[ That brief frown turns into a proper brow furrow now after Geralt confirms those suspicions, that what he'd connected together is likely true. It's directed at the fire, at least, but the fire doesn't provide him any answers. ]

I have to say that's even less comforting than finding out you and Ciri also have some kind of time shift but it's not the same as mine. [ Dryly, since - it's a joke, half-heartedly, and it's not much of one considering the reality of what those statements mean. There's a difference between suspecting something and having it all but confirmed, and Claude's remembering that now. Still, he'll force a believable (and short) laugh for the sake of not being entirely bleak. ] It did seem like far too much of a coincidence that most everyone I've met in Cadens either has some kind of military experience or has seen battle. My friends who were summoned, they both have fighting backgrounds as well and in more than war alone. I'm sure that was a mark in all of our favors if they're looking for people to recruit. Or conscript.

[ Now the twig gets tossed into the fire. The gesture doesn't wipe his mind of thoughts, unfortunately, though it would've been nice if it did. They know - that much is clear. Does that also mean they know what's hidden, even if he's the only one hiding something? That's equally disconcerting. ]

What I wouldn't give to see the records I'm certain they're keeping on all of us, both before and after arrival.