. And depending on the suggestion, I might even throw in a hand massage for free.

[ Unsurprisingly, an exaggerated gasp follows at that notion of something for free as he carries her in through the door though it's only a mildly believable one even on the scale of reactions he always has ready to go at any time. It's also an entirely unsubtle method of fishing for another giggle from her - though that's only just getting started. ]

My mentioning that the massage better not just be a hand massage doesn't count as suggestion? Maybe you've spent too much time around me when it comes to wanting the specifics in everything and this is it coming back to haunt me finally.

[ A contemplative hum follows as they make their way through the suite, though it's only for show and for entertaining her. Claude doesn't think for an instant that Hilda believes he doesn't have one, two, five, ten things in mind at any given time. But this is enough for now as he tilts his chin up as if to go in for a kiss - at least until they turn the corner into the main bedroom and he pulls back with a teasing grin at the last second to lean over the bed and lay Hilda back on it before bracing his hands on the bed on either side of her. ]

Then again, I seem to remember this massage being your idea so maybe you should be telling me what you have planned.

[ There's an insinuation in there, probably, if only because he's leaning ever closer again to lessen that gap between then. This time Claude doesn't pull away and though it's tempting to hover and to just ghost over her lips with his, it's far better to close the distance for a gentle kiss. Though in true Claude fashion, he doesn't let it linger for long before pulling back for a look of faux thought with plenty of amusement in the edges of it. ]

Maybe a shoulder massage?

[ It's almost prescriptive now this back and forth between them. Claude's dramatic gasps are usually met with one of several options, a laugh being one of them. And that's exactly what she gives him in response. ]

You know I need a little more than that.

[ Perhaps it shows some level of growth that she's asking for specifics at all. Five years ago she would have happily given him the bare minimum )(or nothing at all depending on who was asking). ]

Massages require energy you know. If I want to give you a good one then I have to know what I'm signing myself up for.

[ Said like he wasn't one of the few people that she might give 110% of her best effort for. Her laugh lingers on her face all the same even though his performative thinking. Warmth fills her expression in a way that is so common in these quieter moments between them. Even when he teases her with a kiss and she pouts, that warmth still remains unchanged as she's laid down on the bed so that the only thing she can see is him. Her pout dispels the moment his lips meet hers and when he pulls away, it's her to feign thought as her hands slide down his neck so they can rest on his shoulders. ]

I could give you a shoulder massage. But if we're working on your shoulders we may as well work on your back too, right?

[ Her legs, still partially wrapped around his waist, loosen but still tug him closer so she can press a featherlight kiss to his lips. ]

[ There's a huff of a teasing laugh which goes with that comment about energy and the implication of preserving it, and the only reason it's not something louder is to not interrupt the closeness between them by (rightly) earning himself a swat for riling her up... too much. Something as familiar as this bargaining between them where it's just as often as been Claude himself looking for more in whatever it is they're holding out before the other, and a smile finds its way across his face even as he's already calculating more ways to comply with his end of this deal they're figuring out.

He's not in any rush to move as her hands track across him and he pauses in running his mouth to enjoy the touch. At least until Hilda pulls him closer and he gladly doesn't resist it or the kiss following. It gets a small noise from him when it's as light as the one he'd given her moments before, and Claude brings over one of his hands to cradle her jaw while obeying that quiet request to come closer as he kisses her again, this time one longer and lingering.

It might be risking derailing any massage, but: well worth it as he breaks it to lean his forehead against hers. ]

I'm certainly not going to protest anywhere your hands want to go. [ Which is not at all what Hilda was saying and he knows it, but - that's also true enough as he presses another kiss to the corner of her mouth while trying to not grin. Too much. ] What about the day at the beach tomorrow? Surely that counts for all the relaxation and energy restoration we could need on a getaway.

[ Who said he was going to get a massage then and there anyway? Presumptuous of him to assume. But it might not be the most presumptuous thing he's thought, especially when he kisses her like that. She leans into it, pressing close to him until he breaks the kiss first. The taste of him lingers there, distracting her somewhat from the topic at hand.

Absently she brushes her nose against his with a hum. ]

A day at a slightly secluded beach with you sounds perfect. Are you also asking for a massage there or is that just exclusive to behind closed doors?

That depends, if a massage at the beach gets sand everywhere are you going to tell me it's just a really great exfoliation method?

[ It's partially a joke - though it certainly does sound possible as something either one of them might suggest as a solution to far too much sand. Maybe he'd take it further if the way she'd pressed against him hadn't narrowed down their surroundings that much further to where Aquila, despite being right outside those balcony doors, and their plans for this trip feel all the more distant.

