[ When he's not in the room he shares with Cid and Dion, Claude will be out learning as much as he can about his new home. Being in the castle is an odd return to what he'd left behind, in some ways, and without the whole being the ruler instead of a 'guest' in this particular castle. It's familiar enough that he strides through whatever hallways they're allowed in like he's meant to be there - and maybe even the ones they aren't if the doors aren't locked to keep those who are particularly nosy out of them taking in all the details - ready to flash a smile to get out of trouble should he stumble (or purposefully walk) into it. During the first few days, his hallway wandering is a predictable pattern someone doing the same might notice, especially once he's been at it long enough to be able to volunteer directions if they're lost. However, it's also the restless sort of behavior from being somewhere he doesn't trust if someone else might recognize that, too.

Soon enough, the gardens become a particular favorite of his when there's grounds to cover there and it feels like they're out of the castle's looming shadow despite being in them still. Every now and then he'll crouch down by a plant or a flower to reach out to it with a carefully gloved hand - just in case - while leafing through a journal with all kinds of scribbles with his other to compare it to some sketched pictures. ]

Huh. I don't think I've seen anything like this before around the desert.

[ Is Claude talking to himself? Probably, but if someone answers he'll strike up a conversation.

Also in the gardens: he's learned to not pet the calico cat via the difficult way, but this hasn't dissuaded him from sitting near her while eating a late night snack (but out of teeth and claw range) while she pointedly ignores him with a tail swishing in annoyance even as he leaves small pieces of meat or cheese by her attempting to make friends. A fellow animal lover might overhear him telling the still disinterested cat about the baby wyvern, lizards, and leosylphs that make up part of his family back in Cadens.

The library is also a reliable place to find him as it's been everywhere he goes, though it's the historical topics in particular he focuses on. He has no particular research topic in mind beyond comparing what he's read in books in the Free Cities to what's here. Paying more attention to what's on the shelves means there's a good chance he'll reach for a title at the same time as someone else only to grin sheepishly for not paying attention to his surroundings. ]

Looking up the same things, are we? I have another book I could trade you for this one.

[ He's still keeping a hand on this book in the meantime, but there really is a whole stack of books he has to bargain with. ]