[ Buttonbush: that does finally ring a bell fully, one that'll make it easier to remember to label these vials upon his return. Something Claude had overlooked in today's preparations, but it'll be easy enough to recall once seated back at his desk later on today.

As the vials get tucked away he nods his thanks, busy with slipping them into pockets to stay separate and prevent the glass from getting grand ideas about shattering inside his bag. The question which follows makes him pause in his organization since it feels unexpected in a way he can't place, even despite being the one to volunteer that information. ]

I was. [ Claude says this slowly while internally calculating if he's stumbled upon something of interest to Geralt. The question certainly seems to imply something like it, and he looks up with an eyebrow raised. ] Not out of any obligation to either the military or the Free Cities, just to make that part perfectly clear as said obligation is something I'd rather avoid. Supply runs are something I've done several times over.

[ Whatever smile's on his face shifts to a rueful one then, because - ] That part of war never changes no matter where we are, it seems.