With a small shift Claude leaves his hand where it is to keep their faces together while letting his other trail down her side with a grin. ]

Something tells me you might be about to tell me that's a bonus I hadn't considered before now, though.

[ Half a joke is enough to draw a laugh out of her, bright and sweet even if the reality is that she would absolutely hate sand everywhere. Hilda's fingers curl into his hair as she gives him a brief, lingering kiss. ]

You say that like it's a bad thing. You love the spa.

[ As his hand trails down her sides she leans into his touch, soaking the attention up. ]

Luckily for you, we can take a dip in the water after. Or if you're patient we could have a bath. Did you really think that I'd let you come back into bed covered in sand?

Oh, now we're moving onto baths, are we? This is sounding more and more like an elaborate plot by the minute.

[ Certainly not because he's spiraling it out into one. Definitely not. It's also absolutely not fueled in any way by Hilda's laugh, her fingers in her hair sending a barely there shiver down his spine as they always do without fail. Her lean into his touch as it skims over her clothes, and what has him toying with her hem to brush the skin beneath it lightly as if in thought. As if it was an accidental touch and that moving it farther beneath isn't occupying his thoughts. ]

I'll allow it. You know I never say no to a little spoiling.

[ For himself, for others - for Hilda beneath him to be paired with that thought from before as he tilts his head to kiss the corner of her mouth, her chin, then the potential start of a path down to her jaw as he tests her grip in his hair in the process to see if she'll hold it. ]

[ The way she bats her eyelashes says everything she doesn't say, which is that she doesn't have the faintest idea what he's talking about.

At his agreement she dramatically she gasps - although there's still laughter laced in that sound and in her words. ]

What really? I never would have guessed.

[ The way his hands "accidentally" skim her thigh makes her smile knowingly into the kiss, breathing him in as much as she can until he breaks it. As he makes his way further down her neck she tightens her grip for a brief moment. Her eyes flash mischievously holding his gaze before flipping him onto his back.

Hilda's thighs tighten against his sides. Fingers tangle together with his, pulling his hands above his head before transferring her grip to clasp his wrists. Slowly she descends so that her breath ghosts his lips, the shell of his ear, his neck. Sweetly she murmurs into his warm skin that smells so comfortingly of pine. ]

It's only fair that I spoil you a little more before you spoil me then, right?

Edited 2024-03-24 06:38 (UTC)

It's like you're reading my mind. Someone might think you're rather good at that, you know.

[ If his hands weren't (rather delightfully) pinned this would be the time that he'd pull her in for a kiss, but with no way to do that - and no wish to interrupt her - Claude closes his eyes to focus on the feeling of her breath skimming over his skin. Anticipation builds from there in the way they've become so good at stoking it within each other and drawing it out until there's nothing left to do but enjoy those spoils lavished until well spent.

When the next morning comes around, Claude wakes to the mid-morning sun streaming through the nearest window directly into his face. Even as someone who enjoys rising with the sun it's a bit much, really. Upon grumbling when it seems to shine all the brighter now that he's awake he does find it comes with another benefit: Hilda's waking up at the same time when this sunbeam's served as their personal alarm clock. One more squint outside reveals it's much later than sunrise, at least, which is all the motivation Claude needs to rouse them out of bed. After a bit, anyway; even with their plans for the day there's still some time required to enjoy the simple luxury of being curled up together.

By the time they make it to the markets with their bags for that beach in tow as he carries his own, dutifully has Hilda's slung over one shoulder, and her hand laced through his free one, the crowds are bustling past as Claude peers down one row of the market stalls and then the opposite direction next. ]

It shouldn't be too hard to find what we want to bring for that picnic, right? There's surely a merchant around here somewhere with some options we can take with us and ways to package it to keep the sand out before you're ready to show off your newest exfoliation techniques.

[ As much as they can both agree that the rift between them had been less than ideal, the efforts to repair the space in between them had also brought reminders of things that she had forgotten about. One of which is being able to wake up beside him again. After a myriad of complaints aimed at both Claude and the sun, and asking for 'just a couple more minutes' to be dressed, they eventually make it out the door.

From beneath her floppy sun hat she offers him a bright grin. ]

Aquila has a little bit of everything. I'm sure there's something that pairs well with the all natural sand exfoliation package.

