[ Ah - belatedly it occurs to Claude he could've done the same, perhaps even while the guard was peering into the box to check its contents. A slightly sheepish grin crosses his face as Steve selects what to offer, and if it's well received then he'll definitely make note to bring more of those baked goods specifically in the next round.

By the time Steve returns, Claude's found himself a seat in one of the chairs with his satchel resting by it, reclining as much as the chair will allow for without pushing its limits. And then there's an important question of which Claude makes a show of considering like there's a lot he has to gather before answering - ]

I heard there might've been a few things that exploded.

[ To say the least yet again, though those words are said with a fair bit of mirth for being a vast understatement and there's a hint of that amusement in his expression paired with it. But as what will probably be no surprise to Steve, his thoughts don't end there. Nor are they nearly so coy when his friend isn't someone he holds back from after years of friendship, though they can get to those in a minute as he straightens up slightly in his chair from that relaxed posture. ]

And who was responsible for that, though the public seems to think it could've been bandits or a group working against the Free Cities. Someone or multiple someones have been working hard to make sure that's all which got out besides it being a research facility. As for what happened there...

[ At that Claude trails off with the wave of a hand, a gesture to let Steve go on from there in between getting cleaned up. ]