[ It's a relief, sort of, to discover it's probably not Byleth actually causing the marks he's woken up with nor is it actually him in those quick glimpses from the corner of an eye. That leaves the rest unsolved and the Free Cities' offer to help (or maybe "help") slightly more appealing, if only they'd say what it is first.
Handshakes, though; Claude's getting better at anticipating these after being introduced to them (among other things) upon arriving and there's only the slightest delay before he returns it. ]
It's nice to meet you, Julie. Though I'm sorry it's under these circumstances and not nicer ones.
[ Offered up with a slight smile since really, being crushed under the weight of nightmares likely wasn't on either of their to-do lists any time soon. Though that smile grows a little wider - and solely at his own expense rather than hers - over the idea of any kind of welcome speech. ]
You mean the one from the powers that be not so subtly encouraging us to join the military? I've heard better ones. [ All said casually enough, though Claude eyes a soldier passing on the other side of the street for a moment to make sure they keep walking. Just in case. ] Plus I've had enough of wars for a bit. This isn't the first time I've shown up somewhere I've known basically nothing about so I'll get by.
In all seriousness - past the identity verification part, that is - I was thinking about heading to a cafe to get out of the sun if you'd like to join for a bit. [ A pause where Claude evaluates Julie for just a moment, debating his next words before adding with some sincerity beyond his usual nonchalance, ] I've found being in a crowd helps with... all of this.
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Handshakes, though; Claude's getting better at anticipating these after being introduced to them (among other things) upon arriving and there's only the slightest delay before he returns it. ]
It's nice to meet you, Julie. Though I'm sorry it's under these circumstances and not nicer ones.
[ Offered up with a slight smile since really, being crushed under the weight of nightmares likely wasn't on either of their to-do lists any time soon. Though that smile grows a little wider - and solely at his own expense rather than hers - over the idea of any kind of welcome speech. ]
You mean the one from the powers that be not so subtly encouraging us to join the military? I've heard better ones. [ All said casually enough, though Claude eyes a soldier passing on the other side of the street for a moment to make sure they keep walking. Just in case. ] Plus I've had enough of wars for a bit. This isn't the first time I've shown up somewhere I've known basically nothing about so I'll get by.
In all seriousness - past the identity verification part, that is - I was thinking about heading to a cafe to get out of the sun if you'd like to join for a bit. [ A pause where Claude evaluates Julie for just a moment, debating his next words before adding with some sincerity beyond his usual nonchalance, ] I've found being in a crowd helps with... all of this.