[ Outside of the beach day that Jesper had held last year (some of which she's purposefully tried to forget), she's spent just as much time here in the markets as she has the Cadens ones. ]

How do sandwiches sound? And maybe a cheese board with whatever fruit is in season? Those should be easy to carry and not too heavy to carry.

[ Is that an allusion that Claude will also be carrying their lunch? No, not at all. In fact, she might be even entertaining carrying it because the cute little picnic basket she's carrying goes incredibly well with her outfit. ]

I think anything might be lighter than this bag, you know.

[ That's complete with, of course, dropping his shoulder where her bag's slung like it suddenly contains the weight of the world within it and gravity was summoned by just thinking about it now. There's also a sigh as Claude shrugs it back up to where it belongs - false complaint or not, he's still carrying it - and tugs lightly on Hilda's hand to bring her along as he turns in the direction of a nearby sandwich shop. ]

But we'll manage! Since all of those things you listed off might as well be required in my eyes, and we should probably find some drinks to go with it. There's a good cafe nearby with sandwiches I usually grab when I'm here for the workshop where we can start.

[ Or so he means to, but of course there's distractions to be had on the way. The first is a fruit stand which is rather fortuitous given it was something on the list, and this particular stand also has cups and flagons meant for travel to hold what's a particularly enticing offering here: fresh juice from a buyer's choice of fruit to be turn into that juice. It's enough to get Claude to browse for something beyond things to go onto the board, and not without a smile. ]

These markets remind me of the ones I grew up going to as a kid. Almyra's ports had all kinds of things from everywhere and I used to spend a lot of time browsing around. Sometimes when I was supposed to be doing something else, much to my tutors' chagrin.

[ Her voice takes a hopeful turn as they begin to head towards their destination. ]

Does that mean you'll carry me the rest of the way to the beach?

[ Because surely she's lighter than her bag. Surely. While it may sound like a trap to anyone that isn't familiar with their brand of playful banter, it couldn't be farther from the truth.

Her eyes gleam at the selection of fruit piled high atop of each other and she wastes no time picking several out for their board and the juice. Once they've made their selection she takes a hold of the bag being offered while they wait. A fond smile flits to her face at the thought of a young Claude darting through various legs and stalls in an effort to throw off an exasperated tutor. ]

I'm jealous. Goneril had markets but nothing like this. The closest thing was Derdriu - and even then, my parents wouldn't let me go alone. I wasn't allowed anywhere without supervision. [ The thought makes her sigh. ] And that was normally Holst which meant he never let me out of his sight.

Only if Holst was the one to carry you around Derdriu.

[ He's kidding, but also - it does sound like something that might happen. As does carrying Hilda here despite how he's skipped past that beyond a squeeze to her hand in his, considering they both know there's a chance that might happen as it is. ]

I'm not so sure I was really meant to be out of anyone's sight for a variety of reasons, but that didn't stop me from managing it most of the time. Nader at least found it entertaining though I always paid for it in training later.

[ That comes with a familiar grumble, the beginning refrain of a complaint, though there's no denying the fondness within it. In the same breath and at the moment their canister of juice is handed over and they move onto their next task, something else occurs to him. ]

Huh. Strange to think this is the longest I've gone without seeing him even accounting for me leaving for Fodlan, considering he showed up as my supposed retainer not long after I became duke. [ A brief pause as yet another tangent pops into his mind - this one of course with mischief behind it as Claude pairs it with a sidelong look of amusement sent towards Hilda. ] Well, I suppose there's always a chance he could be summoned here with the rest of us and then he'd really adopt you after all.

Of course he carried me around Derdriu.

[ Now it's her turn to grumble and groan as if reliving the embarrassment of being flung over his shoulder as a means of punishment after finally catching up to her. Being smaller and having the ability to slip through the spaces in the crowd didn't make up for the fact that she had far shorter legs than Holst.

Hilda can't help but think that if she shouldn't have been wandering around, then Claude definitely shouldn't have been. An only daughter who wasn't going to inherit anything was hardly as important as a potential future king - but she lets that go unsaid. Instead her thoughts drift to how they both had shared a penchant for breaking the rules even at a young age.

Whatever fondness that might appear on her face is momentarily stolen away by the horror of Nader appearing here in Abraxas. Even if he's joking she offers him a quick elbow to the side. ]

Take that back! And besides, if he's anything like you told me he probably wouldn't bother trying to adopt me before he lectured you.

[ Mild horror aside she huffs, she rests her head against his arm. ]

Speaking retainers...did you take a retainer after the war? Was it Lorenz?

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